Continuing with my chat with Liam Scully, Lincoln City CEO, as well as the new facilities we also discussed other pressing issues such as the Checkatrade Trophy and the recent reports of disorder amongst fans.
Liam was very keen to point out that proportionately, the reported disorder wasn’t representative of the number of fans we have. We travel in great numbers, we’re vocal and the club do not want to sanitise that experience. Liam said that he doesn’t want to discourage those who enjoy a game of football by having five or six pints with their mates and being loud and supporting the team.
Of course the intention is to eradicate the few issues and weed out those that are causing trouble, but I was surprised and pleased by Liam’s insistence that the problem perhaps wasn’t as large as first thought. I’ve heard some things from Saturday which do not make easy listening, but I wasn’t there and won’t comment extensively on something I’ve only read about on social media. Liam is keen not to blow the subject out of proportion, down playing the reports as a very small minority. This wasn’t done in a reckless manner, but merely wanting to keep reports and discussion proportionate to the problem. I think certain media outlets have exaggerated the issue and it is nice to hear Liam discussing it in such grounded and sensible terms.
It is actually refreshing to hear someone with a club hat on talking in a grounded manner about the perceived problem. So often reports of violence or disorder are met with a ‘one size fits all’ response of indignation and blame towards the fans. I only scratched the surface with Liam today, it wasn’t the time nor the place to discuss things such as police reactions and steward behaviour away from home. That is a debate to be had by those directly involved, not myself. I do feel though that when those conversations have to take place, there is a reasonable and balanced view waiting within the football club.
Regarding the much-maligned Checkatrade Trophy, obviously from a club point of view Liam would like fans to support the club. However, he refused to condemn those that do not, respecting people’s choices and beliefs. That isn’t an attitude that has been prevalent on social media from either side up until recently, although the last 48 hours have seen sensible debate on some forums.
Essentially nobody is ever going to ‘win’ the dispute over the trophy, if we progress it will rumble on until the final, if we are eliminated we’ll be spared the constant chatter over its various merits or crimes. Our CEO is keen not to be pretentious enough to demand fans share the clubs view, people elect to boycott and that is their right. However, from a club point of view, Liam feels that the competition offers something from a sporting point of view that is of benefit, alluding I’m sure to the opportunities for squad rotation and looking at different tactics.
He did underline that the club are committed to the competition and that they politely ask the fans get on board also. However, the club respect people’s view to hold their beliefs. Simple, fair and reasonable across the board.
I finished up by asking him a question ‘from the floor’ so to speak, Tony Ruby asked ‘What does ‘good’ look like for Lincoln City?’ Listen below, firstly to Liam’s answer about the trophy, secondly about the alleged fan disorder and finally that question from the floor.
I’ll be following up with my final part tomorrow, time permitting.
One thing to listen out for tomorrow is me on the radio, again. I’ll be on with Scott Daulton in the morning talking all things Checkatrade Trophy. Tune in at 7.50am if my dulcet tones are the sort of thing that might make your drive to work less stressful.
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Personally, I’d like to thank Liam for his candid answers and for his valuable time. The CEO of a football club doesn’t have to give an indie football writer the time of day, but he does. Maybe it is a sign of the times that the so-called unofficial media are gaining more clout and respect within the football world. It might be that Liam is just a decent guy with time for everyone. Whichever it is, I appreciate it. He even made me a drinkable brew!
I was at the match on Saturday at Cheltenham and the hooligans mentioned were there to cause trouble and should not have been allowed in the ground. All they wanted to do was cause trouble for everyone and intimidate the fans who were there for a good time. The fighting that took place was witnessed by Clive Nates and I’m sure he was as disgusted as I was. There were children that were scared and this is completely unacceptable. These hooligans should not be allowed to get away with this behaviour. They were certainly well oiled through drink and/or drugs.
I was at Cheltenham stood 5 metres from where the trouble was. It was completely unacceptable and those so-called fans should be ashamed of themselves. The Security Staff have got a job to do – which includes keeping walkways free.
For those fans who abused Jordan at the end – again, that was completely out of order. We don’t want fans like you. Of course you can express an opinion – it’s part of football – we are all armchair managers, but we are also human beings and no one deserves that abuse – shame on you, whoever you are!
Gary, I think the Indie media as you call it is far more in tune with what people want to read about the football. Reports Warts and not regurgatated shite from the lazy reporters of the Echo and Lincolnite. Made a promise to myself never to buy the Echo again today. I hope everyone else does the same.
The problem may or may not be smaller than the impression given by certain parties, but should we not focus simply on being intolerant of all anti-social behaviour? I don’t just include violence, but also things like sitting in the wrong seat (causing others to be disturbed), standing (causing others to be disturbed), swearing (causing others to be offended) etc. etc.. I have been to football matches regularly for over 60 years and regrettably it still feels too much a part of the game. I don’t envy either stewards or police having to deal with it. There again – perhaps I am getting too old!
6 pints? That level of drinking takes you you doing stuff you may regret later. If sanitising means rid of six pinters I’m for it.