All too rarely do they think about football and are thus vulnerable to another side of football, the financial side.
The modern game, particularly at the highest level, has been invaded by people who have exploited the fans for commercial gain. This has involved the clubs, the league (especially the Premier League), the players and their agents, some television companies and even some of the game's governing bodies such as the FA and FIFA.
This project is a small (some might say ambitious) attempt to fight back and to persuade enough fans to support the cause financially. This will not be easy and it may be that, in the end, the only way is to start again with non-league clubs and encourage their growth.
But most of us do not have the time or the patience to wait for this growth. So let's see if the alternative can be made to work.
The task is to create a structure which can satisfy the two distinct groups which are present in most football clubs. It may be useful to draw an analogy with the housing market; those who by nature or circumstance prefer to rent and those who prefer to buy.
Housing has two separate markets; football historically has had only one which has given it a valuable social cohesion. Can the unity of football fans be maintained in the modern world?
That is the aim of this project. Can a scheme be devised and, more importantly, proceed to a successful conclusion? Yes. Can it accommodate the fans who prefer to pay by the match or by the season and those who, with suitable encouragement, might be willing to provide the funds to buy the club and give it financial stability? Yes again. And still stick to one member, one vote? Yes once more. So let's make it work!
What? No guarantee of football success? No, and never can be. Over the years, West Ham has supplied more than its fair share of players for England, including the current team. That is the measure of its success and we should be proud of it.
