APPENDIX 12
Memorandum from G P Management Co (WP21)
Our opinion on this subject is clear. We whole-heartedly
support any initiatives and actions made to improve and increase
the number of overseas footballers entering the European market,
in particular, the English game.
The most immediate problem for English football
at the moment is the excessive number of games that clubs and
players have to endure. There are two possible solutions:
The re-creation of a fourth division in the Nationwide
League, ie decreasing the number of league games. We recognise
that this is not a viable solution, as it would have a negative
affect on sponsorship, TV rights and English football in general.
To add good quality players from around the world
into the respective squads.
Before the "English Football Revolution"
otherwise known as the formation of the English Premier League,
the game in England was in an abyss of low quality football with
insufficient funding for clubs to improve. Our players, unlike
their European and Global counterparts, lacked the experience
and knowledge to enable them to excel on the European and International
stage.
Besides English clubs competing against those
from outside the UK, the necessary knowledge can be gained from
the input of foreign players (and managers) within the English
game. They provide British players with strategies, techniques
and ideologies of the game which enhance their mental and physical
abilities, as well, as providing more competition, which altogether
can and has already improved the overall standard of the English
game.
We deem it unfair for there to be so many restrictions
for overseas footballers to compete in this country, in comparison
to those of other sports such as cricket or athletics. Likewise,
with regard to UK players who wish to play abroad and foreign
youngsters. There is a greater ease for young, up-and-coming talent
to play in other parts of the world such as South America and
the rest of Europe rather than within the UK, depriving the English
game of more prestige and competitiveness.
GP Management Co
October 1999
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