Thetownend.com

So like most i was fairly cheezed of when Mr Black up rooted and left us in the lurch,or so i thought...remember we had to sell Ritchie fairly pronto around the same time also,think its fair to say most of us were left scratching our heads at the timing of his departure seeing as we were almost Championship bound.
Well i maybe wrong(not an uncommon thing)but on looking at the accounts quickly it seems that Andrew Black dipped his hands into his pockets fairly deep,no wonder the new lot couldn't wait to get in.
So what do you reckon....reckon in years to come he could be seen as someone who did a lot of good for the club taking us from LGE2 and on the verge of the promised land....that being the Championship of course.

He is certainly in my good books

They been audited Chalkies?

From what he said at the time of leaving I think the Paolo factor was just too much in the end or he may have got us there
Fair play to him though for bankrolling the exit from lg2

I personally have never seen him as anything other than someone who did great things for this club.  This has been reinforced by some of the figures we have seen in recent days detailing how much he pumped into the club.

He didn't even like football so i'm grateful he stuck around as long as he did.

Top bloke

Have the new lot put more than a quid in yet?

I like him and dislike him in equal measures.

He bankrolled us a lot of money. His money. How could anyone dislike him.

He bailed at the critical time of the season, we could have gone up. We were flying and he pulled the wheels off. How could anyone like him.

100% this. We were on fire when he decided to pull out.
Could have sold out a Club in the Championship for a good return.
Same as what Lee Power will do. (harder task though).

Like Andrew Black no but his money and his choice.

As I understand it...

He was never a football man.  Horse racing was and is his passion.  Got involved with STFC when a few of his friends did, and the friends then dropped away one by one...leaving him 'holding the baby'.  It was at that point that it all started getting very expensive.

I think I understand why he got out when he did, even if I regret the timing.  (But had he stuck around until the summer, I suspect we would now be getting murdered in the Championship - with Di Canio having also left in the summer.)

On balance, he deserves a huge vote of thanks.  He left us in better shape than he found us.  The attendance figures are testament to that.

That sounds great. I'm bored with league 1. I'd welcome a bad season at Championship level (as long as we kept player contracts manageable).

This

That is the ultimate test of any Chairman.

He took us over on the brink of administration and sold us on the brink of administration. We had some nice days in the middle, and the club is a lot more professionally run now, but it's pretty interesting how it financially came full circle.

He's clearly a bit of a mug with his money but each to their own. He bankrolls Tom Dascombe ffs who is one of the worst trainers in the racing game. Suppose he's got plenty to squander. We should count ourselves fortunate some of it was squandered on us.

Yep.  That's how he got rich.

For the first time ever I actually agree with bogus dave. I had the same conversation the other day, when asked about us, when the new board took over we were about 10th in L1, 4 years later after 2 playoffs a relegation and a promotion, we were in the same position, It goes deeper than that isn't our record something like W 1000, D 1000, L 1000 F 15k against 15k ?

It didn't though. It's a nice turn of phrase but you really can't compare the state we were in when Fitton/Black/Arbib came in, we were about to disappear, never mind administration, versus Black using the threat of administration as a negotiating tactic to force a sale when he left. One was a state of parlous ruin with the whole club an utter shambles, the other was a business which had been completely revamped, free of external debt and with a very generous £6m write-off.

There was still substantial work needed to do to trim the wage bill which Wray/Black/Di Canio had allowed to spiral out of reason, and I don't underestimate that, but the fundamentals were very solid when Black left. Doesn't make the way he did it any more palatable, but there's about 60+ other clubs in the Football League who'd give their right arms to be in the position Black go us into.

People need to remember that in 2007 we werent on the brink of mere administration, we would more then likely have gone the same way as Luton or even Chester. Black (and the other members of Andrew Fittons consortium) should always be thanked by Swindon fans for saving the club from that especially as it cost the thick end of £10m to do it.

I have little doubt that we'd have gone up last season if he'd continued to bankroll Di Canio but without even more cash being pumped in we'd have fallen back to league one level pretty quickly. The club's infrastructure just isnt up to supporting a Championship club at the moment.

That's the biggest shame for me, when you look at the amount of money that was invested over the last 3 or 4 years, you could have gone quite a long way to redeveloping the County Ground and putting the club on a footing where it could compete at Championship level.

Instead the money went to players, managers, and agents. In 5 years time you wont really be able to tell his money was ever spent here. Whereas if you look at Reading, the money Madejski put in is still having a major effect and will continue to do so long into the future.

A lot of people think that with the amount of money 'invested' in the club, any old manager would have got us promoted from L2.

If we had not employed PdC but a less flamboyant manager who was more prudent with Black's cash, maybe Black would have stuck with it - especially if Championship football had been achieved under AN Other

The events of late mid to late 2007 is summed up quite well in a Washbag piece:

http://thewashbag.com/2012/11/07/hall-of-shame-20/

I have to confess that I'd forgotten just how absurd it had become.

