Agenda item

The Chair welcomed Tracey Crouch, MP, to the meeting and invited her to address Board Members in relation to the fan-led review of football governance and discuss what local authorities could do in this space. Key points included:

• Football was an essential part of local communities.
• Local authorities working in partnership with football clubs and other sports clubs remained vital to protecting heritage and the local economy.
• The review found some good examples of councils have worked well to protect local clubs, including Stockport Council. The council role can include: Securing an asset; planning new facilities; working in partnership with clubs; tackling loneliness.
• The importance of Rugby was highlighted, and conversations continued to take place within central government regarding the transferability of the review’s recommendations into other sports.
• In recent years, sports clubs have become safe spaces and hubs for mental health and wellbeing classes, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The independent regulator legislation would come forward in the King’s speech which would help to secure the future financial sustainability of football clubs.
• Board Members were thanked for their interest in the review.

Members asked a number of questions, which related to the following key topics:

• Reliance on external funding.
• The decline in participation due to a lack of available grass roots/green space.
• The expense associated with joining a club/being coached and the lack of inclusiveness.
• The need to better support grass roots volunteers.
• Additional drainage in fields so that they could be used more often.
• Overseas investors.
• Tackling issues such as racism, homophobia, and other criminal-related activity at football games.
• Inclusion and diversity within fan-led organisations.
• The provision of support to clubs with complex financial arrangements.
• The provision of support to smaller-scale clubs.
• The development of Elite Soccer.
• Women’s general involvement in football.
• The relocation of sporting clubs and associated legislation.

In response to Members’ comments, Tracey set out the following points:

• The importance of schools actively encouraging children to play and participate in all kinds of sports during Physical Education (PE) lessons was emphasised.
• The current pressures on schools to deliver national curriculum as well as PE, were highlighted.
• Physical and mental health were strongly linked.
• Once children were interested in a certain sport at school, parents/carers could then signpost them to join clubs and groups outside of school to practice the sport and further develop their skills.
• Many clubs had subsidised leagues for children and young people who could not afford to attend sports clubs weekly.
• Positive sports-related engagement with children from the outset was key.
• Grass roots volunteers should be celebrated and recognised as community heroes.
• With regards to grass pitches and additional drainage, The Football Foundation funding was also for grass pitches, not just for artificial pitches.
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) information had been collected from all parts of the fan-base and had proven to be very helpful in forming the review’s recommendations. The importance and value of EDI within decision making was known.
• Fan-led ownership worked best where clubs were of a smaller scale, leaving more opportunity for financial sustainability through the pockets of fans.
• The importance of ensuring that money was distributed appropriately to support smaller-scale football clubs was emphasised.

• Laws had recently changed in relation to racism in football, particularly around football chants. The need to embrace new technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), educate ourselves and others, and collaborate on AI between the Police and football clubs, was highlighted.
• The Code for Sports Governance had changed to ensure a strong commitment to equality and inclusion by way of gender balance of sports.
• The importance of getting as many women interested in the governance of football and football clubs as possible was emphasised.
• With regards to the relocation of football clubs and grounds, the ‘Golden Share’ focused on the protection of the ownership of a club’s stadium, badge, location, and colours.

Decision:

That Members note the report.