New Fair Game Index reveals shocking state of our national game
Data shows just FOUR full-time clubs are ‘Regulator ready’ - Brighton & Hove Albion, Cambridge United, Carlisle United and AFC Wimbledon
Almost half the Premier League and EFL clubs have just one month’s cash reserves
Index has researched 22,000 data points and aligns with new Independent Football Regulator criteria
Areas of good practice identified but significant change is needed
THE incoming Independent Football Regulator has been warned it has a mammoth task on its hands to shape up the game after a new report revealed just FOUR full time clubs are ‘Regulator Ready’.
In what is a huge wake-up call for the football industry, the 2025 Fair Game Index published today (September 10) also paints a potential financial doomsday scenario as almost half of the clubs across the top four leagues are ‘running on empty’. The research shows that 43 clubs have less than one month’s cash reserves to cover their operating costs.
The industry-leading Index, now in its fourth year, is the most comprehensive analysis of men’s professional football ever produced by campaign group Fair Game and assesses 22,000 data points across 164 clubs in the English football pyramid.
This year’s Index has been aligned to the criteria that is expected be used by the new Independent Football Regulator, which is likely to be operational before the end of the year having come into law in the summer.
The Index identifies a number of trends across the football pyramid as well as recognising patches of good practice and crediting clubs in the strongest position to meet the regulator’s requirements.
Based on the findings, Brighton & Hove Albion are the only club from both the Premier League and the Championship to be considered ‘Regulator Ready’.
Across League One and League Two, Cambridge United, Carlisle United and AFC Wimbledon have also achieved ‘Regulator Ready’ status.
Outside of the top four divisions, only semi-professional club Bath City, who compete in National League South, are also considered ‘Regulator Ready’.
This year, Fair Game is recognising those five clubs with a Gold Award. It is also awarding a Silver Award to nine clubs for ‘good progress’ and a Bronze Award to 13 clubs reaching a ‘minimum’ standard. This equals just one in six clubs across seven tiers of the football pyramid.
The recipient clubs are:
Silver - Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Plymouth Argyle, Swansea City, Exeter City, Rochdale, Chester.
Bronze - Arsenal, Brentford, Liverpool, West Ham United, Burnley, Luton Town, Norwich City, Watford, Lincoln City, Chesterfield, Forest Green Rovers, Darlington FC, Maidstone United.
Fair Game CEO Niall Couper said: “If anyone had any doubts whether football needs a regulator, today’s report blows those doubts out of the water.
“Financial recklessness is rife, good governance is a rarity, and matters concerning ethics and environment rarely reach the board room.
“There are some exceptions and we are delighted to champion those clubs today. These clubs are exemplars and football’s financial flow should look to reward them.”
Couper added: “Fair Game is delighted that a regulator is now in place – something we campaigned for – and we will do all we can to make sure it is a success and our hope is that the 2026 Index will show significant signs of improvement within our National Game.”
