Liverpool FC Forum

by **Joeblackisachimp** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:35 pm

Hello.

I had a look at the 'spirit of shankly' website, and it didnt send out a clear message to me of what they are about.

I hope it is a bit more than constant rants of "get the yanks out now" which is all I am constantly hearing.

The spokesman who I have seen on local tv a lot, seems to be saying, "what these yanks have done to our club", etc just wanting some sugar daddy rich arab tycoon with an unlimited 3billion budget to come in and save the day.

The Yanks bought Torres to Anfield did they not!?

Life aint always like that.

I've not heard anything on tv or elsewhere that is constructive about the group.

Fans have no chance whatsoever of owning the club, unless they inherit about £300million squid. unless the group in L4 Liverpool, do a syndicate on the Euromillions Lotto and win,so forget it.

Man Utd fans tried it and failed. and it aint gonna happen.

Gillette and Hicks are the legal owners, and businessmen, so they deserve a little respect, since they are not here to defend themselves, and there seems to be some doomsday, sinister plot rumours going on. just in the fact that, its a global recession, and money is not picked merely off a money tree.every one is feeling the pinch.

whats to say any new buyer coming in doesnt have a huge pot or 100m to bid for kaka, 300m for new stadium, no transfer funds etc, and the club gets passed around like a baton...etc etc.

Are we gonna keep hounding these people out?

a little common sense and maturity in this situation, would not go amiss.

by **Igor Zidane** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:28 pm

Err ok then . It's not for you , fair enough.

by **Igor Zidane** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:18 pm

Spirit Of Shankly has recently had produced two documentary videos, talking of the Union's history and what it has set out to achieve. These can be viewed at http://www.spiritofshankly.com/news/Spirit-of-Shankly-Documentary.html

Along with these, we have had produced a video of our protest last Sunday ahead of the Blackpool game, along with photos. These can be viewed at http://www.spiritofshankly.com/news....ge.html

Following the high demand last time for our t-shirts, we now have further t shirts available. These can be viewed at http://www.spiritofshankly.com/t-shirts.html, along with details on how to purchase them.

We have recently supported and assisted a member in his query with the club regarding the season ticket waiting list. Information on that can be found at http://www.spiritofshankly.com/news/Season-Ticket-Query.html.

We are also pleased to announce details of a discount for Irish members travelling to Liverpool by ferry. Details can be found at http://www.spiritofshankly.com/news....rs.html

We are aware that supporters are watching and monitoring the ongoing situation at the football club. Rest assured, that we too are doing the same. There will be plenty of rumour, speculation and spin emerging in the coming days, and we want to make clear we will not respond to it all, we have to ensure it is accurate and we get the facts right. We will keep you updated as and when we can, and will update you as the situation develops on our plans.

Spirit Of Shankly

by **RED BEERGOGGLES** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 6:30 pm

Spirit Of Shankly statement regarding the takeover

Spirit of Shankly are delighted to hear the news today that the failed ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett has come to an end. Our Union was formed to protect the Club and to specifically hold any owners to account and it is gratifying to see the efforts our members have made to removing them from their failed tenure.

Liverpool Football Club are now rid of Hicks and Gillett and this has been achieved through the magnificent efforts of the supporters, from the early days of formation in the Sandon Pub, calling Hicks and Gillett to account, to campaigning and protesting tirelessly. It is our members along with the help and backing of other groups from the worldwide support of Liverpool Football Club that has seen the back of Hicks and Gillett.

Hicks and Gillett made the mistake of underestimating our members' commitment, passion and love for our football Club and they forgot that the passion that allegedly attracted them in the first place to Anfield was our most powerful weapon when their lies began.

Hopefully the era of their failed ownership has now gone and the Union can look forward to re-engagement with the Board and new owners, over the issues that are crucial to supporters such as ticketing, travel, a stadium solution and supporters securing an equity stake within the Club with the appropriate representation that would entail.

There is an opportunity for the Board and new owners NESV to reverse the disenfranchisement that has been recognised by the Club and to acknowledge that an independent and vibrant supporter base is only good for the Club. The actions of the UK based Board members throughout the court cases cannot be ignored, and their contribution to ridding the club of Hicks and Gillett must be recognised. They have been victims of the lies told by their former employers and the mistakes made by their predecessors, which meant their words could not always be trusted by supporters until they were backed up by actions. We are delighted to see that in this instance their words have been backed by their actions and we commend this.

