Oxford United's boycott warning (From Banbury Cake)
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Oxford United's boycott warning
9:30am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in U's News
By Mark Taylor, Reporter. Please call me on (01865) 425411
OXFORD United have been warned they risk a fan boycott after signing controversial goalkeeper Luke McCormick.
The former Plymouth Arglye stopper was sentenced to more than seven years after admitting killing two children while drink-driving in 2008.
Fans voted with their feet at his previous club Truro City and avoided games while McCormick was at the club.
Truro chairman Peter Masters, said the club came under substantial criticism for taking him on and it proved “costly”.
Now fears have been raised that the U’s could suffer a similar fate.
Oxford resident Tony Fallows said he thought his fellow fans would turn away in their droves.
The 25-year-old, who has been attending games since 1996, said: “There is definitely a downbeat feeling around the club at the moment and this could be something which makes fans’ minds up to not come back for a while.”
John Jefferies, from Binsey, added: “I like to think that we, as a club, have always garnered respect from other clubs for trying to do things right, this jeopardises our reputation.”
U’’s supporters trust OxVox said the signing was emotive.
Their statement said: “While it’s fair to say he has served his sentence and has every right to seek employment, we appreciate that fans may have a split view on him signing.”
- Let us know your views on email sportsdesk@oxfordmail. co.uk or write to Sports Editor, Oxford Mail, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EJ.
Comments(32)
Manor Born
says...
11:24am Sat 2 Feb 13
Richard's wages and this other player's wages, would have surely been enough to secure the services of a decent keeper with the right experience & without the baggage.
Marsh would gain far more from being involved with the first team week in week out and should have been given the opportunity over a previously tried and failed ex-loanee.
Lenagan comes out with this bull he only wants to sign players who will take us forward one minute, only to sign a player that takes us backwards the next. But that's ok, because he is cheap.
This club is morally bankrupt and it would appear that financially, we're not far off that either.
Tony Fallows
says...
11:30am Sat 2 Feb 13
However, for every fan that does boycott (there will be some) that's effectively the cost of Luke McCormick to OUFC. It's been claimed he is a cheap option, well he could turn out to be one of our most expensive signings ever!
I'm not comfortable with this, but would never turn my back on the club. We've made a mistake, I just hope it doesn't prove too costly.
jasperwasp
says...
2:31pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Richard Wickson
says...
3:34pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Manor Born wrote:I agree with every word, while its accepted he has served the sentence handed down in a court of law and also has to live with what he did every day for the rest of his life, 3 and a half years for two young lives is pretty cheap. Yes you could say he deserves a second chance but sweeping roads or emptying bins not getting a decent wage for playing football. I have supported this wonderful club since 1960 and did go to a handful of games before that but whats going on at the club presently does make me wonder if the management and board of directors deserve the support the fans give them? The players in the main do but i seriously believe many fans, particularly those who take young children to games will now take a long hard look at the situation. Expect a backlash Messrs. Lenaghan and Wilder. The supporters deserve better.
On the day the chairman announces losses of 450k and pleads with supporters to get behind the club, they go and do this? A signing that only goes to discourage people from attending. If it is a matter of wages, then why did he sanction the Richards signing? A player who was deemed to be not good enough when we were in the Conference.
Richard's wages and this other player's wages, would have surely been enough to secure the services of a decent keeper with the right experience & without the baggage.
Marsh would gain far more from being involved with the first team week in week out and should have been given the opportunity over a previously tried and failed ex-loanee.
Lenagan comes out with this bull he only wants to sign players who will take us forward one minute, only to sign a player that takes us backwards the next. But that's ok, because he is cheap.
This club is morally bankrupt and it would appear that financially, we're not far off that either.
BenkiuGuasu
says...
4:15pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Richard Wickson
says...
8:45pm Sat 2 Feb 13
BenkiuGuasu wrote:Its lovely you have such a quaint old fashioned view, i wonder if you would if the children were related to you. i cannot share your view and certainly wont renew my season ticket or take in any more games either at home or away while this club that i have supported for over 50 years employs ex cons. i allowed myself to be swayed over Chapman but not this time.
He has served his time and needs to get on with his own life and career. Welcome to the club.
colin roberts
says...
10:10pm Sat 2 Feb 13
BenkiuGuasu
says...
12:14am Sun 3 Feb 13
colin roberts wrote:Aye. His own demons will exceed anything any of us can throw at him. But he has served his time. Welcome to the club.
Luke McCormick made a momentous mistake one that ended in horrific circumstances. Two children died because of his stupidity. Did he mean to kill anyone. no! The british justice system has deemed him to have paid his debt to society. The last thing he thinks about when he goes to sleep and the first thing he will think about when he awakes will be the regret and sorrow of his stupidity on that day. On top of that he will get chants from away fans of murderer! who is so perfect or so great that they can not see past giving this guy a second chance? he is a talented keeper and just wants to do the best he can in these sad circumstances.
