Quote: lefty goldblatt "Nailed.
I take no pleasure in Widnes' demise (well, apart from that whopper who comes on here, boring us about a 30 year old match). Office workers, backroom staff etc may lose their jobs. Players will simply move to another club, on (I imagine) a similar contract. Situations like this, have a serious"knock on effect" for families.
I have a friend, a good few years older than me, and he's a proud Widnesian (I know, a Widnesian friend, eurrrgh), and this situation upsets him, greatly. He's also a successful business man, who was in direct competition (until he sold out to a multi national) to a recent Widnes board member (I shall mention no names, obviously) and he tells me of the kind of "person" this man was. I won't repeat it here, as it would break the swear filter. Which brings me on to my next point.
Fit and proper persons
Look around us in sport.
20 miles away. Bolton. Only a few years ago, they were Premier League stalwarts. Now look at them. Can't pay staff wages. Chairman HATED by its fans.
Likewise Blackpool (only 1 year in PL). Rumours abound about Coventry City being up the creek. There's countless others. Newcastle. What a joker Mike Ashley is. My own team, Manchester City, only 12 years ago, was owned by a corrupt Thai politician, who wanted to previously buy Liverpool. The way sports clubs are ran (at times) is disgraceful. Greedy chairman, "trousering" huge sums of money, with a negligible amount going back into the club.
So, no Saddened. Us, Saints, Wigan, Sky , should NOT be helping Widnes out. They are business men (successful ones, I may add). They NEED to use their club as MORE THAN playthings. Every professional sports club MUST have a self generated "slush fund" to prevent administration, BEFORE they go breaking the bank, on superstar players. They come and go. Clubs are here for decades, and are q cornerstone for a community.
I hope Widnes (and other clubs in peril, Leigh etc) survive this.
There but for SJM Holdings, go we.'"
Great post v well put sir !
