Shrimpers Trust News Scunthorpe United - Light Up To Save Our Steel

[Kevin Hogg]

Could we not just show some care and support to the man in Scunny who takes his boy to see their beloved Irons and dreams of days such as we had on May 23rd.
He just wants to go to work, support his family and barrack The Shrimpers players once or twice a season.
Light up!

 

[C C Csiders]

Could we not just show some care and support to the man in Scunny who takes his boy to see their beloved Irons and dreams of days such as we had on May 23rd.
He just wants to go to work, support his family and barrack The Shrimpers players once or twice a season.
Light up!

It's as if you have no choice

 

[Gremlin]

Crikey, that's a naive question......it assumes a level playing field across the world for the steel industry and misses the point about strategic industries in an increasingly dangerous geo-political situation, but it doesn't really belong on a football fans forum. Some of the Scunthorpe fans will be working in the "government-sponsored employment programme" to which you refer - what's Scunthorpe FC's nickname again....? It seems a perfectly valid request from their fans and each individual Southend fan can decide whether he supports it or not.

Fair comment, there's a lot I don't know about the Steel industry and that's why I'm asking the questions. Be thankful you haven't yet got me started on the idea of shining lights from our Chinese made/assembled smart phones in a show of solidarity towards an industry that's apparently being decimated by China.

 

[Barling Magna]

Be thankful you haven't yet got me started on the idea of shining lights from our Chinese made/assembled smart phones in a show of solidarity towards an industry that's apparently being decimated by China.

True! Nice one.

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

 

[onceknownasrab]

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

There will always be the predator and the prey, the guilty and the scapegoat. Speaking out is fine but remember to look at what is behind the words. At the time of this quote Niemoller was guilty of much antisemitism. He, in later years, expressed regret but was still a hypocrite.

The words are only effective when supported by action. Of course I want the steel workers to feel as though we are behind them but they will not feed their children on our words.

I hope everyone lights up at the game but I also hope they are prepared to continue with their support afterwards.

 

[ozzie]

Could we not just show some care and support to the man in Scunny who takes his boy to see their beloved Irons and dreams of days such as we had on May 23rd.
He just wants to go to work, support his family and barrack The Shrimpers players once or twice a season.
Light up!

good one Kev..wish the people back home(uk),stayed together more,like they do in Germany..too much im alright jack,muck you

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Hear hear. The whole point of this is not the viability of the UK steel industry and the politics that goes with it. It is about supporting a community that is about to have its heart ripped out. It could happen in steel, mining, insurance (Victoria Avenue is looking great these days isn't it), retail, any industry you care to mention. The fact is it is happening to Scunthorpe and it's not too much to ask to have some sympathy for their fans who are affected.

And yeah shining a light on a mobile phone might not make any difference to the eventual outcome, but it shows solidarity and that can be a comfort to people, knowing others are behind them. Not too much to ask to hold a mobile phone in the air for two minutes for that, is it?

The campaign is called Save Our Steel.

I'm all for creating enterprise areas, helping retrain workers and have loads of sympathy for those affected, but I think it would be a huge mistake to try and Save Our Steel when it means propping up an uneconomical industry.

Look what happened with Rover at Longbridge. You can pour money in but it's only going to delay the inevitable. That money would be far better spent in trying to provide a long term future in alternative employment that has a viable future and isn't dependent on government subsidies.

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

To give out the same message but with an added political twist why not set off a load of Chinese Lanterns instead?:smile:

 

[IronTrust]

Hi all,


Firstly, thanks to those who have expressed an interest in joining in this show of support.


I am the member of the Iron Trust board who suggested the idea (ok, I nicked it from Middlesbrough) and got the club's backing. It is an idea that has been universally taken on board. I am not a steelworker, but come from a steel family. The plate mill, where these cuts are largely due to fall, is somewhere I feel an affinity with. My dad spent pretty much his entire working life there before taking early retirement the last time the workforce needed trimming, while I still have friends who now face losing their jobs (there can be few people in the area, admittedly, who can't say that). 900 jobs will be lost in this round of cuts, and few think that is the end of the job losses.


