How to Get Rid of Gillett and Hicks

[Flight]

It's been mentioned more than once and been dismissed as unworkable. Now a Manc buyer has come out and underlined that it is the only way to get rid of owners we don't want.

 

Definitely something for SoS to put on the agenda.

 

 

 

 

Short article on 365 :

 

 

HARRIS CALLS FOR MAN UTD BOYCOTT

 

 

Football finance expert Keith Harris has called for Manchester United fans to boycott matches as he plots a buy-out of the club.

 

Harris, a United fan who has been involved in several takeovers involving Barclays Premier League clubs, has previously claimed to have spoken to several interested parties as he attempts to put together a takeover proposal.

 

And he now says "getting the money together is the easy bit" and that fans must now "force" the Glazer family to sell the club.

 

Harris, the former Football League chairman, is executive chairman of investment bank Seymour Pierce and began working on a possible takeover after being contacted by members of the Manchester United Supporters Trust.

 

MUST have recently launched a 'green and gold' campaign, with fans donning the colours in protest against the Glazer regime.

 

But Harris reckons they must be prepared to take further action.

 

He told the Daily Mail: "The green and gold protest is fabulous, a symbolic and significant message to the owners. But it won't force the Glazers to sell.

 

"If enough people - and I'm talking about thousands - stop turning up to matches and do not renew their tickets then that does it.

 

"The supporters have to hurt the Glazers in the pockets. They have to be prepared to take the pain of not watching their club in order to achieve long-term gain.

 

"It's a big ask, it's a risk, but that is what must happen. The Glazers are thick-skinned and seem impervious to protest. They will not be impervious to enormous drops in revenue."

 

Referring to his proposed takeover bid, he added: "I would not talk about this if I didn't have full confidence in our ability to raise the money to do this.

 

"Getting the money together is the easy bit. But we can't make an offer until the Glazers are placed in a position where they are forced to consider it."

 

 

 

The original - lengthier - article in the Daily Mail.

[Frosty Jack]

Unfortunately we would need a buyer that isn't going to think twice when they see matches are being boycotted. They're very lucky to have someone like him.

[Andy @ Allerton]

As a season ticket holder on the Auto-ticket scheme, the only way I could 'boycott' the games is to cancel my season ticket - otherwise I'm paying and not going - which hardly 'hurts the yanks'

[Leo No.8]

Unfortunately we would need a buyer that isn't going to think twice when they see matches are being boycotted. They're very lucky to have someone like him.

 

And Orville, you can't forget him as he's the real brains behind the operation and the chief investor.

[Frosty Jack]

And Orville, you can't forget him as he's the real brains behind the operation and the chief investor.

 

Yes, he has remained strangely silent throughout, might be more to this.

[john_lfc]

s*** idea

 

Get to the game - support the players

 

The Yanks aren't going to move

[Beardsley]

s*** idea

 

Get to the game - support the players

 

The Yanks aren't going to move

 

 

Disagree. That is a very short sighted look at it.

 

I acknowledge it is a very, very big thing to ask, but the only way to hurt the yanks is through their pockets, hence cancelling your season tickets. Only other way to get rid of the yanks if they go bankrupt by themselves and them being very shrewd business men, I don't see that happening in the foreseeable future.

[Andy @ Allerton]

Disagree. That is a very short sighted look at it.

 

I acknowledge it is a very, very big thing to ask, but the only way to hurt the yanks is through their pockets, hence cancelling your season tickets. Only other way to get rid of the yanks if they go bankrupt by themselves and them being very shrewd business men, I don't see that happening in the foreseeable future.

 

Brilliant plan.

 

I cancel my season ticket, someone else takes it up. I have to wait 10+ years to be able to watch my team play again.

 

What a great, great plan.

 

Are you, by any chance, waiting for a Season Ticket at the moment?

[Leo No.8]

The only way I'd consider giving my season ticket up would be if I was guaranteed some c*nt wasn't going to get it and go to the match in my place, and I would be able to take my seat back up again immediately when the Yanks were gone.

 

However that looks an impossible scenario. I would actually be willing to make the sacrifice of stopping going to the game temporarily if it would get rid of them, but I'm not going to make a gesture which proves to be totally futile and to the benefit only of the person who gets my season ticket.

 

Until people can come up with some way of stopping the season tickets which are given up being taken by others, its idiotic to even suggest it. Without this contigency its suggesting something which would be totally futile and hurt only loyal match going fans rather than the Americans.

