LFC reaches agreement with fan group

A Liverpool fan group has reached an agreement with the club, so supporters can have more of a say over any decisions which affect them.

Talks began between club bosses and Spirit of Shankly, after LFC's owners decided to sign up to plans for a breakaway European Super League.

Spirit of Shankly met with representatives of Liverpool FC’s board on Tuesday to continue talks on the union’s four requests. The group has now reported the outcome – to be ratified by members.

In a statement it said:

"A Supporters Board is to be established and written into the club’s regulations making it a legally binding agreement. SOS will be head of this board.

• There will be a formal recognition agreement between SOS and LFC. This will become part of the club’s constitution so that if / when the ownership changes, this contract will remain in place.

• SOS and FSG will collaborate to work with the government’s fan-led review to improve the future of the game.

• FSG will meet any costs as a result of the European Super League, not LFC.

A representative of the Supporters Board will meet annually with LFC’s board of directors to consult on issues pertinent to fans. Outside of this, if an agreed consultation matter is to be discussed at an LFC board meeting, the chair of the Supporters Board will be present.

Supporters Board representatives will have a term of two years and be chosen as the result of a democratic vote.

As a recognised legal body, this determines that the Supporters Board led by SOS will have regular dialogue and input with LFC’s local directorship – those based in the UK – where decisions that directly affect us, the supporters, are made. We will have influence and the power to say yes or no, in effect a blocking mechanism on issues that matter most to fans, such as saying no to ESL or any future breakaway league. Unlike in Boston, where most talk surrounds FSG business and franchises, we will have a seat where football influence is strongest.

We can lead with fan-led proposals on subjects, such as ticketing, matchdays, diversity, and come to agreement on the outcome. Most importantly it ensures LFC’s board contractually has to consult with the fans.

The club’s owners will confirm this in a public declaration.

The details are still to be refined, but this is the basis of fan representation at LFC going forward.

The set-up of the Supporters Board means SOS, and affiliates, will have access to and influence on debate with allegiance to the club, not the ownership, and a final say on fan-led strategies. Like a union, there has to be mutual agreement before such a decision can be made.

The details are still to be refined, but this is the basis of fan representation at LFC going forward.

The set-up of the Supporters Board means SOS, and affiliates, will have access to and influence on debate with allegiance to the club, not the ownership, and a final say on fan-led strategies. Like a union, there has to be mutual agreement before such a decision can be made.

The If we accept these proposals, and this will be down to our membership, we can maintain independence. After discussions of the past weeks, we believe this is a unique deal and recommend its acceptance. We see this as a chance to help shape the future of our club and put us at the forefront of changing football in general.

We are arranging an online meeting for members, hopefully at the start of next week, where this will be discussed and then put to the vote. We will forward details as soon as they are confirmed."