The Football Fans Census

2011-01-18T17:18:00.001Z

The Price Of Loyalty - FC Business January 2011

View more documents from Tim Gentles.

Picking up the Tab

2010-11-19T13:39:00.002Z

Picking Up The Tab - FC Business Nov 2010

View more documents from Tim Gentles.

Grass Roots Football LIVE 2010 Day 3

2010-11-19T13:34:00.001Z

Grass Roots Football LIVE 2010 Day 2

2010-11-19T13:29:00.002Z

Grassroots Football LIVE Day 1

2010-06-05T00:02:00.001Z

DrillBoard: FFC Grass Roots Football LIVE Survey

2010-06-03T03:28:00.004Z

FFC are proud supporters of the annual Grass Roots Football Live exhibition held at NEC, Birmingham, UK.

This years show runs from 4th-6th June and well will be running the DrillBoard: FFC Grass Roots Football Survey from Stand 310. It would be great to meet any members attending the show. For more details vist www.grassrootsfootball.co.uk

FFC Survey Results: Kit Survey

2010-06-02T14:45:00.001Z

Football Fans Kit Survey: FC Business - May 2010

View more documents from Tim Gentles.

FFC Survey: World Cup - Club and Country

2010-03-29T15:49:00.002Z

This survey looks at who you will be backing this summer in South Africa and how fans rate World Cup success compared club success as the club season draws towards it's finale.

Click here to Have Your Say

Many thanks to everyone taking part.

The FFC Team

World Cup 2010 - safety preparations

2010-02-25T16:40:00.003Z

With thousands of England football fans expected to travel to South Africa later this year to watch the 2010 football World Cup tournament, work is taking place behind-the-scenes by Foreign Office staff in partnership with the authorities in South Africa to ensure visiting fans have a safe and enjoyable trip.

As part of its preparations, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has this week run a planning exercise. Staff at the British High Commission in Pretoria along with staff from the FCO's Crisis Response Centre in London responded to a simulated scenario to test their consular procedures and make sure preparations to provide assistance to British nationals in the event of a real emergency are as robust as possible.

Road traffic accidents occur the world over, and the fictional scenario was based on a coach crash involving British nationals. The event was briefed to High Commission staff via a mock news report. Immediately, staff implemented emergency plans, sending out a team to the crash site to provide on-the-ground assistance to people involved in the incident.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is running a 'Be on the Ball' campaign aimed at helping England fans travelling to South Africa for the World Cup to have a safe and enjoyable trip. Further information can be found at www.fco.gov.uk/worldcup

FFC Survey: Football and Social Networks

2010-02-13T21:12:00.003Z

Online social networks such as facebook, Twitter and MySpace have transformed the way millions of people communicate and share ideas experiences across the planet.

How is this affecting your relationship with the beautiful game, is your football club embracing this technology? Do you even want them to?

Click here to take part now.

This survey looks at fans' experiences of social media and will give guidance to clubs on the mood of the nation, as they look at the opportunities and pitfalls that this emerging technology presents.

It will only take 5 or so minutes to complete, please take care to complete all relevant options.

Click here to take part now.

As ever, many thanks for your support.

The FFC Team

FC Business Issue 42

2010-01-06T13:35:00.002Z

Free to view online;

FA Cup 4th Round Draw

2010-01-03T19:16:00.003Z

The 4th round draw of the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON made tonight;

1 Southampton v Ipswich Town
2 Reading or Liverpool v Burnley
3 Millwall or Derby County v Brentford or Doncaster Rovers
4 Bristol City or Cardiff City v Leicester City
5 Stoke City v Arsenal
6 Notts County or Forest Green Rovers v Wigan Athletic
7 Scunthorpe United v Manchester City
8 West Bromwich Albion v Plymouth Argyle or Newcastle United
9 Everton v Nottingham Forest or Birmingham City
10 Accrington Stanley or Gillingham v Fulham
11 Bolton Wanderers v Sheffield United or Queens Park Rangers
12 Portsmouth or Coventry City v Sunderland
13 Preston North End v Chelsea
14 Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion
15 Tranmere Rovers or Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace
16 Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United

News: England's 2018 World Cup Bid Cities Announced

2009-12-16T16:21:00.003Z

England's 2018 World Cup bid team have announced the names of the 12 cities that will be part of their campaign after Derby, Leicester and Hull were dropped from the original shortlist.

2018 deputy chairman Lord Mawhinney announced a list of 16 venues in the 12 cities, which included Milton Keynes, Plymouth and several venues yet to be built.

2018 Host Cities;

Birmingham – Villa Park
Bristol – New Ashton Vale Stadium
Leeds – Elland Road
Liverpool – Anfield or New Anfield
London – Wembley, Emirates Stadium, New White Hart Lane or Olympic Stadium
Manchester – City of Manchester Stadium, Old Trafford
Milton Keynes – Stadium MK
Newcastle – St James' Park
Nottingham – New stadium
Plymouth – New Home Park
Sheffield – Hillsborough
Sunderland – Stadium of Light

Full article on Guardian.co.uk

Photo - Bristol City's proposed new stadium

FFC Survey Results: Featured in FC Business Issue 41

2009-12-11T18:32:00.003Z

The results of the recent FFC Survey on England's 2018 World Cup Bid are featured in this month's edition of FC Business on page 55.

Click on the image below to access the free online edition.

FFC Members can get a discounted subscription to the magazine, more details here.

Many thanks to everyone who took part.

The FFC Team

Stadia Magazine - Dec 09

2009-12-08T01:05:00.002Z

Free online at time of post, click the image below;

FFC Survey: Influences on supporting a team?

2009-12-06T12:55:00.004Z

We're running a short survey to find out what are the biggest influences on fans when it comes to deciding to follow their teams; friends, family, a successful side, first live game? - it would be great to get your views.

Simply click here to take part

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

World Cup Draw

2009-12-04T18:57:00.004Z

England v USA made for Beckham..

Group A South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay,France
Group B Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E Holland, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G Brazil, Korea DPR, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

Congratulations to Joyce Cook, Chair of NADS

2009-11-19T13:31:00.003Z

Joyce has been shortlisted for RADAR's People of the Year Awards.

RADAR is the UK's largest disability campaigning network and these awards are the highest profile event celebrating advances in disability equality in the UK.

Joyce has been shortlisted by RADAR for her tireless campaigning for real equality and inclusion for disabled football fans. Joyce has transformed the National Association of Disabled Supporters into a powerful force for change, battled for access improvements to stadia and facilities in the UK and secured a new Centre for Access to Football in Europe.

Full story on NADS website

West Ham call on Katy Perry to improve on mid-table mediocrity..

2009-11-18T15:26:00.010Z

..well at least in the Football Fans lingerie buying league table.

The east London club have announced that a range of claret and blue underwear based on American singer Katy Perry's West Ham United lingerie will soon be available to buy.

The Russell Brand tribute outfit was worn at the MTV Europe Music Awards earlier this month (see FFC News).

But revealing data from the Football Fans Index shows undergarments of a claret and blue nature might be better received in the West Midlands.

