Simon's blog on Saturdays mess for those who have not seen it http://simonhead.tumblr.com/post/66575943116/the-day-gillingham-fc-embarrassed-themselves
Si is certainly not high on my list of friends and I'm sure I am not his likewise but i have to say I agree with what he has wrote. I've been rattling my drum for a long time and with the astonishment shared at no explanation to not holding a minute's silence, this about sums it up for me, in Simon's own words... 'It seems the club are only interested in pushing their own messages, promotions and agendas, and not actually engaging with the fans.' Strangely i also before reading this mentioned about 'self' promotion at #12 'Bewildered'...I know this is not what the author meant or said but much and much the same in my eyes. At the end of the day, we all pay their wages. Shocking day all round Saturday unless you were wearing the Brackley colours. This season we seem to be making a habit of alienating the supporters of GFC.
Yep, but he would rather play 'mr journo' and watch UFC. A man who doesn't go to games speaking for the supporters? Leaves a sour taste. He should jog on.
Back on topic, anyone had an explanation from the club....ive sent 3 messages now...nothing in return
I've heard nothing harry. I copied them in on a tweet earlier re me and a another user conversation and so far no response. I wonder if the Chairman was aware...although i thought someone told me he was at the game?...I could be wrong, so more an open question than statement.
I don't know the reason for the lack of a one minutes silence, I do know the club have always supported the armed forces, only the week before, during the Carlisle game the buckets were out for "Help the Heroes" The club should reply to fans who make a reasonable request for information, why they haven't I don't know, things are probably hectic with all the management interviews taking place and maybe we should give them time, better still it's our club so lets just show them what a minutes silence is, get the whole ground to drop into silence at the start of the next home game, it might be too late for remembrance but it will let them know our feelings.
We have a response just been published...http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway_messenger/news/no-minutes-silence-at-gills-8690/
I don't get it...it was actually announced there would not be one 15 mins before kick off, its not as if it takes a lot of organizing last minute is it? Poor old Doug must have wondered what was going on too...oh well its happened now not much can be done. Still a shambles though
It sounds like a cock-up. Scally has almost said sorry. Someone in the organisation is distraught. We should let it drop.
Absolute disgrace Mr.Scally. Of course you expect I'm talking about the lack of respect by not holding a minute's silence - that's not the half of it ! If anyone else was chairman they would have gone to Doug, and personally told him to reverse the announcement to ensure that the appropriate respect was observed. You manage to ensure that there is a drama out of every crisis at Gillingham Football Club - yet fail to take responsibility - the responsibility that comes with a position of power. You had ample opportunity on the day to make an unreserved public apology for the 'lack of communication' - but YOU failed to do so. You have had plenty of time to make an apology since the game - but only after it has been highlighted have you commented. YOU HAVE STILL FAILED TO MAKE A PROPER APOLOGY - it seems from your quoted response, that you are sorry for the 'miscommunication' - rather than the lack of respect that the Club has failed to show to those who give their lives, including members of my family, for the freedom of the World This was no cock up a-la-McCammon - this was about as disrespectful any football club can be - thank goodness we're not guilty of anything to do with racism - oh wait a minute. Hang your head in shame Mr.Scally -because, yet again the fans will 'suffer' ridicule for this. R.I.P to ALL service and civilian personnel who have given their lives - so that Mr.Scally could be free to make an awful decision to announce that no minute's silence would be given and for being free not to offer a decent aplogy for the lack of respect........................ of course I am assuming that Mr.Scally might actually be sorry for the disgraceful lack of respect - but in this case I suspect that I am alwaysright.
I sometimes search for balance of judgement when i post views...none more so on the rare occasion than turning to 'her indoors'...she is not a Gills supporter and has to put up with much sufferance while i follow the team i love...probably glad in truth to get rid of me hahaha...to which i add that she is certainly not one to share my views or mince her words... However... I sent her the link today of the published article and the Chairman's explanations...and the response in her very own precise words not mine, were... 'bit late now' Exactly! The club could have given an explanation after the game, even all day Sunday...but no not until nearly lunchtime Monday...even better like alwaysright states someone should have told them to reverse the decision on the day.
A minutes silence can occur without the ref blowing his whistle, why couldn't fans decide to have the silence anyway? Forget the forum grumbles and do something to embarrass Scally the club on our next home match, when the match kicks off remain silent, no clapping, no cheers, no songs, no noise, I think the message will get across.
Others have expressed the views that I hold (particularly #11 and #12) so I won't repeat them. What additionally interests me is that in a comment to the blog a Tony Quarrington also expressed his shame at being associated with a club that could perpetrate such an error. Now Quarrington is not a common surname (although apparently the highest density of them is found in ME postcode area), but there happens to be a Michael John Quarrington who was, and believe is still a Director and Secretary of GFC, although in last year's Members List he was listed as being a resident in Guernsey. This is publicly available information - I'm not disclosing anything confidential or restricted. So, are the two Quarringtons related? Just out of interest..
Guernsey / Dubai / tax haven and whilst I'm getting it out of my system I might as well find something that makes Scally a little less insensitive http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-24906040 You'd have to say that if the Germans had won WW2 efficiency would definitely have been better !
