Owner sues fan for online allegations and wins

Blackpool fan, 67, to pay £20,000 after Oystons threaten action over online post

• Frank Knight apologises on Facebook for allegations against Oyston family
• Apology for ‘harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused’
• Blackpool fans start fundraising campaign to help Knight raise required sum
• Tangerines fans protest against chairman before Reading match
blackpool fans
Frank Knight is the latest Blackpool fan to be threatened with court action by the club's owners over disparaging comments made online.

By Stuart Goodwin

17 April 2015

Blackpool fans have rallied around a pensioner who has agreed to pay £20,000 in damages to the club after being threatened with court action over allegations he made on Facebook about the Oyston family.

Frank Knight, 67, posted comments on the website last year regarding Blackpool’s chairman, Karl Oyston, and the club’s owner, Owen Oyston. Following discussions with the Oystons, Knight has issued an apology and agreed to pay the five-figure sum in order to avoid taking the matter to court.

On his Facebook page, Knight said: “I now regret making these allegations, I fully accept that they are false and I wish to sincerely apologise for them and also for the harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused both BFC and the Oystons and I wish to unreservedly withdraw them.

“I accept that my publication of the allegations on Facebook and in a manner which is readily accessible to users constitutes a very serious libel. It has injured the reputation of the Oystons and has caused them considerable embarrassment and distress.

“After a frank discussion with the Oystons, I acknowledge that they are both genuine fans of BFC and they and their families have only the best interests of BFC at heart. I recognise that BFC is now in a significantly healthier situation than when the Oyston family first became involved in it.” Blackpool declined to comment.


Blackpool fans protest against chairman Karl Oyston before Reading match

In response, fellow fans have begun a fundraising campaign for Knight on the Gofundme website. It reads: “Frank has followed Blackpool over 40 years and has apologised for his passionate online rant, witnessed by all 34 of his online friends on Facebook, and fully retracted his statements.


“Despite this the Oyston family, worth over £100m, will be claiming £20,000 from Mr Knight. A lot of money for anyone, especially a 67-year-old, retired OAP.

“It would be great if football fans worldwide could help the common fan pay off his debt to the Oyston’s for being guilty of caring passionately about his football club and having serious concerns on how it’s run.”

Blackpool, who are a distant bottom of the Championship, were relegated to League One this week and before Tuesday’s game with Reading Tangerines fans protested against the owners, pelting the directors’ box with eggs, fireworks and a flare.

The Oystons have threatened several fans with libel action over comments posted online. In February, Blackpool’s owners launched a libel case against the supporters’ forum Back Henry Street over six allegedly derogatory messages made about the pair, while another supporter, David Ragozzino, was given three weeks to respond to a claim for £150,000 damages from the club over a post made on another website, Another View From the Tower.

Blackpool fan, 67, to pay £20,000 after Oystons threaten action over online post

• Frank Knight apologises on Facebook for allegations against Oyston family
• Apology for ‘harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused’
• Blackpool fans start fundraising campaign to help Knight raise required sum
• Tangerines fans protest against chairman before Reading match
blackpool fans
Frank Knight is the latest Blackpool fan to be threatened with court action by the club's owners over disparaging comments made online.

By Stuart Goodwin

17 April 2015

Blackpool fans have rallied around a pensioner who has agreed to pay £20,000 in damages to the club after being threatened with court action over allegations he made on Facebook about the Oyston family.

Frank Knight, 67, posted comments on the website last year regarding Blackpool’s chairman, Karl Oyston, and the club’s owner, Owen Oyston. Following discussions with the Oystons, Knight has issued an apology and agreed to pay the five-figure sum in order to avoid taking the matter to court.

On his Facebook page, Knight said: “I now regret making these allegations, I fully accept that they are false and I wish to sincerely apologise for them and also for the harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused both BFC and the Oystons and I wish to unreservedly withdraw them.

“I accept that my publication of the allegations on Facebook and in a manner which is readily accessible to users constitutes a very serious libel. It has injured the reputation of the Oystons and has caused them considerable embarrassment and distress.

“After a frank discussion with the Oystons, I acknowledge that they are both genuine fans of BFC and they and their families have only the best interests of BFC at heart. I recognise that BFC is now in a significantly healthier situation than when the Oyston family first became involved in it.” Blackpool declined to comment.


Blackpool fans protest against chairman Karl Oyston before Reading match

In response, fellow fans have begun a fundraising campaign for Knight on the Gofundme website. It reads: “Frank has followed Blackpool over 40 years and has apologised for his passionate online rant, witnessed by all 34 of his online friends on Facebook, and fully retracted his statements.


“Despite this the Oyston family, worth over £100m, will be claiming £20,000 from Mr Knight. A lot of money for anyone, especially a 67-year-old, retired OAP.

“It would be great if football fans worldwide could help the common fan pay off his debt to the Oyston’s for being guilty of caring passionately about his football club and having serious concerns on how it’s run.”

