This Week's Observer

[Laz]

Hmm! All of page 4. Quite an interesting read.

 

It seems Mr Gibson has had a bit of a rant. Accusing EFM of racism openly at last.

 

Well if there is racism on the terraces, why didn't he do something about it like it says in his programme? The reason: it didn't happen.

 

The man is a moron.

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

I see the Gibson PR machine is in full swing again...

 

Referring to the assault on our supporters...

 

"Were I put in [the players] position I would do exactly the same," he says.

 

Charming.

 

<img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

16 months on, he's finally accused EFM of causing trouble at Stockport too. Another issue that we can finally get sorted.

 

I think this article has now given EFM the platform to answer alot of the crap that has been thrown our way.

 

Had to laugh at Carshalton being mentioned! Of course, a couple of harmless, drunken loonies chatting up the mum's of cheerleaders and attempting to cheerlead themselves is horrendous stuff!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[Pretty Vacant]

Well in one way he is correct, in that all racists deserve a slap, so is he saying that that is the reason why Mr Brown did what he did? I thought it was his way of responding to criticism, as the race angle has not been mentioned before in connection with this.

 

Racism is an emotive subject and this is probably an attempt at throwing a smokescreen over the whole thing. I must add that whenever I have seen St Albans play, I have never heard any racist comments by their support.

 

As for the way forward, I read somewhere that one of your supporters (the victim??) had received a threatening e mail from Mr Brown prior to this event. If that is the case, publish it on here, together with the comments that caused such offence. That way people can make their own minds up as to whether or not it was a premeditated assualt, which I think makes it even more serious.

 

And before anyone tells me to butt out of this as I don't support SACFC, I am entitled to an opinion, thats what free speech is all about.

 

As someone else said previously, you're going to need a very large broom and a very large carpet to sweep this away. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Absolutely, all opinions welcome, PV.

 

The alleged racism was at a game six months ago, and has no bearing on what happened a fortnight ago, but I can categorically state that there were no racist comments from any member of EFM.

 

Indeed, when a group of teenagers were making racist comments to the oriental Purfleet goalkeeper a couple of seasons ago, Thornsy and I spoke with Mr Gibson after the game and let him know which kids were responsible.

 

John Gibson is using the name of EFM to justify what happened after Hornchurch and yes, it stinks.

 

 

[Laz]

I think the racism issue needs some discussion.

 

I have a very clear view on this as I was witness to both alleged incidents: neither happened.

 

These incidents needed to be resolved at the time, but weren't and I get the impression there is some resentment amoung the players because of this.

 

Lets sort this out once and for all. John, you've made the accusations in the paper, now lets see you accuse whomever you think is responsible face to face.

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

I had to cringe when I saw it!

 

Regular abuse as well, could this be another "hate mob"?

Far from give him abuse, I think that everyone in EFM have been trying to build bridges with him and for him to finally realise what we are all about, alas this article just confirms how detached from the support he is!

 

Good to see Laz refered to as a regular troublemaker, as far as I'm aware all Laz has ever had is a unprovked attack on him!

 

And Gibbo would react the same way if he was refered to as toilet, well didn't he say words to this affect in the press himself a few months ago about the players.

 

And he still harping on about these bottles!

 

PR nightmare, again! <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

John does not read this board anymore, as there is no longer a link to it from the club's official site, but I'm wondering if we ought to send him a couple of emails detailing our disappointment with his comments??

 

 

[Northern Monkey]

Probably my only comtribution, why not exercise the right of reply to a press article?

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

I think that is intended.

 

To be fair, I think any decent fan of St Albans City, whether they like EFM or detest them, would stand up and say they have never heard any racist comments coming from EFM.

 

This is something that has been completely fabricated as a smokescreen. Playing the race card is the oldest trick in the book, and it has been used to his advantage.

 

 

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Just ask Billericay!

 

How subtle was my attendance at an anti-racism gig on Tuesday?

[Zagreus]

I'm not a member of the EFM, and I've NEVER heard any racist cr@p coming from then either. Looks like Gibson is trying to distract the issue of player GBH on supporters. The thing is, alot of people will believe a "respectable" business/chairman rather than a group of lads who enjoy a pint, a game of football and a laugh. What a shame.

 

Zag

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Having re-read the article, I reckon the bit about the racism could well be libellous...

 

"It's quite subtle the way they go about it but it definitely happened."

 

I mean, that is just absolute crap. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

 

On a lighter note, since when did the Epsom Mad Funkers suffer a "breakdown in relations" with John Gibson!! (see bit in bold at bottom of page) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Zag - cheers, mate. I fear you're spot-on. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[EFM's Librarian]

I don't want to sound over the top, and I'm sure LegionXIV (I wish people would stop using pseudonyms) will tell me to 'stop going on about it' or some other put down - but if Gibbo's accusing people of racism, when there's absolutely no proof (which of course there can't be because it didn't happen) perhaps there is some sort of libel issue here?

 

I haven't seen the article myself - so perhaps I shouldn't comment, but this all seems to have become ridiculous. Like Zeal says, Laz has never been a troublemaker, and the bringing up of the issue of racism is a very underhand way of trying to push his point about the Hornchurch trouble <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Libro - you, also, are spot-on.

 

<img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[Harding's Minion]

It says a great deal about the man when he'd rather go to the press rather than issue an official club statement. I have a feeling that this will get worse before it gets better.

[mala_D]

Quote:

cynic said:
Probably my only comtribution, why not exercise the right of reply to a press article?

First, see if you can get a reporter to interview you fellas [face to face] for your side of the story. I can't see a local rag journalist turning that down!!

Letters to the Ed get edited and thrown out, as you know!

[Laz]

I bet the Chairman's rant in the programme will be even better.

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

I doubt I shall be there to read it.