Football Is Broken, How WE Can Save It

[biggiesablade]

I would never dream of describing myself as a spokesman for the Blades. I consider myself a presenter. I try to get the opinions of others on screen as much as possible.

I have NEVER accepted free corporate tickets from the Prince for ANY game.

I think we gave the Prince a fair crack considering it was on a fan channel, I'd have done it differently if I was interviewing him on a radio station or in-print media but it's a fan channel, for free, for the fans, run by the fans, we invited him on, we asked questions from you (the fellow fan) and I do recall actually pushing back on several things. I think I asked why he didn't fly to meet Ndiaye personally to persuade him to stay. I asked him to speak to the local journalists, for example.
It was done before we sold Berge, so that is also incorrect.
The owner doesn't NEED to speak to the fans, you are possibly sounding a bit entitled there, hardly any football club owners speak to fans.


I do attend games once in a while, it costs me a lot (as it did when I drove from Buckinghamshire for 12 years for every game). I don't advertise my attendance (that will not change). I went to several games last and I have been back this season.

I watch EVERY Blades match when I'm in Cyprus and haven't missed a minute, it is actually easier to watch every second since I left the country, a decision I regret less and less with each passing day.

I would politely ask that you please stop hijacking this thread.

Don't need to explain yourself Hal

 

[Zipwire]

I’ll leave it alone. My final thoughts are that the interview with the Prince came across as being quite soft, and given that it had been rumoured that you’d had been gifted some corporate hospitality previously it did alienate me and quite a few others away from the channel, and I’m happy for you to set the record straight.

 

[YorkBlade]

I’ll leave it alone. My final thoughts are that the interview with the Prince came across as being quite soft, and given that it had been rumoured that you’d had been gifted some corporate hospitality previously it did alienate me and quite a few others away from the channel, and I’m happy for you to set the record straight.

 

[Zipwire]

View attachment 194617

I thought you was keeping it on topic?

 

[Lama]

I’ll leave it alone. My final thoughts are that the interview with the Prince came across as being quite soft, and given that it had been rumoured that you’d had been gifted some corporate hospitality previously it did alienate me and quite a few others away from the channel, and I’m happy for you to set the record straight.

“It had been rumoured that”
-the basis of several pages of argumentative drivel.

Not only have you set the record straight on United World’s ticket recipient policy, but you’ve set the record on your value as a poster!

 

[Lama]

me and quite a few others

Also, couldn’t resist:

Who’s the spokesperson now?

 

[Zipwire]

“It had been rumoured that”
-the basis of several pages of argumentative drivel.

Not only have you set the record straight on United World’s ticket recipient policy, but you’ve set the record on your value as a poster!

Nice one pal

 

[SUFC Guy]

This Is How We Can CHANGE Football Forever​

I genuinely believe that this could be THE single most important football idea floated in recent years. Micky P Kerr has come up with a concept for changing football for a better, fairer and more sustainable future, for all.


If we all get behind this idea then the entire landscape could be transformed and discussions, with multiple pages on threads about new owners and how much cash they have and whether they actually care, will be a thing of the past.



VIDEO




AUDIO

You can listen anywhere you get podcasts just search 'Sheff United Way' or direct links:

Spotify https://spoti.fi/2Wus1Hi
Apple https://apple.co/3DjI4IJ

Excellent watch yet again Hal

 

[Nade]

In his defence, 'its been rumoured that' is the basis for most of this forum and it wouldn't exist if there weren't people happy to argue the toss over stupid shit they have no insight on either way

That's not much of a defence really I suppose, I guess my point is that this kind of silliness runs deep

 

[PokerBlade]

I'll be honest, I really enjoyed the analysis of the history of the sport and how it's changed but when we got to his ideas of how to move forward he started to lose me. Particularly the idea of some nationally run bookmaker. It'd be a competitive industry to go into and the only way to be sustainable in that realm currently is by going with more and more exploitative tactics. I'm not opposed to bookies or gambling in general but it's not an industry I can see the government entering on that kind of scale. It's a nice idea but it's bordering on fantasy.

