| It seems it's not just us that have an issue with betting logos on shirts... 00:03 - Aug 26 with 1071 views | blaggers |
Jim Wheeler, chair of RamsTrust, the Derby County Supporters’ Trust, writes an open letter to his fellow fans over his concerns about the Wayne Rooney deal…
Dear Rams fans,
It has certainly been a fascinating few weeks for Derby County Football Club. But there is something that has led to conflicting views among supporters: the signing of Wayne Rooney and everything surrounding his move to Derby.
I understand this issue stirs up a lot of feelings so I want to take the opportunity to put my thoughts out there.
There are, naturally, questions about the efficacy of the deal from a marketing standpoint. Rooney will wear the No 32 when he arrives in January and there are obvious parallels to our 32Red sponsorship. The club have denied that his squad number has anything to do with the sponsorship deal, but I understand that some will find that hard to believe, such is the cynical nature of the business of football.
I think the way betting companies are marketing themselves throughout football is distasteful and wrong. I have not bought a Derby County shirt with that sponsor’s logo on it, whereas I have bought one every other year since I started going at the age of about seven – some 43 years ago.
One of my sons is not yet 18 but the only shirt he can get is an adult one. I haven’t bought him one on the same basis that I haven’t bought myself one. I think it sends the wrong message.
It’s questionable that a lot of under-18s need adult-sized shirts and cannot buy a shirt without a logo on it, which is actually against the rules. You’re not supposed to sell shirts with betting logos on them to minors.
I’m very disappointed with that. I have asked the club if they can release versions of the shirt that don’t include that logo or make it removable and I’ve had no response or indication that it is an option.
However, for people to pick out the Rooney deal in particular and say that it’s wrong for gambling companies to be sponsoring things, I’m sorry but that’s the same for every club that has 32Red on the shirts.
If you find me a club that only takes ethical sponsors then I will accept criticism from them, absolutely I will. But while the FA allows these sponsorships then clubs will find ways to work within the confines of the system.
I have had a discussion with Mel Morris and he said he won’t put Derby County at a disadvantage by not taking the money on offer from sponsors like 32Red. Almost every other club we are trying to compete with is doing it. It would be cutting your nose off to spite your face if you said “no”. Whether you like it or not, it’s the only way to compete in the Championship at the moment.
To be fair, Mel has made a point of ensuring that 32Red and the club help with things like Gamblers Anonymous and trying to help people with gambling addictions. They have said all the right things, certainly.
I know members of the RamsTrust who have spoken to people with gambling problems and they have said that the club have been helpful and supportive. I don’t know what else Derby can do unless the rules change.
Mel has already proved that he’s finding ways around the EFL’s financial rules to work within the system. Buying Pride Park last year was a prime example of that. But these rules weren’t put in place to stop people putting money into a football club in order to spend it on the playing staff. They were put in place to prevent clubs from going into debt and potentially jeopardising their future through mismanagement. What Mel has done is not mismanagement, in my opinion.
I accept the argument that it leads to other clubs having to try and compete. But when you’ve still got the Premier League parachute payments giving clubs who have come down a massive advantage then others in the Championship have to find ways to compete. Mel is a very astute businessman who is finding a way to do that. I’m absolutely fine with that.
The idea of Wayne Rooney playing for Derby County is fantastic. I’m really looking forward to it. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen and to have him in a Derby shirt, even if it’s just for a couple of years at the end of his career, is really exciting.
It will improve the image of Derby County and the profile of the club in the media and in the world, to be honest. In that respect I think it’s fantastic. It’s the betting company sponsorship on his shirt that I object to.
Sincerely,
Jim Wheeler
Chair of RamsTrust |  |
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| It seems it's not just us that have an issue with betting logos on shirts... on 08:43 - Aug 26 with 832 views | artsbossbeard |
"us" implies all, which really isn't the case.
Edit to "some of us" and whilst you'll lose some impact, it will be factually correct. |  |
| Please note: prior to hitting the post button, I've double checked for anything that could be construed as "Anti Semitic" and to the best of my knowledge it isn't. Anything deemed to be of a Xenophobic nature is therefore purely accidental or down to your own misconstruing. | | Poll: | Raining in IP8 - shall I get the washing in? |
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| It seems it's not just us that have an issue with betting logos on shirts... on 09:13 - Aug 26 with 788 views | Superblue95 |
Jim Wheeler sounds like a rambling, whiny turd |  |
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