Thetownend.com

Steve Hale, Scott Lindsey and some fitness guy all leave to join Cooper at Forest Green.

Lindsey is going to be assistant manager.

Thoughts?

Does that just leave us with Embleton & Williams?

Not that surprising with Scott Lindsay as Cooper brought him to Town.

Coaches come, coaches go.

It's not just the coaches, the Robin's left too - mass exodus at SN1!

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/article/rockin-robin-your-chance-to-haka-at-sn1-3125527.aspx

(note: you have to submit a dance video to apply - what happened to that video of Ben doing the Ricky Ricky Shakes?)

And sports scientist, physio, head of youth, masseur, analyst... There are still quite a few left but a goalkeeping coach is pretty significant. That said, club have known for some time that this was going to happen...

Steve Hale has been connected with FGR as a player before I thought, never played league footy!!   Was he a Cooper signing to replace Fraser?

I'd imagine FGR have a bigger budget than us, so moving to do the same job for more pay is quite normal.

Eco Power or whatever it is Dale Vince does clearly pays a bit better than whatever it is Lee Power actually does. So maybe El Supremo needs to start thinking a bit more New Age. How the hell do a tiny village team like Forest Green manage to average over 2500 attendances never mind generate a bigger budget than a town of nearly 200,000 inhabitants?

In powers defence here i have heard that Cooper is on a 6 figure salary. More than most managers in the bottom 2 divisions.

Steve Hale had quite a long career within Western/Southern league level.

By having a mega-rich owner willing to throw his money away and/or racking up a fuck ton of debt. That's how.

Because they are being bankrolled and will, eventually, fold when Vince realises there is no ROI (he has no emotional attachment to the football club). They might pick up a few extra supporters when they move to their second new stadium this century to be fair to them.

They are not very well liked in the National League.

Cooper now has a good team around him that he clearly trusts interesting to see how he does

Lindsay has done well with the youths but the academy has been doing well as well so I wonder if that will be an internal appointment, but we clearly will have to replace Hale as a decent GK coach these days is a must.

Good luck to them

Dale Vince is using FGR as a make weight in a deal to get a business park built on the M5, when that doesn't happen he will walk and that will be the end of them. They don't average 2500, it's closer 1500 for most games and the only reason they are liquid is because they are being bankrolled whilst he tries to get his business park! Not a position I'd fancy being in thanks especially as his plan is basically the equivalent of our once mooted move to Chippenham in terms of a relocation.. Are you basing your comment about there bigger budget than us on Reg's usual negative spin?

2nd new home won't happen, it's near the site of a proposed incinerator and that's taken like 10 years to get through planning. There's whole campaign groups in place to stop it and Gloucester City will lodge an objection as its encroaching on their catchment area once they move back to the city in a couple of years now their planning applicaton has been validated.

soapy tit wank

What role did Sam Jewell have again?

I guess its just a case of money and loyalty to Cooper combined. Not ideal for us, but I'm sure we'll survive. Good luck to them.

Chief scout. He came in after Cooper went i think

I didn't really have anything against Cooper, but his constant sniping is beginning to make me hope he fails at FGR.

He can't help himself. Always someone else's fault.

Still think he's a fraud of a manager and will get found out spectacularly!

Cooper and the ex-Town journalists generally like to stick the boot in whenever they get the chance.

They've probably got a point to a degree but move on, maaaan. Move on.

Probably basing his comment like I do, on available evidence, so from Hale....


Maybe FGR pay their goalkeeping coach, a closer sum of money to what their players earn, but that would be unusual...

Due to Luke Williams' Brighton links I'm half expecting the triumphant return of Peter Brezovan...

so basically you don't know but always assume the worst. Consistent as always...

The incinerator is at J12 Quedgley of the M5 whereas Vince wants to build the new stadium at J13 near to Stonehouse so different sites.

Still some planning battles to get through but the architect options published look like a cross between mini 1972 Munich Olympics stadium and the Teletubbies house.

The idea is to widen the catchment area but the FGR regulars aren't too happy to leave Nailsworth. It will be a shame as a nice walk up the hill but bloody freezing in January.

Sent from my HTC One M9

One of my first thoughts on this was "the adver comments will be good." I was right, they don't disappoint.

