Thetownend.com

didn't Bowden state that he and Bluh would be making a joint statement once Bluh had recovered from the Flu?

Well, I'm guessing Bluh must have a new strain of flu that lasts weeks, or maybe Bowden was talking out of his rear end again?

Also, can anyone remember when the meeting with the Broad St residents was this month?  be interesting to see if they can give an insight for us, as they are normally quite an open and frank lot.

i think someone emailed bluh? and he basically said there was no real significant developments. Sure i read it somewhere

Yeah, I've read that too Lash.

Yeovil had some correspondence with him and from what I remember the upshot was that was therre was no real news.

They're open to proposals, within the constraints they've previously defined, but have heard no new proposals.

Cheers, his arse it was then.

There was a bit in the latest Central Outlook....a free rag.

  It outlines the Trust plans.....Michael Dickinson says he's concerned that Blodwyn's plans seem to indicate loss of green space and challenges him to state otherwise.

 A quote....."His (Blodwyn's) lack of reassurance can only lead me to think the club are planning to deprive the local residents of this valuable green space. I think the club should look more towards the methods and plans of TrustSTFC, where they worked with local residents and councillors to come up with an option that does not build on the green space."

Yes, didn't Mike send an e-mail or letter to Bowden asking for details and guarentees of not using the green space?  Presume he's not had a response then.  Be interesting to see if the Broad St gang send Bowden packing with a flee in his ear as well, although the last time they sent someone to meet them (Hol and Gray) they bizarrely came out thinking the residents liked them!!!!!

There really is no point in Blodwyn answering, because the Board position has to be build as much as you can to maximise profits, that being the sole point of their continued interest.

 Therefore, from Blodwyn's viewpoint  its axiomatic, that the locals can go hang.   After all its very unusual for SBC to take any notice of its residents over planning matters....if the Board could front up the dosh SBC would be happy to see any old shit on the whole site.

It was a press release - copy below:


Released by:  Cllr Michael Dickinson
Date: 24th February 2007

Councillor Defends Green space at County Ground

Central Ward Councillor Michael Dickinson (Conservative) is challenging Swindon Town Football Club director Mike Bowden to say that under the latest plans for the County Ground development that the green space is not to be built on.

Residents in the Central ward have very little green space and so any building on the green space here will severely reduce this even more.

Cllr Michael Dickinson said: “I know the green space, including the cricket ground, is highly valued by the local residents.  As the representative of the people who live in the area I am doing all I can along with my Conservative colleagues to stop any building on this land.

Michael continued: “I have now asked Mike Bowden three times that: I am extremely concerned about the rumours doing the rounds about these plans that they include building on the Cricket pitch & the green open spaces around the ground which would be unacceptable to the local residents and cricket club.  Please can you reassure me that these rumours are not true.

Michael concluded: “This lack of reassurance can only lead me to think that the club are planning to deprive the local residents of this valuable local green space.  I think the club should look more towards the methods and plans of TrustSTFC where they worked with local residents and councillors to come up with an option that does not build on the green space.”

not true, not that i think this will ever be tested as don't think the club have the cash to buy out the CG site.

i have managed to hold up 2 developments on Sriv Rd until the developers improved what they asking for.  in both cases lower density, higher quality developments

 SBC seem to me to have approved hideous developments, on both the old Halford's site and more recently, truly horrenous developments in back gardens by the Bowls Club.

  How long before the allotments go the same way?

And, don't forget, that Bowden's claim in the Hartlepool prog that he'd shown plans to Rod Bluh that had been warmly received was untrue. Second thoughts, you're right, since when has the board misleading fans been news?

BSACC monthly meeting is this Wednesday, I will happily report back with details.

Kevin Leakey

Please do Kevin

Interesting Com. Council meeting tonight, think mr Bowden got a little confused and thought i was Sir Laurence Olivier or something. Well he accused me of playing to the audience during the meeting any way!  :shock:

Will post a report Thurs. or Fri. but surprise surprise, the 3 alleged plans are all in his head and nothing concrete.

Kev.

so in how every many months (?) he has been here, earning x amount (?) he so far has moved no further forward with the Stadium plans.

Whilst im fully aware the Trusts efforts were far from the finished article they got outline plans done within the space of 2 months then handed them over to the club about a year ago now  :shock:

Although non of this of course surprises me...

