Southampton Knights Football

Southampton Knights Football, Inc. Southampton Knights, Knights Football,John Loughlin, Jeff McClinton, Jeff Gellman, Rick Ervin, Bill Lincoln, mouree

2nd of Mar, 2011 by User359982

DO NOT particiapte in this football league!!! The Southampton Knights will put your child in harms way if it benefits them. We got involved with The Southampton Knights Football Organization through a flier that was distributed by our children's elementary school. The organization had representatives at sign ups for us to speak with. Our son had never played football so we had a lot of questions. The representatives of the organization promised that our child would be instructed in the game of football, taught teamwork and sportsmanship, and offered the opportunity to enjoy the game of football. We heard over and over how it was "all for the kids". They promised experenced coaches who had both background checks and training. Having never played football before, we believed that the organization would teach the game and sportsmanship. The truth of the matter is that the Southampton Knights is lead by a President, John Loughlin, who only cares about being re-elected and handling large amonts of cash. The orgnization belongs to a governing organization called the Keystone State League (KSL) that does NOTHING to intervene when a parent has a problem with a local organization. When we asked why our son was not allowed to play even in practice games and scrimmages, we were told that he was "not good enough". (Although we payed what everyone else payed to play and if he was not good enough it was because they did not teach him as promised) Not being allowed to play in a PRACTICE GAME?? Are you kidding me? How is a child to learn? I thouht it was "about the kids". The form we filled out said nothing about taking our money but not teaching our son anything or being allowed to play. Other kids who did not come to practice, and even missed games were always allowed to play...incidentally our team lost every game they played so it coud not have been about winning right? Our son did turn out to be quite a strong player once we received outside coaching from another source in an effort to ensure he would earn some playing time and be safe while playing. It was never about the childs playing ability - it was about parents speaking out against the organization. Our coach was NOT experienced, and though he passed a background check, it did not show his abusive "leadership qualities" or the demeaning method in which he directed the kids. These are young children ages 6-12! Our coach talked about "honeor and respent" but he meant toward HIM- honor and respect are two things that our coach never practiced himself. We had an assistant coach on the team that physically abused a few kids on the team and when the parents spoke out NOTHING was done. The assistant coach was accused of pinching the necks and shoulders of players about 9-11 years of age. The assistant coach went on to publiclly admit in a board meeting that he DID do what he was accussed of and would do it again! This person remained in a coaching position without any reprocussion. This organization cares about winning teams. The older boys in the 105 lb range were all that mattered to the league. ALL of the money taken in by other teams is put toward jackets and awards for this single winning team and their coaches. (As irony would have it - most of the Board members are coaches on the winning team) The most outspoken coaches are the ones that direct the winning teams and get the greatest attention for winning. They were even on the news for winning. This attention is hard to let go of with egos at stake. The Athletic Director and Coach, Jeff McClinton, said "he could not guarentee the safety of my child on the feild because I spoke out against the league and asked too many questions". (This person is our league KSL represetative and oversees all team coaches)This pubic threat was made at a board meeting of the league when we inquired about the finances of the leaugue. Again - NOTHING was done. A new Treasurer was elected but the newly elected Treasurer was not allowed to see any of the bank balances or finances. This raised red flags regarding the theft of funds and handling of cash. Though the league is supposed to be audited regularly and share financial information, the Board members refused to share tha information with anyone who is concerned. Jeff Gellman was the past Treasurer who refused to turn over any financial information, and this act against the league bylaws was supported by the accountant President John Loughlin. This organization has a Board of Directors that are bullies and potentially theives. (We can't see the finanicals so we don't know how much has been misappropriated as of this date) The Knghts BOD manipulate rules for their own use, and fix elections to remain in power. A few of the parents support this bad behavior becasue they are friends of the Presidents wife (who incidentally handles tons of snack bar cash not tracked anywhere), or parents that are blinded by their dreams of having the next NFL player in their family. This "power" is used to keep anyone from seeing financial information that would prove these men and wives are not stealing or misusing funds. Maureen Louglin is known for having open alcohol in the snack bar on township property and many parents also bring open alcohol to the games and practice feilds. Look for anyone carrying a coffee mug or red plastic cup. This "drinking" is so open and widely known about that awards at last years CHILDREN'S football league were given out as the "RED CUP" awards to party parents known to tend bar out of the back of their vehicles in the parking lot. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CHILDRENS FOOTBALL LEAGUE!!! Is it any wonder that the Southampton Knights Football banquet has one of the highest bar bills around? A kids football banquet that ends with many drunk parents driving their children home - all put on by the Board of Directors of the Southampton Knights. What are we teaching our children? It's defineitly NOT football or personal responsibility! This league is about money, power, and who controls it. Large amounts of cash are handled by Jeff Gellman, John Loughlin, and John's wife, Moureen Loghlin without any ability to check how the money is handled and if it is even deposited. The other bord mebers just stand by and watch this all take place. This group does not follow their own bylaws and by all records, is not even a legally organized business in the state of Pennsylvania. This organzation is fraudulently representing themselves as a non-profit organization that does not exist. Are they insured? If they are not really a legally organized company, will any insurance company pay out in the case of injury or death of a child? How does a "business" that does not exist ask for public donations and use Southampton township land and feilds for free?! (Maybe becasue they give Gridiron Awards to township officials) Where do the donations go? Where are the "experienced" coaches? Our coach this year was put in his position because "no one else applied" but since they did not wish to refund money to parents - the league took anyone - even if they were abusive and inexperenced. Where are the children that are supposed to benefit from this league? The kids are discouraged, hurt, and did not enjoy their football season. Many parents have left the league to prevent the frustrations caused by the open fraud that takes place in this league. Anyone who speaks out is threatened, their child is chastised, and the parents are bullied in to leaving. The young children in this league are used to financialy support the older winning team and the vast amounts of cash mishandled by the Board of Directors. This Board of Directors feel they personally own this league and it is a profit center for their personal control. It has been recently uncovered that a Pennsylvania State Athlectic grant has been fraudulently used by the Knghts at the hands of John Loughlin and Jeff Gellman. Apparently receipts for jersies parents paid for was presented to the state as proof of proper use of the grant and the cash pocketed somewhere. The Board of Directors will not share any financal information as to confirm or deny this misuse of state grant funds. Where is the cash? Why are parents paying for jersies the league has state grants to pay for? This league is NOT the league for you if you want your child to learn the game or have fun. Stay away from the Southampton Knights Football Organization. If your child does play for them, have plenty of insurance yourself because safety, uniforms and equipment that properly fit, coaching, and fun are NOT their top priorities. The KSL organization will not help you if you request their assistance

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