All Party Football Group

The All Party Parliamentary Football Group is one of the largest All Party Groups. It was formed originally by Tom, now Lord Pendry, around 20 years ago. Joe Ashton took over from Tom when he was appointed Shadow Sports Minister in the early 90’s and when Joe retired before the 2001 general election, I was elected. The group was formed to bring special knowledge and experience together from across the political spectrum and had two major “victories” before I took over as chair. Firstly, it played a major part in influencing the Conservative government decision not to force the implementation of Mrs Thatcher’s original proposal to introduce identity cards for supporters as her initiative to combat football hooliganism. Later, it brought tremendous pressure on Tony Blair’s Labour government and certainly influenced Peter Mandelson’s decision as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry not to allow the proposed take-over of Manchester United by BSkyB. I recall the fiery meeting when Sky’s senior representatives attended a meeting of the Football Group to try to argue their case.

The group has formal and informal meetings at various times with all the football authorities and other representatives and interested organisations from right across the world of football. The group’s continued stance against the introduction of “safe standing” - against the wishes of the Football Supporters’ Federation - has probably been confirmed as common sense after the shocking violence in and around the West Ham United stadium on the occasion of the Carling Cup 2^nd round game against Millwall on 25^th August 2009.

Since I took over the chair in 2001, the group has undertaken two in depth inquiries into “English Football and its Finances” (Report launched in 2004) and “English Football and its Governance” (Report launched in 2009). It is generally accepted amongst most quarters in football that the first report was successful in its aim of starting the serious debate right across football in the dangers of the growing inequalities in the game. The authorities, despite their denial of the seriousness or even the existence of the problem, have implemented a number of changes following the reports.

The strength of the outcome of the two inquiries was that it is not politicians giving opinions on the state of the game but that the All Party Football Group has provided a high level platform to enable all those who not only care deeply about the game but those at all levels who earn their living professionally from football to have their views considered.

Objectives:

To increase the profile of the football industry and to identify, and raise awareness, of current issues affecting the game.
To provide parliamentary backing and/or scrutiny of the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Minister for Sport in any negotiations on football related issues.
To keep under review policies, funding and development programmes both in the UK and abroad and the effect these have on professional clubs and grass roots football.
Assess how the country might respond to changes in the football climate and to press for action by Parliament and the Government.
To use its 150 members, with the assistance of Policy Advisers and a Secretariat provided by the Football Foundation, to provide a discussion forum for MPs and Peers on football issues.

Activities include:

Regular meetings in Parliament with guest speakers from the football industry, from both the UK and overseas.
Co-ordinated written and oral parliamentary questions and debates on football issues.
Table Early Day Motions(EDM) when appropriate.
Organise private meetings between group members and government ministers/officials.
Facilitate study tours for Members to clubs, training grounds and educational institutions to improve understanding of the needs of the football industry and its role in the community.
Encourage the establishment of and maintain contact with similar Parliamentary Groups in Westminster and abroad.
Hold consultations and briefings with the DCMS and other bodies.
Organise and host events in the UK.
Attend and participate in national and international events.
Initiate and participate in parliamentary debates encouraging increased funding for the development of grass roots football.
Provide up-to-date briefing on football and related issues for Group members and the wider parliamentarian audience.