Happy Days Issue 6
Amalgamate & Organise

Everyone knows that the Amalgamation of The NISC do a lot of good work, don’t they? Well just in case you don’t we caught up with their very own Gary McAllister to find out the craic…

When was the Amalgamation formed and initially what was its purpose?
The Amalgamation of Official NISCs was formed in early 1998 after two lifelong Northern Ireland fans came up with the idea of re-establishing an organisation which had previously existed in the early to mid 1980s. This umbrella grouping was designed to lobby the Irish FA on supporters issues, providing a stronger platform for the various (then independent) Supporters Clubs which were in existence at that time. The Amalgamation also set out to try and co-ordinate travel and to share travel details with its members in order to make away matches as cost-effective as possible.

Currently how many NISCs are there and how many members are affiliated?
The Amalgamation has mushroomed from around twelve founder clubs to sixty-two at present and we have in the region of 2,500 members, although we are currently in the process of doing a stock-take of membership numbers in order to update our records. Member clubs come from throughout Northern Ireland. We have clubs in, amongst others, Londonderry, Castlederg, Armagh, Cookstown, Ballymena and Belfast. We also have a strong ex-pats connection with several clubs in England and Scotland, one in Toronto and even the Far East.

Historically, what has your relationship with the IFA been like?
It would be fair to say that at times the relationship between the IFA and the Amalgamation have been strained. In the early days of the Amalgamation, there was a perception that the IFA had no regard for the fans who paid to go through the turnstiles or who forked out hundreds of pounds at a time to travel overseas for away matches. There were occasions when fans had to travel to the team hotel to pick up match tickets in places like Malta and Turkey and there were other incidents like the one in Dortmund when a senior IFA official left instructions with German security that under no circumstances were Northern Ireland fans permitted to bring musical instruments into the ground. The irony of this was that the instruments in question were being used to try and help build a non-sectarian and family-friendly atmosphere which would through time help to generate better PR for the IFA.

How would you describe your current relationship with the IFA?
Whilst relationships have improved quite a bit, we would never claim to see eye to eye with the IFA on everything. We have worked closely with Michael Boyd and to try and generate a better atmosphere at Windsor Park and to challenge perceptions about international matches in Belfast. We have also worked closely with the International Department ahead of away games on things like match day security and this has undoubtedly been beneficial to both parties. That said, our opposition to the proposed Multi-Sports Stadium at the site of the former Maze Prison is well documented and we also have some reservations about some of the other initiatives that the new regime at Windsor Avenue are rolling out. We generally tend to judge people on what they do as opposed to what they say but have always been very willing to work with the IFA for the good of our international set-up and for the good of supporter’s issues. Naturally, we hope that that will continue to prevail.

There are many changes within our international game. What are Amalgamaiton members most skeptical about?
Representatives from our group met with the Official Supporters Groups from the other three Home Nations earlier in the year to look at issues which are of mutual importance and to share information, good practice etc. It was very enlightening for us in terms of the progress that has been made by the English and Welsh groups in particular. One of the issues that we are working on collectively relates to the current UEFA rule which allows a country to nominate the match venue only sixty days before the game takes place. This obviously impacts upon the ability of fans to book early and the subsequent financial implications of that. It could also help to avoid long coach journeys like the one many Northern Ireland fans had to endure in Turkey the last time we played there.

The issue of where tickets go for finals tournaments is another issue which we have collectively been looking at. Some of this was highlighted a short time ago by the BBC current affairs show Panorama. The objective of the campaign ‘Tickets for Supporters Not Sponsors’ is to maximise the number of tickets made available to fans of the two sides competing in a particular game. At the World Cup, for example, only 8% went to the respective competing nations fans. The growing influence of the big clubs, is also a concern and the potential implications of small associations like the IFA having to pay out compensation for injuries sustained on international duty could be very serious indeed. There are several issues that we are actively pursuing but these are just a few of them.

What are your thoughts on the current Supporter’s Scheme? Was it your idea first?
The Amalgamation welcomes many of the improvements that have occurred in how the IFA markets our international side, and there is no doubt that how the IFA now presents matches, merchandise etc is totally unrecognisable from a couple of years ago. That is a good thing. Our members do have reservations about the Supporter’s Scheme. Whether or not someone pays an extra £20 per year should not be a measure of an individual’s loyalty to the Northern Ireland team. The Supporter’s Scheme has the potential to allow someone who has never attended an international to overtake long-term fans simply by paying £20, which is something we could never support. Obviously the IFA want to capitalise on the growing interest in our international team and to maximise revenue in the process. We are not opposed to that, but it is a question of how you go about it.