Blackpool, who are a distant bottom of the Championship, were relegated to League One this week and before Tuesday’s game with Reading Tangerines fans protested against the owners, pelting the directors’ box with eggs, fireworks and a flare.

The Oystons have threatened several fans with libel action over comments posted online. In February, Blackpool’s owners launched a libel case against the supporters’ forum Back Henry Street over six allegedly derogatory messages made about the pair, while another supporter, David Ragozzino, was given three weeks to respond to a claim for £150,000 damages from the club over a post made on another website, Another View From the Tower.

imagine tan done this too he would earn millions of this site lol

What a horrible tw*t that oyston seems to be. Surely an apology would have been enough. The bloke had 34 friends on his Facebook account,which is hardly broadcasting to the masses. A 40year veteran of following Blackpool is entitled to have a rant about the owners in my book

Blackpool fan, 67, to pay £20,000 after Oystons threaten action over online post

• Frank Knight apologises on Facebook for allegations against Oyston family
• Apology for ‘harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused’
• Blackpool fans start fundraising campaign to help Knight raise required sum
• Tangerines fans protest against chairman before Reading match
blackpool fans
Frank Knight is the latest Blackpool fan to be threatened with court action by the club's owners over disparaging comments made online.

By Stuart Goodwin

17 April 2015

Blackpool fans have rallied around a pensioner who has agreed to pay £20,000 in damages to the club after being threatened with court action over allegations he made on Facebook about the Oyston family.

Frank Knight, 67, posted comments on the website last year regarding Blackpool’s chairman, Karl Oyston, and the club’s owner, Owen Oyston. Following discussions with the Oystons, Knight has issued an apology and agreed to pay the five-figure sum in order to avoid taking the matter to court.

On his Facebook page, Knight said: “I now regret making these allegations, I fully accept that they are false and I wish to sincerely apologise for them and also for the harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused both BFC and the Oystons and I wish to unreservedly withdraw them.

“I accept that my publication of the allegations on Facebook and in a manner which is readily accessible to users constitutes a very serious libel. It has injured the reputation of the Oystons and has caused them considerable embarrassment and distress.

“After a frank discussion with the Oystons, I acknowledge that they are both genuine fans of BFC and they and their families have only the best interests of BFC at heart. I recognise that BFC is now in a significantly healthier situation than when the Oyston family first became involved in it.” Blackpool declined to comment.


Blackpool fans protest against chairman Karl Oyston before Reading match

In response, fellow fans have begun a fundraising campaign for Knight on the Gofundme website. It reads: “Frank has followed Blackpool over 40 years and has apologised for his passionate online rant, witnessed by all 34 of his online friends on Facebook, and fully retracted his statements.


“Despite this the Oyston family, worth over £100m, will be claiming £20,000 from Mr Knight. A lot of money for anyone, especially a 67-year-old, retired OAP.

“It would be great if football fans worldwide could help the common fan pay off his debt to the Oyston’s for being guilty of caring passionately about his football club and having serious concerns on how it’s run.”

Blackpool, who are a distant bottom of the Championship, were relegated to League One this week and before Tuesday’s game with Reading Tangerines fans protested against the owners, pelting the directors’ box with eggs, fireworks and a flare.

The Oystons have threatened several fans with libel action over comments posted online. In February, Blackpool’s owners launched a libel case against the supporters’ forum Back Henry Street over six allegedly derogatory messages made about the pair, while another supporter, David Ragozzino, was given three weeks to respond to a claim for £150,000 damages from the club over a post made on another website, Another View From the Tower.

imagine tan done this too he would earn millions of this site lol

Blackpool fan, 67, to pay £20,000 after Oystons threaten action over online post

• Frank Knight apologises on Facebook for allegations against Oyston family
• Apology for ‘harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused’
• Blackpool fans start fundraising campaign to help Knight raise required sum
• Tangerines fans protest against chairman before Reading match
blackpool fans
Frank Knight is the latest Blackpool fan to be threatened with court action by the club's owners over disparaging comments made online.

By Stuart Goodwin

17 April 2015

Blackpool fans have rallied around a pensioner who has agreed to pay £20,000 in damages to the club after being threatened with court action over allegations he made on Facebook about the Oyston family.

Frank Knight, 67, posted comments on the website last year regarding Blackpool’s chairman, Karl Oyston, and the club’s owner, Owen Oyston. Following discussions with the Oystons, Knight has issued an apology and agreed to pay the five-figure sum in order to avoid taking the matter to court.

On his Facebook page, Knight said: “I now regret making these allegations, I fully accept that they are false and I wish to sincerely apologise for them and also for the harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused both BFC and the Oystons and I wish to unreservedly withdraw them.

“I accept that my publication of the allegations on Facebook and in a manner which is readily accessible to users constitutes a very serious libel. It has injured the reputation of the Oystons and has caused them considerable embarrassment and distress.

“After a frank discussion with the Oystons, I acknowledge that they are both genuine fans of BFC and they and their families have only the best interests of BFC at heart. I recognise that BFC is now in a significantly healthier situation than when the Oyston family first became involved in it.” Blackpool declined to comment.


