Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Grassroots and Non-league Football

Thursday 17 October 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tom Gordon asked the Minister about supporting grassroots and non-league football, highlighting issues with Knaresborough Town AFC due to weather conditions and lack of 3G pitches.
  • The Minister agreed to meet Tom Gordon to discuss how to support grassroots football further and suggested connecting him with the Football Foundation.
  • Ian Lavery questioned the Minister about equality in prize money for the men's and women's FA cups, referencing the 'Equal FA Cup' campaign by Lewes FC.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question arises from the need to address issues faced by grassroots and non-league football clubs, such as infrastructure limitations.

Question

What steps she is taking to support grassroots and non-league football. I recently visited Knaresborough Town AFC in my constituency where the pitch often gets waterlogged due to weather conditions and there's a lack of 3G pitches in the area. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can do more to support Knaresborough Town?

Answer from Stephanie Peacock

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question and I would be delighted to meet him ahead of that meeting, I will ask my officials to link him up with the Football Foundation which supports grassroots communities to get new pitches.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for a pitch was not addressed directly

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Q2 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Context

The question is prompted by the situation of Blyth Spartans FC, a well-known non-league club in the UK facing sale due to lack of transparency from its chairman.

Question

Blyth Spartans in my constituency are up for sale, and the current chairman has failed to deliver on promises. Does my hon. Friend agree that non-league football clubs are at the heart of communities and that engagement with supporters is critical to their survival?

Answer from Stephanie Peacock

I am incredibly grateful to my hon. Friend for his question, and I completely agree that non-league football clubs are at the heart of communities and fan involvement is critical to their survival.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Women & Equalities
Context

The question is raised in light of the growing number of women's teams and a campaign by Lewes FC for equal prize money across men's and women's FA cups.

Question

Cheltenham Town Women have a thriving team, with junior and adult sections. Sadly, one place above them in the table this season are Lewes FC running the 'Equal FA Cup' campaign. Does the Minister agree that it is time for equality of prize money across the men's and women's FA cups?

Answer from Stephanie Peacock

I am incredibly grateful to the hon. Gentleman for asking such an important question. The Government are fully committed to supporting women's sport, ensuring it is on an equal footing with men's sport. We will pay close attention to steps taken by the Football Association last season to double the prize fund for the women's FA cup.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific agreement or commitment regarding equal prize money was not explicitly stated

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