B
brb
Guest
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
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
