Parry, Moores, Gillett, Hicks: It's Punch and Judy time
WARRING parties can often be the stuff of epic fiction: the Greeks and the Trojans; or the Montagues and the Capulets.
Just our luck then to be saddled with Punch and Judy.
Our co-owners have certainly been taking turns with the policeman's truncheon to knock seven bells out of each other; the only difference being that in this particular show, it looks like the children are the performers and the adults i.e. us, are in the audience.
Some of the announcements and leaks attributed to our American friends in the last couple of weeks have defied belief in their resemblance to antics more commonly associated with the playground than a leading football club.
"It wasn't me, it was him" cries one. "Well if it was me, then Rick was there too!" responds the other. The gangs have been formed, with apparently Tom, Rafa and Ian Ayre hanging round one street corner, and George, Rick and David lurking in the bike sheds.
And the Emiratis from the 'posh' school up the road lob the occasional rotten tomato into the mix, before retreating to the safety of their bejewelled palace.
This is how it must look to the outside world. You can hardly hear yourself think above the laughter emanating from Goodison and Old Trafford; Stamford Bridge and the Emirates Stadium have thankfully got their own problems at the moment, or they'd join in too.
None of the parties involved have covered themselves in glory in the last couple of weeks, contributing only to the general impression of a club consuming itself in bitterness and rancour.
Our subtle friend Mr Hicks started the latest round of egg-throwing when he publicly demanded Rick Parry's resignation.
Now it has to be said that the substance of Hicks' complaints had more than the ring of truth about them.
Anybody who has ever tried to buy something off the club shop website will be sympathetic with his accusations of a lack of commercialism, more vividly illustrated by a turnover approaching £60m behind Chelsea, which can't all be explained by high ticket prices.
Frustration over protracted or abortive transfer negotiations also bring to mind the scandalous delay offering Gerrard his new contract in 2005, which almost lost us the services of the best footballer in Britain to one of our rivals.
And his assertion that there was a lack of communication between Parry and Rafa seems to be borne out by Parry's ludicrous offer to hold 'clear the air' talks with Benitez; surely the CEO and the team manager should be conversing daily, with no opportunity for misunderstanding arising?
The real problem with Hicks' announcement, once again, was its manner and its timing.
Given the present constitution of the board, Hicks knew he had no hope of forcing this through, so it was either a misguided PR stunt to try and garner popular support, or the start of a war of attrition to make Parry's position untenable. Neither a particularly honourable objective.
As for David Moores entering the fray, was I alone in finding his plaintive cries singularly unimpressive?
Despite his undoubted love for the club, it was him and Rick Parry who ended a three-year search for investment with a last- minute U-turn away from DIC and towards Hicks on the flimsiest of 'gut feel' about the suitability of the Emiratis - nothing to do of course with the extra money on the table.
His touching but naïve declaration that he took the Americans at their word without seeking written assurances also beggars belief.
That's the way to do it? I think not Mr Punch.
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This article hits the nail on the head. Parry has been a bumbling incompetent for a long time, highlighted by the article's examples. I think the transfers would be in far better hands if Rafa was dealing with them.
I know Hick's timing is not very clever, however he has to act now or else the summer transfer period will be wasted and another season without the Premier League will go by. We will also lose the best manager in Europe. I no longer care about all the public arguing - I only care that Rafa's long term future is secure and he is backed in the transfer market as much as he needs. If that means Hicks having sole ownership I don't care - he will still want the club to succeed as it is his fortune on the line.
I’d rather see the ongoing turmoil come to a conclusion first. While many have lambasted Hicks for coming out in the open which is not the Liverpool way, it is much preferred to the cowardly Gillett and conniving Parry. Perhaps given time, Hicks may prove to be the right man to helm the club…. PERHAPS. At least he has the guts to fight on to retain the club unlike Gillett who threw in the towel for quick cash. I agree with Hicks that Parry MUST go. Parry’s backstabbing ways (remember he sold us out to the americans) and painstakingly slow dealings in the transfer market has already cost us plenty. At least, Benitez have full support from Hicks now. I’ll blame Hicks dealings (he’s not alone in this) with Klinsmann on ignorance in the football world. LFC supporters may have been blaming the wrong guy just for coming out in the open.
personally i think pinky&perky should just go & take that brown noser parry with them,he reminds me of smithers from the simpsons!our main aim should be to do everything to keep hold of rafa.we need a good clear out and world class players bringing in,all this and a boardroom that backs it manager.
