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Post by mattador78 on Jul 20, 2024 20:32:46 GMT
I’ve just seen that Malc is stepping down as chairman of the FSA. I’d just like to say as a fellow stokie thanks for all the support of all clubs fans over the past 20 plus years and wish you all the best now with all the free time just to mither about your beloved Stoke. Looking at your achievements I’m sure there are many thousands of supporters who if they knew all the effort you had put in for them would raise a pint for you in acknowledging your love of the game. My own interactions with you have only been digital on this platform and a couple of emails but they have always been polite concise and usually helpful. In short ta duck for everything.
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Post by standbutler1 on Jul 20, 2024 21:36:25 GMT
I’ve just seen that Malc is stepping down as chairman of the FSA. I’d just like to say as a fellow stokie thanks for all the support of all clubs fans over the past 20 plus years and wish you all the best now with all the free time just to mither about your beloved Stoke. Looking at your achievements I’m sure there are many thousands of supporters who if they knew all the effort you had put in for them would raise a pint for you in acknowledging your love of the game. My own interactions with you have only been digital on this platform and a couple of emails but they have always been polite concise and usually helpful. In short ta duck for everything. This and Thanks and good luck Malc
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Jul 20, 2024 21:42:17 GMT
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Post by owdestokie2 on Jul 20, 2024 21:52:12 GMT
I’ve just seen that Malc is stepping down as chairman of the FSA. I’d just like to say as a fellow stokie thanks for all the support of all clubs fans over the past 20 plus years and wish you all the best now with all the free time just to mither about your beloved Stoke. Looking at your achievements I’m sure there are many thousands of supporters who if they knew all the effort you had put in for them would raise a pint for you in acknowledging your love of the game. My own interactions with you have only been digital on this platform and a couple of emails but they have always been polite concise and usually helpful. In short ta duck for everything. This and Thanks and good luck Malc
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Post by willieeetmiout on Jul 20, 2024 23:04:27 GMT
An absolutely impressive commitment to football as a whole.
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Post by NassauDave on Jul 21, 2024 4:50:02 GMT
Thanks Malcolm!
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Post by southcoaststokie on Jul 21, 2024 6:00:09 GMT
Thank you Malcolm, great job you have done, big boots to fill
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jul 21, 2024 8:55:48 GMT
On a personal level, Malcolm is a good friend and a lovely man. The world of football supporters is lucky to have benefited from his efforts and all Stokies should be proud that he is one of our own.
Thanks for everything, Malcolm - enjoy your retirement from chair of the FSA. You are the same age as me and I don't know how you have managed that workload well past normal retirement age.
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Post by Gods on Jul 21, 2024 9:18:48 GMT
Thanks and good luck Malcolm, you are one of the good guys!
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Post by skip on Jul 21, 2024 11:08:17 GMT
I shall miss the occasional WTAFudge moment when Malcolm appear on Breakfast tele in a Stoke shirt.
Amazing work Malcolm, enjoy your time after stepping down.
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Post by apb1 on Jul 21, 2024 11:14:39 GMT
Thanks Malcolm you’ve been an amazing ambassador for Stoke and for fans everywhere.
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Post by potters11 on Jul 21, 2024 11:19:09 GMT
Thanks Malcolm you’ve been an amazing ambassador for Stoke and for fans everywhere. Spot on! Thanks for everything Malcolm! A genuine star!
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Post by foxysgloves on Jul 21, 2024 11:43:41 GMT
A big shame because he’s probably done more for Stoke City in a PR sense than anyone.