Aware of this (I live there) but Javelin Park (where he was actually looking originally) where the incinerator is going is an existing brown field site whereas Eastington where the 'Eco Park' is proposed is Green Field and the roads would never cope down on J13 with a business park as cars already back up on to the motorway there at rush hour. All of the local residents have already raised a petition and with so many existing business parks within a 5 mile radius that still have scope for expansion I don't see it happening anytime soon.
It won't happen and if it does it'll take so long Vince will get bored and fuck off somewhere else.
Point is that in reality the football club is just a pawn in a bigger end game and with the inevitable consequence of disappearing into the oblivion. Having met Vince he's a fairly obnoxious character to say the least who constantly tries to force his own opinions down your throat.

I couldn't trust anyone who bans meat sales inside a ground.

Be a saladist by all means, but don't impose it on others.

Well, probably not in Jewell's case as he is (supposedly) Power's hire. Or Power's nepotism, doing a favour for a mate's lad, depending on who you believe

Vegetarianism is one thing, but veganism  :suicide:

If you re-read the quote, it seems to be more about security than money ("a better contract and most importantly one offering far greater security for myself and my wife in an industry which is volatile and insecure"). So more likely he's been offered a longer term contract or maybe he was previously on an as and when basis and is now on a firmer contract. Doesn't always have to be about the headline rate

I've never heard the name before, what did he do?

Supposedly, Power's good mates with Paul Jewell and Sam employed as a favour. No idea if that's true, even if they are mates doesn't mean Jewell Jr isn't good at his job anyway. The fact he's moved on to a higher placed club suggests he knows his stuff unless his Dad supposedly has mates there too.

The stuff about Vince and his motives for involvement in FGR reminded me of this quite interesting article a mate put on FB recently:

http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/5/31/11820830/reading-fc-royal-elm-park-enabling-development-mk-dons

Similar pattern - using a football club as an enabling development for a bigger property deal (allegedly)

Sums it up exactly. Desperate to get the club in the football league so he can claim the benefit to the local area card!

Sounds positive for Cooper, someone there to blame when things don't go right?

Not a bad article to start, but i'm struggling to see what the property development angle would be? I know Reading very well and there's not much left to develop that side ,unless they are on about moving across the M4? Or West to the lakes/old gravel pits?

(http://travellerschoice.co.uk/skins/tc/images/images-photos/three-coaches.jpg)

I reckon they've just arrived.  I wonder if Power will bother with replacements  :hmmm:

He is specifically the Seagulls u-21 recruitment chief, guess he had the same job here but we didn't see any results from it!

Jewell was an opposition scout.

Williams said they will be very difficult to replace so its a bit of a blow really. Hopefully Power can use his contacts to replace them adequately.

Yeah....Hale, Lindsay and Huelin ;)

Although it is an inconvenience, I very much doubt Luke Williams would say 'fuck 'em, we'll replace them easily'.

Indeed, It's just press-speak for me.

Likewise, when a player is moved on, I generally read "he's a good player but didn't fit our system" as "he's fucking shit"... and so on.

Fair points, but it still doesn't change the fact we need to find 3 replacements sharpish.

I am sure Power, Williams and Embleton have a few contacts that they will bring in, with ex Brighton, Spurs or Norwich links possibly.

Also Sherwood may be willing to help out until he gets a job.

A goalkeeper to coach, is a greater priority than the coach himself....

We have Belford, an excellent keeper with the right coaching! ;)

Would these three guys plus Jewell be under contract - if so would we get a "transfer" fee?

According to PaulD's interpretation of Hale's words, greater security doesn't mean as I see it  more money, but rather perhaps something like a proper rather than zero hours contract...you know pension payments and stuff.

PaulD says it, it must be right.

Plus, we can always ring Diggers on the bat-phone (for coaching that is)

It was just a suggestion, a possible alternative to the idea that the only reason behind the move might be financial. Although of course in reality a proper vs "as and when" contract does have financial implications for both employer and employee. No need to get your knickers in a twist because someone suggested an alternative reading of the quote.

Been away for a few days and come back to this! Four staff members gone  :hmmm: :cry:

I don't know anything about Huelin, not a great deal about Jewell other than he is the son of Paul Jewell so don't know what impact he had behind the scenes.

Scott Lindsay seems to have a good reputation as a youth coach, I wasn't aware that Cooper brought him in but I don't think he has been here too long. The one that surprises me and seems a shame is Hale as he appears to have been a long serving member of the club staff. Having read his statement he certainly seems passionate about the club and he has a good track record. Its worrying that a non league club can offer better contracts.

Will be interesting to see who comes in staff wise but also what new players come in other than the new boy Goddard though I feel we will have to be patient, I cant see much movement imminently.

