Peter Crouch joins the Dulwich Hamlet board

[Ben Clasper]

He doesn’t have to take advantage of it though does he? He doesn’t have to be so desperate to sell gambling to kids that he instructs his lawyers to make a ridiculous argument that I’m quite sure he doesn’t believe himself (edit to add: which ignores the fact he’s a presenter on Champions League programmes loads of u18s will watch). Or is it okay to play the system and work the loophole?

At the risk of being a pedant because I do think someone choosing to front gambling ads is a huge contributor to the problem and a personal decision and responsibility but Peter was not involved in this case and the lawyers were not his, this was the ASA investigating Paddy Power and these representations are from them and their lawyers. What deeply worries me is that the ASA endorsed these odd arguments and what worries me even more is that this decision is more than two months old and the arguments are three months old so what on Earth is the Guardian doing running an out of date piece that trashes the gambling regulator at the exact time people are trying to get the legislation progressed, it’s a tactic I would expect from other papers with self interest motives. I sincerely hope this is ‘Barney on holiday for Easter’ and a banked article that didn’t quite cut it at the time and that no one bothered to check for sensitivity of timing when it is chucked out as space filler later on.

 

[scousedom]

At the risk of being a pedant because I do think someone choosing to front gambling ads is a huge contributor to the problem and a personal decision and responsibility but Peter was not involved in this case and the lawyers were not his, this was the ASA investigating Paddy Power and these representations are from them and their lawyers. What deeply worries me is that the ASA endorsed these odd arguments and what worries me even more is that this decision is more than two months old and the arguments are three months old so what on Earth is the Guardian doing running an out of date piece that trashes the gambling regulator at the exact time people are trying to get the legislation progressed, it’s a tactic I would expect from other papers with self interest motives. I sincerely hope this is ‘Barney on holiday for Easter’ and a banked article that didn’t quite cut it at the time and that no one bothered to check for sensitivity of timing when it is chucked out as space filler later on.

Hahaha, yes, Peter had nothing to do with it and wholly distanced himself from such spurious arguments, but now his hands are tied he will very reluctantly go back to his Paddy Power gig.

Is he still involved at DulwIch? Is he continuing to do anything for the Club?

 

[Ben Clasper]

Hahaha, yes, Peter had nothing to do with it and wholly distanced himself from such spurious arguments, but now his hands are tied he will very reluctantly go back to his Paddy Power gig.

Is he still involved at DulwIch? Is he continuing to do anything for the Club?

Now that is a good point - I would hope he would read PP’s arguments in that case and tell them where they can stick their contract because I would find them personally offensive.

Peter is not involved at the moment, I hear from him now and then and we have converted his findings document into the football section of our three year plan and we are making good progress with that.

Dumebi is doing a great job in the role that we finally got around to putting in place because Peter offered to help out and Dumebi is also doing a brilliant job in general a board member where he is an extremely active leader getting involved in things beyond his original remit and handling a very tough season.

 

[scousedom]

Now that is a good point - I would hope he would read PP’s arguments in that case and tell them where they can stick their contract because I would find them personally offensive.

Yes, I’m 100% sure he’ll get right on that.

Peter is not involved at the moment,

So he could be in the future? What conditionality would be attached to that re his other work? Is there now a general policy on this - there was talk of a kind of ESG-like policy being drawn up I remember.

 

[tonysingh]

There was a great volume of concern over Crouchs involvement in the first instance and for very valid reasons. If those said reasons aren't addressed and he does make a comeback then that's very worrying indeed.

 

[Ben Clasper]

Yes, I’m 100% sure he’ll get right on that.


So he could be in the future? What conditionality would be attached to that re his other work? Is there now a general policy on this - there was talk of a kind of ESG-like policy being drawn up I remember.

The policy was put in place for sponsors and we asked the Trust to be involved so we could refer any potentially contentious requests to them. We don’t have a policy on outside interests for shareholders, directors or employees but we should do that although that would be harder. I am less sure on to what extent how someone makes a living outside of the football club should be a factor.