That is so true.  Madejski saw the long term potential at Reading, and invested accordingly.  The stadium came several seasons before the success on the field.

Wray (and Fitton) seemed to have a different but, to my uneducated ears, equally valid approach in that both men publicly stated that they saw a closing window of opportunity for Swindon to get into the Championship. They also figured that the best way to attract the necessary investment to sustain a club at that level, and to redevelop the County Ground to a standard that would support it, was by establishing the club at that level to begin with. That way you are not selling the promise of jam tomorrow to potential investors, but the reality of a club already competing at that level. It seemed as if under Wray that plan was finally coming to fruition, but Black decided it was costing him too much money - as he's entitled to do - and there was no one else to come in at short notice on the jam tomorrow promise.

As for the person earlier who suggested 'anyone' could have got us promoted with Black's money, that is pure supposition and most likely untrue. Di Canio did more than just get the club promoted as well, he reinvigorated it. He, Wray and Black all got us to where we are now from where we were when Paul Hart left, I remain grateful for that even if it all imploded at exactly the wrong time.

My head says we owe him a debt of gratitude.

My heart says, how the hell could you pull out when we were so close to promotion?! But it is totally unfair to expect him to keep funding until May, which still would have cost him 7 figures.

I still like him. Feel sorry for him almost!

Black (And Fitton, Wray and Arbib) should be thanked and held in high regard by all STFC fans. They saved us, pure and simple. Just before they took over people were worrying about a possible points deduction, without thinking about a greater danger of being wound up full stop!

Never heard a way put then what Mr Hounsell, brilliantly put, and the biggest shame was that the money spent wasnt really to kick us on to a point of elevating our club, but on managers/players and agents.

I think people who look on black et al negatively have very short memories!

But it was, the money was spent on managers/players specifically to elevate the club. Once the club was elevated, money could be sought and invested in infrastructure to keep it there. The shame is that it ended too soon. I don't know that we'd necessarily be in a better position with a 20,000-seater County Ground, but still languishing in the bottom division in front of crowds of 6,000, than we are now.

No what actually happened is we spent 4m??? to get out of league 2. on players like comazzi, risser et all.

Success on the pitch doesnt always mean success off the pitch, yet we could have built better foundations, to really see progress from the club, I think thats what Hounsell was trying to say, which is a very good and often forgotten point. Thats the one regret from the fitton/black era.

The point still stands, they should be seen as a turning point of this clubs history no matter where this club ends up, because before then, this club was heading one way

Well said derby

May I join in this debate ?  Before I do, since this is my first post, I would appreciate the normal welcome for first timers.  Don't be shy.....

*The* Jeremy Wray?

 :no:   ???   :nod:

Depends if you stick to the 80% bollocks bit ;)

Indeed.  I thought it was about time some facts about the past were made public.  Since I am old school and tend to use complete sentences, the likes of twitter are not for me, so this seems the appropriate forum.  But I get ahead of myself....a proper TEF welcome should be in order....someone must have the letter "c" on their keyboard...

Is Tans bored again? Or is this genuine?

Who cares?

Let the cunt speak

The real Jeremy would use capital letters for his name.

Well, if would be pretty pointless letting him speak if it was some cunt on a windup....

Easy to find out

Poker Jeremy?

What's your favourite cheese?

thank you Audrey for your kind welcome.  Let's start near the beginning.  To correct Derby, we spent £2.6m getting out of Div2, against a budget of £2m.  People have correctly identified where the money was "wasted".  But in fairness to Paolo (no love-in Pauld by the way) when he started, we only had 6 players contracted, so there was an urgency to put a squad together.  At the end of the previous horrific season, Nick Watkins and I managed to get rid of most of the underperforming squad, largely by playing to individual egos and suggesting they were far too good for League 2 and should get their agents to find them a move....most of them bought into this idea.

still stilton and poker anytime derby

Wasnt a dig dude, Im very grateful for the work you did for STFC! I think the point was that in 10 years time, the work you and your friends? did could largely be forgotten because it promised so much, while majeski at Reading will forever be remembered! If you get my drift, Ive had a lunch time pints, im not quite as coherant!

Grateful, but disappointed it was pulled at the time it was...

We were ever so close...mind you, isn't that our luck? We're the 'nearly' club....nearly liquidated...nearly promoted...

It's like a rollercoaster..

