|
|
Post by laughinggas on Jul 27, 2021 15:29:20 GMT
Club President Wael Al Qadi has today penned an open letter to supporters...
Dear Gasheads,
I have been here with you now for nearly five and a half years. I hope that through that time you have seen and felt my passion for this club, my openness with supporters and my understanding of the emotions that you feel on a day-to-day basis.
We have a diverse fanbase, as was celebrated in our recent kit launch campaign and all supporters are welcome at The Mem to enjoy watching our club together.
However, the past four days have been tough for us all and I have seen first-hand that there is division within the fanbase which is not what we want heading into a new season.
Firstly, I think it is really important to confirm that as a club we stand firmly against any form of violence. Any individual that is found guilty of any such offences will be dismissed immediately. I understand the concerns expressed by a number of you. However, in line with the basic principles of British law, it is my view that you are innocent until proven guilty.
I have seen and understand the response to the statement that was released last night. Given that this is a legal matter, what we can and can’t say as a club is heavily restricted. That said, I think it is important that some context is given to the comment regarding victimless crimes as I know that has caused some distress. The phrase is a legal term referring to cases in which the victim is either unknown or has not made a complaint/engaged with the police enquiries. We in no way meant to belittle charges of domestic abuse.
I know that this may have been misinterpreted in the statement last night and I wholeheartedly apologise to anyone that was offended.
As has been well publicised we are partners with the team at HerGameToo and continue to play an active role in supporting that initiative. Furthermore, before we were aware of this issue we agreed last week to support a Domestic Violence campaign which we will continue to do heading into the new season. In addition, in 2018 we partnered with the Southmead Project who provide free counselling and support for survivors of abuse and addiction across Bristol and surrounding areas. All of these causes are at the heart of our football club and we will continue to do all we can to support those in need.
This period will have undoubtedly strained relationships, however, I hope that we can retain your trust and confidence as we look to continue to build the club and support our wider community.
I hope that you can all join me in getting behind the team this season, we need your support now more than ever.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 15:34:41 GMT
Retain trust?
Nope.
Get rid of B*****, get rid of the moron who put that statement up yesterday, apologise for ever bringing B***** here and maybe we can have a discussion, until then you are in the same camp as those who have brought shame and humiliation onto my club.
You seriously think you can write that garbage and all will be forgiven?
|
|
|
|
Post by gasgomarchingin on Jul 27, 2021 15:39:55 GMT
This is the interesting bit to me as it insinuates that the club didn't know even as late as last week..
Furthermore, before we were aware of this issue we agreed last week to support a Domestic Violence campaign which we will continue to do heading into the new season.
|
|
Cheshiregas
Global Moderator
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,149 
Member is Online
|
Post by Cheshiregas on Jul 27, 2021 15:46:00 GMT
The absolute minimum that should happen is his suspension. There are numerous precedents in football especially with the high profile case at the moment of Ryan Giggs, a national side manager.
We should not have employed him in the first place but to sack him now would bring a case for unfair dismissal whilst he has not been found guilty which the club would find exceptionally expensive. If he's found guilty he can go for nothing.
For someone who states he loves the club Wael is certainly haphazardly plummeting us into the depths!
|
|
|
|
Post by mangogas15 on Jul 27, 2021 15:52:54 GMT
This is the interesting bit to me as it insinuates that the club didn't know even as late as last week.. Furthermore, before we were aware of this issue we agreed last week to support a Domestic Violence campaign which we will continue to do heading into the new season. Yep I picked that up |
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 15:58:46 GMT
" I think it is really important to confirm that as a club we stand firmly against any form of violence so we have employed a manager with two convictions for violence and a pending court case for the same offence. Until the weekend I wasn't aware that there was a fourth charge pending so Joseph has been a naughty boy keeping that from me."
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 16:04:02 GMT
I am starting think that Joey B***** might not be back in the dugout as quickly as people think, if ever. I admire Wael's call to arms for the coming season, excuse the pun, but having B***** in the dugout will be a massive diversion. He is going to get slaughtered by both home and away supporters in a very personal way.
