“The big concern remains fair financial flow. The financial divide between divisions has been growing over the last 20 years. The pressure to overspend to climb the pyramid has reached epidemic levels – 58% of our top 92 clubs are technically insolvent. If the Bill is to deliver financial sustainability for the football pyramid then the Regulator must have powers to set parameters around what any deal must deliver.”

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

"There is no doubt some owners can make a quick buck out of football. However, many fail, and when it comes to long-term financial sustainability of football clubs, our research has shown categorically that clubs need to create a deep and meaningful relationship with their supporters."

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

FAIR Game today published a 36-page report on the owner/benefactor model in English football. Written by football experts Aaryaman Banerji, Adam Davis and Joshua Price, the report entitled This Could Be Our Year, concluded that there are three main red flags that a new Independent Football Regulator should be on the lookout for:

The great and good of football gathered at the House of Commons for Fair Game’s Parliamentary reception. The event entitled “A Fairer Future for Football” focussed on the upcoming Football Governance Bill and how it could be improved.

The previous Conservative administration had introduced the Bill, but it fell when the General Election was called, and it is now set to be re-shaped and re-introduced by the new Labour Government in the coming weeks.

The previous Bill did have room for improvement and the evening highlighted six areas in particular – all of which are spelt out in detail in Fair Game’s new vision document Fair Game Vision for a Football Governance Bill which was also launched last night.

Tottenham named No 1 in England in the Fair Game Index, with Celtic taking top spot overall.

Manchester United, Cambridge United, Brentford, AFC Wimbledon, Norwich City, Swansea City, Fulham, Exeter City and Liverpool make up the rest of the top 10 in England.

The top 10 in Scotland includes: Hearts, Hibernian, St Mirren, Aberdeen, Motherwell, Kilmarnock, Rangers, Partick Thistle and Queen's Park.

The concept of backstop powers needs to go further. The new regulator must also have the powers to ensure any new deal between leagues addresses football’s flawed financial flow. Without it, football will be doomed to repeat the failures of the past.

“The in tray for Starmer is massive and no doubt he will be keen to push forward with a large number of legislative changes. We urge the incoming Labour Government to ensure a reworked Football Governance Bill is amongst them.”

“The current state of football is deeply concerning, and meaningful change is urgently needed. The previous Bill falling through was disappointing, but we now have a chance to correct its flaws and implement robust solutions.”

“There is no doubt that football is broken.

“It is a shame that the Bill has fallen, but this now represents an opportunity to address the serious flaws that were in it.

“We need a Bill that tackle the growing financial inequality in the game, that ensures the regulator is truly independent, and rewards well-run clubs.

“It is now up to the next Government to pick up the mantle and deliver a fairer future for football.

“For the sake of fans and clubs up and down the country we call on all parties to make a firm commitment that a new Bill is brought forward in the first session of a next government.

“Football’s future cannot be allowed to crumble.”

Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game

“Our call to Tracey Crouch and Damian Collins – the two Kent MPs on the Committee – is be the heroes we know you can be. Help save football. And deliver for the fans and communities of Kent’s football clubs. Give the regulator the financial powers it needs to make a real difference.”

Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game

“Vested interest needs to be kicked out the governance of football. The growing gap between football’s haves and have-nots needs to end. And clubs need the proper support to deliver the changes required.

“If a regulator is created without the appropriate bite, we will end up with a toothless body unfit for the purpose it was created.

“Now the onus is on the 17 members of the Football Governance Bill committee to ensure that these amendments are adopted into the final draft legislation.”

“Thanks entirely to the broadcasting deal, the gaps within and between divisions are growing wider and wider every year. To succeed on the pitch increasingly there is only one option - to overspend. And hope you come up trumps in the Russian Roulette that is modern-day football finance.”

Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game

If the Bill is to achieve both its primary objective of financial sustainability and take into account foreign policy, there is no alternative but to ban state-ownership of football clubs.

Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game

“The FA Cup is a symbol of the football pyramid and the long history and traditions of our game. It cannot continue to be devalued. The first step is an easy one: give the fourth Champions’ League spot to the winners of the FA Cup.”

Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game

“The anger from across all levels of football is huge. Sadly this is totemic of the growing arrogance at the top of the game, and the disdain they show for the rest of the football pyramid.” Niall Couper, CEO, Fair Game

“Events of this season have led to rising concern amongst supporters at all levels that the football authorities are running the game in the interests of the few and not the many. If the new regulator is to be effective, it must be given powers to act to secure the health of the whole football pyramid.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, & Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

“If the proposed football regulator is to achieve its No 1 objective of securing the financial sustainability of the game then it must take full control of football’s financial flow. Leaving it in the hands of the current football authorities, as the data proves, is the road to ruin,” said Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game

“The move is yet another example why football needs a strong and independent regulator that can ensure the financial future of our game and control the rampant self-interest of the fat cats at the top of the Premier League,” said Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game