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"We Mustn't Let Owners Steal The People's Clubs"

Discussion in 'Newcastle United' started by Agent Bruce, Feb 11, 2013.

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  1. Agent Bruce

    Agent Bruce Well-Known Member

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    A letter from the NUST.

    "We Mustn't Let Owners Steal The People's Clubs"

    They were the words of John Leech MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Sport and Manchester City season ticket holder for 25 years at the event at the Houses of Parliament last week attended by NUST Board Member Peter Fanning.

    Newcastle United Supporters' Trust (NUST) joined Supporters Direct who hosted an event at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday February 5th 2013 to lobby for the recommendations of the 2011 Football Governance Inquiry undertaken by the Select Committee for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to be fully realised.

    Supporters Trusts from all over the country came together to hear presentations from Penny Mordaunt (Conservative MP, Portsmouth South), John Leech MP (Liberal Democrat Sports spokesman) and Clive Efford MP (Shadow Sports Minister). The meeting was attended by more than 60 MPs from all parties wanting to demonstrate how important they thought the role of supporters was if the Select Committee on Football Governance was to deliver its recommendations.

    The event was chaired by David Lampitt, Supporters Direct Chief Executive who reported that the supporters movement had never been stronger in this country and that this event showed clearly that “the time has come to stop talking and start delivering.”

    Peter Fanning reported :

    “John Wittingdale MP, Conservative Member of Parliament for Malden and Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee also came along to report that whilst encouraged by the support the report was getting, his Committee did not believe that the response of the football authorities went far enough and said that if they did not introduce the necessary reforms within twelve months legislation would be introduced to force them into action. He called for supporters to “keep up the pressure” for reform of football, citing positive noises from government off the back of his committee’s report into football governance reform.

    “Previously we had heard from Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North about the difficulties faced by the Portsmouth Supporters Trust in their widely reported bid to save their club through a supporters’ buy out. She called for urgent action to set up the Expert Group to look at the barriers and obstacles that exist around supporters bids to own a stake in their clubs.

    John Leech MP, a Manchester City fan spoke passionately about the importance of supporters in the future of the game, and the need for sports stadia to be recognised as community assets. Despite all the money currently in his club their ground is owned by the local Council but that is not always the case and he called for controls over what owners can do with a club’s ground. Clive Efford MP, Labour Shadow Minister for Sport called for Sports Stadia to be designated under the Localism Act (2011) and protected as Community Assets.

    “We also heard from Damien Collins MP who has introduced a Football Transparency Bill aimed at making it clear who owns a football club and removing the Football Creditors Rule which protects multi-millionaire players when a club is faced with financial problems but not the admin staff, kit-man or teaperson.”

    All of the speakers called for the introduction of a Structured Relationship between clubs and their fans to be a requirement moving forward.

    Peter Fanning continued:

    “I was really encouraged by the strength of feeling shown by everyone in support of the proposals, in particular the requirement to formally recognise supporters groups in football clubs. This was particularly timely for us at Newcastle United Supporters Trust because last Thursday the Trust Board had our first meeting with Lee Marshall who has been appointed as Supporters Liaison Officer by Newcastle United. The meeting was very positive and set the groundwork for an ongoing formal relationship between the Club and supporters through the Trust. It also came at a time when Derek Lambias was widely reported saying how the Club recognised the importance of listening to the fans.”
     
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  2. TheJudeanPeoplesFront

    TheJudeanPeoplesFront Well-Known Member

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    I'm oblivious to all the various groups who "represent" us to be honest. Always kind of assumed they were run by self-important people who assumed responsibility for everyone without anybodies backing... Are they worth supporting?
     
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  3. Agent Bruce

    Agent Bruce Well-Known Member

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    Joined on the night they held the first meeting.

    They seemed intent on doing good and trying to make sure the Club would stay safe and be run well.

    They've brought guest speakers from other areas whose Clubs have suffered at the hands of their owners and just about gone out of business. It was only a few £ to join so it hasn't been money wasted.

    Next time there's a meeting I'll try and arrange a meet up so you can hear for yourself.
     
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  4. Agent Bruce

    Agent Bruce Well-Known Member

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    They have had microphones out in the town before trying to put their message across.

    Saw one of the guys giving a rousing speech at the Monument one day.
     
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  5. TheJudeanPeoplesFront

    TheJudeanPeoplesFront Well-Known Member

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    Never does any harm to listen to other fans I suppose, that's why we're all on here after-all!
     
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  6. Agent Bruce

    Agent Bruce Well-Known Member

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    Yes, and as it's live, you don't hear them repeat themselves three times.
     
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  7. KazakhToon

    KazakhToon Well-Known Member

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    teaperson :cheesy:
     
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  8. Albert's Chip Shop

    Albert's Chip Shop Top Grafter
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    I joined the NUST but a lot of their initial aims were around simply getting representation on the board (a good thing btw). There was no long term financial plan that I could see (the most important bit). I remember Ashley offering the club to the fans but thecash wasn't there. Unfortunately all fans need to be pulling in the same direction to generate the income needed, something which didn't happen initially (Barca being a good example of it working well)
    I fear that the half decent job Ashley is doing has put a dampener on what is a decent organisation.

    I was particularly impressed with how quickly they got up and running and the way they communicated to our fans.

    Overall I'm happy with the way the club is now being run but it has taken a while for me to be convinced if I'm honest.
     
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  9. Obi Wan

    Obi Wan keeper of the peace
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    Is this the People's Popular Club?
     
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  10. Freddd

    Freddd Well-Known Member

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    Splitters !
     
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