...but you're not going to stop there are you?  Not now that you've got our attention.  You will have an opinion of the current regime.  Care to share?

never considered it a dig, derby.  The truth is, many numbers have been exaggerated.  When I took over as Chairman, you may remember I insisted on the word "interim" for a long time.  That was because the club was at serious financial risk again.  Sir Martyn Arbib had been an incredibly generous benefactor, but did not wish to put any more money in and Andrew Fitton and I were not in a position to.  Andrew stepped down for two main reasons...obviously relegation had hit him hard, but also we had failed to hit his breakeven target and if Andrew Black was to be persuaded to carry on funding, AF felt there was more chance that he would continue to do so with me in charge (AF and AB did not have a good relationship for reasons that are irrelevant here).  So I said I would take over on an "interim" basis until financing had been secured.  ( I wasn't prepared to take the helm of the Titanic just before the iceberg !).  So when AB agreed to fund, he  saved the club singlehanded, for which all Swindon fans should be grateful.

Can we call you Jezza?  :)

Note: tans wouldn't write that much.

Hello JW

To prove you are indeed JW, can you possibly say where you were on Monday?  Without sounding like a stalker, I know where you were and what you were doing.  Ok, that sounds like the words of a stalker.

Quite sure the account is genuine folks, the email address adds up.

Hello Jezza.

Indeed I am, as well as most of my family!!

What people do not know, is that ultimately PdC was AB's choice.  Nick Watkins and I submitted two plans to the Board....under option one, the austerity budget, we had a manager lined up who would work with a player budget of £1.5m.  This, in our opinion, would maintain League 2 status with little realistic hope of promotion.  We estimated that crowds would drop to around the level before we took over and therefore circa £500k of funding would be needed each year.  The second option, which both Nick and I supported, was an expansionary 3 year plan with di canio in charge.  Target Championship within 3 years, allow £2m to get out of L2, then provide for 2 bites to get out of L1 at £4m per year.  AB heard both views and said for him the only way forward was the di Canio route, which he would support.  On that basis, I dropped the word "interim".

Yes, Jezza. What Black did was quite amazing, particularly considering he doesn't like football much, if at all. Most of us recognize that he kept us afloat.  The timing of his baling-out was unfortunate but understandable now that the figures have been made public.

Cool with Jezza.....are you the fan I chatted to at Hammersmith tube on monday, Jan ?

Whats your opinion on the new lot?

JW, Do you think PDC constand moaning in the press aboutlack of fund was one of the reasons why AB decided to pull the plug, and in the grand scheme of everything, what did Patey actually do? Was he brought in as a hatchet man to get rid of PDC?

I already asked.  

Alright alright

Has anyone asked JW his opinion on the new lot?

Haha – No, that wasn’t me, but it was a good mate, hence the question about what you were doing on Monday.  You most certainly are JW.  

He was very complementary by the way and said it was an interesting and honest chat.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Blimey...and he doesn't use capitals for his name...prob wants to get down with the kids.

Oh and Jeremy, what was the story with Leon Knight?

derby, Patey was brought in to find a buyer for the club.  AB had made it clear some months before that he wanted new investors to share the financial burden with him and felt I had not progressed this sufficiently, which I accept.  Paolo was going to walk when I stepped down but both Patey and AB assured him personally that funding would stay in place as agreed (if we were top six at Xmas, £500k was to be made available in Jan to secure promotion at first attempt).  He walked when this agreement was reneged on.

Welcome on Board. I guess you still keep in touch with Nick in the small Berks village of EI.
Great times and just wish we could have kept it going to the end of the season.
Nick misses Swindon big time, even now.

gents, logging off now to beat traffic home, will log in later, enjoying the cathartic process..

So glad you have shared this, at least people are now aware the real reason why PDC walked was that the "deal" he agreed with was broken.

As said before ............ that was our best chance to get out of Div 1.

Jeremy, I really do have to thankyou for your honesty :)

Still have a bit of man love for JW -  even more now he is a TEF'er

Got to say that in all my years supporting the Town this thread has without a doubt been the very first time that we have been given an truthful insight into what happened at boardroom level!

As said elsewhere until AB/AF/MA/JW/NW came into the equation we were in the very deep doo-dah and could well even been out of business, and no matter what later transpired I thank them all for allowing pots of their money and expertise to be used on what at this level is an expensive hobby.

Yes, thanks for 'sharing'.  I was at the last AGM you chaired and remember coming away having liked what I'd heard about the plan.  We came close to achieving it.  I don't see it being achieved any time soon now though.  

I'd still be interested to hear your thoughts on the new regime and the way they are going about things.

JW you hero! Thank you for sharing all of the above.

We owe a lot to the previous regime and we thank you for that - AB/AF/MA/JW/NW.

Not every day you see such honesty.

Appreciated.

I'm very much looking forward to part 2!

The amount of man-love in this thread disgusts me.

You must have a little bit of man-love for JW?

I wouldn't let him bum me if that's what you mean.

