Fans left bemused as Bristol Rovers reject advert
Bristol Rovers have come under fire after refusing to publish an advert from a fans' group backing this weekend's Kick It Out anti-racism campaign.
The Gas Independent Fans Trust had agreed to pay £300 for a full-page advert in the programme for today's home game against Yeovil Town, which highlighted dozens of players of various nationalities and races who had played for the club.
-
It was laid out on a blue-and-white quartered background with the caption 'The United Colours of Rovers'.
But GIFT say the advert was refused because the club objected to the design carrying GIFT's contact details in small print at the bottom.
They were told it would only be accepted if it was placed under the name of Rovers' Supporters Club.
Bristol Rovers are running a series of events at today's game to show their backing for Kick It Out's national One Game, One Community campaign, but GIFT chairman Gary Marks said their members were bemused by the club's attitude to the advert.
He said: "While GIFT recognises the special relationship that BRFC and the Supporters Club enjoy, the Trust does not believe that this should be to the exclusion of other groups.
"To say we are disappointed in the club's reaction is an understatement.
"It stands to reason GIFT would not pay for an advert to be placed in the name of another organisation.
"The suggestion that GIFT pay for an ad in the Supporters Club's name is a non-starter. If Pepsi approached the club with an ad, would they be asked to put it in Coca-Cola's name as they sponsor the League? I don't think so, but this is no different.
"We'd also point out that other supporters groups and initiatives, like the Presidents' Club and Helpline, are allowed programme space, which makes this reaction even more astonishing."
"In Rovers' own publicity for One Game, One Community, the club has stated that 'Bristol Rovers have a philosophy of inclusiveness, equality of opportunity and promotion of harmony.' Sadly, it appears this does not extend as far as some of the club's own supporters."
Marks says GIFT also contacted the club about the possibility of sponsoring striker Andy Williams' away kit for the rest of the season, but their approach was also rejected.
Rovers' financial director Toni Watola said: "It is disappointing that certain supporters feel the need to recreate a further voice for fans, when the relationship that the club has had for many years with the official Bristol Rovers Supporters Club has been so successful.
"Indeed, through the Supporters Club Share Scheme in excess of £750,000 has been raised to support the club during difficult times, and this has resulted in two Supporters Club members being promoted to board positions at Bristol Rovers.
"This relationship continues to work well and give our fans a voice, and in the spirit of One Game, One Community, we have encouraged GIFT to promote its work through our official Supporters Club, and a number of meetings have been arranged in the past between the two groups.
"The board of Bristol Rovers made it very clear to GIFT when they approached us some 18 months ago that we were very receptive to their suggestions and ideas as long as they were channelled through Bristol Rovers Supporters Club.
"Whilst we applaud the spirit and design of the advert, we are disappointed GIFT have felt the need to promote their own organisation rather than coming through the official Supporters Club."
18 Comments
View all
by David Holmes, Northville
Monday, October 26 2009, 9:52AM
“Well spotted Bladder.
Horfield Boy is indeed a Rovers Director in fact until his true face was revealed he was in fact the Chairman of the Football Club.
All very sad for a dying football club.”
by Harry, Bristol
Monday, October 26 2009, 9:25AM
“I have to laugh at suggestions that GIFT should have put an advert without their contact details - why would anyone do that? And why wouldn't anyone tell people that something like this has been refused by Bristol Rovers. Keeping it all hush hush sounds exactly what the football club wants to me, good on GIFT for speaking out.
I also wonder whether the people who think GIFT should pay for an advert without their details on also think that the directors of Bristol Rovers who "won" the shirt sponsorship draw should not have their company's name on the shirts?”
by Terry, Patchway
Monday, October 26 2009, 12:43AM
“Horfield Boy, there was no dialogue between the board and GIFT, nor was there likely to ever be as they informed GIFT that any communications should be made through the supporters club.
For some reason there is a fear pervading throughout "Box 1". The fear of an independent, democratic supporters organisation.
I have to wonder why?”
by Horfield Boy, Horfield
Sunday, October 25 2009, 5:39PM
“Terry, I see you are going for "life of Brian" - "what have the board ever done for us?" questioning. Well, they appointed Paul Trollope and Lennie Lawrence, (allegedly) signed Rickie Lambert against Paul's wshes (yeah, right...), provided the funds to get us promoted after years in the Div 4 hell-hole and we had our best FA Cup run for 50 years or so.
Nick Higgs has a weekly update column on the club web site and is very open to the supporters. I personally have had many discussions with the supporters club directors. What our board do not have is huge amounts of money to throw at the club, although I believe they do cover losses personally.
The one thing they have not (yet) delivered is the new stadium - then again, neither has Lansdown done so yet for the 1982 boys.
The point of my posts is that GIFT have played this whole situation wrongly and have effectively ended any dialogue with the football club and board by publicising the dispute. And nobody has answered my question as to why GIFT could not have agreed to place the advert without their contact details being included. After all, if they are so keen on kicking out racism, that woud surely have been a price worth paying.
Onwards and upwards and let's hope Leeds lose their second game of the season on Tuesday evening!”
by Captain Calamity, Bristol
Saturday, October 24 2009, 8:51PM
“As I understand it GIFT have spent over a year trying to engage the higher levels of BRFC in discussion about many issues. However, BRFC have repeatedly made it clear that they wish only to receive input from the Supporters Club. This is a very cosy arrangement for them since the SC is so closely affiliated with BRFC itself that there is never any level of criticism from this quarter, no matter what the issue. This is fine if you are happy with the status quo or if you are 100% happy with the way the club operates. Bad luck if you're not. What would be nice would be to have people at the top who had a genuine interset in the fans wishes and ran an open shop, rather than the current closed shop that operates to protect their own interests. Well done GIFT on an excellent advert though.”