 

[Charlieblade]

The government and the author of the book both have some good ideas. A joint compromise would dilute some of that idealism and the political involvement, making it necessary to save the beautiful game. Much more discussion reqired!

It is coming whether we like it or not. Get all stakeholders on board and let the government run riot with it. Like everything in life, it will be a compromise.

 

[singaporeblade]

I thought you was keeping it on topic?

WERE not was

 

[Tezza1889]

Yeah, having listened to it all it does provide an escape route, but how you convince politicians to refuse the enormous back handers that will come thier way from (I won't name them) everybody who's enjoying great profits at this point..

It's going to take politicians that came from the streets and not Harrow or Eaton, because they might enjoy a free ticket now and them, sorry, "box", but they don't get the grass roots football fan in any way shape or form, they wouldn't really care at all, convincing them on a wave of public support is the way as was said..

Regardless of the book and this article we are heading down a blind ally and need to radically think of the future, because it's heading to where people who can't pay thier gas bills and mortgages are cheering on multi millionaires who are kicking a bag of leather about filled with air.

Will it get to the stage where fans won't be welcome, they'll become a financial burden to the club to police and organise on match days?, will we be seen as a threat? Messi has his own bodyguard at the side of the pitch doesn't he..

I'm not an authority but does a £100 match ticket exist already? For a standard seat, because for a league game I will never pay more than £50, at that point I'm out..and £50 is obscene.

 

[Melbourne Blade]

I completely disagree that geography defines how big a blade you are. That's an ignorant comment. I've lived in Melbourne for 20 years but went to my first game aged 8 and was a STH for many years before moving here. I watch almost every game live (probably able to watch more games than most UK based supporters tbh), buy a kit every year, religiously read blades news and contribute to the forum (thank fuck for this forum btw) but haven't seen a game in person for years.

It doesn't make me any less of a blade does it?

 

[The Crab]

I would never dream of describing myself as a spokesman for the Blades. I consider myself a presenter. I try to get the opinions of others on screen as much as possible.

I have NEVER accepted free corporate tickets from the Prince for ANY game.

I think we gave the Prince a fair crack considering it was on a fan channel, I'd have done it differently if I was interviewing him on a radio station or in-print media but it's a fan channel, for free, for the fans, run by the fans, we invited him on, we asked questions from you (the fellow fan) and I do recall actually pushing back on several things. I think I asked why he didn't fly to meet Ndiaye personally to persuade him to stay. I asked him to speak to the local journalists, for example.
It was done before we sold Berge, so that is also incorrect.
The owner doesn't NEED to speak to the fans, you are possibly sounding a bit entitled there, hardly any football club owners speak to fans.


I do attend games once in a while, it costs me a lot (as it did when I drove from Buckinghamshire for 12 years for every game). I don't advertise my attendance (that will not change). I went to several games last and I have been back this season.

I watch EVERY Blades match when I'm in Cyprus and haven't missed a minute, it is actually easier to watch every second since I left the country, a decision I regret less and less with each passing day.

I would politely ask that you please stop hijacking this thread.

You are of course absolutely correct that the Prince doesn’t “need” to speak to us. But I’m sure there are are plenty of us who find it a strange strategy to pretty much only communicate via online channels.

I actually don’t blame you for taking the opportunity when it was offered, anyone would as it would be quite a coup. What I don’t agree with (not directed at you) is monetising it.

I hope that doesn’t come across as too much of a criticism, as I actually think you do a lot of good stuff

 

[YorkBlade]

You are of course absolutely correct that the Prince doesn’t “need” to speak to us. But I’m sure there are are plenty of us who find it a strange strategy to pretty much only communicate via online channels.

I actually don’t blame you for taking the opportunity when it was offered, anyone would as it would be quite a coup. What I don’t agree with (not directed at you) is monetising it.

I hope that doesn’t come across as too much of a criticism, as I actually think you do a lot of good stuff

It wasn't offered, I asked him if he'd speak with us. He agreed.
It was monetised and the money I received was used to support 2 charities close to my heart. I always donate money from YouTube to charity.

 

[The Crab]

It wasn't offered, I asked him if he'd speak with us. He agreed.
It was monetised and the money I received was used to support 2 charities close to my heart. I always donate money from YouTube to charity.

