Parliamentary support for a better way for football

On Wednesday 1 February 2012 Supporters Direct held a reception in Parliament to promote their "Key Principles for Football Club Licensing in England" report and I attended the event on behalf of FC United. Alongside the inquiry into Football Governance undertaken by the Select Committee for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which published its report in July 2011, there is real hope that a move towards effective club licensing is not too far away.

The select committee backed the introduction of a formal licensing model to be imposed rigorously and consistently throughout professional English football that would review performance and look to promote sustainable, forward-looking business plans.

The Supporters Direct reception was held to launch its licensing document and was very well attended by supporter-owned and trust-involved clubs throughout the divisions. The FA, Football League and Premier League were also in attendance and significantly over 50 MPs called in at various points during the meeting.

The event was hosted by Jessica Lee, the Conservative MP for Erewash, who recently has had direct experience of football administration in her constituency with the demise last season of her local club, Ilkeston Town. As well as Ms Lee, the reception featured speeches from Tom Greatrex, Labour MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West and a Fulham supporter, Millwall-supporting Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, and William Gaillard, senior advisor to the UEFA president. Brian Burgess, acting chief executive of Supporters Direct, chaired the meeting.

In its own response to the Football Governance inquiry, published on 12 October 2011, the government echoed the select committee’s recommendations in the area of club licensing, as well as on the role of supporters, calling for "The sustainable development of English football and its clubs and (more) supporter and community engagement in the running of football clubs".

Both are key FC United principles so it is refreshing that they are now being recognised, not just nationally and hopefully within our own football pyramid, but also internationally by the recent licensing changes UEFA have introduced on financial regulation. Perhaps it could be considered a pincer move of sorts where this kind of sensible regulation and management is embraced throughout the lower leagues and above the top tier of our own leagues in Europe, then you’d hope the Premier League and Football Leagues won’t be too long about getting into line.

Without doubt, the government recognises regulation as a vote winner, as do all those MPs who attended the reception. In addition, the health and socio-economic impacts for local communities of well-run, engaged and sustainable football clubs presents even more long-term benefits for the country.

The Premier League and Football League have until the end of the month to respond to the government’s proposals. I for one can’t wait to hear what they have to say, but we should be proud of the vision FC United had back in 2005 and our determination to prove that supporters should have a say and can actually take a lead. Maybe we have started something bigger than just us, who knows? There’s certainly growing interest in a better way for football.

FC United is a proud member of Supporters Direct. To read Supporters Direct’s proposals for a licencing system in football click here

Phil Sheeran is a board member of FC United.