Is All Publicity Good Publicity? It would seem not – Thankfully

Today we hear that the likelihood of a rapist being employed in a high profile role is almost a certainty. Oldham Athletic have apparently followed the money. But what price are they really paying?

What price do you put on the support of those who have attended your club for years, kept you going and now, will walk away, ashamed that their club has been tarnished in such a way. Will the Massey money that was offered for 6 months or so, to apparently buy a place on the team be worth it?

When the sponsors leave, and the fans turn their backs, and the Massey money has gone, who will be left? Will the publicity have been worth it?

No, the damage has been done. And football fans have long memories when it comes to betrayal. When you walk away, it is for good.

Today the sponsors, tomorrow the fans, what is there left for the future?

The team will be vilified, Oldham may well have to play without fans, as the abuse and fighting has already been seen at Sheffield United, and that was with only rumour that he might be there. This will intensify if and when he is appointed.

And what if the staff don’t want to work in such a setting? Or opposition teams & staff don’t want Oldham at their grounds?

Football is a family game, watched and supported by generations together, and subsequently, this is something that Oldham should think very carefully about before they take this step.

Sometimes, and on this occasion, a short term greed, and desire for publicity may be the first or final nails in the coffin.

Update:

It appears that Oldham have bowed to whatever, and walked away from the deal.  Whilst it would be great that they took the moral stance, it may have been down to legal/safety issues that caused the change of heart.  Whatever it is, I hope that for the victim’s benefit, that this is the end to it.