⚽ Non-league Football Clubs

• Economic Impact of Non-League Clubs: Non-league football clubs, such as Redditch United, significantly contribute to their local economies. Redditch United alone adds over £2.5 million annually, through ticket sales, concessions, and community engagement.

• Community and Social Benefits: These clubs provide more than economic value; they foster social interaction, community spirit, and wellbeing. Redditch United creates substantial social value through volunteering, youth programs, and health initiatives, including mental health support.

• Role of Volunteers: Volunteers are crucial to the operation of non-league clubs. Their contributions extend the clubs’ abilities to impact communities beyond what paid staff can achieve.

• Challenges for Sustainability: Despite their value, non-league clubs face financial difficulties due to limited revenue streams, making it hard to maintain infrastructure and compete. Ten percent of teams in Redditch United’s league last year have since dissolved.

• Government and FA Support: The government, through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Sport England, supports grassroots sports, including football, with significant investments. The Football Association (FA) also works on empowering girls in sports and improving facilities.

• Transport and Accessibility: Improved transport links are needed to enhance accessibility to non-league games and facilities, supporting both fan attendance and community participation in sports.

• Governance and Future Support: Governance support for non-league clubs is essential to ensure their sustainability. The revised code for sports governance seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in organizations like the FA.

• Call for Review and Further Support: There is a call for a review on the sustainability and governance of non-league clubs to ensure they receive the necessary support and recognition for their contributions to local economies and communities.

The session shows a very low level of disagreement among the members. Throughout the discussion on non-league football clubs, the MPs consistently expressed support for the topic, highlighting the positive impacts of such clubs on local communities and economies. There is a notable absence of contention or opposing viewpoints. All members who spoke, from both the Labour Party and the Conservative Party, reinforced the importance of non-league clubs and the need for their support and sustainability.

Examples of agreement include: - Chris Bloore’s opening statement thanking the Minister for her commitment to the Football Governance Bill, reflecting a shared positive view on government involvement. - Chris Vince’s contribution about the importance of volunteers, which was affirmed by Chris Bloore. - Dave Robertson’s commendation of the social value of non-league clubs, which Chris Bloore agreed with. - Martin Vickers from the Conservative Party agreeing with the crucial role of local business sponsorship, a point Chris Bloore echoed. - Laurence Turner’s mention of challenges faced by clubs, especially in funding for women’s and girls’ teams, which Chris Bloore supported, emphasizing the need for infrastructure. - Sarah Edwards advocating for the 3UP campaign to increase promotion opportunities, which Chris Bloore endorsed.

The Minister, Stephanie Peacock, concluded the session by affirming the government’s commitment to supporting non-league and grassroots football, further underscoring the unified support for the topic. There was no visible opposition or contention during the session, leading to the very low disagreement rating of 1.