I wholeheartedly support the campaign to remove Cashman from his position, whatever that may be, recently Shane has called him P.A. or Tour Manager. I think the time for change has come and Cashman must be removed for change to occur.

Shane is now at best a middle ranking artist (and declining all the time) when he should be up there with the majors. He still has the huge talent that brought him fame. It just needs to be unlocked and a fresh start with a new set up might be the key.

I hope that Shane will bring in an expert (or a team of experts) to look at and eliminate very serious weaknesses in the current set-up in functions such as:

1. Financial Control (in fact there are no financial controls)

2. Gig Management.

3. Tour Management.

4. Administration.

5. P.R. & Publicity.

The recent disastrous decision to cancel the Hellfire dates approximately two weeks after confirmation by Shane personally, and when tickets had been on sale for sometime is symptomatic of some of the weaknesses referred to. It exhibits a breathtaking contempt for the fans (or potential fans) and is bound to limit gig opportunities. It also puts paid to a venture which would probably have led to new material, and certainly new versions of old material, being put out, a development beneficial to both Shane and his fans. I am delighted the fans are showing their teeth and long may they to do so. Boycotting gigs to focus attention on this appalling incident seems an excellent idea.

I hope I will be back to meet the fans again at gigs soon but it will not be before Shane has a new set up - my own personal boycott!

Maurice MacGowan