Is This An Incredible Own Goal-This Sandy Brown Effort Was

Is This An Incredible Own Goal Or Not?

I’ve seen some pretty incredible own goals over the years. Ronnie Whelan’s mega 30 yard chip at Old Trafford for example. Or, I was just about old enough to remember Everton’s Sandy Brown’s brilliant diving header in the Merseyside derby in the 60’s. What about Everton’s Mick Lyons brilliant effort from the touchline at Anfield in another Merseyside Derby? Phil Neville at the Anny Road end in another Derby. All cracking oggies. And there’s been so many more. But what about this one. So, lets have a look. The question is, is this an incredible own goal or not?

Is This An Incredible Own Goal Or Not?

Is This An Incredible Own Goal-This Sandy Brown Effort Was
Is This An Incredible Own Goal-This Sandy Brown Effort Was

The own goal I am referring to didn’t happen on the football pitch. Nope. It happened off the pitch in an office somewhere. You’ve probably guessed, but if not, I am talking about the club’s decision to furlough a good number of it’s non playing staff and apply for the 80% Government hand out. The kind of staff who are not on thousands of pounds each week. And, more than likely, the kind of staff that are more in need of support during these troubled times.

Is This An Incredible Goal Or Not? – Staff Receive 100% Pay

It will be pointed out by some that the staff will still be receiving their full 100% pay. So, as they may rightly question, ‘what’s the problem?’

The main issue though isn’t whether the staff will receive their full pay or not. It’s where their wages are coming from. As you will probably know, the Government has stepped in to financially assist workers during the current pandemic crisis. The gist of it being that businesses, who may well struggle to pay their staff who have been told to stay away from work (but not laid off) for health and safety reasons, will see that their staff will be paid up to 80% of their wages by the Government up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.

Without a doubt, many, many small businesses will see this as a welcome lifeline. And of course, the employees will as well.

But what about, multi million pound businesses enjoying mega turnover figures and huge profits? The same rules apply as it happens.

In some instances, some businesses are going to make up the extra 20% themselves. So, that will ensure that the employees will still receive their full pay. Liverpool FC fit into that category. The non playing staff told to stay away (furloughed staff) will receive 100% of their pay. On that note, all fine and dandy.

Is This An Incredible Own Goal Or Not? – Is There A Moral Issue?

Looking beyond the sums of it all though. In other words, look beyond whether or not the staff will receive their full pay. Liverpool FC are requesting that a sum of money is to be paid by the Government. A Conservative Government at that as well. Does it matter which Government is in office? Not to me no. But, it may matter to some, or to many in fact. We’ve all heard the Kop chant, “F**k The Tories” haven’t we.

In short, I think it’s fair to say that the Tories are not well liked by a lot of the fans at Anfield. Not only at Anfield though. They are not particularly liked throughout Liverpool. Maggie Thatcher and all that. Don’t forget it was Maggie and the Tories in power in April 1989 and for some considerable time beyond.

So, should this have been considered before the club decided to go cap in hand to the Government? This particular Government especially.

Swings And Roundabouts?

On the one hand you have our captain, Jordan Henderson, rallying his fellow Premier League captains in efforts to add money to the public purse pot which will roll down to NHS staff. Very commendable by all those partaking. In fact, as far as the players contributions are concerned, there are many reported cases of players sharing their money to worthwhile, more needy causes. Our own Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are two such examples.

But there are many instances of players’ generosity that don’t make it into the public domain. But suffice it to say, it does happen – and it happens often.

In this particular instances though let’s just be aware that the players are adding to the massively underfunded public purse pot so to speak.

But then, on the other hand, we have Liverpool FC, taking money from this pot. Some of the additional monies raised will, of course, be distributed to furloughed staff. Liverpool FC’s furloughed staff included. In light of what Jordan Henderson et al are trying to achieve, isn’t that a bit of a contradiction?

Liverpool FC The Family Club

Picture the scene at the end of the semi-final victory against Barcelona last season. And the scene after the win in the Final against Spurs. Players, manager, coaching staff and owners together as one with the fans singing along to “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Camaraderie and the club uniting as one. Like it should be. And like we’ve always said is the case. The fans are a huge part of the club. Well, that’s what we’re told. We are a family. Well, that’s what we’re told. During the club’s darkest hours, we have demonstrated our unity and our strength.

So, to repeat the question. Is this an incredible own goal or not?

One thing that jumps into my head about this whole situation. Were any of the respected supporters groups consulted about this? Organisations such as the Spirit of Shankly for instance. If not, why not?

These fan groups would have offered a well balanced view on the reaction the club could expect from the fans if whatever suggested path was chosen.

Given how close the relationship between the club, it’s fans and the staff is supposed to be. Let’s be clear, many of the furloughed staff will be Liverpool fans.

And yes, it may well be that Liverpool FC are no different, or worse, than say other big profit organisations who have also furloughed their staff. British Airways for instance. It’s also been mentioned that ITV and Channel 4 are considering furloughing some of their staff. Yes, it’s not rare for large, profitable businesses to go down this route.

But how many of those employees of these other organisations would class themselves as passionate fans of their employers? Not many, if any, I would hazard a guess.

Is This An Incredible Own Goal – What Means More?

I was fortunate enough to go on an Anfield Experience trip last October. A birthday pressie from the family. It was great. Towards the end of the tour we ventured out from the dressing room corridor area towards the pitch. Along the tunnel wall is the now famous motto – “This Means More

But, questions may well be asked, what exactly means more? Some may say, it’s the money that means everything. That may be cynical. But there again, it may well be spot on. After all, all the top flight clubs – Liverpool included of course – have shown their disregard to match going fans with their lust for the spoils of the TV money on offer over many years.

What with 8pm Monday night kick-offs, along with 7:45 pm Saturday evenings to add to the other un-fancied kick off times, match going fans are totally disregarded.

So, maybe it’s a bit naive to expect a non mercenary approach to the options available in this situation.

I also feel the club could have handled the situation a lot better in that they could have explained their decision. Instead there was the announcement and that was it. I’m not sure if the club didn’t expect any feedback, some of which is negative is. If they didn’t then they’re being naive.

One thing that everyone should be well aware of – especially FSG – Liverpool fans will not just sit back and accept a decision if they feel they have been wronged.

Is This An Incredible Own Goal – What Do You Think?

So, is this an incredible own goal? I mean on a PR level of course. As I say, forget the sums of it all in terms of the fact staff will received full 100% – eventually. Were FSG correct to go down the furlough route?

One thing I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere is how FSG have treated non playing staff of the Boston Red Sox. Is there a similar furlough system at play in the USA? Whatever there is available, or not, in the USA, how have Boston Red Sox staff been treated?

It may well be that FSG’s approach is consistent for all employees wherever they are in the globe. If that is the case, a statement to that effect wouldn’t have been a bad idea when the decision was announced.

Anyway, it’s done now. FSG may well reverse their decision though. After all they were open to the idea of acknowledging the feelings of the fans after they announced ticket price increases 3 or 4 years ago. But, as far as a PR exercise go, has the damage already been done in this instance?

Whatever you all think, there is divided opinion on this. And fair enough. There are plenty who think the club have done no wrong. I just wonder though, if the announcement was that the club would continue to pay all non playing staff in full there would be the same level of debate? I doubt it somehow.

Anyway, there are bigger things going on at the moment to be concerned about. So, stay safe and healthy everyone. Fingers crossed we are back to normal as soon as possible.

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