Thetownend.com

Right

Who's going to this one ?

and

Will you be wearing anything Orange ?

No boycotting it...... as should all right minded fans.

And I respect your views Sir Reginald

I think my initial feelings were well documented, but I really want them to witness a show of strength.

Considering Barts post at the weekend I think things are going to be interesting to say the least

 A show of strength would be nobody there  to listen to their lies....all you'll get is patronising platitudes....and some Board plants asking mong boy questions.

I'm gutted not to be able to make it. Any other night than a Thursday.

What would I get out of it, well in all honesty nothing much because I don't believe a word they say any more. Should Barts post be correct I had a few questions for Sturrock. I may email him directly if any announcements and clarifications are forthcoming.

Anyone know the clubs email format?

I think you may be surprised Reg

Is it being broadcast ?

 I think you may be disappointed.

I'll be attending. Should be fun. I just wonder whether anyone will get to ask a question or will Diamandis etc have plants in the audience with easy questions lined up.
As for orange, I am tempted to go as a Buddhist monk. If they tried to ban me, I could play the religious persecution card. On second thoughts with my physique I look a lot like Buddha.

cheers. Hopefully the club don't have two Pauls then :)

It better be. If there are any plants, then ask them why they are more concerned with a) the club badge b) whether we use quilted bog roll or not in the Town End (personally I've never been for a dump in there in 17 years and never intend to)

...and enlighten a few people to the facts. If you get a chance to stand up and ask a question, bloody ask it and don't pad it out so they can give non-committal answers - and make your point. The board will get ample opportunity to make theirs.

Going but not orange.

I think if there are any plants that they will be recognizable instantly and will be rebuffed by the floor

They won't answer any emailed questions - since this all kicked off they've stopped replying to emails anyway, good customer care that isn't it. If you haven't got an answer to criticism, then ignore them.

If it's anything like the last one, with Starnes and Sturrock, Shaun Hodgetts will have the mic, and take emailed and texted q's - but I would think even he may censor a few of the more pressing one.

Sorry Moonie I dissagree

I have had e mail correspondence with the club even up to the point of late last week

I will be there .. but only to see what crap they come out with really

Sorry Moonie I dissagree

I have had e mail correspondence with the club even up to the point of late last week

Maybe it's just me then!

I happen to agree with Reg on this one. Hopefully I will be wrong but oh well. Wasn't impressed to say the least with a certain someone's responses at the open meeting and I can see this being a lot, lot worse.

I sent them an e mail telling them to stop spaming my inbox with club crap and that I considered them the enemey :mrgreen: I had another moan about shirts as well.

--------------------------------------------------

I have removed you from the mailing list as requested.
 
In answer to your question Jamie we didn't have any children shirts because we sold out and couldn't get anymore because our supply agreement with Lonsdale is effectively over. Historically we have found that a lot of customers tend hang on to the end of the year to purchase children's kits in the hope that they can then get reduced prices so it was better to run short on kits rather to sell them at reduced prices for which we then make a loss. We have to estimate the units we're going to sell each season in the January before the season starts so we can't always forecast 12 months ahead with any accuracy. At the time (December) the Co-Op still had some children's kits left to which we told customers they could try there. My apologies if this information was not passed onto you at the time.
 
Kind Regards,
 
Ben Lambert

Sales & Marketing Executive

Swindon Town Football Club

E-mail the club with your questions. I have never have any problems. And yes I'll be at the forum. Should be an interesting night. Not only from the panel but the fans reaction.

Just to say that because of work I can't make it on Thursday.  I'm hoping the Trust have got it sorted so that the really killing questions will at least be put.  Good luck and don't be put off by all the corporate bollox - in the end STFC belongs to the fans  :D

Eh, am I reading that right, we don't get stock for when people will buy it so we think it is better to run out first?  I presume there must be something in the contract that means below a certain price and we get jack then, otherwise you may as well only stock until September.  Should also be able to get a fairly accurate sales forecast, i.e one that doesn't mean running out 6-7 months before the season ends.  We have a number of years historical data to go on I'd presume.

'Customers'.  Says it all.

No, a dastardly ex-employee ran off with the records of kit sales and we have been unable to formulate nw records to date. Rest assured that we will make these available for public viewing soon.

I'm there, making the 40 mile journey from Tewkesbury for it, I'm armed with a few questions.

 Talking of plants,  Board members and "supporters" have been armed with bundles of tickets which have been given away to what are considered  "reliable" types.

Does anyone know how many people will be there on Thursday?

I will be there, and I'll be wearing my orange t-shirt, although not hat as I presume even our board pay the gas bills so heating should be provided.

If it's obviously a load of crap I'll walk out, not wasting my time listening to propaganda.

Well I believe all the tickets have gone.

I know that janaage ... just wondering how many tickets they issued?

Would it be pertinent for a few key questiosn to be posed on here for those who are going to ask - I'm off to see Ricky Gervais in Cardiff so can't make it.

For me the biggest question which doesn't involve the consortium is:  

How can Linda Birrell be sacked for cost cutting reasons and Blodwyn and Boyd brought in on presumably higher salaries?

