Yes, I'm sure we all deplore the actions of Derby County's previous owners - just as we do those of Duchatelet, Southall, Nimer et al, although some posters appear to have short memories about the situation we were in by summer 2020.
Recommendations in the FLR Report would probably have saved CAFC, DCFC, Bury, Macclesfield, and many other clubs from the worst their owners have inflicted on them. As things stand, almost every club - including ours - is just one sale from the clutches of potential asset-strippers. This Government needs reminding that they need to stop navel-gazing and listen to the electorate!
I have two issues with this FLR White Paper press release:
1) Funding issues are still being kicked into the long grass -
"The Premier League remains the envy of club competitions around the world and the Government remains fully behind its continued success. But in order to secure the financial sustainability of clubs at all levels, a solution led by those running the leagues and their clubs is needed, and remains the Government’s preferred outcome.
However, if the football authorities cannot reach an agreement the regulator would have targeted powers of last resort to intervene and facilitate an agreement as and when necessary."
2) There is no timetable for legislation -
"The Government will now begin the process of engagement and further consultation with selected stakeholders on the key reforms set out in its white paper. Plans to bring forward legislation will be announced as soon as parliamentary time allows."
Had quite a long report on BBC radio Surrey this morning.
Reckon that if any of the channels are gonna do an exposè type documentary, this is the time they'll do it. It would be amazing to get the dossier in front of one of their producers if it was the case
Had quite a long report on BBC radio Surrey this morning.
Reckon that if any of the channels are gonna do an exposè type documentary, this is the time they'll do it. It would be amazing to get the dossier in front of one of their producers if it was the case
That's a good call, will speak to CAST about a press release
Two pieces regarding the FLR on the BBC R4 Today, this morning. Sports Minister minded to let the EPL and EFL continue to sort out the EPL payments to the lower leagues themselves, despite payments being a 'problem for 30 years' and the intention to introduce an independent regulator. No mention of timescales. Whilst I think an independent regulator is undoubtedly needed, I can't see this being compatible with government free market thinking and expect a regulator for football to be as toothless and ineffective as the regulators for other industries. Hope I am wrong!
A debate in Parliament on the white paper was held earlier, you can watch it on the link below. The debate began at 12.01 https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Commons
Just when I thought I couldn’t hate that twat Richard Masters any more. My personal favourite of his BBC interview “Masters said the ability of owners to invest and take measured risks against the background of financial regulation to improve their squads and create a really competitive league is one of the reasons behind the Premier League's success” Oh I’m so fucking pleased 20 clubs out of 92 have owners wealthy enough to burn £100s of millions. Is it really not that bleeding obvious that this concerns football and not just the PL?!
Signed the petition, sadly the 'time scale' for this important bill seems to have no date with the minister looking rather 'smug' in parliament giving no real assurances about even being passed in this parliament?. Quite why they have dragged their feet on this issue is somewhat concerning as all parties seemed to have supported the white paper, and urged the government to press on as soon as possible.
I guess more dither and delay, while the PFL will also drag this on?.
Signed the petition, sadly the 'time scale' for this important bill seems to have no date with the minister looking rather 'smug' in parliament giving no real assurances about even being passed in this parliament?. Quite why they have dragged their feet on this issue is somewhat concerning as all parties seemed to have supported the white paper, and urged the government to press on as soon as possible.
I guess more dither and delay, while the PFL will also drag this on?.
Give a listen to Tracey Crouch on today's Price of Football podcast. It will reassure you. In fact, everyone, give this a listen. This is a politician who can restore your faith in the political process. She's a Tory but the complete antipathy of the current 'big beasts'. More Tracey Crouch's more good stuff done, less tribal conflict.
The threat of the collapse of the Premier league will kill this regulator idea off before it gets started. The wealthy foreign owners will threaten to walk away and that will be that.
While I concede there are other more pressing issues the Government should also be addressing, I cannot understand why they are dragging their feet over legislation on this matter, where there is generally all-party support.
Unless they deliberately sabotage the bill by including something highly controversial (and why would they?), it should pass all stages with minimal changes, which looks a swift win-win for all concerned.
The Football Regulator is happening, and soon. If you have a moment, take the time to thank Tracey Crouch, MP, even if only via Twitter. She has driven this through at some cost to her political career and personal welfare:
- she is a Tory MP and a lot of her fellow MPs don't like regulation at all. They think it is "soshulist"
- she has been on the end of unfair criticism from various Premier League Orcs wheeled out to trash the proposals, and various client journalists.
- In particular she and those who have assisted her were subjected to the attention of the Institute of Economic Affairs. However their badly argued "thought paper" laced with ad hominem personal attacks only went to show what a pathetic second-rate bunch of losers they are despite their generous funding from American sources.
