There are some that would disagree with my sentiment but I really believe that Spirit of Shankly (S.O.S.) have played a huge role in finally convicing Tom Hicks and George Gillett to sell. Yes, there are other factors that have contributed to the two cowboys to finally decide to throw in the towel however I feel that S.O.S. played the major part. The Union is cautious however and wants to ensure that what happened under the Hicks and Gillett regime does not happen again.
Here is their full statement:
Spirit Of Shankly welcomes the news that Tom Hicks and George Gillett have begun the process of leaving Liverpool Football Club. This is something that we have campaigned for over the last two years – for them to sell the club and leave. It seems the cent has finally dropped with the realisation that they aren’t wanted or welcome at our club. They haven’t been since they broke their promises, told lies and manoeuvred the Club into its current state.
The problems at our Club are far from over, and the issues that supporters have regarding our ownership and financial position are not resolved. While the club is officially up for sale, and Hicks and Gillett have stepped down as chairmen, they still remain at LFC – as owners and directors. Despite their announcement today, we will continue to seek their full and final removal from our club.
Our focus now has a new emphasis, in keeping with our objective of holding any new owner to account. We have witnessed the Hicks and Gillett reign which will leave a dark cloud over the club. Consequently, we would like to remind fans that while this seems to be the beginning of the end of the ownership battle with them, the war continues – we must make certain that this can never happen again at our Club.
Until those concerns are addressed, and fans fears allayed, then the pressure and presence will remain. We want Tom and George out, and in their place we want fit and proper owners. We do not want the same mistakes and errors of the present owners – lies, broken promises, and contempt for LFC and supporters.
S.O.S. did not exist back in 2007 when the American duo bought the club, it was founded by a group of loyal fans as a Supporters Union after the truth on how Hicks and Gillett purchased Liverpool emerged. Over the last two years Spirit of Shankly has been actively organising protests against the American owners. In the last few weeks the Union stepped up the protests and started putting up billboards around Liverpool claiming that Hicks & Gillett were not welcome. The Union has also been successful in disrupting H&G’s travel plans. The duo had to sneak in early for the game against Benfica as S.O.S. members were planning to peacefully prevent them from entering the stadium. Earlier this year, the Union was also instrumental in applying pressure on Hicks Jr. to resign from the L.F.C. board after he sent an abusive email to a fan.
I have been a Union member for over a year and am very proud of what they have achieved, future owners of L.F.C. need to get the message. Liverpool F.C. is not an object that you put on the shelf and wait for it to appreciate in value. Treat the club as if it is your child, nourish it and help it grow.
Y.N.W.A.
Antoine Zammit
antoine@empireofthekop.com