The Government has today announced its support for all ten of the strategic recommendations in the Fan Led Review of Football Governance (FLR). Blues Trust welcomes this announcement. It represents a big step forward towards establishing the Independent Regulation of Football. This, in turn, should ensure that financial regulation, owners and directors suitability requirements and opportunities for fans to become involved in the running of their clubs will be taken out of the hands of the EFL and PL. The new Regulator will have powers to ensure clubs have open and transparent governance, are run in a financially sustainable way and to investigate owners.

The announcement states that a White Paper (the first step in bringing forward legislation) will be brought to Parliament this summer. Whilst this is good news for supporters and the future of the game in England, the actual timeframe has not yet been made clear. Tracey Crouch MP, author of the FLR, and opposition parties have called for a commitment to a prompt implementation timescale. It is expected that the Government will respond to this, and provide information regarding each detailed recommendation, shortly.

Through ongoing dialogue with our club, Blues Trust will be renewing its efforts to implement as many aspects of the FLR as quickly as possible, and hopefully before legislation forces the changes required.

The Trust will also be raising the issue for wider discussion at the May Supporter Groups Forum with BCFC.

Cliff Horrocks – Chair
Blues Trust