fairgame

Fleet set path for a new future for football at prestigious launch

Ebbsfleet United joined 23 other teams at a prestigious launch in London today calling for a new direction for our national game.

The Fleet are one of the founding members of Fair Game, a group of value-driven clubs, supported by 40 world-renowned experts and backed by politicians of all colours.

The government is currently developing policies on how to change the national game as part of Tracey Crouchโ€™s football governance review. Fair Game aim is to help develop the long-term realistic solutions needed.

The details of that vision are outlined in Fair Gameโ€™s 48-page manifesto, Putting Pride Back In the Shirt: Fair Gameโ€™s Solution for the National Game, which was launched today at Plough Lane, the home of AFC Wimbledon โ€“ one of the 23 clubs.

It details solutions to various problems within football, including the owners and directors test, financial sustainability, protecting the heritage of clubs, a fairer distribution of TV revenues, opposing the European Super League, and tackling discrimination.

The document is the result of over six months of hard work from Fair Game, and follows: ongoing consultation with the clubs, recruitment of global experts, brainstorms, four workshops, nine expert-led working groups, a 66-page options documents, five surveys of clubs, and two open scrutiny sessions.

Fleet CEO Damian Irvine said, โ€œGiven what we as a club and a wider football community have experienced the last 12 months, a sustainable, well-governed sport is something we all aspire to. With that in mind, Fair Game is absolutely the right vehicle to ensure mature, measured and meaningful debate and lobbying where needed. Their core principles mirror our own as a club and what we aim to reflect on behalf of our investors, partners and supporters.โ€

Among those backing the call is the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. He said: โ€œFair Gameโ€™s proposals are exactly what football needs. Iโ€™m only too aware of the dangers that exist. We’ve seen the collapse of Bury and the spectre of the ESL. Football is integral to our communities. 

โ€œThe game needs a reboot. I back the need for an independent regulator, for an Owners and Directors Test that is fit for purpose, and most importantly the protection of the heritage and traditions of our clubs.โ€

Niall Couper, the Chief Executive Office of Fair Game, added: โ€œTracey Crouchโ€™s review represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change football for the better. We have to grasp it and we believe our proposals lay that path.

โ€œWe want a sport where every fan can put their shirt on in the morning proud in what it stands for, safe in the knowledge that the traditions and heritage of their club will always be there.”

The 24 clubs of Fair Game are Accrington Stanley, Basingstoke Town, Bury AFC, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United, Carlisle United, Chester FC, City of Liverpool, Curzon Ashton, Dorking Wanderers, Ebbsfleet United, Grimsby Town, Leyton Orient, Lincoln City, Luton Town, Maidstone United, Newport County AFC, Rochdale AFC, Tonbridge Angels, Tranmere Rovers and AFC Wimbledon.

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