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Original poster

Paddy Jackson hired for London Irish Rugby.

178 replies

StrippingTheVelvet · 07/05/2019 18:39

After a year with his tail between his legs, Paddy has now been hired by LIRFC. I have attached the list of their sponsors below if anyone has time to send an email or two asking them to put pressure on for the decision to be reconsidered. I'm very articulate, but if it makes it easier feel free to use my letter.

"Good afternoon

I was hoping you could clarify your position on whether Pump Technology expects a certain standard of behaviour from both the organisations they sponsor and those associated with them? I am disturbed to hear about the recent appointment of Paddy Jackson to LIRFC. As you financially support LIRFC one can only assume that you endorse their decisions.

Given the level of public prominence players have and that they are viewed as role models for our young men to aspire to, do you feel this appointment is appropriate and are you happy to be associated with and financially support this decision?

I would urge you to please discuss this with LIRFC in the same way as Ulster Rugby's sponsors did to ensure there was no negative impact on their businesses.

Kindest regards,"

OP posts:
BumblingAlongNow · 08/05/2019 07:14

As an Irish woman living in London I am fucking disgusted at this and I will be letting the sponsors know. Furthermore, as a mother I am seriously questioning whether rugby is a suitable sport for my young son, if this is how the sport views women.
The details of how some of the senior LIRFC staff were formerly associated with Ulster rugby (and indeed with Jackson himself) is sickening and smacks of an old boys club that looks after its own. Quelle surprise...

JessicaWakefieldSV · 08/05/2019 07:24

Furthermore, as a mother I am seriously questioning whether rugby is a suitable sport for my young son, if this is how the sport views women.

I think most Male team sports have a problem, it’s the pack mentality. Alex Hepburn, cricketer, just got find guilty of raping a sleeping woman and the WhatsApp messages are also pretty dire. I wouldn’t want my son in a sport that is team based personally.

BuzzPeakWankBobbly · 08/05/2019 07:53

MinecraftMother I didn't mean it to be snotty (genuinely) I'm sorry it comes across that way

Thanks for clarifying Flowers

SophoclesTheFox · 08/05/2019 08:08

Well, this is another for the annals of “rape accusations RUIN men’s lives”, isn’t it? Not.

I’ll get writing later on today. stripping, that paragraph from the Belfast feminist network shows nicely how this is all still jobs for the boys, business as usual, let’s make sure poor Paddy doesn’t suffer any more. Urgh.

Theghosttrain · 08/05/2019 08:16

What saddens me is that him wearing black make up is way more likely to make sponsors act than him degrading and injuring women/a woman. That's not a reflection on what I think of racism by the way, more an observation on how little value women are given.

BumblingAlongNow · 08/05/2019 08:18

Powerday, the “principle” sponsor of the club according to the LIRFC website, has accolades all over its website about being a “family run” business.
I’ve emailed the Chairman simply enquiring whether he approves of the appointment of Jackson. If he condones it then that tells me all I need to know about the company’s “principles”. I will be asking the same simple question to all the sponsors.

“Following the recent appointment of Paddy Jackson to London Irish Rugby, please can you confirm whether your company, a “principle” sponsor of the club, has approved this appointment?”

howwudufeel · 08/05/2019 08:25

In my experience rugby is the worst sport for toxic masculinity.

Annasgirl · 08/05/2019 08:29

This is where it starts ladies. We need to play men at their own game. Unfortunately, unless we complain the sponsors will ignore it - because the men at the top have told them that its all forgotten and no one cares.

The only way to get change is to vote with your pockets. I also think women need to organise a protest at the club. We need to start shouting stop. Really, we have to go back to the suffragettes, there has not been as much progress as we thought over the past 100 years and we need to stop the rot. As a mum of 2 boys I don't want them to grow up with this attitude, they do not have it now but I want all men to behave well towards women and if they are not getting the right direction at their clubs, we need to call it out.

MoltenLasagne · 08/05/2019 08:43

I’m appalled at this decision - Ulster Rugby is now a by-word for rape and misogyny in my mind. Why would London Irish want to take on that notoriety, do they think our memories are so short?

Thanks for the information - I will be emailing the sponsors.

JessicaWakefieldSV · 08/05/2019 08:46

In my experience rugby is the worst sport for toxic masculinity.