Edited February 23, 2010 by Leo No.8

[Andy @ Allerton]

The only way I'd consider giving my season ticket up would be if I was guaranteed some c*nt wasn't going to get it and go to the match in my place, and I would be able to take my seat back up again immediately when the Yanks were gone.

 

However that looks an impossible scenario. I would actually be willing to make the sacrifice of stopping going to the game temporarily if it would get rid of them, but I'm not going to make a gesture which proves to be totally futile and to the benefit only of the person who gets my season ticket.

 

Until people can come up with some way of stopping the season tickets which are given up being taken by others, its idiotic to even suggest it. Without this contigency its suggesting something which would be totally futile and hurt only loyal match going fans rather than the Americans.

 

 

I've noticed it seems to be advocated mainly by people that don't seem to go much - and certainly don't have season tickets

[Swipe]

I'd like a season ticket. This plan is a winner.

[Beardsley]

Well, it's check mate then. We're stuck with Laurel & Hardy for the long run.

 

To change something, sometimes you have to start with yourself. This is one of those times.

 

And yes, it's gonna hurt. And yes, it's highly probable that some sucker will pick up your ST. And as I said, I understand wholeheartedly that you don't want to give it up. But, I just don't see any other way to get rid of the yanks. It got to hurt the only place the yanks know, in their pocket.

 

To be able to pull this off, there have to be a massive campaign before you give it up so other people can make a well judged decision if they will obtain from buying your ST. I think it can be done (call me f***ing naive), but 1)enough ST holders must do it and 2)a campaign must run before it being done.

[Andy @ Allerton]

Well, it's check mate then. We're stuck with Laurel & Hardy for the long run.

 

To change something, sometimes you have to start with yourself. This is one of those times.

 

And yes, it's gonna hurt. And yes, it's highly probable that some sucker will pick up your ST. And as I said, I understand wholeheartedly that you don't want to give it up. But, I just don't see any other way to get rid of the yanks. It got to hurt the only place the yanks know, in their pocket.

 

To be able to pull this off, there have to be a massive campaign before you give it up so other people can make a well judged decision if they will obtain from buying your ST. I think it can be done (call me f***ing naive), but 1)enough ST holders must do it and 2)a campaign must run before it being done.

 

Have you got a Season Ticket?

[Falconhoof]

Well, it's check mate then. We're stuck with Laurel & Hardy for the long run.

 

To change something, sometimes you have to start with yourself. This is one of those times.

 

And yes, it's gonna hurt. And yes, it's highly probable that some sucker will pick up your ST. And as I said, I understand wholeheartedly that you don't want to give it up. But, I just don't see any other way to get rid of the yanks. It got to hurt the only place the yanks know, in their pocket.

 

To be able to pull this off, there have to be a massive campaign before you give it up so other people can make a well judged decision if they will obtain from buying your ST. I think it can be done (call me f***ing naive), but 1)enough ST holders must do it and 2)a campaign must run before it being done.

 

You are wasting your time. A mass boycott can't happen. Clubs in even worse financial positions than ours have failed to muster a boycott. Its very simple really, most fans want to watch the football and you won't change that.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

paying and not going - which hardly 'hurts the yanks'

 

if a proper boycott is organised, I'd say that's what the ST holders should do. In itself, it wouldn't hurt the owners, but if everyone else boycotted tickets and merchandise, and the ST holders didn't show up, then the owners would be gone in no time.

[Gomez]

I've noticed it seems to be advocated mainly by people that don't seem to go much - and certainly don't have season tickets

 

I think that's a bit convenient. Boycotting the games is the only sure fire way to get the yanks out in the short term. I understand the reluctance of season ticket holders to give them up, and the futility of boycotting a game you have already paid for, but that doesn't change the fact it is the best way of doing it. Because of this it will keep getting suggested.

 

But, it is not going to happen. It is that fact that allows G&H to do what they are doing, Hicks basically admitted it when he took over.

 

It might happen long term through natural attrition when people start realising the club as an entity is no inclined to try to win the league or other important trophies, when we are regularly out of the CL and basically become Everton MkII, people will start walking away naturally, they'll have to to maintain their mental health. But it will be a personal decision rather than a mass movement.

[Andy @ Allerton]

if a proper boycott is organised, I'd say that's what the ST holders should do. In itself, it wouldn't hurt the owners, but if everyone else boycotted tickets and merchandise, and the ST holders didn't show up, then the owners would be gone in no time.

 

 

I never buy anything at the game ever. So how is that going to hurt the Yanks if I pay £40 for a ticket then don't go?! They have their money in their pockets from me.