Aston Villa sit 7 places above West Ham - 3rd behind table topping local rivals Wolves and Birmingham City - when it comes to male fans who have bought lingerie for their partners in the last 12 months.

While David Gold may not have brought any major silverware to St Andrews, the data shows that his daughter Jacqueline could well be securing the family legacy in the area via her Ann Summers operation.

But before a region that has been bereft of a top flight title since 1981 gets too excited, they only have a negligee-ible lead on Chelsea fans who are hot on their heels. With Christmas around the corner and the Bridge handily placed for the delights of the King’s Road, the race is wide open...

Football Fans Lingerie Purchases

View more documents from Tim Gentles.

Video: The Homeless World Cup Milano 2009

2009-11-13T18:55:00.004Z

Over 30,000 homeless people benefitted from training and trials for the Homelss World Cup 2009.

There are now grassroots programmes for homeless people in 70 different countries.

Homeless World Cup - The Grit and the Glory - 48 nations, 500 players, and 1 Buddy. Buddy's mission? To cover the Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup. His discovery? That a ball really is changing the world.

FC Business: Issue 40 Free Online Version

2009-11-11T21:46:00.002Z

Issue 40 of FC Business, Free to view online at time of post.

Survey: Kasabian Football Hero - Who Would You Pick?

2009-11-05T20:49:00.004Z

Which 5 players would you pick to play Football Hero?

Kasabian Football Hero is an experiment to create a giant (three stories high!) guitar game controlled with footballs. Football Hero is played by a team of insanely-gifted young freestyle footballers. The game is programmed with the Kasabian track Underdog.

The freestyle footballers in this great video are: Paul Wood, Paul Klein, Darryl Stewart, Tom Pett, Lewis Foster & Harry Adcroft.

But who would you have on your Kasabian Football Hero Team in these 2 categories?

Current players, any team
Any player, any era

Click here to vote now

News: Kasabian Football Hero

2009-11-01T20:14:00.003Z

News: Here's to Trapatonni

2009-10-25T14:00:00.005Z

Message from the Corrigan Brothers - need our British friends to help us! - please get the Irish worldwide singing for our clash with France. The band who played at President Obama's inauguration and have appeared all over the world's TV with their iconic song "There's no one as Irish as Barack Obama" have composed a song for one final world cup push against the French."Here's to Trapatonni"

DrillBoard Soccer Coaching System

2009-10-20T11:31:00.006Z

Currently looking to add to our global partner network for the DrillBoard Soccer Coaching System. A great opportunity for affiliates, bloggers, fanzines, retailers and distributors.

DrillBoard Soccer Coaching System

View more presentations from Tim Gentles.

Megastructures documentary - Channel 5 (UK) 8pm tonight

2009-09-24T16:26:00.006Z

Passing on this info received from Mike Harrison at The City Gent fanzine (Bradford City), Megastructures documentary showing on Channel 5 (UK) at 8pm tonight

"This has been mentioned in the letters page of the current issue of The City Gent, but here is a reminder that the documentary that Paul Firth took part in is being shown tonight on Five.

It is called: Megastructures - Built from disaster and shows how tragic events at sports stadiums have forced architects to incorporate a number of safety features into their designs to address fire, structural collapse and safety control.

The fire disaster at Valley Parade in May 1985 is one of the disasters featured in this documentary which hads comments from Paul Firth who narrowly escaped from the back of the main stand and who is author of the book 4 minutes to hell."

Stadia Magazine - Free Online Edition

2009-09-22T00:05:00.003Z

Stadia Magazine, October 2009, free online at time of writing, click image above.

Sir Bobby Robson Memorial T-Shirt

2009-09-14T15:40:00.004Z

" What is a club anyway? It's the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city." Sir Bobby Robson

Philosophy Football have just launched a new shirt in memory of the great man with profits going to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation cancer charity.

A true knight of the game. Philosophy Football's new shirt in memory of Sir Bobby shows the team strips of the clubs played for and managed, and of course England who he both played for and managed too.

As a player; Fulham 1950-56 and 1963-67 ,West Brom 1956-62, player-Manager at Vancouver Royals, 1967-8, plus 20 England caps, making his debut in 1957. As a manager; Fulham, Ipswich Town, England, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, Barcelona back to PSV before managing Newcastle.

Sir Bobby's philosophy of what football means remained the same wherever he was manager, a unique record of success across Spain, Portugal, Holland and England. That's why he meant so much to so many.

In S-XXL. £5 OFF FOR FIRST 48 HOURS, £15.99 instead of the usual £20.99. With profits helping to fund the Cancer Charity Sir Bobby established, the Bobby Robson Foundation.

Available from Philosophy Football

The Official Colourbox World Cup Theme

2009-09-11T17:59:00.005Z

As thoughts turn to South Africa next summer, it's just too tempting not to role out this World Cup classic, The Official Colourbox World Cup Theme from...Colourbox, who were on the 4AD record label in the 1980s.

Aside from this gem, Colourbox also formed one half of M|A|R|R|S, a 1987 one-off collaboration with A.R. Kane which became "a one-hit wonder of rare influence" recording dance classic "Pump Up the Volume", considered to be the first UK number one to contain samples from other songs and nominated for a Grammy Award in 1989.

090909 : 5-1

2009-09-10T13:08:00.003Z

Bring on South Africa.

Nearly 20 years on, this is still awesome..

Stadia Magazine: View July Edition Online

2009-09-08T09:21:00.004Z

The July 2009 issue of Stadia Magazine, the leading industry authority on football and sports grounds, is available to view available online at time of writing.

View here.

Packed full of news, interviews and features, including:

Cover Story: A well planned and executed IT infrastructure is an essential facet of any modern stadium, enabling greater operational efficiency and an enhanced matchday experience

Special Report: Seating capacity at Citi Field may be lower than at the New York Mets’ previous home, Shea Stadium, but luxury suites and improved catering are designed to increase revenue

Hot Topic: Revenue generation is a common theme in Stadia’s coverage but what of the social benefits derived from sports facilities? A visionary, community stadium programme in North Belfast aims to bridge decades of social division

Regional Focus: New York is alive with new stadia projects – but the city drives a hard bargain as many frustrated developers will testify Special report:

Stadium catering is moving towards more diverse menus that reflect local loyalties, while new technology is helping to improve service efficiency

Turf Talk: FC Stabæk installs synthetic turf at its new indoor home; Dubai Cricket Stadium overcomes sandstorms and 40°C heat; TenCate unveils a new synthetic turf fibre; Polytan’s new football turf product helps IFK Norrköping to get more out of its pitch; and the Green Bay Packers chooses natural grass reinforced with synthetic fibres

Drawing Board: The snake-like form of Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Stadium, which features a roof with 8,800 solar panels, is proving a hit with environmentalists and design critics alike

Kicking Off: With more and more stadia jumping on the green bandwagon, Ian Nuttall applauds the financial benefits of a new eco initiative at Dublin’s Croke Park

Guest Column: John Genzale ponders the conundrum that is Italian football – better facilities could improve fan behaviour, but where’s the money going to come from?

