Chronicle Article 31 December 1999

The findings of the Football Task Force comprised two reports; one representing the fans, and the other representing the authorities, the clubs and the owners. Both sides agree that something should be done to improve the running of the game but there is disagreement over how.

One great divide is over a regulator. Essentially the authorities don’t want one, but the majority of the Task Force, backed by supporters groups, want someone with the right to go into clubs and inspect their books to ensure that the interests of supporters and the community are being looked after. Their report also suggests that clubs appoint supporters' representative on the board either as a director or an observer. Trusts with members who can become shareholders were another possibility.

However, the Daily Telegraph reported, "for the football authorities, all this is anathema, loony supporters' ideas with which they want nothing to do". The Task Force was divided further by the walkout of PFA Chairman Gordon Taylor. He was particularly at odds with the stance of the Chairman, David Mellor. "I hate people claiming to know about the game when they've only been in touch with it for a few minutes." Taylor commented. "I felt I had not worked in football all my life to hear how it should be run by David Mellor, just as I would not presume to go into the House of Commons and tell them how to run their affairs".

The Task Force allowed a wide-ranging study taking supporters views into account. Whether the disagreements are representative of the future of the governance of professional football remains to be seen. However, it is clear that there is concern at all levels as to how the football should be run, for whose benefit, and who should be overseeing it.

Why should football come under such scrutiny? Rogan Taylor, Director of the Football Research Unit at Liverpool University commented "it's a sport, a commercial business, a quasi religion, a localism, a regionalism. It performs all kinds of functions and it's very difficult to think about as a single type of entity. That's why it needs such sensitivity and our concern. Peoples lives are extraordinarily influenced by things like football". Even William Hague believes "the fans need the owners of the clubs, and the owners of the clubs need the fans. It's a mutual dependence and it shouldn't be impossible to arrive at arrangements where everybody gets what they want".

None of this should come as a surprise to supporters anywhere. Fans are the enduring entity of football clubs yet are often regarded as merely customers. They do not change brands in times of trouble. There is a loyalty and a passion that is sometimes misunderstood and sometimes taken for granted. We had hoped to complete the share transactions to ensure that Blues fans could demonstrate their loyalty through a 35% stake in the Club. Sadly we were unable to bring this to fruition.

We would like to thank the many people who have helped us through a very difficult period and to wish all Blues fans a Happy and Prosperous New Year. This article was written before the Orient debacle and Terry Smith's decision to relinquish the managerial role.

Les Smith ISA chairman

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