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General Category => Altrincham FC First Team => Topic started by: dino on September 23, 2008, 07:00:22 AM

Title: club apology
Post by: dino on September 23, 2008, 07:00:22 AM
In the abscence of an apology following Heathcotes disgraceful LEWD behavior in front of young ballboys and women last Saturday, one can only assume that the board and imparticular Mr Rowley who was very close to the incident, condone his behaviour
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: The Fan on September 23, 2008, 08:09:09 AM

So we are a club that allows it's manager to make ****** signs at its fans? 

It seems the band of brothers at Moss Lane have again got together to present their increasingly farcical united front and a Manager with a managerial record only matched by his embarassing actions, will live to fight another day.

Title: Re: club apology
Post by: CB on September 23, 2008, 09:07:02 AM
The silence from the club speak volumes - they're treating the fans with utter contempt.

You'd think the board would try and build bridges between GH and the fans, rather than make things worse.

Disgraceful.
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 09:54:32 AM
I think it's a total disgrace that no apology has been forthcoming.

We now know beyond all doubt that the clique exists and they believe Heathcote is above criticism - the lot of them sicken me!

This club has now become "Heathcote F.C." and Altrincham F.C. doesn't even come into the equation.  It's all about their over-inflated egos!
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Saughall Robin on September 23, 2008, 09:57:51 AM
Quote from: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 09:54:32 AM
I think it's a total disgrace that no apology has been forthcoming.
We now know beyond all doubt that the clique exists and they believe Heathcote is above criticism - the lot of them sicken me! This club has now become "Heathcote F.C." and Altrincham F.C. doesn't even come into the equation.  It's all about their over-inflated egos!

You're starting to sound like a broken record.

Quite a lot of people on here agree with you (myself included) but you're doing your credibility few favours by saying the same thing over and over again using slightly different words.
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: blackpoolalty on September 23, 2008, 09:58:35 AM
Quote from: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 09:54:32 AM
I think it's a total disgrace that no apology has been forthcoming.

We now know beyond all doubt that the clique exists and they believe Heathcote is above criticism - the lot of them sicken me!

This club has now become "Heathcote F.C." and Altrincham F.C. doesn't even come into the equation.  It's all about their over-inflated egos!

Sadly, as I said the other day, I think it's only a matter of time before something more serious happens. If someone was to get 'in his face' I can see someone being assaulted etc...

Then what would happen ? Conference club stand by manager who assaults fan...
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 10:01:28 AM
You're not alone in feeling that way and it's the main reason why the club should be trying to build bridges at the moment. Are they going to wait until someone really does get hurt?

It seems to me that they are perfectly happy for the club to be divided in this way, otherwise they would have tried to smooth things over by now.
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: The Fan on September 23, 2008, 10:13:23 AM
Quote from: blackpoolalty on September 23, 2008, 09:58:35 AM
Quote from: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 09:54:32 AM
I think it's a total disgrace that no apology has been forthcoming.

We now know beyond all doubt that the clique exists and they believe Heathcote is above criticism - the lot of them sicken me!

This club has now become "Heathcote F.C." and Altrincham F.C. doesn't even come into the equation.  It's all about their over-inflated egos!

Sadly, as I said the other day, I think it's only a matter of time before something more serious happens. If someone was to get 'in his face' I can see someone being assaulted etc...

Then what would happen ? Conference club stand by manager who assaults fan...

If it was an opposing fan that GH finally flips on, then kiss goodbye to all the hard work that has been done to rebuild this clubs financial infrastructure - this is assuming of course that the club would all stand behind GH (perish the thought !!!).

Back to the topics main point, the fact that no comment has been made on the issue is yet another PR debacle.
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 10:14:23 AM
Quote from: Saughall Robin on September 23, 2008, 09:57:51 AM
Quote from: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 09:54:32 AM
I think it's a total disgrace that no apology has been forthcoming.
We now know beyond all doubt that the clique exists and they believe Heathcote is above criticism - the lot of them sicken me! This club has now become "Heathcote F.C." and Altrincham F.C. doesn't even come into the equation.  It's all about their over-inflated egos!

You're starting to sound like a broken record.

Quite a lot of people on here agree with you (myself included) but you're doing your credibility few favours by saying the same thing over and over again using slightly different words.

I couldn't give two sh*ts about my "credibility", I'm not running for election or trying to win a popularity contest here! It's not about me, it's about the club.

