Tom Hicks Jnr Kops it as Liverpool director for foul-mouthed fan rant

12 January 2010 01:17
Shame-faced Tom Hicks Jnr was forced to quit as a Liverpool director yesterday over his foul-mouthed email to a supporter. [LNB]After offering to resign in the immediate aftermath of his tirade being made public, Hicks Jnr decided to gauge the mood on Merseyside over the weekend and see if he could ride out the storm caused by his abusive email to London-based supporter Stephen Horner. [LNB]When it became clear there was no sign of it abating, with the Spirit of Shankly group leading the calls for his head, he consulted his father, co-owner Tom Hicks Snr, and was told he would have to go. He resigned and apologised to the club and their followers. [LNB] Rant: Tom Hicks Jr has resigned following his foul-mouthed tirade [LNB]The controversy blew up when Mr Horner contacted him directly about the club's finances. Having initially called the fan an 'idiot', Hicks Jnr reportedly sent a second email to Mr Horner, 29, saying: 'Blow me, **** face. Go to Hell. I'm sick of you.'[LNB] Remarkably, given the potential pitfalls of corresponding directly with fans, Hicks Snr emailed one yesterday with an assurance Liverpool would spend 'big' at the end of the season. [LNB]Replying to questions about transfer funds, he wrote: 'Our debt is very manageable (see Man U) and we never use player sales for debt service. Our interest on £200million is about £16m. The new stadium will be the game changer. Christian (Purslow) is working very hard on it. January is a poor quality market. The summer window will be big.' [LNB] Turmoil on the terraces: A banner making fans' feelings clear[LNB]Liverpool confirmed Hicks Jnr's resignation on their website yesterday, while there was an unreserved personal apology from the Dallas businessman. [LNB]He said: 'I have great respect for Liverpool Football Club and especially the club's supporters. I apologise for my mistake, and I am very sorry for my harmful words. I do not want my actions to take away from the football club; therefore I am resigning from the board. To the fans and to the club, please accept my sincerest apologies.' [LNB]Before accepting his fate, Hicks Jnr tried to settle his differences with Mr Horner, writing to him to say sorry for 'losing my temper' and being guilty of a 'kneejerk reaction'. [LNB]Liverpool have responded by bolstering their boardroom numbers in a way that should strengthen Hicks Snr's hand, as Anfield's hierarchy brace themselves for some key decisions. [LNB] Heads up: Liverpool face a crucial FA Cup replay with reading this week after struggling so far this season in the Premier League and Champions League[LNB]Hicks Jnr is replaced by American businesswoman Casey Coffman, a trained lawyer, while the appointment of commercial director Ian Ayre and chief financial officer Philip Nash has been ratified a fortnight after they joined the board. [LNB]As chief operating officer of the Hicks Sports Group since June 2007, Coffman's loyalties are self-evident, while Ayre is known to be just as staunch a supporter of the 64-year-old. [LNB]The search for investment, driven by managing director Purslow, is believed to be nearly complete, with boardroom approval likely to be sought within two months for a deal that would inject around £120m into the club.[LNB] Co-owners: George Gillett and Tom Hicks[LNB]A vote on proceeding with a new stadium at nearby Stanley Park would follow soon after and Hicks senses he is better placed than ever for forging ahead on his terms after the additions. [LNB]An end to the days of advancement being stymied by boardroom deadlock would be broadly welcomed, but there was still widespread antagonism towards Hicks and fellow owner George Gillett, despite yesterday's resignation. [LNB]A statement from Spirit of Shankly said: 'The club have standards, on the field, off the field, on the terraces and in the boardroom. The standards we have seen exercised in the boardroom have been unbefitting of this great club since Hicks Jnr, his father, George Gillett and other associates arrived with false promises.'[LNB] Liverpool fans call for Tom Hicks Jnr to resign after foul-mouthed rant Liverpool director Tom Hicks Junior in foul-mouthed email war with furious Reds fansLiverpool may have to sell Torres to meet new Champions League rulesLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail