Clarification of Comments in the Guardian
Members of the Supporters Trust board are actively involved in local supporters groups, organisations and of course keep abreast of the message boards which are open to use by fans of all clubs.
We also receive much feedback and e-mails from our members and subscribers to our blog from where a number of City fans have told us that if it were a three-way choice they would prefer Ramos or Adriaanse ahead of Eriksson. The feedback we received prior to the comments made to the Guardian on Tuesday afternoon indicated that Eriksson would not be the first choice of the majority of City fans we are in contact with.
We understand that both Ramos and Adriaanse have been approached by City directly, but that Eriksson has not. Reports suggest that Eriksson has, however, been interviewed by Thaksin Shinawatra's advisors Seymour Pierce over the past few days with a view to taking the managerial job should the takeover go ahead. It is interesting to note that Athole Still told the BBC that these reports were "total rubbish".
With players returning for pre-season duty in two weeks, it is vital that a manager be appointed with the right experience to take the club forward, something which the ongoing uncertainty over the takeover is impeding.
posted by Manchester City Supporters' Trust @ 11:52 am
51 comments
"YOUR CITY. YOUR TRUST."
51 Comments:
I think that article in the Guardian will be very damaging for the trust. Many people are upset that a spokesman for the trust is reported as saying 70% of fans are against the appointment of SGE. How can fans have any confidence in you as a body to speak for them if you get something like this hopelessly wrong? Check out the poll on the MEN where hunfreds of people have voted on this topic.
SVEN would do for me,he,s got something to prove and i reckon he would do a good job at city.The poll on manchester evening news is for sven by 70/30
Heidi Pickup should try reading some of the more frequently used bulletin boards (manchesteronline), before quoting on behalf of City fans. Please log a retraction. You think you represent City fans, but you are just a small activist group with marginal understanding of the fan base! - Chris, Chorlton
There are two issues here: the first is whether Thaksin is a fit and proper person to run our football club. The second is about Erikkson as City Manager. Erikkson is my first choice as he has a proven track record. Judge him on his club record not on his England career. He WILL attract big players. Just imagine - Nancy and the Bell End :) Classic City comedy.
The way Heidis comment came across in various newspapers is that 70 percent of City Fans dont want Sven here where as your poll is asking who we would prefer here. Just because 70 percent vote for Ramos it doesnt mean they are against Sven. If the poll asked. If Sven was chosen as Manager would you be happy, I think you would find the outcome would be very different. I would love to sign Stevie G, but just because I would love to sign Stevie G, it doesnt mean that I wouldnt welcome Lamps with open arms! Think you should read the comments on the MEN website as you seem to have upset a few people.
Thanks,
Mark
This is not a retraction!!! The trust need to retract that comment about fans not wanting Sven to be the manager at COMS. We are in great danger of him turning down the job on this basis and support for the trust will be completely non existant if this situation now comes about!! Distance your self from the opinion of Heidi Pickup or face a backlash from the fans!
Keep on backtracking. How dare your mickey mouse organisation make comments to the press on how many supporters wanted Sven to be Manager. You do not and will not ever speak for the majority of the fans. I'm sick of reading quotes from Heidi Pickup or Colin Savage. Mission accomplished for you guys eh. Never mind the fact that you aint got any members, at least the publicity hungry egotists are getting their 5 mins of fame. What a joke.
If as above is the case where did you get the 70- 30 split that was quoted?
I would be interested to know the statistical base on which your spokesperson based her assessment of the fans' regard for Sven. I have searched many MCFC fan sites this morning and can find nothing, poll or vox pop, that would justify her conclusions.
Of course the Trust's objections to Shinawatra are well known and it is hard not to believe that the opportunity to place a spanner in the works was just too hard to pass up.
Shame on Ms Pickup and The Trust for encouraging the sort of crap lazy journalism that's been the bane of our lives over the last few difficult years.
I think the 70% of City Supporters being against Eriksson quote is widely inaccurate. One look at newsnow shows the media are making a big deal out of that statement. Our pre-season planning rests on a knife edge and these are certainly desperate, worrying times for our club. I don't think it is a good idea to be sending out a signal to a manager with proven ability that we do not want him when you consider the dross we have been linked with. After all, he is the only manager who has said he would be honoured to take charge at City.