There is the potential for membership of the Supporter’s Scheme to be a pre-requisite for entitlement to apply for tickets at home or away and once people are locked into that there is the further potential for prices to continually grow. That, of course, is taking the concept to the extremes but we want to be sure that the IFA don’t go down that road and we are doing that not just in the interests of our own members, but in the interests of all Northern Ireland fans. Although we would not attempt to claim credit for the Supporter’s Scheme idea, the Amalgamation has fulfilled the role of an officially recognised and properly organised supporters body for almost a decade and we want to look at a future where possibly both can continue to exist and prosper together without an environment of competitiveness.

What do you think the IFA could do to improve relations?
Some of the noises from senior IFA figures in recent months have caused concern and whilst the IFA has a business to run, they have to recognise the important role that we have played in improving the image and perception of internationals at Windsor Park. We have contributed to the increased interest, improved atmosphere and the general feel good factor, which has helped the IFA as it continues to turn things around both on and off the pitch. There needs to be a recognition of the work that we have done, an effort to let us see that the relationship is mutually beneficial to both the IFA and the Amalgamation. Using us to tackle thorny issues whilst offering us little in return is not practical. We don’t want to have a monopoly on anything and we recognise that there are fans who are not involved with us, but we do think that there should be meaningful recognition of the Amalgamation as an organisation which has been, (and which continues to be), prepared to play a full and active role and to deal with difficult issues.

What do you think the Amalgamation can do to improve relations?
The onus is on the IFA to ensure that relations remain positive given that they hold the aces in terms of decision making and the impact that has on issues which matter to us. The Amalgamation is committed to working with the IFA for the good of our international game. We have worked tirelessly and faced up to the various challenges that have presented themselves in improving the image of international football in this country, we have done this with limited resources. The IFA have an abundance of resources including full time staff, fully resourced office and open access to the media. Contrast that with our own team who have been able to punch their weight whilst operating on a shoe-string budget and balancing the pressures of family life and full time jobs. We want to continue to pursue a positive agenda and we want to enjoy good relations with the IFA. However, we have a duty to ensure that issues that matter most to fans are our primary concern and when faced with the choice of standing up for fans or complying with something which we feel is detrimental to their interests, then it is our responsibility to fight the corner effectively. Our organisation has and will continue to progress and indeed in some respects we are better organised and more professional than the IFA. One example being our Electronic Records Management System.

The IFA in our opinion should try and utilise our resources and look upon the Amalgamation as a key stakeholder in the development and progression of football in Northern Ireland and should treat us accordingly. Because we don't agree on everything does not mean we cannot agree on anything.

Do you think football in the province is heading in the right direction?
Yes. Obviously it is very encouraging to see so many people, particularly young people wearing the colours of their national football team across the province and the standard of our junior teams has improved considerably. This reaffirms the view that we cannot afford not to compete at any level as this clearly would harm the development of our young players. If the level of resources that have been put into our international game can be transferred across and replicated in the domestic game then this can be only be good for Northern Ireland football. Given the increasing number of players being drawn into our junior international squads and the unavoidable fact that fewer of our young players are now playing at the top level in England it is crucial that these players compete at a good standard which means they find the step up to international level a natural progression.

What is the Amalgamations stance on the proposed move to the Maze?
No. We have very significant concerns about the long term impact that this will have on international football in Northern Ireland and whilst we would all love to see Northern Ireland play to regular crowds of 40000+ we think that this is ambition gone mad. The fact that Government continues to shroud the project in secrecy does nothing to allay fears that this project will be a white elephant which will be a good news story for one day but which will be a bad news story every day thereafter. We have consistently called for Government to put all of the information into the public domain in line with their promises of a bright, new, shared future and not to return to the smoke and mirrors agenda. The Amalgamation will continue to challenge Government on this issue to ensure that the interests of football, sport and indeed the taxpayer are protected from a costly mistake. This political project is driven not by public interest but by the personal desire of a small clique to pursue a pet project.

What is the Amalgamations proposed plan for the future?
Having recently met with our counterparts from the other home nations we want to replicate the professional and valuable role that they play for their members and we look forward to expanding those contacts by linking up with a wider European and international supporter’s network. We will continue to play a vital role in the development of international football in Northern Ireland and campaign on issues which are of importance to all fans. We look forward to continuing a partnership with the IFA based on a common and positive agenda built on mutual respect and trust.

