Rochdale Council votes unanimously to back an overhaul of English football

“I am delighted that the Council unanimously backed my motion. Football clubs such as Rochdale are at the heart of our town. We need a better set up. The current situation fails to protect the interests of fans.”

Ashley Dearnley, Leader of the Conservative Group on Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

LATE last night Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council became the seventh council to formerly endorse Fair Game. At a packed meeting, the council passed a motion supporting Fair Game’s manifesto and calling on other councils to follow suit.

The motion was proposed by the leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Ashley Dearnley, and, with the full support of the majority Labour-controlled council, passed unanimously.

Cllr Ashley Dearnley, who represents the ward of Wardle and West Littleborough, said: “I am delighted that the Council unanimously backed my motion. Football clubs such as Rochdale are at the heart of our town. We need a better set up. The current situation fails to protect the interests of fans.

“Without a better system of governance, many clubs are at risk, as we have seen in neighbouring Bury. We need urgent change."

Fair Game is a group of 34 value-driven professional football clubs, including Rochdale, Bury AFC and Accrington Stanley, working with over 40 world-renowned experts to develop realistic long-term solutions to the problems our national game faces.

A recent Fan-Led Review into football governance coordinated by former Conservative Sports Minister Tracey Crouch produced 47 recommendations, which included measures to embed financial sustainability, good governance, equality standards and proper fan and community engagement - all under the remit of a new independent regulator. Fair Game fully supports the Review and is calling on the government to introduce legislation to implement it in full as soon as possible.

Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, added: “My heartfelt thanks go to Councillor Ashley Dearnley for taking this on. It is rare that an opposition motion passes. And it shows the depth of grassroots support for change in the way the game we all love is run.

“Football is in crisis. And the government has the opportunity to save it through an independent regulator. We need a firm commitment to legislation in May’s Queen’s speech.

“It is time to champion and support hard-working community clubs and protect their heritage and traditions for generations to come.”

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council is the seventh council to endorse Fair Game, following on from Cumbria County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle City Council, Oldham Council, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and Kendal Town Council.

Fair Game has put together a simple step-by-step guide on how to approach your own councillors and help make your own council a Fair Game Council.