Football gathers to hear Fair Game vision for future of national sport

LAST night, 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. The six areas are:

1. Ensuring a fairer financial flow;

2. Establishing a new Regulator free of vested interest;

3. Providing support for clubs to implement changes;

4. Creating a stronger owners and directors test;

5. Protecting club heritage and enshrining fan engagement; and

6. Embedding equality and environmental standards.

And for all six, there were excellent speakers addressing those concerns.

• Polly Bancroft, CEO, Grimsby Town;

• David Bernstein, chair of Our Beautiful Game, and former chair of the FA;

• Maryan Broadbent, Board member, Luton Town Supporters Trust;

• Greg Campbell, Partner, Campbell Tickell;

• Clive Efford, MP for Eltham and Chislehurst;

• Dave Kitson, former Reading footballer;

• Mark Palios, former CEO of the FA, and co-owner of Tranmere Rovers;

• John Scales, former England International;

• Kelly Simmons, NED for Women In Football, and former head of Women’s Game for the FA; and

• Baroness Ann Taylor, former Speaker of the House.

The evening attracted key politicians, leading stakeholders such as Women in Football and Pledgeball, and of course numerous clubs from across the country.

The event itself would not have been possible without the huge help of our sponsors the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Trust, the Luton Town Supporters Trust, Gambling with Lives, Ardea International, Campbell Tickell, and of course the Samuel Family Foundation. 

Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:

“It was a brilliant night. Having so many people there all with the shared vision of creating a fairer future for football, was uplifting.

“We are now a few weeks away from having the reform our Game so desperately needs. It is now in the hands of our politicians to ensure the necessary tweaks are made to ensure the new legislation delivers.”