Government report says clubs should engage more with fans
A new government report is trying to ensure that football clubs engage more with supporters.
The report has recommended that football clubs meet fans twice a year to discuss major issues, asks that any planned substantial changes to club colours or crests should be discussed with supporters and that the Owners and Directors Test should be constantly reviewed
The main recommendations of the Expert Working Group on Supporter Ownership and Engagement are:
- Football clubs and fans should meet twice a year to discuss “major issues”
- Supporters’ trusts should also be given the opportunity to bid for clubs that become insolvent
- Any planned substantial changes to club colours or crests to be discussed with fans as part of the structured engagement.
- The FA to assess how to best engage with representative supporter groups within its decision-making structures as part of its current review process.
- The football authorities agreed to keep the Owners and Directors Test under constant review and will take into account any feedback received
The report has been endorsed by the boards of the Football Association, Premier League, National League, Football League, Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federations. It follows consultation with ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: “Supporters are the lifeblood of the clubs they support.”
“Over time there has been a growing disconnect between them and those that run their clubs,” she added.
“So it was right that government set up this group and brought the football authorities and supporters together to see what more can be done for clubs to engage with fans.”