The U.K.'s Labour party made a "pitch for the football fan vote by promising to give supporters' trusts seats on the boards of their clubs and the right to buy a portion of their shares," according to Roger Blitz of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Mindful of fans' "complaints about ticket prices, changes to team names and playing colours, the party wants to give fans a stronger voice in how their clubs are run." Its election manifesto will "commit the party to legislation giving one recognised supporters' trust the right to appoint and remove at least two members of the club's board." The trust will "also have the option to buy shares in the club when control changes hands, based on the average price paid by the buyer." Change of control is "defined as the transfer" of at least 30% of shares. The trust could buy up to 10% of the shares being sold. Labour "sees this proposal as part of its agenda for devolving power to communities." Shadow Sports Minister Clive Efford said that "some clubs were now run very well." Efford: "The finances within football is something the regulators of the game need to get to grips with." Advocates of fan ownership "often cite the German model." Its "50 plus 1" rule gives members a "controlling stake in clubs, enabling them to watch finances closely and ensuring clubs stick closer to their communities." Efford added that football clubs were "not just businesses" but "important to the fabric of communities." He said, "We are not proposing this for every company across Britain" (FT, 10/17).
