Whilst the world of sport waited anxiously for the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review, one group of sports fans got a boost in Parliament yesterday when the Prime Minister backed their bid to reform their club as a co-operative...
Whilst the world of sport waited anxiously for the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review, one group of sports fans got a boost in Parliament yesterday when the Prime Minister backed their bid to reform their club as a co-operative.
Ilkeston Town was wound-up last month and its assets - including the stadium- passed into the hands of the liquidator for disposal. A group of fans will be submitting a bid to the liquidator and Erewash Council to reform the club as a co-operative owned by its community.
Erewash MP Jessica Lee asked David Cameron at Prime Minister's Questions whether he backed their bid, to which the PM replied that he thought having a club "owned by its supporters is a very positive move"
The fans are being advised by Supporters Direct, whose Chief Executive Dave Boyle said:
"The PM's support is no surprise given the Coalition's pledge in their agreement to help fans run clubs via co-operatives. In many ways, a football club being run by a mix of volunteers and professionals through a community co-operative is the Big Society in action."
Notes to Editors:
· The exchange came in Prime Minister's Questions today (20/10/10):(Hansard link)
Jessica Lee MP (Erewash): "Will the PM join with me in backing the supporters of Ilkeston Town Football Club in my constituency, who are working hard to put together a bid to save the club. If successful, that will be the first supporter owned Football club under the new coalition government, and a real asset for us in Erewash".
David Cameron: "I think the Honourable Lady makes a good point. Many of the Honourable Members will have football clubs in their constituencies that sometimes do struggle financially, and I think seeing one owned by its supporters is a very positive move."
· The Coalition Agreement states that "We will encourage the reform of football governance rules to support the co-operative ownership of football clubs by supporters"
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