May we have a debate about the rights of football supporters in the UK? It would allow us to pay tribute to Brian Lomax, the founder of Supporters Direct and the modern movement to establish supporters’ trusts at football clubs in the UK, and who sadly passed away at the...

May we have a debate about the rights of football supporters in the UK? It would allow us to pay tribute to Brian Lomax, the founder of Supporters Direct and the modern movement to establish supporters’ trusts at football clubs in the UK, and who sadly passed away at the...

I think the hon. Gentleman’s words speak volumes. He is absolutely right to pay tribute to Brian Lomax and to remind us of the importance of football in communities up and down the country—not just the professional game, on which supporters’ trusts are focused, but as a grass-roots sport that...

I think the hon. Gentleman’s words speak volumes. He is absolutely right to pay tribute to Brian Lomax and to remind us of the importance of football in communities up and down the country—not just the professional game, on which supporters’ trusts are focused, but as a grass-roots sport that...

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of Supporters Direct since May 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of Supporters Direct since May 2010.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund regarding its decision to withdraw £1.2 million of funding from Supporters Direct.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund regarding its decision to withdraw £1.2 million of funding from Supporters Direct.

He is. He has supported Queen's Park Rangers for a very long time, and welcomes its recent promotion. I understand that during the exchange at Question Time, the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson) was very supportive indeed...

He is. He has supported Queen's Park Rangers for a very long time, and welcomes its recent promotion. I understand that during the exchange at Question Time, the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson) was very supportive indeed...

Earlier today, during questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, the future of Supporters Direct was raised. Since its creation 11 years ago, that organisation has been at the forefront of community involvement in football clubs, but its future is very much in doubt following...

Earlier today, during questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, the future of Supporters Direct was raised. Since its creation 11 years ago, that organisation has been at the forefront of community involvement in football clubs, but its future is very much in doubt following...

We have heard warm words from both coalition parties about mutualism and how to involve communities. Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on the role of football and other supporters trusts, and the Government's attitude towards them, given the uncertainty in the written answers I...

We have heard warm words from both coalition parties about mutualism and how to involve communities. Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on the role of football and other supporters trusts, and the Government's attitude towards them, given the uncertainty in the written answers I...

I am sorry to hear of the uncertainty to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and I will of course contact my colleagues at DCMS to see what they can do to resolve it.

I am sorry to hear of the uncertainty to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and I will of course contact my colleagues at DCMS to see what they can do to resolve it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Football Association, (b) Football League and (c) Premier League on supporters' trusts;

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Football Association, (b) Football League and (c) Premier League on supporters' trusts;

(3) what funding his Department plans to provide to Supporters Direct in the 2010-11 financial year.

(3) what funding his Department plans to provide to Supporters Direct in the 2010-11 financial year.

(2) whether he plans to meet representatives of Supporters Direct;

(2) whether he plans to meet representatives of Supporters Direct;

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public money has been allocated to Supporters Direct in 2005-06; and if she will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public money has been allocated to Supporters Direct in 2005-06; and if she will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assistance Supporters Direct gave to the creation of York City FC Supporters Trust. - Inc figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assistance Supporters Direct gave to the creation of York City FC Supporters Trust. - Inc figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much public funding has been received by Supporters Direct in each financial year since 2000-01. - Including table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much public funding has been received by Supporters Direct in each financial year since 2000-01. - Including table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the allocation of public funds to supporter's trusts by Supporters Direct is transparent, equitable and objective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the allocation of public funds to supporter's trusts by Supporters Direct is transparent, equitable and objective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what procedures are in place to prevent Supporters Direct's allocation of public funds being influenced by the club interests of current members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what procedures are in place to prevent Supporters Direct's allocation of public funds being influenced by the club interests of current members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money she has given to Supporters Direct to promote more democratic participation in the management of football clubs; and what related discussions she has had with the Football Association on the conversion of football clubs to mutual...

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money she has given to Supporters Direct to promote more democratic participation in the management of football clubs; and what related discussions she has had with the Football Association on the conversion of football clubs to mutual...

Current Issues in Football. House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/02.

Current Issues in Football. House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the work of Supporters Direct; and what government resources are available to it. - Including figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the work of Supporters Direct; and what government resources are available to it. - Including figures.