Written by DB   

Despite hints of infinite arrogance,overwhelming intolerance and excessive intimidation from elsewhere,the severely-under-pressure AAA of England Management Board was given almost unanimous support from its member clubs at the EGM in Birmingham on Saturday last,October 29th to continue in existence.

Clubs voted in favour of the first two proposals to support the Board in all their efforts to maintain their services to athletics in England in all its forms,but the 3rd rather ill-advised proposal to negotiate with the undemocratically-introduced "England Athletics" was withdrawn.A further EGM was legitimately called to discuss the matter of what negotiations AAAoE can pursue and with whom and this must take place within 7 weeks.(Fixed for December 10th at the Hilton Hotel on J24 of the M1,near Derby)

Meanwhile,there was further unwarranted pressure on two fronts for grassroots athletics - UKA advised the AAAoE and the 3 Areas that virtually all their functions and income streams will be withdrawn on 31st March 2006 and handed over to "England Athletics" AND Foster announced that,whatever the result of his poll,the "modernisation" plans would be introduced regardless. In addition,the SoEAA have requested the standard annual affiliation fees for 2006,but have had the gall to advise clubs that a large proportion of the fee will be handed over to "England Athletics" after March 31st.

The Foster Poll results show that around 31.5% of the nearly 1500 eligible clubs voted,with Qs 1 & 2 on Local Delivery & Accountability favoured by 58.6% & 55.6% respectively,not favoured by some 35% with the rest holding no view;on Q3 on the Financial Direction,some 50% said Yes and some 40% No,whilst the proposed membership scheme was accepted by 41% and rejected by over 53%. To add preposterous & derisory insult to injury,Foster announced that all those clubs with no view or who did not vote would be regarded as supporting the Modernisation proposals.

WE HEAR NO SINGING FROM THE FAT LADY