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IN POSH WE TRUST Patron :- Tommy Robson Members of Supporters Direct, The Football Supporters’ Federation and the Council for Voluntary Service. Sponsored by ‘CHARTERS’ and ‘OAKHAM ALES’

NEWSLETTER No 41 September 2014

Notification of Annual General Meeting and Board Member Nominations

2014 / 2015 - Posh Players Profiles

What makes P.U.F.C. a Community Club?

Pete’s ‘Memory’ Lane, Posh v Notts Forest!

Visit our website: www.theposhtrust.co.uk E-Mail: [email protected]

Registered as a Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Registration No. 29533R with the Financial Conduct Authority. THE POSH SUPPORTERS’ TRUST

Chairman Barry Bennett, Secretary John Henson, Treasurer Geoff Callen

Directors : Ray Cole, Keith Jennings, Walter Moore. John Lawrence. Ken Storey.

Patron Tommy Robson. Consultant Peter Lloyd.

The Posh Supporters’ Trust, is a democratic not-for-profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice of supporters in the decision-making process at Peterborough United Football Club. We seek to improve the links between the club and the community it serves, and help the club to grow to the highest level.

Our Mission :  To bring Peterborough United Football Club, Posh fans and the local community closer together.  To help disadvantaged and deserving fans to go to a match for free under the "Smile Ticket" scheme.  To help the football club by increasing the Posh fan base through our "New Posh Fans Initiative."  To support football related activities locally through sponsorship and donations whenever possible.  To have a substantial membership in order to represent the views of fans at meetings with the football club and to promote their interests.  To have a Supporters' Trust representative on the board of the football club representing the interests of all fans.  To build up funds to support our activities and create a reserve to help the club in the longer term in the event of a crisis.

Help Us to Help You!

 Become a member – subscription details on the back pages.  Make a donation to the Trust. (pay-pal facility on website www.theposhtrust.co.uk)  Join the Gold Bond Weekly Draw! And receive your Membership for FREE!  Use your membership card at the local businesses that provide excellent discounts to members  Shop at Westgate Department Stores, AHF Home Furnishing Superstores and Westgate Optical, asking for the dividend to be credited to the Trust’s share number 473432.  Visit and support our Stall on the concourse on match days! Browse our merchandise including various books and magazines. Join or re-new your membership, and take part in the various competitions we will feature.  Offer your services to the Trust, if you have any professional or other skills, e g in fund-raising, accountancy, business management, the law etc.  Make use of our on-line shopping facility, www.spendandraise.com/theposhtrust/

Website: www.theposhtrust.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] We thank all those who continue to support the Trust, however they do it.

Published by The Posh Supporters’ Trust, 193 Oakdale Ave, , Peterborough. PE2 8TH.

Printed by Printing Matters, Unit 12c, Brookside Industrial Estate, Sawtry, Cambs. PE28 5SB

CHAIRMANS MESSAGE, Welcome to our latest Newsletter,

Well here we are again at the start of another season with the Posh flying high once again. Top of the league with 15 points after the first 6 league games. Well Done POSH!

Congratulations to Darragh, Barry and Darren, for assembling another quality squad of players so quickly.

Posh Trust AGM. On page xx you will find details of our AGM which takes place on 17 November. Personally, at the AGM, I will be standing down as Chairman, having held the position for the previous 5 years. I have said on many occasions that the Chair needs a younger person, to generate fresh initiatives and Ideas to encourage younger members to get involved with the Trust movement.

Although standing down, I remain totally committed to the principles and aims of the Trust and I will be standing for re-election to the Board in a lesser capacity. I am delighted to announce that our current Secretary and John Henson, will be standing for the position of Chairman. At the age of 35, I believe John co-founder of the Posh Trust back in 2003, is the perfect candidate to take us forward.

Trust’s On-Line Museum. http://www.theposhtrust.co.uk/museum We are creating a new ‘Legends’ section to add to our on-line museum. For each Decade from the 1960’s to 2010, we will create a Legend team and invite Trust Members to vote for the Players and Manager they choose to be in the team for that decade. Communication will be conducted via our monthly Online Newsletters, and entries made by E-Mail.

