The Duke of Cambridge today paid a visit to the Dulwich Hamlet Football Club to discuss the ongoing Fan Lead Review of Football Governance with players, management, and fans from various clubs.
Per Kensington Palace, William’s visit was to “provide an opportunity for those involved in the football pyramid, both on and off the pitch, to put forward their opinions on the interim findings, as well as discuss the importance of grassroots and lower league clubs to English football and how these can best be supported.”
The Fan Led Review was announced earlier this year, in April, to examine the English football system and ways to improve its governance, ownership and financial stability at all levels of play. The aim was to build and strength the benefits of football UK-wide.
The first results and recommendations were released as interim findings in July; and William’s visit allowed him to chat with the Dulwich Hamlet team and managers—including new Director of Football Peter Crouch—about the findings.
Dulwich Hamlet FC brings in crowds of around 2,400 on Saturday afternoons and was promoted to the National League level in 2018. It is currently the highest-attended non-league club to have never participated in the Football League; and two-thirds of its shares are fan-owned, while the rest are owned in a Supporters’ Trust.
Following his meeting with the team and managers, William chatted with football fans to get their opinions on what they hope will be included in the final report of the Fan Led Review, which will be released in the coming months.
William has been a proactive President of the Football Association, a role he’s held since 2006. He has advocated for better access to mental health support for players and called for greater diversity and anti-racism measures on all levels of play in the UK.
