Boycott – The Only Answer

Monday, 15 October 2001, 0:01
2 mins read

First off – the two things that are all I can see that we achieved tonight are more members for the trust followed by confirmation of what we probably knew – that the fans want to ensure the safety of this football club.

Many questions were asked (or statements made may be nearer the mark) and we all take our hats off to Nick Cusack, the players and fans of Swansea City for their efforts over the past week. Undoubted praise where it is due.

But I am confused. It’s only a little statement but I am confused. It is clear tonight that all the fans are behind the players and the team. That much was clear from tonight and I think that they got the message.

However, tomorrow we are playing Brighton and there is a march, or rally as it is now called, before the game from Castle Square. This is a reasonable idea and I encourage people to support it. The more solidarity there the better from the view of the watching media. Then we get to the Vetch and it seems that general consensus is to pay your ร‚ยฃ5 to get in and watch the team. Lining Tony Petty’s pockets in the short term.

I’m not a great lover of boycotting anything but step back and just read what I have to say before you start slating me for saying it. The players know we are supporting them and we have enough contacts on the playing staff to ensure that this message is conveyed loud and clear. I am sure that Colin Addison would even say it in his pre-match team talk if he thought it would help! But we do not need to put money into Tony Petty’s regime at Swansea City. Fine, march to the Vetch, have already said good idea, but then stop outside. Sing support for the team from outside the ground. They will hear you.

There is as well always the chance that the police will force the club to open the gates to try and keep some form of public order. If this were to happen once or twice then all of a sudden Petty may just accept a few ร‚ยฃ less to get rid of the club than he will offer if people are coming through the doors.

No doubt people are reading this and thinking, here it goes again, another classic internet whinge but I don’t think so this time. I think it’s a valid point. I’m not even saying receivership is what we are trying to force as I don’t think so. But as was pointed out tonight, ร‚ยฃ10,000 is a decent profit but by putting money into the club his profit is going up and up.

If Stuart Roberts leaves for Wycombe, and we hope he doesn’t, then people are saying “it’s money for Petty” but so is paying to get through the gates of the football club. There is no difference – none at all.

A comment tonight was “You deserve all you get” and although it seems harsh maybe it is a little nearer the mark then we would like to admit. By piling money into the club then we are buying Mr Petty just a little bit more time.

And before the question is asked. I will not be at the March/Rally or the game tomorrow but a business trip to Edinburgh is not going to finish in enough time for me to get back to Swansea.

Now you can slate me, it’s my opinion and one that I think has a valid enough argument – for me a boycott is the only answer.

Images courtesy of Getty Images, Athena Picture Agency and Swansea City Football Club.

League Table

Next Up

Forum Latest

Next Up

League Table

Last 6 Results

Latest from Blog

Swans TV: Jamie Sherwood on Cardiff City Women | Reaction

. . . Jamie Sherwood talks to SwansTV following his side's 1-0 win against Cardiff City Women at the Swansea.com Stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook:…

Swans TV: Stacey John-Davis on Cardiff City Women | Reaction

. . . Stacey John-Davis reflects on her sides 1-0 win over Cardiff City Women at the Swansea.com Stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow…

Swans TV: Joe Allen ahead of international break | Interview

. . .Joe Allen spoke to SwansTV ahead of the international break as he returns to the Cymru squad since retiring from international football. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like…

Swans TV: Swansea City v Stoke City | Extended Highlights

. . .watch all of the key moments from the Swans' Championship clash against Stoke at the Swansea.com Stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow…

Swans TV: Swansea City v Stoke City | Highlights

. . .watch some of the key moments from the Swans' Championship clash against Stoke at the Swansea.com Stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow…