Topic: SOS and The FSF - Fans Fighting Back

[BHB]

If only a few more fans joined up, were made aware of what The FSF can do, and we all get far more organised against the authorities that have walked all over us for far too long.

Latest release on the FSF site concerning the arrest of Jay Mac after the SOS protest at the Arsenal game when we stopped Hicks getting into the ground:

http://www.fsf.org.uk/news/Liverpool-fans-SOS-distress-signal.php

[size=150]Liverpool fan's SOS distress signal[/size]
14th January 2010

FSF affiliate and Liverpool fans’ union The Spirit of Shankly (SOS) is probably one of the best know supporters’ groups in the UK and they’ve even taken to breaking national news stories.

They also seem to be one of the most active groups and as anyone who’s ever been involved in a bit of direct activism can tell you, it’s not something the authorities take kindly to.

With that in mind it wasn’t a total surprise when SOS called us to say that two of their members, including spokesman James McKenna, had been arrested before their home with Arsenal back on Sunday 13th December 2009.

SOS arranged a peaceful protest as part of their ‘Not Welcome Here’ campaign to let Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett know they aren’t welcome at the club following a stream of broken promises surrounding the potential new stadium, team investment and club debt.

The idea was to stop the pair getting into Anfield for the game with the Gunners and raise awareness generally by handing out flyers and publicising their aims to Liverpool’s wider fan base. Of course in the digital age this can be done via Youtube too – see SOS in action here.

As the link shows there were plenty of fans involved in the demonstration, although it was SOS spokesman James McKenna who was picked out and arrested along with one other SOS member. Is it a coincidence that one of the more prominent members was singled out? We’ll let you make your own mind up on that.

Why the police have to get so heavily involved in a dispute between owners and supporters isn’t exactly clear to us anyway – no one’s suggesting this was going to turn into a riot.

Yet for chanting “Yanks Out!” James was charged with a Section 5 Public Order offence, in layman’s terms this means racism. “The copper who arrested me was whispering in my ear telling me I was banned and it was all on CCTV,” recalls James. Nice of him to play judge, jury and executioner. Spurious accusations like those aimed at James do nothing to help the fight against real racism either.

In years gone by these charges may have resulted in convictions for all involved and lengthy banning orders. Nowadays though, that’s not always the case, especially if you get yourself a decent legal team. Kavanagh QC isn’t known for knocking around Anfield Road but James knew exactly who he needed.

“Ring up the FSF and ask for Amanda Jacks!” shouted James to his mates as the cops dragged him away, instantly gaining himself legendary status within the FSF. For those who don’t know Amanda is the FSF member who liaises with our solicitor contacts and deals with the vast majority of policing and stewarding complaints brought to our attention.

We’ll be putting signed pictures of Amanda in the FSF shop at this rate!

So we put James in touch with RFB Legal, solicitors who’ve shown time and again they can get results for fans, and accompanied him to court. End result?

All charges were dropped after the barrister appointed by RFB Legal spoke to the prosecution and it didn’t cost James a penny.

Justice was done because James knew of the FSF and was put in touch with the right legal team. But how many fans out there are getting unfair convictions, fines and bans for absolutely trivial offences? Drinking in sight of the pitch or encroachment while celebrating a goal are two which crop up on a regular basis.

Maybe a supporter’s duty solicitor wasn’t up to it? Maybe the police put a fan off by telling them the duty solicitor wouldn’t be in for hours and they’d miss their coach home? “It’s only a caution – accept it and you’ll be home tonight.” This can lead to a ban and cautions are not the easy option. We know this happens. You might get home a few hours earlier but they are an admission of guilt and will stay on your record.

If you find yourself in a spot of bother email the FSF or call 08702 777777. Make sure you join while you’re at it too!

And Jay didn't shout that to his mates; he shouted it to me!

It's the football fans equivalent of "go and get me mum" haha.

Take your time to have a look at The FSF site, join up and take down the contact details for if you ever find yourself in trouble over nothing at the football; we all know it happens quite easily.

