An all-party group of MPs has called on the Government to take urgent action to improve the way that football club owners behave towards supporter groups.
The football report called ‘What is the vision for the future of supporter-owned football clubs?’ can be found HERE
The report explores the attitudes that the Football Association and Premier League exhibit towards the ownership of clubs, MPs have called for them to be directed to protect the interests of supporters. The Group found that: Contrary to the view of the football authorities, the type of ownership of football clubs makes a difference to how they behave and mutual ownership stakes by football supporters are a positive feature. The football authorities should immediately drop their mistaken neutrality to club ownership and actively encourage supporter ownership. Supporters Direct should receive stable and predictable funding from the proceeds of football instead of suffering damaging delays. Certain football assets with a value to the community should be protected by law, including club colours, club name and home ground ownership. As a result of the lack of action from the football authorities, Government should now legislate for the changes it wishes to see in the ownership and Governance of the Football industry. A draft Bill should be prepared urgently. This report follows a year after an investigation into the Governance of football clubs, undertaken by the Culture and Media Select Committee. It reflects the frustration felt by many at the inaction of the football authorities in addressing the key recommendations of that Select Committee report.
Supporters Direct
Supporters Direct represents over 180 supporters trusts’ and similar organisations across Europe, with over 400,000 members.
They promote the value of supporter and community involvement in the ownership and running of clubs, enabling supporters’ trusts to secure influence and become a constructive voice in how their club is run. There are now over 30 clubs owned by their supporters including AFC Wimbledon, Exeter, AFC Telford and Wrexham, and numerous clubs with directors on the board – including Cambridge United, Carlisle United and Premier League Swansea City. See more at www.supporters-direct.org
West ham United was valued at £105m at the time of the 2010 take over so 5% would cost £5,250,000 assuming the Joint chairman would honour that original share price.
So we just need 54,000 West ham fans (the capacity of our new Stadium) to invest £100 each to purchase around 5% of West ham to create our own West Ham United supporters trust and ask for a seat on the board. I wonder whether Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold would entertain that idea?