To start off we would like you to vote for Players and a Manager from the 1960’s. In our September E-Newsletter we will provide you with a list players who played 50 or more Football League games for the Posh in the 1960’s and all our Managers from that decade.

All you have do is vote for up to 11 players (including a goalkeeper) and a Manager from the list by sending an email to [email protected] (subject: ‘Legends’) send by the closing date given on the e-newsletter. We will announce our Legends team of the 60’s on the next scheduled E- Newsletter as well as providing you with details of Players and Managers you can vote for in our 1970’s team. We will do the same for each decade on subsequent E-Newsletters until we have five teams (one from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s).

We hope you join in and vote for the players you think are true legends of the club. There will also be a special place in the legends section on the website for the Player and Manager who receives the most votes so make sure you vote for your favorite all time Posh player and Manager.

Members who do not have access to E-Mails are still able enter, by sending their entries for each decade to the Trust at our postal address. If you are not currently subscribed to receive our Monthly E-Letters, send an E-Mail to [email protected] (subject ‘Subscribe’) and we will send you the latest E-Letter and add you to our E-mailing list.

Enjoy the read Up The POSH ! Barry Mark Little, 2013/2014 Winner of: “The Posh Supporters Trust’s “Player Community Trophy” The “Player Community Trophy” is presented to the Posh Player, who is judged to have been most active and enthusiastic with the football clubs community visits and projects

throughout the Season.

The Posh Management team nominated Mark for his contribution

throughout the 2013 / 2014 season.

The Posh Supporters Trust on behalf of all Posh fans, thanked Mark and his team mates for their work and commitment to the community. Peter Lloyd presenting Trophy to Mark Little.

Posh Supporters’ Trusts Application for ACV is Approved!

The Trust’s application to the City Council, for the to be classified as an ACV (Asset of Community Value), was finally approved on 4 July 2014 This means the Posh Supporters’ Trust now has a legal ‘Right to Bid’ should the stadium be put up for sale any time in the next 5 years. Note: Our ‘Right to Bid’ means does not mean we have a ‘Right to Buy’ as interpreted by the on 10 July.

Should the Council wish to sell the Stadium, the Posh Supporters’ Trust would be notified. The Trust would then have a six week window to declare, an expression of interest (EOI) to bid on behalf of the community. If there was no (EOI) made within the 6 weeks, then the Council can sell to any prospective purchaser. If we did make an (EOI) then a further four and a half months is allowed for an offer to be submitted. During this time the stadium could not be sold to a third party.

The Posh Supporters’ Trust is dedicated to ensuring the long term survival and success of Peterborough United Football Club and the ACV gives some additional assurance over the longer term future of the stadium. Our ultimate desire is to see the ownership of the Football Club and the London Road Stadium re-united as a Community Club. If this can be achieved under the ownership of Darragh MacAnthony then we would be delighted.

Our specific objective in gaining the ACV on London Road is to be in a position to make any sale more transparent to the community. It is the potential delay in the sale, the openness of the process and the “Community Right to Bid” which are important, to avoid any repeat of the rushed and secret sale of the ground to an unknown third party that took place ten years ago, which has proved so costly to the Community, the Football Club and the City. The London Road Stadium was the 25th football stadia to achieve an ‘ACV’ listing following successful applications by their respective Supporters’ Trusts, These include :- , Anfield, King Power Stadium, Portman Road, the Valley, Pride Park and St Andrews The 12th Annual General Meeting of ‘The Posh Supporters’ Trust’ will take place at, The Cherry Tree, Oundle Road Peterborough on Monday 17th November 2014, starting at 7-30pm

Under the Rules of the Trust, the following Board Members must resign from office by rotation at the AGM. Barry Bennett, Keith Jennings, John Lawrence, and Walter Moore.

Keith Jennings will be retiring at the AGM, and the Trust would like to thank Keith for the 11years of dedication and service he has given to the Posh Trust since our launch in March 2003.

Barry, John, and Walter, are all eligible to stand for re-election. Barry has announced that he will be standing down as Chairman at the AGM, however he will seek re-election as a Board Member.

John Henson, our current Secretary, will stand for election as Chairman.

The Posh Supporters’ Trust has established a very healthy working relationship with the football club. We have, and will continue to implement various initiatives to introduce ‘New’ fans and disadvantaged fans to London Rd, thereby helping the club progress and increase attendances.