Yeah I think so too.

JessicaWakefieldSV · 08/05/2019 08:47

Please email sponsors but also ask others to do the same, maybe give a template letter.

sashh · 08/05/2019 08:47

I've just googled to see the statement from the club. I got a list of newspapers reporting fans are not happy.

We are not alone.

MoltenLasagne · 08/05/2019 08:50

Also if you google Paddy Jackson Ulster Rugby the first two pages are just talk of his sporting achievement and articles challenging the decision of Ulster to drop him and Stuart Olding with “some results have been removed under EU blah blah” at the bottom. Is it a deliberate whitewash?

JessicaWakefieldSV · 08/05/2019 08:53

Is it a deliberate whitewash?

Yes it is. We mustn’t let these awful men get away with this.

Meanwhile a Polynesian player is being vilified and losing his job over a social media bible post. Jfc

QueenOfTheTofuTree · 08/05/2019 09:48

He may have been found not guilty of rape but the messages he sent probes he is a mysognist with no respect for women. I guarantee that of he had sent racist or homophobic messages that people wouldn't quite be so forgiving.

JessicaWakefieldSV · 08/05/2019 09:53

I guarantee that of he had sent racist or homophobic messages that people wouldn't quite be so forgiving. well yes, we have the example with Israel Folau and Billy Vunipola too.

QueenOfTheTofuTree · 08/05/2019 09:56

*proves
*misogynist
*if

3timeslucky · 08/05/2019 10:55

I heard this and was disgusted. Reading the Les Kiss connection above makes me even more disgusted (which I didn't think was possible).

I read an article a few months back about Jackson and Olding and their performance in their new clubs (and their differing attitudes to the trial and victim). If it is accurate Jackson has turned out to be a pretty mediocre player so at the very least I'm going to hope he is a bitter disappointment to London Irish as well as being a source of embarrassment. www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/contrasting-fortunes-for-jackson-and-olding-in-france-after-belfast-rape-trial-1.3843125

Original poster
StrippingTheVelvet · 08/05/2019 11:31

Please, please do email. I received a reply from 9Group marketing department stating that recruitment is nothing to do with them but they are keeping abreast of the issue. They did however offer to telephone me and discuss the matter which I shall be taking them up on.

OP posts:
PlinkPlink · 08/05/2019 11:57

That was a disgusting read.

Firstly, can I say rugby is a wonderful sport and should not be blamed for toxic masculinity.

I was part of a ladies team. The men there were very respectful and hugely supportive. They came to all of our matches, they invited us to club nights out. They were kind, caring and great fun to be around.
Toxic masculinity arises from people who think it's okay to behave that way. The sport is not responsible.

Secondly, I always shake my head when people call it a witch hunt. They said that about Harvey Weinstein in the beginning. It wasnt. It was necessary. Men like that should not be in positions where they are admired and modelled to younger persons.

I believe that poor woman. How fucking brave to put up with 8 days of cross examination!! And none of those men should be allowed to be in a position where they are used as a good example.

Disgusting, poor excuses for human beings.

howwudufeel · 08/05/2019 12:15

I drink Guinness and I am gutted that they sponsor London Irish.

PlinkPlink · 08/05/2019 12:27

Yes I do have to say London Irish taking him on is a wrong move.

Their defence will be, he was acquitted so it's fine (Its not).
However, I would imagine they will lose plenty of fans over him being there.

MFx3 · 08/05/2019 13:05

I hope they do @PlinkPlink

@StrippingTheVelvet I received the same email & responded to that also.

The misogyny is just shocking & so depressing.

PanGalaticGargleBlaster · 08/05/2019 13:06

I think most Male team sports have a problem, it’s the pack mentality.

Do you have any actual evidence to support this or are you just extrapolating the actions of a minority to include millions of active sports club members?

JessicaWakefieldSV · 08/05/2019 13:10

Do you have any actual evidence to support this or are you just extrapolating the actions of a minority to include millions of active sports club members?

Yup. Just look at the number of sex assault cases across more than rugby- cricket in more than one country in the last 12 months alone has had cases like Paddy’s. Google it. I’m not here to ‘present evidence’, the evidence is in our media every damn day. Oh and don’t come to the fucking feminist board and NAMALT.