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Here at FSF HQ we were flicking through the morning’s papers and stumbled upon an intriguing piece in the ever-lovable Daily Mail by everyone’s 27th favourite diarist Charlie Sale, who has been having a pop at our esteemed chair, Malcolm Clarke. Someone’s obviously been twisting his ear.

The FSF was saddened to hear last week of the death of one of its longstanding members, David Stacey of the Football Programme Directory, following an illness.

Earlier this week the All-Party Parliamentary Football Group (APPFG) brought out its long-awaited report into football governance. The report was issued this Monday, April 20th, 2009 after evidence from a wide range of football administrators, supporters (both the Football Supporters’ Federation and Supporters Direct submitted evidence) and other senior figures concerned with the governance of the game.

Plans for a two-tier Premier League by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside appear to have hit a dead end as news has emerged that his proposal will not be included in the agenda for this Thursday’s meeting between top-flight chairmen. The plans would have seen two breakaway leagues of 18 teams formed – and would have included both Glasgow Rangers and Celtic.

As ever, the exploits of Manchester United and Liverpool chewed up the majority of the column inches this week, with yet more from new-found sensation Federico Macheda, the respective sides’ exploits in Europe and the continuing bickering between messrs Ferguson and Benitez. Even the release of the PFA Player of the Year Award shortlist couldn’t stop them, as they were the only two clubs represented there, as well. 

Fans’ travel arrangements for this weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals may be hit by industrial action on the travel networks. Around 140 members of the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA) of the British Transport Police will be going on strike from 7am Saturday 18th April until 7am Monday 20th April, with the possibility of further action on Saturday 30 May, which would coincide with the FA Cup Final.

Today marks the anniversary of the worst stadium disaster in British football history. On the 15th April 1989 96 Liverpool fans went to watch their team play in the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough, and never returned home.

Welcome to the latest TWTW, and with the international fixtures done and dusted, the focus returned to domestic matters this weekend past. There were a couple of ding-dong battles involving clubs at the top of the table – on Saturday Yossi Benayoun saved Liverpool’s bacon with a dramatic late winner at Craven Cottage, after the Reds had hit the woodwork no less than 4 times in the first half. We want to know if that’s some sort of record.

Reading fans looking to make the trip to Carrow Road for the clash with Norwich City on the evening of Monday, April 27th, have been given a boost. The club have announced that they will be laying on free coach travel for supporters, in conjunction with the Supporters’ Trust at Reading (STAR).

The FSF’s Yorkshire and Southern Divisions both have seperate meetings on Sunday, April 19th. By freakish coincidence, they’re both AGMs too, one for the X-Files. In line with the FSF’s constitution every division has its own Annual General Meeting where elections take place along with the usual debates and banter. Also the Midlands are having their relaunch meeting, the first given by the new Midlands Divisional Secretary John Brockwell. The meetings are open to members and non-members alike. If you are interested in the FSF’s campaigns, get yourself along to your divisional meeting and find out how you can get involved.

International news dominated the start of the week with Wales’ chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup effectively ended by consecutive 2-0 home defeats to Finland and Germany. Craig Bellamy’s brutal assessment of his own team is either a refreshingly honest change from the bland platitudes footballers usually spout or a needless attack on his teammates which would’ve been best left in the dressing room.

Here at the FSF we often hear of fans that have been unfairly targeted by stewards and subsequently found themselves kicked out of games, or worse, banned from grounds. So we are pleased to highlight the case of 17-year-old Sam Jones who feared the worst when he was thrown out of Upton Park.

FC United of Manchester have announced this Saturday’s home game with North Ferriby United is to be a Youth United Day. This means anyone under the age of 18 will be able to gain free entry into the Main Stand or Manchester Road End at Gigg Lane. This is a saving of £5 on the usual concessionary admission fee and the club is rightly winning plaudits for the gesture.

Sunderland have reached a cup final, only to be beaten by Wigan. No, we’re not trying to have you on in some elaborate April Fool’s Day prank (as if you’d be daft enough to fall for that one, anyway), but football made some positive headlines in Iraq this month as the local police (in Wigan shirts) defeated a side from the RAF 903 Expeditionary Air Wing 2-0 in the final of a local tournament. Rumours that the Sunderland shirts affected the RAF’s performance are strenuously denied by those in FSF towers.

Earlier last month the Football Supporters’ Federation heard from quite a few unhappy Hammers who were told that concessionary rates available to home fans for their trip to Villa Park on Saturday, April 18th, 2009 would not all be passed on to the away support.

It’s not often that think tanks get involved in football debates but when they do, they know where to come for the necessary expertise. The FSF, obviously! Steve Powell (replacing Kevin Miles) will be speaking at ippr north’s The Politics of Football: Will Elitism Ruin Our Game? The event is entirely free of charge and takes place in Newcastle on Monday, April 20th running from 7-9pm at the Urban Cafe in Dance City (five minutes walk from Central Station).

Fear not, the wait is over. tfs 015 is out now and worth every penny of your hard earned £3. Although the more on-the-ball among you will have already joined the FSF and received your free copy. Check out tfs 015 online here.

England fans making the trip to Wembley on Wednesday, April 1st, for the game with Ukraine might want to keep an eye on news bulletins in the build up to kick-off as there could be a heavier police presence in and around London than normal.

England fans making the trip to Wembley on Wednesday, April 1st, for the game with Ukraine might want to keep an eye on news bulletins in the build up to kick-off as there could be a heavier police presence in and around London than normal.

Welcome to The Week That Was, the FSF’s attempt to round-up the week’s football news and views. Many of you will already be familiar with Fan Mail our monthly newsletter which goes to members and contacts and highlights FSF news and campaigns, see left to sign up.