MUTUAL FOOTBALL CLUBS

Early day motion 1613, tabled 17 July 2003 by Adrian Bailey (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 34 members.

That this House notes that the current rules of the Football Association prevent football clubs from being run as mutual businesses as they state that they must be registered as a proprietary company; believes that mutual ownership represents a real opportunity to harness clubs' traditional community support in a sustainable business model; welcomes the work done by supporters' trusts throughout the country in promoting the involvement of football fans in their clubs; further notes the publication of 'Back Home' by the think tank Mutuo, promoting the use of the Community Benefit Society model which would allow supporters' trusts to take over the running of football clubs; and calls upon the Government to urge the FA to change their rules to allow for football clubs to be run as mutuals.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Labour/Co-operative 7, Liberal Democrat 6, DUP 2, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1.