Same old bollocks from Bowden then...Meh
 :-))(

Look forward to seeing your Post Kev :wink:

phew, thought i was going have to make a report from my notes.  are you going to get the tape from John to get an actual replay of the meeting?

did not go down too well with the plans to build on the green spaces.  nothing new re: the plans (i.e. still in his head, nothing specific).

most shocking comment - he said where he lived (no - i'm not going to publish it).

You know you want too.......my guess is Broome Manor.
Luke warm or ice cold?

all i will say is i was shocked!

due to the nature of his 'job' i think it would be better if i did not say.  if he were in public office (such as i am) then his address should be a matter of public record.

Not on of the 4Ps then mjad?

My money is on Pinehurst or Park North?

I shall get a copy of the tape to keep for future reference.

Hmm, so having ignored local residents for months when he does finally show up, he has a pop at the "top boy" of the residents association. Slick.


Oohh, I think you'll find they'll involve a lot of concrete! Anyway, I bet they're not in his head - if he's followed past form in terms of the club's ground redev plans, they'll have been carefully scribbled down on the back of a fag packet.

Well according to the Electoral Roll (you can search but not find addresses without paying) he lives with his fiancée, Sarah Finch-Crisp.

Seeing as she is the keeper of Lydiard Park it wouldn't surprise me if they lived in the house..?

Nah, in the park, under a bush. With all their stuff in bin bags  :D

Explains his hair I suppose.

So Bowden's is all talk and no action.

Well what a surprise !!!

Was that his fiancee with him in the pics/videos from Saturday?

She was laughing at us when Bowden was talking to us outside the Arkells after the game.

Wherever he lives he must be fairly minted to own a Maserati Quattroporte  :x

Does he even live in Wiltshire, let alone Swindon?

Indeed.


Yes, he and Ms Finch-Crisp live in Swindon.

I reckon he blew his redundancy money from nPower on it.

:nod:

Ms Finch-Crisp apparently lives on Dixon Street.

He didn't used to work for nPower did he?  he never said. :wink:

I have typed up my notes from the meeting - apols they are so long.  I don't do shorthand so may have missed something.  If anyone else was there can spot any errors please tell me & i will correct!

Broad Street Community Council meeting 14th March 2007

Notes on presentation from Mike Bowden (STFC):

MB made a few introductory remarks about how he got the job & his history.
He will respect the views of the residents
The CG is not a fine and modern stadium, not up to snuff
There are commercial limitations at the current CG
Only can make income once a fortnight from the 5k – 10k people there
Need a stadium that can provide income
Cannot find a proposal that is financial on the current footprint
Cost for the new stadium will be £30m - £40m
The club exists solely due to the Wills family; no club will exist if it was not for them.
Would like, with permission, to develop a bit bigger ground.  This would take away the green space, including the cricket club.
1st Choice is to stay at the CG
2,000 children are put through football at the CG each week
Wants the development to merge in with the town centre redevelopment
The CG is a community club, if it loses the support of the community would it exist?  It would have a problem
Mike & [his fiancée] live in [deleted] Street
Other options, would look at any other site of about 30 acres in Swindon they could move to.  He is not a champion of a Chippenham franchise.  Wants the club to stay in the Borough.
He has been in post for 3 months.
He asked if any of astro pitches, some grass, bowls or cricket nets work?
Asked where they should build the new ground.

Then, opened the floor for questions.

Q:   What would go under the plans
A:   Some green space will go

Q:   Why should the land be given to a private company?
A:   As part of an Oasis replacement the club may be able to get hold of the land

Q:   Even if there were astro pitches people would not be able to walk on them / Should build at Coate now the University are not there.
A:   Asked me my opinion, to which I said I disagreed with the University being built there.

Q:   Club should clear up the area around the ground, especially the over grown bushes
A:   Will be done in 2 weeks (hopefully 1)

Q:   People only want to do things to make money & how have SBC viewed the proposal
A:   Many meetings with people at SBC.  No one has said it’s a done deal

Q:   What links have you got with the New Swindon Company?
A:   Play golf with Peter James.  He will be invited to the next meeting between STFC, SBC & St Modwens

Q:   The club do not help with the up keep of the area, the area is not safe post matches
A:   Minority of people are a disgrace to football.  References were made to the Bristol Rovers match.  Will try and do better in the future.

