GAA clubs are the heartbeat of Irish community life. Similarly football clubs in Britain are a big part of everyday existence for many people there. GAA clubs are controlled by their members and supporters. Football clubs across the water are not.

The scenes yesterday at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, were sparked by protests over the ownership of the club and the controversial manner in which it was purchased by the American Glazer family in 2005. It seems to me the fact that the club have not won the English league title for several would appear to be part of the fans frustration. All of which leads me to the question of what is more important to sports fans of all codes, success for their local team or control of it?

During the recent Super League debacle football clubs in Germany were not invited to take part because of their system of majority fan ownership. So if Germany can put in place a system to protect an important part of community life then surely it is possible to do it elsewhere.