His decency and dedication shone through in everything he did and reflected incredibly positively on the club and supporters.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Jul 22, 2024 21:38:47 GMT
Wow ! I wasn't expecting that ! Thank you so much for those kind words, although I'm not at all sure that I really deserve them. There is an adage that says that the time to leave a role is when people ask "why" rather than say "thank god for that !" I hope I'm still more in the former category or, to use a current comparison, I hope it's bit more Jimmy Anderson than Joe Biden. It's difficult to believe that it's 24 years ( not 22 as it says, not that that matters). Another 3-year term would have taken me to 81. Everything has to end sometime. From a Stoke perspective, perhaps the most memorable FSF (as was) issue was the infamous case when GM police illegally bussed 40 Stoke fans back to Stoke from a pub in Irlam in Greater Manchester before a game against Man Utd. citing Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act (as was). We were able to take legal action against GMP, with Lyndon Edwards as the case study, because Stoke City underwrote our legal costs if we had lost with costs awarded against. I have always been grateful to Tony Scholes for that. GMP backed down, and directly as a result, the guidelines on S27 were re-written. A great victory. The FSF ( as it was) and Stoke City were shortlisted for a national award by Liberty and I went with Tony S. to the awards ceremony. We didn't win but it was nice to be recognised at national level. The FSA certainly made a fuss of me on Saturday, without me having any inkling what was going on. They produced a 10-page "This is your Malc" "fanzine" with loads of photos, some of them secretly got from the family, stories and good humoured piss-takes, with inevitably, a strong Stoke City content. They secreted my grandson in to present me with a framed, signed Stoke City shirt, and I was touched that Simon King contributed a tribute from the Club ( which is on that website link). Looking at that picture of Victoria Derbyshire and me at our annual awards, it seems ripe for a caption competition. It was an honour to be the first ever supporter rep on the FA Council and to serve on it for 14 years, despite Charlie Sale in the Daily Mail regularly having a pop at me. For example, fellow Stokies will relate to this The BAFTA audience for their awards night don’t know how fortunate they were. Among the trophy acceptance party for the brilliant single drama winner Marvellous – depicting the life of former Stoke City kit man Neil Baldwin – was Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke, who makes long, boring speeches at FA Council meetings at every conceivable opportunity. Thankfully host Graham Norton didn’t hand Malcolm the mic. I told Charlie that I wasn't upset at all, because if fellow fans read in the Mail that I was speaking up in FA Council, they would say that's exactly why I was there ! But I'm not retiring from all supporter activity because I am pleased that my application to be a member of Stoke City Connect was successful - so my time will be more club than national focussed in the period ahead. I also have to undergo heart surgery at the end of next week (assuming it isn't postponed !) which will mean I have to miss games (not sure how many) at the beginning of the season, which is annoying. But I will be at Crewe tomorrow night and Stockport on Saturday. Thanks again to those who have posted compliments above - it is much appreciated.
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Post by march4 on Jul 22, 2024 21:42:51 GMT
Wow ! I wasn't expecting that ! Thank you so much for those kind words, although I'm not at all sure that I really deserve them. There is an adage that says that the time to leave a role is when people ask "why" rather than say "thank god for that !" I hope I'm still more in the former category or, to use a current comparison, I hope it's bit more Jimmy Anderson than Joe Biden. It's difficult to believe that it's 24 years ( not 22 as it says, not that that matters). Another 3-year term would have taken me to 81. Everything has to end sometime. From a Stoke perspective, perhaps the most memorable FSF (as was) issue was the infamous case when GM police illegally bussed 40 Stoke fans back to Stoke from a pub in Irlam in Greater Manchester before a game against Man Utd. citing Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act (as was). We were able to take legal action against GMP, with Lyndon Edwards as the case study, because Stoke City underwrote our legal costs if we had lost with costs awarded against. I have always been grateful to Tony Scholes for that. GMP backed down, and directly as a result, the guidelines on S27 were re-written. A great victory. The FSF ( as it was) and Stoke City were shortlisted for a national award by Liberty and I went with Tony S. to the awards ceremony. We didn't win but it was nice to be recognised at national level. The FSA certainly made a fuss of me on Saturday, without me having any inkling what was going on. They produced a 10-page "This is your Malc" "fanzine" with loads of photos, some of them secretly got from the family, stories and good humoured piss-takes, with inevitably, a strong Stoke City content. They secreted my grandson