If I repeat myself it's because I'm not prepared to let this issue drop and just get forgotten about!
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Jezza on September 23, 2008, 01:08:15 PM

The silence is the equivalent a massive big v-sign aimed at anyone offended which includes many who weren't even there let alone those who played any part in provoking the hand shuffle gesticulation.

I guess a v-sign is as good as a wanker gesture to a blind bat.................

Maybe the apology will be in the programme for tonights game...in fact I'm sure it will be...can't possibly not be..........mayube along the lines of "to any sensible fans not involved in the disgusted unwarranted abuse of our manager, we can only apologise if they misinterpretted any alleged waving by the manager and were foolishly offended by it"....possibly followed by "we are not going to win the champions league as some fans expect".
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alty19 on September 23, 2008, 01:41:27 PM


I couldn't give two sh*ts about my "credibility", I'm not running for election or trying to win a popularity contest here! It's not about me, it's about the club.

If I repeat myself it's because I'm not prepared to let this issue drop and just get forgotten about!


I wish People would just get over it...it happenned the club wont get rid of him and he wont leave cos we can not afford it.....I know a lot of managers who would of tolf the fans there wankers after gettin abuse......

Get over it And get behind the team you all sound like kids
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: bighairedmike on September 23, 2008, 01:54:32 PM
So if i as a customer came into your place of employment and voiced my displeasure about your performance, would you turn around call me a wanker and then expect to not have some sort of disciplinary action taken against you?
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 01:56:25 PM
Quote from: Alty19 on September 23, 2008, 01:41:27 PM


I couldn't give two sh*ts about my "credibility", I'm not running for election or trying to win a popularity contest here! It's not about me, it's about the club.

If I repeat myself it's because I'm not prepared to let this issue drop and just get forgotten about!


I wish People would just get over it...it happenned the club wont get rid of him and he wont leave cos we can not afford it.....I know a lot of managers who would of tolf the fans there wankers after gettin abuse......

Get over it And get behind the team you all sound like kids

Thanks for that Graham/Geoff/Grahame (delete as appropriate)
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alex on September 23, 2008, 02:01:55 PM
Quote from: now_just_mike on September 23, 2008, 01:54:32 PM
So if i as a customer came into your place of employment and voiced my displeasure about your performance, would you turn around call me a wanker and then expect to not have some sort of disciplinary action taken against you?

i dunno mike if you came into my work and gave me abuse i think i'd do more than gesture towards you, i love the way everyone has acted as a result of this it makes me laugh. as no one has mentioned there disgust at the 40 or so fans who chanted "w*nker" at heathcote (without consideration for the ball boys or women present) or at those shouting the word c*nt at him. but  because he gestured back it's outragious
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 02:09:37 PM
I'm not condoning all the things that people were shouting at him, however the difference is that Heathcote was there in his professional capacity as manager of Altrincham FC and therefore should have acted more professionally and not reacted like that.

I have been on the receiving end of verbal abuse in various jobs that I've done but had I responded to it in the way Graham did last Saturday I would still have been disciplined for my actions.
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: bighairedmike on September 23, 2008, 02:19:23 PM
Quote from: The Duke on September 23, 2008, 02:01:55 PM
Quote from: now_just_mike on September 23, 2008, 01:54:32 PM
So if i as a customer came into your place of employment and voiced my displeasure about your performance, would you turn around call me a wanker and then expect to not have some sort of disciplinary action taken against you?

i dunno mike if you came into my work and gave me abuse i think i'd do more than gesture towards you, i love the way everyone has acted as a result of this it makes me laugh. as no one has mentioned there disgust at the 40 or so fans who chanted "w*nker" at heathcote (without consideration for the ball boys or women present) or at those shouting the word c*nt at him. but  because he gestured back it's outragious

cant say i heard the shouting of C**t and can honestly say i didnt join in the wanker song aimed at heathcote. so to get that aimed in the general direction of everyone in the golf road (therefore including me) i find it a bit offensive to be honest.
I do think he needs to be able to take the rough with the smooth and think he needs to calm down completely. The most frustrating thing is not the sign aimed at everyone, but forcing the players into the dressing room without clapping the fans that obviously do care (as the goal celebrations showed.  ;) ) and if we dont get an apology from heathcote for doing this then we should at least get one from the club saying that they dont condone his behaviour, and the players should have the right to clap the fans especially after the awful performance on saturday and the amount of support we gave them.
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alex on September 23, 2008, 02:20:59 PM
are we sure the players wanted to clap us? from what i heard in the tunnel they were all saying "that one was for you graham"
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: bighairedmike on September 23, 2008, 02:25:50 PM
well they dont have to if they dont want to, but i reckon from the way they walked over towards the fans and started clapping and then got waved away by graham i reckon  they must have wanted to.
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 02:28:11 PM
Quote from: The Duke on September 23, 2008, 02:20:59 PM
are we sure the players wanted to clap us? from what i heard in the tunnel they were all saying "that one was for you graham"

But you heard this from a fiercely pro-Heathcote source I assume?