It is now time to put our Club back together and the Spirit of Shankly gives a cautious welcome to the Club's new owners NESV and hopes they will not miss the opportunity of an early engagement to start the process of healing our Club. Everyone connected to Liverpool Football Club - the owners, the Board, the manager and the fans needs to be pulling in the same direction in order to bring success back to Liverpool FC - this has been missing for far too long.

The Union's Management Committee would again like to acknowledge the debt we owe to our members and the efforts and sacrifices they have made to achieve this success.

And hopefully, for the final time.............................Tom and George, You're Still Not Welcome Here.

I would personally like to offer my heartfelt thanks to SOS for giving me and all other fans a real voice ...and providing the unity that empowered our strength of conviction ....nobody should underestimate their importance in this fight

by **Dundalk** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:31 pm

Thanks to all involved in SOS

Great work and well done :bowdown

by **fivecups** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 10:06 pm

JBG wrote:This whole SOS thing reminds me of Jimmy Hoffa.

Will have absolutely no impact on the future of the club and serves nothing more than make a dozen or so geezers feel important.

The current impasse could have been sorted a year ago with 100% boycott from fans.........

potential buyers scared off by "organised terrorist internet campaigns"

by **Igor Zidane** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:46 pm

Meeting with NESV Representatives
Monday 18th October 2010

Spirit Of Shankly, the Liverpool Supporters Union, accepted an invitation to today meet with NESV representatives John W Henry and Tom Werner.

It was an informal meeting, to allow us to discuss with them the issues we as a Union deal with, and the issues supporters have faced in the past three years. The meeting gave us encouragement that we as supporters will be listened to, and that the new owners recognise the task ahead.

Supporters have worked tirelessly to ensure our concerns are listened to, and that our voice is heard. John W Henry himself said "If it wasn't for yourselves and supporters doing what you have, we wouldn't be here now." It is important that supporters are recognised and we hope that this is the beginning of an ongoing, positive relationship, that allows us all - supporters, players, manager, the board and the owners - to be pulling in the same direction that allows our football club to succeed and prosper on and off the pitch. We look forward to future dialogue.

To have your voice heard, join Spirit Of Shankly at http://www.spiritofshankly.com/join.html

by **Igor Zidane** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 1:29 pm

Latest from The spirit of shankly .

http://www.spiritofshankly.com/news....ps.html

by **Igor Zidane** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 5:29 pm

Plain English Campaign Award for SOS
Monday 13th December 2010

We are pleased to announce that Spirit Of Shankly have received the Every Body Matters award from the Plain English Campaign. We are extremely grateful and happy to receive such an award from the campaign, which sets out to make sure communication with the public is done clearly and in plain language so that it can be understood.

From the very beginning, we have strived to make sure our statements and messages are easy to read, understand, and to act upon.

“The award has been given in recognition of the efforts to make sure that their message could be clearly understood by all those who heard it, reflecting the power of a united voice allowing supporters to truly have a voice in the future of their club.” (Plain English Campaign)

To read more about the Plain English Campaign visit http://www.plainenglish.co.uk.

by **Igor Zidane** » Fri Dec 24, 2010 9:44 pm

Please view a statement regarding the situation surrounding the match on Boxing Day, and the Spirit of Shankly Committee Elections.

Thanks
http://www.spiritofshankly.com/news....n-.html

by **Igor Zidane** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 5:55 pm

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/ :censored:

... -27890157/

Quote:
THE war which prompted its formation may have been won but Spirit of Shankly continues to fight the good fight for Liverpool supporters.

That was underlined on Christmas Eve when the supporters’ union urged the club to ask Blackpool to bring forward the time of the scheduled noon pitch inspection for yesterday’s doomed clash at Bloomfield Road.

Thankfully, the message seems to have come through with the 10am peek under the covers confirming the inevitable and saving fans a wasted journey and unnecessary expense.

Anyone who thought SOS would drift into obscurity after October’s momentous High Court verdict ended the reign of Tom Hicks and George Gillett was mistaken.

The collective desire to get rid of the wretched American double act may have been the catalyst for the union’s formation when 350 fans packed into The Sandon in Anfield in January 2008, but there was always a lot more to their work than simply protesting for regime change.

SOS are about supporters standing together to ensure their voice is heard as opposed to being abused or ignored as they were under Hicks and Gillett.

It’s about holding those in charge to account for their actions and trying to improve the experience of following their beloved Reds. The battle to do that goes on.

