This is a landmark moment for the future of football. There is no doubt that this represents a huge step forward. But we cannot rest on our laurels. This is an opportunity that cannot be wasted.

”This is a victory for fairness, sustainability, and the future of football. It’s a testament to the tireless work of Fair Game clubs who have stood up, spoken out, and demanded better.

FAIR Game today gave their unequivocal support to Sheffield Wednesday’s Supporters Trust in their ongoing attempts to safeguard the future of their club.

In response to the continued financial uncertainty at the Championship side and with the intention of pressurising current owner, Dejphon Chansiri, to sell the club, the Trust has requested that all members and the wider Wednesday fanbase begin an immediate boycott of all official club merchandise.

The situation at Morecambe FC is yet another stark reminder of the urgent need for proper governance and accountability in our national game.

“The behaviour of Jason Whittingham has left loyal staff, players, and supporters in limbo.”

Niall Couper

"It’s time to ensure that meaningful fan engagement isn’t just a slogan, but a reality. 

“Clubs belong to their communities. This campaign is about giving those communities a real voice in the game they love and Fair Game is proud to support it.”

Niall Couper

Football is more than just a game – it's a social institution with immense power to shape communities. This report offers a practical path forward for clubs to align their operations with values that support both financial health and social good.

“Football clubs are the centres of their communities and to ignore them is neglecting not just decades of history and tradition but also risking the long-term sustainability of the club.”

Mick Totten
Author of Effective Fan Engagement

FAIR GAME today welcomed the news that David Kogan has been named as the Government’s preferred choice as the new chair of the Independent Football Regulator, but added that there is a lot to do if he is to turn the game around.

Fair Game, an organisation campaigning for fairer governance in English football, marked the news by releasing a hard-hitting report exposing the growing financial divide in the men’s English football pyramid. 

Based on the stark financial data, the report calls for the Football Governance Bill, which is due to be debated by MPs for the first time on Monday, to be “right touch, not light touch”.

FOOTBALL FINANCE expert Kieran Maguire from the top football podcast The Price of Football will headline this year’s Fair Game annual conference.

To mark the news, Fair Game has extended its Early Bird ticket offer for this year’s conference until Friday 25 April.

“Kemi Badenoch’s misguided assertion that an independent regulator for football would be a waste of money shows that she doesn’t understand the Bill and doesn’t understand - or doesn’t care about - football clubs and their role in the local economy and community.”

“Fair Game and all of the other organisations are coming to Parliament to ensure that Peers hear our voices and are fully aware of the importance of an independent football regulator.”

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

“Watching opposition benches blatantly filibustering to destroy the Football Governance Bill is nothing short of sporting vandalism.”

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

“We want to ensure that a fair financial flow is top of the agenda. We also want assurances that the regulator cannot be influenced by vested interests and we want guarantees that clubs receive the support they need.” Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

“The big concern remains fair financial flow. The financial divide between divisions has been growing over the last 20 years. The pressure to overspend to climb the pyramid has reached epidemic levels – 58% of our top 92 clubs are technically insolvent. If the Bill is to deliver financial sustainability for the football pyramid then the Regulator must have powers to set parameters around what any deal must deliver.”

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

"There is no doubt some owners can make a quick buck out of football. However, many fail, and when it comes to long-term financial sustainability of football clubs, our research has shown categorically that clubs need to create a deep and meaningful relationship with their supporters."

Niall Couper, Fair Game CEO

FAIR Game today published a 36-page report on the owner/benefactor model in English football. Written by football experts Aaryaman Banerji, Adam Davis and Joshua Price, the report entitled This Could Be Our Year, concluded that there are three main red flags that a new Independent Football Regulator should be on the lookout for:

The great and good of football gathered at the House of Commons for Fair Game’s Parliamentary reception. The event entitled “A Fairer Future for Football” focussed on the upcoming Football Governance Bill and how it could be improved.

The previous Conservative administration had introduced the Bill, but it fell when the General Election was called, and it is now set to be re-shaped and re-introduced by the new Labour Government in the coming weeks.

The previous Bill did have room for improvement and the evening highlighted six areas in particular – all of which are spelt out in detail in Fair Game’s new vision document Fair Game Vision for a Football Governance Bill which was also launched last night.

Tottenham named No 1 in England in the Fair Game Index, with Celtic taking top spot overall.

Manchester United, Cambridge United, Brentford, AFC Wimbledon, Norwich City, Swansea City, Fulham, Exeter City and Liverpool make up the rest of the top 10 in England.

The top 10 in Scotland includes: Hearts, Hibernian, St Mirren, Aberdeen, Motherwell, Kilmarnock, Rangers, Partick Thistle and Queen's Park.

The concept of backstop powers needs to go further. The new regulator must also have the powers to ensure any new deal between leagues addresses football’s flawed financial flow. Without it, football will be doomed to repeat the failures of the past.

“The in tray for Starmer is massive and no doubt he will be keen to push forward with a large number of legislative changes. We urge the incoming Labour Government to ensure a reworked Football Governance Bill is amongst them.”