We are always seeking to further improve the match-day experience for all fans, by having regular meetings with the club to discuss any issues that affect the supporters. We are also consulted by the Club to discuss any developments that could affect the supporters match-day experience.

To keep the Trust moving in the right YOUR Direction, we Urgently need to recruit ew ‘New Members’ to the Board. TRUST

The Board is now planning to re-structure, NEEDS and some exciting initiatives are being prepared to put to the Members at the AGM. YOU!

With 9 positions on the Board available, we need new people to come forward and bring fresh ideas and skills to the Board. In particular we would like to see more middle aged and younger members, male and female join your Board, to ensure that the ambitions and views of all generations and genders are considered at all times.

For a nomination form, or you would like to know out more about being a Board member, call Barry for an informal chat or talk to any of our current Board about what’s entailed. contact Barry on 01733 761652 or 07710 283676, or Email [email protected]

Nomination Forms must be completed and returned by 12th October 2014. Should there be more candidates than the number of seats available; the Secretary will arrange an election. Postal ballot papers will be issued to all members by 25th October 2014 in order that voting can take place prior to the AGM. Voting will be by post or in person at the meeting.  Posh CEO Bob Symns will be in attendance and will be delighted to answer questions on anything Posh, Bob will also update us on any developments at the football Club.

Our Patron Tommy Robson will also be in attendance to socialise with us all.

Finally to test your memory, Mick Robinson will host his traditional Posh Quiz.

Please make a note on your Calendar / Diary. Posh Supporters’ TRUST AGM 7-30pm on Monday 17th November 2014

Members and New Members are welcome, and Refreshments will be provided.

We are always looking for volunteers, who can offer a little time, or anyone with professional skills who would enhance our team, either on an occasional basis or as a Board Member. Call us now! What makes Peterborough United a ‘Community Valued Club’?

We are all very aware of the achievements and the endeavour of the Peterborough United first team squad, and maybe to a lesser degree we have an awareness of the Academy and youth development. We are aware of, and can see the developments taking place at the Stadium and also of the big investment on the training facility at Nene Park.

We recognise the commercial value of Posh, to local businesses on match days, and the social enjoyment provided to thousands of supporters travelling from all many parts of the country.

But only a few are aware of the many other activities undertaken by the football club for the City and the wider community, through the Posh Foundation programme.

THE POSH FOUNDATION is a project based scheme, delivering the 4 themes identified by the Football League Trust and the : Sports participation, Education, Social Inclusion/Community Cohesion and Health.

PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION, Inspiring children to learn. Currently delivering Numeracy, Literacy, Enterprise and Environmental activities in Primary and Secondary schools. Lessons are interactive and meet the learning objectives and schemes of work set by the primary schools. Football and Education Development Centre in partnership with Peterborough Regional College. Coaching provided daily. Weekly fixtures against other colleges. Players aged between 16 and 18, squad of 16 players chosen from a series of trials.

UNITY FC A partnership between Peterborough United and Peterborough City Council’s children services. A youth team made up of ethnically diverse under 15’s given a 10 week training programme, followed by a tournament. All lead by Peterborough United Foundation coaches and PCC youth workers. The programme gives youngsters from different areas of the city and different ethnic and social backgrounds the opportunity to use football as a tool to break down previous social barriers.

SOCIAL INCLUSION/COMMUNITY COHESION Regular coaching sessions delivered by Foundation staff to 10 – 18 year olds on a hired astro at St John Fisher and Bushfields Sports Centre every Friday night. Working in partnership with the Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Peterborough City Councils Youth Offending Team. Tournaments held every school holiday, which has seen an average of 120 young people attend. Since the introduction of the project, the latest police figures show a reduction in anti social behaviour of 35% and overall crime of 30% on the evenings of the sessions, making front page news in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph and being hailed on the Football League website. With all of our social inclusion projects we use football as a force for social change. Stadium tours held regularly and where funding allows, selected participants are put on Junior Football Leaders and FA Level 1’s.

