City’s Fellow ‘Clubs In Crisis’ To Meet

Any discussion of ‘clubs in crisis’ in English football at present would include the names of Blackpool and Leyton Orient alongside that of Coventry City, Charlton Athletic and Blackburn Rovers.

Each of these historic institutions has their own cross to bear with their respective owners but it is perhaps the O’s who are currently suffering the most as they prepare to bid farewell to the Football League after 112 years.

On Saturday, a peaceful pitch protest towards the end of the home game against Colchester United was followed, unbelievably, by the sight of the two teams playing out the final minutes of the contest close to 7pm after announcements were made that the match had been abandoned.

Playing to a finish was done, according to the EFL, to protect the ‘integrity’ of the competition but integrity is not a word many would associate with the non-payment of staff salaries that forces people into missing their monthly mortgage or rent payments.

In a recent statement the EFL said that: ‘It is important that supporters understand that the (Owners & Directors) Test governs the eligibility of who is able to own a club – it does not also ensure that those individuals have the capability to manage it properly.

‘The role of the EFL is one of a competition organiser and the management of clubs is a matter for their Directors, as long as their conduct is not in breach of any of our Regulations. There are any number of actions the EFL might wish to take, but it can only ever act in accordance with those Regulations.’

Perhaps, instead of pointless rebranding exercises, new logos and the decimation of the Football League Trophy (despite City winning it), the EFL should seek to change this and provide some proper leadership to its clubs when they seem unable to do so.

The Football Supporter’ Federation has organised a ‘Fans United’ day to coincide with the Blackpool versus Leyton Orient game this Saturday.

A march to Bloomfield Road will begin from the Pleasure Beach at 4pm and an alternative match has been arranged at the home of AFC Blackpool, kicking off at 6:30pm.