Grand final parade threat
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:54 amfrom today's Geelong Addy.
Grand final parade threat
Jason Shields
25Sep07
GEELONG could be forced to boycott Friday's grand final parade if it's unable to resolve a sponsorship conflict between car giants Ford and Toyota.
Geelong players must parade in Toyota vehicles as part of the AFL's sponsorship arrangements but the club is reluctant to participate given its long-standing sponsorship history with Ford.
The car war hit new heights yesterday when Cats CEO Brian Cook said the club wanted the impasse resolved within 24 hours or it would have to examine its options.
He admitted that one of those options would be for the club to pull out of the annual parade.
``It's a possibility, but it's also the last thing we want to do,'' Cook said of the potential boycott. ``Thousands of our supporters will be flocking into the city (of Melbourne) to see our players, so we have got to deal with it as soon as possible.
``We don't want to let Ford down, we don't want to let our supporters down and we don't want to let the AFL down. But we are in a position where we are going to upset someone. No matter which way we go we are going to have to upset someone.''
Under AFL rules, Geelong is obligated to participate in the parade and would face a significant sanction if it was to boycott the event.
``The AFL can take any action it deems appropriate,'' AFL communications manager Patrick Keane said yesterday.
``The grand final parade has been running for 30 years, Toyota is the premier partner to the AFL and the money they contribute benefits all 16 clubs and every level of football.''
Cook said Geelong had been negotiating with Ford over its involvement in the parade for the past 48 hours.
``We have had a major sponsor for over 80 years and here we are driving around in Toyotas the day before our biggest game in 44 years, so that is a bit of an issue for us,'' Cook said.
``We have great empathy for Ford's position. They have been a major sponsor of our club since 1924. They are recognised as a protected sponsor in the eyes of the AFL, yet they are not protected by the AFL.
``We have a bit of work to sort out in the next 24 hours. What I am not willing to do as a football club is to let this go on forever.
``We have to be serious about ensuring the lead-up to the grand final is as stress-free and smooth as possible for our club and, in particular, our player and coaching group.
``As a club, we are between a rock and a hard place. Unfortunately we are going to have to upset someone. It is a tough one for us.''
FORD is considering hosting its own grand final parade in Geelong if the Cats win Saturday's grand final.
The company was responding to an AFL edict that Geelong players must take part in Friday's traditional grand final parade through Melbourne's CBD in Toyota vehicles as part of the AFL's sponsorship arrangements.
Geelong has said it would be reluctant to participate in the Melbourne parade given its long-standing sponsorship history with Ford, but the AFL has said it could fine the club if it boycotted the event.
Ford sponsorship manager Nick Cummins said the company was disappointed by the AFL's decision.
``We would love to have the guys parade in Fords,'' he said.
``At the moment the club and ourselves are looking at our options on Friday. I think that this is an on-going issue and not just with us, but with a number of clubs. The AFL is operating as a 17th club in some instances.
``We have a protected position, we are certainly not fly-by-night.
``We feel that when the club succeeds we should be able to celebrate in that success.
``My understanding is if they don't participate that they will get fined.''
Now i agree with Ford and Geelong's stance but I also agree with the AFL's stance I feel that the AFL should allow Geelong to use there Major sponsor of 80+ years Cars.
Grand final parade threat
Jason Shields
25Sep07
GEELONG could be forced to boycott Friday's grand final parade if it's unable to resolve a sponsorship conflict between car giants Ford and Toyota.
Geelong players must parade in Toyota vehicles as part of the AFL's sponsorship arrangements but the club is reluctant to participate given its long-standing sponsorship history with Ford.
The car war hit new heights yesterday when Cats CEO Brian Cook said the club wanted the impasse resolved within 24 hours or it would have to examine its options.
He admitted that one of those options would be for the club to pull out of the annual parade.
``It's a possibility, but it's also the last thing we want to do,'' Cook said of the potential boycott. ``Thousands of our supporters will be flocking into the city (of Melbourne) to see our players, so we have got to deal with it as soon as possible.
``We don't want to let Ford down, we don't want to let our supporters down and we don't want to let the AFL down. But we are in a position where we are going to upset someone. No matter which way we go we are going to have to upset someone.''
Under AFL rules, Geelong is obligated to participate in the parade and would face a significant sanction if it was to boycott the event.
``The AFL can take any action it deems appropriate,'' AFL communications manager Patrick Keane said yesterday.
``The grand final parade has been running for 30 years, Toyota is the premier partner to the AFL and the money they contribute benefits all 16 clubs and every level of football.''
Cook said Geelong had been negotiating with Ford over its involvement in the parade for the past 48 hours.
``We have had a major sponsor for over 80 years and here we are driving around in Toyotas the day before our biggest game in 44 years, so that is a bit of an issue for us,'' Cook said.
``We have great empathy for Ford's position. They have been a major sponsor of our club since 1924. They are recognised as a protected sponsor in the eyes of the AFL, yet they are not protected by the AFL.
``We have a bit of work to sort out in the next 24 hours. What I am not willing to do as a football club is to let this go on forever.
``We have to be serious about ensuring the lead-up to the grand final is as stress-free and smooth as possible for our club and, in particular, our player and coaching group.
``As a club, we are between a rock and a hard place. Unfortunately we are going to have to upset someone. It is a tough one for us.''
FORD is considering hosting its own grand final parade in Geelong if the Cats win Saturday's grand final.
The company was responding to an AFL edict that Geelong players must take part in Friday's traditional grand final parade through Melbourne's CBD in Toyota vehicles as part of the AFL's sponsorship arrangements.
Geelong has said it would be reluctant to participate in the Melbourne parade given its long-standing sponsorship history with Ford, but the AFL has said it could fine the club if it boycotted the event.
Ford sponsorship manager Nick Cummins said the company was disappointed by the AFL's decision.
``We would love to have the guys parade in Fords,'' he said.
``At the moment the club and ourselves are looking at our options on Friday. I think that this is an on-going issue and not just with us, but with a number of clubs. The AFL is operating as a 17th club in some instances.
``We have a protected position, we are certainly not fly-by-night.
``We feel that when the club succeeds we should be able to celebrate in that success.
``My understanding is if they don't participate that they will get fined.''
Now i agree with Ford and Geelong's stance but I also agree with the AFL's stance I feel that the AFL should allow Geelong to use there Major sponsor of 80+ years Cars.
