Open goal: football fans urged to have their say

“it’s time to put fans at the heart of their clubs” – Alison Johnstone

Football supporters should have a greater say in the day-to-day running of their clubs, Sports Minister Jamie Hepburn will tell fans today.

Addressing the Supporters Direct Scotland (SDS) Supporters’ Summit at Hampden Park today, Mr Hepburn will speak about the importance of fans having a stake in their clubs and how this can help make the Scottish game stronger in the longer term.

Mr Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, will use his speech to encourage fans to take part in the Scottish Government’s consultation on supporter involvement, which is gathering views on the best ways to help fans to have an influence in the running of their clubs.

The consultation, which closes on January 15, looks at different options which could be included in future legislation. These include a right to influence the way a club is run, to govern a club or to bid for ownership when it comes up for sale. The final option is to introduce a right to buy, where fans would have the right to buy their football club.

The Supporters’ Summit will look at issues including fan ownership, governance and the example of how clubs are run in Germany.

Mr Hepburn will say: “I firmly believe there is a powerful and persuasive case for supporter involvement – and, where appropriate – ownership of their clubs.

“It is commonplace in the Bundesliga, so often held up as an example of best practice on and off the field.

“And supporter involvement and ownership is gaining momentum here in Scotland too. Hearts and Motherwell are pursuing high-profile fan ownership models, while other clubs like Clyde, Dunfermline and Stirling Albion have led the way.

‘So fan involvement and ownership can – and does – work.

“The consultation closes on 15 January. After that, we will analyse and assess the responses and publish a report. Then we will work closely with the football authorities, clubs and – of course – supporters and supporters’ groups to consider the best way forward.”

To take part in the consultation visit:

www.gov.scot/publications/2015/09/8222

FOOTBALL FANS: RIGHT TO BUY IN SIGHT, SAYS GREEN JOHNSTONE (no, not wee Jinky!)

Lothian MSP and former athlete, Alison Johnstone, is calling for a final push to win a right to buy for Scottish football fans.

With less than a week to go until a Scottish Government consultation on fan ownership closes, Johnstone called on all those with a love of Scottish football to show their support for a fans’ right to buy.

In 2015, the Scottish Greens secured powers for the Scottish Government to introduce a fans’ right to buy through the Community Empowerment Bill. The Scottish Government’s consultation is seeking views on whether these new powers should be implemented.

Fan ownership is a well-established model for sports clubs in places such as Germany and Scandinavia. In Sweden in 2013 fans fought to preserve a legal requirement for at least 50 per cent plus 1 of shares to be held by supporters, meaning fans always have final say on decisions concerning their club.

The Scottish Greens believe fan ownership would bring balance and stability to Scottish football, as numerous clubs have struggled with poor financial management in recent years.

The campaign for fan ownership has been supported by fans across Scotland, by those with experience in the boardroom, as well as by leading anti-sectarianism and community empowerment campaigners.

The consultation on fan ownership ends on Friday (15 January).

Fans can respond to the consultation by filling out the Scottish Greens’ online petition at:www.scottishgreens.org.uk/put-fans-first/.

Alison Johnstone, Health, Wellbeing and Sport spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “We are one step away from scoring a huge win for Scottish clubs and their fans, and we must not let this chance slip by. In countries like Sweden and Germany, fan ownership is the norm – and their football clubs are more sustainable as a result.

“Too many Scottish clubs have been put at risk because of reckless financial management in recent years. Fans can be trusted to have their club’s long-term interest at heart, but at the moment, fan ownership is too often seen as a last resort rescue option for a failing club which no-one else is willing to take on. We should give fans the rights and support they need to purchase their clubs in a more secure way.

“Fan ownership may not be the best option for all clubs, but it can be a brilliant opportunity for others. Scottish football would not survive without supporters – it’s time to put fans at the heart of their clubs.”