Fair enough and I apologise for any inaccuracy on my part.

But I do find it peculiar that he doesn’t seem to communicate as much with the wider fanbase.

Keep up the good work

 

[nopigfansintown]

I think it's too far gone now. The main interest groups have little interest in altering the status quo. By interest groups I'm talking fans, agents, players, sponsors, TV companies, owners, the government.Fans, particularly match going fans, are the exception.

Any proposal by a fan group or government that doesn't face head on the issue of expenditure on players shouldn't be taken seriously. This is precisely where the anti socialist and, yes, anti capitalist nature of modern football stems from. Imo, it's actually the anti capitalist nature of that which goes through football fans - regardless of our politics. We can't understand how we live in a society, run like this, yet the majority of our clubs are run seemingly oblivious to the the word "profit". It seems like common sense that this should happen in football, too - especially when it's making so much money. It should be eminently achievable

The plain truth is that the PL is a big product for Britain. To take on wages (particularly in the top two tiers) risks loingt the marketability and revenue generating potential of the product, domestically and globally. if the top players leave, does the league's status follow them?!.

Any change that risks that will be opposed by the government and owners who have a lot tied up in club valuations that are predicated on PL revenue streams due to this popularity. The top clubs have more to lose than anybody from any changes. Incidentally, these are the clubs that are run more on business principles so they would think that wouldn't they.Take a look at the Italian top division. It's a bit of an elephants graveyard these days. They won't have that.

I think a cross league initiative could work but it'd be very difficult to achieve. Get all the European leagues to agree on a framework for expenditure. Get all the domestic leagues. in England from PL down.

 

[YorkBlade]

Fair enough and I apologise for any inaccuracy on my part.

But I do find it peculiar that he doesn’t seem to communicate as much with the wider fanbase.

Keep up the good work

I do too, I asked him why he doesn't speak to other media outlets on the video, as I think he should, he agreed to and I passed on his contact details with his blessing off air. He was very willing, so not sure what has or hasn't happened since then. I think BBC Radio Sheffield would do a very good job and really challenge him, as I would if I was on a different platform but you've got to recognise it's different on a fan channel to the tax payer funded BBC. Although I maintain we did actually challenge him on lots of things and people have constructed a narrative that isn't quite accurate but I have no regrets in getting the owner of my football club to speak to the fans. I probably won't do it again but it was certainly interesting and really helped grow our channel.

 

[ShorehamRevolution]

This Is How We Can CHANGE Football Forever​

I genuinely believe that this could be THE single most important football idea floated in recent years. Micky P Kerr has come up with a concept for changing football for a better, fairer and more sustainable future, for all.


If we all get behind this idea then the entire landscape could be transformed and discussions, with multiple pages on threads about new owners and how much cash they have and whether they actually care, will be a thing of the past.



VIDEO




AUDIO

You can listen anywhere you get podcasts just search 'Sheff United Way' or direct links:

Spotify https://spoti.fi/2Wus1Hi
Apple https://apple.co/3DjI4IJ

Probably my favourite Sheffield United way video if I’m honest Hal, really enjoyed that one

 

[The Crab]

I do too, I asked him why he doesn't speak to other media outlets on the video, as I think he should, he agreed to and I passed on his contact details with his blessing off air. He was very willing, so not sure what has or hasn't happened since then. I think BBC Radio Sheffield would do a very good job and really challenge him, as I would if I was on a different platform but you've got to recognise it's different on a fan channel to the tax payer funded BBC. Although I maintain we did actually challenge him on lots of things and people have constructed a narrative that isn't quite accurate but I have no regrets in getting the owner of my football club to speak to the fans. I probably won't do it again but it was certainly interesting and really helped grow our channel.

I don’t think you should let any criticism stop you from doing it again if the opportunity presents itself.

My initial post was maybe a bit cack handed and wasn’t meant as criticism of yourself, more an opinion of things from the princes side. My opinion is just one in a sea of online noise. I don’t profess to being right (a rare occurrence) but I always try to be honest, and try not to say anything I wouldn’t say to someone else to their face.

