A pre-article addendum to this piece. Following third-party communications with George we are content to accept and confirm there appears to be nothing untoward in the club's dealings with Alumasc about their carpark, which is good news and the funds donated are going to towards maintenance of the carpark.
We'd like George and the new board to know, that despite much evidence to the contrary, Patgod doesn't exist purely to antagonise club officials. Except Ken Samuel of course. Particularly we aren't looking to upset new owners who have thus far done an excellent job. George, Nadiya and Fabian have truly breathed new life into the Poppies.
It's not unreasonable, however, to question things from time to time. And what is happening with the carparking is a subject being discussed by supporters. KTFC Chat is often a good outlet for such questions. Sometime Patgod is better, particularly if the article spins onto several paragraphs. With the additional details listed above, we have left the original article as originally written - mainly because we wanted to ensure we still included the thanks expressed to Alumasc for their continued generous help over the years.
Just to remind everyone, we always offer a fair right to reply to anyone who wishes to engage with us or may feel slighted by something we've written. Unless you come from Rushden of course. Or Corby. Or are related in any way to Nicky Muttall.
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Looking back over the past few months Patgod seems to have accidentally strayed into the territory of all-out positivity. And it's taking it's toll on us. It is wearing being so bonny and bouncy all of the time. Time for a bit of a gripe. Not about fairweather Glory-hunters wanting to stand where I usually stand. Not about the FA Cup ticketing pandemonium. Not even about the old stanbys of the price of beer and admittance.
No, this is more of a peculiarly British moan. About roads. And fair play.
It can't have escaped anybody's notice who uses the Alumasc carpark that we are now being encouraged to make a donation for the privilege. Let's be honest, without Alumasc's generous loan of their carpark the Poppies matchday experience would be an even more fraught endeavour. What with the rapidly shrinking amount of on-street parking and numerous locals who seem to believe they own any road they can see from their front windows, it's no fun on the mean streets of Burton. Had Alumasc asked for a small contribution for the use of their facility from Day One very few would have complained.
However, I doubt our voluntary fiscal contributions are reaching Alumasc and one is forced to consider, if this is the case, how comfortable it sits to make money from their generosity? Is it ethical? Is it legal? Not only that, but during the past couple of visits there has been a definite sense that payment is less voluntary than EXPECTED and expected to be a couple of quid. One is left with the distinct impression that, before long, the voluntary element of any contribution will be dropped in favour of an admittance fee. Sure, other clubs do this. But I'm pretty sure no one else is levying a charge for a carpark they don't actually own.
And what is being done with the money so far raised? It certainly isn't been used to fill that ridiculously enormous hole in the carpark just outside of the social club that has quietly been growing this season from the size of large dinnerplate to the size of a small continent. I'm not certain the BBC will be too impressed if one of their technical vehicles pops a crank-shaft into it's fathomless depths next weekend....
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| The Referee navigates the Latimer Park carpark with greater intent than he did the Latimer Park pitch |
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