Spirit Of Shankly: Direct Action - Sunderland and Blackpool

[SpiritOfShankly]

Please see the link below regarding planned direct action for the Sunderland and Blackpool matches.

 

Direct Action - Sunderland and Blackpool – Spirit Of Shankly – Liverpool Supporters' Union

 

Spirit Of Shankly

[WaltonRed]

Following the information recently released by SoS regarding BarCap and their role in the refinancing and sale of our Club (LFC, BarCap and Re-Financing – Spirit Of Shankly – Liverpool Supporters' Union), it is clear that at least one of the current owners has no intention of selling Liverpool Football Club. It is also clear that BarCap are not just tasked with the sale of the Club, but are also looking at ways of refinancing the existing debt. This information is contradictory to the messages put out by BarCap and Martin Broughton about their role, and it is also at odds with what we, as supporters, want.

 

As supporters, we have to tell the current owners and Barcap that we will not allow this to continue. In recent months, we have allowed the owners, the Board and Barcap time and space, to pursue the sale process and we have been led to believe several times that this process was underway. The conclusions we can draw from the release of this current information is that there is no longer any intention to sell the Club.

 

There have been countless debates about who is to blame for the demise in standards at the Club; The owners? The manager? Everyone has an opinion and fans have been caught up in many sides to this argument, but it has now become clear that any anger should definitely be directed at the current 'custodians' of the Club, who have no interest in its history or traditions but are simply using it as a vehicle for their own best interests. While fans may not have been inclined to protest against the owners in the past, the evidence is now overwhelming. It is now clear that all our attention and emotions should be aimed directly at the owners and those in charge of the sale (or refinancing!) process. Every Liverpool fan must surely now be aware of what is happening to, and within, our Club as a result of the current owners. Now is the time for us to unite together. Now is the time to direct our anger. We cannot, will not, and must not allow them to do what they want with OUR football Club, without us at least having our say.

 

On Saturday 25th September 2010 we are holding an EGM at Zeligs, Liverpool1, starting at 11:45am (Details and Agenda here). During the meeting, we will communicate more information about joining the Credit Union, which will enable fans to save towards a share for any supporter ownership investment. This is, and should always be, our long term goal - to rightfully take back the Club.

 

On the same day, we are also proposing direct action, to show those in power that while we have given them every opportunity to secure a sale of the Club, we no longer believe that new ownership is their aim. We now need to rid the Club of its current owners. We need to show them again how much we want them out of out Club.

 

We would like as many supporters as possible, to make their feelings known towards the owners during the Sunderland match, using banners, flags and songs. We are aware that other supporters groups already have plans in place for the day and we would encourage all supporters to come together, to unite as one voice. Some say they are tired of protesting, but there are now many more fans aware of the facts and figures and the poor financial state of the Club, who are now willing to stand up and make their voices heard. The current owners do not have the Club's best interests at heart and we need to make our feelings known, together.

 

For those who say that we should get behind the team, or that protesting in the ground damages the team's performance, we have to respect these views, but it is no longer the time to sit back and accept these as reasons for not protesting against the owners. It is a lack of investment by the Board, crippling interest repayments on a massive debt we were told we would never have, and little support or respect for the current ownership model which is causing unrest and affecting our chances of success on the pitch. This is a view shared by many, including the manager and players, who have spoken publicly of the need for new owners. We ask everyone in the ground to make their voices heard - let everyone know you will no longer tolerate the current owners.

 

Following the match, irrespective of the result, we intend to hold a sit in protest. Regardless of where you sit, remain in the ground and make your views heard. Gather at the front of the stand you are in, with flags and banners, and make your voices heard.

 

To build on the momentum of this protest and to increase pressure on the owners, we are also proposing a day of action at the match against Blackpool. We will start this day with a mass march (details to be confirmed and released nearer the time), to visibly show our anger towards the owners and those responsible for our current situation. It will also be an opportunity to show support for what we want to achieve - genuine supporter involvement in how Liverpool Football Club is run.

