FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS GO TO WESTMINSTER (AGAIN)
Richard Tomkins, HUST Chair and FSA National Councillor reports on recent events
Time was when treading the Hallowed Corridors of Parliament was rarely done by the mere mortals who are football supporters. These days it is almost commonplace. The FSA and its member trusts are now often visitors lobbying for football reform.
On 13th March I found myself supporting the FSA and Southend United fans as the latest example of why reform of our national game is so important. For me, it is surely a “C Change” when a “non-football” MP starts to champion the game. Anna Firth, MP for Southend West is such an example. Following publication of the White Paper on Reforming Club Football Governance (taken from the FSA’s Fan Led Review) and now another report called “Playing by the Rules: The Governance of English Football”, Anna invited a discussion in a Westminster meeting room.
Anna Firth MP has taken post from Sir David Amess. Not a football fan starting out, her husband and son are Southend United fans and due to current times, she has got caught up in realising “just what a football club does for the city”. She champions Southend supporters and proudly wears the club scarf, now advocating the White Paper.
Playing by the Rules: The Governance of English Football – ResPublica
Essentially, this is in support of the Fan Led Review, and campaigns for “supporters first”. To end the attitude of supporters being treated as a nuisance in football.
A Sustainable Future Reforming Club Football Governance (publishing.service.gov.uk)
The White Paper was published on 23 February 2023 and forms the basis of proposed legislation on the game. Proudly waving the White Paper and Fan Led Review documents, Kevin Miles, FSA Chief Executive, spoke eloquently and passionately. Drawing attention to how we got here with the Fan Led Review and its 100 hours of supporter testimony, Kevin stated that a football club is a social asset and owners are simply club custodians. The one constant is the fans who should not be impaired by the neglect of a custodian.
Kevin’s tests of the White Paper are:
- Will it prevent a European Super League?
- Will it prevent another Bury?
- The distribution of wealth throughout the game.
- Fans are ensured a voice.
Anna’s key aims centre on:
- Ensure a payments system across the Pyramid.
- Ensure the role of fans in football.
- Owners and Directors Test revision.
There is cross-party support for football reform. Recommending changes across the top 5 tiers of football, Hereford fans will realise this takes it down to National League level. Technically National North and National South are outside the scope, but you will see straight away that as we are part of the overall National League structure any club aspiring for promotion would need to be prepared.
 |
| Inside Westminster - Photo courtesy of ResPublica |