| Club policy in relation to politicians 16:36 - Mar 28 with 744 views | DJR |
I am not sure if anyone picked up on this, but I thought this from Ashton's statement was astonishing.
“I think a prime example is the board, the full board of directors are now reviewing the policy in regards to how we engage with local politicians and political parties.
The board are reviewing that right now and we'll decide how, if and when we do that moving forward because, again, lessons have to be learnt."
First, this suggests the current policy enables politicians to be given shirts for free, that they are able to bring their media team with them to Portman Road, and that they are entitled to use a visit to Portman Road for political gain.
Second, what is there for the full board to review because the above just shouldn't have been in place? Indeed, why couldn't he just have said that in future politicians won't be allowed to do what Farage did? [Post edited 28 Mar 16:55]
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:40 - Mar 28 with 701 views | Blueschev |
It’s such a patronising load of utter nonsense. I’d rather he’d just been honest and said “I like Nigel, and the club would be better off without all this red tape and wokery”. |  | | |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:41 - Mar 28 with 683 views | Swansea_Blue |
I suspect we don’t have one. I’ve looked through the policy section on the website and there’s nothing mentioned there (that’s obvious). You’d think a policy around external facing relationships/ethics would be published if there was one. Unless it’s covered off in internal ones targeted at staff. |  |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:41 - Mar 28 with 683 views | jasondozzell |
Word salad to pass the buck.
Ashton OUT. |  | | |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:42 - Mar 28 with 675 views | Cheltenham_Blue |
You don't need any club policy for any of this.
Common sense would do it. |  |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:45 - Mar 28 with 652 views | bluelagos |
It was absolutely him passing the buck -effectively saying what he did was fully in line with the existing policies so "not may fault"
As if you need a policy to know that inviting a divisive politician to the club and facilitating a PR event might not be the most sensible thing to do. |  |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:45 - Mar 28 with 649 views | Blueschev |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:42 - Mar 28 by Cheltenham_Blue |
You don't need any club policy for any of this.
Common sense would do it. |
Absolutely. The club were under no obligation to entertain and promote the far right. Ashton chose to do so. | | | |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:45 - Mar 28 with 645 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:40 - Mar 28 by Blueschev |
It’s such a patronising load of utter nonsense. I’d rather he’d just been honest and said “I like Nigel, and the club would be better off without all this red tape and wokery”. |
At a guess I’d say it’s more likely the consultant guy who’s the fan (ex-BBC journo) and Ashton thought there was possible political capital because Farage may end up Number 10. Shudder the thought and their ratings are dropping, but who knows. I would have thought Ashton would be playing politics with a lower case P more than an upper case one. Just a guess based on nothing though. | |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:49 - Mar 28 with 621 views | homer_123 |
Can we be clear.
Meeting Farage or any national or local politician isn't the end of the world.
Hiding it, from fans and staff and they denying the Club had anything to do with it....coupled with constant obfuscation and doubling down is the major issue.
Although, choosing to lunch with a known racist, misogynist and grifter and then allowing a political party to weaponise our Club is at best a shockingly poor decision from our CEO and in reality a dereliction of his duty. |  |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:49 - Mar 28 with 618 views | Blueschev |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:45 - Mar 28 by Swansea_Blue |
At a guess I’d say it’s more likely the consultant guy who’s the fan (ex-BBC journo) and Ashton thought there was possible political capital because Farage may end up Number 10. Shudder the thought and their ratings are dropping, but who knows. I would have thought Ashton would be playing politics with a lower case P more than an upper case one. Just a guess based on nothing though. |
The evidence to me suggests Ashton is a fan and acted as though the club is his to do with what he chooses. Listen to his “apology”, nothing about what he’s done, only about how an element might feel. | | | |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:49 - Mar 28 with 616 views | Pinewoodblue |
Ashton needs to put his shovel down before the hole is too deep to climb out. |  |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:50 - Mar 28 with 602 views | homer_123 |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:45 - Mar 28 by Blueschev |
Absolutely. The club were under no obligation to entertain and promote the far right. Ashton chose to do so. |
And the fact it wasnt publicised shows exactly what Ashton knew might happen...and he 'still' chose to lunch with Farage. | |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:51 - Mar 28 with 591 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
Even when he's f**ked up he still talks down to people.
....and I repeat....