Anticiapted answer - they fill a unique role and the club felt it essential to appoint people of their expertise to help take the club forward.

If you post your questions on here then you give the club the opportunity to see them and prepare their answers in advance rather than putting them on the spot on the night.

Although if there are people that can't go and wish for a question to be asked of their behalf then you may not have a lot of choice I suppose, or alternitevly (sp ?) you can probably email the trust guys and get them to ask it.

I have my suspiscions owing to the the prominent role the trust has played of late that noteable trust members will somehow be not seen when question time coems round - so 'real' fans can ask Luggy questions about the paint in the boot room or how we propose to defend set plays.

There is no advertisd end time - so does anyone know how long it will last?  I hope that it is not going to start with: -

"This meeting will end at 8.45, and to start we have presentations which will last about 45 minutes, with 15 minutes for questions at the end"

Personally, don't mind presentations (if it is new stuff) as long as there is plenty of time to question both what they present, and other burning issues that have not been mentioned (except the specifics of the current negotiations which understandably they have said are off limits).

Fucking hell Maverick do you think this is the Town End Nostradamus appreciation society or something?

No we don't no the exact attendance and no we don't know exactly how long it will last!!

As soon as the meeting gets close you seem to turn into a 6 year old lad on Christmas Eve.

someone please ask

why havent we paid the cva.
when will we find out if you have been successful in re-structuring it.
what is plan b if they refuse to re-structure it.


right now, fuck the consortium, the board, who is on what money, who got sacked for what reason etc

Right now I want some gurantees there will be a football club next season....

Who have they got in mind to replace Mark D. Please don't say Sandy Gray....

Smarmes innit?

I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I'd have thought Martyn Starnes, having been Acting Chief Exec since September, might be in the running  :D

And what a 'good' job he has done...NOT !!!

Where are the Americans when you need them ?  :soapy tit wank:

Maybe who knows...... :oops:  :mrgreen:

Probably going to appoint Gary Stanley to the position of CEO  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

One of my questions is 'is your 5 year plan the same 5 year plan as you stated in 2001 so have you now in fact failed to deliver it. Or is this a new 5 year plan which in fact would surely make it a 10 year plan if my maths serve correctly. You failed miserably the first time so why would this be any different'. I expect them to look very confused and refuse to answer that and Sturrock to sit their knowing nothing about the previous 5 years of failure from them.

I was wondering that what with his change in direction lately!!

Either him or Swindon Town Dave (not the one who posts on here!)

Another question I have is 'Are you ever going to take responsibility for your own failures or are you just going to continue blaming others for the fact you couldn't organise a piss up in a brewary'

Because of my temporary disability I cannot go on Thursday.  I was at the last Trust meeting where afterwards Mike Bowden assured me he would ring me on the following Monday to arrange for temporary disability access to the ground for me.  Please ask him, on my behalf, why he lied - I have never received that 'phone call! :old:  :old:

PS Or had that beer he promised me!

I know from dealing with the board they have openly admitted "we have got things wrong in the past"

Yes but anything major gets blamed on others, they never say what they have got wrong. Overspends, debts etc all someone elses fault

They are geniuses really then if they spotted that gazza

Oh and Gaz their getting things wrong at present as well, are they admitting that too?

What things are they getting wrong? Things have calmed down as of late. You can't knock them for having the full management team out there Thursday night for fans to talk to. I don't think this is on BBC but I could be wrong, meaning its no holds barred.

Ummmm todays statement regarding Devlin for example, regretfully accepting his resignation........yeah right.  I will be there Thursday but you can guarentee and financial questions will be avoided as they'll say takeover negotiations are on going so they can't reveal details of finances. Other things they are doing wrong at present treating season ticket holders such as Mexico_Red like dirt, not turning up to meeting with him and the other Arkells refugees.....thats for starters do you really want a list?

No your right they are great gazza.They have done nothing wrong recently

Macca read my post above I feel Mexico_red and others may disagree

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony

I suspect?

Quite possible matty :D

To be fair they aren’t going to say, “thank fuck that wanker Devlin is gone, if he didn’t resign we would have sacked him, we invite all Swindon Town fans to a party to celebrate his resignation” are they? I thought the club sorted the thing with Mex etc giving them VIP tickets etc and I thought Martyn and Mex had a heated discussion about why no one of authority was at the meeting and that was sorted between the 2 now? Admittedly perhaps it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

The board have done things wrong mainly the raise in ticket prices and when/if the fans consortium get in they will get things wrong and fans will turn on them too eventually. Example can be seen at Brentford where the fans are in charge but not happy with the current board, which are fans and elected by the fans I believe. The Scum also had their Nick Merry come in and take over and look where they are now, They are not happy that Jim Smith (their equivalent to Lou Macari) can not repeat the success they had previously.

Is this how the fans consortium board would be?

Sir Seton Wills – President
Bill Power – Chairman
Mike Wilks/Paul Davis/ Andy Ratcliffe – Fans Director(s)

As football fans I think its simple, we will never be happy regardless who is in charge and what decisions are made, It’s all part of life at Swindon Town.

