Fuck The Bid Pt. II

[grafikhaus]

Seems we're launching legal action about the disgraceful decision to choose Swillsborough over BDTBL. Here.

Got mixed feelings about this. To the outsider, it's beginning to seem like we want to go to court whenever a decision doesn't go our way. This bit made me laugh:

"United’s sense of injustice has not been tempered by the fact that the city’s most influential politicians - David Blunkett, Angela Smith, Roy Hattersley and Clive Betts - are all Wednesday supporters."

Geddaway! Chuck in The Stir and Radio Sheffield and you see what we were up against.

Anyway, it will never happen. The blazers who have done so much to drag sport down in this country will see their self-interested antics will scupper our bid.

 

[Linz]

If the "internal investigation" digs up something that smells fishy, then why not?

If however, we're doing it for a whinge, then what's the point?

Spain/Portugal... do us proud!

 

[Latters]

Well I for one hope it's not true. We're at risk of becoming, if we haven't already, a laughing stock who just runs crying to the authorities when something doesn't go our way.

We were relegated because we finished below 17 other teams. The sty was chosen because the City centre's a shit hole with no "fan park". I wouldn't have chosen it over the Lane, but hey, it's not my decision.

If we win another court case what would happen? We might get a bit more money to clear some more debt. The playing side would see no benefit once again.

 

[Torrix1889]

FFS LEAVE IT! How embarrasing, the snort beasts will love this.

 

[NN6]

I agree we are becoming far too litigious and in danger of becoming a laughing stock.

However you have to remember that Sheffield United PLC is a property company with a small footballing subsidiary so the board view this decision as more than one about football. It almost questions their whole strategy. How can our nice, new shiny ground with its state of the art hotel lose out to Pigsborough?

 

[Linz]

Before anyone starts spitting their dummies out at the club, this hadn't actually been confirmed this morning when RS were on about it. So it may just be the meeja trying to shit stir.

Or have I been listening to Strafford too much?

 

[Revolution]

It is amusing to me that the club is reportedly prepared to resort to litigation in circumstances like this (not to mention the Tevez affair) and at the same time claims it is unable to defend our legal rights when agents try to negotiate new contracts or force a move for players under contract at the Lane.

I was pleased we didn't get selected. We don't need the distractions. Let it go.

 

[Micalijo]

Ridiculous. I'm sure it was a very painful day for McCabe when his beloved property Group had another kick in the teeth, but can we please just concentrate on signing a centre-back and trying to offload Blackwell and Evans? Why can't one of these managerless clubs show an interest on our manager? people on here tell me he does such a wonderful job on a shoestring budget and in this day and age surely that is what counts. The ability to build a balanced squad from very little and improve players, organise a team to play above themselves in big matches. Blackwell is the man for that, no doubt.

The picture of Sheffield in that report: any ideas where it's taken from and where we are looking towards? I don't recognise anything I'm afraid.

 

[Foxy]

Official Blades Comment:

Not going to comment on the matter, the club are currently considering their options.

 

[Houso]

Really really really hope it's not true.

 

[beightonblade]

I have complete confidence in our leaders ... and so shud you comarades,
If not why not ?

 

[Highbury_Blade]

IF McCabe suspects corruption in the decision making process, i would normally say go for it Kev, but i'm concerned that we are making powerful enemies within the game.

McCabe was right to pursue the tevez affair, and he succeeded in exposing corruption within the premier league, but going after the FA as well? This is just shitting on your own doorstep.

Pick your fights carefully Kev.


Edit: Whoops didn't read the article first. I assumed it was the FA we were pursuing, not the council.

 

[Foxy]

IF McCabe suspects corruption in the decision making process, i would normally say go for it Kev, but i'm concerned that we are making powerful enemies within the game

We've always had powerful enemies within the game

 

[Robbie]

It was disappointing for Hillsborough to be picked over us, but thats life.
I believe we're more geared up for the bid, but we should move on.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

The problem is that if Sheffield gets pulled from the bid (a likely outcome regardless) then we will be blamed. If England lose the bid we will get blamed.

By all means get the findings of the selection committee in the open and publish to show how stupid they are but don't go to court.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

We were relegated because we finished below 17 other teams

Not sure I agree with your sentiment mate. Yes we finished 18th, but a team above us didn't abide by the rules when the other 19 teams (including us) did. And in case we forget; they didn't just cheat once, they got caught cheating and were fined for it then lied and cheated again! Not giving them a points deduction was an horrendous decision and we were right to go to court.

Your point is the same one made by all the winging West Ham fans when we took them to court. It doesn't hold up to scrutiny, by the same logic should the person who finishes second in a marathon behind someone who caught a taxi be told "get over it mate, after all you came second"? Also, it's not like it was a frivolous action because we won.