(Got a pretty good idea who it was!)
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alex on September 23, 2008, 02:35:51 PM
im not trying to argue mike, everyone to there own opinion and all that. im just saying what i heard when i was stood in the tunnel after the match
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alex on September 23, 2008, 02:37:20 PM
Quote from: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 02:28:11 PM
Quote from: The Duke on September 23, 2008, 02:20:59 PM
are we sure the players wanted to clap us? from what i heard in the tunnel they were all saying "that one was for you graham"

But you heard this from a fiercely pro-Heathcote source I assume?

(Got a pretty good idea who it was!)

no i heard it with my ear while i was getting the brushes and bin bags to clean up after all the messy people at the ground (and since im on the fence heathcote im not sure your correct )
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alty365 on September 23, 2008, 02:45:15 PM
Sorry, I mis-read what you said and knew you were sitting on the fence as it were.

On the subject of your sweeping duties, well done to you for volunteering yourself for such work. :)
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alex on September 23, 2008, 02:52:16 PM
sorry if it sounded like i was arguing with you, this whole situation is making us all a bit crazy. (were the new port chat lol)
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: altyf on September 24, 2008, 09:46:11 AM
Quote from: now_just_mike on September 23, 2008, 01:54:32 PM
So if i as a customer came into your place of employment and voiced my displeasure about your performance, would you turn around call me a wanker and then expect to not have some sort of disciplinary action taken against you?

The thing is though, we weren't "voicing our displeasure at the performance", by the end we were being simply abusive towards a man who, whether you like it or not has taken this club further than anyone could have expected. Protesting at a football match is something to be expected after a string of poor performances but there was no need to abuse a man who loves the club. Swearing back at the fans was completely wrong of Heathcote, but other than that I didn't think there was anything wrong with his comments such as "is that your way of saying thankyou?". People have said they expect Graham to be professional and ignore it but can you really expect the man to just stand there and let the fans of the club he loves abuse him?
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: casper on September 24, 2008, 06:08:40 PM
The point that you have missed, along with a number of people is this:

Sir Heathcote (OBE) would NOT have got our reaction to HIS reaction to our "heathcote out" chant IF he had not aimed a wanker gesture to the home fans.
Im not to sure how many managers would make a "wanker" sign in the direction of THEIR own supporters and NOT expect any reaction.

Maybe the reaction from the supporters was over the top.
BUT IT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF THEIR HAD BEEN NO REACTION FROM THE MANAGER.

Title: Re: club apology
Post by: gazwarrington on September 24, 2008, 06:19:06 PM
AS I said I did not join in the Heathcote Out chants until AFTER that and too be honst I reckon it went from 10 people singing it to about 50 - 60 after he did it.

one thing I can NEVER forgive is the tellin the players not to clap the fans. That will live long in the memory.
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: dino on September 24, 2008, 07:26:42 PM
the fact is , he could well have been reported to the police for making those gestures. The real issue in all this is the fact that a board member (rowley)witnessed the incident and has made no public apology, which suggests he either condones it, or is scared stiff of the bloke. If its the latter, then it demonstates the unhealthy situation at the club.

As far as i am concerned, Heathcote has burnt has bridges at this club and with its supporters. He should be sacked for what he did.
Title: Re: club apology
Post by: Alty19 on September 24, 2008, 07:31:54 PM
Quote from: dino on September 24, 2008, 07:26:42 PM
the fact is , he could well have been reported to the police for making those gestures. The real issue in all this is the fact that a board member (rowley)witnessed the incident and has made no public apology, which suggests he either condones it, or is scared stiff of the bloke. If its the latter, then it demonstates the unhealthy situation at the club.

As far as i am concerned, Heathcote has burnt has bridges at this club and with its supporters. He should be sacked for what he did.

and the 50 pr so fans tellin him he was wanker can not get arrested i gather
....listen we move on.....if the board want to handle it like this fine..we just get behind the lads it all we can do