in to present me with a framed, signed Stoke City shirt, and I was touched that Simon King contributed a tribute from the Club ( which is on that website link). Looking at that picture of Victoria Derbyshire and me at our annual awards, it seems ripe for a caption competition. It was an honour to be the first ever supporter rep on the FA Council and to serve on it for 14 years, despite Charlie Sale in the Daily Mail regularly having a pop at me. For example, fellow Stokies will relate to this The BAFTA audience for their awards night don’t know how fortunate they were. Among the trophy acceptance party for the brilliant single drama winner Marvellous – depicting the life of former Stoke City kit man Neil Baldwin – was Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke, who makes long, boring speeches at FA Council meetings at every conceivable opportunity. Thankfully host Graham Norton didn’t hand Malcolm the mic. I told Charlie that I wasn't upset at all, because if fellow fans read in the Mail that I was speaking up in FA Council, they would say that's exactly why I was there ! But I'm not retiring from all supporter activity because I am pleased that my application to be a member of Stoke City Connect was successful - so my time will be more club than national focussed in the period ahead. I also have to undergo heart surgery at the end of next week (assuming it isn't postponed !) which will mean I have to miss games (not sure how many) at the beginning of the season, which is annoying. But I will be at Crewe tomorrow night and Stockport on Saturday. Thanks again to those who have posted compliments above - it is much appreciated. Thanks for everything Malcolm and best of luck with your op.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jul 22, 2024 21:44:52 GMT
Wow ! I wasn't expecting that ! Thank you so much for those kind words, although I'm not at all sure that I really deserve them. There is an adage that says that the time to leave a role is when people ask "why" rather than say "thank god for that !" I hope I'm still more in the former category or, to use a current comparison, I hope it's bit more Jimmy Anderson than Joe Biden. It's difficult to believe that it's 24 years ( not 22 as it says, not that that matters). Another 3-year term would have taken me to 81. Everything has to end sometime. From a Stoke perspective, perhaps the most memorable FSF (as was) issue was the infamous case when GM police illegally bussed 40 Stoke fans back to Stoke from a pub in Irlam in Greater Manchester before a game against Man Utd. citing Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act (as was). We were able to take legal action against GMP, with Lyndon Edwards as the case study, because Stoke City underwrote our legal costs if we had lost with costs awarded against. I have always been grateful to Tony Scholes for that. GMP backed down, and directly as a result, the guidelines on S27 were re-written. A great victory. The FSF ( as it was) and Stoke City were shortlisted for a national award by Liberty and I went with Tony S. to the awards ceremony. We didn't win but it was nice to be recognised at national level. The FSA certainly made a fuss of me on Saturday, without me having any inkling what was going on. They produced a 10-page "This is your Malc" "fanzine" with loads of photos, some of them secretly got from the family, stories and good humoured piss-takes, with inevitably, a strong Stoke City content. They secreted my grandson in to present me with a framed, signed Stoke City shirt, and I was touched that Simon King contributed a tribute from the Club ( which is on that website link). Looking at that picture of Victoria Derbyshire and me at our annual awards, it seems ripe for a caption competition. It was an honour to be the first ever supporter rep on the FA Council and to serve on it for 14 years, despite Charlie Sale in the Daily Mail regularly having a pop at me. For example, fellow Stokies will relate to this The BAFTA audience for their awards night don’t know how fortunate they were. Among the trophy acceptance party for the brilliant single drama winner Marvellous – depicting the life of former Stoke City kit man Neil Baldwin – was Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke, who makes long, boring speeches at FA Council meetings at every conceivable opportunity. Thankfully host Graham Norton didn’t hand Malcolm the mic. I told Charlie that I wasn't upset at all, because if fellow fans read in the Mail that I was speaking up in FA Council, they would say that's exactly why I was there ! But I'm not retiring from all supporter activity because I am pleased that my application to be a member of Stoke City Connect was successful - so my time will be more club than national focussed in the period ahead. I also have to undergo heart surgery at the end of next week (assuming it isn't postponed !) which will mean I have to miss games (not sure how many) at the beginning of the season, which is annoying. But I will be at Crewe tomorrow night and Stockport on Saturday. Thanks again to those who have posted compliments above - it is much appreciated. Brilliant Malcolm and all the best with the surgery👍🏻
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Post by madnellie on Jul 22, 2024 22:15:51 GMT
