Liverpool Fan Group to Protest Owners

• AP, Friday, October 23, 2009 3:30 PM

Liverpool fans are planning to march against the team's management, namely American co-owners George Gillett Jr. and Tom Hicks, ahead of Sunday's league match against Manchester United. In organizing the protest, the club's Spirit of Shankly group made a public request on its website for information on where Gillett and Hicks are staying.

In an open letter to Gillett and Hicks, Spirit of Shankly voiced its rejection of the club's current ownership. "All we care about is our football club, our history and traditions, and our future," the letter read. "To us, you play no part in that future -- especially not if we want to be successful and keep moving forward. You will leave a black mark on the history of our football club. You have dragged us back, and this season, you have made us stand still, whilst other clubs move forward."

Fans primarily blame the owners for amassing a $390 million debt that has made it impossible to buy top-class players and fund a new stadium. Liverpool finished runner-up to Manchester United last season, but currently lies eighth in the league amid its worst losing streak in 22 years. In response to announcements of a protest at Anfield, local police suggested that the march could spur increases in the number of officers present, saying there will be an "appropriate level of security" on patrol.

 

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