The Campaign for Real Football

Supporters are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the direction in which football is heading. The hype and commercialisation at the top end of the game cannot be sustained forever. Football is the national sport - it cannot be reduced to just the four clubs that play in the Champion's (sic) League or the 20 clubs in the Premiership. All football clubs matter to their fans, their players and their community.

The problems facing English football today are:

* Lack of competitiveness: Since the mid 1990s, three clubs have won almost every Championship and FA Cup, whilst the rest are miles behind.

* The unequal distribution of money: Whilst those clubs that stay in the Premier League earn vast sums from television revenues, clubs dropping out of the Premier League face financial difficulties and lower division and non-league clubs struggle.

* Increased financial burden on supporters: Extremely high ticket prices are keeping many fans away, whilst oft-replaced replica shirts also hit supporters' wallets.

* Loss of traditions and sportsmanship: With the high pressure financial demands on the modern game, traditions and sportsmanship are being eroded.


We believe that there are a few (albeit radical) reforms that will change English football for the better of the majority of clubs, fans and even players. These reforms include:

* Bringing back the maximum wage at a level that would allow almost all clubs in the top divisions the chance to compete equally.

* Sharing the TV money equally between all professional clubs and giving some to semi-professional clubs.

* Reducing ticket prices to 10 for adults and 5 for concessions (as clubs will have less need for money) and reducing the amount of replica kits a club can produce

* Stop profiteering from clubs by banning clubs from being PLCs, dividend payments and paid directorships

* A general return to football traditions (the old league structure, more matches to kick-off at 3pm on Saturdays, cup semi-finals being played at suitable neutral venues rather than Wembley/Cardiff)

(To see more details on our plans, visit: http://www.geocities.com/campaignforrealfootball/)

We believe these reforms will ensure that English football retains its attractiveness to fans for many years to come.