[Jase]

It's the football fans equivalent of "go and get me mum" haha.

Nah, Jay's a sound lad though - absolute disgrace that he had to go through that.

[The 92A]

Just a question. If you're a member of SoS are you protected by FSF because we're affilliates or do you have to join Fsf?

[LFC on tour]

Why not join FSF aswell? It's free.

[FSF]

Just a question. If you're a member of SoS are you protected by FSF because we're affilliates or do you have to join Fsf?

We'll help and advise any football fan who comes to us with a query, problem or question. But as LFC on tour has said, why not sign up to the FSF anyway? It's free, so it's not as if we're taking any cash away from your dues that you pay to SOS on an annual basis.

[TipTopKop]

Why not join FSF aswell? It's free.

true

[Graham Smith]

Just a question. If you're a member of SoS are you protected by FSF because we're affilliates or do you have to join Fsf?

You're not automatically "protected" (whatever that means).

However, the Union will back its members. In this case three lads were lifted. We agreed we would subsidise any defence costs for the two that were charged (and subsequently cleared) and cover the fine on the other lad who took a fixed penalty.

(I won't be going into any more detail about the incidents)

[rutlandred]

Whilst I didn't actually witness the arrest of Jay, because I was trying to dodge a police horse at the time..! I was there and I did witness the first arrest, which I will go into briefly because its what I saw.  The lad swore at the bizzie...and thats it...he was stood right in front of me.

I've said it before on here, the bizzies before the game were way over the top and the only problems were caused by one particular short arse and their horses..!

I'm glad its all sorted...

[FSF]

Plenty of fans have signed up today on the back of this, so thanks to all those who have. Strength in numbers!

[kavah]

bump for this

Plenty of fans have signed up today on the back of this, so thanks to all those who have. Strength in numbers!

[harvey-tuttle]

Plenty of fans have signed up today on the back of this, so thanks to all those who have. Strength in numbers!

[Hij]

Nice.  I got a magazine as well when I signed up!

[24/7]

Plenty of fans have signed up today on the back of this, so thanks to all those who have. Strength in numbers!

You just got one more (can't believe I hadn't done it earlier!)

[Mottman]

Been reading this thread on another site, and how the FSF have been frighting on behalf of the Sunderland supporters who got snotted by the Feds at Newcastle whilst on their way home from an away game.

The FSF have representatives of many supporters from various clubs, including Newcastle, not being funny like, but what has been the reaction from the Newcastle supporters on the FSF towards Sunderland lads getting snotted.

Imagine, if it were possible, that we threw away our grudges, and spoke with say the Mancs and the Toffee's and all joined up together as one force, would never happen like, the clubs would shit themselves if the fan's actually asked, and demanded explanations on ticket prices etc.


Carry on...
 

[Terry De Niro]

Imagine, if it were possible, that we threw away our grudges, and spoke with say the Mancs and the Toffee's and all joined up together as one force, would never happen like, the clubs would shit themselves if the fan's actually asked, and demanded explanations on ticket prices etc.


Carry on..

In an ideal World that would be brilliant. But I'll give the Premier League 3 years max before it turns into what's happened in Italy.
Real fans will fuck it off and watch the match in the pub with their mates, and day-trippers will stay at home and watch it in the comfort of their armchairs.

The whole thing is fucked.

[Mr Mojo Risin']

Bump for this.
Sign up, it's the price of a fart.

[blurred]

Been reading this thread on another site, and how the FSF have been frighting on behalf of the Sunderland supporters who got snotted by the Feds at Newcastle whilst on their way home from an away game.

The FSF have representatives of many supporters from various clubs, including Newcastle, not being funny like, but what has been the reaction from the Newcastle supporters on the FSF towards Sunderland lads getting snotted.

Imagine, if it were possible, that we threw away our grudges, and spoke with say the Mancs and the Toffee's and all joined up together as one force, would never happen like, the clubs would shit themselves if the fan's actually asked, and demanded explanations on ticket prices etc.

Carry on...

A dreamer as ever, Mottman