Earlier this week, the Football Governance Bill reached its report stage in the House of Lords, marking a significant step in the ongoing debate over reforming football governance in England. The bill, which was initially introduced in March 2024 and reintroduced in October of the same year, aims to create an independent regulator for English men’s professional football, a move that has sparked mixed reactions across the sport.
Rick Parry, Chairman of the English Football League (EFL), has been vocal in his support for reforms, pointing to a range of issues that he believes have plagued the football industry for years. During a recent interview, Parry referred to the current system as “frankly broken,” using Preston North End as a key example of how the existing framework is failing clubs. The EFL chief’s comments have brought renewed attention to the need for comprehensive changes to the way football is governed at the highest levels.
Preston North End, a club with a rich history in English football, has struggled in recent years with financial instability, leading many to question how the current system fails to protect clubs from such difficulties. Parry’s remarks underscore a wider concern that many clubs, particularly those in the lower divisions, are operating in an unsustainable environment where financial mismanagement and lack of regulatory oversight can lead to severe consequences, including insolvency or relegation.
The Football Governance Bill seeks to address these issues by establishing an independent regulator that would oversee club ownership, financial practices, and the overall governance of the football pyramid. This regulator would have the power to intervene when clubs are at risk of financial instability, a move designed to prevent the kind of crises that have plagued clubs like Preston North End in recent years.
The bill is seen as a direct response to several high-profile incidents in English football, including the failed European Super League attempt and the financial turmoil faced by clubs such as Derby County and Bury. The new regulator would have the authority to ensure that clubs are adhering to financial fair play rules and are being run in a way that is sustainable in the long term.
While Parry’s comments on the bill and the state of English football governance have sparked debate, they have also helped bring attention to the pressing need for reform. The hope is that the Football Governance Bill, once passed, will help create a more stable, transparent, and fair system for all clubs in the English football pyramid, from the Premier League down to League Two.
