Rovers have signed up to a new coalition of value-driven football clubs working together to improve governance of football in England and Wales called Fair Game.
Rovers join Accrington Stanley, Altrincham, Basingstoke Town, Bath City, Bury AFC, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United, Carlisle United, Chester FC, Chesterfield, City of Liverpool, Curzon Ashton, Darlington, Dorking Wanderers, Ebbsfleet United, Gateshead, Grimsby Town, Leyton Orient, Lincoln City, Luton Town, Maidstone United, Newport County AFC, Rochdale AFC, Shrewsbury Town, Tonbridge Angels, Tranmere Rovers, AFC Wimbledon and Worcester City as members.
Fair Game is working with a team of more than 40 world-renowned experts to find long-term solutions to issues around the game, including protecting the heritage of clubs, a fairer distribution of TV revenue, and tackling discrimination. Fair Game has outlined its proposals in a 48-page document titled: Putting Pride Back In The Shirt.
Central to the proposals is a sustainability index which looks at reallocating parachute payments to clubs throughout the football pyramid that can prove they are run well, respect equality standards and properly engage with their fans and their community.
Fair Game also believes fans should be given the final say on any proposed change to a club’s crown jewels, which includes the club’s name, nickname, colours, badge and the geographical location of where the club plays.
The organisation also has the backing of several leading politicians, including the Shadow minister for sport Alison McGovern, the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, the Conservative MP Damian Green, a leading member of the influential DCMS committee, and the former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron.
The timing coincides with the Government’s Football Governance Review being led by the Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, which is expected to publish its final report in the coming weeks.
Chief executive Gavin Baldwin said: “As a club we are passionate about supporting Fair Game.
“Fair Game wants protect the integrity of competitions, have a fairer distribution of monies from the top, and ensure that as custodians of a football club we cannot wipe away a club’s history or identity.
“These principals are to achieve a sustainability which is a big part of what we are trying to achieve with the Club Doncaster model. It is something that we believe will help ensure that every football club – no matter how big or small - is here for the future generations.
“To achieve this, all clubs must come together and we are delighted to be joining 28 other football clubs in sharing and promoting the Fair Game message.”
Niall Couper, director of Fair Game, said: “I am delighted that Doncaster Rovers have joined.
“Fair Game is calling for fairness, sustainability and success. At Fair Game, we want long-term realistic solutions and we believe we can deliver them.
“We want a sport where every fan can put their shirt on in the morning proud in what it stands for, safe in the knowledge that the traditions and heritage of their club will always be there.”
To find out more about Fair Game visit www.fairgameuk.org