Senior executives at all professional football clubs will be required to meet supporters on major strategic issues at least twice a year under plans contained in a new government report on fan engagement.
The publication of the final report of the Government Expert Working Group on Supporter Ownership and Engagement, will give supporters more opportunities to bid to own their football clubs.
The FA, Premier League, The Football League and National League and boards have endorsed the report alongside Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federation.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has moved to remove barriers to supporter ownership through a number of measures.
If a Premier League, Football League or National League club becomes insolvent, administrators are now required to meet with supporters trusts, with a credible trust given the opportunity to bid for the club. Funding from the Premier League, which will be set aside for the next three years via the Fans Fund, will be used to develop a database of suitable professional experts willing to advise on supporters’ bids. Football supporters will be able to bid for their clubs in insolvency situations with the Premier League pledging £1m to provide support on ownership issues.
The agreement will be written in the rules of the Premier League and the Football League, along with a commitment to consult fans over changes to a club’s traditional name or colours.
Tracey Crouch said the proposals could form the basis of a new deal between clubs and fans: "Supporters are the lifeblood of the clubs they support but over time there has been a growing disconnect between them and those that run their clubs."
"So it was right that government set up this group and brought the football authorities and supporters together to see what more can be done for clubs to engage with fans."
"The agreement to have meaningful dialogue between clubs and supporters on issues that matter to them, which can include strategic and ownership related issues, is a big step forward."
"I thank all those involved for their hard work on this report and the progress that has been made.It shows what can be achieved with the football authorities and supporters working together in partnership."
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