SPORTS PARTICIPATION School Sports Programme Currently delivering a range of sports to schools during curriculum time and after-school clubs. Sports delivered include Football, Tag Rugby, Cricket, Gymnastics, Athletics, Hockey and Basketball. Every school holiday, we run soccer schools for 4 – 15 year olds which provides the children with qualified coaching, meeting the FA 4 corner long term player development strategy. All of the first team squad support the school holiday programme by giving up their spare time to meet the children and sign autographs. DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 8 Development Centres in Peterborough, March, Deeping, Huntingdon, Ipswich, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Elite Centre for under 7- under 16’s which have over 400 players. Players recruited into the Academy from all centres.

DISABILITY Funding from Northants FA received to deliver coaching programme in local disabled schools from September as key deliverer for the Disability Football Development Fund Bid. Coaching programmes delivered to 4 special schools, focusing on an upcoming tournament run by The Friars School (Project Ability Lead School for Northants) In partnership with Northants FA, NHS and Vivacity, we have set up an Adult Learning Disabilities team. Coaching sessions once per week, the team will play in local and national tournaments

HEALTH As part of a schools “Healthy Schools” accreditation Foundation coaches deliver theory and practical sessions explaining the importance of a healthy lifestyle, explaining the changes that occur during and after exercise and teach children how to exercise safely. Theory lessons include the mechanics of the body and information about physical well - being. Pupils taking part have the chance to win prizes on successful completion of the booklets provided. Coaching a weekly coaching session for users of the Aspire Drug Treatment Service. Aspire Drug Treatment Service is a community recovery resource which supports people who misuse drugs. Service users of Aspire develop life skills to help people enter education, training and employment so that each individual can build their personal recovery and reintegrate into the community. The name Aspire was chosen by service users and stands for A Service Providing Inspirational Recovery Empowerment

RESPECT npower funded Football League Project Delivery of Citizenship sessions based around respect in school and in the streets. Delivered to 1200 10 and 11 year olds in Peterborough per year.

WHAT'S YOUR GOAL? npower funded Football League Project Delivery of careers based lessons to 500 children per year. Delivered in secondary schools to 14 – 16 year olds. Students invited to apply for work experience placements at the club in different departments

WOMEN AND GIRLS Player Development Centre funded by Northants FA Under 9, 11, Under 13 & Under 15 age groups. Highly qualified coaches. Links in Centre of Excellence teams to enable player progression

FUTSAL A new partnership developed between Peterborough United, Northants FA and Peterborough Junior Alliance League. Peterborough Junior Alliance League offering support for the league and the club by advertising to all affiliated clubs. Improve local players technical ability and help to improve players for local clubs.

KIDS CUP AND GIRLS CUP As part of our Football League Accreditation, the Foundation runs 2 school tournaments per year. The Kids Cup is for Primary School teams at the under 11 age group and the Girls Cup is for under 13 Girls teams. Both tournaments are run with local schools taking part and the 2 schools reaching the local final play at London Road Stadium, with the winning school representing Peterborough United in Regional Finals.

GROUP BOOKINGS/MATCH DAY PACKAGES The Foundation also offers match day packages for local community groups, which can include a discounted rate for tickets, or a full match day experience including a coaching session for your group.

All the above information is freely available on the Clubs Website : [email protected] Visit the site often to see what other initiatives the Foundation offers us in the Community. Football - - - “The Broken Game” “Rules are being dictated by short-term interests” Supporters Direct has responded to the BDO annual report released, showing that 94% of finance directors of clubs feel that the gap between larger and smaller clubs is widening, and that nearly a quarter of all those surveyed said that their owners are seeking to sell up in full or part in the next 12-18 months. A spokesman for Supporters Direct said: “There’s a significant statistic in the BDO report; that 21% of Premier League owners seeking to sell up in part or full in the next 12-18 months. Let’s not forget that these are the people who write the rules, and in the end bear a great deal of responsibility for the game being in the state it is. “Yet nearly a quarter of them are deciding on things that in a year they might have no interest in. That’s the kind of short-term thinking that has got football into the financial state it is. Our own ICM Research recently showed that only 18% of fans believed that football clubs are financially well run, and that nearly 50% wanted The FA to intervene to ‘fix a broken game’. “We’ve got a Parliamentary report, carried out a couple of years ago, that addressed many of these problems, offered the kind of radical, long-term changes that we need, and yet much of football still seems determined to that it’ll largely be ‘business as usual’. “It isn’t business as usual; football’s had enough wake-up calls. It’s time to act.” The headline results of Supporters Direct/ICM Research survey of supporters of English football clubs The running of the game/governance 44% of fans agree that “Football is broken and The FA needs to intervene to fix it” 49% agree that supporters and their representatives should be more involved in the running of football” Clubs and how they should be run and owned Only 18% of fans said that their clubs were financially well run 77% of fans agree that they should be formally consulted on any changes relating to their football club 38% agree that football supporters should be entitled by football regulation to a role in the ownership of their football club 54% of fans agree that “Football clubs should be run as a combination of a community business that balance results on the pitch with work in the local community” --- Statement Ends ---

