' Fan on the board? '

Football fans could be involved in their club’s boardroom hiring and firing under proposals put forward by Labour

Football fans would be given a guaranteed role in the running of their clubs under plans revealed by The Labour Party.

Under the party’s proposals, supporters groups would have a legal right to appoint directors to the board to hold owners to account about issues on and off the pitch.

Fans would also have a legal right to buy a portion of a club’s shares whenever the ownership changed.

The proposals would mean any buyer taking control of the club would also have to offer the fans group up to 10% of the shares they were buying in the transaction.

Labour says the proposals would mean fans would have a say on ticket prices, shirt sponsorship, ground naming rights and any plans to change the colour of the strip or the name.

But the party says it would not allow fans to block takeovers or change corporate strategy - although would give a supporters trust the right to appoint and remove up to one quarter and not less than two of the members of the board of directors.

Accredited supporters trusts would also be able to obtain financial and commercial information about the business and affairs of the club.

The proposals have been welcomed by Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust, who have been vocal in their opposition to changes brought in by the club’s Malaysian owner Vincent Tan.

Tim Hartley, chairman of the group, said: “I welcome Labour’s commitment to ensuring fans have a real role in owning and running their clubs. In Wales we understand what a vital role football clubs play in our communities.

“Swansea, Merthyr, Wrexham and Newport have shown how successful clubs which share ownership willingly with supporters’ trusts can be.

“These proposals again underline the need for a formal role for supporters and real transparency in football to be embedded in law.”

Alan Lewis from the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust said they had not had a chance to fully study the plans but they “encouraged” supporter involvement in the running of football clubs.

“In an ideal world this would be achieved through a voluntary arrangement between the club and a recognised supporter group. Any relationship where club owners are not fully committed to supporter involvement is likely to prove problematic and this would be a concern. Having said that if appropriate legislation is the only way meaningful supporter involvement at clubs can be achieved then it is something that would be worth considering further.”

Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust was one of the 95 supporters’ organisations who were consulted by the party.

The say the proposals would be the biggest shake-up in the way teams are run since the game was created.

Clive Efford, shadow sport minister, said: “Too often fans are treated like an after-thought as ticket prices are hiked-up, grounds relocated and clubs burdened with debt or the threat of bankruptcy.

“The Labour party has listened to the views of fans about changing the way football is run in England and Wales. And we want to ensure they are heard by the owners of the clubs too.”

He said there would now be further consultation about the plans.

Where was the Trust when the rebrand was born?

I think this is another false promise put forward by politicians to gain votes!!

Great idea in theory but can't see it happening, just my opinion though

What a load of bollocks.. labour at it again!

Think there would be alot of in fighting with our fans 2 be the top fans on the board.

Whether you believe this news or not, it just highlights that the other clubs in Wales have supporter trust input, whereas fans are treated as an inconvenience at Cardiff!

All clubs should have fan representation at boardroom level.

Whether you believe this news or not, it just highlights that the other clubs in Wales have supporter trust input, whereas fans are treated as an inconvenience at Cardiff!

All clubs should have fan representation at boardroom level.

Agree with idea but it is just another "vote winner" by politicians to pretend they care.
It will not happen, infact it cannot happen as football clubs are privately owned and therefore can pick and choose who they sell to.
Labour party yet again pretending they care and saying things they will do while either knowing nothing about it or are blatantly lieing to get votes.
Who would be the person on the board? Presumably a "yes" man that will do all he/she can to keep their position once they get there.
Do you think Tan will care what the labour party say?
Do you think Tan will care what the supporters representative will say?
Tan will ensure it is someone he controls - a Malaysian no doubt.

I just dont see it working, look at the stick people ITK get now.

The abuse ive seen people like Corky and Vince get as well has always amazed me. At the end of the day if a owner like Tan or whoever is paying the money they will make teh decisions.

Another mental Labour knee jerk reaction to a news story.....

None on board at any premier club wonder why? Except swans but there's been since administration

And some or most of our so called fans leaders sold us out over the re brand. Do I want them on the board ? No Fooking way

why the hell are labour muscling in on this? its a football issue not a political issue.

the answer is that they want cheap votes from thick fans who fall for gimmicks like this, but its just ridiculous on all levels.

they are so desperate to get votes

Why are people so negative with proposals that are positive?

How do you know that the proposals wouldn't work?

Perhaps you need to look outside the box.

Why is it when someone proposes change, people run scared and try to find excuses why an idea couldn't possibly work.

If a Government wants change and has the support of the people anything is possible.

Or has someone on here got a better legal idea?

Football clubs are private companies and unless fans got the money to go on the board then they should keep well away. Next they'd want a shopper to be on the board of Tesco!!!

Governments make the rules not private companies.

Governments make the rules not private companies.

Communist

Our fan on the board, would be the son of a friend of a friend of a son of VT who attends games all the way from Malaysia and has been supporting the City for over 75 year

Our club would just argue that Borley is a "fan".

Think there would be alot of in fighting with our fans 2 be the top fans on the board.

who would it be annis carl or big gwyn

Why are people so negative with proposals that are positive?

How do you know that the proposals wouldn't work?

Perhaps you need to look outside the box.

Why is it when someone proposes change, people run scared and try to find excuses why an idea couldn't possibly work.

If a Government wants change and has the support of the people anything is possible.

Or has someone on here got a better legal idea?

Simples really! The fan will state their view owner will say thanks for your input and then do what he wanted to do?

Think there would be alot of in fighting with our fans 2 be the top fans on the board.

who would it be annis carl or big gwyn

It's Gwyneth now.

There'd be no arguments if trust members voted for a candidate to sit on the board, I mean why would anyone whinge about that? If you didn't like the member voted in, you could simply stand yourself at the next election. The only 'fan leader' would be someone with the majority of the fans behind him. Democracy