 :gay:

OK, accepting that you're not going to share absolutely everything here, these are the questions I'd be interested in hearing your views on:

1) AB said that you were in thrall to PdC. Do you accept this to any degree? How would you describe the chairman / manager relationship?

2) You mentioned the budget overspend in L2, but were we set for a larger overspend in L1 following the miscalculation of the tribunal payments and subsequent advance of the Jan transfer kitty to bring us out of embargo? This seemed to be AB's prime concern in fast-tracking the sale. Were you and your board sufficiently in control of the (AB's) finances?

3) Are you in touch with PdC? How is he? What's he up to? Do you think he'll work in England again?

4) Do you still believe there to be any risk of PdC pursuing a case against STFC?

5) Was Phil Spencer a) a necessary evil? b) a non-negotiable part of the package? c) a positive benefit to STFC? d) other?

6) How did we settle the Jonathan Téhoué affair? Was it costly?

7) Has your relationship with AB improved?

8) Who do you support more these days - ST or WHU?

But would you bum him?

Red frog, 4,
 I beleave this has been settled and was costly,  however there are "others" that are chasing money from the club?!?!

Fascinating read.  And welcome, JW.

Nothing more constructive to add from me.  (Red Frog covered all bases with those questions!)

Sam's not going to be pleased the TEF have scooped him.  ;)

Mr Change would say that I was permanently depressed in that case. If there is truth being told, it doesn't really matter what the platform is. Of course I am currently stitching up the sizeable hole in my ego.

Oh Sam, just paraphrase it, put it into decent English and claim it as a 'print' exclusive.  Quickly though.  Before the nationals get hold of it, put a PDC spin on it and claim it as their own.

Blimey this is a nice surprise.

Welcome Jezza, Red Frog has asked the questions that most would love to know the answers to.

I'm expecting Chang to post soon saying that he knew JW was going to come on here!

Taaaaaasaannnnnnnnnnnnsss

I expect those pesky BBC Wiltshire types are already on the case.

Not sure.

Jezza, what do you look like in a dress?

As the man who brought Di Canio to the club he deserves immense credit, so thanks for that.

What a period of time that was. We were really hitting full pelt in January and then it so cruelly fell apart. Remember over the Christmas period, 14 goals scored in 3 matches with none conceded.  I remember the 1-1 at Bournemouth and thinking that was the top 2.

It's the hope that kills you.

The most enjoyable spell I've had watching the club, there was always a feeling it was going to end up badly but it was great while it lasted. There were so many times that we were the big news story, and that felt good. And let's be honest all other lower league fans were jealous. Thanks Jeremy.  :)

No.

I can see the email account used. Jezza's account is legit.

Eeek, I apologise. Welcome cunt (well you did ask). Nice to see you must have been lurking for some time.

I'll be honest, always felt the "look at the last lot nearly ruining the club" kind of fan comments were a bit harsh.

I'm not really looking for a comment on this, but I don't think Jed and co banding around contract numbers (A Rooney) and debts from 1846 (or whenever) helped.

That said, the new board have done a fair few things that have been good on the face of it (they don't seem as transparent, but I guess every boardroom has its secrets).

I still think Di Canio left us in the lurch even if he was let down.

I'd be interested in hearing more about the way transfers were handled.

Did everything really go through Phil Spencer? Scouting, transfer fees, contract negotiations? Because for all the signings we made under Di Canio, I think the consensus is that the legacy of his tenure has largely been one of financial liabilities we can't shift off our books, rather than playing assets with potential resale value.

Do you think in retrospect putting that much power in a single man's hands (a football agent at that) was a mistake? Might Andrew Black have stayed on longer if the club hadn't been losing money at the rate it was?

We've seen since what value there is out there in the market. I think the abiding frustration amongst Swindon fans is what we could have achieved with that money if it had been directed with more care.



 

So winning the league,a Wembley appearance and actually being top of league 1 when he left was not achievement enough....not having a go Bruce but what else could a manager have done?

Actually being top of league one would have been a start.  ;)

Di Canio was never a long term solution, I think most of us realised that from the off. Lots of goodwill for the previous regime and rightly so,  but they also made mistakes, which could have proved very costly if Jed & Co hadn't stepped in when they did. Like everything else, things are rarely black and white.

http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/League1Home

Best get writing to Sky then Donks.

 :sherlock:

 :D :D

Are you a cheese fiend?

I thought we went top after beating Tranmere with Piccareta in charge  :hmmm:

It's 100% JW.  The Hammersmith quote secured it.  It'd set out what he said to my mate on Monday, but it sounds like JW will be back to tell everyone himself.  


This

You're right.  I think we were third when di Canio left.

Correct

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20130131

Jeremy, was what was going through the mind of AF when he appointed malpas?? Did you interview other candidates at the time who have gone on to acheive things with other clubs since? (Been rumours but not been confirmed).

