I was supposed to put this article together not long after the minutes from the Supporters Board meeting that took place on Saturday 7th March were published on the Official Site, but when I get home from work I am just so mentally and physically drained each day.
There were a number of items on the agenda, including Policing in Football, Imps Rewards Scheme, Front of Shirt Sponsor, Final Kit Designs, Season Ticket Sales, Bike Racks and Club Stores.
The one I’m going to focus on is the one I expected to get people talking, which was the Front of Shirt Sponsor because the Football Club have turned down a gambling partner. In the minutes it says the following: “Following consultation with the supporters board, the club board opted against the option to proceed with a betting company on the front of shirt for the 2020/21 season. It was agreed the matter is complex and should be kept under review.”
Views from German Imp: “The initial statement highlighted the “matter is complex” personally, I am in two minds and appreciate the club need revenue streams to continue and evolve like any other company only exacerbated by our current “lived experience” of COVID-19. If it did happen I would hope it would be extremely beneficial for the club. I too remember the times when sponsorship was an issue ie. we couldn’t get any. Post-COVID the economic landscape is going to be totally different to what we have known, any company must be mindful of this especially football. It is a spectator sport and costs a significant amount to watch, tie that in with a fall in personal income which may also have a knock-on effect for any football club. Moving forward I think we should be particularly cautious of who we turn down and for what reasons. As long as due diligence is carried out in the first place.
That said, what gets me rather annoyed are the constant betting advertisements on TV, these are invariably followed by payday loan adverts. I find this extremely difficult to comprehend, especially for those in our society who find things like betting and high-interest rate loans difficult to get out of and then spiralling out of control.
Indeed a complex issue.”
More views from 100% Imps:
hulloutpost: “Unequivocally the right decision. For me it is up there with smoking advertising and that is already banned. I do confess to being somewhat hypocritical/conflicted as I am not as strongly against alcohol manufacturers being sponsors as that substance abuse can be just as destructive as the others. I can’t justify that really; the best I can offer is that alcohol in moderation can play a part in many positive social events (not forgetting the negatives) whereas smoking is ultimately always destructive and gambling is essentially a Ponzi scheme for all bar a statistically insignificant few.”
Chesterimp: “Not complex at all.
For me, there was no decision to be made and disappointed its “being kept under review” and not rejected out of hand.
Hopefully in these strange times as betting opportunities dry up, betting companies will disappear.
Mug’s game and for a few, destructive.”
SIMJON: “I understand people’s objections but personally I would have taken the deal if it was in the best interests of the Club to do so. The league is sponsored by a betting site, so it’s kind of happening anyway.”
What are your views on this decision? Share what you think HERE!
We’re raising money for the Bradford Burns Unit this month and our target is £500.00. There are many ways you can help us reach this target. One of those ways is to have a go at our quizzes because they generate page views. Once you have had a go, share your results on Social Media, increasing the reach and page views!
If you haven’t already had a go at the quizzes, they can be found here: Quiz No.1, Quiz No.2, Quiz No.3, Quiz No.4, Quiz No.5, Quiz No.6, Quiz No.7 and Quiz No.8.
"Moving forward I think we should be particularly cautious of who we turn down and for what reasons."https://t.co/nYFj4hJNH0#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps pic.twitter.com/4FydIuv6Am
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) April 23, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2882061435163416
