Tom Pendry MP was today formerly appointed as the new Chairman of the Football Foundation and charged with responsibility for handling a new multi-million pound investment into the grassroots of our national game.

He was appointed for three years following a unanimous vote at the inaugural Board meeting of the Foundation by the Chairman and Chief Executive of both the Premier League and the Football Association and the Chairman of Sport England.

Tom was formerly Chairman of the Football Trust from 1997-2000 where he presided over the completion of the Taylor Report. He founded the All Party Football Committee and Chaired the group for over 12 years and held the post of Shadow Minister for Sport for 5 years under the late Rt Hon John Smith and the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP.

Tom Pendry MP: "It is a great honour to be appointed as head of this exciting new organisation. There are many tough challenges ahead in tackling the terrible state of facilities at the grassroots level of the game which have suffered through years of under funding and neglect. With this new found investment programme in place we can start delivering substantial funding where it is needed most."

The recently convened working group of the Walsall Supporters Trust have welcomed the setting up of the Supporters Liaison Committee at Walsall FC as long as those people on the committee are seen to be:

1. elected by the fans;
2. accountable to the fans;
3. working with all the fans, rather than just the Saddlers' Club; and
4. looking to change the culture of Walsall Football club.

The working group believes that the only way that the fans' interests will be best served is through an effective and democratic body which works to gain a shareholding for all its members and a seat on the Board which carries a voting right. It must also guarantee the right to constructively question what the Board is doing and the short, medium and long-term plans for WFC. Without this guarantee nothing, from investment made on the playing side, to ticketing issues and the club's involvement in the community, will be fully addressed with the supporters. Things will continue to be done to them.

The Trust's key aim will be to strengthen the bonds between Walsall Football Club and the local community in Walsall and the surrounding area and to represent the interests of the local community in the running of Walsall Football Club. Plans are being made for the trust's launch which will take place during Euro 2000.

Richard Hall.