After your stint as chairman, would you ever get involved in football again? Or just stay as a fan?

ok Red Frog, here goes.

1.  I would totally refute that.  Paolo was undoubtedly very demanding, but that was because he was the complete professional, with almost tunnel vision - winning was all he was interested in. His remit was to get us to the Championship in three years and he wanted to get there in two.  He was prepared to bust a gut to achieve this and expected everybody to do the same.  we had a great relationship but not without its bust ups.  I don't think AB ever understood how time consuming such a relationship is, but the end result was worth it.

2.  This is another misconception that needs clearing up.  There was no miscalculation of the tribunal payments, nor were we unaware that these needed to be paid upfront.  At this stage AB was relying heavily on outside advisors who had no interest in football or the football club and on their advice he was doubting the three year plan.  They had advised him that the club had no value, even in the Championship and that he should not put any more money into the club.  I had always told him that if we got to the Championship, the club could be self sustaining and would have real value.  To be fair to AB, whilst his advisors could not care less what happened to the club, he was very conscious of its future wellbeing.  So he was constantly wrestling with the dilemma of protecting the club, while becoming increasingly reluctant to fund the club.  The pain of having to write large cheques was evident and in retrospect something i took too much for granted. When the tribunal payments fell due, he was only prepared to advance money as loans not equity, so we were embargoed by FL since we then breached our wage cap.  In absolute terms, the tribunal costs took our budget to £4.15m and Paolo and Phil Spencer were made aware that the £150k overspend would be deducted from the £500k extra in january - they both agreed with this.

3.  Spoke with PdC yesterday for the first time in a long while.  He was on great form, enjoying Italy but no doubt keen to work again in UK soon.

4.  He is still owed a small amount, I believe, but his main claim would have been mitigated by his obtaining the sunderland job.

5.  Phil Spencer has been much maligned, not least on forums like this.  We would certainly not have got Paolo without his agreement, they are best friends.  He was focused entirely on Paolo's success, so his interests were aligned fully with those of the club.  The amount he was paid was a fraction of the amounts bandied around.  The large agents' fees in L2 were largely down to players signed from abroad, by far the biggest of which related to Magera, which I must take the blame for since Spencer was not involved in the deal. If you think that we spent £2.6m in L2, and all players got 2 year deals, then the following year, Spencer only had £1.4m extra (net of players he got rid of) to spend in L1 (and that sum included all related costs, agents' fees etc). So the squad that was top of L1 when Paolo left cost a fraction of what most people thought, for which bith Spencer and di Canio can take credit.

6.  There was no case to answer with the Jonathan Tehoue affair, a truly absurd publicity stunt.  We kept it as quiet as possible since it was one of those no win subjects.  Nick Watkins paid some of Tehoue's legal costs to bring the matter to an end, which infuriated Paolo, who wanted his day in court to prove he was in the right.  He was undoubtedly in the right, but Nick probably took the action that was in the club's best interests at the time.

7.  Sadly no, which I deeply regret, few things in life are worth losing your best friend over. I probably underestimated the pressure he was under and maybe took his largesse for granted, but on the flipside, having got him involved in STFC in the first place, I was determined to see the Club reach the Championship so that he would see a return on his investment.  Ultimately it comes down to trust and I suppose it still hurts that he thought the opinions of paid advisors somehow had more merit than the genuine intentions of a close friend.  I was also saddened by much of the stuff, some blatantly untrue, that he posted on twitter on the day we had signed a non disclosure agreement.  Looking back, I can accept that much of that was probably said in the heat of the moment - I would certainly like to think he regrets some of it.

bonus question......STFC of course !

Technically not top when he left, but the coaching team pretty much followed his orders in setting up the team.

Can't defend the way he treated some players, you can't piss everyone off indefinitely. But ignoring that I fucking loved the "circus" of Paolo Di Canio's Swindon town. And I certainly don't blame him for spending the money he was given, but it fair to say he was like kid in a sweet shop in the early days.

Jezza, would you like the honour of giving the newbies on here the usual TEF welcome?

I'm glad i've stayed in tonight

What are you up to now Jeremy?

You at a loose end Sonic?

Yeah. I've found it difficult finding friends since moving back so I'm resorting to the internet.

Let's have a pint, Jezza.

(I was more curious whether Jeremy or any of the previous board are still involved with football anywhere)

Which players do you think were the biggest duds?

JW have you and AB rekindled your friendship? I hope so! In some form or another at least.

I vote Magera.

Love it.

Great post and clears a hell of a lot up about certain things.

and what was the story with Milan Misun?

See answer 7 :(

Was it just a rumour that a fan left a large sum of money to STFC in their will? (Can't remember when, but remember hearing rumours)

Nigel eady his name i think

Man with the long red and white scarf I believe?

Who?

