Scottish Football In The Last Chance Saloon

SHOULD he, in whichever part of the hereafter he awaits Judgement Day, ever ponder the current travails of the Scottish Football Association, then no doubt the late David Evans MP has a smile on his face.

 the late David Evans MP

David Who? You might well ask. Mr Evans was an avowed Thatcherite, one of the Iron Lady's most-fervent disciples in the Conservative Party which she led. As well as being a Tory MP, he set-up and ran his own, successful office cleaning company and, for some five years, he was Chairman of Luton Town, back when they were a middling to good Football League club.

This was in the days when pitch invasions and hooligan fans were a recurring theme in the English game. Indeed, a section of the Luton following had definite “form” when it came to bad behaviour, so, the bold Mr Evans came up with what he thought was an answer to the problem.

He proposed a membership scheme, whereby would-be fans had to be club members to get in. This, he reasoned, would give the clubs greater control over them, with, the ability to more-easily ban the bad boys. Mrs Thatcher, apparently, thought this a good idea, but, when confronted with the massed ranks of those likely to be affected – the Football Association(s), the Football League(s) and the Media – it was a step too far, even for her. Mr Evans' plan was quietly abandoned.

Mrs Thatcher - Evans' plan was too-radical even for her 

 

I remember thinking at the time, this is the basis of a good idea, but, it needs developing. Sadly, the will to develop it and take it on didn't exist in football back then.

Let's come right up to date, in the wake of the post-game furore following the Scottish Cup Final, fan (mis)behaviour is back on the agenda. A Sheriff has been appointed to lead the official SFA independent inquiry into events at Hampden, while Scottish Government Justice Secretary Michael Mathieson, when addressing the SFA's annual meeting in Glasgow, used his platform to fire a broadside across the Association's bow, more or less telling them: “Sort yourselves out, or we will do it for you”.

There are (again) calls for the SFA to adopt UEFA's “Strict Liability” rules when it comes to clubs being responsible for their fans' bad behaviour. And, that is where I think we find, perhaps David Evans' plan's time has come.

Back when Mr Evans was putting forward his suggestions, grounds were still mainly standing areas, today, at the top level, they are all-seated. Today, we have all sorts of technological equipment which means, clubs are able to pin-point who is in what seat. Therefore, if, for instance, the gentlemen in row g, seats 150 to 160 in the Copland Road Stand decide it was a good idea to sing about being up to their knees in Fenian blood, or to suggest doing something anatomically impossible to His Holiness the Pope, then, the host club would be able to film the indiscretion, show the miscreants they had them bang to rights and remove their club membership, either temporarily, pending improved behaviour, or, should they fail to take heed – permanently.

Through membership plans, the clubs would have a captive audience, they would know who their fans were, they would be able to interact better with them. The fans would enjoy various membership perks, indeed, they might be able to get into games cheaper – this certainly, I know, happens with our top rugby clubs, where members pay £X per game, with non-members paying a higher sum.

There could be quid-pro-quo membership benefits for the fans of the away team, as happens, for instance, when members of one particular working men's club, for instance, can, on production of their membership card, gain access to another wmc within the umbrella association.

But, what about the football fans who are not fans of a particular club, but want to pick and choose their games? I hear you ask. Simples – the SFA could implement a general Scottish Football Fan Club, similar to a one-club club, but with general benefits for the fans and Scottish football.

Now I admit, setting-up this type of arrangement, might be a step or two too-far. Even Maggie Thatcher baulked at it, but, operating such a system would be a lot simpler today than back then, and, I am confident, it could work.

However, if there is no willingness to implement such a scheme, then, let Scottish football be under no illusions – they have to do something. The status quo is not an option. Justice Secretary Michael Mathieson dropped the heaviest of hints at this when he addressed the agm.

Justice Secretary Michael Mathieson MSP - a shot across the SFA's bows

Scottish Football will have to act, whether it wants to or not – or pay the price. It has been suggested, failure to implement the “Strict Liability” sanctions, already in use in Europe, which would hold clubs responsible if their fans stepped out of line, could cost Scottish Football up to £4 million per year. Now, I appreciate the Hampden “blazers” are not the sharpest knives in the box, but, would they really risk that much money?

The clock is ticking, things MUST change.