Nicola Sturgeon has promised to set up a fund to aid supporters who have gone down the route of fan ownership if the SNP are re-elected.
Fan ownership has been a popular model for Scottish clubs in recent seasons with the likes of Motherwell putting the future of the club in their own hands.
Hearts also come into that category with the Foundation of Hearts becoming the majority shareholder at Tynecastle.
Rangers supporters are on the verge of buying shares off Dave King, while Celtic fans are also hoping to secure a place on the board sooner rather than later through the Celtic Trust.
And the SNP are aiming to create a 'Fan Bank' which will help fan bases financially who are looking for more control at their respective clubs through fan ownership to combat 'negligent' owners making decisions they don't agree with.
Sturgeon outlined the plans, stating: “We know for many fans, the clubs they support play a hugely important role in their lives and dedicated fans care deeply about how their clubs perform both on and off the field of play.
“The SNP’s bold new Fan Bank initiative will give supporters real influence over the future of the clubs at the heart of Scottish communities.
“There are already a number of clubs across Scotland who are going down the route of fan ownership. But too often access to finance is a real stumbling block that prevents supporters having the opportunity to influence the way their club is run. Fan Bank will change that and put real power in the hands of the paying punters.
“Subject to certain criteria and commitments, fans will have access to funds that will give them a real say over how their clubs are run. That may be buying a small stake in the club or perhaps outright ownership.
“In football in particular, too often fans have watched on powerlessly as negligent or neglectful owners have made decisions that supporters have disagreed with.
“With fan Bank, supporters can hold a stake in their club and be represented with a seat at the decision-making table.
“This will help cement clubs as integral and important elements of the fabric of the communities in which they are based.”
