The SD (Supporters Direct) & FSF (Football Supporters Federation) Annual Conference & AGM’s – “The Fans Weekend”

A report by Alan Digby (Company Secretary)

The SD / FSF Annual Conference & AGMs were held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Holborn, London, on Saturday 7th July 2012, and I attended as the Foxes Trust representative. The event was very well organised and the venue was very impressive. We were even advised that it was held on the site where the FA was founded 149 years ago!

It was good to catch up with a number of old acquaintances and friends and to mix with most of the significant people promoting supporters’ rights (Trust Members, SD Staff, Media, Journalists, MPs etc.)

It was also good to talk with David Conn again who was promoting his new book (‘Richer Than God’ – recommended reading!). I also took the chance to thank him for his many articles in support of, not only the Foxes Trust & Leicester City Ownership “issues”, but his support for the Supporters Trust movement in general over a number of years.

After coffee and registration, the first session was the FSF AGM. Malcolm Clarke (FSF Chair & FA Council member) presented and ran the AGM, advising members that the FSF & SD have been invited back in front of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Tuesday 17th July, to respond to the Football Authorities’ recommendations following the Government / DCMS report.

This is important and potentially significant, as only SD & FSF have been asked back other than the FA themselves. This time the Football League & Premier League must reply to any recommendations from the DCMS further reports separately, whereas 1st time around all 3 replied as “one”.  Malcolm & David Lampitt (new SD Chief Exec) will be presenting to the Committee, highlighting the poor response from the FA / Premier League and pushing for legislation from the Government as a result.

The remainder of the AGM was the normal AGM activities – including Annual Report / Finances etc. The most significant aspect is that the FSF has had its funding withdrawn and now has to apply to the ‘Fans Fund’ (from the Premier League) for grants for project work (in the same way as SD). As a result, funding for all normal FSF activities is coming to an end, and there is a possibility of redundancies.

It was pointed out that 1/1000 of the Premier TV money would comfortably keep the FSF going – but is not being allocated. They have devised an FSF Credit Card which they are hoping to promote (where a percentage goes to the FSF when used), but this struck me as a long-shot to make the kind of money they need, given the current economic climate & problems with our Banks & Credit Institutions. There were a number of worthy resolutions which were agreed (such as banning “Pay-Day Loan Companies” from advertising on Football websites), but I came away with some concern for the mid to long term future of the organisation.

This was followed by lunch (and an opportunity to ‘network’) before the keynote speaker – Gabriele Marcotti (Journalist & Broadcaster) who gave an interesting and thought-provoking talk on his views of the future of football in this country. He focussed on the need for transparency – and said he believed in future all club finances should be open to public scrutiny – so all transfer fees, wages, signing-on fees, contracts, agents fees etc. are all in the public domain.

Apparently this is how it works in American sports – and it means there is no secrecy and no money (originally from supporters) finding its way out of the game. He also believes young people are now not getting into the habit of attending live games – and that this will have a severe effect on the sport going forward. He therefore proposed that every game be televised in future – so that all supporters can watch their own team playing away every time, and that coverage could be blacked out in the local area for the home team – to encourage attendance at games.

Although I sympathise and agree partially, it would obviously be totally impractical to ‘blackout’ coverage of games in a limited area (Like the East Midlands with 6-7 League Teams) – and even if it were feasible, you may find it just encourages people to drive out of their home area to watch games! However, it was still interesting to listen to his views.

The First Workshop followed, and I attended the ‘Supporter Liaison’ Workshop. Stuart Dykes from SD explained the concept. The Supporters Liaison Officer (SLO) for a Swedish team, and the Communications Manager from Sheffield United (who performs a Supporter Liaison role) explained what they do. Again this was all very positive and looks an excellent idea, it was again highlighted that UEFA has mandated clubs to appoint an SLO, and all League clubs should appoint an SLO for the coming season.

However, there was no indication that any team in the UK HAS actually appointed an SLO as yet, and no indication that anyone was pushing them to do so. There don’t appear to be any sanctions against clubs who don’t (it is more likely, clubs will just pay lip service to the regulations by giving someone internal to the club the title of SLO alongside their existing duties).

