Minister gives first speech at FSA Annual Conference

Stephanie Peacock MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has today [20th July 2024] told the Football Supporters’ Association’s Annual Conference that the Government will deliver football reform – enhancing supporter engagement and giving crucial financial protections to clubs.

Hundreds of supporters’ representatives were present for Stephanie Peacock MP’s first speaking engagement since being appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, with the comments receiving a warm welcome.

Expanding upon the commitment made in the King’s Speech on Wednesday to setup an independent football regulator, the Minister said:

“The inclusion of the Football Governance Bill in the King’s Speech will see an independent football regulator established, and confirms this Government’s commitment to protect clubs, empower fans and keep clubs at the heart of their communities.

“While English football is one of our greatest cultural exports, irresponsible owners, unsustainable financial models and inadequate regulation have cast a shadow over too many of our clubs.

“These risks are real and current, so we will act as quickly as the parliamentary timetable will allow to get the Regulator in place to ensure this country is the best place in the world to be a football fan.”

FSA chief executive Kevin Miles welcomed the Minister’s comments and praised supporters’ groups for their work in ensuring the issue of football governance remained in the political spotlight.

More than 200 FSA supporters groups signed an open letter to party leaders ahead of the general election calling on “political parties to give a commitment to include this bill in their manifesto and to reintroduce legislation in the first King’s Speech.”

Miles said: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to football governance reform which can help save clubs from reckless ownership, protect club heritage, improve supporter engagement and stop any domestic clubs joining a breakaway European Super League.

“We look forward to working with the Government and MPs from all parties to ensure the new Football Governance Bill is as strong as possible and delivers upon those promises – supporters’ groups across the country will accept nothing less.”

As well as hearing from the Minister, delegates at the FSA’s Annual Conference discussed ticket pricing, supporter engagement, fans rights, how to engage young supporters, the climate crisis and how to grow the women’s voice in the men’s game.

On top of that, supporters also enjoyed experiencing PGMOL’s VAR Roadshow, to find out if they had what it takes to be a referee, and celebrated 10 years of the joint FSA and Kick It Out Fans for Diversity campaign.