Justin Tomlinson MP with John Ward and Cliff Ponting from TrustSTFC
Justin Tomlinson MP this week joined fellow Parliamentarians and representatives from Swindon Town Supporters’ Trust, John Ward and Cliff Ponting, at the launch of the Supporters Direct proposals for Football Club licensing.
The event was chaired by the Acting Chief Executive of Supporters Direct ,Brian Burgess and hosted by Jessica Lee ,Conservative MP for Erewash .
The proposals focus on the need for a licensing framework that aims at securing the sustainable development of English football and its clubs, and securing the engagement of supporters and the community in the running of football clubs. To achieve this, there is a need to integrate supporters’ trusts into the governance of their clubs.
Brian Burgess, Acting Chief Executive of SD, said “We have laid down what we consider to be sensible, considered proposals, that provide a formal route for supporters’ trusts to earn the right to be involved in the governance of their clubs in a constructive fashion. Today is evidence that we have wide-scale, cross-party support for a set of proposals that will actively enhance the relationship between supporters’ trusts, clubs and their communities.”
Justin Tomlinson MP said “I was delighted to attend and discuss the proposals with my home team Swindon Town’s Supporters’ Trust. Swindon Town is a great example of the positive and constructive contribution fans can make to the club and this should be recognised. New licensing arrangements should reflect the fact that fans are the only body that can really be the guarantor of the best interests of clubs. I welcome the proposals of Supporters’ Direct as they achieve precisely this. Our football clubs would have a much safer future as a part of their communities under these proposals.”
