"Fit and Proper Person Test"

[missunderstood]

We never went off topic,all relevant

 

Good point, but can you try and explain why someone like me is a bad credit risk because they never get in debt, non league clubs have trouble getting bank loans, and yet premiership clubs with massive debts are allowed to spend even more money they don't actually have, and put themselves in even more debts.

 

I think I'm reasonable astute and yet I fail to understand any of it.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

When the Premier League remains one of (if not the most) popular leagues in the world, it will always be hard for other clubs to gain fans (in both League and Non League).

 

I can't see that changing any time soon, and Sky will continue to invest in it. Without the Sky money, most of the Premiership sides would be in trouble though.

 

How can Non League challenge this? It can't. Non League has always been more of a niche environment, and apart from sites like this one and radio shows like The Non League Show (aired at an ungodly hour!) and possibly Non League Day, what else is there nationally to market Non League to the masses?

 

The challenge for Non League, over the next 10-20 years at least, is to remain viable during times of economic volatility both in and outside football. Clubs, fans, local authorities and investors all need to work together to ensure that season in season out they have a good team on and off the pitch.

 

Hopefully, one day, the FA will get teeth with regards to Non League and do more to safeguard the futures of clubs. At the moment, they are open to abuse from pariahs and hardly a season goes by without a club in trouble. That has to stop.

[missunderstood]

When the Premier League remains one of (if not the most) popular leagues in the world, it will always be hard for other clubs to gain fans (in both League and Non League).

 

I can't see that changing any time soon, and Sky will continue to invest in it. Without the Sky money, most of the Premiership sides would be in trouble though.

 

How can Non League challenge this? It can't. Non League has always been more of a niche environment, and apart from sites like this one and radio shows like The Non League Show (aired at an ungodly hour!) and possibly Non League Day, what else is there nationally to market Non League to the masses?

 

The challenge for Non League, over the next 10-20 years at least, is to remain viable during times of economic volatility both in and outside football. Clubs, fans, local authorities and investors all need to work together to ensure that season in season out they have a good team on and off the pitch.

 

Hopefully, one day, the FA will get teeth with regards to Non League and do more to safeguard the futures of clubs. At the moment, they are open to abuse from pariahs and hardly a season goes by without a club in trouble. That has to stop.

 

Agree with almost everything you say Adam, apart from local authorities supporting professional and in effect asking council taxpayers who may have no interest in football, or their local club, to in part paying players wages. Its difficult to understand how anyone can argue that a club that can only attract an unsustainable amount of punters though the turnstiles is an asset to the local community, except the clubs that prioritise their assets and energy into children's and youth football.

 

I still believe there is far to many clubs chasing far to few supporters, and a natural culling of the financially failing clubs will be good for lower league football long term.

[cup of tea]

That's very specific Alan, any club in mind?

There are too many non league clubs and some will eventually go by the wayside.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

That is very fair, Alan, but let's not forget that if/when a club dies the area that club represents loses part of its community.

 

My late Grandfather (Dad's Dad) was from a small village west of Cwmbran called Coed Eva (pronounced Coid E-vurr), and that village's identity was forged by the Chapel, The Local Pits, The Red Lion Pub (now probably renamed something else), The Village Shop and the two sports teams of Coed Eva RFC and Coed Eva FC.

 

These were all vital to the community, as they gave the area its identity and spirit. Most, if not all of the people in the village, used these places or could be seen at them. The sports clubs did a lot for the children of the area (including my Grandfather) as they instilled discipline, respect, trust, friendship and a hard work ethic. Any visiting rugby or football side from the old Gwent area (showing my age now!) would always be up against a good side, but would always be welcome in the bar afterwards and considered as friends of the club.

 

When either the rugby or football club was struggling (usually with a brewery debt to Brains Brewery), the whole village would come out in support and would either give money or stage events to help the club pay off their debts. The rugby and football clubs educated youngsters (mainly boys, although they have recently started fielding girls sides) in a way that sitting in a classroom never could. It gave them that something extra to prepare the young boys of today to become the respected adults of tomorrow.

 

I am sure that the Coed Eva story is the same for clubs like Romford, Hornchurch, West Ham United or any other club. If Coed Eva FC/RFC had ever been closed down completely, then the village would have lost something good. The village of Coed Eva hardly had any crime, due mainly to the sports club taking 'the ruffians' in and moulding them into men, and this was to the credit of both clubs.

 

It is ironic that we are discussing this on a day when UK Sport is cutting funding for Rio 2016 in certain areas. We need more investment in all sports, and also to encourage those children who might not have a big interest in playing sport to help become assistants at sports clubs or to work with club secretaries and other officials. That way, they are helping out and doing something constructive even though they are not 'sporty'. If we can spend billions on weapons going to Syrian rebels, then surely we can spend the same on making us a proper sporting nation.

[missunderstood]

That's very specific Alan, any club in mind?

There are too many non league clubs and some will eventually go by the wayside.

