Football fans are giving their views on the state of the game in a series of roadshows organised by the Football Task Force.

The group - led by the former Conservative minister, David Mellor - is visiting 10 cities around England to find out if supporters think the national game is indeed beautiful.

Fans had the first opportunity to tell government their opinions at a roadshow in Leicester, home of the Coca Cola League Cup holders.

Part of the group's remit is to boot racism out of football

Fans will be able to speak on all aspects of football, including ticket pricing, racism, merchandising and disabled access.

In Leicester, Mr Mellor was joined by the Sports Minister, Tony Banks, for a fans' forum on Thursday evening.

Mr Mellor is a controversial figure at the head of the task force. Bradford City wants him sacked as chairman after he questioned whether colour was a factor in the sacking of their manager Chris Kamara.

They claim that more than 50 league clubs support them.

However, the task force says that there is no conflict, even though racism comes under its remit.

Philip French: task force will be judged on its work

Philip French, a member of the task force, said: "Mr Mellor and the rest of the task force will be judged on the work that it produces, not on the comments Mr Mellor makes as a BBC radio journalist."

Until now, the group - which was set up last July - has heard evidence in private. This is the first time it has opened its doors to the public.

Mr French said: "The aim of the Football Task Force is to draw together the needs of the football fans with the game of football. To do that we need to draw a broad consensus across a whole range of diverse opinions."
 

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