FINANCIAL FAIRNESS FOR FOOTBALL CLUBS

Early day motion 2076, tabled 2 May 2006 by Baroness Ussher (Labour). Signed by 73 members.

That this House is deeply concerned with the current practice of banks refusing to pay football clubs all revenue up-front from credit and debit card season ticket sales and instead paying in instalments throughout the season; notes that season ticket sales form a vital part of a football club's budget and that withholding money only increases their financial difficulties; believes that such behaviour by banks is unacceptable and that football clubs should receive money that is rightfully theirs without delay; further notes that the incidence of football clubs going out of business mid-season is a very rare occurrence; believes that financial risk is not a valid argument for banks to withhold full payment; and urges the Government to do everything in its power to prevent banks making profit from withholding money from clubs and to ensure that they pay football clubs all revenue from season ticket sales paid for by credit or debit cards up-front.

Signatures by party: Labour 56, Liberal Democrat 9, DUP 3, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.