Final Whistle: 10 ways to get the most out of smart technologies and CRM systems

News: Chelsea rocked by FIFA transfer ban

2009-09-03T19:25:00.004Z

Chelsea Premiership Parade 2006
Originally uploaded by Victius

Chelsea will be forbidden from signing any new players until January 2011 following a ruling by FIFA.

The world football governing body has punished Chelsea after finding the English Premier League club guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens.

Full story on FFC News

News: English Premier League is "most cosmopolitan" division

2009-09-03T18:32:00.005Z

The English Premier League contains a bigger proportion of foreign players than any other elite division in European football, it has emerged.

According to figures cited by the Sun newspaper, almost 60 per cent of English Premier League players are now foreign, compared with a European average of 42.6 per cent.

Full story on FFC News

News: Newcastle United fans urged to wear shirts to work to back World Cup bid

2009-09-02T18:28:00.003Z

The team behind Newcastle and Gateshead's campaign to be a host city for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is urging local football fans to get behind the bid.

In order to publicise the campaign, supporters living on Tyneside have been asked to wear their football shirts to work as a special event on Thursday September 10th, the Evening Chronicle reports.

Full story on FFC News

Photo, Wor Jackie by EP Digital Designs

News: Swindon Town fans win free tickets at County Ground beach party

2009-09-01T18:35:00.003Z

1965: Swindon Town Football Club - STFC (Programme Cover)
Originally uploaded by Swindon Local Studies Collection

A group of Swindon Town supporters attended the League One side's home game against Southend United on Saturday (August 29th) wearing Hawaiian shirts and walked away with free match tickets.

Fan Rosie Brasier received two sponsor's suite hospitality tickets for the upcoming match against Colchester United as part of the Swindon Town Football Club Beach Party, the Swindon Advertiser reports.

Full story on FFC News

News: Scottish football fans raise over £5k for firefighters charity

2009-09-01T18:10:00.004Z

Football fans attending the Scottish Premier League match between Heart of Midlothian and Rangers raised over £5,000 for The Fire Fighters Charity on Sunday August 23rd.

The money was donated in memory of Ewan Williamson, a 35-year-old Edinburgh firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty last month, the Scotsman newspaper reports.

Full story on FFC News

Photos by oanababy and lulugaia

News: Soccerade supports grass roots football

2009-08-21T20:35:00.004Z

With global acclaim Soccerade is now looking to support grass roots football across the UK with its highly developed natural formula making it the ideal Smart Energy drink for all sports enthusiasts and future soccer stars.

Soccerade’s passion and commitment to the game is second to none and aims to bring the Smart Energy behind FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo to people on and around every pitch.
Soccerade is looking to secure partnerships with every club and tournament in the UK, delivering passion and commitment through a natural formula that can help improve performance. Soccerade’s aim is to give the grass roots arena the very best chance of a winning performance, so assisting the football community in achieving aspirations on and off the pitch.
Soccerade believes it is the world's most efficient source of energy, born from science and designed to meet the demands of Ronaldo himself.

The history of Soccerade is synonymous with passion, performance and science. However, in order to fully appreciate this groundbreaking performance drink you need to go back further to the early 1980s.

Leppin Smart Energy evolved from extensive research at the University of Cape Town’s centre of excellence in sports science. The research revolved largely around the prevention of muscle and energy depletion in stamina events, the result of which was the discovery of long chain carbohydrates - a highly concentrated, easy to absorb energy source.

In order to prove their existence, the research team, and a group of athlete friends, decided to develop a long chain carbohydrate formula to be tested on themselves in grueling marathons. The result was greatly improved times and feedback suggesting the formula left runners feeling fresh when they should have suffered - Leppin Smart Energy was born.

Leppin Smart Energy was genuinely designed by athletes for athletes: therefore the product is full of soul, enthusiasm and integrity - three key attributes that make it usable and relevant for athletes and other people as well.

The original Leppin Smart Energy formula has been used to create Soccerade PRO drinks. A totally natural and caffeine free soft drinks range that offers sport enhancing qualities without artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives. This makes it ideal for junior and senior sports enthusiasts alike.

To understand more about what a Soccerade partnership can do for you, your club or tournament, please contact 0161 828 5400 or email:

Tom Cummings tom@soccerade.com
Benoit Lawrence benoit@soccerade.com

FFC Survey: Club Report August 09

2009-08-21T11:56:00.003Z

How happy are you with the state of your club - ecstatic, miserable as sin, somewhere in between?

We'll be reporting on how fans feel about the running of their clubs throughout the course of the season and it would be great to get your views. The survey is short and sweet and will only take a moment of your time.

Click here to have your say

Many thanks for your support.

The FFC Team

News: Head to Morecambe FC for the best pies, fans advised

2009-08-21T10:04:00.004Z

Visitors to Morecambe FC are treated to the best pies out of all 92 English league clubs, an in-depth study, by Bolton Wanderers fan and writer Tom Dickinson, has found.

Researching his own book on the traditional food of football, Tom spent all last season travelling the length and breadth of the country, watching football and eating pies.

Full story on FFC News

Photo by Holland Pies

News: Carson Yeung puts down £3m deposit on Birmingham City

2009-08-21T10:00:00.003Z

Hong Kong-based businessman Carson Yeung has put down a deposit of £3 million as he moves as step closer to taking over Birmingham City Football Club, it has been announced.

Just last week, the Midlands side confirmed that it had received an approach regarding a possible takeover through his Grandtop International Holdings group.

Full story on FFC News

FFC Survey Results: The Transfer Merry-Go-Round

2009-08-20T17:01:00.009Z

The results of a recent Football Fan Census survey on the summer transfer window are used in a PR Week feature published today giving a behind the scenes insight into the PR side of transfer activity.

The article looks at the 6 Premier League Players, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Owen, John Terry, Darren Bent, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor

Extract from PR Week article

JOHN TERRY THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

Key PR players
Manchester City PR chief Vicky Kloss.
Club owner Abu Dhabi United Group retains Edelman

Chelsea Director of comms and public affairs Simon Greenberg

Agent Aaron Lincoln

Ironically, the deal that attracted most attention during the summer was not consummated, with Manchester City's billionaires failing in their audacious attempt to land England captain John Terry.

City's comms strategy was a refined variant on a traditional favourite. The longer Terry kept his silence, the more widespread the interpretation that he was angling for a move. 'City used the media very cleverly,' says Synergy deputy MD Dominic Curran. 'Some of the comments (Man City manager) Mark Hughes made could have been construed as slightly unsettling Terry.'

Terry eventually broke his silence to confirm he would be staying at Chelsea.

Greenberg refuses to accept the long silence was the wrong policy. 'As long as you are certain your line is right, you have to stick to it,' he says. 'We were not prepared to give a running commentary. We feel the appropriate course of action was the one we took.'

The announcement was made via Chelsea's website and TV channel.

The story also illustrated the increasing respect being afforded to the Manchester City project, after negative coverage of its attempt to sign Brazilian superstar Kaka earlier in the year.

'When City went for Kaka, it became a joke,' says a source familiar with City's comms operation.

'But people are now realising it is deadly serious.'

Football Fans Census Stats

Terry's reputation slipped, with 32% of UK football fans viewing the Chelsea veteran less favourably now. 42% disapproved of his conduct, compared with 27% who felt he conducted himself positively.

