New ceo of regulator is star turn at football appg on crisis clubs
Richard Monks, the new CEO of the Independent Football Regulator, attends Football APPG
Minister for Sport, Stephanie Peacock MP, also among attendees
Fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, Reading and Bolton Wanderers, share their concerns
THE All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Football met last Tuesday (18 November) for a roundtable discussion on the plight of crisis clubs across the pyramid of the English men’s game.
With one of England’s oldest clubs, Sheffield Wednesday, recently going into administration and the introduction of an Independent Football Regulator this Autumn, the session came at a pivotal time for the nation’s favourite game.
Fair Game, the football think tank that championed the creation of the Independent Football Regulator and remains focused on building a fairer future for football, is now the Secretariat for the APPG for Football.
Chaired by Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East, the roundtable was attended by the new CEO of the Independent Football Regulator, Richard Monks, as well as Stephanie Peacock, the Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth and Labour MP for Barnsley South.
The event also brought together representatives from the Supporters Trusts of over 10 professional football clubs who shared their insight and experiences.
Betts said:
“It was great to hear from the Chief Executive of the Independent Football Regulator that they can have positive impact on stopping bad owners from destroying football clubs and acting to ensure that fans don't go through the same trauma fans of clubs like Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday have been through.”
Monks explained that he’d already undertaken extensive engagement with clubs and signalled a firm stance on governance failures, warning that if clubs find themselves in a similar situation to Sheffield Wednesday, the regulator will be ready to act decisively.
Monks also revealed that he hopes to bring forward the publication of the first State of the Game Report, ideally delivering it far sooner than the current 18-month expectation.
Citing his own experiences as a Bury fan, Monks reflected on the real-world consequences of financial mismanagement and stressed the importance of protecting communities. He also confirmed his plans to publish new guidance on fan engagement, as part of the IFR’s Licensing Regime, emphasising the Regulator’s commitment to placing supporters at the heart of football’s future.
Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said:
“The APPG for Football clearly has a significant role to play as we look to ensure a fairer and more sustainable future for football, and we’re extremely proud to be supporting this group.
“The engagement with this roundtable discussion was fantastic and everyone in attendance demonstrated their genuine passion for football and their determination to seek solutions for the financial plight that many of our clubs continue to face.
“By working together with our politicians, the Independent Football Regulator, key stakeholders from our clubs and football supporters, we can drive and deliver real change that will help ensure the long-term future of clubs right across the football pyramid.”