Blackpool fans protest against chairman Karl Oyston before Reading match

In response, fellow fans have begun a fundraising campaign for Knight on the Gofundme website. It reads: “Frank has followed Blackpool over 40 years and has apologised for his passionate online rant, witnessed by all 34 of his online friends on Facebook, and fully retracted his statements.


“Despite this the Oyston family, worth over £100m, will be claiming £20,000 from Mr Knight. A lot of money for anyone, especially a 67-year-old, retired OAP.

“It would be great if football fans worldwide could help the common fan pay off his debt to the Oyston’s for being guilty of caring passionately about his football club and having serious concerns on how it’s run.”

Blackpool, who are a distant bottom of the Championship, were relegated to League One this week and before Tuesday’s game with Reading Tangerines fans protested against the owners, pelting the directors’ box with eggs, fireworks and a flare.

The Oystons have threatened several fans with libel action over comments posted online. In February, Blackpool’s owners launched a libel case against the supporters’ forum Back Henry Street over six allegedly derogatory messages made about the pair, while another supporter, David Ragozzino, was given three weeks to respond to a claim for £150,000 damages from the club over a post made on another website, Another View From the Tower.

imagine tan done this too he would earn millions of this site lol

and carl would be mike halls butler now

Blackpool fan, 67, to pay £20,000 after Oystons threaten action over online post

• Frank Knight apologises on Facebook for allegations against Oyston family
• Apology for ‘harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused’
• Blackpool fans start fundraising campaign to help Knight raise required sum
• Tangerines fans protest against chairman before Reading match
blackpool fans
Frank Knight is the latest Blackpool fan to be threatened with court action by the club's owners over disparaging comments made online.

By Stuart Goodwin

17 April 2015

Blackpool fans have rallied around a pensioner who has agreed to pay £20,000 in damages to the club after being threatened with court action over allegations he made on Facebook about the Oyston family.

Frank Knight, 67, posted comments on the website last year regarding Blackpool’s chairman, Karl Oyston, and the club’s owner, Owen Oyston. Following discussions with the Oystons, Knight has issued an apology and agreed to pay the five-figure sum in order to avoid taking the matter to court.

On his Facebook page, Knight said: “I now regret making these allegations, I fully accept that they are false and I wish to sincerely apologise for them and also for the harm, distress and financial losses my comments have caused both BFC and the Oystons and I wish to unreservedly withdraw them.

“I accept that my publication of the allegations on Facebook and in a manner which is readily accessible to users constitutes a very serious libel. It has injured the reputation of the Oystons and has caused them considerable embarrassment and distress.

“After a frank discussion with the Oystons, I acknowledge that they are both genuine fans of BFC and they and their families have only the best interests of BFC at heart. I recognise that BFC is now in a significantly healthier situation than when the Oyston family first became involved in it.” Blackpool declined to comment.


Blackpool fans protest against chairman Karl Oyston before Reading match

In response, fellow fans have begun a fundraising campaign for Knight on the Gofundme website. It reads: “Frank has followed Blackpool over 40 years and has apologised for his passionate online rant, witnessed by all 34 of his online friends on Facebook, and fully retracted his statements.


“Despite this the Oyston family, worth over £100m, will be claiming £20,000 from Mr Knight. A lot of money for anyone, especially a 67-year-old, retired OAP.

“It would be great if football fans worldwide could help the common fan pay off his debt to the Oyston’s for being guilty of caring passionately about his football club and having serious concerns on how it’s run.”

Blackpool, who are a distant bottom of the Championship, were relegated to League One this week and before Tuesday’s game with Reading Tangerines fans protested against the owners, pelting the directors’ box with eggs, fireworks and a flare.

The Oystons have threatened several fans with libel action over comments posted online. In February, Blackpool’s owners launched a libel case against the supporters’ forum Back Henry Street over six allegedly derogatory messages made about the pair, while another supporter, David Ragozzino, was given three weeks to respond to a claim for £150,000 damages from the club over a post made on another website, Another View From the Tower.

This could quite easily be anyone of us if our owner wanted to push it !!!

Free speech? but not deformation of character.

my son and I would like to give a little to help fellow football supporter Frank out but Seached for FRANK KNIGHT on the gofundme website but can't find it?

Anyone find it? if so, whats the search tag please?

Blooobirds Forever !!!

I don't know what the Frank Knight comments were but considering it would have probably cost him a hell of a lot more than £20,000 to taken on the Oystons you have to consider whether the apology was made not because there was no truth in what he said but because he couldn't afford the court costs.

I wonder how many Blackpool supporters will be renewing for next season. Hopefully not too many which will show the Oystons what they think of them and hit them where it hurts, in their pockets.

Anyone find it? if so, whats the search tag please?

http://www.gofundme.com/s5bbb8r

Anyone find it? if so, whats the search tag please?

http://www.gofundme.com/s5bbb8r

Many thanks Stan_B

Is Oyston one of his 34 friends then?