FWIW I read it the same, ie contracts that offer better security and not necessarily more cash. You are not alone, PaulD.

Doesn't it amount to the same? Namely that FGR are a better bet.

Yes, of course FGR seems a better bet for the individuals involved.

However, you know we are talking about our interpretations of the Adver report. I just happen to read it as the FGR deals offer better security and not necessarily a higher salary than what STFC have been paying.

Positive, negative or whatever, the basic fact is that a load of our coaches have been poached by a non league team because they offer better contracts.

Is that correct?

If so, one of the following is true:

1) The powers that be (no pun intended) didn't rate them that highly and let them go.
2) The powers that be (as above) didn't know it was going to happen.
3) The powers that be (etc) knew it was going to happen but were unable to stop it.

All 3 options are somewhat worrying for the way the club is run.

Why would number 1 be worrying?

I don't understand why we're not acknowledging the fact that coaching is essentially a friends network. This was to be expected.

Also, Swindon Town aren't going to be the only L1/L2 side who are unable/unwilling to match FGR's wages.

Because we've had people in coaching roles who we admit aren't very good. In effect, we've been settling for mediocrity.
Slightly less worrying than the others, admittedly, especially at L1 level.

Because without something to worry about that would worry some people.

I think you're scraping the barrel a bit there.

Coaching does seem very friends/network-based, as qualifications only provide a banding, not a mark of excellence. It isn't a 'perfect' market though so there are those who are talented ones operating at lower levels. Also at clubs were they might be frustrated by the 'style' of those above.

Probably, to be fair.

I just find it a bit of a concern when non league teams offer our staff better contracts, and they leave.

Granted it looks a bit strange when coaches leave a league club for a non-league club.

However, it has been intimated (or rather confirmd) that there was discontent in the ranks at Swindon. The owner put his faith in one faction, so clearing out the other faction makes sense.

Has the owner backed the right side?

Don't know.

Coopers not a happy bunny over his time here is he. To be honest I have sympathy with him, but its probably best for his future employability if he keeps quieter

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/14535846.Ex_boss_Cooper_claims_some_staff_worked__against__him_at_Town/?ref=mr&lp=1


You probably already heard this quote, if so, apologies.

Who knifed who is the question, it was Williams who was told to stay away I thought!  Cooper is a loser and not helped his cause one iota.

He really is coming across as a bitter cunt isn't he? If things were as bad as he is making out why didn't he jump ship to Sheffield Wednesday when he had the chance?

So it's a similar situation to the one that got us relegated under Wilson, but with coaching factions rather than players? If so, getting rid of one faction is not only sensible, it's vital.

Im a touch confused here, i thought these three staff members chose to leave, they havent been got rid of as such and are you saying that now a youth team manager, a goalkeeping coach and an academy fitness coach were the root of last seasons problems so now everything will be alright next season?

With all the injuries, and recurring injuries, last season perhaps a new fitness coach is needed.

It was mentioned on here a few times some players appeared unfit.

It was the academy fitness coach that has left not the first team one

Shame

Not just unfit, we had a LOT of injuries last season, especially near the end of the season, something isn't quite right with our training it would seem.

Most of our injuries didn't seem to happen on the pitch but in training.

Think that's a massive leap to go from "Cooper had problems with some backroom staff" + "Some backroom staff have left to join Cooper" to an assumption of all out civil war. Cooper clearly didn't see eye to eye with Williams and ultimately was pushed out as a result, as Power rated Cooper over Williams. To then go on to assume that these three were part of some larger "faction" siding with Cooper is quite an assumption. To assume they've now been forced out as a result carries even less water. If they were, why didn't Power force them out with Cooper? Why wait until now? They've had a better offer from another club and have decided to move on, no need to try to make 2+2=5

Maybe too much of an assumption - I know absolutely nothing about whats going on or whether there were 'factions' or not. Maybe I chose the wrong words.

My thought process was running along the lines that if Williams and Power really wanted to keep them I assume they would have matched FGRs offer? Again, that's assuming FGR offered better terms than at STFC, which I assume would be the main reason to drop from a league to non-league club?  I've also got it in the back of my mind that Williams either said or was reported as saying that there would be a few 'tweaks' in the way things were done. Again, it may be a big assumption that this was linked to back room staff changes.

Maybe I'm doing too much thinking.

Closed season does that :) Might just be as simple as Power would have been happy to keep them, but not fussed enough to match/better whatever FGR are offering. Or maybe there's a germ of truth in what you surmised, not as extreme as factions maybe, but perhaps Williams was happy to see some of the backroom staff go if he has his own appointments in mind for those positions. i.e. not forced out, but not desperate to keep either?

