Fan Share

​You may have read recently (or you were present at the Club’s AGM) where they spoke about the Fans’ Share (known as The Golden Share by some clubs) and be wondering what does this actually mean and how did it become ‘a thing’?
Over the past 18 months, I have been a representative for LISA on the Fan Led Review panel which was created following the announcement of the Tracey Croucher review into how clubs are run.
As a panel, we looked at what was going to be recommended in the report and started working together to come up with a plan going forward that would ensure LCFC met the recommendations. Any group representing fans was invited to sit on the panel and this included RICT, FAB, LISA, 617, Banter, Red Imps Travel, Vitals, Stacey West Podcast and FPS) Some of the invited attendees opted not to attend as they felt that they were not in a position to fully be able to represent fans. Once the White Paper was put before parliament - it was clear that some of the recommendations were not going to be made mandatory, but we felt that we and the club felt that we should go above the mandatory recommendations and implement some of the original recommendations from the report. In essence, going above and beyond what was required.
This included issuing a ‘Golden Share’ (which we all decided to rename the Fans’ Share) to be held by the RICT as they had in place the very stringent legal requirements needed. This means that if the club wanted to implement any heritage changes (such as change of playing colours, change of badge from an Imp to something different, change of ground location, change of ownership, change name of Stacey West stand) - the fans will be consulted and if there is strong opposition - the fans can object to the change.
There was a minor amendment made to the location clause that we implemented following discussions with the club, to allow a move of ground to be within the A46 perimeter without consultation to allow for a balance to be struck and for future investment opportunities.
Any rational and business plans would be brought to meetings with RICT and FAB and if there is a disagreement, and the club have strong feelings, it can go the the independent regulator (when appointed).
The Fans Share is designed to future proof the club and have protections in place. The Independent Regulator would look to see if fans opinions have been taken into account and taking the matter to the IR is declaring an arbitration method; a resolution process and not a veto. The mechanism is to resolve deadlock.