A new initiative to gain a wider view of Scottish football fans’ opinions on issues of national importance throughout Scotland has been launched by Supporters Direct Scotland.
Supporters Direct Scotland has already had talks with the Scottish Football Association, The Scottish Football League and The Scottish Premier League about working with them in the coming months and years.
The ‘Fans Parliament’ initiative will allow a two way communication with all fans of all clubs, from senior to amateur and in every community in the country, to help Supporters Direct Scotland gather fans’ views on issues of importance for the first time. This will enable us to become a credible organisation which representing football supporters’ views which can then help stimulate informed debate about issues in Scottish football with the Scottish Government and the football authorities.
Included in the ‘Fans Parliament’ initiative will be the newScottishFans.org website, a series of roadshows across the country, increased engagement at matches and social media channels and a series of surveys on specific topics concerning the game.
The roadshow events will begin in Edinburgh on the 28th of October with Hibs and Hearts legends Pat Stanton and Gary Mackay taking part in the debate.
Henry McLeish said, “It has been a unique year for football fans in Scotland, on a local as well as national basis, with ordinary fans’ voices being heard loud and clear in a way they’ve never been heard, or listened to, before. Now there is a drive and determination to ensure that the momentum that was gained isn’t lost.
The new ‘Fans Parliament’ initiative will provide a platform for fans to continue the debate in the knowledge that these opinions will be shared with the Scottish Government and to the organisations running football in Scotland.”
Paul Goodwin, Head of Supporters Direct in Scotland said: “Fans voices are being listened to more than ever before and we know that in recent months there has been an unprecedented debate about the game in Scotland. Through Supporters Direct Scotland fans will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on issues of importance to them which can help inform both the football authorities and government and we want the new ‘Fans Parliament’ initiative to be the conduit for the debate and discussion between fans across the country and, in effect, be the voice of Scottish football fans.
“We want to facilitate discussion on key issues affecting our game through online discussions and debate and regularly present those findings to Government and the game’s governing bodies as the very latest in supporters’ opinions and views in the game. As an organisation funded by the Scottish Government we have the ability to present supporters views directly to them as well as to the SPL, SFL and the SFA. Talks have already started at Hampden Park looking at how we formalise this relationship with the governing bodies and we look forward to working constructively with them with this.
“The roadshows will begin in Edinburgh on the 28th of October where we’ll be joined by two Hibs and Hearts legends – Pat Stanton and Gary Mackay. We are keen that supporters from across Edinburgh and surrounding areas will join us for that.
“We are also planning to visit eight other districts in Scotland and while can’t get to every locale this time around but we’re aiming to make these first events as close to as many fans as we can.”
Henry McLeish added: “My original report recommended that the fans, as key stakeholders in the game, deserve to have more input to it and I believe that this initiative is a really positive way of doing that. I would encourage all fans of all teams to visit the website, to attend the roadshow events and to take part in the discussions and let Supporters Direct Scotland know what they think.”
The Edinburgh roadshow at The Corn Exchange begins at 6.30pm and fans registering beforehand will be entered into a prize draw to win £100 of sports goods vouchers. Guests can turn up on the day but numbers are restricted to two hundred.
Registration is by email to roadshows@supporters-direct.org with a note of the person attending’s name and date of birth. Full details of all events can be found atwww.scottishfans.org
The Dundee roadshow is scheduled for Tuesday 6th November at Dens Park, with full details to be announced shortly.