Review seeks to put fans at heart of clubs
CULTURE SECRETARY SUGGESTS PUTTING SUPPORTERS IN BOARDROOMS AT CLUBS FOR GREATER INFLUENCE
ELECTING fans to club boards is one of the ‘questions that we should be asking’ as part of a review of football governance, the Culture Secretary has said.
Following the collapse of Bury FC in August and its subsequent expulsion from the English Football League (EFL) some fan groups have called for greater representation in club decision making.
During culture questions, Labour MP Jeff Smith, for Manchester, Withington, said clubs are ‘not just economic or even sporting entities.’
He added: “They are, as we have seen in the sad case of Bury, often the heart of their communities and a key significance of individual fans, without whom they are nothing.
“So would the minister support legislating to give fans a right to be represented in boardrooms to gain more influence over their clubs?”
Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan said: “I entirely agree with the honourable gentleman about the importance of local football clubs and their place in the community and the importance of bringing people together.
“We’re obviously open to dialogue and we know how strongly people and fans feel about their investment in the clubs.
“We want to see how this EFL review goes, but in fact, there are some wider questions to be asked too.” Labour’s Gareth Thomas said football authorities have been resisting the idea of supporters elected to club boards for a long time.
The Harrow West MP added: “Why should the current EFL review be any different?” Ms Morgan replied: “We have of course seen that what’s happened to Bury and very nearly happened to Bolton over the summer. “We know how strongly people feel about this.
“I think we need to let that EFL review happen, but as I say, it may be that there are some wider questions that we should be asking too.” Nicky Morgan, Culture Secretary