The Football Secretary

110%, on paper, behind the scenes in grassroots football. Here for the Volunteers ❤️
Club: @duncombeparkfc
Secretary: @tommygarb
SEADOGS! 🌊🐶⚽

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

It's all about community and the profound impact that organised sports can have on all of us.

A morning or afternoon to forget about reality and remember what's important - our health and relationships.

The work we do is vital.

KEEP GOING ❤️

https://t.co/oHRc20Btdu

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

Just got a feeling about @BurnleyOfficial v @Arsenal on Monday night. Millions of eyeballs on them. Shop window for the players. Penultimate #EPL game (and might be the last one for many). Chance to leave their mark on an otherwise forgettable season...

[Tommy G @tommygarb]

This young gentleman is clearly engaging in research for his A-Level Geography coursework. Based on the thick, deeply fissured, and scaly greyish-brown bark, this tree is consistent with a mature Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). #spygate #Boro #SaintsFC #EFL #Trees

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

Ah well #chelsea #rosenior

[Football on TNT Sports @footballontnt]

Chelsea confirm they have parted ways with Liam Rosenior 🔵

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

Obviously not a pen as no-one in the penalty area 🤷‍♂️ #LIVPSG

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

Fantastic. I coach the ladies team at @DuncombeParkFC and decisions like these can only be good for the game. Best of luck to her. #Bundesliga

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨 Historical decision by Union Berlin as German club appoint Marie-Louise Eta as their head coach until June.

Union lost at Heidenheim, sacked the head coach Steffen Baumgart and put Marie-Louise Eta in charge until the end of the season.

Ets becomes the first female head coach in the history of men’s Bundesliga.

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

Predictions for Sunday's #PL games! What are yours?

#premierleague #Football #soccer #EPL #fantasypremierleague #FFL

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

Predictions for #PL results this afternoon. What are yours?

#premierleague #Football #soccer #EPL #fantasypremierleague #FFL

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

https://t.co/gccvZMxvpE

It's looking tight for second spot...big last game next weekend home to Riccal. Then we need Brayton to slip up...😭

#grassroots #DPFC @MinsterFootball

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

😄 @SpursOfficial

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

De Zerbi to @SpursOfficial ?

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

Not a patch on Vindaloo ...

[Tommy G @tommygarb]

Potential England World Cup Songs...A Thread (pt 1)
(after hearing Portugal's banger)

Apologies to all concerned.

#worldcup #gemini #england #football @EnglandFootball @TheAthleticFC

'8 bit energy chiptune' (apparantly). Ends on a bit of a downer...

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

TFS Prediction for tonight! What's yours?

#westham #wolves #WHUWOL #premierleague #PL #Football #soccer #EPL #fantasypremierleague #FFL

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

These are your #NationalLeagueNorth scores from Tuesday night.

Peter Borough Sports Go Go

#NationalLeague #football

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

GOD BLESS YOU @bbcalba ❤️⚽🇮🇹 #footballitalia #SerieA @TheTotallyShow

[SPFL Mediawatch @SPFLWatch]

BBC ALBA BROUGHT BACK THE FOOTBALL ITALIA MUSIC

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

This would have been some story!

[Jon Waldron @JonWaldron1]

🗣️ Colchester United fans have been having their say on the news that the proposed takeover of the club by a consortium involving former Brazil striker Alexandre Pato is now off #ColU @CUSAsupporters @BWA1937 @barsidepodcast ⤵️

https://t.co/Y4Tpra1EiZ

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

De Zerbi to @SpursOfficial ?

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

Games gone all AFCON on us. #liverpoolvsmancity #LiverpoolFC #ManchesterCity #EPL

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

@benchreportuk None of this 3-up for the National League until they adopt EFL Profit & Sustainability rules. It’s a joke that owners can buy promotion with unlimited spending, then start £5m ahead of League 2 clubs who actually play by the rules. Level the playing field first. #EFL

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

@YorkCityFC were done over a bit by this last year! #EFL #3UP #LeagueTwo #NationalLeague #PremierLeague #football #FootballTwitter

[The Bench Report @benchreportuk]

🚨 3UP: THE BATTLE FOR FOOTBALL’S FUTURE 🚨

#3UP #NonLeague #HartlepoolUnited #RochdaleAFC #FootballReform #EFL #NationalLeague

A critical debate has just hit the House of Commons regarding the "unfair" promotion system in English football. MPs are calling for the 3UP campaign to be implemented immediately, ending a 23-year stalemate that has left National League clubs in a financial and competitive bottleneck.

Here is your Bench Report 📜👇

The Two Sides of the Debate ⚔️

The Campaigners (Jonathan Brash & Paul Waugh):

Parity and Fairness: Demand three promotion places from the National League into League Two to mirror the rest of the professional pyramid.

Financial Sustainability: Argue that the current "two-up" limit suppresses ambition and places enormous financial pressure on clubs striving to climb the tiers.

Fan Voice:Highlight that 72 National League clubs and thousands of fans are united behind this "straightforward reform."

The Regulatory Reality (EFL & Government Response):

Authority Limits: The Government admits it does not directly control promotion and relegation, as these are matters for the footballing authorities.

Stalled Progress: The EFL has historically argued that 3UP should only be part of "wider reform," which critics say could take years to resolve.

Membership Interests: As a membership organisation, the EFL faces internal "vested interests" from clubs that might be disadvantaged by increased relegation risks.

The Context: Why Is This (Not) Happening? 🔍

The 23-Year Wait: It has been over two decades since the National League was last awarded a second promotion place, despite the business of football changing "beyond recognition."

The New Regulator: The Football Governance Act 2025 has established an Independent Football Regulator to ensure clubs are run sustainably and fans' voices are heard.

AGM Looming: The EFL board meets in early March for its AGM—a "critical moment" where a decision could finally be taken.

The Subtext: More Than Just a Game 🕵️‍♂️

The debate highlighted that non-league clubs are "community hubs" and "beating hearts" of their towns. For example, Hartlepool United acts as a veterans' hub and was the first club to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

Beyond entertainment, these clubs create £8 billion in wellbeing value and save the NHS £43 million annually through social involvement.

The Verdict: What Was the Outcome? ⚖️

Government Pressure: The Minister expressed a "strong hope" that the EFL listens to the unanimous fan voice at its upcoming meetings.

Regulator Oversight: The new regulator will oversee the top five tiers, demanding financial resilience and meaningful fan engagement.

Infrastructure Investment: The Government confirmed **£85 million** for grassroots facilities for 2026-27 to support clubs below the top tiers.

The Bench Report's Take 🚩

This is a fight for the "social and economic fabric" of our towns. While the Government can't legally force the EFL to adopt 3UP, the introduction of the Independent Regulator puts the league on notice. If the "fan-led" era means anything, the EFL cannot ignore a campaign backed by every single National League club. The "monkey hangers" and "the Dale" are no longer just asking for a seat at the table—they’re demanding the door be unlocked.

The Big Question: Should the new Independent Football Regulator have the power to force promotion/relegation changes, or should that remain strictly in the hands of the leagues? 💬

Original Source: https://t.co/jZNYR7Kzof

Content repurposed under the Open Parliamentary Licence.

Follow @benchreportuk so you never miss a debate... and astound your friends at dinner parties.

[Burnley FC @BurnleyOfficial]

Everybody be cool, this is a signing 🍔🥤

[The Football Secretary @TheFootballSec]

Hang it in The Louvre...

(away from any windows)

#BenficaRealMadrid #Mourinho #ChampionsLeague2026 @SLBenfica @ChampionsLeague