A "tough" independent regulator is needed to stop football clubs being "bled dry" by "bad owners", an MP has said.

Labour MP Christian Matheson (City of Chester) said football supporters have a "profound sense of loyalty and identity and belonging" to football clubs, and should be protected from owners who profit from them "with no intention of investing in their future".

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Matheson said the Football Association does not have enough power to deal with such situations, and the Government needs to make sure clubs are protected for their supporters.

He told MPs Coventry City are being "driven into the ground by its owners SISU", a company he said is "answerable to no one".

He also told MPs about problems at Bolton Wanderers where "staff have not been paid and other clubs are assisting with payroll and even providing food banks to support employees".

Mr Matheson continued: "The concern for supporters is they are only ever one bad owner away from these types of problems, and that they have nowhere to turn for help.

"The FA and the leagues have an owners and directors test, but these might only be relevant in the case of, for example, previous criminal convictions.

"But a group like SISU can turn up at Coventry and bleed the club dry with no intention of investing in its future and the FA can do nothing."

Speaking during a 10-minute rule motion, Mr Matheson said the Football Regulation Bill would set up a "tough" independent regulator empowered to intervene if clubs are being mismanaged.

He said: "While the directors of a football club may be the legal owners, they are surely only the custodians on behalf of the whole family of supporters of each club.

"If they are unable to act in the best interests of the club and the team, and are seen to be acting in their own interests to the detriment of the club, that can not be allowed.

"If I don't like Tesco, I can go to Sainsbury's. If I am still unhappy, I can go to Asda or Waitrose or Aldi or Lidl. But you can't do that with a football team.

"Football supporters have a profound sense of loyalty and identity and belonging to a club which can't be transferred at the first sign of trouble."

The Bill was approved for a second reading at a later date. Due to a lack of parliamentary time, it is unlikely to pass in its current form.