This article says everything most supporters would agree with. Parry is not a popular figure with the fans, however, Hick's is even more unpopular, and as for Moores' well did he learn nothing about how partnerships don't work when he brought in Houllier alongside Evans. Enjoy your extra millions Mr Moores, but as for blame you have no further to look than Parry and yourself, this situation was waiting to happen from the moment you turned your back on DIC.
Let the fans own the club they are the only custodians who can be trusted in the long term. All they want is success not profit.
Well,
I agree with all those that said that LFC needs to sort out who's gonna head the club. Sadly from what we are seeing the choice will not be the BEST choice but a race to find the lesser of two evils. But a solution needs to be found in double quick time. We are lucky that despite the mickey mouse board antics we are still in with a good chance for a major trophy and next years CL final place is ours to loose. Second thing is for whoever ends up owning EXCLUSIVELY the club, to solidify Rafa's position within the club. It does not require a genius to understand that looking beyond faults, or perception of faults, tied to Rafa's character, he (Rafa) is the best manager in possibly decades at LFC. Added to that, factor in that Morinhio, arguable a very good manager, has been with no job for quite some time, but still the major clubs in europe are monitoring developments at LFC closely like a hungry lion looks at a pack of Gazelle. So loosing Rafa would be suicide. We are also lucky that we are going resonable strong coming to the close season, therefore allowing us to go into a much needed break and also the transfer market in a very attractive fashion. But it is a must that coming August there is only one owner with a clear vision and a clear way forward.
I can only pray to God this happens, cause otherwise I am powerless as the rest of millions of fans around the globe.
What a great and funny way to put things into perspective. So much truth in it. Fully enjoy it and, well, can forgive myself for getting a laugh (c'mon, it's been so distressful lately with how the club, my beloved club, is becoming a laughing stock).
David wrote,
As for David Moores entering the fray, was I alone in finding his plaintive cries singularly unimpressive?
Despite his undoubted love for the club, it was him and Rick Parry who ended a three-year search for investment with a last- minute U-turn away from DIC and towards Hicks on the flimsiest of 'gut feel' about the suitability of the Emirates - nothing to do of course with the extra money on the table.
Spot on David.
I and my friend’s (season ticket holders of long standing) were surprised when ‘Liverpool’s best supporter’ decided to share his sadness with us. Make no mistake; Moores sold to the highest bidder. DIC walked away in disgust, presumably not wanting to get involved in a bidding war.
As for Parry when (not IF) he goes he will not sniff the same salary package he has with LFC. He will have to down size the Motor.
We are amazed that DIC are still trying to gain control, maybe they do have a feeling for the club. Lets be realistic they could take their investment to couple of clubs in the Premiership (not least our neighbours) and make a significant difference to the outcome of the fight for the top positions.
As for Moores he could commit his big profit to the fans buyout plan. As of now I hope he’s paying for his seat.
Chris Brown.
I will rather see Rafa Benirez Leave, then have those two clowns running the club and putting us in debt for the next 10 years.
This fight is not about Rafa anymore it's about the future of Liverpool Football club for the next 100 years, and it is not safe with gillett and hicks incharge, we will be destroyed, DIC are the only option, they are fans they have the cash, they have the will.
This surely beats the so-called General Forum. Good job!
Angela Clayton
I must agree wholeheartedly with the above comments. Parry picked Pinky & Perky for two reasons, one more money on the table and he thought his job was safe with them, he knew DIC would kick him out on his brown nosing Buttox.
Hmm, I wonder here if Hicks is not the one who should run the show. Maybe a little too Texan, big mouth and no class and a Bush lover which can never be a good thing, but he might be what the club needs to shake things up. Seems to me, you work for him, you produce the goods or find another job. The stakes are high at Anfield, and that's the way it should be. I am not saying I don't like Parry, but thinking back 10 years, he might be a little weak to play in the big leagues. Lets face it, Hicks running the show alone is better than the pair running it and fighting like 2 school girls. Hicks is not going to sell. If he is that aggressive, he might just make things happen, because success is everything.