 

[scousedom]

The policy was put in place for sponsors and we asked the Trust to be involved so we could refer any potentially contentious requests to them. We don’t have a policy on outside interests for shareholders, directors or employees but we should do that although that would be harder. I am less sure on to what extent how someone makes a living outside of the football club should be a factor.

If the sole or majority or primary reason someone is brought into the Club is for promotion purposes, then the other things they spend their time promoting are absolutely a factor. Probably the first factor to consider. Wouldn’t you agree?

 

[Ben Clasper]

If the sole or majority or primary reason someone is brought into the Club is for promotion purposes, then the other things they spend their time promoting are absolutely a factor. Probably the first factor to consider. Wouldn’t you agree?

Oh absolutely, if it was for promotional purposes it would already go through the same process as sponsoring.

That was a huge factor when considering Peter’s offer, it had to be a genuine role and the role we were already working on and had failed to find someone for. It wasn’t done to promote the club, my focus at the time was saving the club again after the shutdown, governance of non-league football and supporting Tracey Crouch through the fan led review and I think we shone a light on all of those however much I disliked the filming aspect personally.

 

[scousedom]

Oh absolutely, if it was for promotional purposes it would already go through the same process as sponsoring.

That was a huge factor when considering Peter’s offer, it had to be a genuine role and the role we were already working on and had failed to find someone for. It wasn’t done to promote the club, my focus at the time was saving the club again after the shutdown, governance of non-league football and supporting Tracey Crouch through the fan led review and I think we shone a light on all of those however much I disliked the filming aspect personally.

Making a documentary, splashing him all over our social media to get the crowds in… no no promotion activity there.

I’m sorry Ben, but a lot of the arguments you’re making here I just don’t buy at all. They require a level of credulity that is beyond me, and I think will be beyond most of the people you lost when bringing him in.

 

[B.I.G]

Making a documentary, splashing him all over our social media to get the crowds in… no no promotion activity there.

I’m sorry Ben, but a lot of the arguments you’re making here I just don’t buy at all. They require a level of credulity that is beyond me, and I think will be beyond most of the people you lost when bringing him in.

It's a long time ago now but am I the idiot? I will layout what I remember.

We received word that there was a big announcement to be made by the club at an event to be held at the ground. Am I the idiot in thinking that such an unprecedented announcement would be some positive news resolving the issue around the ground? Am I the idiot in assuming it would be about something massive that would prompt a coming together of everybody in celebration?

Instead, it was announced that Peter Crouch would be involved with the club. Am I the idiot for thinking that this was a real thing and that he had decided to become involved for the foreseeable future? Am I the idiot for not realising we had been asking to be there as background for a TV show? Where we were treated like unwitting background actors in his star vehicle.

Am I the idiot for thinking that a documentary launched under false pretences would cause ill-feeling? Am I the idiot for thinking it was odd that the club would be involved with a documentary fronted by someone so associated with gambling advertising when its against gambling advertising.

We never got an apology, so clearly I am the idiot.

 

[Ben Clasper]

Making a documentary, splashing him all over our social media to get the crowds in… no no promotion activity there.

I’m sorry Ben, but a lot of the arguments you’re making here I just don’t buy at all. They require a level of credulity that is beyond me, and I think will be beyond most of the people you lost when bringing him in.

That’s ok as I am not making any arguments or trying to convince anyone, I am just answering the questions honestly. You tagged me in a question on an article about a gambling regulation case to comment on and so I replied about the article and the case. All I can promise people is that I am always open and honest.

It's a long time ago now but am I the idiot? I will layout what I remember.

We received word that there was a big announcement to be made by the club at an event to be held at the ground. Am I the idiot in thinking that such an unprecedented announcement would be some positive news resolving the issue around the ground? Am I the idiot in assuming it would be about something massive that would prompt a coming together of everybody in celebration?

Instead, it was announced that Peter Crouch would be involved with the club. Am I the idiot for thinking that this was a real thing and that he had decided to become involved for the foreseeable future? Am I the idiot for not realising we had been asking to be there as background for a TV show? Where we were treated like unwitting background actors in his star vehicle.

