I was delighted to see that Enfield Town FC’s supporters’ organisation had helped the Labour Party to draw up its new plans to give fans a voice in every football boardroom.

Enfield Town has always been a trailblazer for supporters’ rights. It was created by one of football’s first supporters’ trusts, and I was proud to be a founder member in 2001. Since that time, the club has built a successful organisation with the help of fans, volunteers and local people.

They have shown what it is possible to do when supporters are put at the heart of their club. Labour’s plan to give more powers to fans, by allowing a single accredited supporters’ trust for each club to appoint no less than two directors to the board and purchase ten per cent of the shares when a club changes ownership, if desired, can change the way football is run.

Fans will no longer be an afterthought, as prices are hiked, grounds relocated and clubs burdened with debt. Giving fans a stake in their clubs will ensure their voice is heard by the owners of the clubs too. This will be good for football and for football fans.

Well done Enfield Town!

Joan Ryan

Labour parliamentary candidate for Enfield North