Blackpool fans inform Football Governance
The government has taken its first step to address the significant issues facing the financial sustainability of football in England, with the introduction of a strengthened Football Governance Bill in the House of Lords.
The Football Governance Bill was introduced in parliament on Thursday 24th October, delivering on Labour’s manifesto commitment to establish the independent football regulator. The regulator will introduce a new set of rules designed to protect clubs, empower fans and keep clubs at the heart of their communities.
The introduction of the bill in the House of Lords is the first stage in the legislative process that will allow the bill to become law. Marking the event, the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP, met with key supporters including Christine Seddon, chair of Blackpool Supporters’ Trust, at the National Football Museum.
Christine Seddon with Lisa Nandy and Chris Webb
Seddon told Nandy: “In our recent history we've had problems with rogue owners and I was very worried that we were going to lose our club. I was really shocked to find that the regulation up until now just wasn’t fit for purpose.
“I’m absolutely over the moon that we’ve got this far and that people are now listening, and realising the importance of football clubs. Not just to the fans but to the community.”
Nandy told Seddon: “The way I look at it is that clubs are handed down through the generations as part of our social and civic inheritance. They matter far beyond what happens on the pitch because you see the ripple effects right across entire communities.”
Nandy and Blackpool South MP previously met Seddon on a ministerial visit to Blackpool at the end of August where she described how the Trust was originally founded to bring about a change of ownership at Blackpool FC – an objective that was successfully achieved in 2019.
Webb responded to the new legislation in Parliament in July, praising Blackpool Supporters’ Trust for restoring “integrity, pride and professionalism” to the club.
The bill comes at a critical juncture for English football, following the attempted breakaway
European Super League, and a series of high profile cases of clubs being financially mismanaged.
In recent years the collapse of clubs like Bury and Macclesfield have had a devastating impact on communities. These cases came about as a result of fundamental governance problems in the game that have led to excessive and reckless risk-taking, with many clubs living way beyond their means.
Speaking on the launch of the bill, Nandy said: “English football is one of our greatest exports and a source of national pride which this government wants to see thrive for generations to come.”
The issue of football governance has enjoyed cross-party support, following Tracy Crouch’s Fan-led Review. The bill will tackle rogue owners and directors, implement a club licensing regime to help ensure a more consistent approach in how clubs are run, monitor club finances and improve fan engagement throughout the football pyramid - from the Premier League to the National League.
It will also have a backstop measure to mediate a fair financial distribution down the Leagues should the Premier League and EFL (English Football League) not be able to come to an agreement.
In August Seddon told Nandy and Webb: “For me the most important thing is fan engagement. I discovered, during that difficult time, the wealth of knowledge and experience that fans have and I think it’s a massive untapped resource that clubs can benefit from.”
Justin Winter (BFC CEO), Ashley Hackett (BFCCT CEO), Christine Seddon (BST), Lisa Nandy, Chris Webb, Michelle Robbins (EFL) Matt Hilton (BFCCT)
Chris Webb MP welcomed key changes from the previous iteration of the bill with new measures to strengthen the voice of fans, guarantee the Regulator is independent from influence and ensure the sustainability of football’s finances.
Webb said: “The first game back after Blackpool got Oyston out was just buzzing – even better than when we were in the Premier League. You could feel it in the stadium and you could feel it across the town, that sense of shared pride. It was the most amazing day.
“English football is an essential part of the social fabric of Britain but irresponsible owners, unsustainable financial models and inadequate regulation have cast a shadow over too many clubs.
“This legislation will safeguard the future of our local clubs and their heritage, while the light-touch regulation will avoid adverse impacts on investment in English football or on club competitiveness.”
