Struggling upwards

Is there a route to the top of the football club management mountain? Sometimes it seems that 'snakes and ladders' is the most appropriate metaphor for supporters on the uphill trail. In principle the path is simple, but in practice it is full of sharp turns, blind bends, precipitous drops and difficult junctions where the way ahead seems a bit of a lottery.

Is it worth it? After all, you don't usually have a stake in the company that makes the film or a vote in the management of the theatre. You don't often get worked up about the appointment of the players in an orchestra. But somehow, football is different.

Football audiences are often large, sometimes enormous. They participate. They can influence the outcome of the entertainment. They are involved. And they are sometimes taken for granted, even abused.

So how can you start the ascent of the mountain? Nothing could apparently be easier. Buy a share in the club. Or even several shares. But supposing the owners don't want to sell you any? If the company makes widgets, they would be pleased to have your financial assistance. If they only make dreams and hopes, then the door is probably shut in your face. 'Well,' you may say, 'fair enough. Lots of doors are shut in my face.'

Why are the directors apprehensive? Do they see shareholding supporters as an unwanted, unnecessary and expensive complication, a bit of a nuisance? Probably yes. The mob at the gates is a powerful and frightening force in history.

But here's a strange fact. One of the most successful football clubs in the world doesn't react like that. The President of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, and his fellow board members don't seem frightened or worried. If FC Barcelona doesn't need to shut the door, why does your club?

This blog is trying to get West Ham (and other clubs) to open the door. By all means re-form a Supporters Trust if you wish, but unless its main activity is building the financial resources to buy shares in the club. I believe it would be wasting its time and, worse, the supporters' money.

How much bettter it would be if, as a first step, West Ham decided to make shares available for purchase by supporters. In present circumstances, there might be no great rush to buy. But the gesture would be significant. It could mark a change from conflict to co-operation and the start of building an English club in the image of FC Barcelona.

Why not get involved? If you would like to be informed of developments or you are able to provide ideas and expertise, please get in touch.

Postscript

David Sullivan (Chairman of West Ham) has recently written that 'in a few months' time, we are considering a general shareholding where supporters can buy shares in the football club. Every penny raised would be used to pay off debts and buy new players.'

WHAM! welcomes this encouraging development and looks forward to further details of the proposal.