How do you think we will fare in the Euro 2008 campaign?
It's not an easy group but one must always be positive and view that the glass is half full. We are on the up and now is the time to build on the progress of the last campaign. Although we realise that the days of consistently punching our weight against the big boys is someway off we should always aspire to that but of course that has to be tinged with realism. Onwards and upwards.

How can new members/NISCs get in touch with you?
They can log on to www.thegawa.com or email us direct at info@thegawa.com

Although as a body we are made up of clubs we are always prepared to raise issues on behalf of individual Northern Ireland fans and it is important that the individual fan is not disenfranchised when it comes to supporter representation.

Happy Days Issue 6
Jake Burns Interview

When I was a lad my sister was seeing this lad called John Lydon (not the one in the Sex Pistols). He used to come round ours when my parents were down the pub and snog her on the sofa. In an attempt to get rid of me and have some privacy, he gave me a copy of the Stiff Little Fingers long player Inflammable Material. They got the living room settee, I listened to the record in the dinning room and everyone was happy.

Fast forward too many years than I care to mention and when the opportunity arose to interview their front man Jake Burns for this fine publication, no one else in the Happy Days office was going top get a look in.

Nice to see SLF still going strong, how are things on the music front?
Hi, quiet at the moment. I’ve been writing some songs for the next SLF album and planning some shows for the autumn. We’ve got a UK tour in October with maybe a few shows in Greece. Then a possible 3 Men & Black trip (the sideline project I’ve been doing with Pauline Black (from The Selecter), Roddy Radiation (from The Specials) and a number of other folk.) Finally, some shows in Ireland finishing in a hometown show in Belfast before Christmas.

Do you get home much, I understand you live in Newcastle now?
I actually live in Chicago now, so I really only get back to Lavery’s… sorry… Belfast when we’re playing there. We always try to make sure that there’s at least one visit a year.

Is the band still taking up all your time, or do you have other projects?
Apart from the aforementioned 3 Men project, I released a solo album this year. It’s something that’s been written for over ten years and I only got the chance to do it this last year. It’s a lot different from SLF, cos, after all: what’s the point in doing a solo record that sounds just like the band?

I seem to remember SLF wearing Norn Iron tops on Top of the Pops, is this a figment of my imagination?
That was just me actually. It was 1980 for Nobody’s Hero. All the other bands on there had stylists to crimp their hair and I grabbed a Norn Iron top out of my bedroom drawer. We were all drunk as skunks (apart from Henry who didn’t drink) cos we’d spent the afternoon in the BBC bar with Phil Lynott. Professionals to the end.

Did you get to many Northern Ireland games when you were growing up?
Nah, hardly any. Those were dark days and quite a few home games were cancelled. Surprisingly, I probably saw them more when I moved to England. I remember paying £8 (a bloody fortune in those days) to see them play England at Wembley. We were 1-0 down before my arse even hit my seat. Bargain! We went on to lose 4-0. The guy in the seat behind me was the actor Stephen Rea, who seemed to find my swearing, screaming and generally losing my rag, highly amusing. Recently saw them (well, B team) lose badly to a Romania C team at Soldier Field in Chicago. At least the travelling Green and White Army made my friends laugh their arses off. (We were bad.)

Who was your favourite player?
Back then, I loved Martin O’Neill. The guy was a Rolls Royce through midfield. Stylish, intelligent, played way above what was expected of him. I’m not at all surprised he’s gone on to achieve what he has in management. I loved Norman Whiteside for his commitment and dedication. Stormin’ Norman was a one man battering ram. And you’ve got to love Gerry Armstrong.

Can you remember Spain 82?
I remember we were recording the Now Then album during the tournament and the producer was getting the screaming hump with us for stopping for every N.I. game. On the night we played Spain I had a cold/flu so I was at home, in bed with a Norn Iron scarf around my neck watching the game. When we won, I dragged my flu-ey arse out of bed and down the pub to celebrate. We had a telly in a room just outside the studio so we could see the games and whenever they finished the producer would come out and ask if we could now… finally… do some work. Every time we won or drew, the answer was always: “Nope. Going down the pub to celebrate.”

When we finally went out to France (again nothing wrong with Martin’s goal!), he came in: “Great! You’re out, now can we get some work done?” “Nope. We’re going down the pub to drown our sorrows!”

