Last month local papers splashed on two Croydon councillors caught ball watching Crystal Palace playing Sunderland on their tablet during a full council meeting on a Monday evening. The story went national - The Daily Telegraph and The Sun covered it.
I spoke to an ex-councillor who had, "no sympathy for them because they could have sat on members seats under the public gallery" and thus avoided being caught with their shorts down.
At the time I felt Councillor Wentworth was in a tricky position as he was part of the 2014 intake, and thus should NOT be displaying such irreverent activity towards his constituents when technically a new recruit. Councillor Ryan on the other hand has a strong track record of hard work in Upper Norwood ward and could be forgiven for this indiscretion. I first stood against him in 2006. Back then his strong personal support resulted in his re-election whilst his fellow Labour councillors lost their seats.
I sent in a cheeky question which I think the councillor in charge of sport plays with a particularly straight bat!
CROYDON COUNCIL MEETING: MONDAY 25 JANUARY 2016
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
From Mr Shasha Khan
Councillor Timothy Godfrey Cabinet Member for culture, Leisure and Sport
Question No. PQ037-16
If the Football Supporters Federation started a ‘Keep league matches on Saturday afternoons’ campaign in support of children who can’t get to watch football games on Monday nights, and of course other groups, would this council back such a campaign?
Reply
The Council is supportive of making football and other sports accessible and affordable to all supporters particularly for young people.
As a result of the commercial issues that professional football has including those from TV to meet their broadcasting requirements the trend has been to have some weekday matches particularly on a Monday.
Saturday afternoons is the traditional time for football matches as it enables supporters to attend with friends, as family groups and as part of the Football Community.
Costs of attending matches is also a key issue for supporters and the Council welcomes initiatives by football clubs including its home Club Crystal Palace FC to reduce ticket prices and increase access to groups including young people.
The Council is also supportive of local clubs such as Croydon FC and Croydon Athletic FC and would support initiatives to increase attendances by local football followers.
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Tags croydon, greenparty
2 comments:
Seems the irony & sarcasm were lost on Mr Godfrey & the council officers who drafted this reply!
I have no choice but to ask him. Going to tweet him now.
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