German game geared to include the fans
along the way.
Of course, it is all too easy in these moments to slip into a sort of false reminiscence where we over-narrate our experiences into what we expect them to be rather than what they actually are.
But there is an important difference between the German context and the football that we encounter within England.
There is, in Germany, a policy, helpfully named the 50+1 Rule, which designates that the majority voting rights for the club must be controlled by the fans.
It is as a result of this directive that German football has managed to avoid a stark binary emerging between its supporters and its clubs: a football club, so the rule infers, must be run by the fans in the interest of fans.
Modern football, though, is caught in the perpetual struggle to entertain but also to create money.
In time, then, the 50+1 Rule in Germany has gradually been eroded away as the need to compete with an emerging European nouveau riche has seen the bigger clubs in the Bundesliga look for ways to get around the requirement.
RB Leipzig, a relatively new club bankrolled by the soft drink giant Red Bull, is a case in point here: conforming with the letter of the 50+1 Rule if not its spirit by opening its membership to a clientele almost exclusive on the board of the company.
Here in England, whatever ship of fan ownership ever existed, it has undoubtedly sailed.
This, though, is why we need supporters’ associations more than ever before.
In the face of global capital’s devouring of the world of football, it is easy to roll over and let the oligarchs have their way. And in many respects, who wouldn’t want an injection of much-needed cash into their club?
Football, so the adage goes, is nothing without the fans. But unless the fans stand up for themselves, no one else is going to do it. COLLIN Quaner hopes being more aggressive in the Huddersfield Town front line will deliver his first Premier League goal.
The big German hitman is excited at the prospect of facing Manchester United at Old Trafford, having missed Town’s victory over Jose Mourinho’s men at the John Smith’s through injury.
But the popular 26-year-old – who hasn’t netted since the 1-1 draw at Derby County last April – is cool about Town’s place in the relegation battle and relaxed about their ability to pick up points.
“Matches like Manchester United away are definitely ones you want to play in and work towards,” said Quaner, who signed from Union Berlin a year ago.
“In this league we can be grateful for the chance to play these types of games and it’s just another reason to go and give our best.
“It has been a very good year for me at this club, with winning promotion in the play-off final and also the Premier League season so far.
“We are having a difficult time at the moment but, for me, I couldn’t be happier at the moment with the challenge of playing in this league.
“It is something to be enjoyed and, as individuals we work hard every week. I make sure I give everything to help the team stay in this league.”
So what is he working on specifically in his own game to make the improvements demanded by boss David Wagner?
“In general you always try and improve, especially me, I am always working hard on the pitch and off it,” he said.
“If you make sure you stay healthy, there is always something you can work on.
“In the last few weeks, I have worked a bit more on my offensive game, to be a little bit more aggressive with the ball – a little bit more attacking.
“I think I’ve done that quite well in the last few games, but I am still looking for my first goal, too, so that’s another big thing I’m working towards.”
Quaner reckons the United squad are to be admired, but certainly not feared?
“I think if you see some big players, like say Zlatan Ibrahimovic for instance, you can maybe take good things out of their example and how they play,” he explained.
“They are all very good players, very good individuals, with so much quality, but for every single one of us, this is a chance to come on the same level as all these players.