The New England Football Regulator

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:16 pm on 3 May 2022.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 2:16, 3 May 2022

Well, I think the Member was wise to make his final remarks from the safety of his own office—[Laughter.]—so I congratulate him on getting that part right. Actually, I agreed with very much of what he had to say. I think the review will have an impact here in Wales if its recommendations are taken forward. It's likely to be a beneficial impact because what it does is to emphasise the fact that football is a game played for the benefit of those who support football clubs, rather than those who own them or who seek to make money out of them. If there is a single message at the heart of the review, it's about how you rebalance those interests, so that the interests of fans come first, rather than some of the ways in which the game has developed over more recent times.

We will, of course, read the White Paper with interest. It would be very good, from our point of view, if Welsh Ministers had an opportunity to be involved in some of the discussions that will precede that White Paper. The Minister responsible will, I'm sure, report any conclusions she has for the game in Wales to the Senedd.

The Member will be pleased to know, I'm sure, that the first professional football match that I ever went to see was at the Vetch Field in Swansea, where I saw fourth division Swansea play fourth division Huddersfield united. I cannot honestly say that that 0-0 draw inspired me to return quickly to the ground, but I have very fond memories of being at the Vetch Field.