Jezza - just wanted to say "thanks" for giving us your side of the story.  It's appreciated and I think you're a top bloke for doing it.

yup cheers.

Is it true that previous board members are still after money from stfc, as well as ex players commazi being one?

Who is/was "fredi"?

Both Troy and Jay passed full medicals before signing and, like most wage figures bandied around, your number is a huge exaggeration

Did your brother buy Cornwell Manor jeremy?

Maybe "Dalters82" is fredi?

Jeremy, are you a Swindon fan?

100% no.

I know who dalters82 is, and they aint worked at the club

Chang is Fredi

Dalters82 has only posted once.  Maybe it's you then Tans!

Loving this,basicly confirming every post i ever made on the subject ;D

Genuine question.

To board members and ex board members posting on here, is the TEF widely read?

Yes Tans, yes Flashheart...

Top banana. Very nice house i must say.

Were they called cunts, if not maybe they got a bit pissy

Was by me..

Are you or any of the old board involved with football at all?

What was the real story behind Milan Misun? Did he exist? Was he any good? Who signed him or who didn't sign him?

Did PdC know about Ritchie going to Bournemouth or was he genuinely surprised when Ritchie allegedly phoned him to tell him he was down there for talks.
Also, what are you drinking while posting. 

Goodness me, what a thread this has turned into!

How nice to finally have some clarification around some of the rumours that floated around.  Thanks Jeremy.

Have some posts been deleted from the last couple of pages? There seems to be some quotes where I can't see the original post and some responses that don't make sense?

I have fooled you all 8)

Thread was split into 2 - Andrew black and Stever Murrall

Jeremy,

A poll on here showed that the majority of fans are in favour of supporter representation on the board, if passed by the council the ACV status will also call for this -Having been a vice chair and chair, is the idea viable? And why did your board not do it?

Thanks.  I've just seen the other one.  Thought I was going mad.

One question i would love answered by Jeremy.

Was Paolo ever offered the managers post by the new regime....not having a go at the new regime,would just love to know if it was ever a possability?

Jed claimed on twitter he'd tried to get him back if I recall correctly.

You are correct

They never wanted Paolo back due to his wages I believe and what he would have wanted budget wise, I don't think Jed & Co ever contacted him but said it in the press to sound look and to make the right noises at the time

Thing that bothers me about the new regime is how are we paying the fee's for the players we have purchased where is the money coming from

To be fair to Jed i think he actually said the post was open to all,not sure thats why i asked the question.

Probably from players we sold ie. Flint

Milan Misun was a very exciting young Czech centre back we hoped to sign.....the paperwork was complicated and didn't get completed one afternoon so Milan went back to his hotel.  He asked to train with the team the following morning and was due to sign the paperwork that lunchtime.  During the morning training session he did his cruciate...tricky legal problem, whose player/responsibility was he ?  We were clearly partly to blame, in allowing the player to train, but no way could we then sign him. 

With regard to Ritchie, di Canio was not informed of his sale and rightly went ballistic.  The new owners were in talks with AB and neither party was prepared to fund that month's wage bill so Matt was sold for a fraction of his true value.....the beginning of the end...

So that really answers my question as well then!

I feel a bit bad for ruining the mystery but oh well.

What state was the club in when you arrived with Fitton et al? Did it shock you?

One thing I would like to know, was dealing with the media storm that Luke McCormick's arrival brought one of the most difficult times personally at the club?

Jezza, Shaw rosso or Suggs for starting the matchday thread?

Do you think we should kick football into touch and go for Pro-Celebrity Nob Wrestling at the CG instead?

Jezza should do it

Jeeze, just logged on expecting to read bollocks on the England match and fixing a boiler and I've missed all this! Many thanks to Steve and Jeremy for taking the time to talk to us this evening.

Hi Jeremy.  What was / is the story with Lee Cox?

Why did Paolo bomb him out so quickly after signing him?

The publicity and media frenzy took us all by surprise.  The problem was that the media said we had signed Luke, when all we had done was allow him to train with us.  I firmly believe it was the right decision we took, but the damage was done once the media had put their spin on the story.  What had started as a quiet gesture to help Luke begin his rehabilitation suddenly took on an ugly tabloid induced frenzy.  It was stressful, but I would take the same decision again.

Suggs is old news, heard he is drinking 6 litres of White Ace daily nowadays.

Happy to step aside but let me know now so I can have a poo.

Cheers  :)

You've got 90 mins to take a shit - unless you are 4D that should be plenty of time

What happened with Kerrouche?

Would you ever feel happy working at Swindon Town again Jeremy?

Or to much a bad taste left on leaving.

I have not even typed the first word of it yet. If Jezza wants the honour I am more than happy to temporarily step aside and save myself a 1000 ish word write up, and lay a mighty cable.

Did you ever see Ibrahim Atiku play?

