MPs back Supporters Direct calls for football reform
Last updated on .From the section Football

English football authorities must take immediate action to ensure fans play a key and permanent role in their clubs, MPs and supporter groups are demanding.
The sport was that unless it introduces reforms within a year the government will impose changes.
But Supporters Direct wants three ideas implemented urgently, chief executive David Lampitt insisting football must "stop talking and start delivering".
The ideas include making football grounds harder to sell off.
John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said there was a "huge strength of feeling" on among MPs on the issue of fan involvement.
Whittingdale's committee calling for major changes to the way football is run in England and another on 29 January, which complained about a lack of progress and warned of potential legislation if action was not forthcoming.
But Supporters Direct - which provides advice and assistance to supporters' trusts - insists neither sweeping reforms nor fresh legislation are needed for its recommendations to be met.
The ideas they want to see implemented are:
- A rule that guarantees a structured relationship between fans and clubs.
- A government expert group to explore ways of removing barriers to fan ownership of clubs.
- Stadiums to be designated as community assets so they are not sold off without lengthy consultation.
These requests were outlined during a parliamentary meeting on Thursday, attended by around 70 MPs or their representatives alongside numerous supporter groups.
"There were a lot of people there from the football family but also a lot of MPs - they recognise that football is community-based," Shadow Sports Minister Clive Efford told BBC Sport.
"The Football Association, Premier League and Football League have got to come up with a package that will engage with fans, set out a direction for football and secure football as part of our communities."
Supporters Direct says the committee, government and football authorities have agreed the three recommendations would be beneficial and achievable, so "there is no excuse" for a lack of progress.
This is the latest in a series of attempts to reform English football, but there was certainly a fresh sense of optimism in a packed Thatcher Room - especially with so many MPs present.
"That level of support is unprecedented," said Lampitt. "I'd never say I'm confident because these messages have been put forward before.
"But I do know that we've got support from all sides of the political spectrum, and I think there is a real willingness on the part of the politicians that change has to come.
"For us, it's critical that the football authorities aren't let off the hook."
Lampitt opened the meeting by suggesting football's authorities have proved "incapable" of executing wide-ranging reforms.
He was followed by Penny Mordaunt - Conservative MP for Portsmouth North - who has been integral to to secure control of Portsmouth Football Club.
Mordaunt said she was "shocked" at the "impossible" barriers PST has faced during its takeover bid and aims to make sure other supporters' groups do not endure similar experiences in the future.
John Leech, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on sport, said "football is nothing without fans" and argued that despite the treatment of supporters improving since the 1980s, "they still get a raw deal".
Leech said "rules are needed to change the relationship between clubs and fans" and pointed to Germany, where supporter liaison officers (SLOs) tend to assume powerful positions. "In the UK, SLOs are a member of staff but don't have power," he added. "We need cultural change."
Efford added that, while owners come and go, fans have sustained their clubs for generations and will continue to do so, making it essential for them to be involved in their administration.
He then underlined the importance of "protecting stadia from predatory capitalists" and called for fan trusts to be made statutory consultees to act in the interests of communities when grounds are up for sale.
"There is an incredible feeling from supporters - they care about the clubs and their interest in the long-term health of football clubs is like no other," said Lampitt.
"That umbilical link has to be recognised in the way supporters are represented as stakeholders and in the way the game is governed. We would like to see that change sooner rather than later."
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Where would we be if we did something once and it didn't work so we gave up? History is littered with people who never gave up.
STAND UP AND UNITE AGAINST GREED
The team from the south side of the river were busted and "allowed" back in at the bottom.
It's made quiet a healthy difference already.
People complain about ticket prices, prices at the ground, Sky, merchandise etc. I bet you most people still go to see their clubs play and pay "ridiculous" prices, most probably subscribe to Sky and buy football shirts.
As someone has said, if you really want to do something about it, STOP .........
......... going
......... buying
......... subscribing
Once the owners and administrators start to see the fans act as such they won't be seen as and milked as middle class cash cows.
The fans have the power. It only needs to be used.
Kick-off had to be significantly delayed & unusually home & away fans had to be mixed in one of the stands.
There was no trouble.
Lower prices, more fans, more income !
Oh too tough for you guys - even though we own some of them!
Ignoring glory-hunters who obviously know no better, non-league is not "bobbins." it is a good, affordable day out where you can meet lots of great new characters, and see some real football, where players don't roll around every five seconds!
Exactly! Lower league sides who are being squashed by larger rivals should be looking to do this more often. 'Pay for one adult, one child entry for free' would be another way of increasing demand!
To put it into another context, it's precisely why most drivers will look around for the petrol station that is 1p or 2p cheaper/ litre. Lower prices = more demand!
£15 for a conference north ticket is ridiculous - and it's causing attendances to drop, especially amongst the next generations.
Why not reduce the prices to £8 or even £6? 1 person goes along at £15 returns less that 2 people going for £8 or 3 people going for £6, and gets support up again!
If you are actually a football fan, not a glory hunter (YorkshireAnfieldFan?), then go and watch your local non-league team, where you can actually make a difference and be heard. Plus, enjoy yourself a hell of a lot more!
Real live football, in the company of real football fans, not those who wear replica shirts in a pub, cheering on a side that play hundreds of miles away.
No glory hunters here !
Yes, owners should be kept in check and fans should have more say, anybody with a brain cell knows that. Its up to the FA to stop idiots owning a club.
Sad thing is people will be distracted from the real issues with these vain attempts by MP's to get votes from the fans. The Rght Hon Gents should sort their own and the FA to do its own job.
18 MINUTES AGO
Fans need to get real. They need to put there hands in there pockets and dig deep if they want serious influence
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Fans already are putting their hands in their pockets far enough, have you seen the prices of admission now?!