Q:   STFC are asking for a bigger stadium, but are not up to the job with the current ground
A:   It will be a different football club

Q:   If STFC are not looking after the ground now, will not look after a bigger ground

Q:   Will you be sending out litter pickers after matches?
A:   Yes

Q:   What plans are there to involve local residents?
A:   Do not have detailed plans on paper.  He inherited plans which needed work to be done on.  He acknowledged that the trust have consulted with residents.  He will come back to the community council again

Q:   For 3 years STFC did not want to know the community council
A:   Will do now

MB then made comments about a meeting with Rod Bluh where he shared 3 possible scenarios
   I   Nationwide stand to remain and build 3 new stands
   II   Rebuild the whole ground, rotate the pitch 90 degrees
   III   Somewhere in between
   
   Financing of the rebuild option is easier than the middle option.  The build 3 new stands is very marginal
   STFC needs to put forward a plan that will be acceptable

Q:   Will STFC replace the open space lost?
A:   No

Q:   comments from the floor about objecting to this & how it’s unacceptable to the local residents.  Will fight over every blade of grass
A:   STFC can either put forward plans despite this or look for 30 acres elsewhere in the Borough

Comments from the floor:
We will pay for this in loss of the green space
We can use the grass for free, the astro pitches would not be free

Q:   Cricket pitch is open space & has been there longer than the football ground
A:   Met with cricket club & they said they would move for better facilities.  This was then disputed by members of the community council who have also met with the cricket club who say they would never move.
   The development would include a hotel, conference facilities & leisure facilities.  STFC would want a joint venture with SBC

Q:   Do STFC support the proposals?
A:   Cannot speak for STFC

Q:   If you do not have detailed plans, what can we discuss?
A:   No plans yet.

Discussion about Trust’s proposals.  MB: agreed he said that the proposal for houses in site were outrageous.  He does not have an issue with the Trust

Q:   Police escort fans to & from the station, do not need this grief from the fans

Q:   This development would generate more traffic & more noise
A:   Would need a transport plan for planning application

Q:   What is in it for us?
A:   SBC would get 30% stake in the joint venture

Q:   Parking at Oasis and Link is free, would this be the same here?
A:   Went on about parking fees in Swindon

MB:   Looking for a 20 – 22k stadium.  7k average this year (largest in the league).  He has a few proposals to get numbers on the gate.  Would prefer to play in front of 12k rather than 7k even if it’s the same receipts

Q:   In conclusion, do not like the plans.  If there are any developments can you ask to come back to the community council?
A:   Yes

Q:   There were reports you have met with Rod Bluh and he has seen the plans
A:   Yes, he has only seen rough sketches of what it may look like
Q:   So there are no plans
A:   Yes, in my head
Q:   Nothing to show
A:   No not yet

MB:   Promise to attend when he can

Q:   Chair asked if any of the following are affected please can he attend:
   Financing
   Loss of green space
   Parking
   Covenant on the land
A:   Yes

No more questions – MB made his apologies he needed to leave to go the Women’s International at the CG.

Fucking hell that seems to be my worst nightmare come true.

104,000 kids a year! When we spoke to the FITC guys at the tail end of last season, it was approx 35,000 pa, which is an impressive figure and a great credit to the fantastic work the FITC guys do, but 104,000 is just fantasy. Unless they've recently employed the Pied Piper or something.

I love option III - I vote for two new stands and rotate the pitch by 45 degrees

he did mention that last night as well  :wink:

Whats pretty clear, is that in the 3 months he's been at the club, he's taking a far more general role than we were led to believe - he's the one they wheel out now for any quotes etc, over Starnes, he's the one in any pictures (with Don Rogers in todays paper etc) - what he's not doingg day in day out is coming up with detailed, well-thought out plans that compromise so they're acceptable to all concerned, as far as can be.

It seems to be the club's way...or Chippenham.

What exactly is the 'joint venture'?

If it's not just another idea idea lodged in Mike Bowden's head and a figure plucked straight from the rectum then it would appear the board are proposing to form a management company with the developer, SBC and the club.

I'm concerned that the club will in effectively remain tenants and the stake is going to be held by the holding company whom James Wills is majority shareholder.  What's also rather worrying is the rather large unnamed shareholder in this company.  Rumoured to be Diamandis but regardless whoever they are why do they feel the need to hide behind a proxy holding the shares on their behalf?

