Medway Lib Dems call for a Fairer Future for Gillingham FC

Medway Liberal Democrats are fighting for more funding for Gillingham FC - as part of wide-reaching reforms to how football is governed in England and Wales.

We are urging Medway Council to support the Fair Game campaign – which would see more funding distributed to lower league sides and more powers for fans to have a say in major club decisions.

Stuart Bourne, spokesperson for Medway Liberal Democrats said, "These changes will provide millions of pounds extra each year for Gillingham FC and the local community;

Gillingham FC are at the heart of our community. They play a huge role in our history and heritage. It is time they got a fair deal from football’s governing bodies. Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis has left many lower league football teams in a very difficult financial position. Clubs that have been responsible and well-managed are often punished when it comes to funding.

Introducing a Fair Game Index would reward ethically-run teams and redistribute the billions of pounds English football receives each year more fairly across all divisions.

Gillingham FC would receive additional funding each year under these reforms. This could be invested in creating local jobs, improved facilities and community projects. Everyone will benefit.

We hope the council will support this campaign and with our town’s weight behind it too it will move us a step closer to fairer funding for football clubs such as Gillingham”.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

More information about the Fair Game Campaign can be found at www.fairgame.org.uk

The Fair Game Index – and the additional funding that Gillingham FC will receive as a well-run smaller club – can be found here (requires log in) – www.fairgame.org/fair-game-index-2023

Football clubs have a heritage in our towns, cities and counties that can stretch back over 100 years. They are community and civic institutions. However, due to the challenges of Covid and the Cost of Living Crisis, many face very uncertain futures.

This is not helped by a funding structure that is stacked against smaller teams who run their finances ethically and responsibly. For instance of the £3.2 billion English football receive from TV rights 88% goes to premier league clubs. The average National League team gets 58p!

The Fair Game Index, developed by the Fair Game organisation, would reward financially responsible clubs and distribute more revenue down the football pyramid to smaller clubs.

Please note not all teams will receive more funding under this formula. Premier League sides are omitted from the index and some teams in the Championship (for instance those receiving parachute payments following relegation) would see funding fall. But the vast majority of teams from the Championship through to the National League North / South would receive millions extra each year under these fairer proposals. Some by as much as £15-£20 million!