It's further complicated by the fact that anything to do with immigration is intensely political, and the UKBA are well aware of that. They are going to be extremely careful about what's said in public and about how the rules are applied.

If Bird is allowed to enter the country after being refused a visa, it's going to open a huge can of worms. I'm pretty confident that the UKBA would rather that can remain firmly closed...

The UKBA refuse Bird a Visa for entry into the UK . He then signs for a French Club and is allowed to enter the UK every 2 weeks to play here?
It all seems very strange!

Have you not read the last 20 or so posts?

It's extremely unlikely that Bird will be allowed into the UK.

Was told today by an Ex-FC player, still well connected to the club that Crocker HAS been granted a Visa. Sanctions are being added to the visa because of his charge for affray 4 yrs ago and this explains the rather drawn out nature of the whole affair. He'll be here in a fortnight. Swore i wasn't going to get into the Crocker will he/wont he, can he/can't he scenario but the nature of the source has put a whole new slant on it as far as i'm concerned. I was told "this is no rumour"!

believe it when i see it

Lets hope

I may be viewing the glass as half full here but I do have a positive feeling about Crocker's re-application.

Crocker and his management team will have taken his initial application as routine and will not have anticipated the problems that have arisen.

The second application, I am sure, will be much more thorough, include character references, details of the community work he has done in Melbourne, and details of the impact he will have on the community programmes run by Hull FC.

I am sure that the new rules will allow for a degree of discretion and I genuinely think there is a chance he will succeed.

I don't for one second believe the decision has been made, but perhaps the positive vibes have come from some feedback received via Crocker or his management team indicating that the case may be viewed in a favourable light.

Or perhaps I'm clutching at straws...

One of the sanctions is that he's not allowed out on a evening after 7:30pm!!

Except Fridays ?

And he wont be able to play in France!!!!!!!

hahaha

Until its official then it is clearly a rumour.

My god this issue is gettin well out of hand, we've got people claiming to know things that probably haven't even happened yet, also people having a go at people for being optimistic about things. And people claiming that people don't lie on record in order to keep things in house (which is done most fecking times by coaches, players etc..). Why shouldn't people be able to be optimistic without people mocking them. Sometimes i wonder if people want him to come.

I am going to have withdrawl symtpoms when this thread has gone...
I like the posts which say he is coming the best

If you add all the Crocker threads together, we must be getting near the 300 pages we achieved on the Cooke saga.

Think you need to calm down a bit. There's been no mockery of optimism on here, just some gentle poking fun at people claiming to be in the know when contradicted by other evidence. All done in good humour.

And you have a peculiar idea of what constitutes lying as well.

Just generally feel a bit pi$$ed off with this whole affair, just wish it would happen either way so we can move on. Oh and what's this peculiar idea on lying i have?

My view is the same as its always been, but based on speculation as none of us know why Crocker, Bird or any of them have been refused. (If anyone actually does know - can I see the refusal, for professional interest of course

)

IF Bird was refused on grounds of character related to his alleged offences, then that issue still remains to be considered, as I think has been said by the BBC article, every time he seeks to enter the UK. If playing in France, he will be subject to examination by an Immigration Officer every time he comes here (as Mogg etc are when they come, and as Byrne, Tony etc are when they return from France) to see if he qualifies for entry. Now to my mind, based on the assumption above, until the court case is resolved he should be refused for exactly the same reasons as the visa if he tries to enter without applying for a separate visa first (which again should be refused). The Immigration Service have access to a computerised index of refusals and dodgy characters. Bird should be on this list meaning he will be questioned in detail on every(attempted) entry. If he is not refused, then Joe Public would have every right to moan about inconsistency from our immigration service. His "character" will only become suitable to allow him entry again if he is acquitted of the charges. Obviously if convicted he falls under the same problem as Crocker appears to have done.

On the assumption that his "character" is the issue, nothing has changed between the original refusal and now.

As for Crocker, Mars has it spot on for mine, especially



That, for me, is key to the decision, plus more details of his reformed character as well as the exact nature of and time lapse since the offence. Unfortunately there is less and less discretion being allowed for now, but we can hope.

As far as "sanctions" being applied to his visa, I've never heard of that before in 18 years of immigration work and don't believe that there is power in the rules to do this. He will be either refused again or the visa issued (perhaps with a gentle warning about future conduct and re-entry to the UK for future seasons), but no actual conditions.

As ive said before people just need to chill from what ive been told hes coming.

People either choose to believe that or dont.

Im happy to be certain of what i have heard i don't come on here every week saying we are signing this guy or that guy so whats with everyone kicking off.

If you want me to not say anything in future then no problem.

Chill

Night everyone

My Thoughts..

It is a done deal..and the club knew this around about Friday

Agar yesterday choose not to put it in the public domain at this point ..maybe due to visa restrictions which has been indicated..

The Consulate wanted to make a stance without considering the severe consequences on sport/pop/culture etc

Crocker offence is 4 yrs ago..with refrences to support he is now a modern day saint...added with what he will bring to our country

Bird going to Cats would potentially make the Consulate look a set of fools...and I believe he will play in our country.

Gutt feeling...optimistic outlook...call it what you like..I believe he will be here.

My thoughts... you have no life and spend all day thinking about crocker..

I beleive... Crocker will never turn up

End of chat

Can't see it myself. I think we will see him over here playing for the Catalans no problem. Don't think the visa refusal will stop them allowing him in on a 48 hour visa.

Just my opinion and it shouldn't be long until we see if I'm right or wrong. I assume it will only be a matter of weeks until it's put to the test.

No just part of the day...I spend most of my day thinking of my sig

As I've said, if for the reasons we think, it should. Immigration will be more of a laughing stock than previously if not.

Is that possible?