At LCFC we have the “Fanzone” and have created a Supporter Engagement section led by Angela White, but the Foxes Trust will be asking for LCFC to appoint a specific position of SLO (much in the same way Peter Jones used to do the job, before his unfortunate exit, because in some small way it was his role that was used as the Model for this position in the first place!)

The Second Workshop I attended was “Financial Fair Play”. This was presented by Daniel Geey – a Solicitor specialising in the Football Industry. He gave an overview of FFP and how it is being introduced – both through UEFA licensing (to play in European competitions) and the Football League (sanctions against overspending). The rules are intended to have a dual effect:-

  • Reduce Debt problems within the game by encouraging effective Financial Management
  • Promoting competitive balance by outlawing ‘Financial Doping’. (Eg: Owners putting in Loans rather than Capital to “balance the books”)

There were differing views on how effective it will be, but general agreement that it IS a positive step,  even if it takes a few years before having any significant effect. Interestingly, Mr. Geey’s view was that Manchester City WILL be able to ‘get away’ with the sponsorship deal from a Company run by family members of the Owners (putting £400m into the club over 10 years) – so they may be compliant – watch this space on that one!

After a short refreshment break, there was an interesting and entertaining debate on various questions (largely relating to supporter influence / concerns) chaired by David Conn, and featuring Malcolm Clarke, David Lampitt & Tom Greatrex MP – this again highlighted the significance of the Government Select Committee and succeeding actions for the future of fans' groups.

We finished with the SD AGM, this included the Annual Report & Finances, and various resolutions which were approved. Again the reports highlighted financial difficulties within SD with the removal of much of its funding and need to apply to the ‘Fans Fund’ – which is expected to phase out grants over 3 years other than for specific projects.

As a result the final resolution was to double the SD Annual Membership Fee to £100 – to increase funding to SD. Also to prove to the Football Authorities, that SD is taking steps to increase Income internally (rather than just applying for grants). Rams Trust (Derby County) raised an amendment to this resolution to keep the fee at £50 for lower income Trusts (less than £5,000 pa)

After an interesting debate – which included another Trust saying this increase may force them into bankruptcy, a few Trusts spoke against the amendment, as they did not feel it was fair for Trusts to be entitled to the same service from SD whilst paying less. It was highlighted by Rams Trust, that it is more important to have all Trusts within SD to be fully representative – and that the increase will force some Trusts to leave SD. Ultimately the amendment was defeated when voted upon by those Trusts present.

The Conference is summed up by both the SD & FSF looking for new revenue streams to make the money they need to keep going, to continue their good work. As it would appear that the Football Industry no longer wants to finance Supporter Engagement and Rights, despite the huge sums now flowing into the game.

The organisations (SD & FSF) have to become more Commercial Operations instead, without losing their Co-Operative ideals. It was highlighted at one point that with the latest Premier League TV deal, the clubs do not actually need Supporters in the stadia to make ends meet (if ran with good governance!) – Supporters will be treated accordingly.

Brian Burgess (New SD Chairman) also presented a new ‘SD Index’ which they intend to use to show how SD & Trusts are progressing year on year, based on a points system depending on the level of influence each Trust has with each club (from no relationship with club through to overall owners of the Club) combined with their level within the pyramid.

Worryingly this showed a small decline in the index score for 2011 based on 2010, however this was using data compiled before the Wycombe Trust takeover & would obviously not include any potential positive outcome at Portsmouth. It also only encompassed the top 5 Divisions in England & Wales, so does not include the influence of Supporter Owned or ran clubs, lower down the pyramid. It also did not include the growth in Rugby League & Union, Scotland and the growing number of Trusts in many countries across Europe.

It would appear as if both organisations are depending a lot on the outcome of the DCMS / Government proposals having an effect on the Football Industry, to force by, either weight of Public Pressure and/or Government Legislation, changes in how the Football Industry treats the Supporters, so the Foxes Trust will continue to lobby local politicians and keep Trust members informed of latest developments via membership newsletters and website articles.