In last month's issue we asked for your views on England's 2006 World Cup Bid and Manchester Utd's exemption from the FA Cup. Roger Titford digests the results
Here are some early views on the burning issues culled from our reader survey in WSC No 150. We looked at the first 500 questionnaires to come in and found plenty of disgruntlement with the FA. No change there, some might say.
True, a majority of WSC readers, 64 per cent, agreed with the FA that England should be bidding for the 2006 World Cup. And the 28 per cent who did not may well have included Scottish, Welsh and German respondents. (Eight per cent didn’t know.)
However, only three per cent share the view of Tonies Banks and Blair that it is “vitally important” for the game that the bid succeeds. Fifty-four per cent think it would be good to win, while a substantial minority, 43 per cent, believe a successful bid would make little difference to the game here. Just as well we didn’t ask about the Dome.
Thirty-two per cent say England’s approach is too over-enthusiastic (perhaps influenced by the immediacy of the Man U/Brazil issue rather than Bobby Charlton covering every tuft of carpet of the world’s airport lounges). Seven per cent say the bid is impressive, 28 per cent OK and 33 per cent unimpressive.
An overwhelming 90 per cent felt Manchester United were wrong to accept the FA’s offer of exemption from this season’s FA Cup, which reflects the results of national press polls. Of the alternative solutions suggested, 53 per cent supported United fielding a reserve team in the Cup and sending the first team to Brazil. Thirty-seven per cent were hard line against them being allowed to send any team to Brazil and one person, presumably the reader who works for AXA, said Man Utd’s FA Cup opponents should be flown out to play them in South America.
There will be more considered views and verdicts from the survey in a future issue. Thanks to all who have sent back their questionnaires so far. There is still time to get it in for those who haven’t.
From WSC 151 September 1999. What was happening this month