If the ultimate exercise is to increase profitability at the club and enhance it's usefulness within the community then it has to be on the condition the club own the appropriate stake and that stake cannot be transferred to another party.  For all of the hot air of the next Madjeski stadium I can't help but feel we're heading for more of a Kassam shambles in the long-run.

never expalined what the jv would be or who would control the other 70%

i assumed it would be the ground & the new buildings (hotel / conference / leisure facs)

before i agreed to anything like this it would need to be acceptable to the local residents & stand up financially for SBC.

mb's plans (in so far as they exist_ are so far from the residents' wishes that i cannot support them.

I presume they ahve clear plans on how they intend to acquiire a 30% holding? or is this the same as before and they want ownership of Council land for free so they can sell assets on it?

Nail. Head. Hit. Which is why Bill Power's pledge that he wouldn't take a profit from the redev and that the future revenue streams would be explicity ring-fenced for the club are so important.

Did anyone from the trust go to this meeting?
Bowden seems to live in a fantasy world...too many drugs whilst moshing to clash tribute bands me thinks. Perhaps he's been on the mushroom cup-a-soups.

I think you're the first Tory I've ever respected. I'm sure I'm not the only one who appreciates the dialogue you've opened with us on here, it's great to get news straight from the source without any bullshit.

Here Here Sonic

Chris Van Roon is a blue, and he is in exactly the same mould as mjad

Fair play

did not see anyone from the trust there - but have spoken to 1 member of the trust about it post the meeting.

Oh no you didn't bump into a pissed up Millom did you Mike?  Every Trust member would like to apologise for any distress he may have caused!!

 :wink:

Fuck of jock nob wad.

 :mrgreen:

Millom, you're class!!!

You aint so bad yourself mate....lets all have a love in.

 :soapy tit wank:

Ok, ok, love in over!!!!

Back to topic, quick!!!

gays

Think mjad covered everything in his report from last nights meeting.

We did get a full intro into his history etc. to start the meeting.

He used to work for NPower you know!:wink:

He did say 'a new stadium would mean taking away green space, but there are dreams that a new stadium can be a bit like Cardiff, where you can walk out of the stadium and you can instantly get food or go to a pub etc. This could be possible in Swindon when the Town Centre redevelopments happen'.

So it seems he actually has visions of either a f#cking huge stadium over the whole Broadgreen area, or the Broadgreen area's going to be overrun with pubs and food outlets as part of the town centre regeneration.

I believe Mr Bowden lives in a fantasy fairy land.  :shock:

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Once again many thanks guys for taking the time to come on here and explain.

We really appreciate it

Loving that final remark nuddy.

Maybe in his Fantasy Fairy Land, being the lawyer involved in deals centred on buying and selling power stations is actually just the right experience you need to run a football club.  In that land, the jobs are much the same.

Good old Quiffy, he does provide some entertainment it has to be said, although worryingly he thinks he is being deadly serious.

The whole board, the shareholders and their "advisers" live in a fairy fantasy land.

Don't go singling Mike Bawden out...

To be fair Bob Holt has said, "There is no Real World"

thank you.

I will try & keep posting here all i can. BUT there may be some info I am asked to keep confidential & will do so.

That is perfectly understandable mjad

would not have it any other way really

once again thanks

Mike lives in (deleted ) St  

That means hes in the ward and its a street not a road...cant be that hard to find with all the posties we have on here. :mrgreen:

Well there's:

Broad Street
Roseberry Street
Graham Street
Salisbury Street
Gladstone Street
Alfred Street

But he lives in any of those, why does he drive his fucking Maserati to the CG when it'd only take him 2 minutes to walk?!?!?

Well I live off County Road, and in the Central Ward, and I've never seen him round here !!

MB doesn't live in Central Ward.

I'm pretty sure I saw MB schmoozing at the speedway last night, don't like him one bit.  That is all

Yes, he was at speedway last night. Was there with the League cup.  Don Rogers, Roger Smart and Joe Butler were also there.

Spent quite a while on the centre green and even spoke to us lowly track staff.

Why does anyone care where bowden lives?  :shrug:

If he cohabitted with Mr F Kassam it might be an issue I suppose?

Kassams a top bloke, leave him alone