“For those supporters who campaigned long and hard to get rid of Hicks and Gillett to finally see that come to fruition this year was special,” said SOS spokesman Jay McKenna.

“With them gone we were finally able to move on and start talking about football again. To be able to put all that behind us was a massive step for Liverpool supporters and for Liverpool Football Club itself.

“A lot of why we were formed was down to Hicks and Gillett. We began looking at the ownership of the club but then saw a lot more issues.

“We represent fans on issues of ticketing and travel – running coaches to improve the standard and value for supporters.

“We also campaign to ensure the Anfield community is involved. You have to look after the local area but Anfield as an area has been left to fall into neglect and we want to address that.”
Initial discussions with new principal owner John W Henry and Fenway Sports Group have been positive.

The Boston Red Sox chief and Reds chairman Tom Werner vowed to listen to fans and so far have been true to their word.

Henry even paid tribute to the role the union played in forcing out Hicks and Gillett with their protests and marches ensuring the pressure on them never dwindled.

“If it wasn’t for yourselves and supporters doing what you have, we wouldn’t be here now,” Henry said.

SOS hope this is the start of a new era of co-operation between owners and supporters.

“When you are paying vast sums of money to follow your team everywhere then you deserve to have your voice heard,” McKenna said. “Under Hicks and Gillett we were paying for them to have the club and supporters cash was being used to pay the interest on the debt but we didn’t have a say. As a result supporters stood up and fought back.

“SOS don’t want a fractious relationship with the club – we just want to work together with everyone pulling in the same direction for the benefit of the football club.

“The new owners have done well so far and it was positive that they met with us. They have certainly learned from the mistakes made by Hicks and Gillett.

“They haven’t burdened the club with debt. They have listened and taken every opportunity to engage with supporters. There have been no false promises.”

Since October, SOS’s membership has swelled to 10,000 and new branches have recently opened up in New York and Finland.

One of the major issues heading into 2011 surrounds the stadium. Should the Reds redevelop Anfield or resurrect plans to build a new ground in Stanley Park?

SOS have an open mind but insist sharing with Everton is a non-starter.

“People are joining the union all the time and it’s growing because fans realise now we have a genuine voice within the club and our views are heard – that’s something you can’t put a price on,” McKenna added.

“It’s not just a Liverpool thing. We’ve got members all over the world who realise this is a way to be heard.

“Going forward the stadium is a big deal and supporters certainly deserve to have a say on what happens. After all it’s us who will be filling it.

“When we’ve taken a vote at meetings in the past it’s been overwhelmingly against a ground share and it was pleasing to hear the owners recently say ‘if the fans don’t want it that’s fine’.

“In terms of staying at Anfield or moving to a new ground, we just want to see a plan and be presented with exactly what the options are. Then we’ll be able to make a properly informed decision.”

In the longer term the ultimate goal remains supporter ownership of the club.

Last summer SOS formed a partnership with fellow fans group Share Liverpool to work together to pursue that ambitious goal.

A realistic starting point would be convincing Henry to sell a small stake to supporters in return for fan representation at boardroom level.

“The utopia is for supporters to own their club,” McKenna said. “We know it’s unrealistic to think that overnight you could buy 100% but fans would like a stake and a fan on the board.

“SOS and Share Liverpool are doing a lot of work on supporter ownership. We want to push forward plans for that in the next five to 10 years. In the meantime we’re here to deal with supporter issues.

“The new owners know our ideas and what we want. At the moment they are still in a settling in period and most thoughts are rightly focused on the football side of things.

“But we hope to speak to them in more detail over the coming months. If a stake was up for grabs people would be queuing around the block to own part of the club they love so dearly.”

Tomorrow: Rogan Taylor on why he believes 2011 could be a momentous year for Share Liverpool.

by **Igor Zidane** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:29 am

Spirit of Shankly are pleased to announce the launch of a monthly podcast. You can find further information and download the first episode on the following page http://www.spiritofshankly.com/news/SOS-Podcast,-Episode-1.html

Spirit of Shankly

by **metalhead** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:30 am

mate.. I haven't received my SOS package yet

not like I care or anything

by **Igor Zidane** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:04 am

metalhead wrote:mate.. I haven't received my SOS package yet

not like I care or anything

Drop sam an e-mail here mate ,quoteing your SOS number.

Email: For marketing issues [email]marketing@spiritofshankly.com.[/email]

And she will get back to you .

by **ethanr** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 6:11 am

I got my pin and membership card like a month ago, surprisingly fast considering I love in the western US. Love the pin

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