A new initiative aimed at supporting semi-professional football clubs in England officially launched this week, seeking to address the complex challenges faced by Non-League teams. The Football Pyramid Partnership (FPP), established earlier this year, held a sustainability summit on Thursday at the Riverside Club within Accu Stadium, the home of Huddersfield Town, to introduce its services to club officials and stakeholders.
The FPP was founded by Mark Harris, a former Northern Premier League chief who served nearly 20 years before stepping down in June, alongside Ossett United chairman Phil Smith and ex-Non-League Show presenter Tim Fuell. Speaking to an audience of club directors and administrators in West Yorkshire, the founders outlined their vision for the consultancy, which is dedicated exclusively to the needs of semi-professional clubs, leagues, and associated organizations.
“Chairmen are expected to know everything about everything,” Harris remarked, highlighting the breadth of knowledge required to manage these clubs effectively and acknowledging the unrealistic demands placed on volunteer leadership. Fuell added that FPP aims to provide a reliable resource where clubs can access trusted advice from individuals with direct experience at this level of football.
The partnership’s main objective is to support clubs in overcoming common operational and financial obstacles to ensure their short-term survival and long-term sustainability. To illustrate this mission, FPP released a report titled “Martyn’s Law in Football: The implications for Non-League clubs.” The paper examines how forthcoming security legislation, known as Martyn’s Law, is expected to impact club operations and their volunteer workforce.
Harris emphasized the group's commitment to ongoing involvement, stating that the consultancy intends not only to diagnose issues but to remain engaged until solutions are implemented. “If we don’t have the answers ourselves, we’ll connect clubs with experts who do,” he said.
By providing tailored expertise and a network of contacts, the Football Pyramid Partnership seeks to usher in a new era of stability and growth for clubs often operating with limited resources and relied upon by dedicated volunteers across England’s football pyramid.