UN letter stumps fans

Bosses were delighted to receive the communication from New York office of the United Nations after writing to the high-profile figure asking if he would become an ambassador for United Clydebank Supporters Football Trust.

The reply, however, misunderstood the purpose of the trust's original letter which simply invited Ban Ki-moon to become a figurehead for the club because he had a similar sounding name to the Bankie supporters.

But the United Nations' public inquiries team which deals with general inquiries on behalf of the UN secretary general thought the UCS Trust was looking for financial help. The UN reply says: "On behalf of the secretary-general, thank you for your letter which was referred to this office for reply.

"While we can appreciate the purpose of your appeal, we hope you will understand that the United Nations is an organisation of sovereign states whose funds are allocated only to programmes officially voted on by its members.

"The organisation does not provide financial assistance to private groups or individuals." Trust bosses were bemused by the reply because their original letter did not ask for financial help and simply asked the secretary general to become an honorary member of the club.

John Cummings, director of the UCS Football Trust, said: "We are not looking for financial support at all.

"We just wanted to capitalise on Ban Ki's name because he is a high-profile figure who has similar to the Bankies." Now bosses want to send another letter to the secretary general to clarify their position and ask again if he is willing to accept the role. But on this occasion they will make their position crystal clear so there is no crossed wires.

Mr Cummings added: "If they had been willing to give us money we would not have turned it down.

"We will write to him again and this time will keep it as simple as possible so there is no misunderstanding."