LIVERPOOL FC fans’ union Spirit of Shankly (SOS) have written to owners Fenway Sports Group calling on them to provide “clear leadership and direction” to dispel fears that the club is in “disarray”.
In the correspondence sent to principal owner John W Henry, chairman Tom Werner and managing director Ian Ayre, SOS also urged them to improve communication with supporters.
SOS, which has around 50,000 members, acted after Kenny Dalglish became the latest victim of FSG’s extensive clearout which has left the Reds without either a manager or a director of football.
“We are writing to you as we are concerned about the current situation that our football club finds itself in,” it reads.
“It is a time of worry for supporters, not just because of the huge changes and the transformation that is happening in such a short time frame but the manner in which it is happening.
“It may be that yourselves and the board of Liverpool Football Club have a vision you are working towards. It may be that you have implemented a strategy to deliver that vision and decisions are being made to work towards this.
“However, from the outside where supporters find themselves once again, it looks like a football club in disarray. Confusion and chaos seems to reign and no-one is coming out of this with much credit, particularly the football club’s image and brand.
“We need clear and pro-active communication, a confident message about the club’s plans that breeds confidence amongst supporters that we are moving in the right direction. Instead, we have silence and a lack of information or understanding on decisions being made.
“Today we find ourselves with key positions at the football club vacant. Most notably, the position of manager and the lack of a footballing man on the board. There has been much speculation, along with emails sent to supporters groups, on who is providing advice to yourselves.
“It may well be the case that this is speculation; however, it is understandable that there is speculation given the lack of clarity and information on who is deciding on matters, why and the timing of them.
“It is the firm belief of Spirit of Shankly that footballing decisions should be made by footballing men who are appropriately qualified. We know all too well of the mistakes that follow if this simple mantra is not adhered to. Are suitably qualified individuals making these decisions?”
Ayre explained last week that not even winning the FA Cup would have saved Dalglish as his future depended on the Reds’ Premier League form.
In their letter SOS expressed fears that cash generated from Champions League qualification has now surpassed clinching silverware in importance.
“The quote from Ian Ayre would lead us to believe that our focus is no longer on winning trophies but making money,” it continued.
“In a season that has seen us end with one trophy out of the three available and narrowly miss out on a second, it is somewhat disrespectful to suggest to supporters that winning another trophy would not be good enough.
"Is it now the strategy of Liverpool FC to place greater importance upon generating revenues above winning trophies?
“Communication and leadership is vital. As supporters we have seen all too clearly what a lack of communication from absentee owners leads to.
“There has been very limited dialogue through the supporters committee which is still in its infancy, but this has been mainly used by the club to get messages out, rather than the dialogue promised with supporters at the time of your takeover.
“At a time when a clear message is needed, it is somewhat embarrassing for supporters and the football club to see Twitter messages on who supporters think should be the next manager. We are Liverpool FC. We are better than that.
“Ultimately, supporters remain in the dark once again about the plans for this football club moving forward. We find ourselves experiencing deja vu, where boardroom decisions lead to more questions than they answer. If we all want to pull in the same direction, transparency is needed.
“As supporters we often offer blind devotion to our football team. Due to our history, we do not afford the same luxury to the football club. It is equally as important for you to trust in supporters, so that we can work together for the betterment of the football club, as it is for us to trust in you.
“We ask that you speak with supporters – engage with a true representative cross section of supporters and work with supporters to provide solutions to our current problems. This will enable communication with supporters to take place in an open and accountable manner.”
- Liverpool Echo
In the correspondence sent to principal owner John W Henry, chairman Tom Werner and managing director Ian Ayre, SOS also urged them to improve communication with supporters.
SOS, which has around 50,000 members, acted after Kenny Dalglish became the latest victim of FSG’s extensive clearout which has left the Reds without either a manager or a director of football.
“We are writing to you as we are concerned about the current situation that our football club finds itself in,” it reads.
“It is a time of worry for supporters, not just because of the huge changes and the transformation that is happening in such a short time frame but the manner in which it is happening.
“It may be that yourselves and the board of Liverpool Football Club have a vision you are working towards. It may be that you have implemented a strategy to deliver that vision and decisions are being made to work towards this.
“However, from the outside where supporters find themselves once again, it looks like a football club in disarray. Confusion and chaos seems to reign and no-one is coming out of this with much credit, particularly the football club’s image and brand.
“We need clear and pro-active communication, a confident message about the club’s plans that breeds confidence amongst supporters that we are moving in the right direction. Instead, we have silence and a lack of information or understanding on decisions being made.
“Today we find ourselves with key positions at the football club vacant. Most notably, the position of manager and the lack of a footballing man on the board. There has been much speculation, along with emails sent to supporters groups, on who is providing advice to yourselves.
“It may well be the case that this is speculation; however, it is understandable that there is speculation given the lack of clarity and information on who is deciding on matters, why and the timing of them.
“It is the firm belief of Spirit of Shankly that footballing decisions should be made by footballing men who are appropriately qualified. We know all too well of the mistakes that follow if this simple mantra is not adhered to. Are suitably qualified individuals making these decisions?”
Ayre explained last week that not even winning the FA Cup would have saved Dalglish as his future depended on the Reds’ Premier League form.
In their letter SOS expressed fears that cash generated from Champions League qualification has now surpassed clinching silverware in importance.
“The quote from Ian Ayre would lead us to believe that our focus is no longer on winning trophies but making money,” it continued.
“In a season that has seen us end with one trophy out of the three available and narrowly miss out on a second, it is somewhat disrespectful to suggest to supporters that winning another trophy would not be good enough.
"Is it now the strategy of Liverpool FC to place greater importance upon generating revenues above winning trophies?
“Communication and leadership is vital. As supporters we have seen all too clearly what a lack of communication from absentee owners leads to.
“There has been very limited dialogue through the supporters committee which is still in its infancy, but this has been mainly used by the club to get messages out, rather than the dialogue promised with supporters at the time of your takeover.
“At a time when a clear message is needed, it is somewhat embarrassing for supporters and the football club to see Twitter messages on who supporters think should be the next manager. We are Liverpool FC. We are better than that.
“Ultimately, supporters remain in the dark once again about the plans for this football club moving forward. We find ourselves experiencing deja vu, where boardroom decisions lead to more questions than they answer. If we all want to pull in the same direction, transparency is needed.
“As supporters we often offer blind devotion to our football team. Due to our history, we do not afford the same luxury to the football club. It is equally as important for you to trust in supporters, so that we can work together for the betterment of the football club, as it is for us to trust in you.
“We ask that you speak with supporters – engage with a true representative cross section of supporters and work with supporters to provide solutions to our current problems. This will enable communication with supporters to take place in an open and accountable manner.”
- Liverpool Echo
