Showing articles from the year 2011
Clear filterAnother year’s flown by and we’d like to say thanks again to all our members – that’s you by the way. We can only exist as a legitimate, campaigning, representative organisation if new fans continue to join, so spread the word to your mates and we’ll be back in 2012. Read on for a look back on the highlights (and lowlights) of a year’s worth of FSF news…
The total number of arrests for football-related disorder fell 9% from the previous year during the 2010-11 season according to new Home Office statistics. The figures include football-specific arrests, such as throwing missiles or pitch encroachment as well as more general offences committed in and around football stadia.
Football is slowly but surely waking up to the implications of UEFA’s new club licensing requirements, to be implemented from 2012/13. The initial focus has been on the need for football to reign in its debts as, by 2018, clubs will need to look like something approaching a sustainable business.
The FSF’s Safe Standing Campaign received a boost today from north of the border with the news that the Scottish Premier League (SPL) will consider requests for pilot safe standing schemes after a general meeting of the league’s 12 clubs.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has identified six safety steps to build into Fulham’s matchday planning to prevent a repeat of the problems which occurred at September’s Brazil v Ghana friendly.
Fans of Portsmouth and Southampton are unhappy with Hampshire Police thanks to their decision to force a so-called “bubble match” onto supporters this Sunday. Bubble matches place severe restrictions on fans’ freedom of movement and supporters of both sides say the move is unnecessary.
Brazil, a country which provides more than its fair share of And Finally’s. The player in question skips past two men and slots home neatly. But the opposition interrupt his celebration with some violent pot shots. Then the ref sends him off. Even his own teammates frogmarch him off the pitch. What could he have done to rile everyone so?
PLEASE NOTE this process is purely for Gold members of englandfans, the official membership through the English FA.
The UEFA ticket portal opened on Monday 12th December 2011 and will remain open until Wednesday 15th February 2012. For this tournament, all participating nations will be using the UEFA ticketing website to process applications, additionally payments will be taken directly by UEFA and tickets will be distributed by UEFA.
Fan-owned FC United of Manchester has asked its supporters to dig deep this Christmas to raise more funds for the club’s new ground and community facility. FCUM followers have already raised a remarkable £1.3m and the club hope this can reach £1.6m by the 31st December deadline.The FCUM Community Share Scheme is a unique venture among sports clubs and one of only 10 such projects from any industry. It is backed by Co-Operatives UK and central government. The aim of these projects is to engage communities and encourage them to invest in themslevs, rather than rely on private sector backing or wealthy individuals.
We’ve got two copies of Football Manager 2012 to giveaway just in time Christmas, what a handy stocking filler. To be in with a chance of winning the FSF would like to hear your best Christmas themed, player puns. Think Roque Santa Cruz, but be as creative as you like! We’ve been in touch with the big man himself (Santa Claus, not Cruz) to adjudicate and his decision is final. Competition closes midday on Thursday 15th December and is open to FSF members only.
Former Brazilian capain Socrates died at the age of 57 earlier this week. He appeared in two World Cups, won 60 caps for his country, and played in one of the greatest games of all time – Brazil’s 3-2 defeat to Italy in the 1982 finals. Off-the-field he was a remarkable character too – a qualified doctor and committed democrat at a time when his country was living under a military government.
One Game, One Community took place in October and Kick It Out’s ex-England international Earl Barrett (Oldham, Villa, Everton et al.) took a few minutes out to tell us a little more about the work he and Kick It Out do.
The FSF and FSF Cymru’s condolences go to the family and friends of Gary Speed – a massively popular figure among fans, respected not only for his talent but his total commitment to the game. FSF Cymru’s Vince Alm: “Gary was not only a player’s player but a real fan favourite. A great bloke, very courteous – it’s a very sad day for football.”
Matthew Bazell’s Theatre of Silence: The Lost Soul of Football (view on Amazon here) was first published in 2008 and proved a popular read. The second edition has just been released and includes updates, new material, and a chapter by legendary Sex Pistols/PiL frontman John Lydon. To be in with a chance if winning a copy answer the below question:
The draw is made, and now everything becomes much more concrete and focused, and the planning of the trips can begin – at least for the group stage games.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued travel advice for England football fans planning to attend the UEFA European Championships (Euro 2012) being hosted by Poland and Ukraine. UEFA will tonight reveal where England will be playing their first three matches of the tournament and potential fixtures should they progress to the knock-out stages.
With the draw now made for Euro 2012 we finally know who will be playing where and when for the group stages at least. To make life as easy as possible for all of us, we’ve dropped the dates, times and venues into two handy downloads that should enable most of you to import the Euro 2012 fixtures into your computer calendar or smartphone. Aren’t we nice?
The draw is made, and now everything becomes much more concrete and focused, and the planning of the trips can begin – at least for the group stage games.
A group of Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters are fighting to “take back the game” – and they plan to start with a ten-minute silent protest at Wolves v Sunderland on Sunday. The organisers are asking fans of both sides to join in the silence which is inspired by an identical protest in the Swedish league at a game between AIK and Djurgarden earlier this year (see below).