There are only 3,000 people directly employed at the works now, compared to ten times that 40 years ago, but contractors (who lack some of the protection direct staff have) swell that amount massively. There are also loads of independent steel-related companies, not to mention the services and retail sector which rely on a stable local economy.


Secondly, to address Rusty Shackleford and his suggestion the British steel industry tries to be competitive. Let me assure you the industry has - we've lost thousands of jobs in this area, and unusually when you see these kind of cuts you won't hear many grumbles about the management of Tata Steel. They're desperately trying to avoid laying people off. The problem is the Chinese industry (illegally) sells its steel at sometimes less than half the price it cost them to make it, and it is made to lesser environmental and quality standards than our steel has to meet. They are also less fussy about things like stopping their workers from being killed in accidents or giving them time off. It is physically impossible to produce steel to the standards we have to and then sell it at the price China are now doing because they have been backed by the state. Even within Europe, countries like Germany and Italy manage to find ways to keep their plants going while our Government claims their hands are tied by EU rules - they claim the money is there but they're not allowed to hand it over because of the EU - they're waiting until they get permission from teacher. Add in high energy costs and the general struggles this country's manufacturing industry has and it is a perfect storm. We just want something more like a level playing field to fight our corner - it is particularly galling seeing the Chinese president lauded and visiting the Queen, while being rewarded with contracts to build things using Chinese steel. Sticking with the school theme, it feels like the bully is being rewarded with all the sweets.


It's all very well sitting by and saying industries need to sink or swim, but what happens in 10 years time if we can no longer produce our own steel and the stockpile of inferior product China has been dumping to lower prices runs out? What if we decide that actually we need the high-quality specialist products that we can still make now but some people think aren't worth saving because it doesn't affect them directly? The people of Scunthorpe are not stupid, many have retrained as much as possible, many moved away from the area for work (I did this) or take on less skilled and lower paid jobs to provide for their families - there's been a big push in the area for creating renewable energies around the Humber in general. But in Scunthorpe we have led the world in steel, and as biased as we may be are bloody good at it and have the best expertise on the planet. It would be a shame if that knowledge is lost forever - it's very hard to keep the highly specialised high quality stuff going if you lose the rest of the facilities (if not mothballed correctly, things like coke ovens and blast furnaces will simply never work again).


Anyway, Saturday's activities are not intended to change all this. We are just a group of people who like to watch a ball being kicked around every Saturday and feel a close affinity to our community, we don't have answers to solve the steel problems quickly or easily. It's not even really a protest in the traditional sense because we're not trying to make it overtly political (though, of course, that is inevitable to a point - we're a working-class town and it's hard to imagine us ever having an MP with a blue rosette). What we really want to say is we understand what everyone is going through and hope in some small way these kind of acts give people in a real position to influence change the support and evidence they need to improve things for the town - even if that doesn't involve steel. Because if we just shrug our shoulders and said "well, it's market forces int it" then we write off our town as a going concern.


So, even if you do not think the Government should do anything, even if you think we should accept the industry's death in the UK and claim JSA instead (try finding employment for the 10,000 people who would be out of work in our town alone with the associated companies), please consider holding up your phone for a minute and half to say you understand why we are so concerned about our town's future.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

It's not even really a protest in the traditional sense because we're not trying to make it overtly political (though, of course, that is inevitable to a point - we're a working-class town and it's hard to imagine us ever having an MP with a blue rosette).

Southend is a working class town too. My Dad worked on the line at Ford's and when that finished he drove a cab before landing in the building trade. We elect people with blue rosettes because enough of us believe in working for a living and not relying on the government for a hand out.

 

[Another Surrey Shrimper]

It's not even really a protest in the traditional sense because we're not trying to make it overtly political (though, of course, that is inevitable to a point - we're a working-class town and it's hard to imagine us ever having an MP with a blue rosette).