I'm guessing Phil Emmel may fit in somewhere and there may well be other backers who are involved who might be on the board.  I supect owing to the structure of the trust any member can put themselves forward to be involved.

why would they not? they basically called him a wanker when they accused him of the overspend.they did not visit the bloke in hospital.The issue is gazza it should not be part of life at stfc and thats why we will continue to fuck up because fans with the same opinion as yourself will just accept it and think that this is the norm when it fucking shouldnt be

Dont be stupid about it gazza.Your not that important that they would change.

Im saying that for too long people have sat back and just thought "its ok they will sort it they allways do"

wimbledon fans done that then kicked themselves when they realised they should of done more

wheres your post gone :?

Perhaps the reason they haven't said that is because

a - both sides (club and BP and PE) are talking about a takeover

b - It doesnt add anything to the current negotiations with the fans consortium or any other parties

c - They can see that it seperates the fan base and perhaps turns more people against them?

So your implying Gazza that your happy to be lied to are you?
And are you also implying that any new board would be as likely to stiff us continually as the current lot do? Some of whom i think you are mates with?

You sir, need help!

 :nuts:

I got rid of it, as it was sort of a joke saying I should just agree etc....

I'm not saying we would be stiffed all the time, All I'm saying is that you can't please everyone all of the time. I know the people involved with the Trust etc mean well and they do have the best interests of the club at heart, no doubt about that. As long as whoever is in charge, whether it be the current board or a new consortium As long as we pay the CVA and have a club next season that’s fine. We are 2nd in the league right now, I just hope we are around to play in League 1 next season.Once we have news on whether the CVA has been renegotiated etc I think we will have a bit of breathing room.

Am I the only one that can't see any possible way that the CVA could be negotiated, no creditor is going to agree to it surely?

With respect I have to take issue Gazza. The ticket price rises rank pretty far down the list when it comes to the boards poor performance. I won't list them all for fear of repatition and turning this thread off topic.

I accept that nobody will please all of the people all of the time, consortium included. It will be tough to sort us out and turn us into a breakeven club.




I think that the fan/director(s) would be elected with candidates able to stand from any of the supporters groups.

Bill Power/Phil Emil will appoint whoever they see fit to run STFC should a takeover happen.

unless i'm mistaken devlin put up the ticket prices to the extortionate prices of recent years.

I'm sure it was Diamandis proir to him "coming out". From what I remember reading Devlin argued not to put them up. I'm not 100% on that though

I believe he was acting under orders if I'm not mistaken

On demand of Mr Michael Diamandis and you can quote me on that one.

I take it you will not be wearing orange then Gazza ?   :D

I'm hoping that with this seasons gates, they dont put them up if we go up. Keep the fan base.

fair enough,if true i stand corrected.i'll take your word for it.
but with diamandis as an advisor should devlin have obeyed the greeks demands,as he was the one employed by the club and the one who publicly justified the rises?

Incorrect. The ticket prices were put up just BEFORE Devlin turned up, but he took all the flak.

For one, As by this thread. It will be very interesting to see what happens Thursday and I am personally looking forward to it. A good sensible debate in this thread, no slating (for once unlike the adver forum), just opinions back and forward!!  Good to see different views on taking the club forward.

no, thats not true.devlin was here when the first high price rises were introduced

Devlin was effectively put on the Dunwoody payroll so Diamandis was basically his boss. Don't know why they did this but to control Devlin perhaps?

did diamandis order devlin to increase the tickets at qpr too?
very similar to what happend here was done there during devlins time there.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Have not laughed so much in ages !

They gained promotion to the Championship when he joined them, we had just been relegated just abit different don't you think

plus Arriba you could turn it around and say this summer he was back as our CE and ticket prices went down

the increases at qpr were far higher than here if i remember rightly.but i remember hearing devlin on talksport justifiying the increases there and it was very similar to the reasons given to the rises here.both from the same man!

what about the ticket price rises to £23 that the board made last year for the season we got relegated. He wasn't here that summer so did he make that decision as well?

plus every single club in England have put their ticket prices up over the last few years.

Maybe not to the extend we have, but I expect the average is around £17

if he wasn't here then obviously not.
i'm refering to the original increases that went up significantly on the previous year.
and this isn't  anti devlin points i've been making but its something i dont understand.

I think Arriba you just need to realise every decision at the club is either made by or has to got through Mike Diamandis. Since 2001 he has been acting as the general manager of the club, Devlin was just used as the scapegoat as he was good when it came to PR.

2001 is basically when the ticket prices were hiked isn't it so that surely isn't a coincidence

03-04 season was when the rises were introduced,i think.
look, i dont know the answers thats why i'm asking the questions!
and in all honesty you are not really answering any of them glos robin.you are guessing or putting your opinion

No. Thought you were staying out of the politics?

 Gazza can't help himself.....he loves the abuse makes him feel wanted.

And me - Devlin just fronted it up and copped the flak for a decision he argued against

How the trust memebership going Paul?

Yeah Paul

and answer your messages !   :wink:

They're all doing very nicely so far as I know  :D

About 920-925 last I looked.

No, I'm deliberately snubbing you - you're a swimming fan now!

I'm not getting abused at all or if I am, I'm not taking it that way or too thick to realise it.

I am getting varying opinions from other fans in regards to different subjects etc.