While I am in favour of the Supporters Trust, could you guys take more care when talking to the press. This 70-30 anti-Eriksson comment by Heidi Pickup has been published by a number of outlets including the BBC and Manchester Evening News. If it was your official line, then making that comment on a few emails was wrong. If it was Heidi's personal comment then she shouldn't have said it represented the views of Manchester City supporters. I expect there to be a lot of negative press regarding the Shinawatra / Eriksson takeover and it doesn't help if the City fans are seen to be against it. If it happens, then lets be positive about it. Shinawatra is promising 50 million in transfer fees and Eriksson is a very experienced manager with a great incentive to prove that he should not have been sacked as England Manager. If the Manachester City Supporters Trust is to represent the City fans then please really do be representative and be very carful what you say to the press.
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Could you explain by what calculations you came to 70/30 against Erickson? It looks like a statistic made up on the spot! Everywhere I have looked it seems to be the majority in favour of Erickson. How did you come to that nice round figure Heidi?
Unless you were mis-quoted this does not explain the quote "The supporters are 70-30 against Eriksson," but only that 70% would prefer Ramos or Adriaanse, Maybe it would be worth re-iterating your comments to the necessary source to show the true feeling of most FANS who would certainly prefer Eriksson to the likes of Souness, Warnock, Strachan, Hughes etc.
With so much scaremongering going on it is important that the public get at least some truth in the ongoing saga.
Unless you were mis-quoted this does not explain the quote "The supporters are 70-30 against Eriksson," but only that 70% would prefer Ramos or Adriaanse, Maybe it would be worth re-iterating your comments to the necessary source to show the true feeling of most FANS who would certainly prefer Eriksson to the likes of Souness, Warnock, Strachan, Hughes etc.
With so much scaremongering going on it is important that the public get at least some truth in the ongoing saga.
Unless you were mis-quoted this does not explain the quote "The supporters are 70-30 against Eriksson," but only that 70% would prefer Ramos or Adriaanse, Maybe it would be worth re-iterating your comments to the necessary source to show the true feeling of most FANS who would certainly prefer Eriksson to the likes of Souness, Warnock, Strachan, Hughes etc.
With so much scaremongering going on it is important that the public get at least some truth in the ongoing saga.
Sven's record at club level is outstanding, no one else available for the job comes close. His record at international level in qualifying campaignes was again superb and he lost in major finals to Brazil and Portugal which isn't exactly disgraceful. We need him a lot more than he needs us.
The comments attributed to heidi pickup didn't say "we had a poll with Ramos, Erikkson and a couple of others and Erikkson didn't come out as 1st choice" it said that "70% of MCFC fans are against his appointment" and "it smacks of desperation to me". These comments are untrue and ill advised. Every report i have read on the internet includes these comments. Any retraction from your group isn't worth the paper it's wrote on. I am disgusted.
Could not agree more I don't know who Hiedi Pickup purports to represent but her views are certainly not representative of the season ticket holders I know. I would suggest in future that she keep her mouth firmly shut as she does not represent City supporters in a way.
I'm fully behind the Supporters Trust on this (no, I'm not a member!) because I think that Heidi's comments have been picked up on and blown out of all proportion.
Too many people are now making a big deal about what Heidi said and aren't focussing on the fact that the takeover STILL hasn't happened and there is no official confirmation that Sven has even been approached!
At the end of the day, the last quote from Heidi says it all:
"PERSONALLY I would be disappointed. The whole situation smacks of desperation."
It seems like Heidi has become the scapegoat for many fans, when the ongoing protracted takeover and the issues people have with the board have taken a back seat.
As a member and regular attendee of a City Supporters Club, an active participator on several City related message boards, and a regular visitor to this site, I have never seen any poll which reflects these views.
I am willing to believe in the Supporters Trust, but making such inaccurate comments makes me wonder exactly how close to the general fan that you are.
if sven sees this and decides not to come i hope u will be pleased with yourselves, when we're in a relegation battle with coleman.
