INCREDIBLE SULKS

 

12:00 - 29 February 2008

 

Aberdeen players are refusing to speak to you ... by imposing a ban on interviews with the Evening Express, writes Charlie Allan.

 

In an amazing hissy fit, skipper Scott Severin and his team-mates have decided not to talk to us, despite the fact we are the newspaper on which most fans depend for news of the club.

 

The players have accused the Evening Express of being "generally negative" about the Dons.

 

A request to speak to Barry Nicholson after their 1-1 draw with Motherwell was rejected.

 

The players also refused to speak to us to preview tomorrow's SPL clash with Rangers at Ibrox. But they did interviews with Glasgow-based papers.

 

I went to Pittodrie and asked for a face-to-face meeting with Severin to discuss the players' issues with our coverage.

 

The club skipper refused my request for a chat and instead sent Dons media officer Dave Macdermid to speak on his behalf.

 

Macdermid confirmed the players have imposed the ban because of what was described as "the general negativity" of our coverage in recent weeks.

 

Macdermid claimed Severin told him the ban would be lifted after tomorrow's SPL clash with Rangers "once the players had made their point."

 

"They feel the local paper should be more supportive," he added.

 

Macdermid added the "negativity" included critical comments from columnists and fans.

 

He said the players were particularly upset by last Monday's back page story, confirming manager Jimmy Calderwood plans to move out at least 10 players in the summer.

 

Calderwood did not name any of the players, so we printed a list of those believed to be most under threat.

 

Severin and the squad then held a meeting, after which they informed the club they would no longer speak to us.

 

The Evening Express makes no apology for asking hard questions of a team that has won just two of their last 11 SPL games.

 

We also hit out at the players for their poor display in the 4-1 CIS League Cup semi-final thrashing by Dundee United.

 

But we have heaped praise on them for their efforts in the UEFA Cup this season. We ran front and back page tributes and published pull-outs celebrating their achievements.

 

Calderwood admitted he thinks the players have made a mistake by refusing to do interviews with the Evening Express.

 

Calderwood said: "I think the players are wrong because I don't think it helps anyone. But Seve told me that is what they wanted to do, so it's their choice.

 

"They were annoyed by last Monday's article in particular. It was a bit naughty putting names to what I said, but you have to expect that. I didn't name anyone but had to speak to Lee Mair and it clearly annoyed the players."

 

Despite the stance by the players, we will continue to bring you the best news about the Dons.

 

Anyone got an email address for the fat cunt?

More importantly, who can we e-mail at the club to voice our support of this "ban"?

 

Infact, that's another thing that fucks me off about this... It's not a ban at all. They players just don't want to speak to one person. He isn't "banned" from attending press conferences or asking anything. The players aren't in the huff; they're happily talking to other papers.

 

For the EE to use the term "banned", it makes the players seem like utter dickheads... But it's the complete opposite.

 

Like i say, no-one is banning him from doing anything. It's up to the players whether they want to respond.

 

And for fuck sake, the boys at the top of the club need to support the players in this.

 

Absolute shambles to have the management talking and not supporting the players. Makes you wonder...

 

I guess it comes down to the fact that if certain 'journalists' from our club don't voice concern about the "ban", then they won't get their wee pay packet from the EE at the end of the month.

 

Shite.... Just shite

Thought this 'ban' was over after one game?

 

 

Thought this 'ban' was over after one game?

 

 

 

To be honest, it seems the players just couldn't give a fuck about the EE.

 

It's just the way the EE are playing this which is so bad. "We'd love to report on the upcoming match, but the players aren't speaking to us".... So why don't they do what they normally do and make up their stories and use no quotes?

 

It's all getting so silly, too. I don't care if i can't read a story on Mackie and his new winning streak.

 

It was all getting a bit "Wrestlemania" anyway, with the Evening Express providing the podium in which the players used to voice their fighting talk.

 

Wish the players would just tell the EE to fuck off, with the backing of the club also.

 

It's all getting so silly, too. I don't care if i can't read a story on Mackie and his new winning streak.

 

Is that at the bookies? 

More importantly, who can we e-mail at the club to voice our support of this "ban"?

 

Try Malcolm Panton, since he's quoted as one that Charlie Allan was trying to avoid.

Try Malcolm Panton, since he's quoted as one that Charlie Allan was trying to avoid.

 

Decent guy and if you send him a reasonable e-mail, he'll most likely reply.

Yep, thought he'd be a good shout for it.

Decent guy and if you send him a reasonable e-mail, he'll most likely reply.

 

Aye i agree, Malcolm is a great guy

Looks like the article was written by a Primary school child.

I see comments have been disabled on the article now. Only email I can see on the site is ee.news@ajl.co.uk <ee.news@ajl.co.uk>

Looks like Fat Charlie is making a Charlie of himself here. The local rag won't run with this for much longer as it's starting to make the paper look more silly than it really is.

 

I haven't bought one since I stayed in Aberdeen the last time until today, when I opened the purse and wasted some of my silver on it I was dismayed to find so much drivel in it. I won't be wasting any more money on it. How the People of Aberdeen and surrounding area's by into this Tabloidesque rubbish is beyond me. I'll take it to line my grans budgie's birdcage later.....although I'm scared that the poor wee creature might die of shock at fat Charlies disguise!

So who's up for an anti-Charlie sing song on Sunday?

It might have been said before, but I'll say it again anyway.

 

The reason the players are choosing not to speak to the Aberdeen Sun Evening Express, is because Charlie Allan ran a story about players being shipped out at the end of the season and chose to publicly name those for the chop, based on nothing more than a pure hunch - not journalism, just speculation, the laziest form of journalism.

 

If I read in my local rag that I was for the chop from my job I'd be mightily hacked off. If I then found that the story had no basis in fact I'd be livid. So I'm right with the players on this one

 

As far as todays article goes, well it's an absolute joke really and not worth commenting on to be honest. Charlie Allans behaviour is such an embarrassment that hed have been better off turning up at Pittodrie kitted out in a big wig, false red nose, a painted face, large comedy shoes and a flower in his lapel that squirts water.

 

Grow up Charlie!

I remember we ran an article on DT years back that was then pretty much stolen by the EE, I posted on the site poking fun at them for doing so and about half an hour later I had a fairly abusive e-mail in my inbox from Charlie Allan calling me some really unsavourable things. Having him linked to the club in any way is a complete and utter embarassment.

So who's up for an anti-Charlie sing song on Sunday?

 

Zammo from Grange Hill did something similar many years ago.

I remember we ran an article on DT years back that was then pretty much stolen by the EE, I posted on the site poking fun at them for doing so and about half an hour later I had a fairly abusive e-mail in my inbox from Charlie Allan calling me some really unsavourable things. Having him linked to the club in any way is a complete and utter embarassment.

 

Why'd ye no kick his arse?

Why'd ye no kick his arse?

 

He'd break his own foot

He'd break his own foot

 

Break it? Lose it more like. Sucked into the vast expanse of the fat postie's posterior. We'd be lucky to ever hear from Slim again.

Charlie Allen and Andrew Moir are so shite at journalism.........They write for the Evening Express

So this is what passes for journalism in the EE, is it?

 

One of their 'reporters' giggling like a fucking girl... "Teehee, I disguised myself and got an 'interview".

 

What  sad, sad, fucking fucks that man and his 'newspaper' are.

 

 

Crazy eh!! Nice to meet you on Friday night by the way 

 

Aye was a good night although was a wee bit ropey at Ibrox 

 

 

I see the ban has now been lifted.

 

Shame.