Aberdeen Fans For Sporting Integrity

Last updated : 06 July 2012 By Stand Free Ed

AFFSIThe group, now known as 'Aberdeen Fans For Sporting Integrity', pounced upon a thread started on June 3rd praising the actions of Raith Rovers chairman Turnbull Hutton.

Within hours a collection had started, a blog had been set up and the word was being spread through social media outlets Twitter and Facebook.

Joe Whimster, who wrote the messageboard post that planted the seeds, has co-ordinated the collection which at the time of publication has £745 in the kitty.

He told Aberdeen Mad: "We have now had over 70 people get in touch to pledge funds. I've had over 25 people contribute already.

"Of that, £200 is committed to the sponsorship of Roary Rover at Raith and I've asked them to confirm a local children’s charity for the shirt that comes as part of the sponsorship package to go to.

"We have also earmarked £130 to go to Clyde but I'm still waiting on a response from their commercial department to confirm availability.

"Even as it stands we therefore have a balance of £210 and I anticipate this rising over the weekend."

The clubs receiving a pledge of sponsorship are those who have taken a stand against the bullying tactics of the SPL, SFA, 'Sevco' and the Scottish mainstream sports media.

These tactics came to the public's attention this week when SFL clubs had a meeting to discuss a 'newco Rangers' being allowed to parachute into Irn Bru Div One; a meeting that let Turnbull Hutton to announce that: "We are being bullied, railroaded and lied to. We are being lied to by the SFA and SPL. We’re being threatened. It is not football as I know it."

This caused a furious response amongst online Scottish football fans; anger that in these Aberdeen supporters' case is being turned into positive action.

AFFSI organiser Joe added: "Well, what started as a wee off-the-cuff remark on a message board has fairly snowballed.

"I have not contacted any further clubs but both Morton and Falkirk are clubs noted as vocally against the First Division option.

"We may put it to a quick vote for any further clubs we wish to support as we move forward, and I think it's appropriate that any remaining funds at the end of our endeavours should go to the anti-bullying charity, Beat Bullying - but we have yet to decide upon that."

If you wish to donate to Aberdeen Fans For Sporting Integrity's fund, contact: aberdeenfans4sportingintegrity@gmail.com

Find out more about the fund here: boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=4

...And on their blog: aberdeenfansforsportingintegrity.blogspot.co.uk