Last month, The Journal published the first in a series of articles debating the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s public consultation on the survival of community sport. The DCMS Committee wants to identify specific actions the Government can take to guarantee the future survival of the community sports sector.

Local sports enthusiast, Dave Wilkinson, who has been closely involved in football since the 1960s, has shared with The Journal the submission he made to the DCMS Committee, based on his experience of dealing with the Football Association. This week, we consider what key measures the Government could introduce to increase the resilience of non-league football Clubs.

Dave writes: “Whilst the governance role of the FA is not a matter for Government, the suitability of the organisation should be reviewed. The game itself could take a view on the role and reach of the FA and it may be that such a review separates out the amateur and professional games, as we have already seen with the decision to conclude the 2019/20 season.

“The FA themselves must recognise that they wield virtually no influence over the professional game and if public money is to be spent on propping up football clubs, then the Government could rightly argue it is entitled to review the suitability of football’s existing governance structures, as well as the long-term financial viability of the game.

“The FA’s County structure of governance is outdated and inefficient. A comprehensive restructuring of football around community co-operatives should be overseen by a regional structure of governance, where resources are allocated where they are needed, as opposed to where traditional or vested interests see fit. These regional councils can be made up of representatives from all aspects of the game, including the Clubs, match officials, supporters, and diversity groups.”