CARLISLE United's chief executive Nigel Clibbens has said that he is 'encouraged' by the Football Governance Bill that was introduced into Parliament on Tuesday, March 19.

The legislation, which follows government plans to appoint a regulator in February 2023 targets reforms in the governance of men's elite football in England and would grant powers to a body, independent of government and football authorities, to oversee clubs in England's top five men's tiers. 

After the bill was put before parliament and in a statement on the Carlisle United website, Mr Clibbens shared his thoughts on the legislation which could represent a 'new dawn' for English football. 

He said: "We welcome this as the next important step to help secure the long-term financial sustainability of the football pyramid. 

"Change is coming but very slowly, it's essential and cannot come soon enough.

"The Government has also committed to the 'State of the Game Review', which will provide the basis for the Independent Regulator’s work in making the game financially sustainable. This is also important.

"We are encouraged that the Regulator will be given backstop powers on financial deals, should the game be unable to agree a deal itself.

"This could be a new dawn for football, but the Regulator must have the power to step in and do so when required."

Mr Clibbens also discussed the need for financial parity between the English Football League and the Premier League and how an independent regulator could help deliver this.

"It has been clear for years the game cannot reach a fair deal on its own, so this is the key issue," He said. 

"The Regulator needs to ensure any financial deal between the Premier League and the EFL delivers for the entire football pyramid. Football needs a fair financial flow.

"It takes both the PL and the EFL to do a deal, the EFL cannot do a deal on its own.

"Despite all its efforts, a proposal has not yet been received. This cannot go on.

"If the powers are delivered with the right terms, it can help to fix football’s broken financial structure by providing the essential independent oversight and interventions required to ensure that all clubs can be sustainable and thrive in a football pyramid that is fair and competitive.