Campaigns

To underline the role the Trust hopes to play in the community, we also have Trust web pages on the Northern Echo's CommmuniGate network of websites

It's time to join! Just £5 - for 12 months or £1 for under 16's.
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Or for a form send a stamped addressed envelope to:
Darlington Supporters' Trust, PO Box 178, Northallerton, DL7 7AG.

E-mail: darlotrust@hotmail.com

For further information or to offer support: E-mail the Trust or call 07951 036720

www.darlotrust.co.uk
is kindly hosted by the www.dafts.co.uk
website

Division Two "plots less relegation and promotion"

The Trust's Nick Blake presents a photo to Dave Hodgson of the Darlo squad meeting opera singer Suzannah Clarke, who helped with a Trust fund-raising event It appears that moves are afoot amongst some Second Division clubs to reduce the numbers of clubs promoted and relegated between Divisions Two and Three. This is obviously being interpreted by many supporters as an blatant attempt to further strengthen the hand of the strong clubs, as opposed to the smaller ones.

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation said: "The FSF is disappointed that, yet again, those running football have not consulted supporters about a proposed major change to the game, as plans to reduce the number of clubs promoted and relegated each season are to be tabled at the Football League AGM in June.

"A few football clubs are starting to recognise the importance of consulting and involving their supporters and it's high time the rest of the game followed suit. Sooner or later the fans who support their club week-in, week-out, and who ultimately pay football's wages will have to be brought in out of the cold. "The FSF will discuss the issue at this year's Fans' Parliament, where I expect supporters to be very angry about being ignored. The authorities may not have asked us for our views, but our Parliament will tell them nevertheless."

The FSF is inviting all fans and supporters organisations to e-mail them to express a view on the proposal.

"We have not been informed or consulted by the football authorities in any way, but as this information has been passed to us, and we believe it to be accurate, we are inviting all fans to express their views and we will subsequently be in contact with the authorities before the League's AGM. It's not an ideal situation; obviously the lack of consultation once again is more than disappointing but the FSF is determined that fans views will be heard.

Malcolm Clarke "At a Football League meeting earlier this year it was proposed at a Second Division meeting that only three clubs should be promoted and relegated between Divisions Two and Three. This is now to be put forward as a formal proposal by the Second Division clubs at the League’s AGM in June. The reasoning is that it standardises movements between all the divisions (although not the Conference!)

The cynical view is that it’s about reducing the risks of relegation and protecting income streams, a view reinforced by a refusal (and a proposal by Wycombe two years ago) to consider increasing the number of promotion and relegation places. The FSF believes this is an issue in which fans should definitely have a say. Promotion and relegation is a key part of competitive football, maintaining interest and excitement, and it can be argued that this proposal will adversely impact on that. There are contrary arguments and we look forward to hearing supporters views, whether directly affected or not."

Darlington Supporters' Trust, a member of the FSF, is concerned that any such plan would have a negative effect on Division Three clubs. A spokesman said: "It's pretty transparently another divisive proposal to protect the slightly bigger clubs at the expense of smaller ones. All too typically, there's been no opportunity of consultation with supporters and no doubt those running the game would prefer this to be agreed in a smoke-filled room before anyone was the wiser. In Division Three, the system of three teams going up, and another through the play-offs, is well established. It keeps the interest going in the season for supporters of many teams. Perhaps some of the clubs in Division Two should remember they have benefited from such a system in the past."

Trust backs anti-racism week

Darlington Supporters' Trust backed the Kick It Out campaign's anti-racism week of action. This season, the week took place between October 16-28 2003 and involved the whole of football coming together to make an anti-racist stance.

Unfortunately the club denied us permission to distribute anything at the Reynolds Arena, as T-shirts to give away.

The Kick It Out campaign, backed by players, clubs and fans, aims to maintain a continuing vigilance over the issue of racism in football at all levels, as well as helping to educate the young. It's aiming for a game where racial abuse in the crowd or on the pitch not only isn't tolerated but where incidents will be reported.

