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The House of Commons Select Committee will be taking further evidence in its Football Government follow-up session on Tuesday.

This will be the Committee’s final evidence session following up from its 2011 Football Governance Report. This session will provide an opportunity for the committee to hear from the supporters groups, the Football League, National Game Board and the Football Association, with a particular focus on the proposed reforms to governance structures, club ownership, and the debt problem.

The witnesses include Malcolm Clarke, Chair, and Steve Powell, Director of Policy, Football Supporters Federation, David Lampitt, Chief Executive, and Tom Hall, Head of England and Wales, Supporters Direct.

Also due to appear is Greg Clarke, Chair, Andy Williamson, Chief Operating Officer of the Football League and Roger Burden, Chair, National Game Board and David Bernstein, Chair, and Alex Horne, General Secretary, of the Football Association.

The committee is chaired by Conservative MPJohn Whittingdale and includes Labour MP Tom Watson, who gave the Murdoch family such a hard time earlier this year.

This book by Peter Caton examines the arguments for safe standing areas in football grounds

For a hundred years most supporters watched football from terraces, a culture that was an integral part of the game. By the 1980s though, neglected stadia, hooliganism and a lack of concern for safety meant that football had to change, and after 96 Liverpool fans tragically died at Hillsborough, Lord Taylor’s report recommended that our grounds should be all-seated. Many people however believe that something of the soul has been taken away from watching football and that standing is the natural way to feel part of the game.

In Stand Up Sit Down Peter Caton considers the arguments for and against the choice to stand to watch football. He visits the 23 English grounds that still have terraces, seeking the views of clubs and supporters, travels to Yorkshire to watch rugby league and to Germany to stand on a convertible terrace. With extensively researched background, the author analyses the disasters and hooliganism that led to all-seating, and the many changes that have occurred in the game. He considers various solutions proposed to allow standing, and highlights obstacles facing those backing the choice to stand. His own experiences of watching football at all levels add insight and interest. The book ends by asking its own questions and with a whiff of conspiracy.

Illustrated with colour photographs, Stand Up Sit Down unearths some surprising facts and raises many controversial issues relevant to all who love football.

Stand Up Sit Down, which runs to 325 pages, costs £9.99. It is published by Matador (Troubador).

Show Racism the Red Card is bidding for funding in the Big Lottery Awards. They have been as Best Education Project for our work in Wales – the winner is decided by public vote and we would really appreciate your support.

Below are details of their project

Young people across Wales are getting a better understanding of diversity and racism thanks to a programme to promote improved community relations. Footballers and other sports stars meet school pupils to talk about kicking racism into touch.

Project spokesman, Simon Richards explains: “We support professional and amateur clubs to involve the local communities they serve. We give excluded groups a chance to have a more positive approach to life through social inclusion.”

One young volunteer ambassador, Robert, organises activities such as football tournaments and community events to encourage his own community. Robert has now gained more confidence and is delivering presentations.

Robert says: “You learn about football coaching and volunteering opportunities, socialise and have fun. Our new football team is playing in the Newport Futsal football development league.”

You can vote for the project by clicking onto www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/project/show-racism-red-card

Trust chair Tim Hartley with Niamh O’Mahony from Cork City FC

Trust chair Tim Hartley reports from the Fans Conference held in London

Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federation held a joint conference in London over the weekend.

Trust members from all over the UK heard the journalist Gabriele Marcotti make a plea for financial transparency at football clubs describing them as ‘social and community trusts’ rather than simple commercial businesses.

Mr Marcotti said that clubs should publish the wages of every player and employee like they do in the United States and, he said, that this had not led to wages inflation. He said access to information about clubs would allow fans to scrutinise them properly, a job which the media does not always do.

Marcotti also posed a good question: ‘Where did you first see your team play? On TV or live?’  Most of us oldies would say we first saw the Bluebirds play at Ninian Park, but there is a fear that if football becomes purely a television sport then we could lose that all important family and community link that makes the game so special to us.

The new Sky deal offers the Premiership a golden opportunity to secure the long term future of the game right down the divisions rather than further line the pockets of players and agents, but will they seize that opportunity.

Another session at the conference heard how the new Supporter Liaison Officer roles have proved crucial in improving relationships between fans and clubs across Europe. In Sweden fans themselves act on a part-time basis as liaison officers on match days. Every club will have its own answer to how this will work and we look forward to seeing how Cardiff moves ahead with this UEFA initiative. Delegates also heard from Show Racism the Red Card and from clubs who had bought their clubs through community share schemes.

The Supporters’ Trust movement goes from strength to strength. There are now 176 trusts across the UK with 31 of them owning their clubs. The next couple of weeks will show whether the government really does mean to take the reform of football seriously. A parliamentary inquiry reconvenes this week to discuss the football authorities (the Premiership, Football League and the FA) approach to ensuring financial transparency and fair play and supporter engagement.

Malcolm Clarke of the FSF says that if the authorities themselves will not act then the government must legislate.

Trust members were kept updated through twitter during the conference – #fansweekend @CCST1927

Tim Hartley with Paul Corkrey FSF Cymru and Carroll Clarke, Wrexham Supporters' Trust

Our friends at Merthyr Town  Supporters’ Trust are holding a golf day to raise funds.

It takes place at  Morlais Castle Golf Club, Merthyr Tydfil, Friday, August 17th, (Tee off times: 9.30am – 2.30pm).

Merthyr Town FC is community and fan-ran club formed in 2010, the MTFC Community Initiative is an exciting and innovative project which uses the popularity of football to help regenerate the local area. The initiative has three main aims as:

• To increase community use of the facilities at the football club

• To provide training, learning and placement opportunities

• To provide physical activities and coaching for children and young people living in the local area

The money raised from last year’s event has contributed to the sustainability and development of the club and also offered participating teams and organisation a fun day out as well as the chance to meet other established businesses within the area.

For £200, the day will consist of:

• 18 holes of golf for teams of 4 in Stableford format

• 3 out 4 scores on each hole to count

• Coffee and bacon roll on arrival

• Nearest to pin on two holes and longest drive

• Chance to win a car on one of the par 3 holes

• Two course meal at the club restaurant

• Additionally, a yellow ball sweep is optional on the day for £10

As there is a limit to the number of teams that can participate, please apply early to avoid disappointment. Further information is available from Meurig Price or Steve Lloyd on 07503 170 937 or 07912 748 210 respectively.