The Scottish government will tomorrow pass its Community Empowerment Bill, which will give fans first refusal to buy their club should it put up for sale.

The move will give supporters more power, including being able to buy shares to gain a controlling interest at any point.

The campaign, which has been going on for two years, is being supported by the Greens, with MSP Alison Johnstone telling the Evening Times: “Over the years, far too many fans of Scottish football have had to watch from the sidelines as their clubs excluded them from decision-making, as clubs were spectacularly mismanaged, and as far too many clubs fell into administration.

“It’s time for supporters to be put at the heart of the game and a fans’ right to buy is essential for that. While a club is in good hands, as many are, this right to buy would never be used, but even at those clubs, fans know good owners come and go.

“Fans will always be the best long-term trustees of a club’s interests, and now, for the first time, Ministers will have the powers to bring in that crucial right to buy. It’s not good enough for fans to be called on only when a club has gone bust.”