SUPPORTERS' chiefs told the game's bosses to dig deep last night after the inaugural Football Fans' Parliament was hailed a "fantastic success".

More than 200 delegates, representing 67 clubs in England and Wales, attended the conference at the National Exhibition Centre as they battled for greater recognition for fans' views.

The soccer authorities, including the Football Association and the Premier League, and the three main political parties, congratulated the Football Supporters' Federation for staging the groundbreaking event in Birmingham.

Now, the FSF are demanding they receive greater financial assistance to give fans a bigger voice.

The FSF's Steven Powell, who organised the conference, said: "It's been a fabulous day. Everyone was enthusiastic and left saying, 'What a great conference.'

"We've done an amazing amount with volunteer work - but an organisation like this can only be effective with money.

"The Task Force report said there needs to be one united voice for the supporters to express their views, and we've delivered on that with the FSF.

"The report also said that that body needs to be properly resourced, and we now need that to be delivered upon by the Government and the authorities.

"The FA and Premier League said they were impressed and that it was worthwhile them giving us money to stage this event.

"The TUC general secretary John Monks, who chaired the discussions, said he was impressed with the quality and passion of the debates.

"This is the start of the process, and any football club chairman or football authority that doesn't want to tap into this passion, commitment and ability would be foolish."