Tom Hicks and George Gillett
When Tom Hicks and George Gillett strode through the Shankly Gates and promised to be the ‘custodians’ that our ‘storied club’ deserved, many of us looked forward to a bright future. The reality was somewhat different.
When Rick Parry said “Trust us” and spoke of how you only sell the family silver once, many of us felt that David Moores selling the club was the right thing. We had seen our rivals move forward whilst we lagged behind. Many supporters believed it was the beginning of a bright future.
The initial press conference promised it all. Tom Hicks told us how it wasn’t a “takeover like the Glazer deal at Manchester United” and George Gillett told us how a spade would “be in the ground in the next sixty days or so.” They promised their backing of the manager and said how they would respect the traditions of the club. We afforded them the opportunity to deliver yet within months it had all begun to unravel.
From May 2007, Liverpool FC as we knew it was changed forever. The first public protests began, but not in anger at the ownership of the club, but the continued mismanagement that resulted in the Athens ticket fiasco and farcical ballot. Tom Hicks compared our club to a breakfast cereal, “When I was in the leverage buy-out business we bought Weetabix and we leveraged it up to make our return. You could say that anyone who was eating Weetabix was paying for our purchase of Weetabix. It was just business. It is the same for Liverpool.” Rafael Benitez said he needed to be backed in the transfer market and George Gillett promised him “Snoogy Doogy”.
Months later, the unravelling had accelerated. Sixty days had been and gone. The position of manager was undermined as Hicks and Gillett went behind Benitez’s back to speak to Jurgen Klinsmann about taking up the role, whilst Benitez showed his anger with his ‘coaching and training my team’ press conference. The cracks were growing bigger and so was our concern.
The announcement that the debt used to purchase the club was to be refinanced with the club used as security, effectively a mortgage, was the tipping point for many. Growing anger on forums, in pubs and in the ground showed something had to be done. A meeting in the backroom of The Sandon and the formation of Spirit Of Shankly provided angry voices with a banner to get behind, united in our attempts to have our voices heard and our presence felt.
What followed was unprecedented, unexpected but ultimately necessary. Mass protests, inside and outside of Anfield, before, during and after games, and action both on the streets and online, were a regular and common occurrence. Our club found itself on the front pages of newspapers, just as much as the back. No longer were conversations centred around what was happening on the pitch but what was (and wasn’t) happening in the boardroom.
The football club we all love and cherish was damaged by internal strife, a civil war between the owners and the supporters. Despite the damage being done, the Liverpool Way being smashed apart and the dirty linen being washed in public, we could not sit back and do nothing.
Our actions, as a Supporters Union, and the actions of our members helped saved our football club. We stood steadfastly behind our beliefs and our views, offering our unwavering support to our club whilst fighting to prevent its extinction.
We won that battle eventually, how is detailed in our protests section and elsewhere, but future generations of supporters will be able to look back on this dark period in our history and be grateful for all those who stood up, spoke up, fought back and helped us succeed.
Related news stories
Tom Hicks – Everton
The Spirit of Shankly Management Committee have been asked by members about any planned protests for the match against Everton tomorrow.
Protests and investors
Following the Management Committee's recent meeting with Christian Purslow, and the controversy over Mr Purslow denying the Committee's minutes of that meeting, we would like to clarify our position regarding protests and potential investment.
SOS comment on Christian Purslow
Members now have the chance to review the two versions of the minutes of the meeting the Union Management Committee had with Christian Purslow on the 21st January. While we welcome the dialogue we have with the senior management at the Club it was disappointing that time on the evening was limited and the Club was not able to agree the minutes in good time or at all, afterwards.
Tom Hicks Junior – Resignation
Spirit of Shankly welcomes the resignation of Tom Hicks Junior from the Board of Liverpool FC and its parent company.
SOS meeting with Christian Purslow
The Spirit of Shankly Management Committee are due to meet later this week with Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre in the second of our pre-arranged quarterly meetings.
Tom Hicks Jnr – Resign Now!
Spirit of Shankly, the Liverpool Supporters Union, are calling for the resignation of LFC Board member Thomas Hicks Junior after his foul mouthed response to a Union member's polite enquiry about the funding challenge facing Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez during this transfer window.
