Important work starts now for football's new independent regulator

With the Blackpool Supporters Trust

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A warm welcome to all Gazette readers to this, the second BST article of the 2025/26 season.

One thing which has not yet changed since our last article is our club’s very slow start, but as we said in our last piece, there is no need for panic at this stage. But if we are going to find our feet and our form, now would be a very good time to do it.

Off the field, the reality of an incoming independent football regulator (IFR) will be occupying minds within the club. During September the IFR has begun its first consultations on the manner in which it intends to do its job.

The first set of consultations are about new tests of the fitness of owners, directors and senior managers and it also sets out how the new body will conduct investigations and use its enforcement and sanction powers.