Very disappointed with the Trust's attitude in this. It seems to me that they are doing everything they can to paint things in a negative light and with all due respect to both the trust and Heidi , neither speak for anywhere near the majority of fans.
If you haven't got anything constructive to say it would be better to say nothing nothing rather than make a statistic up and present it as truth. It may boost your egos to see it printed in a national paper but it does nothing for the club you profess to care so much about.
Posting a clarification on your website is not good enough. The damage has been done. This story has now gone global and we are sending out the wrong message.
You have to get out there and put it right. Get proactive...
Heidi, whilst grateful for your work with Mcivta and MCFC, I cannot see how you have come to your conclusion. Is there any chance you can shed some light on how you came up with 70% against. It has now become an incident that could contribute to scuppering the possibility of an Sven deal, that as far as I can see, MOST City fans would welcome.
Why do we need a Supporters Trust in order to determine who is the favourite choice of manager. Supporters of the club go to the games and show their support, they don't need to belong to yet another organisation which is run to make headlines for its 'trustees'. If we needed a vote we could have a secret ballot, but what's the point... the supporters don't have the final word, that's up to the board.
Cynical Blue
France
Who the hell has given the Supporters Trust which has only been set up for a millisecond to pass comments on behalf of the mighty MCFC fans, you arent are voice and maybe you are turning into the board, you have put yourselves forward and are giving opinions that are a complete waste of time. The major supporters branches have more say than you and are more realistic, it seems this trust are thinking they are GOD and speak on behalf of all the supporters but it just looks like another regime in my opinion who are trying to get some limelight, You are self proclaimed and not on behalf of the Joe Bloggs supporter who is CTID. You opinions are allowed but dont say you speak on behalf of the fans, cause you dont and never will. Enjoy the limelight because my opinion now is that you are nothing and you have proved you shouldnt be allowed anything to do with the board of MCFC are beloved club
And by the way, lets see how much you believe in the trust, and see if you publish my blog or completely just disregard it. I will wait and see, and then i will decide on whether to inform all the other blues i know of your censorship within you own regime
Heidi has managed to damage the Trust beyond all hope, with her ill informed comments.
Whether you like it or not she obviously said what was printed. As a truly loyal City fan who first thought a fans trust was a great idea I have to say I have now changed my mind. You seem to think that now people know who you are that you are speaking for the fans. Well you are totally wrong and it looks like the 'power' has gone to your heads which is why trusts like this will never work. This stinks of an agenda and I for one will no longer support you.
Following on from last night's comment about you losing credibilty! This latest article does nothing but reinforce my view! Because of the takeover saga lasting so long now I believe something will happen as Wardle's position will be untenible if a takeover doesnt happen. For that reason we should all hold off making detrimetal statements until something happens one way or another. Make no mistake the board is well aware of the seriousness of the current position. That is fact!
Has Heidi any previous experience of dealing with the press? Doesn't seem like it if she can make a most fundamental error of giving a "personal" opinion when she is supposed ot be representing all City fans! Keep your personal opinions for a more appropriate time and quote. Be very aware that the press are universal jackals who will pounce on any lame or misjudged quote and turn it into the story of the day. Heidi, time to make a full apology to the City fans you have insulted or you fledgling career of "fans representative" is likely to go the way of the Dodo, much like the press would have us believe our club is heading.
The way our club is being run and the fact that it seems that our esteemed chairman will sell to the highest bidder is making us the laughing stock of the football world. The only saving grace is the respect that our fans have throughout English football for their loyalty and commitment. I thought the Trust was set up so that we the fans could formalise our relationship with those (clowns) who are running our club and try and get the fans point of view across, not to try and enhance there own profiles. Come on you fellow blues stop all this glory hunting and accurately represent us fans or go support one of those fashionable clubs
i'm more concerened with Dave Wallace saying city fans want strachen...he cant remember who any one is, why he is being interviewd..muppet
This 'trust' makes Disneyland look believable..
If you going to speak to the press get your facts right.
I'm in favour of Sven and so are most blues I know, this could do irrepairable damage to the club.
