Blues Trust
Birmingham City Supporters Trust - Independent : Democratic : Representative
Blues Trust
Birmingham City Supporters Trust - Independent : Democratic : Representative
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Blues Trust
Birmingham City Supporters Trust - Independent : Democratic : Representative
Football Governance Bill Update
The Football Governance Bill has completed its journey in the House of Lords and has moved to the House of Commons, where it will have a second reading on 28 April 2025. After that it will be referred to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee for closer scrutiny and discussion.
The Bill left the Lords unscathed, despite the attempts of a group of largely Conservative peers to dilute its potential impact and especially that of the role of the independent football regulator. It is the introduction of a regulator which is causing much concern for many elite premier league clubs who do not want their influence across the sport to be diminished.
Although some late amendments were submitted by dissident peers, the Government held firm and these were defeated.
An initial read of the slightly amended version of the Bill highlights a few changes to clause 8, which now requires the regulator to engage with others who may be affected by its decisions as well as with owners, club officials and the like.
The Football Supporters Association proposed an amendment, which was supported by some peers, to specifically refer to supporters and supporters’ organisations in the fan engagement section. This was not accepted, but it will be raised again in the Commons.
The Bill, with the few amendments made by the Lords, is available to view online.
The progress being made by the Bill through Parliament offers further encouragement that much needed change is, indeed, coming to football. The Trust will continue to monitor developments closely and share those with you in due course.
Blues Trust
It is a community benefit society, committed to furthering the interests of supporters of Birmingham City FC.
It is recognised as such by the Football Supporters Association.
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This is indeed very encouraging. The point about some premier league clubs being concerned at the prospect of a regulator is also well made.
I’m not sure if people read the article by Karren Brady which appeared in the national press recently? The article is certainly worth a look and it can be found here: https://fanbanter.co.uk/karren-brady-new-football-regulator-could-see-teams-thrown-out-of-the-league-and-stadiums-closed/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5NadhWMe2v91i79lggt7_uMhkSoNGOl1-75jXfG0glkZ2wlAGNouYnmlXe9A_aem_mwHtiNw_-K7xuDaajCGgaQ#4plycw9hiqvl69p63e32tsmb54f90bpwa
It has long been known that a number of clubs in the premier league have been vehemently opposed to any attempt to regulate football. And Karren Brady has often been the mouthpiece for those clubs and the concerns that they have. But her comments in the article seem to go further this time and could, in my view, easily be construed as scaremongering.
Personally speaking, I never trusted that Karren Brady had anything like a concern for the welfare of fans. When she was “in situ” at St. Andrew’s, she refused to allow the only supporters club, at the time, to meet on the ground’s premises. They were forced to meet in ‘The Cricketers’ pub, near the ground, and she made no effort to communicate with the elected officers.
At Blues we are fortunate that, at last, we now have owners in place with integrity, resources and a clear commitment to the future progression and wellbeing of the club. And they appear to have a genuine enthusiasm for taking us supporters into account going forward. Long may that continue.
Not all clubs offer that hope of a brighter future though. Indeed, most do not. But all clubs in the football pyramid are important and represent local communities that deserve better than the greed and self interest being promoted by the so called “elite” clubs in the premier league.
Good points well made Fred. The premier league is certainly a success story, but it is now well and truly on its way to becoming a closed shop. How can it be right that for the second successive season the three teams promoted from the Championship last year are being relegated again? And by some margin.
The financial gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” is too big and getting bigger. As things stand our club is now in a better position than most to bridge that gap, but there are no guarantees that we will be able to do so. And the costs associated with success, if achieved, will be eye watering. Things need to change.