Fans’ ownership of clubs to be debated by politicians
DEBATE The House of Commons
THE issue of fans owning football clubs has been raised in the House of Commons once again.
In an evening adjournment debate, politicians discussed the model of AFC Wimbledon, a club risen from the ashes of Wimbledon FC.
Pompey fans have been watching the debate with interest, because it relates to the club’s last resort – Plan B. If no buyer should be found for Pompey, and it sinks further into debt and is wound up, fans would have 21 days to form a new football club – AFC Pompey, for example – from the ashes of PFC.
Siobhain McDonagh MP secured the debate in the house, and said AFC Wimbledon had taken less than a decade to fight its way back to the football leagues.
She said: ‘Less than 10 years ago a community came together in a time of struggle, and now they have achieved something even more amazing than the original Wimbledon.’
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport is to hold a debate on February 9 on football governance in Westminster Hall.
It will discuss the need for fans’ groups to be kept informed of their football club’s finances, and involved in the decision-making processes.
Meanwhile, members of Pompey Supporters Trust will be heading to a House of Commons reception on Wednesday, hosted by Supporters Direct.
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Comments
There are 17 comments to this article
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einstein
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 04:04 PMus fans in Oz cant get to matches but what about we buy tickets that can be used for deserving people, kids etc that otherwise couldnt afford to go, tickets bought seats filled
thependragon81
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 03:10 PMFor me, in the worst should happen, we need the name of the club to be as close to the old one as possible. Let's not have any of this 'AFC Pompey' nonsence.
stumps4141
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 02:45 PMFOR Once I agree with Hugo Post 9, I cringe at some of the last minute penalty decisions, and sending offs that influence the results in matches, look at our friend mr K. FRIENDS last two games at Fratton Park if ever a bent official needed looking at he is the one, CORRUPTION is rife in all sports.
wotPompey
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 02:18 PM@hugo and pompeytel you are spot on, these plan "b" ers wannabee club owners tend to ignore the fact that most of these trusts are absolutely subsidised by major business local owners; indeed the bee's are planning to hand over to multi millionaire. They are trying to persuade all it was part of their original plan althought it was never stated.
Pompeytel
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:58 PMAgree with Hugo. Appreciate there may be a need for Plan B. but for me that's not even an issue yet. It's a back up plan getting too much airtime and media space. All energy and resource needs to be united in keeping existing club alive. Everyone on here with an opinion can do more for the club by attending the next few games As per Appletons request! And shelving these Plan B thoughts.
Pompeyexile
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:56 PMChris S in Oz post 10.. ...why not Portsmouth Football Club? a good question... I agree it would be great to keep the name... Please whoever replies...stick to the facts as answers...not speculation!
andi4asg
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:50 PMAn alternative to Plan B would be to Buy out Havant and Waterlooville and then we would be half way back to the Football League, and could rename the club accordingly. Simples
Chris S in Oz
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:08 PMI'm sure this may have been asked before, but........ Who owns the rights to the name Portsmouth Football Club? Why would it have to be AFC Portsmouth or something like it?
hugo
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:52 AMGovernment should get involved in football.....it needs cleaning up from top to bottom, and in every department, caps on players wages top of the list. bring in camera's because the standard of refereeing is abysmal, and open to corruption, which i believe already exists..and is why the FL do not want them introduced....in short football is in a terrible state.
Plymouth Graham
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:50 AMif we could start in conferance that would be marvelous..this is why 12 man is so important to show a league that we could bring REVENUE to the existing clubs.. therefore Halifax or Salisbury will recieve 1000 more fans for a game at £15 a head...not to be sniffed at. The Conferance level is well establishedand a great level...i feel it would be more like the old 4th division days..which still remain to this day my fondest season ( young free and single and a gang of mate in a bedford van with no seating in the back just cushions..travelling up to Lincoln -lost 1-0 there- and Halifax etc and the famous Northampton day.
mpbaz
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:44 AMI am glad the news has taken note that the local MP for Mitcham&Morden is discussing ownership of football clubs. I sent the piece to the news as I thought they might be interested in it, it was sent to me via the club or a fan at the club, they have obviously run the story. Do not think starting again is a disaster it is not as you will have the funs and therefore the money to progress very quickly especially if you start in the blue square south as that is only 4 from lg2.
hugo
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:35 AMI personally am not interested in plan B......its unthinkable.
Appy pompeii
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:34 AMTigerisanidiot-- what nitram syas post 3 :)
carisbrooke
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:24 AMSorry for being off subject again. If the Pack the Park initiative is to be effective, the club must open up sales of Milton End tickets through the website, Hull and Ipswich are not going to use 3000 tickets. Make more of them available to home fans.
nitram
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:19 AMI think Appy means 10 years to get back into the league from forming. AFC Wimbledon did not get back to back promotions, as they had to establish themselves at each level, and their business plan adapted accordingly - no point in going for broke to get straight back into the league. It would all depend on what league we started. Wimbledon started in the equivalent of the Wessex league (same level as Moneyfields). Portsmouth City FC (my preferred name) might possibly start in Conference South or Southern League Premier, which is a few steps above where Wimbledon started. League football would probably take about 4 years in that case.
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