What the hell did you do this for ? i wouldnt mind sven. now all the media are having a field day saing we will riot if he comes to eastlands. thanks to you and dave wallace, you only have your own agendas and have got nosebleeds from all the power. dont speak for me in future and print a total retraction.
So now, our Sven is near
And Frank Sinatra's in for certain
Just think how much Dave Wallace
And poor Heidi must be hurtin'
They opened gobs too wide
And in a crass, though not a sly way
You must disband The Trust
We're going Thai-way
Given that the broad aims of the trust were to reconnect City fans with the club, I was deeply disturbed by comments attributed to Heidi Pickup. Surely any organisation that purports to be representative of the fans will have done a little research before making such a wildly inaccurate statement. Do Heidi Hi's comments represent her personal view or maybe that of the trust? In common with some of the other contributors, I feel you should at least have the balls to own up to what is clearly a mistake and issue a public apology. Otherwise, the trust will lose all credibility with the fanbase at a time when we need a representative body more than ever.
Heidi, self elected or self promoting loose cannon ?
Must have missed the appointment of an unelected Trust Spokesperson.
Bad mistake guy's
I don't want SGE as City Manager and as for quoting the MEN vote on the issue it takes no account of the number of rags who would happily see us with this lame duck of a Manager. Eriksson would be a disaster for the Club. The fact he needs to "think it over" tells you all you need to knowabout this leech. I am right behind what Heidi had to say. Have you forgotten how bad England were with this moron already?
AS for the lame argument about SGE's Club record just to remind the hard of thinking here, he has been out of Club football for ten years. Or is this going to be another apprenticeship?
Point taken everyone, but stop slating Heidi, please. I suspect her comments may have been reported out of context. Give her a break, she does a lot of work (unpaid) for MCIVTA and the Trust.
Are you going to retract your stupid comments or not? You are annoying the hell out of a lot of die-hards here. Your statement is not enough
Watching Man City fans on SSN grovel to this Thai crook, saying what a great bloke he seems, I haven't been more ashamed to be an English football fan since Heysel.
Is there anyone's d you won't suck for a few quid. Appalling.
I assume no posts since Wednesday whilst the club is sold to a man against whom serious allegations have been made and Svennis is being lined up as manager means the Trust is now moribund.
That is a pity.
This is likely to be a disaster for the club.
If so you will be needed.
By just ignoring Heidi Pickup's comments, and her not retracting anything in the press, the Trust is fast disappearing up its own backside. I didnt realise the Trust's purpose was for unelected officials to make personal comments to the press, under the misunderstanding they were officially speaking on behalf of every City supporter in the land. Shame on you Ms Pickup. I hope you enjoyed your 5 mins of fame, never again will any City supporter give you the time of day. For a fledgling organisation to try and make a name for themselves with controversial comments is beyond a joke. To then brush it under the carpet after hundreds of critical posts on various websites, is scandalous. Shame on everybody involved.
The following article in the Thai english-language newspaper The Nation is quite interesting. It is entitled "Can Manchester City help Thaksin's flagging fortunes?"
Link here
I will speak to Heidi again. I don't like the fact that annonymous (2 posts up) is claiming to speak on my behalf.
The only way to stop this is for him to fail the FA's "fit and proper" test.
I suggest you write to the FA showing how, in your view, Toxin should fail that test.
What the legal position would then be if he failed the test whilst owning 100% of the club, God knows.
I dont see Heidi at Sunderland midweek, do you?
This trust doesn't seem to represent the die hard who go week in week out. More like the main stand type of supporter?
Not having a go, but I'd urge the trust to put the message out that Heidi was misquoted, as out of all the lads who I go to the match with or see at the game (a good 30+) I have only heard one person say he wouldnt like Sven in charge.
I thought one of the points of the trust was to give an opinion on major issues, in particular potential new owners of the club. A takeover offer was submitted 2 weeks ago now and still the trust apppears to have no opinion on whether the shareholders the trust was aspiring to represent should sell or not. What the matter boys has this ruined the chance of 'power' you were hoping for?
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