Am I the idiot for thinking that a documentary launched under false pretences would cause ill-feeling? Am I the idiot for thinking it was odd that the club would be involved with a documentary fronted by someone so associated with gambling advertising when its against gambling advertising.

We never got an apology, so clearly I am the idiot.

No you are not the idiot. I have apologised in person to people and at a fan meeting but having not seen you since I apologise again here.

 

[B.I.G]

That’s ok as I am not making any arguments or trying to convince anyone, I am just answering the questions honestly. You tagged me in a question on an article about a gambling regulation case to comment on and so I replied about the article and the case. All I can promise people is that I am always open and honest.

No you are not the idiot. I have apologised in person to people and at a fan meeting but having not seen you since I apologise again here.

I apologise for giving you a hard time. Its good to see you on the forum, as far as I can tell its been productive for you and the club. Good luck!

 

[scousedom]

That’s ok as I am not making any arguments or trying to convince anyone, I am just answering the questions honestly. You tagged me in a question on an article about a gambling regulation case to comment on and so I replied about the article and the case. All I can promise people is that I am always open and honest.

No you are not the idiot. I have apologised in person to people and at a fan meeting but having not seen you since I apologise again here.

Okay then, if you don’t want to call them arguments, your “openly and honestly held views” stated above that Crouch had no role in preparing Paddy Power’s lawyers’ arguments, that he will seek to challenge them now and remove himself from his contract, that his prime role at Dulwich wasn’t promotional… Pull the other one, it’s got a free bet for new customers on it.

 

[Ben Clasper]

Okay then, if you don’t want to call them arguments, your “openly and honestly held views” stated above that Crouch had no role in preparing Paddy Power’s lawyers’ arguments, that he will seek to challenge them now and remove himself from his contract, that his prime role at Dulwich wasn’t promotional… Pull the other one, it’s got a free bet for new customers on it.

I guess agreeing to disagree is what a forum is for.

 

[scousedom]

I guess agreeing to disagree is what a forum is for.

Actually it’s mainly for screaming into the void, but occasionally you do get that. It’s nice when it happens.

 

[Ben Clasper]

I apologise for giving you a hard time. It’s good to see you on the forum, as far as I can tell it’s been productive for you and the club. Good luck!

It’s been good, I don’t do much online so it’s interesting to read and lots of good ideas to take back. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my few years including a few howlers and so it’s strangely reassuring to have them loudly pointed out as then you know it did actually matter and you are worrying about the right things

 

[editor]

Peter Crouch's involvement in the club remains an utter embarrassment and the way the club just pushed aside the legitimate concerns of fans was quite disgraceful.

Dulwich Hamlet FC takes a stand against the betting industry

Dulwich Hamlet has won many new friends (and a few enemies) on social media after publicly repeating their stance of not supporting the betting industry and not engaging commercially with betting c…

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Opinion: Dulwich Hamlet, Peter Crouch, gambling and hypocrisy

As long standing Dulwich Hamlet fans, this isn’t an article we wanted to write, but it’s something we can’t keep quiet about any longer. Along with many other fans, what attracted…

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[Ben Clasper]

Peter Crouch's involvement in the club remains an utter embarrassment and the way the club just pushed aside the legitimate concerns of fans was quite disgraceful.

Dulwich Hamlet FC takes a stand against the betting industry

Dulwich Hamlet has won many new friends (and a few enemies) on social media after publicly repeating their stance of not supporting the betting industry and not engaging commercially with betting c…

www.brixtonbuzz.com

Opinion: Dulwich Hamlet, Peter Crouch, gambling and hypocrisy

As long standing Dulwich Hamlet fans, this isn’t an article we wanted to write, but it’s something we can’t keep quiet about any longer. Along with many other fans, what attracted…

www.brixtonbuzz.com

I just got my ‘Keeps Coming Back’ award and then moments later this?! This site certainly giveth and taketh away.

I’ve read those before thanks Mike and appreciate that point of view, definitely a few things I would have done differently and a few we got totally wrong.