Visit our ‘On-line Museum’ www.theposhtrust.co.uk/museum Have you ever wondered what the Posh's first league programme looked like, who played for the Posh in the Midland League days or how many Managers The Posh have had? Well why not take a look at our new on-line museum. You will find the answer all these questions plus many more! at www.theposhtrust.co.uk/museum The Posh Supporters Trust has created an on-line museum so that memories of the club are never forgotten. The idea is to give supporters of the club the chance to enjoy the story of Peterborough Utd over the years from the information, photographs, programmes, memorabilia etc. We launched the museum in May 2014 and now have nine sections (‘Books’, ‘Fanzines, Newsletters & Magazines’, 'Home Programmes', ‘London Road’, ‘Managers’, 'Stars of the Midland League', 'Season Ticket covers' , ‘Tickets’, and 'Team photos') and will continue to add new sections. Sections such as Shirts, London Road, Memorabilia and Club Documents will be added to the museum this year so keep your eye on the website. If you have any photographs, video / dvd’s, books or other memorabilia that you would like added to the on-line museum, please use contact us at [email protected] We hope you enjoy the story of Peterborough United and visit the museum regularly. The Posh Squad 2014 /2015

The season is now well underway and, at the time of writing, after 5 league games, We ... Are ... Top of the League! I said ... We ... Are ... Top of the League!

12 Points from 5 Games, with a squad of 24, and a treatment room that resembles the A&E with 8 players unavailable due to injuries sustained in the opening games.

After the inconsistencies of last season and the departure of some very talented players, who would have thought that the club could assemble another good squad in such a short space of time? Well They Have!

Not only have they introduced some very good talented players to London Road, it is obvious that Darren has motivated the players, and has already instilled the squad camaraderie and passion, both in the dressing room and on the pitch that has been lacking for the last couple of seasons.

Here is a full profile of the New Posh Squad, starting with the most recent signings.

Pictures courtesy of Joe Dent. PUFC photographer.

9. Luke James 21. Christian Burgess 30. Posh are delighted to capture A strong Central defender, from Marcus joined Posh from the signing of Luke, on a four- Middleborough, signed a four- Gateshead. He can operate in year contract. year contract at Posh in August a number of attacking positions At the age of 19 he has already Competent with the ball at his and made his debut as a made 100 appearances in the feet, Christian is excellent in substitute in the 3-1 win at Football League, and scored on the air and has settled into life Colchester at the end August. his home debut for Posh debut at London Road very quickly. The former Newcastle United v’s Leyton Orient. youth graduate, scored on his Luke scored 14 goals for home debut v’s Leyton Orient. Hartlepool last season.

1. Bobby Olejnik, 2. Michael Smith 3. Kgosi Ntlhe Player of the year last season, was Bristol Rovers Player of A very strong, combative transfer listed in his final year of the Season last year and player, scored the club’s Goal contract. Bobby is currently on named in the PFA Team of the of the Season during the 2013- loan at Scunthorpe until Jan Year. The Northern Irish right- 14 campaign with a stunning 2015 back signed for Posh after a strike from distance against long chase during the summer. Bradford City.

4. Shaun Brisley 5. Jack Baldwin 6. has excellent ability on the ball. centre-back, who made the signed as a combative central He put in a Man of the Match move to Peterborough United midfielder, but has played the display at Wembley Stadium as from Hartlepool United for a majority of his games for Posh Posh lifted the Johnstone’s club record fee in the January performing admirably in the Paint Trophy in 2014, transfer window of 2014 back four.