Full article at PR Week online

News: Ipswich Town to name stand after Sir Bobby Robson

2009-08-18T19:51:00.003Z

Ipswich Town are to rename the North Stand of their Portman Road stadium after Sir Bobby Robson, it has been confirmed.

Sir Bobby, who died at the end of July, managed the East Anglia side for 13 years, prompting calls for the club to establish a permanent memorial to him.

Full story on FFC News

News: Crystal Palace denied Bristol City replay

2009-08-18T19:49:00.004Z

News: Crystal Palace will not be allowed to replay their match against Bristol City, despite the fact that they had a legitimate goal wrongly ruled out by referee Rob Shoebridge.

Full story on FFC News

News: Gamesmanship is "killing football" - Sir Alex

2009-08-18T18:20:00.004Z

The unsportsmanlike habits of modern footballers are slowly "killing the game", according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Speaking prior to his team's Premier League opener against Birmingham City, the Manchester United manager expressed his belief that, rather than referees, it is the pro players who are ruining the modern game, as they are becoming increasingly willing to use gamesmanship in order to get results.

Sir Alex's comments echo the feelings of many fans, with 41 per cent of those polled in a recent Football Fans Census Survey citing cheating and diving as the most important issue facing football.

Full story on FFC News

Some woeful football dives...

FFC Survey Results: Fans debt levels

2009-08-17T23:16:00.005Z

The results of a recent Football Fans Census survey on fan debt levels have just been published by Virgin Money receiving nationwide coverage in the press.

The results show that one in five football fans has been forced into debt to cover the cost of following their team, research has revealed.

The cost of being a football supporter has risen by 15 per cent over the past year, according to Virgin Money’s football fans’ inflation index. Those in debt borrow an average of £682 to follow their passion, with around 20 per cent owing between £1,000 and £2,500.

Full article at The Times Online

Many thanks to everyone who took part.

News: Refereeing chief Hackett calls for goal line technology

2009-08-17T20:51:00.003Z

Keith Hackett has backed calls for the introduction of goal-line technology after the latest high-profile refereeing mistake in English football.

Over the second weekend of the Coca-Cola Championship season, referee Rob Shorebridge denied Crystal Palace a legitimate goal at Bristol City after failing to spot that the ball crossed the line.

Full story on FFC News

Photo by Will Palmer

2009-08-17T14:53:00.002Z

Survey: Championship team fans - Match Panel - how did your team perform this weekend?
http://ping.fm/jQhMH

2009-08-17T14:38:00.002Z

Survey: English Premier League team fans - Match Panel - how did your team perform this weekend? http://ping.fm/nG9vO

News: Birmingham City owners considering West Ham United move

2009-08-14T17:08:00.004Z

Current Birmingham City owners David Sullivan and David Gold are lining up an offer to buy West Ham United should the takeover of their current club by Carson Yeung be completed.

Full story on FFC News

Photo by Shht!

News: O'Neill I will not manage a bankrupt Aston Villa

2009-08-14T17:05:00.004Z

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has indicated that the club will not become bankrupt while he is in charge and Randy Lerner is chairman.

Speaking to BBC West Midlands, the O'Neill indicated that the EPL outfit is being run as a "type of business" and will not be drawn into making big-money signings in a rush to challenge for trophies.

Full story on FFC News

Photo, Spectator Symmetrics (Holte End Villa Park) by MarkyBon

FFC Interview: Fans Issues at London Football Expo 09

2009-08-14T00:48:00.005Z

Football Fans Census interview fans about some of the issues in football at the London Football Expo 09.

News: Bendtner to pay for Arsenal supporters' replica shirts

2009-08-13T18:08:00.003Z

Nicklas Bendtner is offering to pay for all Arsenal fans who have recently had his name and number printed on their replica kits to get a new shirt after deciding to change his squad number.

Full story on FFC News

News: Leicester stadium in Olympic running

2009-08-13T17:54:00.003Z

The Walkers Stadium is the latest to be mooted as a host venue for football at the 2012 Olympic Games, according to the Leicester Mercury.

A space became vacant earlier this week when Villa Park was ruled out as a venue due to ongoing construction work. Full story on FFC News

Photos by Tony Magnan ~~Tone~~

FFC Rewards: WSC Issue 271 September 2009

2009-08-13T16:18:00.006Z

The lastest issue of When Saturday Comes is now available in the FFC Rewards redemption store for just 795 points.

Editorial All aboard the City gravy train?
Sidelines Contract disputes; video goals galore; clubs in financial crisis; Newcastle’s non-League blues; club website networks fold
Shot! Bangor City’s one-date European tour
A familiar face returns Notts County fans give Sven-Göran Eriksson a cautious welcome Switching channels Who’s who and where on a busy summer for the media merry-go-round
Second chances How one former England manager is rebuilding careers
Mystery plays Why very little knowledge is a good thing when it comes to modern football
Match of the month A long and painful weekend at Wembley
Shot! archive Behind the scenes during Alex Ferguson’s early days at Manchester United Getting shirty Trying on the new season’s kits for size
The strange case of... Celtic’s forgotten hero, Bobo Balde
Crisis management The further trials and tribulations of Graham Taylor revealed in a new book
Foreign adventures Everton and Tottenham’s 1909 South American tour remembered
Euro view Betis fans on the march; the Dreyfus affair Germany v Germany How the Cold War played out on the pitch
Good for the game? WSC’s scientific analysis of the pros and cons of the burning issues
World view Hooliganism in Argentina; protest in Iran; Beckham brouhaha; Timor-Leste emerge
Reviews Charlton’s England days; Claridge part two; Mark Ward’s inside story; comic heroes
Letters Dear WSC, I couldn’t help noticing...
Season in brief The Soviet Supreme League, 1975

Football Cartoons - John Chandler

2009-08-12T18:27:00.011Z

We recently stumbled across the work of John Chandler, cartoonist for West Ham fanzine Over Land And Sea. Suitably impressed we thought we'd name check his book Iron Filings and usher people towards his online portfolio

News: Chelsea launch new website for China

2009-08-12T17:12:00.004Z

Chelsea are aiming to enhance their position in the global football market after launching their official Chinese website to be viewed by Chinese supporters.

It is hoped that the new website will provide an online community for fans across China and the development being supported by a number of Chinese companies.

Full story on FFC News

News: The FA move HQ to Wembley Stadium

2009-08-12T17:02:00.005Z

The Football Association (FA) has changed headquarters, with Wembley Stadium its new home.

After the final game at the old Wembley in 2000 – a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Germany – the FA set up camp at Soho Square, after a long period at Lancaster Gate.

Full story on FFC News

Photo by Daveybot

News: Yeung to make new attempt to take over at Birmingham City

2009-08-12T16:52:00.003Z

It is reported that Carson Yeung is interested in buying the stakes currently owned by David Sullivan and Ralph and David Gold at Birmingham City

The Hong Kong businessman is already the English Premier League club's main shareholder with a 29.9 per cent stake and is keen to secure a £70 million takeover.

