Can we expect an apology?

[cambridge_womble]

Statement by Wimbledon Chairman Kris Stewart Concerning Allegations by St Albans City FC.

 

"At the end of March 2006, following an investigation called for by AFC Wimbledon, the Football Association Challenge Trophy Sub-Committee exonerated AFC Wimbledon in relation to accusations from St Albans City FC that the club misreported the gate of the two clubs’ FA Trophy tie on 17 December 2005, and thereby underpaid the amount owing to St Albans City FC under FA Rules.

 

"Although we are delighted that the FA has confirmed – as we were well aware – that there is absolutely no case to answer following these scandalous allegations by St Albans City FC, we are appalled at the way St Albans City FC has gone about this issue and I am disgusted that we have heard nothing from them since the FA ruling was communicated to both clubs.

 

"The accusations by St Albans City FC carried a clear implication of at best rank incompetence and at worst downright fraud on our part. We have very rigorous procedures for monitoring and accounting for attendances at our home games and they were applied in full. We are very proud of our matchday cash team who come from a wide range of backgrounds, many of them in very senior roles in the financial services industry.

 

"These scandalous allegations were straightforwardly and comprehensively disproved by us. Not only did we provide our extensive documentation which records tickets and receipts, but we even had video stills of the crowd reviewed, which showed that the crowd was very close to the stated 1,953 and nowhere near the 3,000 claimed, with no supporting evidence, by St Albans City FC. In fact, St Albans City FC have not had a home gate of over 1,000 in the last three years and have never played in front of 3,000 people at Kingsmeadow, so it is hard to see where the allegations came from.

 

"In the past AFC Wimbledon has had reason to question the receipts from profit-sharing games and we have done so by approaching the relevant club informally, asking for an explanation. In every case, the queries have been resolved amicably and in a spirit of trust and goodwill. I regret that St Albans City FC eschewed such an approach and instead tried to bully us with a solicitor’s letter – the first we heard of any official complaint. The next we heard was a call from a St Albans reporter. I have yet to hear a single word from the Chairman of St Albans City FC.

 

"As a club, we try to learn from our experiences. During our review of our records we concluded that our process needs simplifying and improving. We will be carrying out a review to achieve this during the summer. We have also decided that in future, where profit sharing applies, we will invite visiting clubs to send an observer to view our processes or, if they wish, to be part of our team. We have nothing to hide and much to boast about in the way we conduct ourselves."

[GHA EFM]

Sorry.

 

Will that do?

[JKiF]

no mention of the dad and 2 kids who got the sh1t kicked out of em, half an hour after the game.tho...

 

apology for what?

[OldIsthmian]

We expressed our regrets at the time although the details were very sketchy. I trust everyone is fully recovered by now.

 

Was any more information forthcoming regarding the incident to help either the police or our club investigate it further?

 

To be honest, I'm not seriously expecting your club to apologise, silence or some stuff about correct procedures no doubt. I'd be happy if it stops similar nonsense in the future and makes sure our reputation isn't unfairly tarnished amongst other clubs.

 

I see on another forum one of your fans claiming you fiddle gates as a matter of course. Is he right?

[JKiF]

Quote:

OldIsthmian said:
Main aim is to try to stop similar nonsense in the future and make sure our reputation isn't unfairly tarnished amongst other clubs.

correct.
lot of your lot going about it the wrong way now tho' eh
wasnt at all a patronising statement
im sure it could have been resolved over a pie and a pint but hey what do i know.

as for the con.sth msg board
i wouldnt believe anything on there

[AFF]

"eschewed" is a good word. Well done Kris.

 

[GHA's response is quality.]

[OldIsthmian]

Quote:

JKiF said:

Quote:

OldIsthmian said:
Main aim is to try to stop similar nonsense in the future and make sure our reputation isn't unfairly tarnished amongst other clubs.

correct.
lot of your lot going about it the wrong way now tho' eh
wasnt at all a patronising statement
im sure it could have been resolved over a pie and a pint but hey what do i know.

The problem with that is that the first thing our club got was a solicitor's letter and there seems to have been no invitation to a pie and pint from your board since the FA exonerated us.

Always think an amicable discussion is the way forward but it takes two sides.

[JKiF]

yes it does take 2 sides.

 

good luck in the play-offs

[Uncle Urchin]

Quote:

OldIsthmian said:
I'd be happy if it stops similar nonsense in the future and makes sure our reputation isn't unfairly tarnished amongst other clubs.

but oldie...you forgot to mention smashing up several pubs in harrow and your fans threatening people with carving knives before the white lion game...

does that not count in these reputational issues.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[OldIsthmian]

Unc, you need to get over this obsession and leave me alone. I'm just not your type.

 

Which particular pubs were these and which White Lion game though?

 

Anyway, JKiF, best wish you luck in the playoffs if they ever get played.

 

Best just to ignore Unc before he has yet another toy/pram parting.

[GHA EFM]

Just seen on ConfBoard one of the Dons still asking for an apology.

 

You've got one, let it go.

[Uncle Urchin]

Quote:

OldIsthmian said:
Unc, you need to get over this obsession and leave me alone. I'm just not your type.

Which particular pubs were these and which White Lion game though?

Anyway, JKiF, best wish you luck in the playoffs if they ever get played.

Best just to ignore Unc before he has yet another toy/pram parting.

we go back a good while oldie me and these guys....good guys as well...

as for my obsessions....hhhmmmm...more high heels than old wombles/iron knobs but I cannot leave you alone as you keep mentioning my name in all of your posts.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

should I seek help.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[GHA EFM]

Far too late for help, UU. The signs are ominous.

[AFF]

UU is an old friend of The Mighty Saints, OldIsthmian and very welcome on this board.

 

Save your warnings for like minded souls. You were given a clean bill of health by the FA. Let that be an end to the matter. Good luck to you AFCWs in the play-offs from me.

[Uncle Urchin]

wotcha you young rascal...you got that degree yet or you still fckn around with loose women in lap dancing clubs.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[GHA EFM]

That was only the once, UU, and I thought it was a Confessional box...

[Uncle Urchin]

yeah...well...

 

I was only pretending to be a priest whilst I was selling the windows....it was just unfortunate that you wandered in.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[GHA EFM]

Didn't wander in, it was the bloody directions, some tramp doesn't know his left from his wrong.

[Uncle Urchin]

yeah...you can't trust these wombles..... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

 

good luck manana....go get 'em... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />