It's not the rivalry that would anger Nicola...it would be the disrespect and the lack of professionalism. I can see that making him very angry indeed...the shirt burning (if it happened) would not necessarily be a direct order from him, however.
Nicola puts me in mind of some malefic vampire, the image made worse by ritualistic shirt burning (and possible human sacrifice - RIP Pompey builders)
The Liebherrs hated the rivalry between fans, and i doubt that Nicola would be vindictive over the shirt. However, the lack of respect shown by the builders, and the failure to honour a business agreement would not be accepted. I can see the contractor being forced under threat of financial penalty being forced to take down everything they had done and to reinstate the work at no cost to SFC as being a fitting punishment. I would suggest that the concrete overcoats are being fitted as we speak before a trip to the apex of the itchen bridge, and a trip past Rupert Lowe (still hanging from the bridge) to the sea bed.
Yes, I still think it was a prank. I have no sympathy for them and think they were stupid videoing and putting it out there publicly, but yes I still think it was a prank. My point all through this is that we have taken a little bit of a 'shock horror' approach to it. It wasn't a very bright prank, but a prank nonetheless.
This could have been a really good prank, put the shirt in and then video it. After the work was completed they could have started putting the rumour about, after months , even a couple of years the rumour would grow and an urban myth would develop. Now of course, saints supporters would say it was bullshit. Just a myth never happened. Then before the next derby game, years down the line, release the video proving the curse of the shirt. But no, like the thick flat faced Muppets that they are, they got excited, they couldn't contain themselves, it was a wind up opportunity that ended up as a premature ejaculation, they just got too excited and carried away. Dumb skates never fail to amaze me.
Guess we'll have to agree to differ on this one, FLT. To me, a prank is a harmless bit of fun which temporarily causes a bit of humour on one side but everyone ends up laughing and no damage is done. But what has happened here..? Two blokes have lost their jobs, a subcontracting firm's reputation has been tarnished, not to mention Leadbetter's the builder, and it has cost them plenty more in money, make no mistake there, and more in the future possibly. And Cortese is left with a slight doubt as to the quality of the building. If the prank had been played upon me I'd be absolutely incandescent. After all, I'm the customer and I'm coming up with the money. For what..? So people can have time to play pranks on me and try to make me look like a fool..? No thanks.
Morning TSS. I like your style of "agree to disagree" .... and then carry on with a bit more of your opinion In true fairness of "agree to disagree," I will do that. Blimey, if you were a General calling a cease fire, you'd call it and shoot me as I walked away!
The prankster is on Twitter, @MichaelTylerJnr. Admits it was a daft joke. Says he has been banned from any SFC site and has been banned by Leadbitter. Says that he and the others who were in on it won't be paid because Saints had to strip all their work back.
Bet he doesn't. It was all about attention seeking, which he's got in spades. He'll get back slapped at Fratton, they'll probably even erect a statue to him.
Always thought this was more likely than them being sacked. They are contractors after all, just remove them from that job and move on. I also don't believe the shirt was burned or that there is any real problem with having a shirt hidden in a cavity wall. Seen some people claiming it's a fire hazard, get real! Silly thing to do but let's keep it in perspective.
Hopefully the punishment fits the crime and will deter further incursions of this nature. I think it was more a matter of bad timing, they were let down by their own stupidity and awful timing, it was a relatively amusing effort that went foul on them because they were simply not bright enough to think it through.
I think LD summed it up pretty well. They could have been legends in their own pub, instead they'll be legless & living in their own pub......well, till the coins run dry.
LINK: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/contractors-stand-by-pompey-shirt-prank-1-5300805 It's been confirmed that the guys in that video are not getting paid, are being invoiced for all repairs and the new work, and are banned from Leadbitter projects. They've also got themselves blacklisted from all major construction firms and government infrastructural projects.
What gets me is how dumb people can be. I mean, this is their livelihood and they bugger about making prank videos, risking their ability to earn money, in their skill set. Punishment is pretty much as I expected.
By the way, -DTLW, where did you get the additional info about blacklisting, etc..? That article doesn't make that plain.
