Football and Television - Time for a Change!

With both the Premiership and FA television contracts up for renewal soon, NOW’S the chance for YOU the ordinary football supporter to influence events before the new deals are set in stone again for three or four seasons. The European Union has now followed the UK government in questioning whether football should continue to be allowed to negotiate rights deals collectively.

If clubs were allowed to do their own deals there’s little doubt the few already rolling in it will get even richer with even fewer crumbs for the rest. But supporters have an agenda too. We want:

We MUST get all these points over to our Members of Parliament. We need YOU to join us at the House of Commons that week to lobby your constituency MP. A debate on football and television will be being held that week. We need to promote attendance and participation in that debate.

If you REALLY can’t make it to London on 1 April (NO, NOT can’t be arsed, really CAN’T make it!) then please write or phone your local MP or visit him/her in their constituency surgery. Even if you are coming to the lobby you need to contact your MP to tell them that you’d like to see them on the day. Please also mention that you hope they’ll be participating in the debate. Details of how to do this are below.

Who is my MP? I haven’t got a clue! How do I find out?

You can log on to the parliamentary website at www.parliament.uk or ring the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000. Alternatively you can ring your local town hall. Public libraries will also have details of your local MP. How do I get in touch with her/him? You can simply ring the number above or write to them at: House of Commons London SW1A 1AA

Or you can write to them at their constituency office if you have the address. Many MPs now publish e-mail addresses and have their own websites too. Details of those that do are listed on the parliamentary website.

What should I say to my MP?

Raise all the points in this leaflet and say you support the FSF’s campaign for a fair deal for fans and the game from TV. If you’re coming to the Lobby say you’d like to see her/him at the House of Commons on that day. If you can’t make the lobby say you’d like to see her/him at their constituency surgery. In larger constituencies these are often held in several locations. Ask for details of the one most convenient for you.

Which MP should I approach? The one for where I live or the one representing the constituency where my club’s ground is situated?

Parliamentary rules are strict about this. MPs can ONLY take up issues on behalf of THEIR constituents. You MUST therefore contact your OWN MP. You can ask them to take up the issue with the MP covering your club’s home ground however.

Make sure you:

For further information please contact:

The Fishy's Rob Sedgwick will be travelling to Westminster to the House of Commons to have his say on the issues - feel free to contact him and meet up before the event starts.

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