7. Jon Taylor 8. Jack Payne (Captain) 10. Erhun Oztumer Arrived an exciting winger who signed The hard-working central from Dulwich Hamlet in the for Posh during the 2014 midfield man, who has already summer of 2014 for an summer from Shrewsbury clocked up over 150 Football undisclosed fee and has Town for an undisclosed fee. League appearances at the already been christened the He can play on either wing or age of 22. ‘Turkish Messi’ by supporters as a striker. Scored against Posh at the back end of the 2013-2014. Diminutive in stature, he has pace and is good in the air.

11. Grant McCann is a firm 12. Kyle Vassell Signed from 13. Joe Day a commanding fans favourite after some non-league Bishop’s Stortford presence between the sticks extremely vital goals down the where he netted 16 goals in as but kept out of the first team by years, Grant is also part of the many games. Kyle is quick and Bobby’s performances. coaching staff within the club’s strong and scored 3 goals in Academy the first 2 games this season.

14. Connor Washington 15. Jermaine Anderson joined 16. Tom Conlon made the joined Posh for an undisclosed the Posh Academy at the age move to Posh from non-league fee from Newport County,. The of 16 and has not looked back. after impressing in a fixture hard-working, pacy front man Made his first team debut as a against the under 18s. A stylish can hold the ball up and links 16-year-old and has already left-footed midfielder, he has an well with his fellow strikers clocked up nearly 50 excellent range of passing and appearances in the first team. is a superb set-piece taker.

17. Joe Newell came through 18. Kane Ferdinand played a 19. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing the latter age groups within the host of games for Posh in the An exciting winger, the quick, Academy and a regular in he Championship in a central skilful wide-man can also first team squad. Predominately midfield role. He has shown his operate as a centre forward. a left-sided midfielder, Joe can versatility by performing at also operate at the tip of the right-back on occasions diamond.

20. Kenny McEvoy joined on a 22. Ricardo Santos 27. Ben Alnwick season-long youth loan from A towering presence at the Ben has signed a 3 year deal to Tottenham Hotspur in the back, Ricardo Santos was become the club’s number one summer of 2014. A left-winger signed from non-league side keeper, after spells with who joined the Spurs Academy Thurrock. Has already Charlton and Leyton Orient. at the age of 16, this is his first demonstrated he has a good Ben began his career with loan spell away from White reading of the game and with a Sunderland and worked with Hart Lane. Looks very similar to full pre-season under his belt, current Goalkeeping Coach Gareth Bale in looks and also he will be looking to challenge Jimmy Walker at Tottenham. in the style of which he plays. the other centre backs at the club for a starting berth.

23. the tall - 24. Michael Richens 25. powerful front man initially A young defender who came Fans favourite Gabriel Zakuani made an excellent start at through the youth system at rejoined the club in the summer London Road, forming an Posh. The tough tackling right- of 2014 after a short spell effective partnership with Paul back can also operate further playing in the Greek Super Taylor in the Championship. forward. League

Lib Dems make 2015 General Election pledge By Richard Conway BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent

The Liberal Democrats want to change the law and allow Premier League and Championship clubs to introduce at stadiums. The party has confirmed to BBC Sport it plans to make the pledge as part of its 2015 General Election manifesto. Currently, the Football Spectators Act 1989 requires safety authorities to ensure fans attending games in England's top two divisions are seated.

However, the party is not advocating a return to open terracing. It believes rail seats, popular in German football, should be introduced if clubs wish to install standing sections. Rail seats can be locked in an upright position to allow fans to stand and lean against a barrier. However, the seats can also be unlocked to comply with all-seater stadium rules, as and when required.

The Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) has led a campaign in favour of safe standing for several years. "Football can't bury its head in the sand," said an FSF spokesman. "Tens of thousands already stand at games.

Several Premier League clubs - including Aston Villa, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Swansea City - now back the introduction of rail seats on a trial basis.

The Football League has also lobbied for a change in legislation given a number of its 72 clubs would like to implement standing in their grounds. Chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "Since being given a mandate by our clubs to lobby for a change to the law on the use of standing accommodation, we have had useful discussions with the Sports Minister and other relevant stakeholders on this matter. "We recognise that this is an extremely emotive issue and that significant change isn't necessarily going to happen overnight. However, a logical first step would be for safe standing products, such as rail-seating, to be licensed for use by the relevant authorities. This would enable one of the 21 Football League clubs that is not currently required by law to have an all-seater stadium to install a pilot scheme at its ground. "This would give everybody greater insight into the use of this type of accommodation and help take the debate forward in a cautious and responsible manner, as it would not require any changes to the existing law as these clubs are already permitted to have fans standing at their matches."

