02/06/2014 We have decided to publish our original email to the FA. We have received no response. We are currently composing a second email, although we again expect no response. Sent to the FA - Friday 23/5/14 AM To The FA The FA Commission I write to you today to officially draw your attention to our Against League 3 campaign. AL3 is a sizeable group of fans, who stand firmly against The FA Commission's proposals to allow 'B' teams into the competitive football pyramid. Strategic Loan Partnerships are also opposed very strongly as ‘feeder clubs’ by the back door. At the time of writing, our petition has been signed by over 32,000 football fans. We've received thousands of emails, including many lengthy and coherent arguments against the aforementioned proposals. Our campaign is 2 weeks old. Imagine what we could do with another few months. I would be surprised, and a little concerned, if your press team had not alerted you to our campaign. We are sensible football fans against a senseless idea that would destroy lower league and non-league football. Supporters of clubs regardless of competitive level or location have contacted us. From Premier League fans, to regional division fans. They have all clearly sent us one message: we must not allow these proposals to become reality. It is not lost on ourselves the incredibly high pressure political situation the FA currently finds itself in. As you know, these proposals were met with widespread criticism, from journalists, from chairmen, from leagues, from clubs and from fans. You are currently preparing for a World Cup. You are currently dealing with fallout from the Scudamore scandal. We have taken the "bigger picture" into account. We applaud the original aims of the commission. We want the national team to improve, and we realise the need for improved grass roots facilities and coaching. We are not against every aspect of the report. Most of the analysis provided is incredibly detailed and accurate. It actually evaluates the problem incredibly well. Our supporters have also told us that they are, on the whole, England fans as well. However we will not allow lower league clubs to pay the price for years of poor performances from the national side. Your report talks of "compromise" - where is the compromise from the upper echelons of the game? Are Premier League clubs damaged by these proposals? No. In fact these proposals hand the already incredibly powerful more power. Yet lower league clubs are expect to carry the burden. There is no compromise there. We find it insulting that Greg Dyke has said at every opportunity in the media when talking of opposition to these plans, that English football fans are "against change". That is simply untrue. We want change, we are desperate for change, and many of us have actively called for change. However the changes we seek (fair fan representation, proper distribution of money amongst the pyramid, amongst others) are ones that the FA, Premier League and the elite running the game have continually avoided for years. We have received backing from Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federation. We have received support from Supporters’ Trusts up and down the country. We have received backing from similar campaigns (including Save Grassroots) and a larger coalition calling for change in our game is starting to form. How long will you stubbornly refuse fans the right for fair representation and a fair hearing as a key stakeholder in the game? Please consider meeting us in regard to these proposals. If Mr Dyke is genuine when he asks "what are the alternatives?", then there is no reason why he should not want to listen to us The fans who have contacted us have told us they want us to take genuine decisive action, and along with our colleagues in the game this is what we are now discussing. However we wish to speak constructively first. You have an incredible opportunity to improve the English game for years to come. Please don't waste it. We look forward to your reply, Against League 3 The content of this email was copied with the permission of AL3 http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/football-association-say-no-to-b-teams
brb Has the 'campaign' committee considered intercession by the chairmen/women of the Clubs in the Football League ( and maybe from those in the Premier ). The number of signatures cannot [should not] be ignored - but maybe those names combined with the 'authority' of the FL chairpersons might make Dyke think. I do not necessarily worry if Gillingham remain in the lower divisions - but if anything that Dyke now does causes the club to fold - I will NOT contribute anything to any of the Premier League clubs - I will not go to watch any live game elsewhere and will actively support any country who play against England.... Italia -Italia - Italia !
I don't think its the "going to games" they are worried about alwaysright. Its the TV rights. If people just don't bother subscribing to the sky football channels, things might change. But then again, are the FA going to listen to 100,000 FL supporters, or a few mill EPL supporters Hope the campaign keeps gathering momentum though brb. I personally think its criminal what they are doing to our game.
Very well put but somehow I have a feeling that Dyke won't listen. When he was director general at the BBC he never listened only to what he wanted to. The BBC connection could easily be the reason we have only heard the positive spin by Dyke and nothing regards to the negative effects on football as a whole via that media outlet. What we need is a representative from EVERY football club to collate signatures to form an all encompassing petition from England as a whole. Once that has been achieved I think it would carry more weight. If however you get no response from the F.A. regarding, or shall I say in response to the petition then a march on F.A. HQ showing a National show of support from as many clubs as possible and hand the petition to them then they can't ignore the campaign and it will highlight the level of dissatisfaction for the proposals of Div 3 and would certainly get media coverage. For that to work everyone joining in would have to be peaceful and no violent clashes between supporters of various clubs. Perhaps an emblem that all football supporters can fall under could be created which might take the sting out of allegiances.
BBC SportVerified account ‏@BBCSport Football League clubs reject proposal by the FA for Premier League B teams to play in lower divisions
Please don't bite my head off. Perhaps I have missed the discussion but I am not convinced that this proposal would be bad for smaller clubs. Last year I went to an under 21 game at the Emirates. There were over 6,000 people, only about a dozen League 1 and League 2 clubs averaged more last season, all paying £5. That tells me that the B teams of the big clubs will be able to draw large crowds when playing the non-league teams and that would mean a much needed boost of revenue as these second strings tour the country.
I hate to tell you this but the lower division clubs are not going to reduce their admission prices to £5.00 to accommodate these teams, how many people are realistically going to spend £20.00 per match to follow their 2nd team around the country?
If they want to reduce the admission prices to £5 then they can start with the FA Cup, to raise gate admissions by lowering pricing from a minimum of £10. Then how much was the JPT Final this year £30 something for a half full stadium, yes there was league match incentive following that for a team involved but if you are looking at the prospective of it from increasing gate admissions then there is plenty of other ways to do that starting with the FA amending their current pricing structure. Hence you don't need a B team or B player to do that.
