MSC stands by decision

By Stephen 18
February 10 2005

Despite the forthcoming appointment of Jeff Burnige as chairman, the MSC committees' decision remains the same. The committee will resign en bloc come the end of the season come what may. Stephen Eighteen thinks it's time the Lions Trust fills the void that will be left by the MSC decision.

As things currently stand, when Jeff Burnige takes over as chairman of Millwall this summer there will no longer be a supporters' club.

While it is indisputable that issues surrounding finances, marketing and playing matters will all need to be addressed by Burnige over time, his most immediate priority from June will be to sort out the relationship between the club and fans.

Last Thursday night, the Millwall Supporters' Club released an immediate statement following an emergency meeting.

"The MSC are still currently open to nominations to join the committee for next season, however, following a recent meeting, not one single member of the current committee will be seeking re-election," they said.

"Although we have all enjoyed our time, finding it rewarding in many ways, current relations with the club have destroyed our enthusiasm to continue. Despite previously building what we felt were good bridges and lines of communication which we retain with some club officials, with others they have disintegrated to the point where the miniscule feedback we receive does not justify the significant amount of personal time we each commit.

"Obviously we all intend to honour our remaining commitments for this season and our thanks go out to the many members who have supported us over our time. We, of course hope that a new MSC committee can be formed although feel in our hearts that, with the lack of goodwill coming from the club at present, any future participation would be futile."

Sitting on the outside, it would be wrong to apportion blame for this breakdown in communications, but words such as "futile" and phrases like "miniscule feedback" illustrate a perceived sense of severe disillusionment amongst the seven-strong MSC committee, and by taking a collective stand it puts pressure on any possible successors to be just as uncompromising.

Well, that was the feeling over the weekend anyway, but with Burnige now on board, there is hope from all concerned that a clean slate can be started.

MSC chair Beverley Fenn certainly thinks so. On hearing of the appointment, she said: "From a fans perspective it is the best thing they could have asked for. From a business/financial point I hold off on judgement as I don't know enough to comment.

"I would, however, say that this is a man whose blood runs as blue as mine and he has been happy to stand (sit) in the away stand many a time over a directors box. He is the ONLY director I have known to attend and take an interest in everything the MSC has done and what every fan has to say.

"If anyone is going to listen to what we want this is your man and not only do I believe he will listen, he will sit up and take notice.

"Although realistically he won't be able to produce all the answers or things we want he will be more open to input and strive to achieve as much is viably possible.
"I wish him all the luck and look forward to seeing our club re-establish itself as the club of the fans once more."

However, Beverley added that the MSC "still stands by its' decision" to leave at the end of the season, so Burnige has to work out how to re-build bridges with supporters.

As Beverley's comments and those of many others echo, fans are generally unified in supporting Burnige as much as possible, thus providing him with room to manoeuvre.
And the MSC's stance gives him an opportunity to reassess the role of the organisation.

Originally created in 1998 when Millwall came out of administration, the MSC was trumpeted as an official supporters' group representing the concerns of its members as well as organising social events.

While it can be an advantage to have easy access to the club's senior figures, there is always a danger that serious issues can progress no further for risk of rocking an already boarded boat.

Yet the MSC has regularly been lauded for dealing successfully with smaller queries like individual ticketing problems and disabled access issues.

The most recent success story was pressurising the Sun newspaper into publishing an apology from reporter Raymond Enisuoh for writing an article alleging racism from Millwall fans in December's clash with Brighton at the Den.

So in certain situations, the MSC benefits from the kudos it has enjoyed through accreditation.

But is the current set up too ambitious?

Perhaps it would be more fitting if the MSC started next season with its remit firmly on the social aspect, and not on pressurising the club into having its views heard and acted upon.

That could be left to an external group, or even better, the Lions' Trust.
As an existing and ever-increasing shareholder the supporters' trust provides a perfect balance between having an accredited say within the club yet still remaining independent.

During his reign, Paphitis overlooked the trust in preference of dealing solely with the MSC, but with the current turmoil surrounding the official supporters' club, Burnige may decide to at least arrange a meeting with the group to canvass their views.

Lions Trust chair Bob Asprey believes the new chairman is a step in the right direction.

He said: "The board are disappointed, but not surprised, that the relationship between MFC and MSC has deteriorated to the extent that proper representation for Millwall fans seems to have ceased to exist.

"But suddenly things are looking up. The announcement that the new chairman is to be Jeff Burnige may well signal a change for the better.

"Whilst it remains to be seen how much change he'll bring to the Den, as a lifelong Millwall fan, and as a director for nearly 20 years, his qualification to be leader of the 'Millwall Family' must be second to none. He is respected by the fans, always approachable, and always has time for a chat.

"With their relationship with the supporters in its current state, finding the right way forward for Millwall, and how the club chooses to take its fans forward with it, will obviously be on Jeff's agenda. With his established track record, we hope it's a turn for the better."