The only abuse I get is from you.

I wont mention Tractor Tom then !    :mrgreen:

Wait. Who the fuck is Boyd?

Big shot marketing flunkie bought in at the same time as Bowden.

From Reading IIRC

What's happened to Mike Sullivan then? Has he been slung out on his arse as well?

Gary - regardless of what bullshit you've been fed and how many arses you lick, they're not going to give you a seat on the board as a fan's representative. Get off your high horse, don't forget that only a matter of months ago you were one of the most outspoken Trust board members!

 Boyd has been remarkably quiet....which may in fact indicate he's doing his job.....mind you the lack of matchday sponsors and overall sponsor seems to indicate its going to be a tough job.

Sonic his name is Boyd Butler although not heard anything of him since he said he wants to turn us into a Reading type model presumably with that being the new complex on a motorway junction in Chippenham

Sonic, I cant seem to get to the bottom on what the official line is on Mike

It was one of my questions for Thursday

Reading does at least have the advantage of being at a motorway junction at Reading......


Good question regarding Sullivan. What happened there?

Boyd will have one big problem to face he didn't have at Reading - they had immense public support, not just from the fans but from the whole Town desperate to improve itself from the ramshackle club and Town it was.  We at least seem to have sounds from the Council of some intent, but the club does not have any where near the same public support.  It has Councillors who would happily see it closed, it has tax payers seeing every ground proposal as a way of using their money, it has local residents angry about never being approached, it has a large section of it's fan base in open revolt against it's current Management at Board level.  Not the best place to begin in marketing and an utterly different ball game for him.  Might have been better asking the Serbian Tourist authority how they have coped with marketing.

As he was on the plane with Devlin, Power and co it would suggest that he was on there side so can't see him staying around under the current regime

I don't re-call asking for a seat on the board. If any fan had a seat on the board it would be the supporters club  given the sheer amount of money they put in the club and the fact I believe they have done up the winners lounge as well. Seeing the abuse the board get I wouldn't want it anyway.

Yes I was one of the most outspoken Trust board members I certainly haven't forgotten that and neither has anyone else! I'm still a Trust member as well and have been working on fundraising ideas etc.

I have made it perfectly clear when I have spoken to people at the club how I feel about moving to Chippenham etc. I still have as many grievances etc as I ever had, just I am able to send them directly to people at the club now as opposed to on the internet which anyone can do through the website and by email! Because you don't see me doing it anymore online you think I am licking arses which I can assure you I'm not.

PS No idea what happened to Sullivan, I think he visited the club when Banbury Red was there on a sponsors day and haven;t heard anything since.

I have heard Mike Sullivan has organised a golf day for a corporate entity somewhere near Reading.  A town fan mate who lives Reading saw it in his local paper and the golf day was organised by none other than Mr Sullivan, and there was us thinking he was off sick and Ben Lambert was just filling in for him whilst he was away.

Mike used to (and still does) independently organise corporate events such as sporting dinners etc.

I really think that at the fans forum the board will announce that they have negotiated the CVA which is obviously bad news as this will make it even harder for the consortium to take over.

I think it could be one of the reasons why Devlin ended up resigning. because he may know that the board have negotiated it and knows because of this it makes the takeover unlikely.

It will be a big blow to the consortium which is a shame because the clowns will end up staying.

I hope someone posts an indepth summary of Thurdsays going ons for those of us unable to attend.

 I'd imagine one or two of the Boardroom plants could post up a summary now.

The fans forum will be like this:-

"We have successfully renegotiated the CVA"

"Mark Devlin is at fault for the overspend"

"We are talking to potential investors"

And loads more bullshit will be said as well.

I would like to know why its taking so long to get a new sponsor! probably because all the companies think they are a bunch of clowns!!

It's a fucking disgrace that it's not on the radio! I want to hear the old guy who's had a few too many drinks get angry and fail to make any coherent point due to the fact that his accent is so strong even he can't understand what he's going on about.

Ring someone who's going and get them to hold their phone up.  :mrgreen:

I will Yeovil

I have kept pretty silent for the last few weeks on the whole issue really, and I have also encouraged others to do likewise.

But I hereby give notice that if the fans get fobbed off with a cartload of horse shite and the inevitable slight of hand comments and dodging questions then I will not hold back.

That's a promise

 What are you planning to do Fred....because as you said its inevitable.

He'll rouse the crowd up

"C'mon you bas..tards"

I hope people can get some news onto this board as I'm going to be stuck under inches of snow down in Sussex.  I've got faith in loads of fans who will make sure the hard questions get asked and answered.  But don't underestimate this board - they have property money to make.  Please let them get shown up for the selfish, grasping money grabbers that they are.  As far as the Trust goes, they are unmarked on the six yard line, the ball is crossed over.... FFS don't blast it over the bar :beers:

that will be my Dad then !

He was mad as fuck that the Adver edited his letter about the Diamandis interview

He is ready to, and I quote "take those bastards on, you do it Son !"

I think its becasuse of the reason you noted. People going mad. Will be an interesting night!

All power to Fred's Dad!   :beers: It's going to need someone chucking stuff at them from a direction they can't anticipate to set the meeting alight.