 

[RammyBlade]

Very interesting concepts and in an ideal world most fans would want this. I cant ever see it happen though as Micky himself says the powerful lobby exists that would block it. The fact that 90% plus of trophies are won by a handful of clubs is depressing when its almost impossible for a traditional club like SUFC to ever be in a position to win anything other than league 1 or possibly the championship >
Still a very interesting piece and well done Hal on introducing this
ps Ignore the fools who criticise you for doing this !!!

 

[Tickhill Blade]

I loved the explanation of how cheap it would be to buy every football club in the country, by saying it would be half the cost of HS2! I always use HS2 as the comparison when I'm assessing VFM

 

[The Fox]

Finally got round to watching this, thanks YorkBlade
It's an important discussion that needs to be had , perhaps not all the answers but asks the right questions of the game and it's direction .

 

[The Fox]

The most important start point is for us to accept that football is indeed brocken .
We probably need to put aside the tribalism , being better off than the neighbours thinking for a moment for the good of the game.
We've allowed a few random Billionaires and oil rich states to dictate the whole framework of football which and allowed it to become detached from the essence of sport .
To change the fabric and framework of how clubs are run and the game is financed is a challenge . Other models such as the US franchise model and hybrid models ( aus) tend to work, perhaps we need our own hybrid model , which also accommodates the elite .

 

[Rodley]

This Is How We Can CHANGE Football Forever​

I genuinely believe that this could be THE single most important football idea floated in recent years. Micky P Kerr has come up with a concept for changing football for a better, fairer and more sustainable future, for all.


If we all get behind this idea then the entire landscape could be transformed and discussions, with multiple pages on threads about new owners and how much cash they have and whether they actually care, will be a thing of the past.



VIDEO




AUDIO

You can listen anywhere you get podcasts just search 'Sheff United Way' or direct links:

Spotify https://spoti.fi/2Wus1Hi
Apple https://apple.co/3DjI4IJ

Did owt come of it?

 

[YorkBlade]

Did owt come of it?

He's working hard to put together a petition, he's been speaking to politicians but he really needs the backing of fans and so far, that hasn't materialised.

 

[BrisBlade]

As much as the suggestions in the book are worthy goals, none of them tackle the issue that there are millions of people who want to watch football on the telly, and for that football to be glamourous and for the players involved to be the best in the world. His proposals would only work if there was almost a separate game. One for the telly and one for the people who go to the games.

Just re-reading this thread as it came back to the top of the pile. The historical analysis and identification of the issue was spot on but the solution just doesn't look plausible to me.

Carlton Blade made the point about the proposal only working if there were two separate games. I think this is worth considering, but would frame it slightly differently as one being a global entertainment business and the other being sports clubs.

A lot of people will hate this suggestion, but here it is anyway. I would create 20 new franchise clubs across Europe to compete in a Super League with no promotion or relegation (to avoid the PL financial cliff face) and let owners chuck all the money they want at it. In return, introduce real wage and transfer caps in domestic competitions, mandatory fan representation on boards, capped ticket costs, etc. to bring clubs back to being clubs rather than businesses. In effect, one product for Hollywood and one for football fans.

 

[jono_t2000]

Just re-reading this thread as it came back to the top of the pile. The historical analysis and identification of the issue was spot on but the solution just doesn't look plausible to me.

Carlton Blade made the point about the proposal only working if there were two separate games. I think this is worth considering, but would frame it slightly differently as one being a global entertainment business and the other being sports clubs.

A lot of people will hate this suggestion, but here it is anyway. I would create 20 new franchise clubs across Europe to compete in a Super League with no promotion or relegation (to avoid the PL financial cliff face) and let owners chuck all the money they want at it. In return, introduce real wage and transfer caps in domestic competitions, mandatory fan representation on boards, capped ticket costs, etc. to bring clubs back to being clubs rather than businesses. In effect, one product for Hollywood and one for football fans.

I wouldn’t mind that as long as those franchised clubs couldn't qualify for external tournaments such as Champions League, FA Cup and so on.

Those franchise teams would also require a transfer cap otherwise the fees they pay to bring in from external leagues would have a flow on affect the cost of players for the non-franchised clubs.