Full story on FFC News

FFC Survey: Championship matches 7th-10th August 2009

2009-08-11T19:30:00.005Z

We're planning to run a series of match surveys throughout the 2009/2010 season to give you a chance to feedback on the key aspects of the spectator experience.

The first enables you to have your say on an English Football League Championship match played between 7th and 10th August 2009. If you experienced one of those games please click the link below to have your say;

Championship match survey

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

FFC Facebook Fan Page

2009-08-11T18:25:00.004Z

We're relaunching our fan page on Facebook, hope to see you there!

Football Fans Census on Facebook

FFC Survey: Live games on TV

2009-08-11T16:04:00.005Z

Football on TV Survey

We're running a single question survey as part of a FFC series to help understand viewership of live football games shown on TV (UK Channels). This survey covers games broadcast over the last week (4th to 10th August).

It only takes a moment to complete, click here to take part;

Football on TV Survey

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

News: Stoke City manager seeks fans' opinions on potential transfers

2009-08-11T15:50:00.003Z

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has revealed that he prefers to listen to the opinions of fans when he has an interest in buying a particular player.

Pulis indicates that fans of a team tend to know more about the individual talents of a certain player than a scout as they have seen them play in the flesh potentially for a number of seasons

Full Story at FFC News

News: Blackburn Rovers fans the most "excited" during games

2009-08-11T15:47:00.003Z

Tension levels of football fans at Blackburn Rovers were higher last season than at any other club in the English Premier League, research has indicated...

Full story at FFC News

News: Scottish football in disarray over Livingston antics

2009-08-11T15:44:00.003Z

Certain games from the opening weekends of the Scottish football season could be declared void due to the ongoing situation involving Livingston.

The Scottish Football League (SFL) recently decided to relegate Livingston from the Scottish First Division to the fourth tier for breaching the league's insolvency rules.

However, with the club appealing against the decision, Livingston decided to postpone their weekend game away at East Stirlingshire...

Full story on FFC News

News: Football fans charity world record attempt taking place in Portsmouth

2009-08-10T17:38:00.004Z

Football fans are being called for in Portsmouth in a bid to raise money for charity and set a new world record in the process.

The Portsmouth News reports that Raymond Olgilvie and Luc Semmens are looking to increase the funds of the Football for Cancer group by playing the world's longest ongoing five-a-side game.

Full story on FFC News

News: Villa Park withdrawn from Olympic host venue list

2009-08-10T17:27:00.003Z

The home of Aston Villa has been withdrawn as a possible venue for hosting football matches during the 2012 Olympic Games because of ongoing construction plans.

Some six stadiums were already set to be hosting venues for the games, with Villa Park thought to be one of those being considered by organisers...

Full story at FFC News

DrillBoard Soccer Coaching Animation

2009-08-10T16:45:00.005Z

A simple animation created with our DrillBoard Soccer Coaching Software.

Your free DrillBoard trial can be downloaded at SoccerCoachCentral.com

News: Sponsorship revenues down in English Premier League

2009-08-09T19:40:00.003Z

The amount English Premier League clubs currently gain from football sponsorship deals is significantly less than two years ago, according to a new report by Brandrapport...

Full story on FFC News

News: Chester City given 25 point penalty

2009-08-09T19:37:00.003Z

Chester City have been granted permission to begin their upcoming Blue Square Premier campaign but will have to do so under a 25-point penalty.

Full story on FFC News

News: Dein: Arsenal are in the "Stone Age"

2009-08-06T18:02:00.002Z

Arsenal are in the 'Stone Age' compared to rivals such as Manchester United because of the lack of football finance on offer, according to former vice-chairman David Dein...

Full story on FFC News

News: Ipswich stand could be named after Sir Bobby

2009-08-06T17:58:00.003Z

Ipswich Town chief executive Simon Clegg has revealed the club is considering naming one of the stands at Portman Road after Sir Bobby Robson.

The former England manager died on July 31st after a long battle with cancer and is still fondly remembered in Ipswich for his time at the Suffolk club...

Full story at FFC News

News: Crystal Palace handed transfer embargo

2009-08-06T15:51:00.002Z

The Football League has placed an embargo on Crystal Palace preventing them from bringing in any new players ahead of the approaching Championship season, the Daily Mail reports...

Full story on FFC News

FFC Survey: Transfer Window Summer 2009

2009-08-05T08:23:00.004Z

We're running a short survey about this summer's transfer window to see how you feel your team has performed so far, and how you feel several high profile players have conducted themselves.

The survey is just 5 questions long and only takes a minute to complete.

Click here to have your say - Transfer Window Survey

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

Sir Bobby RIP

2009-07-31T22:28:00.004Z

Very sad news that one of the games greats finally lost has battle with cancer today.

Sir Bobby will be sorely missed.

One of his legacies is the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation which raises money for the early detection and treatment of cancer. Anyone wanting to donate to this worthy cause can do so via this link.

Many thanks for some great memories.

News: The European Supporter Awards - Entries open

2009-07-31T18:00:00.006Z

The FFC team are proud to support the fifth annual European Football Supporters Award which rewards supporters developing positive initiatives in or around football stadiums... with a prize of 6000 € for the winner.

Information from the organisers on the Award as follows;

Established in 2005, the European Football Supporters Award is supported by UEFA and its president Michel Platini. It aims to reward a group or association of supporters that create positive developments in the game on an annual basis.

The deadline for 2009 applications is 31 October 2009.

In four years, the European Football Supporters Award awarded alternately groups who have protested against racism in all its forms - advocating tolerance on the stadium terraces, which had gone out of their way to extend hospitality to away fans, who had worked for the education of young fans and, finally, who had facilitated the integration of disabled supporters across the country.

EFSA previous winners

2005. La Peña Multicolor (Spain)
2006. The Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs (Northern Ireland)
2007. Genoa Club for Children (Italy)
2008. The National Association for Disabled Supporters (England)

Who will win the crown this November? Perhaps this is an opportunity for your organisation, so why not make an application to take part in EFSA 2009?

The award criteria outlined by the organisers are as follows:

Respect for others, irrespective of nationality, race, culture or religion.
Respect for the moral and physical integrity of all players of the game, which excludes all forms of violence, including verbal abuse.
Compliance with the rules and accept decisions of the referee.
The promotion of fair play, as the life skills of athletes.
The size of the festive and friendly sport, brotherhood between fans before, during and after the meeting, communion in the same passion, which also implies the acceptance of defeat calmly.
The training of young generations of audiences through the dissemination of the principles of sports ethics.
Solidarity with minority groups, motivated by the same passion for football.

Applications must be sent before 31 October 2009:
European Football Supporters Award
5, avenue du Col-Vert
B-1170 Brussels
BELGIUM
Or by mail to info@supportersaward.com

The application, if possible, should take up no more than twenty lines; clearly explaining the action taken by the entrant under the the criteria listed above or describing exceptional gestures of fair play undertaken by a group or individual.

Please detail the location, dates or circumstances of the activity as part of the application together with details of the group or the candidate (e-mail and telephones). The organisers may wish to call on witnesses to confirm particular facts or actions.

The winner of the European Football Supporter Award will receive a prize of 6,000 euro’s in cash and a trophy that will be awarded on the pitch of his/her favourite team.

