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Leeds United Supporters' Trust
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Chairs Report - The Bigger Picture
Posted: 27 Feb 2016 12:30 AM PST
Notwithstanding the FA Cup Exit, the form slide and lower attendances,
the ownership questions and the half released accounts for 14-15 sometimes its
good to focus away from Leeds United and on to football in general. The Chair
does that with a plea around the recent Government Expert Working Group on
Football Supporter Ownership and Engagement.
A month has passed since the Government's Expert Working Group on
football supporter ownership and engagement report was published. In that month
the Supporters Direct movement, which the Trust is part of, have had time to
discuss the recommendations and prepare for the next steps in ensuring those
recommendations are followed through. Those next steps are the work of all of
us interested in supporter ownership in football, whilst the commitments in the
report are a start some further movement is needed to improve football in
England and Wales.
The first task now is to make sure the recommendations are fully and
effectively implemented. All football supporters should read the report
(available free via GOV.UK) but the highlights of what was agreed and is to
already be implemented are:
* The first structured dialogue process for all clubs.
* From season 16/17 all clubs playing inthe Premier League, Championship,
FL1 and FL2 must 1) meet with a Supporters Trust as part of a representative
group of supporters at least twice a year to discuss issues. 2) Ensure they put
forward to those meetings suitable senior representatives of the club, such as
owners, directors, senior executives. 3) Share a minimum level of information
at the meetings, likely to include ongoing financial health, business plan,
strategic ambitions etc.
* At national level the football authorities commit to meet with any
supporters groups who express concerns over the governance standards of the way
their club is run.
*On supporter ownership and resourses a new fund will be created for
Supporters Trusts to apply for professional fees to help prepare a bid to won
the club where either the club is in crises or an owner has indicated an intent
to seek buyers.
*Some changes in the Football League to the insolvency rules which
encourage supporter ownership which include from next season that if a FL club
is in administration the administrator must meet with the supporters Trust
within 21 days of their appointment and provide it with an opportunity to bid
for the club.
*Recommendations for rate relief, gift aid and corporation tax incentives
which would benefit suppoter owned clubs only (as recognition for their
community focused basis).
The process and task of ensuring that non of these commitments fall by
the wayside has already begun.
The Supporters Direct movement didn't get everything we wanted or needed
but a good start was made. Does any of this improve matters at Elland Road for
us all? Well not yet, but by the time we get to the summer the first signs of a
more productive relationship between the club (regardless of who owns it) and
the support should be clear to see. You can ensure it does by being part of the
Trust movement.
Cheers
Michael Green - Chair.
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