 

Following on from the march we want fans to take the atmosphere generated into the ground and make sure the whole world knows how we feel.

 

This is just the beginning of future action, both peaceful and direct. We have given time to those in charge and listened to more empty promises. Now we are demanding results, and action will continue for as long as the situation remains unacceptable to us as fans of Liverpool Football Club. If you have any ideas for action, please forward them to directaction@spiritofshankly.com . All proposals will be considered but it is not possible to action every suggestion.

 

This summer we have waited patiently for news of the sale we have been told was coming. It seems that instead of seeking new owners those apparently charged with that task have instead been looking at ways to refinance the current debt. Tom Hicks and George Gillett cannot be allowed to remain as owners of Liverpool Football Club. The time to act is now and we need you to tell them loud and clear and in no uncertain terms.

 

Tom and George: Not Welcome Here

[WaltonRed]

Not having a go but the supporter stake and that can wait but as per SOS trying to do too much.

 

Just my personal opinion.

 

Fair do's on the direct action stuff though.

[Carra_is_legend]

Songs, banners and shout against the owners eh? After paying £35 per seat?

 

Great.

 

Sorry to sound like a dickhead but haven't we marched before? haven't we shouted before? haven't we sung before with banners?

 

THEY ARE STILL THERE.

 

"Direct action" should be a boycott. Leaving Anfield empty. Even if it is a organised walkout after 10 mins.

[the paddock]

FAO SOS lads.

It should be added to encourage anyone who is boycotting due to the Yanks to get down to the ground and do their protesting outside of Anfield.

 

These are the lads who have made the biggest sacrafice.

[kredda]

I suppose its something, I don't think its anywhere near enough though......

[WaltonRed]

I think a picket line, on Breck road stopping people going the ground is for the best.

 

Brand anyone going past a scab.

 

Get militant or they'll just be laughing once more.

[Graham Smith]

Not having a go but the supporter stake and that can wait but as per SOS trying to do too much.

 

Just my personal opinion.

 

Fair do's on the direct action stuff though.

 

The SOS-Share Liverpool side of things are dealing with supporter investment. It isn't detracting at all in terms of resources from the main business of the Union and is one advantage of the new working arrangement with SL.

[bossy]

I think a walk out after 10 minutes is a great idea.

[Randy Marsh]

For this to make a difference it has to reach beyond those who read online forums. Radio City, Radio Merseyside, The Echo, even a mention nationally in a newspaper or 5Live/Talksport, this is what's needed to see this really take off.

[sr.red79]

am sure we've done all this before, boycott or at least put it to a vote. sos starting to remind me of rick parry, always missing a good chance to kick on. come on lads get out of your comfort zone we need boycotts and we need sos to back boycotts

[Original202]

Too little, too late.

 

We had all summer to get something organised for the Arsenal game and we (All of us, not just SOS) did nothing. Plenty of people commented that upon them announcing their 'intention to sell' that pressure should have been cranked up to ensure they did just that. A mass boycott or big demonstration at the Arsenal game would have got massive publicity, as it happed it was just like business as usual.

 

Instead of that we had some pie in the sky idea about getting a stake in the club instead.

[Juan Galonso]

I think a picket line, on Breck road stopping people going the ground is for the best.

 

Brand anyone going past a scab.

 

Get militant or they'll just be laughing once more.

 

I was disagreeing with the picket line stuff yesterday and your post just confirms why Mick. Bad idea which has the potential to get nasty, do you stop mum dad and two kids perchance by intimidation route? Not for me that sorry.

[kop77]

OUR TIME AS COME, join in lads

[Whelan]

I was disagreeing with the picket line stuff yesterday and your post just confirms why Mick. Bad idea which has the potential to get nasty, do you stop mum dad and two kids perchance by intimidation route? Not for me that sorry.

 

This might be an unpleasant necessity though!

 

I was talking about this on the train back yesterday, the problem with giving up your ticket just means that it will be passed on to those who want to go to the odd match, and will probably be delighted that they can get the tickets a lot more easier. Whatever way you look at it, these type of fans are the ones that Hicks wants to target and these are the fans who have less emotional attachment to club than we do. Have a look at the makeup of the English fans to see how the money men want things to be played out.

