Nile Ranger signs

[Fred Elliot]

[AldbourneRed]

I don't have too much of an issue with the fact that the guy is a total cock, there are plenty of those in football already.

As far as I can tell, his convictions, excluding those when he was legally a minor, amount to drunk & disorderly, homophobic comments and breach of bail. All other charges were dropped, not guilty or are pending (caveat: according to wikipedia) All of this pales into insignificance when compared to a charge of rape.

I think it's a huge risk on the part of the club to offer a contract before knowing the verdict of his rape trial. They can add-in any contractual clauses they want regarding it, but nothing will change the fact that, if guilty, the club will have chosen to become associated with a convicted rapist.
I'm also all for second chances in the right circumstances, but it's surely best to go into these things knowing exactly what you're giving a second chance for.

Given Town prides itself on being a family friendly club I can't see how they could think the risk of that association is worth any number of goals that Ranger might bring to us.

[herthab]

If he's found guilty he'll be gone. It's not the club's, or the fans, job to try him. No one will defend him if he's convicted but until his court case isn't he presumed innocent?
Hope he plays Saturday and scores a hat trick.

[sonicyouth]

I don't have too much of an issue with the fact that the guy is a total cock, there are plenty of those in football already.

As far as I can tell, his convictions, excluding those when he was legally a minor, amount to drunk & disorderly, homophobic comments and breach of bail. All other charges were dropped, not guilty or are pending (caveat: according to wikipedia) All of this pales into insignificance when compared to a charge of rape.

I think it's a huge risk on the part of the club to offer a contract before knowing the verdict of his rape trial. They can add-in any contractual clauses they want regarding it, but nothing will change the fact that, if guilty, the club will have chosen to become associated with a convicted rapist.
I'm also all for second chances in the right circumstances, but it's surely best to go into these things knowing exactly what you're giving a second chance for.

Given Town prides itself on being a family friendly club I can't see how they could think the risk of that association is worth any number of goals that Ranger might bring to us.

That's pretty much the reasoned and well thought out post I struggle to make.

A lot of people make mistakes and learn from them, Ranger has had better opportunity than most to sort himself out but hasn't shown much of a willingness to do so.

[Mexicano Rojo]

Links with fascism now potential rapist, I really am finding it hard to support stfc anymore. Signing off very disillusioned with football.

[Peter Venkman]

If he's found guilty he'll be gone. It's not the club's, or the fans, job to try him. No one will defend him if he's convicted but until his court case isn't he presumed innocent?
Hope he plays Saturday and scores a hat trick.

This.

[Matchworn Shirts]

A goal tomorrow for Mr Ranger and Graham Turner will complain about his wages/convictions or some or shite to do with PdC

[random_five]

I'm with Venkman and Herthab on this one

[ron dodgers]

Links with fascism now potential rapist, I really am finding it hard to support stfc anymore. Signing off very disillusioned with football.

we're all potential rapists Mex

[Dr Pierre Chang]

Fucking get in there.

I have warmed to the idea of signing him and no doubt he will be a hero amongst Town fans if he produces the goods. Hope he is giving a chance, must be his last effort at making a go at things and beats signing some old clogger like some of the names that were being suggested - Gary Alexander and Billy Kee

Jed Mcrory - The Gift That Keeps On Giving

[Peter Venkman]

A goal tomorrow for Mr Ranger and Graham Turner will complain about his wages/convictions or some or shite to do with PdC

:noddles:

[Peter Venkman]

some old clogger like some of the names that were being suggested - Gary Alexander and Billy Kee

Billy Kee is 22 you cock.

[Dr Pierre Chang]

Links with fascism now potential rapist, I really am finding it hard to support stfc anymore. Signing off very disillusioned with football.

If he has half the impact that PdC had then we are in for a treat.

[AldbourneRed]

If he's found guilty he'll be gone. It's not the club's, or the fans, job to try him. No one will defend him if he's convicted but until his court case isn't he presumed innocent?
Hope he plays Saturday and scores a hat trick.

Completely agree, it's no-one's job to try him aside from the jury. I'm just not comfortable with the club's reputation being in the hands of whether this man, who until a few minutes ago had nothing to do with us, is found guilty or not guilty.

[Tails]

Given Town prides itself on being a family friendly club I can't see how they could think the risk of that association is worth any number of goals that Ranger might bring to us.

People are more likely to not come and watch Town if we don't win, because we don't have a goalscorer than because we've signed a guy who might be a rapist.

Fans are fickle and just wanna watch their team do well at the end of the day. I knew several people who took the moral high horse when Di Canio was appointed and they still turned up and watched. Why? Because we were winning.

If Ranger does the business, nobody will care. If he's found guilty, he will be let go. It's a risk, yeah, but if it pays off it will win us more 'customers' than ones we stand to lose due to moral objections.

FWIW I dont want him here. Won't stop me watching, of course.