Brilliant write up for the SOS

[Guest Snorky]

By Tony Barrett.

 

The doubters should try and get it as I dont think it reaches newsnow of a weekend for some reason.

[psl]

By Tony Barrett.

 

The doubters should try and get it as I dont think it reaches newsnow of a weekend for some reason.

 

I think its in the other SoS thread.

[Guest Snorky]

I think its in the other SoS thread.

 

Which one, couldn't find anything.

[psl]

This one?

 

Red letter day for the Spirit of Shankly

 

Jun 14 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

 

ON Monday, the Spirit of Shankly (SOS) will celebrate six months in existence as the country's first ever football supporters union.

 

It has come a long way since the day it was formed on February 16 when around 1,000 Liverpool fans packed into the Olympia on West Derby Road ahead of the ill-fated FA Cup tie against Barnsley.

 

That rally was followed by a march to Anfield with all present united in their desire to see Liverpool Football Club rid of American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

 

Despite the good turnout and the clear and vivid passion on display SOS was not without its critics and there was no shortage of Nay’sayers who wanted to know what a disparate group of fans from Liverpool and beyond could do to challenge the corporate might of a pair of American millionaires based thousands of miles away from the Olympia.

 

In truth, it remains a forbidding challenge and one which may never be achieved in a football world where money doesn't just talk, it shouts, screams and hollers.

 

That doesn't mean SOS hasn't made progress though. Far from it.

 

In those six short months it has established a fully operative committee comprising of a chair, vice-chair, treasurer, secretary, club liaison officer and fans liaison officer among others.

 

Meetings are held regularly and continue to be well attended and in the near future a city centre office will be opened to process the membership applications which continue to flood in on a daily basis and a fully operational website will also be set up.

 

Increasingly, the union is starting to resemble a fans co-operative with issues which concern supporters of all clubs being tackled in an age of spiralling ticket prices and related costs.

 

A fortnight ago, I was invited to attend their latest gathering to observe their work at first hand and found it to be as professional as any council meeting with a full agenda established at the very outset and reports and updates presented by the treasurer, secretary and chair.

 

There was no shortage of debate and nor should there be in a movement which was set up to represent the best interests of all Liverpool fans and not just a local clique of like minded individuals.

 

The debate was lively and well informed but never threatened to get out of hand and although there were occasions when agreeing to disagree was the best course of action resolutions were passed and conclusions were arrived at, much as they are in any board meeting.

 

The level of professionalism on show should not come as a surprise though as many of those involved come from the kind of background where such meetings take place on an almost daily basis and their experience is telling.

 

Equally importantly though, there are those who do not hail from a professional background and who are ready and willing to try and break through the traditional constraints which have left football fans at the mercy of profiteers for far too long.

 

After the recent experience of Athens and Istanbul, not to mention just about every other European trip Liverpool have been involved in, SOS are now looking at ways of making European and domestic travel more affordable to the average Reds fan.

 

Talks are ongoing with travel operators aimed at chartering flights for Champions League away games and a coach is likely to be laid on for the Reds forthcoming pre-season friendly against Rangers at Ibrox.

 

These initiatives are a small step in the right direction for a movement which has come an awfully long way in a very short time.

 

Should the progress they have made in their first six months be repeated in the next six then there is no telling as to how far SOS could go.

 

But as long as they continue to have the best interests of fans at heart then no-one should bet against them achieving their objectives, even if their avowed determination to rid their club of a pair of owners they have no time for does remain the tallest of tall orders.

[Guest Snorky]

That one ?

 

[Guest mike_m]

Nice write-up.

Just a pity that he can't work out how many months between February 16th and June 16th .

[theredfella]

Nice write-up.

Just a pity that he can't work out how many months between February 16th and June 16th .

 

That and the fact it was formed in the Sandon.

[Guest Raisbeck]

By Tony Barrett.

 

The doubters should try and get it as I dont think it reaches newsnow of a weekend for some reason.

 

Ive read it, doesnt say a fat lot really does it?

[Guest Snorky]

Ive read it, doesnt say a fat lot really does it?

 

apart from:

 

ON Monday, the Spirit of Shankly (SOS) will celebrate six months in existence as the country's first ever football supporters union.

 

and

 

That doesn't mean SOS hasn't made progress though. Far from it.

 

and

 

A fortnight ago, I was invited to attend their latest gathering to observe their work at first hand and found it to be as professional as any council meeting with a full agenda established at the very outset and reports and updates presented by the treasurer, secretary and chair.

 

and

 

These initiatives are a small step in the right direction for a movement which has come an awfully long way in a very short time.

