BST: Fans united over talk conditions
Opinions as to why appear to suggest two significant factors: the out-of-hand rejection of requests from several fans groups for a more level playing-field (equal numbers of delegates, an independent minute-taker), and the appearance of Blackpool FC’s chairman on local radio talking up the condition of the club and the importance of his Fans Progress Group.
Consultation between a club and its supporters is not only healthy, it’s about to become Football League policy as a result of the recent government report – at least two meetings per year.
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Hide AdBlackpool Supporters’ Trust is fully supportive of the plan, so we are happy to meet with the other democratic fans’ groups and the club, if it accepts the invitation, on more equitable terms than the March 10 meeting was offering.
As background to those who may be unaware, back in 2013 Karl Oyston, in conjunction with the chairman of BSA, spoke to Supporters’ Direct about the option of constituting a Supporters’ Trust at Blackpool.
This is what Mr Oyston reported back:“There’s no pressing structural problems at this club which need addressing and we’d be wasting our time and money forming a Trust. So we decided not to bother. I would need to have a major problem, spend all our money and plunge us down the divisions before a Trust would become relevant.”
Times and fortunes change. The supporters themselves took the initiative in early 2014 and the 2,000-strong Blackpool Supporters’ Trust is the result.
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