Call for fans to get cash help to buy their clubs

Football fans in Scotland could soon be given help to buy their cash-strapped clubs if plans for a new lending pot are passed.

Backers of the proposed community sports fund hope the offer of tax breaks for investors would allow a stockpile of cash to be built up to help rescue troubled clubs.

According to a study published by the independent Lolben Consultancy, the fund would soon become “selffinancing” with the help of private social investors and allow supporters to borrow the necessary funds to save their clubs.

The report, commissioned by Supporters Direct Scotland (SDS) and published to mark its annual summit at Hampden, also claims that social investors could be attracted by qualifying for 30% income tax relief.

It says: “The proposal of creating a sports specific fund providing affordable social investment to community trusts has merits and will meet a recognised need.”

SDS, founded in 2002, has helped to establish more than 30 supporters’ trusts, 18 of which have a director on the board of their club.

Sports minister Jamie Hepburn was a keynote speaker at the summit, which welcomed supporters and politicians to discuss the future of fan involvement in football governance.

A government consultation on supporter involvement remains open until January 15 and Mr Hepburn wants more people to take part.

He said: “I firmly believe there is a powerful and persuasive case for supporter involvement and – where appropriate – ownership of their clubs.

“It is commonplace in the Bundesliga (German league), so often held up as an example of best practice on and off the field.

“Hearts and Motherwell are pursuing high- profile fan ownership models, while other clubs like Clyde, Dunfermline and Stirling Albion have led the way.”