The licensing system was introduced by the SFA at the beginning of season 2002/3 in order that clubs comply both with European requirements and with the need to establish minimum standards for the benefit of all.
The Customer Care Code which is now available on the official site focuses on issues which relate directly with fans. Information on accessibility, ticketing policies for home and visiting supporters, consultation, community activities, staff conduct and customer services are all detailed.
The whole scheme covers every aspect of the club’s operations ranging from stadium requirements, floodlighting specifications, and job descriptions to safety and security issues.
The SFA will monitor compliance with the code of practice and the club has to do its best to meet the promises stated in the document. There is a complaints procedure with time constraints on the club to reply and investigate.
It may be that there are still areas of the code which are to be implemented but fans should not hesitate to point out practices or procedures which contradict the policies outlined in the document.
No doubt there will be a few problems to face as the code falls into place (and we seem to be in the middle of such a problem in the run up to the last game of the season!) but we should recognise it as a step forward.
MOTHERWELL FOOTBALL CLUB CHARTER