Key Facts

• Steve Thompson is the managing director of Dagenham & Redbridge football club.
• Darryl Eales is chairman and majority owner of Solihull Moors football club.
• National League clubs are concerned about excessive regulation and financial reporting requirements.
• English Football League Two clubs receive £519,000 in Premier League solidarity money compared to £69,000 for National League clubs.
• There is a perception among supporters that three up and three down rules and artificial pitches will be addressed by the regulator.
• Darryl's step nine team costs £50,000 annually to run.
• Solihull Moors receives £60,000 annually in solidarity money from the National League.
• The Bill aims to prevent owners from separating club ownership from stadium tenure.
• Four clubs have had to dig up artificial pitches due to regulations.
• The National League has developed players on loan from higher leagues.
• Steve Thompson's league introduced HMRC reporting rules about 20 years ago.
• Clubs face immediate registration embargoes if they are behind with HMRC or VAT payments.
• Steve Thompson worked to kick the BNP out of Barking and Dagenham using his local football club.
• The session concludes at 3 pm.
• Ian Mather introduces himself as the director of Cambridge United football club.
• Sharon Brittan introduces herself as the chairwoman of Bolton Wanderers football club.
• Virendra Sharma is addressing the Football Governance Bill.
• The MP requests concise responses due to the number of questions.
• Sharon Brittan discusses the dire financial circumstances at Bolton Wanderers five years ago.
• Rick Parry has led an organisation in the right way over the past five years.
• The Premier League is not currently working with Sharon Brittan on amendments needed for the Bill.
• Real-time monitoring of clubs' finances would have helped prevent issues such as those experienced by Bury, Derby, and Bolton.
• Ian Mather fears that the Bill does not work in key places regarding parachute payment clauses.
• Sharon Brittan criticizes the Premier League's argument as weak and lacking substance.
• The speakers highlight the importance of sustainable financial management for football club ownership.
• Tony Bloom is chairman and owner of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club since 2009.
• Steve Parish is co-owner and chair of Crystal Palace Football Club.
• The Super League proposal was seen as a threat to the integrity and meritocracy of English football.
• FIFA and UEFA are expanding their tournament offerings, which may conflict with domestic competitions.
• The FA works well with the Premier League in terms of maintaining domestic tournaments like the FA Cup.
• UEFA distributes approximately 5% of its income to solidarity payments, compared to the Premier League's 16%.
• Clubs can be promoted without parachute payments; on average, one club per year receives them.
• The Bill defines relevant revenue primarily as broadcast income, which differs significantly for smaller clubs versus larger ones.
• The Premier League is more egalitarian by distribution compared to other European leagues, with a ratio of 1.8:1 versus Germany's 3:1.
• Tony Bloom mentions three liquidations since 1992 despite many clubs losing money each year.
• Steve Parish and Tony Bloom warn that eliminating parachute payments would be disastrous for the Premier League.
• Tony Bloom cares about every football club in the country.
• Clubs like Stoke and Sunderland face financial difficulties after losing parachute payments upon relegation.
• Tony Bloom's preference is for a collaborative solution involving the Premier League, EFL, and National League.
• David Newton is head of football operations at the FA.
• The state of the game report will reflect the whole football pyramid.
• Competition format matters should remain with football authorities.
• The FA discusses quarterly meetings with leagues and players’ unions on employment aspects.
• The FA Cup is considered an integral part of English football heritage.
• Decisions about replays were made considering a congested fixture calendar influenced by European commitments.
• No lower league club will lose out financially due to the removal of replays.
• UEFA and FIFA statutes prevent state interference in football governance.
• The decision regarding FA cup replays is based on a complex fixture calendar.
• The FA Council has final approval over club name changes in top tiers of English football.
• Consultation includes local stakeholders, MPs, and fans' groups.
• The Bill preserves the FA’s position as the governing body for all levels of English football.
• Women in Football has submitted a written submission focusing on the workforce and women in football.
• Karen Carney wrote a review on the future of women’s football under Government support.
• There are 10% of Premier League directors who are women, with no change since 2019.
• Jane Purdon is part of an implementation group run by DCMS and the Secretary of State.
• Virendra Sharma is chairing the Public Bill Committee meeting.
• Robert Sullivan is CEO of the Football Foundation, an independent charity funding grassroots football facilities in England since 1998.
• Niall Couper is CEO of Fair Game and a former fan-elected member of AFC Wimbledon's Dons Trust.
• Simon Orriss works with Fair Game as head of legal providing general legal support.
• Grassroots football facilities are struggling across England.
• The Football Foundation reports that demand for high-quality pitches is set to double over the next decade due to growth in women’s and girls’ football.
• Robert Sullivan is concerned about how current Bill provisions might affect funding distribution to grassroots initiatives.
• 58% of clubs in the top four divisions are technically insolvent.
• For every £1,000 a Premier League club receives from broadcasting deals, National League North or South clubs receive only 14p and National League clubs receive 57p.
• The Football Foundation aims to invest in community infrastructure and programmes.
• The Football Foundation currently receives 2.5% of £3.19 billion.
• Clubs that thrive are more forward-thinking in terms of EDI representation.
• A proper governance code needs to include EDI representation.
• The Football Foundation needs a thriving elite end of football generating revenue.
• Clubs need grassroots engagement, excitement, and growth among kids playing football.
• There is concern about club relocation based on financial considerations without fan consultation.
• There are no further questions from Members.
• The Committee thanks the witnesses.
• Further consideration of the Bill is ordered to be adjourned until Thursday 16 May.