All clubs, including Darlo, have black players and no-one gives it much thought. Britain's first black professional footballer - goalkeeper Arthur Wharton played for Darlington more than 100 years ago. But problems of racism, whether to players or to black and Asian fans, haven't gone for good and not only should it be discouraged by all true supporters, but it's against the law. The KIO hotline number is 0800 169 9414 for reporting incidents.

One week's activities alone are unlikely to end exclusion and discrimination, but the breadth of the activities as the biggest series of events ever seen of this kind will stand as a testament to the work of many in the game.

In 2002, all 92 professional clubs held anti-racism days alongside 300 community groups, schools and libraries. This years events promise to be even bigger, involving more grassroots and community organisations.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Viv Anderson's England debut against Czechoslovakia at Wembley in 1978, where he became the first black player to represent his country. The same year saw the debuts of the pioneering triumvirate of Brendon Batson, Cyril Regis and Laurie Cunningham affectionately known as the 'three degrees', at West Bromwich Albion. The achievements of black footballers have been taken a step forward this autumn with the Premiership debut of Michael Chopra for Newcastle United. Michael is the first home grown Asian to play top-level football. As the lifeblood of the game fans are vital to the activities taking place. The contribution made to tackling racism by ordinary supporters is immeasurable.

Trusts move on to next phase

Supporters' Trusts are already moving to their second phase, in the wake of the financial crisis of many clubs, delegates at the fourth annual conference of Supporters' Direct in London were told.

The chairman of Supporters' Direct, Andy Burnham MP, said the next stage of support for the 90 Trusts already in existence involved supporting them to "extend their influence and their membership."

He told the conference at Highbury in June that core funding had increased to £225,000 with an extra £500,000 over two years to support Trusts involved with clubs, in the wake of ITV Digital's collapse.

For a growing number that also meant control of clubs. Representatives from York City and Lincoln City Supporters' Trusts - now chairmen of their clubs - spoke of the difficulties taking over clubs and the problems within the game. Supporters Direct managing director Brian Lomax said the organisation was adapting to the changes within the Trust movement. They're also in the process of setting up a Trust network for rugby league clubs, with that game facing similar problems.

Meanwhile, investigative journalist Tom Bower, author of Broken Dreams spoke of the greed at the very top of the game. "Not only is the game in crisis, it's deeply corrupt," he told the conference. "I think it's in crisis because of the corruption." Bower's inside story of the game awash with money but with clubs running up debts, comes from an admittedly non-football fan, better known for books on the likes of Robert Maxwell and Richard Branson. As well as attacking agents, managers and boards, he accused the FA of being "an astoundingly insipid, unelected, ineffective organisation" as a ruling body. He said the most important weapons at supporters' disposal were "exmbarrassment and shame".

Professor Derek Fraser, chairman of the Independent Football Commission, said the track record of individuals should be taken into account with those taking key positions in football. The organisation, which can make recommendations but has no powers of enforcing them, was holding case studies into clubs in administration to see how they were run. Football League operations director Andy Williamson was also put under pressure about the governance of clubs in a question and answer session.

There were also workshops held, with a popular one involving fund-raising for clubs in crisis. Darlington Supporters' Trust was represented by Ted Blair and Steve Duffy. Link to Supporters Direct July newsletter

Fans' Parliament discusses "Blueprint"

Supporters debate game "in crisis"

The Football Supporters' Federation debated a game at "a crossroads" at Highbury in London on June 21. The FSF, which Darlington Supporters' Trust has joined, has issued a discussion document - a "blueprint for Football" ahead of its second "Fans' Parliament."

The conference debated issues including safe standing, TV scheduling, racism and also the franchise football fiasco involving Wimbledon.

Here is the conference paper:

Football in Britain is at a crossroads. Financially, the game's never been better off. It's never had more committed followers both at home and overseas. Yet never have so many clubs been on the brink of financial extinction, nor has the game been so ridden by short-sightedness and self-interest.

