What will one make of the Trust Fund?

Last updated : 03 March 2006 By Editor

Blame Sven and the FA? Lord Burns made recommendations for reform in his review of the organisation’s structure, which he said at the time, were ready as a measure of success not failure.

It might also result in the next England manager being an Englishman, which would satisfy a lot of supporters and may mean that players from all over get a better chance in the national team other than those who play for big clubs.

The reforms included giving the national team a similar relationship to the FA as the Premier League and the Football League has now. Other recommendations made at the start of the season were to encourage finance to flow into the Community game, subject to not undermining financial flows into the core FA.

‘The focus of the Professional Football Alliance would be to promote the integrity and well-being of the game, on-field quality, the highest standards of conduct and the interests of customers’ – that’s you!

However, according to Philip French, chief executive of Supporters Direct very little in the form of implementation has so far come to light, and this is made all the more relevant now because of the Government Sports Minister, Richard Caborn and UEFA’s fresh initiative for European football, which French believes could prove hugely significant for the game’s stability.

He said: "The Nice Declaration (December 2000) was the last attempt by ministers to protect the cultural, educational and social elements from Darwinian free markets. But it had no legal basis and has not protected football from the unwanted scrutiny of the competition authorities in Brussels."

"Overseeing the ownership and control of clubs: establishing the financial integrity of those who own and control our clubs is the one area in which the supporters’ trust movement has made a significant impact in Britain."

It is also worthy of noting that Prince William will take over from his uncle, HRH The Duke of York, as President-Designate of The Football Association at the end of the season. And what with his father being a self-proclaimed dissident of the government, and Prince William’s already close connection with Charlton, will it be the royal way or the tried and trusted way for progression at the Valley? What bearing will it have for supporters, trusts and the regard for more Charlton players making the grade for England when it matters?

Source: The Guardian