Plus, one of them, Scott Lindsey, has gone from div 3 club U18 manager to div 5 first team assistant manager. That seems like professional progression to me, so not a controversial move. 

Steve Hale went because FGR offered him security.

Can not and will not reveal my sauce, but If any of you were in a job you loved, working for a L1 club and on reasonable money, you'd be fairly happy, yeah?

What if every time your short-term contract was due for renewal though your employer fucked you about, gave you no advance indication as to whether or not it was likely to be renewed again and then failed to come up with anything concrete until the absolute very last possible moment? Would you be happy with that? Would that make you feel secure or wanted?

Couple that with the prospect of working with someone he trusts, like Coops, on a longer term deal - albeit in non league football - it's a no-brainer for him.

Not saying we're doomed, but the fucking writing is on the wall. We treat people like shit. It's why anyone decent won't come here unless they're either desperate, or it's first chance or last chance saloon.

And that's just Steve Hale.

Serious question; what exactly has to happen at stfc for at least some of you to wake the fuck up?

:zzz:

Great comeback.

No wonder this forum is dying.

Touche..

Oh good, has he fucked off?

I wasn't expecting a rage quit so soon, nice one.

a contractors life is not a happy one

I for one will really miss Delta's positive posts especially after a game. They were like a breath of fresh air.

I hope he returns even if just to find out whether it's Red, Brown or no sauce at all

I used to quite like Cooper - I always felt a tad embarrassed for him when Power used to tell him he had 'the best job in football'.

Obviously Cooper thought differently. He really ought to thank his lucky stars being in the right place at the right time when the manager's job became available. He would certainly have sunk without trace without that lucky break.

He should shut the fuck up now, though.

Well there you go, it was the lure of being GK coach and security that lured Hale away, perhaps he thinks he will look good in in a bomber jacket?

I wonder whether Belford will follow him, it seems more his level and a season on vegetarian pies would do him the world of good.

I know nothing of Hale apart from I always thought he came across as a bit of a tool on Twitter, seemed good at polishing diamonds? But there are plenty of GK coaches out there so we move on, although he will now no doubt be elevated to sainthood by many who seek any reason to get at Power along with 'Him' and the lower league Guardiola!

If things were as bad as Cooper has made out, why did the physio reject the opportunity to leave and go with him?  Perhaps he didn't fancy herbal tea and veggie patties as an after match snack.

It seems pretty obvious that Power/STFC can't offer some staff decent enough job security (compared with what FGR can offer), and the pensions stuff was pretty shoddy. I wouldn't argue against those and they are valid criticisms of how the club seems to be run. The Adver spat is also tiresome.

However, can you elaborate on the 'why anyone decent won't come here'? Has anyone not come to STFC because of Power's regime?

And, to what extent is 'the writing on the wall'. What do we have to wake up to? I'm not a great fan of Power but I don't know enough to sharpen the pitch fork. Are you suggesting that the existence of the club is seriously at risk, or is it that under Power STFC is just a crap employer and as a result things on the pitch will suffer unless Power sells up?

You're talking to yourself, he huffed off, as we're all poo poo heads..

I think this close season will see which way the club will be heading for the foreseeable future.

I have no problem when any player is sold for appropriate money as long as the intention in replacing them is not just hit and hope with untried players.

I reckon Power knows that many fans will not put up with recruiting from the bargain bucket if players are sold for good money.

Whether he cares or not we will find out soon enough.

I wonder if it's the same source that said Brophy was leaving.

pmsl

Coaches are like buses, suddenly three depart at once.

Considering everyone was moaning about fitness last season I am not sure of the upset that a fitness coach has left, equally as noted Lindsey had been promoted and again that makes sense in career progression. In terms of Hale who knows, he seemed very good at working with keepers who were nearly there (Fodders, Vigorous) but less good at polishing a turd (Belford - that's a little unfair I know) - at this level its more likely to be the latter, in terms of the young lad who appeared at season end had he even been training with the first team for anytime so not sure how much Hale can be credited with that? so I am sure we will find someone else?

Can we just move on from Cooper, I think he got lucky here as he had a win win situation whereby if it was going well he could bask in the plaudits that he was a super manager and when it went badly he could play the 'I am side-lined and don't pick the team' card which was grasped by many who dislike Power and thus led to Cooper getting the mystique that he seems to enjoy. Thus we have little idea how good a manager he actually its, his post Swindon record seems to be reflecting his pre-Swindon record whilst his moaning and griping would suggest he is also very high maintenance but we shall see how he does on his own, its not really our problem anymore is it?

