On Thursday 14th August 2014 the Football Supporters’ Federation and fans of dozens of clubs will march on the Premier League and Football League headquarters demanding ‘Affordable Football for All’. MOMS will be there, as per last year, and hopefully we will be joined by a few more of the claret & blue army in representing.
Last year was a great day out and recommended for any supporter who wants to demand change. As one of the banners from last year read, ‘If you tolerate this, then your children will be next.’ Yes, it’s on a weekday and in London (details below), but if you live in the capital come along. If you’re in Birmingham and want to come, drop MOMS a line and if there is a enough demand, maybe we can arrange a cheap coach down. That’s what the Liverpool fans do.
A simple fact worth remembering:
‘The game is swimming in money like never before, with clubs pocketing record amounts from broadcasting deals while squeezing everything they can out of their fanbase with some of the highest ticket prices in a generation, and something has to give.
The Premier League’s current media deal is worth £5.5bn, an increase of £2.1bn on the previous three years, and yet there is little sign of anything being done to make life easier for the lifeblood of the game – the match-going supporter.
The increase in Premier League media rights alone could have led to all 20 clubs letting in each and every supporter for all 38 games for free last season without being any worse off than they had been the season before.’
– Football Supporters Federation, 2014
(Click on gallery for full size pics)
Is it worth it?
Very much so. What the football authorities don’t count on is football supporters coming together on-mass to challenge them on their greed and blatant disregard for supporters when going about their money-making business. Politicians and the broadsheet media are increasingly supporting football fans’ stake in the game. Already supporter’s collective pressure got the Premier League to get Premier League clubs to set up a £200,000 away fund to subsidise their away fans.
Today, we saw a good example of the spin-off effect with Carlisle Virgin trains giving 25% off to Carlisle season ticket holders. This is a very positive precedent that can be used moving forward at other clubs.
Representatives from supporters groups, like last year, will sit around the table with the Premier League during this year’s march to discuss issues and hopefully make more progress. There is a supporters conference at Wembley Stadium this Saturday (July 26th), that will know doubt help further set the agenda for this (MOMS will be there at Wembley too).
March Details
Strength in numbers! Supporters will be gathering at Marble Arch (nearest tube station, Marble Arch on the Central Line) from 1pm before heading off to the Premier League and Football League offices at 30 Gloucester Place (W1U 8PL) at around 2:30pm.
A delegation of fans will meet with the authorities, while leaders from a number of supporter groups will address the crowd back at Marble Arch at around 3.30pm.
Again, let MOMS know if you’re in Birmingham, but would like to come, we’ll see if anything can be worked out, as a few fans have indicated an interest in coming. UTV
FSF Speech after supporters’ march in 2013
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