Tim Farron adds full support to Fair Game

‘Fair Game’s proposals will be transformational’

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for communities and local government

THE former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, today gave his full support to Fair Game in a bid to reboot football.

Fair Game is a group of 29 value-driven football clubs, including Carlisle United, supported by 40 world-renowned experts hoping to change our national game for the better. Last week Fair Game outlined its final proposals in the 48-page document Putting Pride Back In The Shirt.

Central to the proposals is a Sustainability Index which looks at reallocating the parachute payments to clubs throughout the football pyramid that can prove they are run well, respect equality standards and properly engage with their fans and their community.

Fair Game also believes fans should be given the final say on any proposed change to a club’s ‘crown jewels’, which includes the club’s name, nickname, colours, badge and the geographical location of where the club plays.

The timing coincides with the Government’s Football Governance Review being led by the Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, which is expected to publish its final report in the next couple of weeks.

Mr Farron, who is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for communities and local government, said: “The structures of our national game are broken. Owners are allowed to play Russian roulette with the history and traditions of their clubs. Financial sustainability seems to be an almost alien concept and the connect with local communities is waning.

“The well-run clubs, such as Carlisle, are having to run to stay still in a system that does not reward good behaviour.

“That needs to change. Fair Game’s Sustainability Index does that. Let’s redistribute parachute payments and give it to the clubs that are financial sustainable, have good governance, properly respect equality standards and cherish fan and community engagement.

“That would be transformational not just for football, but for all of our communities up and down the country – and I hope it finds cross-party support and is part of Tracey Crouch’s final report.

“I will be doing all I can to back Fair Game and deliver a game that we can all be proud of.”

Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said: Football urgently needs a reboot and we are delighted that Tim Farron has offered his full support.

“Fair Game has been working hard with our clubs and our experts to develop realistic solutions to the problems our national game faces. We want fans to be able to walk down the street wearing their team shirt proud in everything it stands for and safe in the knowledge that their club will be there for the long term.”