Southend is a working class town too. My Dad worked on the line at Ford's and when that finished he drove a cab before landing in the building trade. We elect people with blue rosettes because enough of us believe in working for a living and not relying on the government for a hand out.

When you say 'we elect' - you live in the States, surely that is 'they elect'.


Keeping people in jobs keeps them away from handouts. The people in the blue rosettes need to support British industry and keep Britain working.

 

[IronTrust]

It's not even really a protest in the traditional sense because we're not trying to make it overtly political (though, of course, that is inevitable to a point - we're a working-class town and it's hard to imagine us ever having an MP with a blue rosette).

Southend is a working class town too. My Dad worked on the line at Ford's and when that finished he drove a cab before landing in the building trade. We elect people with blue rosettes because enough of us believe in working for a living and not relying on the government for a hand out.

The actions trying to save the steel industry in the UK are because we desperately want to keep on working for a living and not relying on the government for a hand out.

 

[onceknownasrab]

The actions trying to save the steel industry in the UK are because we desperately want to keep on working for a living and not relying on the government for a hand out.

There is nothing the north needs to justify or defend in this country when it comes to working. The north has traditionally worked with pride and often in circumstances unacceptable anywhere south of Nottingham. Industry is still the beating heart of our nation but sadly in need of a defibrillator. I understand the push button age and accept that financial institutions make vast amounts of money for our economy but someone still has to manufacture. As was once told to me whilst in Yorkshire, 'Listen you soft southern ponce! A white collar worker only takes what a blue collar worker earns.' I agreed with him.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

When you say 'we elect' - you live in the States, surely that is 'they elect'.


Keeping people in jobs keeps them away from handouts. The people in the blue rosettes need to support British industry and keep Britain working.

You've asked me before if I still vote in UK elections - I told you that I do. I voted for UKIP. Thanks.

We don't need to keep Britons working in industries that are not profitable. If we want to do something positive for the British worker, get out of the EU and stop the tide of unskilled migrants. As for the bollocks about us soft southern poofs and our white collar jobs, what absolute tripe. Have a stroll down Danescroft Drive and feel the luxury and easy living.

Dirty Northern *******s.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

You've asked me before if I still vote in UK elections - I told you that I do. I voted for UKIP. Thanks.

We don't need to keep Britons working in industries that are not profitable. If we want to do something positive for the British worker, get out of the EU and stop the tide of unskilled migrants. As for the bollocks about us soft southern poofs and our white collar jobs, what absolute tripe. Have a stroll down Danescroft Drive and feel the luxury and easy living.

Dirty Northern *******s.

Why am I really not at all suprised that you don't get the idea of working class solidarity at all? :dim:

Good luck with the light up campaign tomorrow.

 

[Another Surrey Shrimper]

The actions trying to save the steel industry in the UK are because we desperately want to keep on working for a living and not relying on the government for a hand out.

Don't read too much into his post it's just the token redneck being allowed to post an alternative point of view.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Why am I really not at all suprised that you don't get the idea of working class solidarity at all? :dim:

Good luck with the light up campaign tomorrow.

If you had any solidarity with the British working class then you wouldn't support the eradication of British working class culture through mass immigration.

 

[shrimpfan]

You've asked me before if I still vote in UK elections - I told you that I do. I voted for UKIP. Thanks.

We don't need to keep Britons working in industries that are not profitable. If we want to do something positive for the British worker, get out of the EU and stop the tide of unskilled migrants. As for the bollocks about us soft southern poofs and our white collar jobs, what absolute tripe. Have a stroll down Danescroft Drive and feel the luxury and easy living.

Dirty Northern *******s.

dirty northern ******s. no love lost with then in the 60s and 70s away days .**** em...................

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

If you had any solidarity with the British working class then you wouldn't support the eradication of British working class culture through mass immigration.

Like you, my parents were working class.

Like you, they were both working class Tories.

Like you, my route out of the working class was through education.

Unlike you, I've drawn very different conclusions from my experience.

That's why I fully support the Scunthorpe United- Light Up to Save our Steel Campaign.