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The Independent Football Regulator: What Fans Need to Know
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On 17th September, the Co-op met with Martyn Henderson (pictured above), the COO for the Independent Football Regulator (IFC). A summary from the Stockport County Supporters’ Co-op meeting with Martyn Henderson (COO, IFR) is below and the minutes are attached (please see the below PDF).
Football delivers unforgettable highs, but it can also bring painful lows. The collapse of Bury showed how quickly a club can disappear when nobody steps in. We at Stockport County know that risk all too well: back in April 2009, our own club went into administration, hit with debts, tax demands, and financial mismanagement that left us facing a 10-point deduction and an uncertain future. It was a stark reminder of how fragile football clubs can be, no matter their history or community role.
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It’s to prevent stories like these from being repeated that the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is being created. Its purpose is simple but vital: to protect clubs from financial collapse, to hold owners to account, and to ensure that fans have a real say in the future of the teams they love.
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At our informal meeting with Martyn Henderson, Chief Operating Officer of the IFR, we had the chance to talk broadly about football, regulation, and what the changes will mean for fans everywhere.
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From 2027/28 season, every club in the Premier League, the EFL, and the National League will need an IFR licence. To get one, a club must prove three things: that it is financially sustainable, that it has proper governance in place, and that it listens to its fans. For the first time in English football, consultation with supporters will be a legal requirement.
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That doesn’t mean fans will have a veto, but it does mean clubs must show evidence that our voices are considered on big issues like ticket prices, the direction of the club, and any changes to heritage such as the badge, colours, or stadium. If they fail, the IFR can intervene. Each club will even have a named IFR supervisor, giving fans a direct point of contact.
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As a Supporters’ Co-op, we intend to make full use of the IFR once our dedicated point of contact is confirmed. That means raising the issues that matter to you, our members, and making sure your voices are heard where it counts. We’d love to hear your thoughts, opinions, and suggestions on how we can play our part in keeping football sustainable for the long term. Together, we can help shape a better future for the game.
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Martyn also made clear what the IFR won’t do. It won’t cover grassroots or women’s football (at least not yet), and it won’t interfere with refereeing decisions, fixture lists, or points deductions. Day-to-day complaints such as stewarding issues will still go to the Independent Football Ombudsman.
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Funding for the regulator will come from within the game, with the bulk of the cost likely to be met by Premier League clubs. This is important, because one of the biggest threats to the game is wage inflation—money flowing into ever-rising player wages while clubs rack up losses. The IFR aims to encourage money to be invested in things that actually secure a club’s future, like youth development and facilities.
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For Stockport County supporters—and fans across the country—this is a historic change. The IFR is being created because fans demanded it. It won’t solve everything overnight, but it will make clubs safer, more stable, and more accountable to the people who matter most: us, the supporters.