Manor Born
says...
1:50am Sun 3 Feb 13
All through his trial his main concern was the damage he had done to his career and not the destruction he had caused to a young family.
I am all for giving people a second chance, but they have to earn that second chance and show some actual remorse.
This whole thing stinks. He should not have been given the privelige of wearing our shirt.
BigCrompy
says...
2:25am Sun 3 Feb 13
colin roberts wrote:You make it sound almost like a complete surprise. "Oooh...I'm going to have a couple of drinks...then a few more...then I wonder what'll happen if I get into this here car".
Luke McCormick made a momentous mistake one that ended in horrific circumstances. Two children died because of his stupidity. Did he mean to kill anyone. no! The british justice system has deemed him to have paid his debt to society. The last thing he thinks about when he goes to sleep and the first thing he will think about when he awakes will be the regret and sorrow of his stupidity on that day. On top of that he will get chants from away fans of murderer! who is so perfect or so great that they can not see past giving this guy a second chance? he is a talented keeper and just wants to do the best he can in these sad circumstances.
I for one may make many mistakes, but not THAT mistake - because I am not irresponsible, not folly and I don't feel bulletproof. I am well aware if I try to get into a car hammered then bad things will happen, and not due to personal experience.
Defend the guy if you will, but just please don't pass it off as 'a mistake' cos that implies that any of us could be narcissistic enough to do the same.
davecuddoufc
says...
2:51am Sun 3 Feb 13
Doctor69
says...
8:34am Sun 3 Feb 13
Southstandupper
says...
5:17pm Sun 3 Feb 13
Southstandupper
says...
5:17pm Sun 3 Feb 13
Brenda Jackson
says...
6:46pm Sun 3 Feb 13
''Family Club of the Year'' ?
I'd rather we played Micky Lewis in goal than stoop so low as to sign someone guilty of killing two children, putting their father in a wheel chair for life, and destroying their immediate family.
Beau champ mummy
says...
7:38pm Sun 3 Feb 13
Grunden Skip
says...
8:03pm Sun 3 Feb 13
greengarden
says...
7:52am Mon 4 Feb 13
Brenda Jackson wrote:so Brenda tell me what society should do when attempting to rehabilitate criminals. hang um, shoot em put them on them on benefits for rest of their lives, let them stave on the streets, stick them in a Victorian workhouse...... His crime was disgusting I agree, but under the law of the land he has served his time. God help us if you should ever make a terrible error of judgement with that view. I'm not defending McCormick, far from it, nor Chapman or any other drunk or mobile phone user driver that has killed innocent people (they are despicable people yes including Chapman)!!
Another hideous decision by those at the Club's helm. They should all consider handing in their resignations.
''Family Club of the Year'' ?
I'd rather we played Micky Lewis in goal than stoop so low as to sign someone guilty of killing two children, putting their father in a wheel chair for life, and destroying their immediate family.
My heart goes out to that family I cannot even begin to understand their pain and how they go about coping. But you tell me what do we with these people in a modern society when they have served their time under the law of land?? Perhaps both Chapman and McCormick should have stayed behind bars for life and don't tell me there is a difference between drink driving and txting because their isn't, both can KILL innocent people !!!
Brenda Jackson
says...
9:17am Mon 4 Feb 13
I'll tell you what society/Football SHOULDN'T do, allow people like LM who have committed such crimes back in the 'Public arena' -where young children look up to footballers (for instance) as role models. This to me is the cruxt of the matter.
I didn't agree with the signing of chapman either, but i do think there's a difference between someone doing an idiotic spur of the moment 'text' message while driving- and someone who drinks so much he's over twice the alcohol limit, refuses to stop driving
when pleaded to do so by a mate, and ploughs into a car whilst breaking the speed limit.
Yes, he's served his time, (whether it was an appropriate sentence is another matter) and should be allowed to work for a living, just not in the public eye.
Southstandupper
says...
11:00am Mon 4 Feb 13
dafodils78
says...
1:11pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Receiving all this flack He did his time, maybe not enough for killing 2 young boys, but if he is good at his job, Why keep going on about it?
Onna bout Ex-Cons, Chapman is one!!
No matter what anyone says on here, Chris Wilder aint gonna change his mind, If you all slate the matter get over to the Kassam, make your point of view count. Say it to those who need to hear it.
I say give him a chance.
dafodils78
says...
1:19pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Brenda Jackson
says...