If its not on the radio the only plausible explaination is that the board fear an outburst or two and don't want the truth broadcast to those that are already aware of it. Pathetic.

I think the renegotiation of the CVA is an inevitability - but the fact remains that they are not the best placed financially to take the club forward and they should not have allowed the default in payment to start with, and certainly shouldn't have lied about it.

The only way that we can prevent it being a propaganda exercise is to make sure enough people have the balls to stand up and ask the questions we know that they have no answer to - and word it so they can't dodge it... fully expect them to wheel Arsene Wenger out half way thrugh to claim he didn't see anything.

I havent got a ticket, might head to county for a few beers and wait for someone to come in and say what happened

Well said pal. Why the fuck is it not being broadcast on one of the (3?) radio stations in Swindon?

I applaud no-balls Ritson for running the advertiser poll story last week. Happy to give him credit on that having shoed him here for not doing so before. Ritson is now elevated to normal testicular status. I'm still watching mind, so don't relax too much ritso.

Now where is no-balls Hodgetts when we need him? The most crucial of fan forums is almost upon us and the regions resident radio ham is nowhere to be seen. If I were an independant jock, I would be sneaking in with my covert recording device in an effort to broadcast an STFC 'exclusive' to my growing millions of listeners.

Hodgetts: The official STFC media 'No Balls' status is now yours.

That's drivel Gazza - Radio Swindon can't broadcast the meeting without the club's permission, in fact it would probably be illegal for them to do so. And how the hell is one of the most widely recognised local sports journos, and one who is well over 6 foot at that, supposed to "sneak in"? Both Radio Swindon and the Adver have trod a difficult line during all this and by and large done a pretty good job of keeping the balance between reporting the off-field stuff while remembering they are primarily sports journalists. If we're going to talk about "news" outlets ignoring the big behind the scenes issues, I seem to remember at least one Swindon website declaring some time ago it wouldn't be covering any of the "politics"  :D

I thought he was closer 7ft, Paul.

And yes, it would be illegal to broadcast if they don't have permission ...

fight fight fight

The next step I've been waiting for if the bitterness of takeover talks grows has happened at other clubs and I think is perhpas one of the worst things a small club can do - that's banning the local media - be it papers or radio.  I think it's the thing that happens once a regime is at absolute breaking point.  I'm almost surpirsed that the regime hasn't tried to put such a ban in place yet.

Ha! I duped you into thinking my post was from Gazza. Check the avatar closely, muppet :wink:

:oops:

Its a good trend. Blame Stanley for everything :D

So will we have the Paul Davis bootleg version available to buy at the next trust meeting then??

Thanks Paul, you muppet! I won't be posting anything about the fans forum or politics from the Fans Fourm unless they announce an agreement for the CVA etc or anythings thats actually "news" ie. Starnes becoming perm C.E.

PS. Feel free to blame me for everything. I don't care really!  :soapy tit wank:


PPS. Why not everyone nick my avatar and alter it slightly so i get blamed for everything as well. Makes it more fun. It's a free for all then to post whatever shit you like and not get blamed for it.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

That would be a bit harsh Gaz!

xx

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:   :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:   :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

meh!

<changed the avatar back now>

Well Done you know how to use photoshop. Have a gold star. Perhaps to stop you from having to upload this splendid image it should be added to the gallery for the site  :roll:

Is it true that the fans forum is not on the radio?

I don't know where you got that from.....  :?

 I suspect Shaun like all right minded fans is boycotting the event.

  :thumbs:  Shaun

   Although the chance to see Birdy and Fred storming the top table, like a scene from Delacroix's Liberty......makes attendance tempting (don't say tickets have gone, the Board are finding it difficult to get plants, so there's plenty left if you know where to look  :wink:

  http://austrianeconomists.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/liberty_delacroix_1830.gif

Just rang bbc wiltshire sound and was told they will not be having the fans forum on live tomorrow night. It seems to me the club does not want it's fans to listen or hear the truth, what a disgrace

I'm sure Fred'll put in on a conference call  :wink:

That's not to say they wont air it some other time then?

Some extracts to be aired on Friday Morning

After some serious editing and censorship no doubt

Bunch of clowns! Hope Diamandis gets alot of grief tomorrow night, if he has the guts to turn up!

I don't know if giving board members loads of grief is going to make the club want to sell any faster? I could be wrong and they say fuck you lot then, have the fucking club we've had enough!

Diamandis isn't a board member.

Diamandis doesn't - or shouldn't - decide whether the club is sold to the consortium.

That should be major shareholder

who incidentally also is not a board member

Well Diamandis obviously runs the club, he obviously influences Seton Wills bigtime and what Diamandis says probably goes, it's not right but Diamandis probably has a big say in whether they want to sell the club.

I went forward in time and summarised the meeting for all you lucky people.

Gazza I despair in you, I truly do  :rain:

Yes but

Every point bar the last are blatant lies

sounds spot on...

I might have ended up in the alternate Thursday night though Fred. It could have been like that crappy alternative ending in Dodgeball.

Thanks mate !

(skinhead !)