For more information, visit: http://www.supportersaward.com/

Contacts

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS AWARD
+ 32 (0)2.426.64.66
info@supportersaward.com

Best of luck

The FFC Team

FFC Results: The Big Issue

2009-07-29T10:10:00.004Z

The latest FFC survey results appear on page 64 of this months edition of FC Business magazine. You can read the online version by clicking on the image above, the FFC article is also reproduced below. Many thanks for your support. The FFC Team

The Alienated Majority? by Jon Busk

Fans across the Premier League and Football League have deep routed fears for the future of the game, according to the latest survey polled by the Football Fans Census.

The survey, conducted at the start of July, covered just under two thousand fans and asked what they felt were the biggest issues, and also the single biggest issue facing football at the moment. The results give a stark picture of terrace attitudes to the modern game. The biggest issues worrying fans across the divisions are the financial stability of the game, and the spirit in which it is being played.

The single most important issue to the fans surveyed was the level of debt in football, while financial concerns generally dominated the findings. Just under thirty per cent of fans polled listed either the levels of debt, the wealth gap or players wages as the biggest issues facing the sport.

Tim Gentles, MD of the Football Fans Census, commented “This might be painful reading for the football community but it is clear that there are deep routed fears about the financial future of the game on the terraces. On the one hand, venerable clubs like Southampton are clinging on for dear life, and on the other, transfer fees and wages are rocketing, fuelled by the cheque books of the Real Madrids and the Man Citys. These tensions have clearly been transmitted into very real fears for the regular football supporter”

Not surprisingly, there is a difference of opinion between the Premier League and the leagues below. The biggest issue for fans of Premier League clubs, according to the survey, is the level of players’ wages, with 12% of fans surveyed citing this issue above all others. For fans of clubs in the Football League the wealth gap between clubs and the divisions was the top ranking issue, polling 14% of the fans in the survey.

Interestingly, the standard of refereeing did not appear highly in the findings. Whilst the tabloids and pundits alike foam at the mouth at the man in black every new season, fans are clearly worried about other things in the game. The standard of refereeing did not even appear in the overall top ten issues listed by fans in the survey, while only 3.5% of fans in the Premier League who took part listed it as the major issue facing football.

So while Andy Gray and Alan Green are seemingly kept awake at night by the latest travails of Mike Reilly, fans, it seems, have a longer term perspective.

What the survey does also reveal however, is a significant concern over the character of the game. When asked to list the five most important issues facing football, the most cited one was cheating and diving, mentioned by 41% of fans in the survey, while 35% supported the notion that football is becoming a commodity rather than a sport.

The general picture then does not make great reading for those who actually run the game. According to Gentles, “There is a huge amount of anxiety and angst over what I’d call the soul of the game. A combination of the way it is being played – cheating and diving- and the way it is being run. This isn’t just the usual gripe from league clubs about the rich getting richer. This is a universal malaise affecting all levels of supporters. The game they love, as they see it, is under threat”

What fans will actually do in response to their fears is unclear however. The prospect of fans up and down the country forming their own equivalent of F.C. United is unlikely. That said, it is clear that the patience of fans through all the divisions is being tested to the limit by those in the game. The game they fell in love with is fast becoming unrecognisable.

What do you think is THE single most important issue in football at the moment? (one option only)

Top 10 – All respondents

Levels of debt in football - 10.1%
Wealth gap between clubs / leagues - 9.9%
Players' wages - 9.8%
Game becoming a marketable commodity rather than a sport - 9.7%
Cheating and diving - 7.1%
Lack of competition, too much predictability (big club dominance) - 5.5%
Ticket prices - 5.0%
Number of clubs facing administration - 4.3%
Not enough money redistributed by Premier League - 4.2%
Size of transfer fees - 3.7%

What do you think are the most important issues in football at the moment? (up to 5 options)

Top 10 – All respondents

Cheating and diving - 41%
Players' wages - 37%
Game becoming a marketable commodity rather than a sport - 35%
Wealth gap between clubs / leagues - 32%
Levels of debt in football - 31%
Ticket prices - 27%
Lack of competition, too much predictability (big club dominance) - 25%
Foreign owners - 23%
Size of transfer fees - 22%
Not enough money redistributed by Premier League - 21%

Many thanks to everyone who took part.

FFC Rewards - WSC 270 August 2009

2009-07-26T19:17:00.005Z

Now available in the FFC Reward redemption store for just 795 points

Featuring

Match of the month:"There was a spirit about the game that almost vindicated the decision to award South Africa the World Cup"South Africa v Spain

Crisis clubs: Charlton: where did it all go wrong, Darlington: back from the brink

Around the world: Boavista broke, New low for Bolivia, Australia World Cup bid, Brazil's 1991 championship, the other national team in Italy

Plus: Martínez returns to Wigan, Steve Marlet: Fulham flop, Walsall's season to remember, the collapse of Setanta - ESPN examined, first match trauma

News: London Football Expo launches today

2009-07-23T22:59:00.004Z

A new football show, LONDON FOOTBALL EXPO opens at 10.00 am today Friday, 24 July at Earls Court, London.

The show runs until Sunday 26th, it's FREE to get in, we're going along and it would be great to see some FFC members there.

You can check out the details at

http://www.londonfootballexpo.co.uk/

Highlights include;

- 33% discount on all DrillBoard Soccer Coaching Software and PlayBooks exclusive to the show
- Professional clubs attending with West Ham running free coaching sessions every afternoon
- Freestylers coaching kids
- The Carling Cup and Championship Trophy on display
- The David Beckham Academy running coaching demonstrations and sessions
- Onsite deals on kit, boots, bottles, balls etc
- A new computer game called Shootpad to try out

Loads to do, all about football, all for free.

If you fancy a close season football fix it's free to come along any day this weekend.

News: F.C. Business Magazine Issue 37 Free Online Edition

2009-07-21T14:04:00.004Z

Online version of F.C. Business magazine Issue 37, includes FFC article on page 71. Click on image to view

FFC Survey: Football Omnibus 08 July

2009-07-08T15:27:00.003Z

We're running a short survey on supporting football. It's just 3-4 questions long and will only take a minute or so to complete.

Click here to Have Your Say

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

FFC Survey: The Big Issue In Football

2009-06-30T13:06:00.010Z

We're running a short survey to find out what fans think are THE most important issues in football at the moment.

Click here to take part

The answer options have been compiled from feedback submitted from FFC members over recent weeks and this is your chance to vote on which issues are of most importance to you.

The results will be published in F.C. Business, the trade magazine for the Football Industry in the UK and Republic of Ireland, ensuring that fans' views will be put in front of key decision makers in the game.

We also have a special subscription offer - FFC Members can now subscribe to the annual 8 issues per year of F.C. Business for £35 (a saving of £5), which includes all postage and packaging.

FFC Results: The Evening Standard London Football Report - London Rivals

2009-06-25T20:27:00.003Z

More coverage of FFC London Football Report..

Survey Results: The Evening Standard London Football Report 2009 Part 2

2009-06-25T14:10:00.003Z

Part 2 of the results of our recent survey for the Evening Standard's London Football Report 2009 are published in the paper today, or click the image below for the story online.

