Government reveal plans aimed at making it easier for fans to run football clubs

The Government has revealed plans to establish a group of experts aimed at making it easier for fans to run football clubs.

The Supporter Ownership and Engagement Expert group will gather for the first time next month, with representatives from Government, the Premier League, the FA, the Football League and Supporters Direct involved in the scheme.

Lawyers, insolvency and tax experts and representatives from clubs that are run by supporters – namely Portsmouth, AFC Wimbledon and Wrexham – will also take part.

The group will be chaired by Joanna Manning-Cooper, a member of the Portsmouth Supporters Trust that is a shareholder in the Sky Bet League Two club, a role she will combine with that of director of marketing and communications for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

Sports minister Helen Grant launched the group at Portsmouth, a club now owned by its fans following a takeover in 2013 after the club had gone into administration for a second time.

"Football fans are the lifeblood of the club they support,” she said.

“Owners, executives and managers may come and go but it is the fans that are the constant, loyally following their clubs through thick and thin.

"We want to see what more we can do to give fans a stronger voice in how their club is run as well as looking at ways in which we can help remove some of the barriers to supporter ownership."

Supporters Direct chief executive Robin Osterley also welcomed the establishment of the new group.

"It's very gratifying to see the Government addressing the problems that prevent an increase in supporter ownership,” said Osterley.

Labour recently announced a plan to be included in its general election manifesto that would see clubs in England and Wales forced to give supporters 25 per cent of the places on their boards and a 10 per cent stake in the club if it were sold.