Nah

I think you are about right Si

Finally something we can all agree on  :D

Thank christ I can at least call you a mate   :wink:

That is a fair and an accurate account of the yet to be held fans forum:soapy tit wank:

Unlike SIPI I don't have the gear to travel in time :(  Assuming the expected snow storms don't cancel the forum, I'll make a couple of predictions;

A new investor has now been found. The new investor will be the boss of a FTSE 100 bluechip company or similar.

The investor wont want to be named at this stage, but the club will have documentary evidence of his financial credentials and a legally binding agreement locked away in the safe that says he'll personally underwrite the outstanding CVA payments, will kickstart the ground redevelopment costs, pay Bill Power his money back and provide Paul Sturrock with funds to bring players in next season.

The investor will know at least one of the Wills family, or Willy Carson. Or Paul Sturrock. Or Andrew Andronikou. Or Mike Boreden.

He will almost certainly cite Reading FC as a role model for STFC fans to aspire to.

The new investor will have made it clear that the only way he'll invest his cash is if he's comfortable with who he'll be working with. He'll be very comfy and happy if the Wills family are involved and if Martin Starnes, Paul Sturrock and the current management team are retained.  He wont want to become involved if there is any discord off the pitch though, especially as the team are doing so well at the moment.

Sturrock will back up the new good-news scenario, and will chuck in a few warm and fuzzy sound bites like 'we need to hug the fans and the local disconnected community and businesses'.

Boredon will nod approvingly at appropriate moments. :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

But sitting in silence and acting impartial is hardly going to do anything either.  We know the current board couldnt give a shit about the fans so technically, the way the fans react will mean nothing to them.

I for one, hope the fans are outspoken so the board really know what they're dealing with and also, have some idea of the backing the consortium has got.

I too also hope Diamandis gets some grief as whatever hes been up to (I'm not even going to bother extending that speculation) will end up dragging this clubs name through the mud again.

I, however would still be suprised if he shows up.

Prepare for apologies and no shows all round due to the snow!

Exactly what I was thinking Sonic!  That or "Meeting postponed"!!

HAS been called off until Weds 21st Feb in the Winners Lounge

Excellent, I guess it was sensible and more importantly I can go now. All I need is a ticket!

You can't possibly blame the board for the weather.

No I blame you gazza.....all that global warming you have been giving out!

I wonder how many people actually still turn up?

Now I can go, I need a ticket to,  now back to figuring out how long it'll take me to get to Cardiff tonight?

The rest of us I am sure could of made it, snow doesn't stop the whole world.  A convenient excuse to wriggle out of a difficult  meeting bet they are walking around with big smiles on there faces  :wanker:

Yey. Leggett can go now!

fucking hell, it's only a bit of snow.

The pics of the CG under snow look quite cool though.

what the fuck is it with this country, 3 inches of snow and the whole place goes into meltdown, fucking hell, we, as a country, need to grow a collective pair of balls.

fuck that, it's one of the reasons this country is ace. Only needs some mild event like snow or a princess dying and we all take the day off and fuck about having fun.

Beats going to work and stuff.

At least by the 21st we should more of the talks about the takeover.

Perhaps they will be able to have it on the radio now!!! :scribe:

I'm surprised they have called it off, I'm sure there would have been some people that couldn't make it so less agro for them and they could have used the weather as an excuse for certain people not to turn up.

I suppose we have to give them a bit of credit for that.

You can have mine Batch as I will be on the plane to Marbella   8)

Of course, they can now release more tickets as its in the winners - which I'm sure they'll do

..unless their old friends helath and safety jump in

I believe the paper cut risks or printing out more tickets may be a bit high. This risk rises exponentially when twinned with the manual handing out of the tickets.

Cheers, lucky you, though no doubt you will be dissapointed to miss the meeting.

I'll PM you to arrange a meet before the darlo game on the 17th if they don't release extra tickets.

It was in the winners originally so I'd imagine thats the lot, unless they got rid of some of the tickets  as teh venue was changed?

Cool

Smarmes will be running around frantically trying to get a function organised so that winners cant be used for the rearranged forum.

'Sorry, we made every effort to organise the forum in the winners lounge to accommodate more of our valued customers but the 21st was the only night everyone on the senior management team could make it. Unfortunately Winners lounge had already been booked by the local girl guides jamboree society, so we'll have to stick with the original venue'.

Fuckin bullshit rearranging it because of snow.it will be gine by 7 tonight

How many of them will have 'previous engagements' for the rearranged date?

Wouldn't be surprised if Diamandes, the Wills Family, Wee Willie and Smarmes have all got 'other commitments.'

Or am I being overly cynical?

Can someone explain why this has been called off?

I work in Swindon and commuted in from Bath this morning as per usual. There are people in my office who travel in from Reading, Cheltenham, South Wales, Oxford, even bloody Worcester and all managed to get here without too many dramas.

It seems like they (the board) aren't looking forward to the meeting and have jumped on the first available reason to cry it off. It's a shame, but they can't keep avoiding the issue forever I'm afraid.

They'll have to eventually face up to the reality of their impending demise, and that's why I'm not too miffed about this being called off.

To be fair I think the problem will be the potential of freezing slush (after the meeting 'cause its not freezing out there).