With regard to fan representation on the Board, I am very much in favour.  Supporters would need to organize themselves so that one/two representatives were chosen to represent the various supporters groups and there would need to be an understanding that some issues might not be suitable to divulge outside the Board.  But in principle, for complete transparency, I think it is vital and I have no doubt it will become the norm in future.

There were rumours of us paying his agent something silly. Any truth in that?

A couple of questions:

1. I don't understand why you would come onto the TEF today to talk about this stuff? Doesnt the NDA apply any more?

2. Do you have any concerns about the club its direction?

3. Should we be concerned about more potential skeletons in the closet?

4. Who was the person who was going to put some money into the club but passed away before he could do so?

I would not dream of usurping Shaw Rosso - I always enjoy his well researched intros and am amused by his impeccable timing.  To be fair I always enjoyed Suggs' contribution especially when we were on that amazing unbeaten sequence!

Atiku came on trial after which Paolo agreed to give him a one year deal.  Very cheap and no agents' fees to speak of, but clearly not a success.

Aside from the obvious successes whilst you were at STFC, what were your personal highlights?

McCormack's winner at Northampton was probably mine.

No bad taste leefer, just a frustration of knowing that the plan was right and that we came so close to achieving success.  Who knows what lies ahead....

Yes, it really looked like we were going to make it one year early. It must have been a really difficult time for you to see it unravelling the way it did. Especially as personal friendships were coming undone at the same time.

Eh?

Interesting thread, this is more like it!

I've enjoyed reading all this. Thanks to all who have contributed.

For what it is worth, Jezza, I completely agreed with your position on McCormick.

Your appearance has kind of thrown the research a little off course. A prediction on the thread itself would be appreciated  :)

Oddly enough my name changed from Shaw Red to Shaw Rosso, simply down to the appointment of PdC.

Wipe up quickly Rosso, you're back on.

Jeremy, the way PDC walked out left a sour taste in many supporter's mouths. If you speak to him again, would you ask him to consider at least thanking STFC fans for their support of him over his tenure. Who knows, he may return to the CG one day (okay, maybe not).

Would like to add my thanks to JW not only for his efforts whilst with us but also for his comments tonight. The TEF also on top form, a great read. I really must make an effort to post more....can someone call me a c**t  for inspiration  please?

Cunt.

Nomoreheroes, I have always read the forums and was keen to correct some of the untruths/misconceptions that persist.  I am still very much a fan of the club and keep in touch with what is going on. 

Didn't Devlin drop in a little while back as well?

What would put the topping on this is if we ever managed to get James Wills to figure out how to turn a computer on.  The 2005-2007 debacle has made everything else since seem positively new-fangled and glitzy.

Jeremy, just in-case you stick around, what exactly happened with plans to work on the infrastructure - the ground development etc.?  Some have mentioned how Reading invested this way first and it does seem to be the missing link to everyone who has had a bash at the running the club in the past 20 years or so.  What has surprised me about the new gang, because I was impressed with much you and AF did, is that they've achieved a few little improvements here and there that now look like obvious need to haves.

Thanks Jeremy.

I stilll don't understand why now? (But long may it continue)

Thanks Sonic, that gave me a warm feeling....
Consider me inspired  :D

 I don't want to appear rude Jezza, but why are you posting on here now? As NMH just said, long may it continue. Have you ever met Chang (the one on here who thinks he is in the know)?  :)

Just reading the forum and felt like correcting one or two things.....no hidden agenda !

You are going to be around for a long time if you are here to correct a few things!

Fair play. I think it's fair to say that your input is a breath of fresh air and very well received. Perhaps you can pop back at midnight to start the match day thread  :D

 ::) old news

Yes, but started by me  ;) #155

Wow, quality read through this thread...Jeremy Wray ever the gent!

Jeremy, do you like cricket and if so, what are your thoughts on the upcoming Ashes series?

Always welcome back to The CG IMO and would happily get the first round in, shame things didn't work out as planned!

I did offer!

Tonight has restored my faith in most things TEF. 

People can say what they like but the TEF is at its best when people just want to talk football...

No bollocks, no trolling for reactions - just plain old football.

Wow look at what ive missed. Taken me the best part of half hour to read, now im off to bed. Good stuff the TEF still has it.

Nah I normally move onto the Jagerbombs around 4 litres.

The even more depressing truth is that I now work Friday evenings.

Jeremy, in light of your predecessors thread, what is your opinion on  the slags of chipping norton? I hope yo understand this is of upmost importance to enable us to directly compare the two boards

A night spent playing away (well rugby union at the Harlequins) and I miss a first for the TEF, surely.

After all the speculation and hearsay stated as fact (80% bollocks after all), it has been fantastic to have Jeremy Wray's first hand account of the Black era. 