Since the start of the current season the chief executives of both the Football League and the Football Association have been forced to resign. The root cause of both departures? Power and money. The game's elite in England, Wales and Scotland seem intent on keeping an ever-increasing proportion of the wealth generated by the game for themselves.

The Football Supporters' Federation (FSF), formed on 1 August 2002 unites the former National Federation of Football Supporters' Clubs (NFFSC) and the Football Supporters' Federation (FSA). It represents over 100,000 of the game's most committed supporters in England and Wales grouped in 124 democratic fans' organisations. They follow teams from the Premiership to the non-League pyramid. The follow the English and Welsh national teams at home and abroad. 1.3. It's these supporters who travel thousands of miles throughout Britain and overseas every season. Without FSF members there'd be no game. We pack the grounds, sing the songs, and provide the passion.

Yet supporters are the one group in the game which is most frequently ignored. No more. Football supporters are uniting around a set of principles which they believe are essential to the future of football. We invite all those who love the game and have its best interests at heart.

It's time to act before it's too late.

The blueprint calls for: (1) The creation of one unified governing body governing all levels of football in England to replace the current multiplicity of leagues and associations.

(2) The introduction of revenue sharing between all professional clubs where one quarter of all league TV and gate revenue (including executive boxes) is pooled and divided equally.

(3) Minimum standards of governance, administration and financial control for all clubs to be enforced by the governing body as a condition of membership and league entry, including a "fit and proper" person test for all persons owning or directing a football club

(4) An annual club licensing system to be introduced over a five year period. A condition of licensing to include a ban on unfunded revenue deficits.

(5) The creation by statute of a special legal status for sporting clubs giving similar tax and financial benefits to charitable status

(6) The Government to permit safe standing areas at stadia where clubs and their supporters so wish

(7) An end to constant fixture changes to suit television

(8) Prior consultation with supporters on broadcasting contracts to ensure a fair deal for the matchgoing fan and an end to TV "overkill"

(9) An end to bans on away fans and an increase in away ticket allocations

(10) A comprehensive review of the structure of all domestic league and cup competitions and the structure of the season involving supporters at every stage

(11) Consultation with supporters on the structure of all European and international club and national team competitions and how they relate to domestic competitions

(12) The development of clear rules in consultation with supporters to prevent any recurrence of the FA appeals tribunal decision to permit the former Wimbledon FC move to Milton Keynes

(13) The development of clear, legally enforceable rules to prevent clubs selling their grounds without the explicit prior agreement of their supporters and other another ground being provided in the same town

(14) Involvement of supporters in initiatives to combat racism on the field and in the stands

(15) An end to discriminatory treatment of away supporters in terms of ticket prices and allocations in both domestic and international competitions and club levels

(16) The development of a regular TV free midweek evening with no live broadcast Premiership, Football League or Champions' League games for midweek fixtures to encourage live attendance

(17) An end to the constant above-inflation increase in ticket prices, particularly for lower priced tickets

(18) Discount ticket prices for younger and retired supporters with national standards on age criteria

(19) The development of disabled supporters' facilities at all levels of the game including minimum standards

(20) Involvement of supporters in all policing and stewarding policies affecting them

(21) Encouragement and adequate funding of supporter organisation and involvement in the game at all levels

(22) The strengthening of the role and powers of the Independent Football Commission.

Clubs in crisis book

The controversies surrounding off-the-field manoevures at clubs ranging from Chesterfield to Wimbledon are the subject of new books called "Clubs In Crisis edited by George Rowlands, who supervised The Ultimate Drop volume of supporters' recollections of relegation to the Conference. The three volumes were published by Hurrah! Books on July 21.

Cost saving suggestions a "red herring" says Darlo board member

Railing against regionalism

Darlington Supporters' Trust has backed comments by the club's associate director Mark Meynell, criticising any talk of a regional restructuring of the Football League.