 

The only person I'd be hurting is myself. The Yanks couldn't give a hoot if people give them money then stay away.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

how is that going to hurt the Yanks if I pay £40 for a ticket then don't go?!

 

cool your punctuation, daddio. I specifically said that it wouldn't, in itself, hurt the owners.

 

it would, however, help to encourage non ST holders not to buy a ticket, and it would mean we could picket the ground.

[johngibo YPC]

Can i point out that its hard enough getting people to go on protest marches and to sing songs about the owners?

[Flight]

"The supporters have to hurt Gillett and Hicks in the pockets. They have to be prepared to take the pain of not watching their club in order to achieve long-term gain.

 

'Supporters should realise that, out of every pound they spend on tickets, 75 pence goes on servicing the debt or satisfying other financial obligations that are incapable of being met by Gillett and Hicks,' he said.

 

'Fans are emotionally concerned and they are right to be. Liverpool Football Club is a cow being milked of cash for purposes other than replenishing the playing squad. That is deeply wrong, in my opinion.

 

 

 

It's us match goers who are to blame for the state the club is in. We keep Statler and Waldorf here by making it worth their while.

 

In years to come, if the club goes further down the s***ter and maybe even does a Leeds we'll all be able to say, 'Well, at least I kept going to the match while it happened'.

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I've changed the names to ours to make the point.

 

 

 

As an aside, anyone who gives up a ST will be able to get a new one in a few years when the new stadium is built. And if one doesn't get built then the club is dead.

Edited February 23, 2010 by Flight

[Gunga Din]

Can i point out that its hard enough getting people to go on protest marches and to sing songs about the owners?

 

exactly. the last march i was on, the one before the Man U match, there was what, 1000-1500 tops?

 

the chances of getting 25000 season ticket holders to not go, and then persuade everyone else not to go is a non starter.

 

its a great idea in theory, but then, so is communism

[The_MC]

I think pre-organised boycott's of specific matches is more realistic, rather than boycotting them all. Boycotting a game that is being shown live on sky, where sponsors and the general public get to see it and it gets publicity would make sense. There may even be sets of away fans who would be sympathetic and join in to ensure an empty ground, we're hardly the only ones who have off-field problems with owners. Better still, wait till a game when Hicks/Gillett are going to the game and let the pair of c***'s sit alone in an empty stadium.

Boycotting matches on a large scale is just not realistic, it would have to be targeted individual games, and pre-arranged in advance of tickets going on sale. Or, if it was being done just to gain publicity, get people who are willing to boycott (and have a bit of expendable income) to buy up all the tickets, that would ensure an empty stadium. Again though, that is probably unrealistic and boycotting will almost certainly never happen.

[New York Red]

if a proper boycott is organised, I'd say that's what the ST holders should do. In itself, it wouldn't hurt the owners, but if everyone else boycotted tickets and merchandise, and the ST holders didn't show up, then the owners would be gone in no time.

 

 

That is absolutely correct. Particularly in this economic climate, with these particular owners, and with them in their particular condition, a real boycott would be incredibly effective.

 

Disrupt the liquidity flows of the club for a month and they would be gone.

 

That could be in any number of forms. For a start, just stop buying stuff. No shirts, caps, programs, Bovril, pies. Everything. Just don't buy it. Post people at the merchandise shop to tell them why they shouldn't buy from there.

 

Sends letters and emails incessantly to our sponsors. Tell them that you will not buy their products but would be happy to with new ownership. In short order, Christian Purslow's phone would be ringing off the hook with complaints and the banks (who really will take notice) will put the pressure on too.

 

Send letters and emails to the Premier League, to the FA, to UEFA. Inundate them.

 

Finally, create some kind of tangible protest at the game. For all of the complaining that has gone on, not much has gone on at the game. How to do it? Well SOS has jumped into the leadership role and now they need to lead. Get it started in the Kop. Be creative. Create a virus that can;t be ignored.

Edited February 23, 2010 by New York Red

[Billy Dane]

The only game it would be possible to organise a boycott for would be the last home game of the season, IF 4th place has already been decided.

[Andy @ Allerton]

 

 

That could be in any number of forms. For a start, just stop buying stuff. No shirts, caps, programs, Bovril, pies. Everything. Just don't buy it. Post people at the merchandise shop to tell them why they shouldn't buy from there.

 

 

 

 

There you go!! I'm a proper fan. I don't buy anything at the ground or from the club apart from tickets. I'm ace, me.