Once more many thanks to everyone who took part.

Survey Results: The Evening Standard London Football Report 2009 Part 1

2009-06-24T16:12:00.004Z

Part 1 of the results of our recent survey for the Evening Standard's London Football Report 2009 are published in the paper today, or click the image below for the story online. Many thanks to everyone who took part.

News: FC Business Article "United We Stand"

2009-06-22T18:31:00.006Z

United We Stand? By Jon Busk

This article on FFC by Jon Busk appears in this months edition of FC Business the trade magazine for the football industry in the UK and Republic of Ireland. FFC members can subscribe to the magazine at a special discounted rate, click here for more details.

While those in red are still mourning the loss of the Champions League Final to Barcelona, the same cannot be said of the wider footballing fraternity, according to a recent survey of football fans. The national survey, conducted on the day of the final by the Football Fans Census, reveals that, far from buoyed by a sense of national pride, the majority of non-United fans either wanted Barcelona to win, or simply didn’t care either way.

Whether fatigued by the recent trend of success in Europe for English clubs, or alienated by the success that United has had in the Champions league in particular, it seems fans were at best apathetic to the result and at worst backing Barcelona.

Tim Gentles, MD of the Football Fans Census commented “For English fans, it seems that the days of a kind of cosy non-partisanship in European finals is vanishing – the attitude seems increasingly to be ‘my club or no-one’”.

On the eve of the match, 44% of the fans in the survey were backing the Catalan giants, and a further 26% didn’t care which team won. As global as the Old Trafford brand has become, the days of United carrying the flag for English football seem to be well and truly over.
Less surprising was the attitude of fans of Ferguson’s nearest rivals. Of the top four clubs, 96% of Liverpool fans and 93% of Arsenal fans polled supported Barcelona, while closer to home, 96% of Man City fans backed Henry and Messi over Rooney and Neville.

The results do throw up an interesting conundrum for sponsors however. On the one hand, link-ups and deals with clubs offer obvious benefits to sponsors and brands, while on the other they can evoke the polar opposite effect on the fans of their rival clubs.

As Gentles explains “Very few big sides enjoy a neutral, ‘people’s club’ status, so the effects of a sponsorship can work in reverse on the fans of a rival club…the point is to try and weigh up the opportunity cost using the data available”

The Football Fans Index, a national survey of fans across all clubs in the UK by Football Fans Census and TGI, provides some interesting examples of the challenges that brands can face. Nike and Man United are no doubt more than happy with their association but the marriage is not universally admired.

While United fans surveyed are 10% more likely than the average fan to have bought Nike trainers in the last year, City fans are 35% less likely to have done so. And while United fans are 20% more likely to have bought an item of Nike clothing in the last twelve months, their City rivals are 40% less likely to have done so compared to the average fan in the survey.

The vast global community of United fans will obviously mitigate this downside, but, if the Champions League figures are anything to go by, their appeal in the UK is far from universal.

Drinking habits on the Mersey seem to also reflect the partisan perils of sponsoring big clubs. Liverpool fans are 60% more likely to drink Carlsberg most often, while Evertonians down the road are 40% less likely to drink it compared to the average fan in the survey.

One way round the problem is to “back both horses”, as Carling have done in sponsoring both Rangers and Celtic. While this does ensure that the brand transcends tribal loyalties in Glasgow, it is nevertheless an expensive solution.

The best policy, according to Gentles, is for both sides to enter any sponsorship with your eyes open “Clubs and brands need to ensure they’ve at least done some form of evaluation to weigh up the potential downsides. These will vary hugely from club to club but should form part of the criteria on which alliances can be judged.”

Ultimately though, it’s not just who brands sponsor, but how they do it that could mitigate against any backlash. Maybe brands should keep an eye on their rival fans a bit more – if, for example, Nike had put an ad in the Manchester Evening News after the Rome game, cheekily saying ‘nobody’s perfect’, it might have endeared them more to the blue side of Manchester!

That prospect seems unlikely but if the Champions League proved one thing it was that partisanship is as strong as ever and that clubs and brands should be aware of the potential effect on any sponsorship. That, and the fact that Messi can score with his head after all.

News: FC Business Magazine Online Edition

2009-06-18T22:36:00.004Z

Online version of F.C. Business magazine, click on image to view

FFC Rewards: When Saturday Comes Issue 269

2009-06-09T19:16:00.007Z

When Saturday Comes Issue 269 now available in the FFC Rewards redemption store for just 795 points

Featuring

Season review
How to get out of the Championship
Big clubs v small in League One
Fighting for survival in League Two
East AngliaTurmoil at Ipswich and Norwich

Around the world
Serbia’s young superstars
A home grown team in Ecuador
Battle for power at Real Madrid
Japan & South Korea: paying the price of World Cup 2002

Plus
Man Utd fall short in Europe
Torquay back in the Football League
Fans’ fears at West Ham & Brighton
Cardiff say farewell to Ninian Park
Eric Cantona the actor

Fans Offer: Save £5 on FC Business Subscription

2009-05-27T17:22:00.005Z

We've team up with FC Business, the trade magazine for the UK football industry, to offer FFC members £5 off an annual subscription to the magazine.

FC Business offers a unique perspective on how the industry works and regularly reports on the results of FFC surveys. Find out more..

Click here for FFC Members Offer

FFC Survey: Champions League Final

2009-05-27T17:11:00.002Z

We're running a quick survey in advance of tonights' Champions League Final. Will you be watching the game? It's just three questions long and will only take a minute to complete.

Click here to take part

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

FFC Results: Fanzine Awards Winners Announced

2009-05-26T20:44:00.012Z

There's been a lot of nominating, voting and deliberating and now the results of this years' fanzine awards are out...

A Love Supreme has been named the best UK football fanzine for the second year running.

The Sunderland publication beat hundreds of entries to scoop the Best Overall Fanzine title in the New Football Pools Fanzine Awards run by the Football Fans Census.

And Black Cats fans' favourite read was also named winner of the Best Premier League (Online) award.

Over 10,000 supporters up and down the country voted in eight categories and the most popular titles in each were shortlisted for a judging panel from The New Football Pools and the Football Fans Census to decide on the eventual winners.

The standard of this years fanzines was outstanding and we wish many congratulations to all the winners;

Overall Award - Best Fanzine - A Love Supreme - Sunderland
Best Premier League (Print) - There’s Only One 'F' in Fulham - Fulham

Best Premier League (Online) - A Love Supreme - Sunderland
Best Football League (Print) - A Kick Up The R’s - QPR
Best Football League (Online) - Vital Lincoln – Lincoln City
Best Non League - Show Me The Way To Go Home– Maidstone United
Best Writer - Mickey Blue Eyes – Blue Kipper - Everton
Best Blog - Craven Cottage Newsround – Fulham
Best Editor - Bryan Reed - Show Me The Way To Go Home - Maidstone United

Jon Sheehy, Marketing Director for the New Football Pools said: 'What a great achievement for A Love Supreme to retain the Best Fanzine title in successive seasons. The fanzine was outstanding across a number of categories and the team behind it really deserve recognition for their work.