Hopefully Wael is currently seeking some professional advice outside of the club and is just buying himself some time. For now he needs to tell the statement writer to keep very quiet.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 16:11:39 GMT
I am starting think that Joey B***** might not be back in the dugout as quickly as people think, if ever. I admire Wael's call to arms for the coming season, excuse the pun, but having B***** in the dugout will be a massive diversion. He is going to get slaughtered by both home and away supporters in a very personal way. Hopefully Wael is currently seeking some professional advice outside of the club and is just buying himself some time. For now he needs to tell the statement writer to keep very quiet. Or use a bit of common sense, suspend the thug and tell whoever is writing this garbage to just write a statement confirming that. Oh, then start the recruitment process for someone new in the media and communications dept, because whoever has been dealing with it for the last couple of days is a liability. |
|
eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 8,109
|
Post by eppinggas on Jul 27, 2021 16:16:48 GMT
I am starting think that Joey B***** might not be back in the dugout as quickly as people think, if ever. I admire Wael's call to arms for the coming season, excuse the pun, but having B***** in the dugout will be a massive diversion. He is going to get slaughtered by both home and away supporters in a very personal way. Hopefully Wael is currently seeking some professional advice outside of the club and is just buying himself some time. For now he needs to tell the statement writer to keep very quiet. Why would Wael need to seek professional advice outside of the Club? Surely we have a senior management team that we can rely on. |
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 16:40:12 GMT
I am starting think that Joey B***** might not be back in the dugout as quickly as people think, if ever. I admire Wael's call to arms for the coming season, excuse the pun, but having B***** in the dugout will be a massive diversion. He is going to get slaughtered by both home and away supporters in a very personal way. Hopefully Wael is currently seeking some professional advice outside of the club and is just buying himself some time. For now he needs to tell the statement writer to keep very quiet. Why would Wael need to seek professional advice outside of the Club? Surely we have a senior management team that we can rely on. Purely for the legals Epping, unless one of the senior management is a lawyer. It should be a case of "This is what we want to do, are our arses covered?" |
|
|
|
Post by rideintothesun on Jul 27, 2021 17:39:03 GMT
'I have seen first-hand that there is division within the fanbase.'
Is division the right word? There was division before, but there now seems to be a consensus that he cannot continue in the role, at least for the time being. Sacking would be inappropriate, primarily for legal reasons, but he surely has to be suspended until this is resolved. You have failed to take this decision.
'Any individual that is found guilty of any such offences will be dismissed immediately.'
Clearly that doesn't apply to you appointing them in the first place Wael. If B***** had acknowledged and learned from his mistakes and was a reformed character, this would clearly be a different situation.
'We in no way meant to belittle charges of domestic abuse.'
Your intentions are besides the point, as you quite clearly did.
'this may have been misinterpreted in the statement.'
This sounds horribly like the weasely 'I'm sorry if you were offended', which implies that it is the taking of offence, and not the action itself, which is the problem.
|
|
|
|
Post by sethstarkadder on Jul 27, 2021 17:56:35 GMT
Why would Wael need to seek professional advice outside of the Club? Surely we have a senior management team that we can rely on. Purely for the legals Epping, unless one of the senior management is a lawyer. It should be a case of "This is what we want to do, are our arses cover?" With a view to telling him that his possessions are in a crate outside the gates on Hortham Lane, with instructions on how to get back to the M5 (northbound), and letting him try to sue them for wrongful dismissal if he thinks he's got a case (and wants his failings discussed in court on yet another occasion). |
|
|
|
Post by CabbagePatchBlues on Jul 27, 2021 18:14:47 GMT
He forgot to mention that victimless crimes also applies to retracted statements. |
|
absent
Joined: February 2021
Posts: 306
|
Post by absent on Jul 27, 2021 18:51:56 GMT
He forgot to mention that victimless crimes also applies retracted statements. Victimless prosecutions. |
|
|
|
Post by baselswh on Jul 27, 2021 19:28:41 GMT
WAQ might be quietly confident (I've no idea why) that JB will get not guilty verdicts.
|
|
|
|
Post by emperorsuperbus on Jul 27, 2021 19:56:31 GMT
WAQ might be quietly confident (I've no idea why) that JB will get not guilty verdicts. or it might be Wael is the Gavin Williamson of football ownership. |
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 19:57:43 GMT
Gorringe is quiet.
|
|
|
|
Post by swissgas on Jul 27, 2021 20:11:03 GMT
The first line of the letter talks about openness with supporters so how about some openness regarding the positions of Tommy Widdrington and Martyn Starnes.
Are they still with the club ?
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 20:43:03 GMT
The first line of the letter talks about openness with supporters so how about some openness regarding the positions of Tommy Widdrington and Martyn Starnes. Are they still with the club ? Supporter Services Manager Clare McDonagh wrote to me at 3.53pm today to say that she would pass my enquiry on to the Chief Executive. I'll let you know if I get a response from Mr Starnes. Widdrington's presumably lying low until Team B***** are removed in the next reset. He ought to have been the continuity candidate from Clarke to Garner's successor, but he didn't have the balls, apparently. |
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 20:53:20 GMT
The first line of the letter talks about openness with supporters so how about some openness regarding the positions of Tommy Widdrington and Martyn Starnes. Are they still with the club ? Supporter Services Manager Clare McDonagh wrote to me at 3.53pm today to say that she would pass my enquiry on to the Chief Executive. I'll let you know if I get a response from Mr Starnes. Widdrington's presumably lying low until Team B***** are removed in the next reset. He ought to have been the continuity candidate from Clarke to Garner's successor, but he didn't have the balls, apparently. Just a word here Shoves, Clare is one of life's 'Good Guys', she doesn't deserve to be caught up in this, so be nice to her please. |
|
