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The 2004 Wish List

By: Steven Powell
Date: 02/01/2004

STEVEN Powell serves on the Arsenal Supporters' Trust. He is also a part of the Football Supporters' Federation and is a board member of Supporters Direct which assists clubs in forming trusts.

Home > Features > 2004 Features > The 2004 Wish List


Steve sends us his new year's message!

In wishing you all a Happy New Year I thought I'd share with you all (you LUCKY people!) some of my personal 2004 Wish List for football:

  • 1) The FA to finally get real and realise its job is to run the game and control the spivs, chancers and long firm merchants that infest it - I can dream can't I?

  • 2) The men (and it is men) with the money to realise that a) sport requires competition and to realise that a fair divvy up of the spoils is in the interests of EVERYONE in football, especially the so-called "Big Clubs" (including my own)

  • 3) A fair wind and some REAL help from the football authorities for those trying to save their clubs and ensure that they prosper in the face of unbelievable incompetence and, in some cases, positive hostility. When will those who are meant to be the guardians of the game realise that supporters are part of the solution, not the problem?

  • 4) A fan-friendly set of recommendations from the All Party Parliamentary Football Group enquiry into the finances of football - due to report in February. A nice New Year's present please.

    In no particular order and just because they're at the top of my mind for one reason or another I'd also like to mention in despatches the following:

  • All at AFC Wimbledon - a continued inspiration everytime I visit. I know it's not perfect, but what is. The point is it's a fan thing. Respect.

  • All at York City - one in the eye for all who say supporters couldn't run a bath. Hope to see Bootham Crescent saved. The FA and FL should hang their heads in shame for their inaction. Respect.

  • All at Port Vale, Cambridge United, Notts County, Dundee and countless others who either have or are struggling to save their club

  • Members of the Darlington Supporters' Trust who've been threatened by their chairman with "a visit from the boys" for daring to voice their opinions. Also chairman of the Gills Independent Supporters' Club, Alan Liptrott, who continues to be banned from home games by chairman Paul Scally for daring to have a disagreement with him. Shameful.

    Alan also deserves a special mention for refusing to enter Selhurst Park on the opening day of the season to see his team play Franchise FC. He can only go to away games but he refused to support the Frankenstein's Monster created by FA indifference. For this he was made Man of the Match in a brilliant News of the World Match report by FSF Supporters' Football Writer of the Year Paul Samuel. Respect.

    On a selfish note I'd like to think I'd have a reason to be in the Arena Auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen on 26/5/04 and in the International Stadium in Yokahama next December. Like I said, I can dream, can't I? After all that's what footy's all about!

    That's it. Could go on forever but won't. Have a great 2004. Keep it real.

    Best wishes,

    Steven Powell

    (The Football supporters website is at www.fsf.org.uk/


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