Thank you for everything you’ve done for football, fellow Keelite! Wishing you a speedy recovery and a long, healthy and happy retirement xx
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Post by foxysgloves on Jul 22, 2024 22:17:10 GMT
Wow ! I wasn't expecting that ! Thank you so much for those kind words, although I'm not at all sure that I really deserve them. There is an adage that says that the time to leave a role is when people ask "why" rather than say "thank god for that !" I hope I'm still more in the former category or, to use a current comparison, I hope it's bit more Jimmy Anderson than Joe Biden. It's difficult to believe that it's 24 years ( not 22 as it says, not that that matters). Another 3-year term would have taken me to 81. Everything has to end sometime. From a Stoke perspective, perhaps the most memorable FSF (as was) issue was the infamous case when GM police illegally bussed 40 Stoke fans back to Stoke from a pub in Irlam in Greater Manchester before a game against Man Utd. citing Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act (as was). We were able to take legal action against GMP, with Lyndon Edwards as the case study, because Stoke City underwrote our legal costs if we had lost with costs awarded against. I have always been grateful to Tony Scholes for that. GMP backed down, and directly as a result, the guidelines on S27 were re-written. A great victory. The FSF ( as it was) and Stoke City were shortlisted for a national award by Liberty and I went with Tony S. to the awards ceremony. We didn't win but it was nice to be recognised at national level. The FSA certainly made a fuss of me on Saturday, without me having any inkling what was going on. They produced a 10-page "This is your Malc" "fanzine" with loads of photos, some of them secretly got from the family, stories and good humoured piss-takes, with inevitably, a strong Stoke City content. They secreted my grandson in to present me with a framed, signed Stoke City shirt, and I was touched that Simon King contributed a tribute from the Club ( which is on that website link). Looking at that picture of Victoria Derbyshire and me at our annual awards, it seems ripe for a caption competition. It was an honour to be the first ever supporter rep on the FA Council and to serve on it for 14 years, despite Charlie Sale in the Daily Mail regularly having a pop at me. For example, fellow Stokies will relate to this The BAFTA audience for their awards night don’t know how fortunate they were. Among the trophy acceptance party for the brilliant single drama winner Marvellous – depicting the life of former Stoke City kit man Neil Baldwin – was Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke, who makes long, boring speeches at FA Council meetings at every conceivable opportunity. Thankfully host Graham Norton didn’t hand Malcolm the mic. I told Charlie that I wasn't upset at all, because if fellow fans read in the Mail that I was speaking up in FA Council, they would say that's exactly why I was there ! But I'm not retiring from all supporter activity because I am pleased that my application to be a member of Stoke City Connect was successful - so my time will be more club than national focussed in the period ahead. I also have to undergo heart surgery at the end of next week (assuming it isn't postponed !) which will mean I have to miss games (not sure how many) at the beginning of the season, which is annoying. But I will be at Crewe tomorrow night and Stockport on Saturday. Thanks again to those who have posted compliments above - it is much appreciated. FSA’s loss is Stoke City’s gain! Good luck with the op.
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Post by mattador78 on Jul 22, 2024 22:30:08 GMT
Wow ! I wasn't expecting that ! Thank you so much for those kind words, although I'm not at all sure that I really deserve them. There is an adage that says that the time to leave a role is when people ask "why" rather than say "thank god for that !" I hope I'm still more in the former category or, to use a current comparison, I hope it's bit more Jimmy Anderson than Joe Biden. It's difficult to believe that it's 24 years ( not 22 as it says, not that that matters). Another 3-year term would have taken me to 81. Everything has to end sometime. From a Stoke perspective, perhaps the most memorable FSF (as was) issue was the infamous case when GM police illegally bussed 40 Stoke fans back to Stoke from a pub in Irlam in Greater Manchester before a game against Man Utd. citing Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act (as was). We were able to take legal action against GMP, with Lyndon Edwards as the case study, because Stoke City underwrote our legal costs if we had lost with costs awarded against. I have always been grateful to Tony Scholes for that. GMP backed down, and directly as a result, the guidelines on S27 were re-written. A great victory. The FSF ( as it was) and Stoke City were shortlisted for a national award by Liberty and I went with Tony S. to the awards ceremony. We didn't win but it was nice to be recognised at national level. The FSA certainly made a fuss of me on Saturday, without me having any inkling what was going on. They produced a 10-page "This is your Malc" "fanzine" with loads of photos, some of them secretly got from the family, stories and good humoured piss-takes, with inevitably, a