1:44pm Mon 4 Feb 13
dafodils78 wrote:I sincerely hope you never have to endure and suffer like the parents of the '2 young boys' - but if you do would you be so flippant and prepared to forgive and forget, honestly?
Poor young lad Receiving all this flack He did his time, maybe not enough for killing 2 young boys, but if he is good at his job, Why keep going on about it? Onna bout Ex-Cons, Chapman is one!! No matter what anyone says on here, Chris Wilder aint gonna change his mind, If you all slate the matter get over to the Kassam, make your point of view count. Say it to those who need to hear it. I say give him a chance.
dafodils78
says...
2:08pm Mon 4 Feb 13
I think NOT!!
You are all Judging him, It aint Right!!
there are a lot of people out there that have done wrong, and are still trying to make things right.
Maybe given the chance - Luke is trying to do the same.
All of these Judgements are a waste of time, if they are not going to the right people, such as the Club itself.
Grunden Skip
says...
2:50pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Brenda Jackson wrote:Poor little Brenda, what about the thousands of families that have lost their children in Iraq, and still do in Afghanistan, due to being sent to their deaths by Blair, Brown and Cameron, they are killers as well. Should they be forced to work in Tesco on minimum wage. The Man done his crime, and paid his debt to society. He is now doing a job, and paying his taxes. All you have done is rant against him, so what is your suggestion? Hang him, Shoot him from the Upper Tier? Sorry love, but you need to look at the bigger picture, and not your bigoted stance on this minor matter in the great scheme of things. Go up to the JR at the next repatriation and decry the killers of our poor lads there, if you feel so strongly.
dafodils78 wrote:I sincerely hope you never have to endure and suffer like the parents of the '2 young boys' - but if you do would you be so flippant and prepared to forgive and forget, honestly?
Poor young lad Receiving all this flack He did his time, maybe not enough for killing 2 young boys, but if he is good at his job, Why keep going on about it? Onna bout Ex-Cons, Chapman is one!! No matter what anyone says on here, Chris Wilder aint gonna change his mind, If you all slate the matter get over to the Kassam, make your point of view count. Say it to those who need to hear it. I say give him a chance.
dafodils78
says...
4:01pm Mon 4 Feb 13
He has made a Huge Mistake in his Life and now trying to make it better.
Haters and Judger's aren't Real enough to comment, only on here.. sad really!
35 year fan
says...
4:53pm Mon 4 Feb 13
lenigan was quoted again recently saying he and his sons dont think they need any more directors at the club. with respect guys this saga shows you are wrong about that.
BenkiuGuasu
says...
7:13pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Richard Wickson
says...
9:02am Tue 5 Feb 13
BenkiuGuasu wrote:You can't go any lower in the Football League than we are or have you forgotten which division we are in? This lad needs match time at our level not non league to really move him on, as we almost certainly can't make the play offs and hopefully won't get relegated Wilder should have pitched him in and as another poster suggested if after 5 or so games was struggling then we go for a loanee, he looks a prospect and I am sure will move on to greater things, our loss his gain, good luck Max,
Every goalkeeper in the land needs to play games on loan at a lower division club before they are ready. Same applies to Crocombe.
Brenda Jackson
says...
9:15am Tue 5 Feb 13
Grunden Skip wrote:Your username says it all.
Brenda Jackson wrote:Poor little Brenda, what about the thousands of families that have lost their children in Iraq, and still do in Afghanistan, due to being sent to their deaths by Blair, Brown and Cameron, they are killers as well. Should they be forced to work in Tesco on minimum wage. The Man done his crime, and paid his debt to society. He is now doing a job, and paying his taxes. All you have done is rant against him, so what is your suggestion? Hang him, Shoot him from the Upper Tier? Sorry love, but you need to look at the bigger picture, and not your bigoted stance on this minor matter in the great scheme of things. Go up to the JR at the next repatriation and decry the killers of our poor lads there, if you feel so strongly.dafodils78 wrote: Poor young lad Receiving all this flack He did his time, maybe not enough for killing 2 young boys, but if he is good at his job, Why keep going on about it? Onna bout Ex-Cons, Chapman is one!! No matter what anyone says on here, Chris Wilder aint gonna change his mind, If you all slate the matter get over to the Kassam, make your point of view count. Say it to those who need to hear it. I say give him a chance.I sincerely hope you never have to endure and suffer like the parents of the '2 young boys' - but if you do would you be so flippant and prepared to forgive and forget, honestly?
Bicester Ryan
says...
11:07pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Shame on OUFC.
I have never set foot at the kassam since Chapman came back and I am proud of that fact, morals and whats right comes above football. Shame its took alot of people a year or two to realise they have morals.
BigAlBiker says...
9:51am Sat 2 Feb 13