MR GREG CLARKE AND FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S INSOLVENCY POLICY

Early day motion 458, tabled 29 August 2013 by Bob Ainsworth (Labour). Signed by 4 members.

That this House notes that the Football League's insolvency policy, as written, requires an owner wishing to move a club away from its traditional area to demonstrate a clear plan with timescales for its return; further notes that despite this, Greg Clarke, the Chairman of the Football League, has admitted that he does not know if the owners of Coventry City Football Club will build a stadium in the Coventry area in the next five years or if it is their intention ever to do so; calls on the Football League in light of this to alter its policy to reflect the actions it has taken in this case; believes that the policy should recognise that the League will back its member clubs right to move if they wish, for however long they wish, will require no commitments from them other than a demonstration that they have the funds to continue to run the club, will disregard the views of fans, will criticise those who build and pay for stadiums for clubs to play in, as he has done, even when a club withholds the rent and puts itself into administration in order to avoid its obligations; and, in light of this policy coupled with the serious administrative errors it has belatedly admitted, further believes that the League is not a fit and capable organisation to administer the national game.

Signatures by party: Labour 3, Independent 1.