Blackpool - We have had several complaints from members saying that the planned introduction of a press room within the main stand hadn't been implemented. Tony Hudd and I went to Bloomfield Road on December 1 and Karl Oyston, the chairman, agreed that a store room would be converted for use as a press room for the rest of the season and he said the provision of a permanent one would be reviewed at the end of the season. On January 21 and February 8 I wrote to him and on the 9th he confirmed that the store room was now being used but said he wouldn't spend money on it, "preferring to review matters at the end of the season once the new stand is integrated." We asked him if we could meet then and he agreed. The aim is to provide a press room which will comply to the new Football League regulations which will come into effect in 2011-2.

Nottingham Forest - Like Blackpool, Forest are postponing any redevelopment of press facilities until they know whether they will be in the Premiership next season. At our meeting with Mark Arthur, the CEO, on November 16, Tony Hudd, Janine Self and I brought up some of the deficiencies of the press room - lack of space, shortage of power points etc - and Mark agreed that changes needed to be made. Several members have now complained that no improvements were made and John Lawson, the club's Head of Communications, rang me on February 22 and said that the club are deferring decisions for the obvious reason. But he promised that new facilities will probably be brought in next season if the club is still in the CCC. But if it is promoted, the facilities will upgraded to Premiership standards. He is contacting us again when the club's fate is decided.

Watford - A similar, longstanding story. Vince Russo, the vice chairman, told us in December that he wanted to move the raised temporary press box close to the touchline to two rows halfway back in the condemned, unused stand, away from the rain but as we now know, he and his brother were paid their monies and left. I contacted Graham Taylor, who has taken over as chairman to the end of the season, and he put me on to Julian Winter, the CEO, and two days later Julian rang to say that the matter was being pursued with a view to making the change. We await firmer news.

Southampton - There was a complaint from Chris Davies, our former chairman, saying that Saints had closed the pre-match room and interviews were now being undertaken in the tunnel, forsaking the main press room. After writing twice to Nicola Cortesi, the chairman, and then phoning his PA with a reminder, Jordan Sibley, the chief press officer, rang to say that the press room would be used for the FA Cup tie v Portsmouth and that happened. We are hoping that interviews will continue in the interview room, not in the tunnel.

Tottenham - A hold up here. Several residents have objected to the proposed plans for the new ground and no date has been set to hear the planning application. Simon Felstein from the club's press office, told me "It will take how ever long it takes."

Colchester - On two occasions journalists have been rained on this season in the new stadium and we took this up with the club. Matt Hudson, the press officer, said "Whilst the press facilities are in the middle third of the stand, unfortunately all bar the very back rows in the stand were affected, more by the wind blowing the rain, than any over exposure to the elements. As for whether they can be moved, I would say that this is unlikely given the current design and structures of the stadium. Further phases of development may allow this but not in its present state. I will speak to Sean McQuaid, our operations manager, to see if there are ways in which we can help the journalist protecting their equipment."

Finally, we are waiting to get a date to meet John Nagle, the Football League Head of Communications for our annual review.

BRIAN SCOVELL
Chairman, FWA Facilities Committee