Tom Hicks’ decision to go public with matters surrounding the club, once again through the media, has backfired incredibly. George Gillett has now responded with a statement of his own and there is no doubt that Liverpool fans will hugely back what Gillett says after failing to be fooled by Hick’s PR spin in his interview.
The interview revealed very little knew information, if at all, and instead showed his lack of integrity and only delivered more false promises.
In his statement Gillett points at the poor timing of Hicks’ comments – a week before the club’s crucial Champions League semi final – and the lack of integrity shown by taking his problems to Sky Sports rather than to the boardroom. It is not how to run a business or a football club and has gained no respect from anybody within Liverpool FC.
Gillett has told Hicks to stop “plunging the club into turmoil” and that he will not sell his 50% stake to him under any circumstances.
Gillett’s statement:
I am saddened at this latest outburst from Tom Hicks. If Tom wanted a serious discussion on the issues to help the club move forward, he should bring his views to the board and not to Sky Sports.
Here we are, a few days away from a vital Champions League semi-final match and Tom has once again created turmoil with his public comments. Tom should stop. He knows that Rick Parry has my support and that airing his comments in this way will not change my position. His failure to discuss this with the Board or the management committee is significant.
I was also taken aback by his version of the events as reported. Tom needs to understand that I will not sell my shares to him and that we need to find a way forward that is properly funded and truly in the best interests of Liverpool Football Club. The real business of winning matches and running and developing the club is what we should all be focused on at this moment.
