Gloucester
Nottage responds in "up to fans" controversy
By Cherry Picker
December 31 2009
The Ken Nottage controversy continues with Gloucester issuing a statement distancing the club from the story in the Citizen which suggested the managing director felt that success was “up to the fans”. Whatever the truth behind the situation, as Shedloads said in reporting the story, somebody, somewhere has made a massive cock-up.
The fall-out is that a lot of fans have taken exception to what Nottage is alleged to have said, the club has lost face and the relationship between the club and the Citizen, at a time when both need all the friends they can get, has suffered.
On top of that, thousands of rugby followers all over the country have seen the story and wondered what is going on at Kingsholm.
The Nottage statement reads, in part: “The overall article ran to almost 3,000 words but one quote has been used to create a second article. Unfortunately, the headline used to head up the second article is slightly misleading.
“At no point did I say that future success was down to the fans nor did I issue any sort of challenge to them.
“I honestly believe that Gloucester Rugby has the most faithful and passionate supporters in English rugby. My words were in no way meant as a criticism of them. It was one quote in a long article. If they were misconstrued that way, I sincerely apologise.”
From where we are sitting, it appears that the Citizen has tried to add an extra ingredient to (sensationalise????) a run-of-the-mill story about the club, and Nottage’s role at Kingsholm, over the last ten years. He and the club have reacted as angrily as many fans did, and the Citizen has had to publish a lengthy response (correction????).
The fall-out from the original story could last some time, and there’s little doubt that behind the scenes both at Kingsholm and at the Citizen, voices were raised and jobs were on the line.As we said, what a cock-up.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
31/12/2009 16:26
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Elsewhere, I see BR has come out and told the players they are playing for their futures at Glaws over the next two games.
Bit of a stupid comment that one because the top players will know they can get contracts elsewhere whilst everyone else does not need any extra pressure being put on them leading into a game that is now massive for both clubs.
Seems that finances are going to remain tight going into next season so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see some big name players moving on from Kingsholm before next season.
!!!!!