I'd imagine the roads will be clear though.

It would be nice to know why it has been re-arranged for the 21st as well though, what about next week or is that the week Diamandis goes to his knitting classes ??!!

Valentine's Day, maybe ?

I don't think anyones missus would approve of their bloke going to the fans forum on that day, will they ?

Ahh good point I suppose and the kids play next week as well so maybe we can't knock them for that one.

Trouble is you find yourself questioning everything that they do and say.

Why would they call it off because they were worried only to rearrange it a fortnight later?

The weather out there is frightful (dum de dum deeeelightful) for driving, I imagine that one or two officials would have had trouble getting there and that's not mentioning the fans.

If it had gone ahead people would have moaned even more to be fair.

The forecast for this evening is rain and sleet as well, not great conditions!

the board have only called it off to delay a grilling by the fans by another 2 weeks

I agree with SY.

Some of you are getting a bit wierd, thinking that anything that happens is some personal plot by the board to get you.

"Why would they call it off because they were worried only to rearrange it a fortnight later? "

 Au contraire...the Board seriously want this forum to go ahead, so that they can put the boot into Consortium types....by showing them they're not going anywhere.  This will be done by fairly basic rigging of the meeting,  using planted questions and manipulating the agenda through Sturrock.

 Blodwyn would never have called it, if there was any prospect of them getting a hard time.

I agree with SY & Piemonte as well ...... it really seems that bad news, no news or good news are all treated as negative by some ..... so what if we wait another two weeks ... sooner or later the meeting will happen ...... but then again maybe they did it deliberately because they knew that Fred will be in Marbella then!! :D

Isn't the fact that so many now treat every word this way a damning indicment though?  I must admit, it's the Boy Crying Wolf problem to an extent

I agree Mav, I think a shade of paranoia is creeping in, which is unavoidable given the circumstances really.

However god like Mr Diamandis thinks he is, summoning up blizzards and freezing temperatures are beyond his capabilities I think.

People need to chill (get it ?)

Just what I thought earlier Rob - the fact that a reasonable postponement like this is criticised shows they've got zero credibility left - doesn't matter what they say, it'll be wrong now, and thats their fault, not ours.

when are the Power talks happening this week anyway....bet he'll drive through the snow!

But Rob .... doesn't it make going to any meeting pretty pointless too if people have already made up their minds in advance that it will just be a heap of lies and propaganda?  

If people don't go that is different and fair enough..... in fact it sends a strong message in itself...... perhaps even hold an "alternative" meeting on the same night in somewhere like the Merlin or the County Hotel?

People have questions for the current regime.

What's the point in having a meeting without any representation from the club?

I'm sure the board would hate it if people didn't go and grill them......

Not.

No problem with that herthab.

Huh?

Why suggest it then?

I was suggesting it for those that seem to disbelieve whatever answers they get .... seems pointless asking any questions if they know before they ask them that they will not believe any answers.

If people want to ask questions and debate them then fair enough ... but to do so with a closed mind is (IMO) a total waste of an evening.

A lot of people HAVE already made up their minds.

Now they want answers, not just spin and bluff.

And the only way they can get that is to pin people down by asking questions that the board will find difficult to answer without showing themselves to be what we know them to be.

If that makes any sense!

 But this is the point to which the current regime has brought us....in the past 5 years they've been able to draw on a certain amount of goodwill and credulity from the fans.....its now gone.

hertab ... that makes perfect sense ... and is the right attitude to take to the meeting (IMO).

Don't you think that there will always be some who will show goodwill and credulity towards the Board Reg - especially if promoted in May?

My mum was in a massive accident on the M25 last night, shows this weather is dodgy to be driving in.  Id rather no one was injured just to go and have a go at the board

(ps mum is fine car is crushed)

sorry to hear that Bushey .. glad she is ok

Thanks Mav, its not true what people say about you :)

its only a piece of metal at the end of the day.  The bastard who clipped her car drove off but luckilly four blokes in cars pulled over and got her out and stayed till police and step dad arrived.

Big bunch of flowers cheered her up today and will see her at weekend and try and sort out new wheels for her (she aint getting anything flush).

Puts life into perspective

Hey trust me ... it is ALL true Bushey!!  :D but thanks!

I have had way too much experience of illness and disability in my own immediate family to ever lose sight of what really matters.

Hope she manages to get back behind the wheel again soon before she loses her nerve too much.

she will, she is a good driver, she was in my brothers M5 earlier in the day and made him do the m button (it was a clear duel carriageway) so she will get begind the wheel again.  She actually likes speed (was only going 75 thank god last night)

Same as mav, lost enough already.  

cheers for kind words

The board have had hundreds of opportunities over the last five (or so) years to cultivate a meaningful relationship with the fans...and they failed at every turn.  As recently as a few months ago, they were still publicly showing their disdain for the fans with their 'Keep quiet or we're pulling the plug' line - patronising even by their own standards.

So no - I don't have an open mind when it comes to the current board, because the time for giving them a fair hearing has long passed.  The reason the tone has changed from 'Shut it, or we'll leave' to 'Let's talk' in a space of months is because their hand has been forced.  Had a credible alternative (in the shape of Bill Power) not emerged, none of this - the meeting, the appointments - would have happened.  So I don't believe this glasnost bullshit for one second.