 

Maybe if they feel it is not worth the hassel of dealing with the protests and such, they won't come up, and won't spend their money in the shops etc.

 

We can ignore them as much as we like but these type of fans are an problem!

 

I saw a couple of Chinese fans in our end yesterday with bags from the United shop!

[RedinSweden]

OUR TIME AS COME, join in lads

 

My time as come was 38 years ago.

[Juan Galonso]

I see why you are saying Whelan and the points you make are spot on but the press will have their fingers on the trigger for this and one wrong move they will be all over it like a rash. They don't normally need an excuse to have a go at us and they will milk any "intimidation tactics" if you like with everything they have.

 

They will magnify even the slightest unrest at a picket line tenfold. Or have we reached the point now where we shouldn't care what they write I just don't know.

[Whelan]

I see why you are saying Whelan and the points you make are spot on but the press will have their fingers on the trigger for this and one wrong move they will be all over it like a rash. They don't normally need an excuse to have a go at us and they will milk any "intimidation tactics" if you like with everything they have.

 

They will magnify even the slightest unrest at a picket line tenfold. Or have we reached the point now where we shouldn't care what they write I just don't know.

 

It is a horrible one, but, we have to justify our actions to ourselves and not the media!

 

I am against Intimidation of individuals, but not protest that is intimidating (without trying to sound like a smart arse)! A protest outside the shop, and outside the ground would be ideal. He has to realise that this is the start, and if he has had a look at the United fans with Glazer and thought 'I can deal with that' he needs to realise we are not United.

[Horus]

I welcome this news from SoS with one question. What happens after the Blackpool match? Why not announce a season long sit-in after the match campaign? That way, after 4/5 weeks, some of the less informed may start to ask questions about why this is happening and get more involved themselves.

 

This has been the fatal flaw for SoS as far as I'm concerned, couple of good stunts then 3 months off. I'm hopeful this represents a new start for SoS.

 

One final gripe, I wish you'd leave out the fan ownership stuff out of the equation.

[WaltonRed]

I was disagreeing with the picket line stuff yesterday and your post just confirms why Mick. Bad idea which has the potential to get nasty, do you stop mum dad and two kids perchance by intimidation route? Not for me that sorry.

 

I think you have to John.

 

Let it be known the Blackpool game will be picketed and dont bother to come.

 

I think its a neccesary evil.

 

I know where you're coming from though John.

 

I think a flash mob style sit in or sing a long in RBS in town with both club shops would get some media attention. If students can sort a flash mob surely SOS could to.

[Kevin D]

Songs, banners and shout against the owners eh? After paying £35 per seat?

 

Great.

 

Sorry to sound like a dickhead but haven't we marched before? haven't we shouted before? haven't we sung before with banners?

 

THEY ARE STILL THERE.

 

"Direct action" should be a boycott. Leaving Anfield empty. Even if it is a organised walkout after 10 mins.

 

Hopefully this is with a view to builiding momentum for something more drastic in the near future. It is worth saying that those of us calling for boycotts etc are in a very small minorty within our fanbase.

[llego]

What happened to the boycott idea?

 

SOS why have you discarded the boycott?

[YNWAViking]

Great initiative! Keep it up, SOS!

[Guest ShoePiss]

When I saw the email title I was encouraged, when I read what 'direct action' was I have to say I'm disappointed.

 

More of the same isn't going to cut it in my opinion. This has been done before and apart from a brief mention on the TV (might pull in some more memberships) it hasn't had the desired effect.

 

We have to cost them money, it's the only thing they understand or care about.

 

A few ideas :-

Picket outside the club shop and the one in town, picket the swill they serve inside the ground. Have a game called off.

 

What is going on here is like going to a restaurant repeatedly and complaining about the service while still giving a decent tip.

[Son of L8]

direct action? having a sing-song in the ground with a few flags?

 

bold stuff, lads.