SAFE STANDING The Safe Standing Roadshow was on display at the London Road Stadium in Sept. 2011

Posh Supporters were able to try the seats to see just how practical Rail Seats are.

74% of Sportsfan Panel* voted in favour of re-introducing safe standing areas A recent Sportsfan Panel survey which asked for opinions on the prospect of safe standing areas being reintroduced into football stadiums across the UK, a current issue that is being widely debated in the media and throughout clubs across the country. The survey targeted those who regularly attend live matches at Premier League and Championship level, as currently the legislation only requires the top two tiers of English football to have all-seater stadiums.

74% of respondents voted in favour of safe standing areas being reintroduced to football stadiums, with 80% of these stating that it will improve the atmosphere at live matches. 57% also felt it would make the matches cheaper to attend, with 38% indicating it would create a more communal and friendly feel between fans.

Other key comments made in favour of safe standing included;  Many fans already choose to stand, particularly at away fixtures, and so as it happens anyway it would be advisable to make it legal and safe,  There is a large demand to bring back a very traditional element of watching live football,  It would allow more fans to attend games, which for stadiums that consistently sell out, would provide access for more fans and enable clubs to increase attendances.

The was highlighted by many as a league that operates safe standing effectively, and across other sports, Rugby Union, Rugby League and Silverstone were acknowledged by our panel. Many also felt that football stadiums which allowed standing prior to the Hillsborough tragedy offered safe standing.

However, for those (26%) not in favour of welcoming back safe standing, 80% had concerns with safety aspects, 63% felt that there would be a negative impact on those bringing children or attending as a family. Other comments made by panellists included Liverpool fans feeling they could not justify the decision to return to standing, following the tragic events at Hillsborough. Another main concern for those not in favour was due to a potential reduction in visibility of the pitch and players.

*Sportsfan Panel is a unique research panel of approximately 30,000 sports fans and participants who are available to give their views on a wide range of sport related issues. It is comprised of consumers, spectators and participants from a wide and wonderful variety of sports.

‘FREE Membership’ of the TRUST! when you subscribe to the ‘GOLD BOND’ Weekly Draw by Standing Order. 315 Prizes Won Every Week! First Prize £2,000 Call Walter Moore on 01733 313121

Congratulations to St. John Burkett

Winner of our Members Only, Free Wembley Tickets Draw.

Our day out! I was thrilled to have won the 2 VIP tickets to the Johnstone Paint Trophy final v Chesterfield, and invited my mate David Walker to join me to enjoy the experience. We were very excited to have tickets not only for the final but also entrance to the Bobby Moore Room! On arrival we felt very special entering through the doors previously only seen to be used by VIPs.

We enjoyed a superb three course brunch of salmon, various meats and an apple dessert with wine. On our table, an eclectic mix of eight, was the commercial manager of supporters direct Mark Bullock, who kept a close eye on his phone because his partner was just about to go in to labour and he might have had to leave abruptly! His guest, a gentleman who designed advertising hoardings for stadia and his friend who designed men’s clothing for Ted Baker, plus two other competition winners who definitely didn't adhere to the dress code!

A lovely meal and then out in to the stadium. My brother, a Brighton and Hove supporter text me to ask if I was at Wembley? Was I at Wembley? Too right I was!

v Tommy Rowe Lifts the Cup my mate David Walker Fergie is our King

A fantastic game with really good seats and we won 3 - 1 to boot! The team collected the trophy just above our heads and walked right past us on the way back down to the pitch.

An amazing experience all thanks to The Posh Supporters Trust and Supporters Direct.

Proud to be Posh! St. John Burkett. Posh’s last home defeat in the Midland League Nottingham Forest 17.9.1956 by Pete Lane

With the recent transfer of Asombalonga to Nottingham Forest ( He obviously passed the eye test then! ); I remembered those wonderful encounters Posh enjoyed against Forest during their Midland League days.

