The challenge
Governance priorities at this level.
Dedicated governance, legal and supporter liaison teams.
Board level scrutiny
Owners and directors want a clear, defensible picture before anything reaches the regulator.
Two sets of standards
League fan engagement rules and regulator licence conditions overlap but are not identical.
High public profile
Ticket pricing, heritage and fan consultation decisions are reported nationally.
What applies to you
Relevant regulatory frameworks.
- The Independent Football RegulatorThe Football Governance Act 2025 created the IFR. Clubs in the top five tiers of men's football need an operating licence with four mandatory conditions.
- IFR fan consultationLicensed clubs must regularly consult fan representatives on relevant matters and take their views into account. Representatives may be elected or otherwise appear to the IFR to represent the club’s fans.
- Annual Fan Consultation ReportA yearly report covering the previous 12 months of fan consultation, approved and signed by a director or individual with appropriate authority and published on the club website.
- Corporate governance statementClubs must explain how they apply the IFR’s Football Club Corporate Governance Code, using its apply-and-explain approach.
- IFR annual declarationAn annual declaration confirming licence information, supported by your log of notifiable events.
- Club heritage protectionMaterial crest or predominant home-shirt-colour changes require reasonable steps to establish support from a majority of fans in England and Wales. Team-name changes require FA approval. Ground disposals and relocations have separate IFR approval requirements.
- IFR levyLicensed clubs pay a levy to fund the regulator, scaled by league and revenue.
How ClubProof helps
A shared view across the club.
Evidence management
Connect club documents with their supporting requirements and recorded reviews.
Operational oversight
Review recorded operations, evidence status and inspectable scoring.
Deadline coordination
Record club deadlines, reviews and document expiries in a shared calendar.
Defined team access
Give directors, club secretaries and supporter liaison colleagues clearly defined roles.
Portable reporting
Export available records in CSV and JSON, and prepare reports and evidence packs.
A structured approach across the season.
Pre season
Review policies and set this season's targets
Fan consultation
Hold and record supporter meetings
Mid season check
Spot gaps in your evidence
Reporting
Prepare annual statements
Close season
Archive the year and export records
Illustrative planning cycle. These examples are not live club deadlines.
Other leagues
Discuss your Premier League club’s requirements.
Review your team structure, governance priorities and intended platform use with us.