On Tuesday sports minister Tracey Crouch announced that supporters will also be able to meet with their clubs at least twice a year to discuss issues important to them.
The FA, Premier League, The Football League and National League and boards have endorsed the report alongside Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federation.
Additionally, the revised Insolvency Policy announced by The Football League in June has helped the Expert Working Group to achieve a number of its objectives on removing barriers to supporter ownership.
Crouch said: “Supporters are the lifeblood of the clubs they support but over time there has been a growing disconnect between them and those that run their clubs.
"So it was right that government set up this group and brought the football authorities and supporters together to see what more can be done for clubs to engage with fans.
“The agreement to have meaningful dialogue between clubs and supporters on issues that matter to them, which can include strategic and ownership related issues, is a big step forward.
“I thank all those involved for their hard work on this report and the progress that has been made.
“It shows what can be achieved with the football authorities and supporters working together in partnership.”
The Expert Working group, set up by the Government in October 2014, has recommended that:
- In the event of a club becoming insolvent, administrators would be required to meet with Supporters Trusts, with a credible Trust given an opportunity to bid for the club
- In such a situation, the Premier League’s Fans Fund Panel would consider bids for assistance from Supporters Trusts of clubs in the National League, Football League and Premier League to help with professional fees to build a credible bid
- The Premier League has also agreed to provide an extra £1 million in funding over the next three years, via the Fans Fund, to recognise football supporter organisations that provide a voice for supporters on ownership and related issues
- Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federation to develop a database of suitable professional experts who are football fans who would be willing to provide pro-bono advice to supporters’ bids
- The football authorities agreed to keep the Owners and Directors Test under constant review and will take into account any feedback received from the supporter organisations through structured dialogue to ensure it achieves its intended purpose at all times.
- Government should look at Social Investment Tax Relief with regards to Supporters Trusts and if this would provide a tax-efficient way for them to accrue funds to prepare for a future bid
- Government and the football authorities should consider if a Community Owned Sports Club model, similar to the Community Amateur Sport Club (CASC) scheme, should be accepted as a legitimate operating model giving supporter owned clubs tax breaks
- Any planned substantial changes to club colours or crests to be discussed with fans as part of the structured engagement.
- The FA to assess how to best engage with representative supporter groups within its decision making structures as part of its current review process
FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: “The expert working group has been a really positive way for football to work with supporter groups to develop practical ways to improve supporter engagement and provide assistance for supporter trusts considering bidding for their club.
"Working with the Football Supporters Federation and Supporters Direct, we have created solutions that the supporter groups wanted and that can be implemented.
“Football has changed significantly in recent years with the introduction of financial regulations and sustainability criteria which have helped ensure that clubs at all levels are run more sustainably than ever and are protected for their fans and communities.
"Likewise, the clubs have worked hard in creating new engagement programmes with their supporters. It’s great to see that these achievements will be built on thanks to group’s work.”
