I know you weren't having a go RedShadow77. Just trying to explain some of the processes with SOS. Some good ideas you have mentioned there that would work with support. Not meaning to make excuses, but some of them wont get the support or haven't had the support. Some of those things are getting looked into and getting worked on as well.
We had the dealings with RBS which they answered us over, which you wouldn't expect any banks to talk about the dealings with a company like the way they did regardless of what was done, but they did. More action could be taken against them, but then you always have to balance it with the support it would draw when planning anything. Some want them out at al costs, others don't want to affect any finances that are there. So you have to always balance these things out when organising anything. Similarly when attacking any investors. If I remember right (was before I was on the committee) but SOS attempted to block phone lines for certain companies, which did have an affect on business, but was agreed afterwards that it probably wasn't the best course of action to continue at the time. Maybe its something that could be revisited or something similar. Through our efforts a group of MPs tabled motions to the House of Commons about the loans and how it was affecting the regeneration of Anfield, but the line was that the government, even though they bailed RBS out, wouldn't get involved in their dealings with it.
With regards to attacking Hicks and Gillett in America, with talking to people and other relevant parties previously, in terms of what is required there is not much else to do to damage their reputation further particularly Hicks. If you look at the Rangers as well, despite everything Hicks has done to them all they do is speak out in the press occasionally but there is no organised action. The mindset is different with their fans. So once again its that balance of everything. We could go all out attack, but then alienate people in the process and then get a situation like at United which has seen massive increases in ticket prices and other things which have pushed out supporters and with those that originally protested mainly at FC United now, there isn't anyone to speak out.
There will be more leaflets done and there will be more things done as part of the not welcome campaign including stuff like the videos that have been done already for things like the protests. But things like that need to be spread round by each other as well though to get the word further out.
With the media, we always try to get the coverage that is needed in everything we do. Sometimes we will get it, other times not. Its down to the press if they feel they want to cover it at the time, so we need to keep coming up with original ideas to keep this high in the agenda despite the owners 'buying' us in 2007. It has been looked at before about trying to get messages out on media in the USA as well, but even though Hicks reputation particularly is tarnished over there, not many would be willing to support any campaign against him, mainly due to his families association with media companies for many years. There are some Dallas journalists who will speak out against him and we try to give them information about any protests etc that they may want to cover.
On the Fit and Proper Person's test, it has been looked at many times before. The problem is it is quite flimsy. Unless new conditions were brought in there is not much that would be said about the purchase being an LBO. Think this if anything could be more likely to come from UEFA which Platini has already alluded to that they are talking about it. There is a great article by David Conn at the Guardian about how things have developed in the premiership regarding all of this here
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/david-conn-inside-sport-blog/2009/dec/23/noughties-decade-review-football-money.
With regards to Corinthians. Its not very well reported about what they actually did. Think a lot of it though was down to the Business Model failing as they worked on many more millions of fans getting involved and paying in to Corinthians, something which would never happen to the level they wanted in Brazil. They still hanging on by their skin of their teeth to some sort of model here. Also, the level of militancy in Brazil would be higher to that of here. SOS could also never promote anything too drastic, dangerous or violent, but then we can't control what individuals want to do as well.
Throughout all this as well, SOS is there as a strong base to initiate different protests, try and educate people about the situation we are in and more, but that does not mean that people have to wait for SOS to act before they follow or just comment. Many small bits of action or even larger action can be organised by anyone, be it here in Liverpool, in USA or just on the net. Whether it be involving Moores, Hicks or Gillett personally or aimed at something else. This is a very important point.
If you want to get involved with Direct Action more though, contact Jay at
directaction@spiritofshankly.com. We are always interested in as many ideas and as much help as possible.
