Liverpool FC's Promise, A Reminder!
On July
2nd of this year, Liverpool FC issued a statement which appeared under the
headline 'Sonae Threat to TV project' in the Liverpool Echo. The article
was referring to an IT center (Information Technology) which was meant to be
built by Granada which has a 22 Million pound stake in Liverpool FC. Liverpool
FC, always shy of using their own money, made sure Granada agreed to part fund
the IT Center and they allegedly used 2 Million out of the Granada sell off to
fund the Academy.£178'000 was awarded out of Northwood SRB Funds to help
Granada, the decision was taken despite local opposition to such a Big
Firm being given handouts. Other handouts include some 1.37 Million pounds
which is money Granada need to match to enable these funds to given to them.
Money goes to Money
5 months after Liverpool FC's grand statement, they seem to have done
absolutely nothing to attempt to address this issue. The IT center will
NEVER be built as long as Sonae are there; Liverpool FC likely knew
this even before they delivered the so called ultimatum to Sonae.
The relationship between Sonae and Liverpool FC may well be pretty cosy behind the scenes.
There has certainly been discontent between both parties though but both have the common bond of being linked
in pretty dodgy decisions regarding their very existence here.
Lets hope the SRB money donated to Granada has been taken back off
them, interest too. The SRB committee who actually felt so charitable to Granada
should be made to resign on account of this backward generosity.
This money is being siphoned off on a grand scale. The academy itself is an exclusive club, more like a stables for kids
were Liverpool FC can assess their worth and draw up contracts for any prospects.
The kids from Kirkby have been fenced off from Fields generations have used here.
They are also priced out of Anfield by the commercial greed of Liverpool FC.
Most controversial Land Deal ever in Kirkby
The Academy itself was perhaps one of the most controversial Land deals
ever here in Kirkby. Liverpool FC paid a total of around One Million
pounds for the land at the old Kirkby Stadium and a great deal of
Windy Harbor, which was a set of free access public fields, including
football pitches. Now the only public access football pitches are right
next to Sonae, but Liverpool planned that carefully. Nonetheless, they
underestimated the amount of pollution, and the Academy is an unhealthy
environment for the young players and especially staff there who no
doubt would not be looked upon too kindly if they were to speak out.
Even the Sonae staff are under strict orders to keep quiet to the media,
Liverpool FC's 'spare land'
David Lloyd Leisure bought 'spare' land Liverpool FC just happened to have left
over after building what they needed. Liverpool sold the 'spare' land to David
Lloyd leisure LTD for an estimated 4 million pound. An instant profit of 3
million quid for Liverpool FC. You may as well say WE GIVE THEM THE LAND
FOR NOTHING AND LET THEM SELL IT! In effect that's what the Council done.
Liverpool FC should be ashamed of themselves; after all they would be
nothing if it were not for the Working Classes who actually made Liverpool
FC what they are today. Are they grateful? Are they Hell! But if you want
the harsh truth of Liverpool FC, just check out their treatment of the
Hillsborough Justice Campaign. Liverpool FC's only real concern is money.
All the community friendly spin doctoring in the world can't make this
land deal smell of roses. It smells as bad as the Sonae pollution.
Sold Short By Knowsley Council
Once again the People of Kirkby have been sold short by Knowsley Council
who could have prevented Sonae coming here in the first place.
Were there any real democracy here in Kirkby, then Liverpool FC would
not have been given such an easy ride here. How the hell can Knowsley
Council sell off land worth at least 4 million for One million? They
even ignored a petition signed by residents, using some devious tactic
to dismiss the petition and carry on regardless of the wishes of local
people. That's Knowsley Council all over, they've been too long in power,
and power most definitely corrupts.
(
Updated July 2003 - still a wall of silence over the issue)