AB was incredibly generous for a non football man and let his wallet do the talking.  It is the financial state of the club that AB took over that needs comparison with the financial state in which he left it that is the most meaningful marker of AB's tenure - not the  cost-free, "no change" between league positions snipes of the AB detractors.

There can be no point regretting now the tantalisingly close promotion ultimately and so typically missed.  I loved the most apt "nearly club" description given by an earlier TEF-er, so very true.

On a personal level, I am really sorry that Jeremy Wray's friendship with AB seems to have been a casualty of this adventure.

Not sure how much weight to give JWs claims to be a STFC fan (surely it's a pretty skin-deep type of support if we're not your first club, Jeremy?) but, if a fan, then surely JW's experience (including admitted mistakes) and enthusiasm could make a huge difference to the Trust?

Credit to the TEF - and tonight especially JW (and elsewhere Steve Murrell) for making this a pretty special TEF night

Lukas Magera, Ibrahim Atiku, Alberto Comazzi, Lander Gabilondo, Mattia Lanzano, Etienne Esajas?..

For what it's worth, Gabilondo looked alright sometimes!...

Forgot about some of the player from that season already!...Ronan Murray, Liam Ridehalgh, Cristian Montano, Ahmed Abdulla....can never forget Alassandro Cibocchi though.

"Successor's", it's "successor's"!   :)

I thought Gabi was alright too! I think Lanzano is the worst on that list purely because unlike the others he cost us points that season.

And god bless Cibocchi...

Gabi came with a lot of energy, he almost reminds me a bit of Luke Rooney..

Agree that Gabi had something. Unfortunately it was mostly endless stepovers.

I will always remember him for his assist at the Slave Traders in the cup.

All I can add is thanks Jezza for the insight, I doubt any other club would have an ex chairman come onto their fans forum JUST to put a few things straight about their own tenure at a club.

Thank you.

Disappointed I read this a bit late but have been arranging the mother in laws funeral in Edinburgh all week so a bit time consuming to say the least.

Please pop back time to time when you feel the need to express your views as they will always be welcomed even if not agreed with by some.

Certainly has been a great insight.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

My best memory was when he came on for the last 15 mins against Oxford at home.  He caused all sorts of problems for their defence and nearly saved us the embarrassment of yet another defeat.

Sorry to hear your news JJ  :(

That's what I remember best too. He was turning their defenders inside out that day, joy to watch.

Sorry to hear about that JJ, best wishes.

Jezza, it's great to hear your side of things, and you're welcome here anytime you cunt. It's a shame to hear about the things that have happened personally to you because of your time working at the club, but for all the good you and others did, all of the supporters have to thank you, even if it is grudgingly. What a few years it was...

Best of luck to you.

My feelings also.

One thing I miss about your regime Jeremy was the professionalism showed by you and Nick Watkins. I always felt like my club was being looked after. Eternally grateful. And to Andrew Black too.

Thanks all its been a hard week, she died on my wifes birthday last Saturday and it would have been her birthday today, only 65 :(

Anyway back to the footy now and hope we can get over last weeks performance.

Its always brilliant hearing the side of people who work at the club in the midst of things, please keep posting Jezza it is appreciated by pretty much all of us fans.

You've had more than your fair share of these things to deal with lately, JJ.  Thoughts are with you and your wife.

Same here, rough trot for JJ of late.

How have I only just seen this!!  Ace!  :toocool:

Feels a big weird people at the club read this forum??!

Totally agree

How on earth did I miss this. Wow. I've been on forums for 20 years and never seen anything like this.  Only slight disappointment is that I didn't get to ask JW is why was Aljofree  tucking into a big fat burger at half time at Hampton and Richmond!

Wow. This is nearly as good as the time Talk Talk threatened to stab spacey.

By nearly I mean about 1/10th as good.

PaulD, what's your favourite type of manatee?

This is a bit of a random bump, but 10 years ago Jeremy Wray logged into the site and answered questions about the PDC era. Well worth a read if you have some spare time :)

Steve Murrall posted on here for a bit too, before he went to jail!

Not sure we're going to get Anthony Hall any time soon.

He may already be here in a disguise.

(https://media4.giphy.com/media/N8YzjmXTX3Meo4qz7X/giphy.gif)

I remember Murrall on here. What a twat he was.

JW would be very welcome if he chose to rejoin the fray.

Untruths/misconceptions eh, ever the prized domain of football fans in times of strife.

He answered my question  :)

Plus, JW didn't answer the bit where I asked if he knew Chang  :)

He was a fucking twat in real life too. He bought me a pint in my local not long after he left STFC and fed me and Ralphy a load of shite.

Whether the money to pay for the pint was real or counterfeit, i do not know!

Interesting that 10+ years ago £1.5m playing budget was deemed austerity, fast forward to 2023 and a £1.6m budget.