strong Stoke City content. They secreted my grandson in to present me with a framed, signed Stoke City shirt, and I was touched that Simon King contributed a tribute from the Club ( which is on that website link). Looking at that picture of Victoria Derbyshire and me at our annual awards, it seems ripe for a caption competition. It was an honour to be the first ever supporter rep on the FA Council and to serve on it for 14 years, despite Charlie Sale in the Daily Mail regularly having a pop at me. For example, fellow Stokies will relate to this The BAFTA audience for their awards night don’t know how fortunate they were. Among the trophy acceptance party for the brilliant single drama winner Marvellous – depicting the life of former Stoke City kit man Neil Baldwin – was Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke, who makes long, boring speeches at FA Council meetings at every conceivable opportunity. Thankfully host Graham Norton didn’t hand Malcolm the mic. I told Charlie that I wasn't upset at all, because if fellow fans read in the Mail that I was speaking up in FA Council, they would say that's exactly why I was there ! But I'm not retiring from all supporter activity because I am pleased that my application to be a member of Stoke City Connect was successful - so my time will be more club than national focussed in the period ahead. I also have to undergo heart surgery at the end of next week (assuming it isn't postponed !) which will mean I have to miss games (not sure how many) at the beginning of the season, which is annoying. But I will be at Crewe tomorrow night and Stockport on Saturday. Thanks again to those who have posted compliments above - it is much appreciated. I couldn’t not post and start the thread Malc best of luck with the op and onwards and upwards a well deserved retirement.
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Post by dirtclod on Jul 22, 2024 22:48:00 GMT
Best of luck Malcolm. Hope you come out of the op with the heart of a lion! (Well...not literally, but I think you get what I mean!) Thanks for your efforts and for your future efforts going forward! Top man is our Malcolm!
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Post by PotterLog on Jul 23, 2024 2:39:17 GMT
Thanks for all your work for fans MC! All the best for the op
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Post by Huddysleftfoot on Jul 23, 2024 3:48:22 GMT
Best wishes and thanks Malcolm.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Jul 23, 2024 7:21:44 GMT
Thanks for the good wishes for my heart surgery. Of course I attribute my heart problems to years of watching Stoke City ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/800541/images/kwfoKwtHI0jglJZ4qZf6.gif) But looking forward to going with the family to the game at Crewe tonight and casting our eye over some of the new signings.
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Post by potteringermany on Jul 23, 2024 7:27:57 GMT
Thanks for all your great work, Malcolm and all the best for the op!
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Jul 23, 2024 8:42:14 GMT
This made me smile. Pete Bowker, who wrote the "Marvellous" script posted about it on 'X' - you always went the extra mile - with Nello in the car quite literally ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/800541/images/kwfoKwtHI0jglJZ4qZf6.gif)
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Jul 23, 2024 8:53:21 GMT
Well done Malcolm, great work on the council over the years, and a regular face of football supporters on TV. Best of luck with the surgery and hope to see you back soon as we get promoted to the Premier League
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Post by greystokie on Jul 23, 2024 9:05:11 GMT
I hope all goes well with the surgery
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jul 23, 2024 9:09:18 GMT
Wishing you the very best of luck with the heart operation, Malcolm. Do keep us informed as to how it goes. No doubt if there are any problems at all you will set up a pressure group (with you as chairman!) to attempt to improve things ASAP! ![8D](//storage.proboards.com/800541/images/Fmz6MA_QgzQsf9jj3_d8.gif)
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Post by mickeythemaestro on Jul 23, 2024 10:02:52 GMT
Well done Malcolm 👏 Good luck with the Op. Hopefully a cracking start to the season by Stoke will help speed your recovery 👍 🙏
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Jul 23, 2024 10:23:53 GMT
Looking at that picture of Victoria Derbyshire and me at our annual awards, it seems ripe for a caption competition. The BAFTA audience for their awards night don’t know how fortunate they were. Among the trophy acceptance party for the brilliant single drama winner Marvellous – depicting the life of former Stoke City kit man Neil Baldwin – was Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke, who makes long, boring speeches at FA Council meetings at every conceivable opportunity. Thankfully host Graham Norton didn’t hand Malcolm the mic.
Derbyshire: "Oh, here we go again..." ![Victoria Derbyshire to the left, looking at Malcolm Clarke speaking at the lecturn](https://i.imgur.com/zGIG0h6.png) And on a serious note, you're far too modest Malcolm - the kind words are all more than deserved!
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