MP urges Government to get tough on F.A

WARRINGTON South MP David Mowat has urged the Government to put more pressure on the Football Association to give a greater share of its revenues to non-league football clubs such as Warrington Town FC to help the grassroots development of the game.
During a Commons debate to mark Non-League Football day last Saturday, when Warrington defeated Padiham 3-0, Mr Mowat called on the Government to to take action.
Currently the FA’s revenue (which mostly comes from the England Football Team) is split 50:50 between “grassroots football” and the “professional game” – or in other words league football clubs.
Mr Mowat was one of a group of local businessmen who helped save Warrington Town from bankruptcy in 2007 and he remains a director at the club.
He said: “The Football Association has a surplus of about £80 million per annum, which basically comes from the England team. That money is given 50% to the grass roots and 50% to the professional game. There is absolutely no reason why it should not all go to the grass roots.
“Front Benchers on both sides of the House should be applying pressure on this. It would result in an additional £40 million filtering down to community based grassroots clubs like Warrington Town FC.”
Warrington Town helped produce England World Club winner Roger Hunt, who was talent spotted playing at Cantilever Park by Liverpool, going on to become a goal scoring legend for club and country, lifting the ultimate prize in 1966.
Roger still visits the club occasionally.
Picture shows Mr Mowat at last Saturday’s game with fellow director and former Chairman Gary Skentelbery.