One of those matches at London Road was played on Monday 17 September 1956 with a 5.40 p.m. K.O. – hence a disappointing attendance of ‘only’ 7,500. Obviously a Saturday game would have attracted far more.

Forest took to the field with nine players with Division 2 experience. Eleven other Football League Clubs played their Reserve teams in this strong looking Midland League and they too often fielded players with Football League experience.

Included in the Forest line-up was defender Roy Banham, who later signed for Posh. Making his first team début in the Posh side was local lad Clifford Sansby.

The first 20 minutes of the game belonged to Posh, but our forwards insisted on hitting too many high balls at the giant Forest keeper, Nicholson. As Forest began to settle down and played with more confidence they took the lead with a header from inside right Tom Wilson. Spurred on by this they looked quickly for a second goal but were thwarted by the brilliance of Jack Walls in the Posh goal.

The second half was pretty even with both sides playing some terrific football. The half backs for both sides were in command, especially Henry Cockburn who was having a tremendous game alongside Bernard Shaw for Posh. Ray Smith (deputising for Ronnie Codd) was unlucky not to equalise in the closing stages with a goal bound shot blocked on the line. But it was not to be and Forest hung on for, a perhaps deserved 0-1 victory.

Posh Team : Walls, Sansby, Douglass, Shaw, Rigby, Cockburn, Smith, Emery, Donaldson, Gibson, Hogg. Forest Res.: Nicholson, Banham, Hutchinson, Farmer, Watson, Rowe, Jones, Wilson, Higham, Scott, Langford

This was the first defeat for Posh in the Midland League in (21 games) since 10 March 1956 when who but Forest defeated us 1-0 away and the first home defeat since Grantham Town defeated us by 2-0 on the 30 April 1955 (30 home games undefeated!)

Forest dominated the Midland League in the earlier years, winning the Championship in 5 consecutive seasons from 1949-50 till 1954-55. Posh then equalled that by the same from 1955-56 till 1959-60. Incidentally the Championship Trophy which was currently held by Forest, actually came to Peterborough for the first time on Monday 6 September 1954, when Posh played Forest for the Midland League Championship Match, [which was an annual game for the Winners v the runners up of the League] it was held over from the previous season because the runners-up position was not definitely established until the very last match [when Posh had defeated Worksop 3-1 in front of a crowd of 7,957]. Forest won 2-1, with goals from Turner and Orr, Inside Left ‘Digger’ Powell scoring for Posh.

17 September 1956 goes down in the history books for the Posh as this was to be the very last home game Posh ever lost in the Midland League, making it 4 years undefeated at home, until entering the Football League in 1960! Up the Posh! Pete A Victory for Fan Power and Common Sense.

Statement from the Sky Blue Trust (Coventry City)

A deal has finally been done for Coventry City to return to their true home at the in Coventry, is welcome news for all Sky Blues supporters. The situation of playing “home" matches 35 miles from Coventry, in front of minute crowds, was untenable, heart breaking and divisive.

We congratulate both sides on their hard work in getting a deal done but most of all we thank all those who have supported the Sky Blue Trust’s efforts in helping to get the situation resolved. The thousands who joined the march in July, all those who joined in the various actions throughout the year, culminating in last weeks successful protest at the Cardiff match: each and every one deserves congratulations. Not to mention the hard effort and long hours put in by those who worked, in a less public way, to keep communication channels open between the parties involved, challenged the entrenched views that were held and kept our club’s and our supporter’s plight in focus.

This decision is a clear victory for common sense and fan power – the fans, when united, can be a major force in influencing events and decisions, we should never underestimate that power.

Now it is time for all fans to unite once more but this time united behind Steven Pressley and the team at The Ricoh. The two main protagonists in this dark period in Coventry’s illustrious history have managed to put the past behind them and do a deal to work together in the future, we as supporters should follow suit. We must now throw our efforts into cheering on the team and getting us out of this division and most importantly cheering the team on in Coventry. 

For more News Items about other Football Clubs both in the UK and Europe, the Governance of Football, Sports Finance, Comments and Blogs.

Check out the following Web Sites :-

SUPPORTERS DIRECT http://www.supporters-direct.org/ The FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS FEDERATION http://www.fsf.org.uk/

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