OLDHAM councillors have backed a national campaign seeking to reform how football in England and Wales is governed, financed, regulated and sustained.

In its manifesto the Fair Game campaign is calling for an independent regulator for the sport, a refocus on ‘values’ rather than profit, the establishment of a Sustainability Index, which will reallocate the payments made to clubs to reward those which are run well, and for fans to given the final say on any proposed change to a club’s ‘crown jewels’, including the club’s name, nickname, colours, badge and the geographical location from where the club plays.

A motion asking the council to support the Fair Game manifesto was presented and passed at a full council meeting on Wednesday.

Cllr Luke Lancaster, who was a Latics season ticket holder for a number of years, said: “I agree with the assessment that football, our national game, is currently in crisis. You don’t need to look too far from where we are sat today, just a few miles away, to see the hurt caused to local communities when they lose their football clubs.”

He added: “The Fair Game manifesto is certainly bold in its recommendations, but the severity of the situation as it stands demands a bold set of actions.”

Cllr Lancaster has also called for the council to commit to “regular engagement with supporter groups” including the Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation and Push The Boundary and to redress their concerns where appropriate.