The Football Fan

Who wants the World? (Cup)

Is the furore over tournament ticket prices a positive sign?

13 hrs ago • 

Martin Cloake

1

November 2025

Brief encounter

There's a chance to reshape the way the ticketing market works in the UK for the better

Nov 21 • 

Martin Cloake

3

1

1

October 2025

Reading the bans

Alongside the politics around the Villa Park away fan ban were some more basic points about the way fans are treated.

Oct 31 • 

Martin Cloake

4

1

1

Is that all we get away?

I have written frequently about the dreadful experience of away fans at European games. Things aren’t getting any better. That needs to change.

Oct 8 • 

Martin Cloake

9

2

1

August 2025

What’s the big idea?

A new season and new attempts to ruin a simply beautiful game. Welcome back!

Aug 28 • 

Martin Cloake

18

4

6

July 2025

Rules, damn rules and Crystal Palace

Multi-club ownership is at the heart of the dispute between Crystal Palace and UEFA, and everyone has questions to answer

Jul 25 • 

Martin Cloake

5

4

1

June 2025

The game versus the crowd

There is a tension in football that is bubbling under, and smart leadership is needed to deal with it.

Jun 26 • 

Martin Cloake

7

May 2025

Waka waka eh eh – Winning it in Bilbao

Part two of the view from inside the fan experience at a major European final.

May 30 • 

Martin Cloake

6

4

1

On our way: A Bilbao odyssey

What does it take for a fan to get to a European final? This is the story of my trip to the Europa League Final 2025 and an effort to shed light on…

May 29 • 

Martin Cloake

5

11

Kogan’s run

So David Kogan is going to be the chair of the Independent Football Regulator …

May 8 • 

Martin Cloake

6

2

3

April 2025

How to make change

Fans are facing the challenge not only of how to organise effectively, but of how to maintain wider faith in the benefits of organisation.

Apr 25 • 

Martin Cloake

7

1

2

March 2025

The other Premier League story

There is more than one way of looking at the economics of the English Premier League.

Mar 27 • 

Martin Cloake

8

1

2