Mark Cooper isn't employed by Swindon Town so he has nothing to lose and therefore he can say whatever he likes...

...just like Darren Ward did last year.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/13316082.Ward_lavishes_praise_on__incredible__Town_number_two_Williams/

I quite like the idea of our club being a ramshackle, slightly shambolic affair.

Against Modern Football! B-)

IIRC Ward was studying for his coaching badges before he left us. With that in  mind, and his relationship with Williams, I wouldn't be surprised to see him back here in some capacity.

The stadium fits the bill. However, the team bus needs to be a bit more jolly boys' outing charabanc.

To put things into context FGR have made losses of around £2 million in each of the last 3 seasons so them offering greater security or whatever doesn't overly concern me. As well as the obvious question of what the hell have they been spending their money on it does suggest they pay over the odds. To have lost £6 million over the last 3 years and to still not get promoted is pretty embarrassing.
Reinforces the point that the club is completely reliant on the owner and I'll be surprised if they even exist in 10 years time!

good post!  As you say Cooper pre-Swindon was not very good, he got lucky with Power making some very astute signings and Williams and Cooper moulding them into a team.  His managerial stint after Swindon was not exactly successful ("not my team" was one quote) and hsi record at Wembley is now P2 L2 - he was in charge of Forest Green for one week prior to Wembley!!

Not a bad shout. Could do a good job at U18 / U20 level, certainly in terms of sorting out health, nutrition and fitness.
37 now, not sure if he's still at Yeovil.

I mentioned previously, the fitness coach was from the academy not the first team so would have been a step up for him working at senior level. Scott Lindsay similar, a step up from youth team football to senior football. Hale worked with all of the goalkeepers at the club so that includes Henry.

As for Cooper, I thought he was alright generally but its a shame these stories are coming out now, I dont see the point really, its in the past and best for both parties to move on

Always enjoyed reading delta's posts. Another goodun had enough then.
He had this right as well in my opinion.
I really don't get worked up about it anymore and hale in particular is a bellend but it's obvious what's going on.

Hang on. What's going on is perfectly summed up in the post above. Just finished reading the Nowhere Men, great insight into loyalty and security in football.

This is such a non story for most clubs, yet we need to over analyse, find conspiracies and deduce hyper pessimistic conclusion based on two u18 staff leaving for longer contracts in a senior setup, and our gk coach moving for a better contract with a close ally. FGR are spunking cash, and success will be irrelevant of the back room staff but they'll all have better salaries and security. Good on them, but indicative of some sort of crisis? Not for me.

This is such a non story for most clubs, yet we need to over analyse, find conspiracies and deduce hyper pessimistic conclusion based on two u18 staff leaving for longer contracts in a senior setup, and our gk coach moving for a better contract with a close ally. FGR are spunking cash, and success will be irrelevant of the back room staff but they'll all have better salaries and security. Good on them, but indicative of some sort of crisis? Not for me.
[/quote]

Just finished reading that as well,it came as a bit of a shock to find out how little some scouts earn or in some cases don't earn. Mentions for Swift,Pritchard and Boo as well for a bit of Town interest.

Let's not this get in the way of a good time, eh.

Not seen that book. I'll look out for it.

Those coaches leaving are no big losses and won't make any real difference. It's the bigger picture I'm in agreement with Delta on.

I can't quite believe there's 8 pages-and-counting on this..

What do you mean by the bigger picture Arriba?

It's the pre pre-season story to get some people in a tizz. Happens most summers.

Alan McLoughlin will probably replace Scott Lindsay.
A Luke Williams contact to fill the void left by Hale.
Some person will replace the other one.

Fade out to credits.

I'm reading the Nowhere Men at the moment too. Football scouting sounds such an all-consuming, badly paid but ruthless profession.

I couldn't believe BOO was so highly rated at Arsenal. Best prospect since Ashley Cole. Well time will tell but if I was a scout, I'd be crossing him off my list given most of last season's performances

You mean a Power contact will replace Hale

The fitness coach worked with the U21's so they will probably have a re-jig of those cone gatherers already at the club

And as said Lindsay will probably be replaced by someone from the CoE

Apologies didn't see this yesterday. Basically how Power does things, In a nutshell. Been done to death so won't go over it again.