'We support these awards to celebrate the passion, creativity and dedication that goes into writing and producing the fanzines. Almost 35,000 nominations were received this year, showing just how important the fanzines are to football fans who are at the heart of our beautiful game and we’re delighted to be able to recognise the talent behind them.'

We'd like to thank The New Football Pools for their help in establishing the Fanzine Awards and to all the fans who took part.

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

Examples of press coverage:

Daily Mail

Football.co.uk

Shields Gazette

Craven Cottage Newsround

FFC Results: Fans Making Sacrifices

2009-05-21T16:52:00.006Z

Recent FFC Research has contributed to findings published today by Finance Firm ING Direct.

Many fans are having to make financial sacrifices to pay for their next season ticket even though clubs are cutting or freezing prices, according to the research.

The FFC study of more than 2,000 season ticket holders of Premier League clubs run for ING showed that one in four had already saved up to renew their seat at leading grounds.

ING Direct said its research suggested that clubs had made the right decision on prices, with one in 10 fans replied that they would not renew their season tickets if they were more expensive.

Supporters of Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham were more likely to have given up their ticket, whereas Arsenal, Stoke and Sunderland fans were most likely to pay "whatever it takes" to follow their club.

Around two out of five fans said they had been forced to make serious financial sacrifices as they struggled to pay to renew their ticket.

ING Direct chief executive Johan de Wit said: "Many of our customers have dedicated savings plans in place to manage the cost of their season ticket.

"However, it's clear by the research that lots of supporters find it difficult to deal with such a large outlay at the beginning of the season, so it's good to see the majority of Premier League teams appreciate this and are not taking fans loyalty for granted."

(Reported from PA News)

News: Fans aim for 92 Clubs in 92 Hours for Cancer Research

2009-05-20T22:10:00.005Z

Four fans have set off tonight on a fundraising dash around England and Wales.

Organiser Stephen Howe will be accompanied by Dean Evans, Anthony Crick and Paul Martin, travelling the length and breadth of the country visiting all 92 League Clubs in 92 hours.

They will be collecting donated items from the clubs on the way and will have a photo taken outside each ground to prove that they have been there.

All the items donated will then be auctioned off, all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.

Thumbs up to the donors who provided a Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer for the trip and also to the PR agency supporting the lads (www.cowpr.com).

If you'd like to make a donation you can by clicking here.

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

News: Footy on the Cote D'Azur 2

2009-05-19T23:11:00.005Z

French trailer - Looking for Eric

Ken and Cantona discussing at Cannes

Review from Cannes

FFC Survey: The London Football Report 2009

2009-05-19T13:15:00.009Z

It's that time of year again, The London Football Report provides comprehensive data and analysis on the state of the game in the capital.

Run annually with the Evening Standard, it's now in its' fourth year. If you support a London Club, this is a chance to have your say on how your club is run and the big issues in football in London.

The survey is just 10-questions long and only takes a couple of minutes to complete.

Click here to take part

Previous results:

London Football Report 2008

London Football Report 2007

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

FFC Survey: English Clubs and England Fans

2009-05-17T22:12:00.006Z

We're running a survey in partnership with the University of Teeside. for fans of English clubs and the English national team who live in England.

Please tell us a little bit about the relationship you have with your club and the national side. The survey it's 31 questions long and will only take 5 - 10 minutes to complete.

Click here to take part

Many thanks for your support

The FFC Team

FFC Rewards: When Saturday Comes Issue 268

2009-05-17T21:00:00.010Z

The latest issue of When Saturday Comes, The Half Decent Football Magazine is available this week for just 795 points in the FFC Rewards Redemptions...

Featuring:

North East Facing relegation from the Premier League

East Anglia Turmoil at Ipswich and Norwich

Around the world South Africa prepares for 2010, Internet takeover in Germany, Greek FA investigated, ID cards in Argentina, Steaua owner arrested, Dutch merger fails

Plus

Managers bickering again

Football & the miners’ strike

Scottish players banned

Leicester’s finest moment

Hooligans on screen

Man Utd 1970s revival

News: Footy on the Cote D'Azur - Looking for Eric

2009-05-14T19:44:00.008Z

The Cannes Film Festival kicked off yesterday.

Not normally a fixture to make most football calendars.

But then, it’s not often that a footy related film goes head to head with movies from the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Oscar winning Jane Campion in competition for the Palme D’Or.

“Looking for Eric” is Bath City fan-Bath City shareholder-and legendary film director - Ken Loach’s latest film.

It tells the story of Man United obsessed postman Eric Bishop - who, left to bring up his two stepsons, lurches from one personal crisis to another - and his imaginary friend, Eric Cantona (played by King Eric himself).

Like all Loach’s work, Looking for Eric is reportedly about everyday characters and their struggles to keep their lives together, albeit it with a lightness and humour to the film that has been absent in much of Loach's recent output.

It opens in the UK on June 12th and this is why we’re keen to see it....

Ken has already directed one of the best football scenes in cinema history, in Kes where games teacher Mr Sugden institutes a match between 'Manchester United' and 'Tottenham Hotspur', with himself as referee and star player.

Looking for Eric stars John Henshaw - a legend for his role as Ken in Last Orders.

Whether one is a fan of his or not, Cantona is a character who Ken (the director, not the landlord) has said enjoys taking the mickey out of his public persona and it will be interesting to see how this collaboration works.

News: Monaco (UEFA) Charity Awards 2009

2009-05-13T18:40:00.006Z

Big congratulations to The National Association of Disabled Supporters NADS announcing today that UEFA has granted the 2009 Monaco Award to enable the formation of a new organisation, the Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFÉ) to progress disabled supporter provisions and experiences across Europe building on the work already undertaken by NADS in the UK.

UEFA awards its annual CHF1 million (€650,000) Monaco charity cheque to deserving projects. The award is presented at UEFA's Monaco events in August which herald the start of the new European club competition season, with income from fines handed out by UEFA's disciplinary authorities being invested in social responsibility activities.

CAFÉ will be outward facing to Europe and independent of NADS and will be up and running by early September.

Joyce Cook, Chair of NADS said ' I want to say a very big thank you to UEFA on behalf of disabled people across Europe. We are delighted by this decision which shows UEFA's real commitment to disabled fans and creating an equal experience for all fans and we'll bring you more news very soon. '

News: Football Images via Tag Galaxy, interesting..

2009-05-11T22:21:00.007Z

Came across this, out there way of searching for football images of Flickr. Visit http://taggalaxy.de/ and tag football fans..

News: Fans play charity derby game at Sincil Bank tonight

2009-05-06T15:21:00.004Z

It's FA Cup final day Sincil Bank style tonight as Lincoln City and Grimsby town fans will get to live the dream, run onto the Sincil Bank turf and become the heroes of their respective teams for 90 minutes.

The SoccerXpress trophy is up for grabs but this game is also being played for charity with gate proceeds going to the Lincoln and Grimsby Supporters Trusts and the Grimsby Children`s Wards.

For just two pounds for adults and a pound for everyone else (including free tickets for the helpers of the disabled) you too can become part of a unique fundraising day.

Kick-off is a 7.30 p.m. tonight 6th May. Best of luck to all involved.