"SAVE THE SHAKERS" AND THE FUTURE OF SMALL FOOTBALL CLUBS

Early day motion 470, tabled 21 March 2001 by David Chaytor (Labour). Signed by 19 members.

That this House congratulates the Bury Times on its 'Save the Shakers' campaign; further congratulates the management and staff of Bury Football Club on their achievement in delivering excellent results on limited resources; welcomes the continuing loyalty of the Bury FC Supporters' Association and the recent formation of its London branch; believes that small football clubs in Divisions Two and Three have a major role to play in local community life which extends far beyond their performance on the field; notes the continuing uncertainty of the impact on smaller clubs of the European Union's proposals on transfer fees; and calls on the Government to conduct a review of the financial and legislative context in which small clubs operate in order to identify means of strengthening their function as a community resource and developing their important role in our national culture.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Labour/Co-operative 2, Liberal Democrat 1.