I no more want to sit down and listen to the current board's plans for the club than I would want to sit and listen to Tony Blair selling the benefits of his strategy in Iraq.  I know to mention the two in the same sentence may seem a little trite, but both (our board and Blair) are utterly discredited in their own ways.  And both now need to move on.

[Edit: Just read about your Mum, Bushey Boy.  Best wishes from me.]

Hope everything is ok Ash !

I think I must have travelled to the alternate 08 February 2007, or my DeLorean might be on the blink again

 :soapy tit wank:

You've really got BTTF bad, haven't you Si?

Not really. Just trying to liven the place up.

But BTTF is ace.

I bet the blood donations still went ahead

Yeah, but that is deffo more important. Seriously.

I give blood at the CG. Does anybody else out of interest?

I dont like needles, but had two injections yesterday for health reasons and wonder if its just like that, how long dows the stinging thing last? Is it teh whole time the blood id being taken

No...

It stings a bit when it is first put in (like your jabs) but then it's ok. You don't notice them taking it out.

In fact the "stick a needle in your thumb to check your haemoglobin levels" thing before you give hurts more as they use a preloaded plastic weapon to whack it in  :?

I'm not supposed to give blood

That's because you have the bad aids, or maybe it's worse, maybe you have GRID.

I think it's just bad aids

Is there a good AIDS then?

Yes, Ben has the good aids, I think.

Ah, ok.

That's great news.

I don't think Alan ever watched Brass Eye.

He was probably too busy taking photographs.

There seems to be some misconceptions about this meeting. The board and their dwindling number of apologists seem to think that its an opportunity for them to wheel out their so called big hitters in an attempt to once again put their case forward for staying in office.

They know Sturrock is revered by the fans and he will probably do the 'I've not been here long lads, I understand why you are all so pissed off and that the board have made mistakes, but their hearts are in the right place. Just give me some time to put right all the wrongs. If we all work together we can make this club great again' routine.

On the other hand there is a determined consortium waiting to take control of the club. The boards bluff has now well and truly been called and there is considerable support for Power, Emmel, Wilkes and the Trust to takeover.

Oh, and there is still the small matter of the CVA and Bill Powers 1.2m to consider. Wills and the board cant pay either. The consortium can pay the CVA and Bill Power isn't going to sue himself  for the 1.2m, now is he?

I can't see the consortium supporters sitting around at the forum while Boredon, Sturrock or Diamandis try to convince everyone what a great bunch that the board are.

The meeting has the potential to get very heated depending on who says what. Whatever happens, I really do not think it's going to be the walk in the park that the board are expecting.

Time has moved on. Opinions have been formed based on their shit performance and lies as a governing entity for over 5 years. One more attempt to curry favour, ask for another chance, or to threaten a move to Chippenham just is not going to fucking wash.

The way I see it is that the board have two choices left open to them.

They can either A: Fuck Off, or B: Fuck off.

I think that just about sums it up Delta !

 :nod:

8)  woops

It's not Gary.

errrrm it's not Gazza Bennet

stupid avatars being the same...or are they?

er i should've known it wasn't gary!

yes they are

Gazza has ditched his now I think

Delta's having fun !

i know. it made sense..that's why i knew it wasn't mr stanley.

have you found out about the job yet freddo?

No

got my second interview on Wednesday next week

If I get through that then it will be down to the last two

is alan sugar going to tell you the result?

no

he will be working for me

fibber

Two bit shark

Gonna fire him out as soon as I get the big chair !

you do that freddie!

never trust a man with a beard


fucking sandal wearing yoghurt knitter

Thanks a bunch Fred ... well I ain't bleeding well shaving just for you!!  :D

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

What's the job you are going for Fred?

Head of department

National role but based in Swindon

at the moment I am Docklands based

Good luck ...... I left working in the private sector to work near home (Devizes) 9-5 in the public sector ..... now end up travelling almost as much as before ... all because I have a big gob!

Have worked in both in my time but I feel the private sector offers up less constraints in order to self develop

yeah I agree ... I certainly earned a lot more in the private sector too (started in the public sector as well as finally returning to it) ... but at 52 Fred my eye is more on the final salary pension!!  :old:

My pension is final salary based which is virtually unheard of nowadays, thats why I am glad to be in a large organisation that I can progress without starting over and being lumbered with a stakeholders

Just hope it stays that way Fred ... I don't think I am about  to lose my NHS one either

if legislation encroaches on that as well there will be an uprising

hmmm I may yet wear orange then after all!!!  :D

You will be right behind me mate

With your morals ... there is no way I will stand right behind you!!!

soapy tit wank?

I rest my case !!

I've woke up tonite having avatar nightmares about being mistaken for Gazza.  Fuck that!

Gazza - feel free to reinstate your old av:soapy tit wank:

HELLO! with Ralphy, Gardeners' Question Time with Yeovil, now it's the Darby and Joan Pensions Show (aka Moneybox Live) with Fred and Maverick. This forum's turning into a bloody old folks' home.  :D

Blimey can you 2 get a room please  :soapy tit wank: