A few years
ago, I was
asked to sponsor a local team, known as Larkfield. The
person asking me knew of my passion for football, and
realised that combining his request with the announcement
they would undergo a name change to my company, Mediaspec,
was a potential deal clincher. I said yes. What followed
was one hell of a rollercoaster ride. It's one thing
being a supporter, but working on the inside brings a
whole new set of emotions. I was fortunate to work
with a talented squad of players who taught me a lot
about myself, as well as the game of football. Two successive
division promotions, reaching the quarter finals of the
Scottish Cup in the first year, and the semi-finals
the next, was no fluke. It was a testament to the talent
within a team who steadfastly steered a course for
trophies. Winning the League Cup last season was also
high point, documented in the Scottish Television
documentary, The Great Escape, aired
in October 2005. In fact, there were many high points,
too numerous for what must be sounding like an obituary.
Yes, all goods things come to an end, and I am saddened
that Mediaspec's expulsion from the GSAFL has led to
the premature end of the club.
Readers of this website are
undoubtedly aware of the background to this sorry saga,
which continues to raise more questions than answers.
To this day, the GSAFL committee have failed to state
how they applied their rules to their judgment. Additionally,
it became clear in the subsequent appeal hearing they
had failed in their duty to correctly inform Mediaspec
of the details concerning their initial citation. A letter
documenting the circumstances of the citation was certainly
produced at the hearing, yet this was NOT the one sent
to Mediaspec. The actual letter can be read here.
While
adopting a sanctimonious approach to their rules and
regulations, the committee are
not slow in bending the rules, or in some cases, ignoring
the rules to suit their own aims. I have certainly
learnt a lot about football, but more about some of the
duplicitous characters behind the scenes, who shape the
future of the amateur game. At the risk of sounding like
a character from the X-Files, the truth is out there, and
one day everyone will be exposed and accountable for their
actions.
I wish to take this opportunity
to thank ALL the players and backroom staff, who over the
years have contributed their time and effort to Mediaspec
AFC. I wish you well in whatever the future holds.
Eric Joseph
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