- all of that in turn encouraged brain-dead idiots within the football fanbase to launch personal attacks on her in social media; in particular sheep dressed in black and white striped shirts who somehow concluded that she was personally obstructing their club being bought up by butchers.
It is clear beyond reasonable doubt that if the proposals of Tracey Crouch's Fan-led Review had been implemented before then, Duchatelet could never have sold our club to the ESI wrong'uns. (Read why, here)
Politicians get a lot of stick, not least from me. But a lot of them go into politics for the best of reasons, to make a positive difference, and it can cost them. When they do something good for us, they deserve a word of thanks. They are, like the rest of us, only human.
Comments
This post on the Derby thread links to a parliamentary question this week in which both sides of the House in a sparsely-attended debate were pressing for urgent action on the FLR. Clive Efford MP was one of the speakers.
https://charltonlife.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/4568922/#Comment_4568922
It is well worth listening to.
Yes, I'm sure we all deplore the actions of Derby County's previous owners - just as we do those of Duchatelet, Southall, Nimer et al, although some posters appear to have short memories about the situation we were in by summer 2020.
Recommendations in the FLR Report would probably have saved CAFC, DCFC, Bury, Macclesfield, and many other clubs from the worst their owners have inflicted on them. As things stand, almost every club - including ours - is just one sale from the clutches of potential asset-strippers. This Government needs reminding that they need to stop navel-gazing and listen to the electorate!
This is so important for the game we all love.
Brief interview with Tracey Crouch on Newsnight tonight
And here is the link to the press release about the white paper
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bold-plan-to-protect-long-term-future-of-english-football
1) Funding issues are still being kicked into the long grass -
"The Premier League remains the envy of club competitions around the world and the Government remains fully behind its continued success. But in order to secure the financial sustainability of clubs at all levels, a solution led by those running the leagues and their clubs is needed, and remains the Government’s preferred outcome.
However, if the football authorities cannot reach an agreement the regulator would have targeted powers of last resort to intervene and facilitate an agreement as and when necessary."
2) There is no timetable for legislation -
"The Government will now begin the process of engagement and further consultation with selected stakeholders on the key reforms set out in its white paper. Plans to bring forward legislation will be announced as soon as parliamentary time allows."
How long is a piece of string?
Reckon that if any of the channels are gonna do an exposè type documentary, this is the time they'll do it. It would be amazing to get the dossier in front of one of their producers if it was the case
Sports Minister minded to let the EPL and EFL continue to sort out the EPL payments to the lower leagues themselves, despite payments being a 'problem for 30 years' and the intention to introduce an independent regulator. No mention of timescales.
Whilst I think an independent regulator is undoubtedly needed, I can't see this being compatible with government free market thinking and expect a regulator for football to be as toothless and ineffective as the regulators for other industries.
Hope I am wrong!
The debate began at 12.01
https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Commons
"The Regulator will also require clubs to seek its approval for any sale or relocation of the club’s stadium."
Oh I’m so fucking pleased 20 clubs out of 92 have owners wealthy enough to burn £100s of millions. Is it really not that bleeding obvious that this concerns football and not just the PL?!
I guess more dither and delay, while the PFL will also drag this on?.
Unless they deliberately sabotage the bill by including something highly controversial (and why would they?), it should pass all stages with minimal changes, which looks a swift win-win for all concerned.
Reading in deep doo-doo.
Independent regulator for football outlined in King's Speech
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67346196The Football Regulator is happening, and soon. If you have a moment, take the time to thank Tracey Crouch, MP, even if only via Twitter. She has driven this through at some cost to her political career and personal welfare:
- she is a Tory MP and a lot of her fellow MPs don't like regulation at all. They think it is "soshulist"
- she has been on the end of unfair criticism from various Premier League Orcs wheeled out to trash the proposals, and various client journalists.
- In particular she and those who have assisted her were subjected to the attention of the Institute of Economic Affairs. However their badly argued "thought paper" laced with ad hominem personal attacks only went to show what a pathetic second-rate bunch of losers they are despite their generous funding from American sources.
- all of that in turn encouraged brain-dead idiots within the football fanbase to launch personal attacks on her in social media; in particular sheep dressed in black and white striped shirts who somehow concluded that she was personally obstructing their club being bought up by butchers.
It is clear beyond reasonable doubt that if the proposals of Tracey Crouch's Fan-led Review had been implemented before then, Duchatelet could never have sold our club to the ESI wrong'uns. (Read why, here)
Politicians get a lot of stick, not least from me. But a lot of them go into politics for the best of reasons, to make a positive difference, and it can cost them. When they do something good for us, they deserve a word of thanks. They are, like the rest of us, only human.