On the inside looking out

It's not often I'm able to give credit to something that emanates from within the boundaries of Milton Keynes, but, as the blog I'm linking to shows, not everyone there bought into Franchise FC or the lies told to make it happen. (I know of many others in MK who stoutly opposed the move from the start and still do.)

http://chrispowellsflatcap.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/growing-up-with-franchised-football-a-personal-history/

It's a fascinating piece, revealing many of the issues I've pondered over in the last 10 years, particularly about how the youngsters that were spun the lies of Koppel and Winkelman would react as they grew up and learned the ugly truths. Of course, not all of them are able to follow the enlightened path that this Charlton fan blogger has - some will be forever blind to the truth - but for anyone that has ever doubted that there was a point trying to stop the lies of Koppel, Winkelman and some misguided Franchise customers from being allowed to spread unchecked, this blogger is living proof that it always has and always will be worth it. I don't agree with everything he has to say, but he provides an eloquent and well-reasoned counterpoint to the morass of witless, pro-Franchise jabbering that comes from most Franchise customers on the internet.

One last sock

Funny the things that sometimes draw one back to a subject, in this instance it's an article by Mark Mardell on the ongoing US government funding crisis.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24545697

He uses a phrase to refer to the Republicans that resonated with me in relation to Franchise.

“Rather like a man who has been almost stripped naked refusing to remove one last sock, claiming his dignity depends on it.”

This is exactly what some Franchise customers continue to do with regard to dropping the 'Dons' nicked-name from their team name. The rebranding of Franchise has left them naked ever since 2004 when all but the 'Dons' nicked-name were stripped away. They claim this 'one last sock' is all that stands between them and the indignity of admitting they are no longer Wimbledon FC. Yet they have been naked in the eyes of all others for 10 years, fooling only themselves that any shred of dignity has been afforded to them by the 'Dons' sock.

It's an image that should sear itself into their minds, because at every game they are naked, wearing one last sock and imagining it gives them something that it does not. Lose the sock – clothe Franchise properly in the garb of Milton Keynes, the way it should be. Only then can Franchise progress with any dignity or respect.