Bath MP backs Fair Game mission to transform the future of football
“We need new structures to bring fans and their clubs together once more and ensure that football can strive at every level”
Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath
The Liberal Democrat MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse today became the latest high-profile politician to back Fair Game and their mission to transform the governance of football in England and Wales.
Fair Game is a group of 34 value-driven football clubs, including Bath city, that is working with dozens of world-renowned experts to develop realistic long-term solutions to the problems our National Game faces.
Fair Game backs the recommendations of the recent Fan-Led Review chaired by Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, which includes the creation of an independent regulator, protection of a club’s heritage and traditions, and measures to ensure financial sustainability within football.
To help enshrine the Review, Fair Game’s team of experts is proposing the introduction of a Sustainability Index. The Index will score all clubs from the Premier League to National League North and South, and the top two women’s league on four criteria: Financial sustainability, good governance, equality standards, and fan and community engagement. And then distribute the funds given to the EFL by the Premier League, currently around £380m, depending on how high clubs score on the Index.
Wera Hobhouse said: “I stand completely behind the aims of Fair Game. Grassroots football is at the heart of our communities, like Bath City FC. Over the years many of these small clubs have struggled to survive.
“We need new structures to bring fans and their clubs together once more and ensure that football can strive at every level. We certainly need an independent regulator.”
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, added: “We are delighted to get the support of Wera. The Fan-Led Review gave us the ingredients for change, the Sustainability Index provides the recipe and it is now up to politicians to serve it up.”
A Football Bill is expected to be included in the next Queen’s Speech in May and could become law in the next 12 months. Fair Game is also encouraging all football fans to sign a petition to show their support for the Index.
