A place for supporters on the Saddlers board?

With the uncertain futures of Portsmouth, Darlington and Kettering very much in the spotlight at the moment, it's only natural that the running and ownership of football clubs should come under scrutiny once more, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.

And with Walsall Football Club's AGM lasting a whole 8 (eight) minutes with four of the directors (including the majority shareholder) sending in their apologies, it's only natural that the running and ownership of our football club should come under scrutiny once more.

There is a plenty of evidence that supporters' organisations currently hold high levels of engagement and support amongst some of football's governing bodies and even within parliament. One of the key beliefs prevalent at the moment being that many of the problems experienced by football clubs throughout the league pyramid in recent years could have been prevented with a comprehensive licensing system.

Last week the Supporters Direct pressure group launched their campaign Key Principles for Football Club Licensing in England at an event at the Houses of Parliament. In attendance were various supporters' representatives, MPs and William Gaillard, Advisor to UEFA President Michel Platini no less. It is a meaty document, well worth a read, with many interesting ideas; one in particular which caught my eye was the concept of the 'emotional investment' supporters make in their football club.

Walsall presumably have all the documentation to say who the rightful owner of the football club is and I've always assumed that everything that has ever been done over the last two decades has been legal and above-board. Therefore the club would meet many of the above-mentioned licensing proposals.

However philosophies such as 'supporters should have a voice in the affairs of the club and a means of acting as responsible custodians of the club's history and tradition' and 'the importance of the sustainability of the club for the benefit of future generations' may prove slightly trickier.

This week there is also a Westminster Hall debate scheduled in Parliament, with the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on Football Governance as the main subject, presenting another opportunity for the benefits of the licensing proposals to be re-emphasised. While last month, Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham & Morden, tabled an Adjournment Debate in Parliament entitled 'Government Policy on Football Governance and the case of AFC Wimbledon'.

Everyone should be familiar with the remarkable and heart-warming story of AFC Wimbledon by now. Equally admirable is the model of community ownership that is FC United of Manchester. Last year FCUM launched their groundbreaking Community Shares scheme which raised an initial sum of over £1.2 million. Manchester Council recently approved their plan to develop a stadium and community facility near to their spiritual home in Newton Heath and the fans are planning to raise more funds through a further extension of the Community Shares scheme.

Exeter, Brentford and Swansea (a club that have won three promotions in six years and are currently doing the business in the Prem very much on their own terms) are all clubs that are part owned by their fans.

Not too far away from us in the Conference, AFC Telford have reformed and risen through the leagues in six seasons, returning to the level where they were when the old club went bust. Earlier this season Wrexham were rescued by their fans, while Cambridge United and Kidderminster Harriers have supporters elected onto their boards of directors.

Obviously every club's situation is different but there are other models of ownership out there. I firmly believe that there are models that would suit Walsall better than the current one and that it is time to embrace change.

It can be done (other clubs have shown that); it should be done (as a quick glance at the league table, last year's accounts or our current attendances will testify); and, one day soon, I hope it will be done.