Shamrock Rovers 400 Club Press Statement

**WeAreRovers** · 27/05/2005, 12:04 PM

Shamrock Rovers 400 Club Press Statement

Issued May 27, 2005

The Shamrock Rovers 400 Club would like to refute claims by officials of Shelbourne FC and subsequently by officials of the Shelbourne supporters club, which were widely reported in the media over the course of the last week. It was alleged that "thugs wearing the green & white hooped shirts of Shamrock Rovers" attacked fans of Linfield FC. The attacks were alleged to have happened prior to the Setanta Cup Final at Tolka Park on Saturday 21st May.

The 400 Club has investigated the allegations made against Shamrock Rovers fans with the appropriate authorities. The Gardai in Santry, who were responsible for the policing outside the ground, reported only minor disturbances and were happy to confirm that it was a "relatively incident-free game" with no evidence of any Rovers fans being involved in any of the minor incidents reported. The security firm responsible for the matchday organisation also confirmed that no Rovers fans were involved in any such incidents. A number of fans were ejected from the stadium, none of whom were identified as Rovers fans.

At a time when the 400 Club is attempting to promote Shamrock Rovers FC and the role fans can play in securing the future of their great club, the allegations made are a cause of great concern and have come at a very delicate time for the club with potentially damaging consequences.

The 400 Club has sought legal advice on the allegations made by Shelboune officials and is seeking a retraction of the same as well as a full and frank apology by those who have made such claims, together with those sections of the media who reported them without corroboration from the appropriate authorities.

**Poor Student** · 27/05/2005, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

together with those sections of the media who reported them without corroboration from the appropriate authorities.

Good on them, nice to see the media being tackled for unsubstantiated negative claims about the eL.

**joeSoap** · 27/05/2005, 12:09 PM

Great statement. Well done.

I think you'll find it easier to knit fog than get an explanation or apology from Ollie and co however.........

**Poor Student** · 27/05/2005, 12:27 PM

Funny, Shels have managed to swing a lot of us behind Rovers on this issue. It's almost been a popularity boost for Rovers when they most need our sympathy.

**EnDai** · 27/05/2005, 12:28 PM

The original one, issued by Shelbourne, was not specific, it said SRFC or Celtic thugs. It did not place the blame entirely on your door.

I take it that whoever released that edited the quote so as to appeal for sympathy.

"Thugs wearing the green & white hooped shirts of Shamrock Rovers OR SCOTTISH CLUB CELTIC FC"

And for the record, it was both! :P

**Poor Student** · 27/05/2005, 12:32 PM

EnDai Rovers' statement is refuting the claims by both Ollie and the supporters club and Ollie's allegations were more specific. Some odd ambiguous comment to the effect that Rovers knew about it and did not prevent it.

**Schumi** · 27/05/2005, 12:33 PM

One of the good things about the effective 400 club take-over of Rovers during the examinership has been their willingness to release comments on this sort of thing. All too often clubs do nothing when this happens.

**EnDai** · 27/05/2005, 12:35 PM

I was just pointing out that the quote used by Shamrock Rovers has been edited to make it look more condemning. That's all.

**Dricky** · 27/05/2005, 12:36 PM

Well done, that bitter fat little man needs to be brought in line as his intention was to point the finger at Rovers.

**rebs23** · 27/05/2005, 1:07 PM

WAR It's a tricky game you are playing there. While you are correct no doubt is n't there a danger you are only feeding the media publicity for a non event and therefore extending the life of the story?
After all any journalist is only concerned about filling their quota of news stories. It's a delicate balancing act as to when to refute and when to ignore.
Surely this story about handbag hooliganism is dead by now?

**manic da hoop** · 27/05/2005, 1:17 PM

Fair point Rebs 23. When $hels issued that rag of a statement on Monday I thought the papers would be all over the story like a rash the next day, but no. That said, irregardless of how much attention people paid to that piece of bull****, Rovers have to be seen to fight our corner. The idea that that little degenerate low-life can think that he can keep coming out and saying what he likes must be stopped, one way or another.

**dcfcsteve** · 27/05/2005, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by manic da hoop

Fair point Rebs 23. When $hels issued that rag of a statement on Monday I thought the papers would be all over the story like a rash the next day, but no. That said, irregardless of how much attention people paid to that piece of bull****, Rovers have to be seen to fight our corner. The idea that that little degenerate low-life can think that he can keep coming out and saying what he likes must be stopped, one way or another.

I share Rebs 23's concern that it'll just prolong any negative coverage, but agree with you that you need to stick-up for your club and someone needs to show Ollie he doesn't get life all his own way.

Surely you could've sneaked Ollie's conviction for selling dodgy cigarettes into the statement there somewhere though......

**fosterdollar** · 27/05/2005, 1:38 PM

The 400 Club looked into it, found it was unfounded and sought exoneration as anyone with any self respect would do. Fair play to them. Hope Shels are punished for it.

**thomas** · 27/05/2005, 3:23 PM

Most of the national media covered the story made up by olly papers and radio. This was a non event painted as a guerilla assault by rovers fans.
Rovers fans are entitled to an apology from olly and cassiday and every other bandwagon jumper.

**fbtn** · 27/05/2005, 3:37 PM

Well done Rovers.

Don't let the b***ards grind you down!!!

**Gareth** · 27/05/2005, 4:02 PM

Some individuals wearing Rovers jersey were loitering at the top of Richmond Road looking for a bit of trouble. Most of us walking down to the game saw that. You can release a million statements saying what you like but the fact remains. After that, the rest of what is going on is handbags. Eitherway its over. As for Rovers seeking legal advice, if there was CCTV at the top of Richmond Road it should be easy enough to point out the jerseys.

**thomas** · 27/05/2005, 4:06 PM

Originally Posted by Gareth

Some individuals wearing Rovers jersey were loitering at the top of Richmond Road looking for a bit of trouble. Most of us walking down to the game saw that. You can release a million statements saying what you like but the fact remains. After that, the rest of what is going on is handbags. Eitherway its over. As for Rovers seeking legal advice, if there was CCTV at the top of Richmond Road it should be easy enough to point out the jerseys.

Obviously you were able to read the minds of the people wearing Rovers jersies so...or maybe you just saw football fans standing around?

Time for Ollie to apologise and get over it. Nothing happened and making false accusations wont be tolerated.

**Anto McC** · 27/05/2005, 4:07 PM

What will the 400 club say if Ollie does come up with the evidence.

**WeAreRovers** · 27/05/2005, 4:08 PM

Originally Posted by Gareth

As for Rovers seeking legal advice, if there was CCTV at the top of Richmond Road it should be easy enough to point out the jerseys.

Fire ahead so, we've been waiting all week for evidence. The onus is on you and the Fat Controller to prove the allegations.

Incidentally, about 5 minutes after the statement was issued, you know who was on to our Press Officer swearing like a madman. He refused to offer any evidence or an apology and just screamed his head off for the entire call. He's so unprofessional it's untrue.

KOH