“Et Tu George?” Hicks cut adrift?

I was going to say it’s been quiet on the Star Spangled Duo front recently. Tom Hicks must have thought the Champions League draw and the Mascherano incident was really annoying as it’s kept him out of the papers! However, just as you thought it was safe to back into the water, jaws are opened again and with immaculate timing, just before the vital local derby game!

Actually this latest bout of verbosity (is that a word?) is different from the usual inane chuntering we get from Hicks as it’s from his “partner” George Gillett. That fact that Gillett has wisely kept his thoughts to himself over the recent period of upheaval makes it all the more interesting that he has chosen now to break his silence.

Speaking to a Canadian Radio station Gillett confirmed what most of us had already suspected, that his relationship with Hicks is in meltdown.

“This partnership has been unworkable for some time. We were very fair. We gave our partner (Hicks) a long period of time to try to make arrangements to buy us out. We didn’t put pressure on him but he ultimately did not get to the finish line.”

Interestingly Gillett hinted at another possible turn of events suggesting he might buy instead of sell

“The pieces on the chess board are moving, regarding his (Hicks) plans for his stake in the club”

I doubt this is one of the reasons for Gillett breaking his silence, but it’s ironic that we are approaching 31 March, the end of the financial year. I suspect the publication of our accounts, which will cover the first year involving the Star Spangled Duo, will attract more than it’s usually share in interest. “Interest”, or payment of it, being the operative word.

However, finances are one thing, Gillett also revealed that his partner threatened to block sale of his shares to DIC, but the other issue, and a long standing gripe in this blog, is Hicks continual narcissistic behaviour which not only patronises the fans but smacks of pure naivety to the extent it has made everything much harder for him than it needed to be. Said Gillett

“… because of the things he said, the fans’ reaction has been so negative towards him – and towards us if we sold to him – that has now made that an untenable alternative for us. When your public persona is more important than the facts, it’s tough to have a rational relationship.”

The price of vanity eh? Sadly Gillett also revealed that he and his family have received death threats. Very big and brave of people to do such a thing to a seventy year old man.

Whether all this is just a PR stunt to try and curry favour for the Gillett’s forthcoming visit to see us play Arsenal I don’t know, but it will be interesting to see the crowds reaction to him. To my mind the most irritating thing has been Hicks verbose, tactless nonsense and his treatment of Rafa. At least Gillett has done what most owners should do and stayed in the background.

As for the finances well surely the fact that Gillett wants out says it all, or is it because of the death treats, or his relationship with Hicks? Either way it is clear that Hicks is in grave danger of being cut adrift. Ostracised by the fans and now his partner surely there will come a point when he will have to ask himself if it’s all worth it?

Back tomorrow with a review of the Everton game, enjoy your Saturday.