FOOTBALL clubs across the north are at risk of going out of business unless Ministers bring in reforms proposed by the government’s fan-led review.
A new independent regulator with powers to ensure financial security across the game and more support for the grassroots is essential, a report says.
Sixty-four professional clubs have entered administration as a result of financial gambles and poor governance since 1990 with two-fifths located in the north.
The Northern Research Group say more resources for the game at local level in the north will also help to reduce childhood cases by 59,000 in their Open Goal report.
But it says families there are struggling to pay for kits and subs with significantly fewer children now taking part in after-school supports in the north than elsewhere in the country.
READ MORE FOOTBALL
Ministers have said the long-awaited white paper on the issue will include “strong action” for club owners and directors to ensure they are suitable custodians and will be published within two weeks.
It comes as The Sun exclusively revealed Bury could finally be back up and running next season after the expelled EFL club formally submitted an application to play non-league.
Bury have not kicked a ball at their spiritual home since 2019 when the then League One team were controversially booted out after previous owner Steve Dale failed to show proof of funds and a subsequent takeover bid collapsed — ending their proud 125-year EFL membership.
But in October 2021 the Bury Football Club Supporters Society successfully purchased the Bury FC name, intellectual property, history, memorabilia and, crucially, their Gigg Lane stadium from the club’s administrators.
In that time since, the stadium, which suffered vandalism and decay while it sat dormant, has been slowly but surely spruced up, mostly thanks to the help of volunteers and local businesses offering their services, hardware and equipment for free. As well as benefactors donating funds to the project.
Tory MP John Stevenson, chair of the Northern Research Group made up of Tory MPs, said: “This report makes clear the crucial significance football plays to communities across the North.
Most read in The Sun
“Our party’s majority is built on the support of footballing towns and cities across the region, who put their faith in us at the last election.”
“But Northern football is at risk, and we will be failing these voters if we do not act to protect it. The simple solution is for the Government to urgently deliver on what it has promised and implement the Fan-Led Review in full.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
