Supporters Direct Press Releases Tues Feb 5th
Massive turnout at Supporters Direct lobby ends with a call for “action, not talk”
John Whittingdale, Chairman of the culture, media and sport select committee, has called for supporters to “keep up the pressure” for reform of football, citing positive noises from government off the back of his committee’s report into football governance reform. He was speaking at the lobby of Parliament organised by Supporters Direct today.
He said that there’s a “huge strength of feeling” amongst MP’s on the issue of reform, reiterating that the clock is ticking for the authorities to implement the changes they’ve demanded.
The meeting – which nearly 70 MPs attended or were represented in the Thatcher Room & where there was standing room only
Supporters Direct called for swift progress to be made in two areas – areas broadly supported by the football authorities and government, which don’t require legislation, and importantly which don’t need to wait for reform of The FA. Whittingdale’s committee was heavily critical of the authorities in its report last week for acting too slowly to bring about the necessary reforms for football:
1. That the football authorities need to include a rule as part of the new football club licensing arrangements that guarantees a Structured Relationship between supporters and clubs; and
2. That DCMS needs to establish the Government Expert Group before the beginning of next season (2013/2014) to explore methods of removing barriers to increased collective supporter share ownership in their football clubs.
A succession of speakers including Penny Mordaunt MP, Clive Efford MP, Labour Sports Shadow, and John Leech, spokesman for the Lib Dems on sport, endorsed the proposals, saying there was ‘no reason’ for the changes not to be introduced now.
Damian Collins MP, who is sponsoring a football transparency bill, also called for transparency in ownership of football clubs, and a shift from the ‘primary measure of success in football being how big the tv deal is’, pointing out the more balanced and competitive German football model.
David Lampitt, Chief Executive of SD, said “We have been pushing for these reforms, amongst others, throughout the Governance review, and it’s now time the talking translated into meaningful action. There’s no good reason for further delay on these issues and they will make a positive difference to football fans everywhere. Fans are the lifeblood of the sport and for too long their interests have been marginalised. This is a chance for fans to help create real change.”
Reflecting on the lobby, added “There’s no clearer message that we can deliver from Supporters Direct, supporters trusts, and Parliament than: ‘the time has come to stop talking and start delivering’”.
As part of the event, the report ‘Grounds for Benefit’ was launched using the Chelsea Pitch Owners Association as one of the examples. The report researched how stadia can be protected and their community benefit enhanced by having supporters involved in the ownership structure.”
Head of Policy Tom Hall, said “Supporters have a vital role to play in ensuring football stadia are protected and run for the benefit of their communities, both now and for future generations.”
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About Supporters Direct
- GROWTH: Supporters’ trusts have now been established at over 170 clubs.
- MEMBERSHIP: Over 300,000 people are members of supporters’ trusts in the UK
- FINANCE: Supporters’ trusts have now brought in well over £30 million of new finance into football and rugby league.(This amounts to almost £7 of investment for every £1 of funding to SD)
- OWNERSHIP: 30 clubs in the UK are in ownership or in control by supporters’ trusts, including Football League clubs AFC Wimbledon, Exeter City and Wycombe Wanderers
- PARTNERSHIP: Over 100 supporters’ trusts now have shareholding in their club.
- BOARDROOM: Over 65 supporters’ trusts have directors at their clubs, including Premier League Swansea City FC.
- REACH: Supporters of nearly 70% of clubs in the top five divisions of football in England, and the top four divisions in Scotland have established supporters’ trusts