 

and

 

Should the progress they have made in their first six months be repeated in the next six then there is no telling as to how far SOS could go.

 

and finally.

 

But as long as they continue to have the best interests of fans at heart then no-one should bet against them achieving their objectives, even if their avowed determination to rid their club of a pair of owners they have no time for does remain the tallest of tall orders.

 

 

Yeh you're right, it says f*** all.

[David Hodgson]

Ive read it, doesnt say a fat lot really does it?

 

That's the spirit.

 

 

 

 

.... or not, as the case may be.

[Guest Raisbeck]

apart from:

 

ON Monday, the Spirit of Shankly (SOS) will celebrate six months in existence as the country's first ever football supporters union.

 

and

 

That doesn't mean SOS hasn't made progress though. Far from it.

 

and

 

A fortnight ago, I was invited to attend their latest gathering to observe their work at first hand and found it to be as professional as any council meeting with a full agenda established at the very outset and reports and updates presented by the treasurer, secretary and chair.

 

and

 

These initiatives are a small step in the right direction for a movement which has come an awfully long way in a very short time.

 

and

 

Should the progress they have made in their first six months be repeated in the next six then there is no telling as to how far SOS could go.

 

and finally.

 

But as long as they continue to have the best interests of fans at heart then no-one should bet against them achieving their objectives, even if their avowed determination to rid their club of a pair of owners they have no time for does remain the tallest of tall orders.

Yeh you're right, it says f*** all.

 

Just says they have been together for 6 months and they have appointed a secretary etc.

 

It doesnt address anything about the issues they have been standing for and the reaction to some of the statements they have released so far.

 

Theres nothing in there for anyone who has some doubt over the group actions.

[Guest Snorky]

Just says they have been together for 6 months and they have appointed a secretary etc.

 

It doesnt address anything about the issues they have been standing for and the reaction to some of the statements they have released so far.

 

Theres nothing in there for anyone who has some doubt over the group actions.

 

So what's your problem then ?

 

You dont like the SOS ?

 

You don't think they've done anything in 6 months ?

 

What ?

[Guest Raisbeck]

So what's your problem then ?

 

The term "doubters" for a start.

 

It implies that anyone who questions SOS is wrong.

[Guest Snorky]

The term "doubters" for a start.

 

It implies that anyone who questions SOS is wrong.

 

You could read it that way - granted.

 

I doubt that Rafa will win the Prem - does that make me wrong ?

[Guest Ant]

No it makes you a doubter.

[Kahnee]

You could read it that way - granted.

 

I doubt that Rafa will win the Prem - does that make me wrong ?

 

Can I answer that next May?

[Guest Raisbeck]

You could read it that way - granted.

 

I doubt that Rafa will win the Prem - does that make me wrong ?

 

You know thats not the same, I also doubt we will win the league but I will support the team unequivicoally.

 

Anyone who quesitons SOS is branded a "doubter" as if supporting SOS should be a forgone conclusion for all fans.

[charlie clown]

I don't think the article is much cop either - I'm glad SOS are getting positive publicity, but apart from that it doesn't really tell you anything, there are no great specifics about what has been achieved etc. so it's really just a lot of waffle and patronising waffle at that: 'hey, football fans are actually capable of organising stuff and talking to each other'. Positive publicity but poor journalism.

[Kahnee]

I don't think the article is much cop either - I'm glad SOS are getting positive publicity, but apart from that it doesn't really tell you anything, there are no great specifics about what has been achieved etc. so it's really just a lot of waffle and patronising waffle at that: 'hey, football fans are actually capable of organising stuff and talking to each other'. Positive publicity but poor journalism.

 

They formed a committee...

[RP]

This thread does highlight how you're either with or against, there is no middle ground for anyone who is, as yet, undecided - something that a few people have said to me over the last week or so. It is a real shame.

Edited June 14, 2008 by RP

[Kahnee]

This thread does highlight how you're either with or against, there is no middle ground for anyone who is, as yet, undecided - something that a few people have said to me over the last week or so. It is a real shame.

 

It's felt like that for a while, to be honest

[Guest Snorky]

This thread does highlight how you're either with or against, there is no middle ground for anyone who is, as yet, undecided - something that a few people have said to me over the last week or so. It is a real shame.

 

Who fiddled whilst something burnt ?

[smicer07]

A w***** baking a cake?

[Guest Raisbeck]

and Im not actually against, I just feel like it from what ive read on here and other places.

 

Ive not really made up mind, hence my questioning of a lot of what SOS has said.

 

But when you question, youre a doubter.

[Kahnee]

Who fiddled whilst something burnt ?

 

Nigel Kennedy at a barbecue?