2 weeks Ago
A Bolton Wanderers-backed bill was back before legislators last week after a delay due to the General Election. The Football Governance Bill introduces an Independent Football Regulator to be based in Greater Manchester. A first draft of the bill was brought in by the Conservative Government with a first reading and a second reading in the House of Commons before the dissolution of parliament on May 30.
This was in spite of an assurance by the then secretary of state at a Business Club event at Bolton Wanderers' Toughsheet Community Stadium around five weeks earlier that it would be a done deal before the end of the parliament. A fresh draft of the bill was back before legislators last week this time beginning its life in the House of Lords. Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: "Working side by side with the football authorities the regulator will protect clubs and will make sure they are at the heart of their communities where they belong.
" (Image: Bolton Wanderers) The Football Governance Bill aims to avoid the collapse of community clubs such as Bury FC by making sure money flows from the Premier League to the rest of the pyramid and making sure owners are subject to stricter standards. The fresh draft of the bill introduces amendments in areas including fan engagement and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) all of which must be approved by the Commons and by the Lords. At the Business Club event on April 25 Neil Hart, the then chief executive of Bolton Wanderers , and Rick Parry, the chairman of the English Football League, were welcoming of the Football Governance Bill.
Mr Hart said: "We will never be sustainable under these financial frameworks it is bordering on impossible. Every year we require our owners [Football Ventures (Whites) Ltd] to write out a significant amount of money and it will never be sustainable." Mr Parry said: "This is the biggest reform in football since the start of the Premier League.
This is more than once in a generation, it is once in several generations." This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.
[email protected] or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.
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