I once sat in a cinema in the States. Before the movie they played a recruiting video for the National Guard. Pure Hollywood production with flags flying, trumpets blaring and guns firing. A bit cringeworthy. When it finished I was expecting thunderous applause instead there a brief silence and then a lone voice shouted out ‘Pure propaganda’. No mugs an American audience. That’s exactly what the CEO’s latest diatribe amounts to.
Take this comment “My role in ensuring financial stability has not changed”
Err did you notice the nearly £800,00 missing from the bank account Mr CEO. A bank account that allowed virtually any amount to be transferred on the authorisation of one signature. In any business that I’m aware of the CEO would have paid the price and been sacked. Just as well Ronnies’ 200k and the Greg Docherty transfer firesale bailed you out.
But to be fair “This season we have managed to raise somewhere in the region of £50,000 from the various events which have taken place.”
Err did you notice the empty North Stand and the loss of £400,000 rental p.a. Plus £100,000 additional rates burden.
Err did you notice the club has been relegated and is losing a 7 figure sum in SPFL prize money and gate revenue. Oh and now has a £1.2 million Covid debt.
Then there is this comment “The club has an absolutely incredible network of sponsors, many of which have become close friends of mine,”
That will be sponsors like Nevis Home Improvement, a former stadium sponsors. They were taken to court by the Information Commissioner for a serious breach of the Data protection act misusing personal information in a cold calling operation. Fined £50,000 they declared bankruptcy when the authorities tried to collect.
Then there was Scotia Aide Sierra Leone. They sponsored the away shirt one season and splashed out on a roof advert across the gazebo. An employee whistleblew to the Charity Regulator . The 3 directors were operating a charity rates rebate scam throughout the uk and spending the money on luxury holidays and cars for themselves. 2 directors were banned for life from ever being a charity director. The third resigned before he could be banned.
Then there’s the charity Soldiers off the Streets for many seasons stadium trackside advertisers. The links to the extreme right wing British National Party are well documented. To quote Nic Griffin leader of the BNP at the time “we are involved in other veteran organisations such as ... Soldiers off the Streets. It definitely doesn't hurt the party to be connected to these groups." And of course for a while it’s Scottish branch listed NDP as its address. Anything to do with Walter Hamilton’s involvement.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/131 ... on-accies/Meanwhile and I quote “This work is well supported, and I have been contacted by numerous politicians as they praise the work which we are trying to do here.”
Do those numerous politicians include George Galloway? And are all politicians not liars?
And finally “I look forward to seeing you at Saturday’s match.”
Err has it escaped your notice CEO that despite all the wonderful success the fan base has almost collapsed. Arbroath with a population of town and district half that of Hamilton can boast a home support of 1400 and nearly 1000 season ticket holders. A club that truly is at one with its community and embraces the fans.
As I said at the beginning. Pure propaganda.