Danny Cowley today suggested that he agrees with the 617’s boycott of the Checkatrade Trophy.
Following a meeting last week Danny has clarified his position on the current competition and the fears for the future. He used the words ‘absolutely agree with their belief’ and he also urged them to attend the match on Tuesday against Peterborough United. He also spoke of being appreciative of their support and said he wanted to understand their viewpoint. He said ‘on the whole’ football clubs do not support their fans enough and he clarified that if there was a vote in the future on Premier League ‘B’ teams enter the league structure, the club would absolutely vote no.
He agrees with everything they say in terms of the competition and claimed our league system and heritage should be absolutely protected. To repeat, if a vote took place with regards to top flight ‘B’ teams joining the competition, Lincoln City would vote against that. His exact words were “I would hate that. I love this competition because it’s a lower league competition. The format is fine by me as I get a chance to look at U23 teams, but certainly NOT if it set up as a gateway to be teams. We’re massively anti that and it would take away from football at this level. I love football at this level, the relationship you can have with your supporters is unique.”
If a vote took place with regards to top flight ‘B’ teams joining the competition, Lincoln City would vote against that. Danny’s exact words were “I would hate that.”
The meeting between the 617 and Danny took place last week and are another example of how our club are trying to work with its fans. The response is now awaited from the 617 who, I expect, will speak to their members, relay the contents of the meeting and make a decision from there. However, Danny was very clear on his own personal views regarding the competition, but he also sees it as a route to Wembley and he says he doesn’t want passionate fans like them missing out.
He also said “You can voice your opinion in many different ways. I would like us as a football club to stand together and get behind the team.” It seemed to me to be a thinly veiled suggestion that a protest could take part at the game whilst supporting the club. Proactive steps and visible steps, something I’ve championed personally. Inaction is not action.
Where now though? The 617 are in a tough position because if they do choose to attend, many will wrongly accuse them of abandoning their principles to come back. If they don’t come back, they’ll be criticised for holding firm with their beliefs.
Whatever they do choose, I urge every fan to respect their decision and rather than enter into the sort of mud slinging we’ve seen recently, we live and let live.
I have to say I do not read that Danny condemns the trophy at all. He condemns those clubs ever joining the league structure, but I think he likes this trophy. He understands the reasoning and the beliefs of those boycotting is what I read.
Agree with Steve, I don’t read it as condeming the trophy, only if it is a gateway to something he condems.
Also they have to boycott all the games. Otherwise it completely undermines the position. The FL trophy is all that is wrong with football, until the bits where the games are interesting and then it alright?
I think if people want to change their mind and go they should. It makes us a lot of money, it gives us a chance to re-gel our team. And if we get to Wembley id ratber see as many go as we can and not lose some good loyal support, so what if they have changed their minds/stance. It is just football
Completely agree. But as a protest it becomes a bit of a farce. It would be like me saying I am fully against going out to the pub because alcohol is the root of all evil, when it is just 3 lads I sort of know on a Tuesday night. Then when it is 20 good mates for a Friday night including free bar I am there necking pints.
I REALLY hope that this is a mechanism through which we can get 617 and other boycotters back involved. They are so important to our club in so many ways and it is painful to think they may miss our 1st ever Wembley trip on a point of principle!
I sit next to a couple of guys who are integral to the organisation of 617, albeit they are not at the heart of the singing that we all know them by. They have stuck by their decision to boycott but have privately said it breaks their heart!! The very idea of City playing – often at home – and then not being there is totally alien to them and they are desperate to be there. This was as true for Accrington at home as it would be for Wembley. They have said that they were really hopeful behind the scenes that an agreement could be reached whereby they could still stand by their principles but get back involved. To be clear this wasn’t just Wembley – it is about all games.
I for one really hope this can be achieved – and for those of us who have supported throughout the Checkatrade – if they do come back I hope they get a massive welcome from all of us and respect for standing up for their beliefs and they can spearhead our support tomorrow night, through the semis and ultimately at Wembley! I for one agree wholeheartedly with their view but just can’t bring myself not be there when City are playing!
Agree, he actually says he loves the competition in its format…….