It was ironic that on the day AFC Wimbledon’s return to Merton was finally confirmed the FA was embroiled in another storm entirely of its own making.
Lest it be forgotten that it was the failings of football’s supposed governors that started a juggernaut with Milton Keynes being allowed in 2002 to take Wimbledon Football Club as its own.
The FA backed up the propaganda from the supposed custodians of the club that a football club wasn’t viable in SW19.
Proving them wrong hasn’t been easy - the fans set up their own club, won endless football matches and promotions and the hearts of neutrals across the country.
But an even greater achievement, possibly, has been to find a way of making a return to Merton viable and winning the political arguments to make the dream a reality.
A fan-owned club has arguably been the most successful in the country over the past 14 years - both on and off the pitch.
And yet what has the FA contributed or learned? Nothing.
The momentum of the game’s removal from the people who care most has continued apace.
Power shifting to the TV companies rather the paying public, the proceeds swallowed up in player wages and in the greedy hands of third parties, supporters left powerless as their clubs are swallowed up by owners with no feeling for the badge.
Just as they gave the green light to MK the FA has been compliant to an extent it feels like justice that the England manager is so wrapped up in the whole murky business, Sam Allardyce’s position was untenable after 67 days.
Fan ownership has proved itself without equal when it comes to running a football club.
It’s time the fans were brought to the front of the queue when it comes to running the FA.
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