Devlin on Diamandis...FINALLY!

[Frigby Daser]

Not much revealed, but it appears open and honest at least. Its about time...From the WDP:

OUT OF THE SHADOWS  
Next Story | Previous Story | Back to list  
Be the first reader to comment on this story  

09:30 - 21 October 2005  
Swindon Town deputy chairman Mark Devlin has shed light on the role of Mike Diamandis - who he admits is often seen as a 'mythical, shadowy figure'.

Diamandis, an advisor to majority shareholder Sir Seton Wills, has been involved at Swindon since the club's first spell in administration in 2000. His strong influence and reluctance to come into the foreground, coupled with rumours he was once banned from being a company director, led to concern among Town fans.

Now Devlin - the former chief executive who has returned to the club with a brief to improve relations with the wider community and encourage greater transparency - has sought to explain Diamandis' position.

Devlin confirmed Diamandis was banned from being a company director until last year, but said the club might not exist if it were not for him.

"Mike Diamandis has been mentioned as being some sort of mythical, shadowy figure and I think that has come because people haven't really talked about him openly, " said Devlin. "Over the past few years he has been instrumental in ensuring that we have always managed to find the money to pay our debts.

"I'm not saying that Mike has put the money in himself personally, although there have been some times when he has. But he has found the individuals and convinced them (to put money in).

"I am not so certain that if Mike had not been around we would have been able to convince people to keep putting the money in.

"And Mike was vital in his sheer bloody-mindedness to save the club when it was faced with extinction under (former directors) Danny Donegan and Ian Blatchly.

"Without Mike's guidance I am not sure we would have come through those darkest hours." Devlin also confirmed Diamandis was involved in helping the club fight off a winding up order over unpaid tax this week.

Asked if Diamandis was once struck off as a company director, Devlin said: "That is true and you cannot get away from it. He did serve a ban on being a director but that finished last October.

"So there is obviously no issue with him playing a part (at Swindon), although he is not particularly seeking to be a director at Swindon.

"Mike is a very determined and competent businessman and we all make mistakes in life. His assistance is invaluable to me personally and I think it will continue to be so to the club." Diamandis is also a managing director at Swindon's marketing partner Dunwoody, who produce the matchday programme. Devlin also works for Dunwoody and stressed this was not something he sought to hide.

[fatbury]

Still a bit shady isnt it!

[Reg Smeeton]

Still a bit shady isnt it!

 Some have known this stuff for a long time....but given the state the Board have reduced the club to, its at least "interesting" that Mickey has chosen to put his head above the parapet at this time....it wont be for no reason.

 We should expect future developments I suspect.

[Kinky Tom]

Perhaps he has found an investor of some note and wants to make sure everyone knows he's behind it.

I doubt it of course. :-))(

[fatbury]

Lets hope Roman Abramovic has an equally rich brother who loves STFC!  

[pauld]

Still a bit shady isnt it!

 Some have known this stuff for a long time....but given the state the Board have reduced the club to, its at least "interesting" that Mickey has chosen to put his head above the parapet at this time....it wont be for no reason.

 We should expect future developments I suspect.

I suspect that it's largely because there's been such a wide array of open speculation about him of late, especially after his appointment of Sandy Gray as CEO. Let's face it, the fact that Mickey D actually runs STFC is the worst-kept "secret" going, so they may as well try and make the best of it by at least appearing to be open. Although whether admitting the bloke exists constitutes any meaningful transparency is another matter - I'd be more interested to hear how much of a role he plays in both the day-to-day running of the club and the "bigger picture" items like he sets the ticket prices, is he running the ground redevlopment project, did we fall out with St Modwen because they didn't get on with him etc

[Reg Smeeton]

If the powers that be want greater transparency....rather than just a statement of the bleeding obvious, then Mickey needs to front up, and answer questions at an AGM.

 Until then, the Blofeld Syndrome will remain.

[Batch]

IMHO this statement makes me think it is not about being transparent, it's about being percieved as being transparent.

I doubt a new era is dawning. They don't want to panic us too much with the true situation.

[pauld]

If they were really interested in being transparent then instead of blethering about "new eras" and "drawing a line" at the Fans' Forum, they'd have told us about the winding-up order that had been served on them weeks ago, rather than leak it out a couple of days later when the Revenue chose to publish it and they had no choice.

[Reg Smeeton]

If they were really interested in being transparent then instead of blethering about "new eras" and "drawing a line" at the Fans' Forum, they'd have told us about the winding-up order that had been served on them weeks ago, rather than leak it out a couple of days later when the Revenue chose to publish it and they had no choice.

 I'm not sure a Fan's Forum is the place to reveal something like that...certainly the previous one should have been revealed at the AGM, as it is a more formal assembly, but as some like Spencer point out...a lot of ordinary fans don't want to know about that sort of shizzle.

 OK if they expected the fans to do something about it, then it would be different.

[Dazzza]

I find some of that interview slightly disconcerting as well.  The likes of Carson and Holt have always been seen as peripheral figures but with the interview hinting somewhat that Diamandis may have been the driving force behind the takeover it appears that he may have always had more control than I ever imagined.

It leaves the question begging just what does he want?

Clearly his interest goes above and beyond being an ‘advisor’ and with no ambition to become a director the fear has to be that he’s waiting to profit from the Stadium development.  

Surely now this has gone official shareholders have the right to insist that everyone’s interests and connections are declared?

[pauld]

Surely now this has gone official shareholders have the right to insist that everyone’s interests and connections are declared?

I think the treatment of the Trust before this summer's AGM shows that shareholders have the right to shut the fuck up and stop asking awkward questions.

[Piemonte]

I probably shouldnt mention this - but fuck it - I'm going to anyway.

Someone I know is meeting the legendary Mikey D in the near future, although it has something to do with another of his business concerns - nothing at all to do with STFC.

I might try and get the person to chuck in a few STFC related questions if possible, although it wont/cant be anything too harsh.

I will report back on any findings. I think hes senator Palpatine form Star wars :|

[Spencer_White]

I bet he knows fuck all about the team. He wants to see the club survive, but doesnt seem particularly fussed about us doing well.

I wonder if he even came to the play off game against Brighton TBH?  :?

[pauld]

To be fair, my understanding is that Mickey D attends most home games at least. Far more than, for example, our chairman.