Even when he's f**ked up he still talks down to people. [Post edited 28 Mar 16:52]
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:52 - Mar 28 with 579 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:49 - Mar 28 by Blueschev |
The evidence to me suggests Ashton is a fan and acted as though the club is his to do with what he chooses. Listen to his “apology”, nothing about what he’s done, only about how an element might feel. |
Possibly, although we know consultant guy was the one who suggested it. But yes, the suggestion could have been welcomed (well, obviously was). So yes maybe Ashton is a supporter. Round in circles I go lol
Just make it all stop   | |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:54 - Mar 28 with 556 views | homer_123 |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:52 - Mar 28 by Swansea_Blue |
Possibly, although we know consultant guy was the one who suggested it. But yes, the suggestion could have been welcomed (well, obviously was). So yes maybe Ashton is a supporter. Round in circles I go lol
Just make it all stop |
Ahem. World leading PR guru suggested it.......feck me backwards with a bargepole. | |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:55 - Mar 28 with 545 views | Blueschev |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:52 - Mar 28 by Swansea_Blue |
Possibly, although we know consultant guy was the one who suggested it. But yes, the suggestion could have been welcomed (well, obviously was). So yes maybe Ashton is a supporter. Round in circles I go lol
Just make it all stop |
If somebody at work suggested you have lunch with Nigel Farage, then use the company you work for as a marketing tool for Reform, what would you do? And how do you think your employer would react? | | | |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 17:02 - Mar 28 with 500 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:55 - Mar 28 by Blueschev |
If somebody at work suggested you have lunch with Nigel Farage, then use the company you work for as a marketing tool for Reform, what would you do? And how do you think your employer would react? |
Depends how much was in it for me, obviously 
Of course, it was shocking judgement even if it was suggested by our world leading PR guru. Who’s clearly useless at PR based on this week. | |
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 17:10 - Mar 28 with 453 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:49 - Mar 28 by homer_123 |
Can we be clear.
Meeting Farage or any national or local politician isn't the end of the world.
Hiding it, from fans and staff and they denying the Club had anything to do with it....coupled with constant obfuscation and doubling down is the major issue.
Although, choosing to lunch with a known racist, misogynist and grifter and then allowing a political party to weaponise our Club is at best a shockingly poor decision from our CEO and in reality a dereliction of his duty. |
Meet him at a local golf club or book a private table at an upmarket restaurant if you want to rub shoulders with him and build some kind of relationship for whatever reason. Folks in high up positions do it all the time with figures that some people might not want to align with. He’s a private citizen and free to do what he likes in his own time.
The big issue is him using his position as CEO of the club to likely massage his ego and let a political party post a promotional video with our badge and in front of the sponsors. Even if you’re a fan that votes Reform, how has any of this week been in the clubs best interests? Unless it comes out the Athletic’s article is indeed a mistruth, how can it be construed as anything else than a than an ITFC business invite on club property. If it’s provable he or his comms completely lied about it, his position is likely untenable IMO even if he holds on for now.
This is why I don’t want any political figure doing it. Starmer held up shirts before the 2024 election campaign at Bristol Rovers on club visits and done something at Northampton I think. I personally wouldn’t want that either, even if is likely to cause far less outrage than Reform. Keep the football club separate from politics where possible as it will fracture the fanbase and bring on a lot of unwelcome attention.
If a political party is in power and there is genuine club business to discuss in terms of planning or approval for stadium expansion (as an example) then an official meeting would be understandable. However, not a lunch on a campaign trail, where (whatever anyone’s politics) the clubs clearly been used as a political hot potatoe and taken advantage of. [Post edited 28 Mar 17:22]
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| Club policy in relation to politicians on 17:17 - Mar 28 with 401 views | TheBlueGnu |
| Club policy in relation to politicians on 16:49 - Mar 28 by homer_123 |
Can we be clear.
Meeting Farage or any national or local politician isn't the end of the world.
Hiding it, from fans and staff and they denying the Club had anything to do with it....coupled with constant obfuscation and doubling down is the major issue.
Although, choosing to lunch with a known racist, misogynist and grifter and then allowing a political party to weaponise our Club is at best a shockingly poor decision from our CEO and in reality a dereliction of his duty. |
"obfuscation" - a fabulous, super word, much underused. |  |
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