I wouldn't believe a word of it anyway, it's in the Daily Heil and we all know everyone's favourite beardy, unethical, sham-supporting fat-twat reporter writes for them and will do anything he can to drag our club's name through the muck. I'd believe it when/if the club announce it.

 

[shorehamview]

If it's true then it's not the same as the Tevez case. It'll be just another stick for the others to beat us with, and we'll look like the mardy kid who didn't get a sweetie.

 

[cooperblade]

We're a very sensitive bunch, aren't we?

When did Sheffield United fans start caring so much about what others think about us? Personally I couldn't give a flying one and am pleased we've got a chairman willing to fight our corner when he feels we've been wronged. Most SUFC chairman in the past (and plenty of our fans) wouldn't have taken the Tevez case as far as McCabe did and we'd much the poorer for it.

Fight the power. No-one likes us, we don't care.

 

[Trevor Hockey]

For gods sake untangle your lingerie everyone.

Asking for clarification as to the criteria used in a bidding process and then looking at why a bid failed is nothing more than I would expect from professional people. If - thats IF -the criteria has been manipulated and / or ignored to favour one bidder as opposed to another it is also legitimate.

The use of the ombudsman service is also the proper way to look for clarification if people in public office have made decisions in an incorrect way. Its not legal action per se - its a method of examining a process and exposing any weaknesses or failures within the system.

If the thick pigs across town want to twist their tails tighter let them. At least we are run by professionals who deal with matters in an appropriate way based on evidence and logic.

UTB

 

[lenners]

Think Coops is right on this one.
Reading between the lines it looks like we're having a preliminary look at how decisions were made. They've probably already got advice on potential irregularities.
At the end of the day, the FA ferked up by choosing a ground a year ahead of when they had to.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

If the "internal investigation" digs up something that smells fishy, then why not?

If however, we're doing it for a whinge, then what's the point?

Spain/Portugal... do us proud!

What's that a reference to?

I wish we would just leave this alone - let's just wait until the Pigs implode and the council comes a-begging!

 

[Micalijo]

Fair points Cooper, he can do what he wants, except that by 'much poorer' I assume you mean in very, very serious fiscal difficulties bordering on catastrophic due to the property market collapse?

 

[Linz]

What's that a reference to?

T'was how it was worded on Radio Sheffield this morning.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I just think there is more to be gained by watching Wednesday trying to fund their promises.

Although I suppose this initial course of action may be a plan to ensure the council don't get any ideas about bailing them out.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

T'was how it was worded on Radio Sheffield this morning.

Ah, thank you, Linz

 

[Trigger Blade]

At the AGM, attended at least by lenners and myself (we weren't together, I'm just boasting), McCabe said that they were "flabbergasted" by the decision and would be conducting an internal investigation.

I would guess that they need some supporting information, nothing more than that, but I can imagine Fat Boy Samuel, never one to let facts get in the way of a good story, having a field day with this.

 

[oldblade]

We were relegated because we finished below 17 other teams.

We finished below 16 clubs that played to the same set of rules as us, and below one club that operated to a different set of rules.

 

[boo radley]

Things to consider
We have always been the unfashionable club so exposing corruption if it exists should change that.
If all people with an interest in Sheffield should support the bid, WHY did prat Richards come out and say that BDTBL was not even close to being the best stadium in Yorkshire that comment was and has caused resentment.
A transparent and open bid process would have stopped debate and if swillsborough through this could be seen to be better - job done.
All that has happened with this HAS divided the city.
So if the grounds have to be further whittled down then a city divided is easy to knock out. Likewise a city whose ground isn't ready through lack of investment is also easy to knock out.
Would Bramall lane have been ready? -yes it would have been.
Therefore we go back to the cynical view - The people in power in the FA know where their colleague’s allegiances are.
Why did Mr Richards resign from the world cup bid in November?
Now I know some Blades couldn’t give a shit about this and think our efforts would be best served in other ways. BUT a lot do want to know why Swillsborough was chosen over BDTBL.

 

[alcoblade]

with the club apparently between £35M and £50M in debt, do we really need to spend more money on legal action to win the right to have to spend a further £20M on our ground for the potential to house 2 games in 9 years time, with 20,000 empty seats for the rest of eternity?

At the end of this season we're on track to have about 6 players under contract. Would it be possible for our football club to concentrate on........football?

Are we going insane?

UTB

PS - meant to add the caveat that this is, hopefully, nothing more than paper talk.

 

[cooperblade]

Fair points Cooper, he can do what he wants, except that by 'much poorer' I assume you mean in very, very serious fiscal difficulties bordering on catastrophic due to the property market collapse?

No, it wasn't that complicated. I just meant we'd have circa £20m less than we do at the moment (or will do when the payments are completed).