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Football fans would be given a much greater say in how their clubs are run under a Labour government.

A leaked version of the party's draft election manifesto, obtained by the Mirror, includes pledges to improve sport for those who participate in it and love it.

Football supporters' trusts would be offered the chance to purchase shares when clubs change hands.

They would also be able to appoint - and fire - at least two people to the club’s board of directors.

When first mooted in 2014, Labour indicated the policy was influenced by events at Coventry City, Cardiff City, Hull City, Portsmouth, Leeds United and Birmingham City, among other clubs.

At the time Labour's policy review chief Jon Cruddas said: "Football clubs are part of people’s identity and sense of belonging. Our plan is to give fans a stake in their clubs."

(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)

Labour will also pledge to make sure the Premier League invests 5% of its TV income into grassroots and youth football, including improving coaching, facilities and pitches.

Labour, led by celebrity Arsenal fan Jeremy Corbyn, would also push sports authorities to make big improvements on disabled access.

And the party would encourage UK cities to bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games after South African city Durban dropped out.

It would also take action on the ticketing market in the UK. including anti-bots legislation to stop tout websites snaffling up blocks of tickets for high-demand games.

Labour would implement the recommendedations of the Waterson review, published last year, that secondary ticketing websites should be taken to court if they do not comply with rules.

The draft manifesto says: “Sport must be run in the interests of those who participate in it and love it, not just for a privileged few.”

At the weekend, Liverpool fans lent their support to Labour by unveiling a banner depicting Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

In a message to working class voters to get behind the party, the banner included the slogan: “What unites us is greater than what divides us”.

The official Labour manifesto is expected to be published next week and the manifestos for all the major parties are expected by mid-May.