 

I'm also not so keen on subsidising our local theatre, unless its used exclusively by amateur groups, although I accept its more of a community asset than any small football club.

 

I believe my views on this subject are more mainstream than you could possibly imagine.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

I'd gladly pay into a 'Community Bond' which would keep sports clubs, theaters, churches/chapels etc. maintained.

 

Rather my tax go there than elsewhere....

[missunderstood]

That is very fair, Alan, but let's not forget that if/when a club dies the area that club represents loses part of its community.

 

My late Grandfather (Dad's Dad) was from a small village west of Cwmbran called Coed Eva (pronounced Coid E-vurr), and that village's identity was forged by the Chapel, The Local Pits, The Red Lion Pub (now probably renamed something else), The Village Shop and the two sports teams of Coed Eva RFC and Coed Eva FC.

 

These were all vital to the community, as they gave the area its identity and spirit. Most, if not all of the people in the village, used these places or could be seen at them. The sports clubs did a lot for the children of the area (including my Grandfather) as they instilled discipline, respect, trust, friendship and a hard work ethic. Any visiting rugby or football side from the old Gwent area (showing my age now!) would always be up against a good side, but would always be welcome in the bar afterwards and considered as friends of the club.

 

When either the rugby or football club was struggling (usually with a brewery debt to Brains Brewery), the whole village would come out in support and would either give money or stage events to help the club pay off their debts. The rugby and football clubs educated youngsters (mainly boys, although they have recently started fielding girls sides) in a way that sitting in a classroom never could. It gave them that something extra to prepare the young boys of today to become the respected adults of tomorrow.

 

I am sure that the Coed Eva story is the same for clubs like Romford, Hornchurch, West Ham United or any other club. If Coed Eva FC/RFC had ever been closed down completely, then the village would have lost something good. The village of Coed Eva hardly had any crime, due mainly to the sports club taking 'the ruffians' in and moulding them into men, and this was to the credit of both clubs.

 

It is ironic that we are discussing this on a day when UK Sport is cutting funding for Rio 2016 in certain areas. We need more investment in all sports, and also to encourage those children who might not have a big interest in playing sport to help become assistants at sports clubs or to work with club secretaries and other officials. That way, they are helping out and doing something constructive even though they are not 'sporty'. If we can spend billions on weapons going to Syrian rebels, then surely we can spend the same on making us a proper sporting nation.

 

What you describe is both admirable and exactly the model for which community sports clubs should aspire to. Its probably fair to say though that in a tightly knit village community its easier to sustain as there's far fewer distractions or opportunities for the youngsters to deviate to.

 

It is sad that UK Sport is cutting funding, although I personally would prefer almost all sport funding to be targeting grass roots sport, rather than funding elite professional athletes.

[cup of tea]

Clubs or not, I think in general we are losing a sense of community to commercialism and I think that's a real shame.

[missunderstood]

I'd gladly pay into a 'Community Bond' which would keep sports clubs, theaters, churches/chapels etc. maintained.

 

Rather my tax go there than elsewhere....

 

Disagree, democracy dictates that we elect an administration that mirrors as close as possible our own view on how our taxes should be distributed. Community bonds for multiple projects could never work because of the diversity of peoples opinions on what should be funded, and what is not.

[missunderstood]

Clubs or not, I think in general we are losing a sense of community to commercialism and I think that's a real shame.

 

Yes, it is rather sad,and IMO that sense of community has been lost because working life, and life in general has become infinately more stressfull, and leaves very little time for being involved in community projects.

[Eastside Urchin]

Rubbish,if you want to,you can get involved in community matters,plenty of people do

[cup of tea]

I was getting at the Sky/Xbox360/PS3/Wii/WiiU/Blu-Ray/Internet/Cable generation (yes I'm on the net now but I'm working at the same time).

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Rubbish,if you want to,you can get involved in community matters,plenty of people do

 

I agree, it's a question of wanting to.

 

The Rotarian Society, for one, is always looking out for new members.

 

It would be nice if younger people could be told that there is more to life than just their self interests, and that by getting involved in community projects and assisting the Rotarians they can get more back and develop character and a proper sense of being and belonging. In fact, if National Service were ever brought back, I would make this an option for those who didn't wish to do two years in the services.

[missunderstood]

I agree, it's a question of wanting to.

 

The Rotarian Society, for one, is always looking out for new members.

 

It would be nice if younger people could be told that there is more to life than just their self interests, and that by getting involved in community projects and assisting the Rotarians they can get more back and develop character and a proper sense of being and belonging. In fact, if National Service were ever brought back, I would make this an option for those who didn't wish to do two years in the services.

 

I don't think that bringing back national service will happen because at the moment the government are making members of the armed services redundant, and even if they did the soft option of joining the Rotarian's wouldn't be an option.

 

I do a fair amount of voluntary work campaigning for pensioner related issues, but would never consider anything that was previously done by someone in paid employment.