In of a series of articles Matt Davis looks at football related questions that you could ask if a candidate turns up at your door, or if you wish to email them and ask directly!

The articles are paraphrased from the Football Supporters Federation web site and covers six key questions, with one question on each of the following subjects:

·        Governance of the Game (featured in this article)

·        Grassroots Game (featured in this article)

·        Safe Standing

·        Supporter Rights & Criminalisation

·        Competitive Balance & Wealth Distribution

·        Inclusion and Accessibility

Why not print off the articles and have then next to your door when the knock comes!

PS Prospective candidates for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland can be found by clicking on the following link:

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/generalelection2010/Undefined-Headline/article-1985481-detail/article.html

continued…….

Whilst the Trust accepts that there is far more to politics and political persuasion than football related issues, it would be interesting to ascertain feedback from our prospective MP’s on these matters, so if you have asked the questions and received a reply please drop me a line ([email protected]) & let me know what was said.

Governance of the Game

Facts (Analysis):

• Governance and Regulation is still not fit for purpose e.g. recent crises at Portsmouth and Chester City
• This is occurring at a time when there are unprecedented sums of money going into the game from media rights.
• Even well-established and previously financially successful clubs are hamstrung by huge debts after leveraged buy-outs by foreign investors.
• There are concerns about the ineffectiveness of the (three) fit and proper persons tests.
• There is a lack of clarity about the respective roles of the FA and the leagues.

Required (Prescription):

• Strengthened regulation to prevent unsustainable debt and promote competitive balance.
• The identity of those who own a football club should be transparent
• Ownership should satisfy a number of tests based both on past history, both inside and outside football, and on the production of a demonstrably sustainable, financed business plan.

Question: Do you agree with the above analysis and prescription and, if so, what would you do in Government to bring about such changes?

 

The Grassroots Game

Facts:

• Provides the players that will eventually make up the various national teams of
• the United Kingdom.
• Football at grassroots level brings together people from all walks of life, cultures, races and backgrounds, teaching them respect, teamwork, the understanding of different viewpoints and cultures alongside the proven health benefits of exercise.
• Many grassroots football pitches in the UK, together with the required changing facilities are sub-standard or are being removed to make way for building development.

Required:

• Grassroots football should be actively supported and monies invested in facilities and training of those involved to benefit the community as a whole.
• More money needs to be diverted from the extremely lucrative deals currently favouring the football elite towards grassroots football for the benefit of the participants.

Question: What will you do to ensure that adequate facilities are available nationally for grassroots football to flourish, and to reverse the current decline of the sport in communities across the UK?

Look out for the second of these series of articles early next week