As the football season ends, I have been reflecting on how the game is one of our country’s proudest traditions.
Locally, I know clubs from Barnsley FC to grassroots clubs like Wombwell Town FC, Wombwell Main FC and Worsbrough Bridge Athletic FC lay at the heart of our communities.
They bring people together, give us a source of local pride, and unite us in victory and loss.
Indeed, I was pleased to cheer on the Reds at Oakwell a few weeks ago.
English football is one of our greatest success stories globally.
The Premier League and EFL attract some of the best players in the world, and in return, you can find fans of an English football club in almost every country.
However, despite this success, and more money than ever are coming into football, the financial sustainability of the football pyramid is at risk.
In recent years, too many football fans have had their attention forced off the pitch, watching on as their club sells their stadium, changes club colours, or collapses under poor ownership.
Many of us will remember the devastating collapse of clubs like Bury and Macclesfield, for example, where fundamental governance problems in the game led to reckless risk taking and clubs living way beyond their means.
Calls to make a change, and secure the future of football for fans, date back to 2011.
But it wasn’t until the failed super league attempt in the midst of the pandemic that the previous Government launched a full fan led review into the future sustainability of the sport.
That review identified the need for a new Independent Regulator for football clubs that would secure the future of the pyramid and put fans back at the heart of the game.
I am proud that this Labour Government has introduced a Bill to implement just that.
Put simply, the new regulator will require three main things: that a club has an appropriate owner, can produce sensible business plans, and properly engage with fans on key issues.
It will also ensure that clubs cannot join rogue breakaway leagues.
Support for a regulator like this featured in every major party’s manifesto, and I am proud to be part of the Labour Government that will see this commitment through.
Indeed, the Bill has completed its passage through the House of Lords and its journey through the House of Commons began its Committee Stage this week.
I hope MPs across the House will back the Bill.
This is a once in a generation opportunity to ensure the sport we all love can be enjoyed for years to come by local fans and communities. It is vital we make the most of it.