CHELSEA FEEL INSPIRED

It's not often the case that a Chelsea fan should
follow what's going on at Man Utd. Most of us are
probably sick of ITV (or should I say MUTV2) and the
outstandingly irritating Clive Tyldesley telling us
how the nation should worship them.

However, at this current moment in time, I'd advise
all Chelsea fans to watch what's happening at Man Utd
and to watch with interest, for there are goings on at
Old Trafford that all Chelsea fans could learn from.
What I am on about is the work being done by
Manchester United supporters in the current Malcolm
Glazer takeover saga.

Let me ask you my fellow Chelsea supporters this
question- do you think we're a powerful enough body
that the club would be obliged to take notice of on
any major issue? Ask yourself the question again- Do
you think the club really would have to sit up and
take notice of us- the Chelsea supporters (whether it
wanted to or not) on serious issues?

My answer to you is no. Let me explain. Over the
weekend several of the Sunday papers dedicated a
number of pages to the Utd takeover battle. This a
major issue for Utd, the entire future direction of
Manchester Utd depends on- what markets the club will
expand its influence in, the size of future transfer
budgets and what sorts of players they will sign,
ticket price everything. Why do I mention this because
in analysing the possible success of the takeover
every single paper without fail mentioned the critical
factor of one group of people: The Manchester Utd
supporters.

The 2 chief representatives of the Manchester Utd
support: The Independent Manchester United Supporters
Association (IMUSA), Shareholders Utd were highlighted
as, not possible, but major problems for the Glazer
takeover bid. And all the papers were, for once,
right. These groups headed off Rupert Murdoch when he
came calling and monitored Kenyon like a hawks when he
was in Salford territory. They have power all right
and they know how to use it. The Shareholders Utd
group has 12,000 members alone- all Manchester Utd
fans and only the other the day were rumoured to be
tabling a motion in Parliament against Glazer.

And it's the more local things too. Have a look at
this little piece:

This (The Taylor report) combined with other factors,
such as higher ticket prices resulted in the Stretford
End losing its atmosphere.

During 1999 and 2000, a great deal of dialogue has
taken place between the club and various supporters
groups, such as IMUSA. This has resulted in the
creation of a "Fan Zone" in the new upper tier of the
Stretford End (known as West Stand Tier 2) - which was
built during the summer of 2000.

Now whether all that's been effective is debatable, we
all know the Old Trafford atmosphere to be akin to a
funeral parlour on a quiet day, but that's not the
point. The point is they were able to do it. Can you
honestly say we as Chelsea supporters can do the same?

If that's not enough for you try this. When Joan
Laporta was structuring his election campaign for the
Barcelona presidency, he consulted directly with one
of the three Manchester United Supporters Associations
over supporters issues.

Now I'm going to ask you a third question. Could we as
Chelsea supporters have achieved any of the above?
I'll answer again. Not a chance. While it must be said
that the new fan's forums have made a positive start,
its effect is as yet unproven. In any case wouldn't it
stand a better chance if it had one powerful body or a
multitude of bodies behind it that drove the interests
of us the Chelsea supporters.

It's up to all of us Chelsea supporters to consider my
final question. Do we want to lead in playing a part
in the direction of the club or do we want to be led?