Mutual Football

Following the Co-operative Party pamphlet ‘A Golden Goal’ back in 1999 the Government established Supporters Direct..the concept of democratic supporter ownership and representation through mutual, not-for-profit structures is still growing.

Supporter Direct Conference - Friday 19th October 2007, Manchester Convention Centre (it's a little glass building next to GMEX, seen in photo )...opening speeches by Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council; James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; and Gordon Taylor, Chief Executive of the PFA...more
The Magazine - September 2007 (PDF)

Co-operative Footie

The readers of this weblog will know of our interest in football, this is Manchester after all, and the split in the membership is probably 50-50 reds and light blues. So a nice news story about co-ops & footie :

"Porthmadog Football Club in Gwynedd has secured funding from The Co-operative Loan Fund to build a new hub for its local community. The social club - which will be adjoined to the Porthmadog FC stadium - will provide a welcome point for football fans and tourists to the area, and it will also act as a community centre for local residents to enjoy and utilise for events."

Porthmadog are in the Welsh Premier League and finished mid-table last season. As usual TNS, ( now called The New Saints since the sponsorship deal ended) were champions again so they play a few games in the UEFA Champions League.

Story here at Co-ops UK
Official Site - Porthmadog Football Club / Porthmadog Clwb Pel Droed

Co-op Sponsor Football Day

United Co-operative are one of the sponsors of FC United's "Youth United Day". We mentioned the possible future involvement - see Andy Walsh Speaks at AGM 17th March 2007 and it's happened sooner rather than next season. Last home game, next year it's a step up the Unibond Division One.
Full details of the event.