Football clubs in crisis like Sheffield Wednesday and Morecambe can “absolutely” be saved from the brink of collapse, says Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.
The future of both clubs remains uncertain after a torrid summer of issues including delayed wage payments for players and staff, registration embargoes and in the case of Morecambe, suspension from the National League.
In July, a bill to establish an independent football regulator became law, granting it powers to oversee the men’s game in England’s top five divisions. However, the regulator will not be launched until later this year.
When it is operational, Nandy says the regulator will be able to make a difference.
“These clubs belong to their fans. They are nothing without their fans and we are on their side and we will always fight for them,” Nandy told BBC Breakfast.
“Nobody should have to go through this. When Bury collapsed, we were absolutely clear that that had to be the last time that ever happened to anyone again. It’s happened to far too many people since.”
Bury were expelled by the English Football League in 2019 while in League One after a takeover bid collapsed.
“Owners need to recognise that they have a responsibility to be the custodians of a club and hand it on in good shape to the next generation,” she added.
“They’re hugely important to the economic life of a town, which I know from my own experience.”
Nandy highlighted Wigan Athletic, the team she supports, as a club who were saved from the brink of collapse in 2021, but have experienced further financial challenges.
“Wigan went right to the wire, we were within hours of HMRC pulling the plug because taxes haven’t been paid, players were about to walk, the wages haven’t been paid and at the final hour we managed to achieve a resolution.
“So I’ve absolutely said that to the fans groups and to the local MPs do not give up.”
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