Protest Review – Hicks turned away from ground
Spirit of Shankly successfully carried out a protest which was to prevent the owners entering Anfield. The empty seats in the directors box gave the message clearly that Tom and George are not welcome here.
Tom and George – Not Welcome Here – Sunday
Spirit Of Shankly has continually made it known as loud as possible, that Tom Hicks and George Gillett are not welcome at Liverpool Football Club any longer.
George Gillett – We don’t believe you!
George Gillett. A billionaire (apparently). Fifty percent owner of Liverpool Football Club. A man who never has and never will understand what Liverpool Football Club is all about, no matter how much he has or hasn't got sitting in the bank.
Investment in LFC and new stadium
Tom Hicks and George Gillett have finally admitted what many of us have known for a while - they are looking for investment. Or more likely, the banks have instructed them to do so.
Direct action from Saturday
Spirit Of Shankly has a clear message for George Gillett and Tom Hicks - You're not welcome here. The sooner they get that message, the better, for LFC, its fans, and for the wider community.
George Gillett – You’re not welcome here!
George Gillett intends to visit Anfield tomorrow. His reasons behind coming are to talk to visitors about LFC branded academies across the Middle East and to talk about his 'beloved' NASCAR. An all expenses paid trip to Anfield is obviously the best way to do this.
LFC – The next Leeds?
Competing in the Champions League, reaching the semi-final stages. Doing well in the Premier League. An ownership of the football club, that has borrowed heavily against its success, reliant on its continued appearance in the lucrative Champions League and on money from ever-increasing television deals to service the debts.
West Ham United – Leafletting
Following on from the agreement at last Saturday's EGM, Spirit Of Shankly is asking for volunteers to assist with the distribution of leaflets amongst fans at this weekend's away game at West Ham United.
Statement from Karen Gill
This year is a very important year. It's exactly half a century since my granddad came to Anfield and the massive success story of Liverpool Football Club began.
EGM outcome and meeting with Christian Purslow
The Spirit of Shankly Supporters' Union met at The Olympia on Saturday to allow the Management Committee to launch its proposed direct action campaign to see the American "owners" removed from the Club.
Hicks And Gillett OUT NOW leaflet
Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the two men who took ownership of the club back in February 2007, have brought nothing to Liverpool Football Club apart from debt, broken promises, and constant speculation as to the future of the club.
Our need for change
Tomorrow night is important for Liverpool fans. On the pitch we want to see a victory in the season's first home game. Off the pitch, the situation remains as bleak as ever.
Spirit of Shankly – An American history
Spirit Of Shankly, the Liverpool Supporters Union, has recently been in discussion with ShareLiverpool regarding the opportunity for fan ownership of Liverpool Football Club.
RBS – Spirit of Shankly response
The Spirit of Shankly have responded to the RBS email received by members following our recent letter and email campaign.
Direct action – Member input
Spirit Of Shankly, the Liverpool Supporters Union, is currently looking at different methods of appropriate action that can be taken, against Tom Hicks, George Gillett, or those involved in the financing of their ownership of Liverpool Football Club.
RBS and MPs – No to refinancing
Spirit of Shankly today launches direct action against Royal Bank of Scotland and seeks the support of all members and fans in a campaign to force RBS to refuse to refinance the loans taken out by our current owners.
SOS and LFC accounts
The Spirit of Shankly have studied the information that has been released in the last day relating to the accounts of Liverpool Football Club and its associated companies. The picture is alarming and underlines what we have said from the creation of the Union, namely that Tom Hicks and George Gillett are not fit or proper custodians of our Club.
Response to the manager’s contract and the owners
Spirit Of Shankly welcomes Rafael Benitez agreeing to a new four year contract at Liverpool FC. It would appear that the manager has received the necessary reassurances allowing him to do his job, and the position of manager is finally being properly recognised to ensure stability with on the pitch matters.
Rick Parry leaving LFC
Spirit of Shankly welcomes the news of Rick Parry's imminent departure from Liverpool FC. Although Rick has worked to build bridges with fans over the last year, the sad fact is his handling of the Athens ticket fiasco, the sale of the family silver to the tragicomically inept Americans and his part in the ongoing civil war at the club meant his position has been untenable for some time.
