A leading fans' group wants greater transparency to ensure supporters know exactly who owns their club. The demand from Supporters Direct is part of a report with the aim of "reforming English football".

"For the last 15 years, supporters' trusts and supporter-owned football clubs have been striving to do things right, but too many others want to hide behind offshore trusts, mysterious funding and complex rules," said Robin Osterley, Supporters Direct chief executive.

"We don't think it is too much to ask that supporters know exactly which person actually owns their club. We think it's equally reasonable to expect that the rights of supporters are protected properly by the rules. It is about time it was done, and done properly."