Where did you watch the England (1-0 Healy) game?
Arrggh! It wasn’t shown here in the US! I had some friends over from England staying with us (who had no interest whatsoever in football) and we were having a beer downtown. My mobile phone was going crazy with texts along the lines of: “Fuck me, we’ve scored.”

And five minutes to go, “We’re still winning.” When the final whistle blew I was dancing around these friends giving them the fingers and yelling “1-0! 1-0!” They looked at me pitifully and said: “We don’t care about football.” I replied: “I don’t give a fuck. You’re the only English people in here!”

What English team do you support?
Newcastle United. God help me.

In the 70s you sang Alternative Ulster (Alter your native Ulster), things have changed a lot back home since then, but I still hear that song played a lot in Belfast. Are you pleased that your music has stood the test of time and things have changed for the better back home?
Amazed at the former and delighted at the latter.

SLF were leading purveyors in the Rock Against Racism movement in the late 70s. Do you think music should be playing a greater part in healing the conscious minds of our youth?
Music has a great value in healing wounds of all kinds. That sounds pretentious as fuck but it’s true. Remember Shakespeare once said: “Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast.” (Not beast, I believe) And if you think about it, you can be furious about something and your favourite song can either calm you down, or make sense of whatever it was you were wound up about. Well, it works for me.

You once penned a tune called You Can’t Say Crap on the Radio, but I heard someone say “crap” on the radio the other day, have times changed, or are you a liar?
Times have changed. You can say all sorts of shite on the radio these days!

Are you happy with the standard of Guinness on the mainland?
Some of it is OK and some of it is shite. You should try it here in America. Fuckin’ hell. They even manage to fuck up the Harp in some places here! Luckily my local barman is from Tourmakeady stock and prides himself on pouring Guinness properly. It’s not bad, but they tend to serve it a wee bit too cold.

Do you still have inflammable material planted in your head or are you OK now?
Sadly, it’s still there. And will be for some time as long as (to quote the great Homer Simpson): “Commander Cuckoo Bananas is in charge of the Free World.”

You started out life as Highway Star playing Deep Purple cover songs. Did you fancy yourself as the new Gillan or did you just fancy yourself?
Have you ever tried to sing like that? Jaysus, that’s hard. Oh, maybe that’s just me fancying myself.

Did you ever walk from the Trident in Bangor back to Belfast or was that a lie?
I never said: “And then I walk back to the city.” I said: “You walk back to the city.” I cadged a lift!

What would you do if you found yourself on Love Island with Fergal Sharkey?
Change the name of the island.

What’s your favourite Undertones song?
You’ve Got My Number. It’s a fucking great guitar riff and they really put a hell of a performance in on it. I also loved things like Julie Ocean, that was fantastic. And only a house brick wouldn’t be moved by Teenage Kicks.

What has been the overall highlight of your career?
Loads of them. When I was a kid, I wanted to be on Top of the Pops and I did that. I wanted to be on the John Peel Show and I did that. I got to meet heroes like Rory Gallagher, Phil Lynott and Elvis Costello and they were all great guys who became, in one form or another, friends. I got to tour the world and get paid for it. But I think most of all, I feel like the luckiest bastard on the planet because I got to do what I always wanted to do, got paid for it and didn’t get so stupidly famous that I can’t go to my local for a beer or watch a match from the stands.

Do you have much to do with the likes of Snow Patrol and Ash and does it give you pride to see Northern Ireland continue to produce such a high quality of music?
I’ve never met those guys but I’m aware of what they do and I like both bands. (One more than the other, but I’m not saying which!). I always said when we first started getting attention with SLF that I wanted to give Belfast something to be proud of, because at the time we were only in the press for all the trouble that was going on and the world had a very negative view of us. I hope we achieved that. If we didn’t, then I’d like to think that at the very least, we and The Undertones opened the door for those other bands to get through and finally do that.

Either or Questions

Guinness or Smithwicks
Guinness

Ulster Fry or Fish and Chips
Ulster Fry

David Healy or Gerry Armstrong
Gerry Armstrong

Joe Strummer or Sid Vicious
Joe Strummer

Pat Jennings or George Best
Both legends

Stay at Windsor or Move to Maze
Windsor

Caribbean or Portrush?
OK a joke’s a joke. Whitehead (Country Antrim)

Jake Burns was chatting with Martyn McFadden