Mark Meynell The issue has been mooted in recent months, winning the backing of former League chairman Keith Harris and former players such as Tony Cottee, but Mr Meynell - also a co-opted member of the Trust Board - said the authorities should not go down the regionalism route.

He said such a move would "only serve to trivialise and undermine the credibility of clubs like Darlington..and play straight into the hands of those who wish to apportion all the power (also known as money) to the so-called top 40 clubs."

He called the argument for cost-saving a "red herring," saying for a typical Third Division club the savings "were not going to be the difference between financial success and failure."

Writing in his column in the club programme, Mr Meynell said he'd calculated that even a club on the geographical extremes such as Darlington would only save an estimated £12,000 a year, with Third Division salary bills typically between £750,000 and £1.5m. He said Darlo usually only had eight overnight stops a season, with group hotel bookings saving money, and even accounting for one wasted trip because of the weather, the cost saving was "largely irrelevant in the overall context."

Peter Ashmore, chairman of Darlington Supporters' Trust said that as one of the country's footballing outposts, perhaps the views from Darlington were more valid than some others on the issue. "The argument against, as put forward by Mark Meynell seems compelling even from a financial standpoint savings are very small in the scheme of things."

In addition, Mr Meynell - who himself travels to watch Darlo home and away from his base in Shropshire - said he thought the vast majority of supporters who travelled to away games "preferred and enjoyed" the present system. "Our support at Kidderminster, for example, was at least as good as it was at Bury," he said."I ask why go backwards - keep following the Quakers, to Hartlepool, York, Torquay and Exeter!

The prospect of more local matches was being used as a carrot by those backing change, but Mr Ashmore (pictured right) added that only the Hartlepool fixture for Darlo was a true derby, while trips to Carlisle and York were more than 50 miles. "At Darlington, DAFTS have a database of more than 500 fans who live in the larger towns and cities round the country and who would see a trip to Bristol, Cardiff, Leyton Orient etc, as a home game. I suspect this is true of many clubs - only they don't know it!"

Mr Meynell also said that England was a smaller country than Spain or France, which support national leagues, while the Football League had set up the current system before the advent of motorways and modern cars.

However, both Mr Meynell and Mr Ashmore said that the League could improve the arrangement of midweek fixtures, so clubs' travelling was kept to within a reasonable distance.

Footnote: Football writer and "consultant" Alex Fynn proposed a regional split of Nationwide teams in an article in The Observer. Using Reading FC as an example he claimed "their gates would go up because there would be far more local derbies. And their costs would go down, because they wouldn't have to play meaningless, unattractive games in places such as Carlisle or Darlington." In response, Royals' fans pointed out, Reading were a division above Darlo and the Cumbrians in any case, while calling his proposal for "exciting derbies" against the likes of Margate, Exeter, Dagenham & Redbridge and Farnborough "utter piffle."

Trust joins Supporters' Federation

Darlington Supporters' Trust has affiliated to the recently formed Football Supporters' Federation. The umbrella body is made up of supporters organisations, Trusts and individual fans to campaign on a variety of issues.

Ticket pricing, safe standing, franchise football and TV and financing of the game are just some of the concernts raised so far. The FSF also welcomes membership from individual supporters.

Trust backs the New Dons

Darlington Supporters' Trust has backed the efforts of Wimbledon fans, in setting up a new club in protest at the First Division club's move to Milton Keynes.

Chairman Pete Ashmore added the Trust's "total support for all your efforts in preserving a football club for Wimbledon fans."

Pete added in a letter to the Dons' Trust: "In the history of supporters' trusts, I cannot think of anything more brave and committed than your actions in standing up for what you, and the vast majority of fans, believe in."

AFC Wimbledon are playing in the Combined Counties League, a drop of seven divisions from Nationwide Division One, where the now nicknamed "Franchise FC" play. The new club, which attracted crowds of between 3,000-4,000 in its first season and finished third. It's planning a ground-share arrangement with Kingstonian FC, buying their Kingsmeadow Stadium for £2.5m and creating a Fans' Stadium.