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Following the European Super League rollout disaster a month ago, opinion has been split regarding which steps should be taken not only to avoid a similar situation down the line, but also to remedy some of the developments of the last few decades that have seen the financial disparity between clubs increase and the disconnect between clubs and their supporters grow larger.
Major protests at Old Trafford saw a clash between Liverpool and Manchester United postponed, and fan groups around the league have taken action of their own, but as time passes, and with unity struggling to overcome private interests, there is a feeling of momentum fading and the gap on making change closing.
At Liverpool, supporters group Spirit of Shankly impelled a meeting with club officials on May 4th, and tonight, the results of that meeting were announced.
In short, Liverpool supporters will now have fan representation at the executive level, written into the club’s Articles of Association, and cooperation between the official Supporter’s Trust and its affiliate groups are to ensure meetings between fans and club officials will take place regarding fan-facing strategic matters.
“The focus over the last few weeks of dialogue has been to find a long-term solution that is in the best interests of Liverpool FC and its supporters – one that we firmly believe is not only meaningful but also wholly in keeping with the values and aspirations of the club,” said Liverpool FC CEO Billy Hogan.
“There is still a lot to discuss with representatives of the Liverpool Supporters Trust in the weeks ahead but having these principles in place is a great step forward and we look forward to formalising the details of the structure over the summer,” he continued. “We will then share the details with all supporters ahead of the new season.”
Spirit of Shankly have released their own statement on the matter, additionally specifying that any costs related to the Super League fiasco will fall solely on FSG, and not on the club itself.
Whether this will lead to a meaningful change in the direction of the club remains to be seen, but it is a promising first step — certainly more significant than the pipe dream of A Good Billionaire — and ideally one that will bring the club closer to its myriad fans around the world.