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25% => The Boardroom => Topic started by: DerbyRed on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 12:58:13



Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: DerbyRed on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 12:58:13
I'd like to point out before I start this post, I am most certainly not a supporter of the board and their mismanagement over the years is almost unforgiveable.  I am also not a fan of all this secrecy surrounding this takeover and as frustrated as everyone else at knowing nothing regarding the identity of these new investors (apart from the fact we think they're Portugese!).

However, I have an open mind and am willing to be patient and wait to see what the exact details of this new takeover are before passing judgement.

So having got that pre-ramble out of the way - playing devils advocate I believe too many people are writing off these new investors before they have even taken over.  I'm sure I read a lot of pessimism when Blackpool's Latvian owner was in the process of buying them, fans were questioning his alterior motive(s) - but I'm sure if you asked most Blackpool fans about him now, they would be delighted to have him.  he has done as promised and pumped a few £m into the club which has allowed them to climb into the Championship.

Now I'm not for a second saying this is how this situation will unfold, but it is plausible that these investors genuinely want the club to do well (as the higher we climb through the leagues, the better it is financially for them - obviously) and are happy to pump some money into the club to achieve this.  It may also be that they want to progress with the CG redevelopment, maybe they have secured another site in Swindon, who knows, but they may have decent reasons for buying the club.

As for the secrecy - if as has been rumoured they are football agents, they will know that rumours of a multi-million pound takeover will get other agents trying to tout their players to Swindon for more than they would, say Leyton Orient.  By revealing their stance, and the amount of money they will be putting into the club they would be opening themselves up to fellow agents trying to rip them off so silence keeps us getting players in at the same price as other clubs after the same players.

Finally, if some of the board do stay as part of this new development, so be it.  One underlying theme throught all the comments and speculation on any Swindon forums is that if STFC continue to survive, and hopefully go forward and prosper, then I'm sure most fans won't mind who is at the helm.

Apologies that I rambled a little bit but I hope I made my point!  Here's to hoping this investment is good news and good times will soon be heading back to the CG!  :beers:


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: Colin Todd on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 13:04:20
Good post Derby.  

Things could go either way at the moment and quite simply no-one knows.  I'm trying to err to the side of positivity, I cant live my life thinking everything is going to be shit, it does my head in. Thats said, it is cautious optimism bearing in mind what has happened in the past, I'm not kidding myelf.


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: ibelieveinmrreeves on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 13:30:36
Two good posts. Nice to read something that isn't doom and gloom (either about this or the striker situation).


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 13:32:42
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1HrsqI2sK0

 8)


Title: Re: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: Phil_S on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 13:40:53
Quote from: "DerbyRed"
I'd like to point out before I start this post, I am most certainly not a supporter of the board and their mismanagement over the years is almost unforgiveable.  I am also not a fan of all this secrecy surrounding this takeover and as frustrated as everyone else at knowing nothing regarding the identity of these new investors (apart from the fact we think they're Portugese!).

However, I have an open mind and am willing to be patient and wait to see what the exact details of this new takeover are before passing judgement.

So having got that pre-ramble out of the way - playing devils advocate I believe too many people are writing off these new investors before they have even taken over.  I'm sure I read a lot of pessimism when Blackpool's Latvian owner was in the process of buying them, fans were questioning his alterior motive(s) - but I'm sure if you asked most Blackpool fans about him now, they would be delighted to have him.  he has done as promised and pumped a few £m into the club which has allowed them to climb into the Championship.

Now I'm not for a second saying this is how this situation will unfold, but it is plausible that these investors genuinely want the club to do well (as the higher we climb through the leagues, the better it is financially for them - obviously) and are happy to pump some money into the club to achieve this.  It may also be that they want to progress with the CG redevelopment, maybe they have secured another site in Swindon, who knows, but they may have decent reasons for buying the club.

As for the secrecy - if as has been rumoured they are football agents, they will know that rumours of a multi-million pound takeover will get other agents trying to tout their players to Swindon for more than they would, say Leyton Orient.  By revealing their stance, and the amount of money they will be putting into the club they would be opening themselves up to fellow agents trying to rip them off so silence keeps us getting players in at the same price as other clubs after the same players.

Finally, if some of the board do stay as part of this new development, so be it.  One underlying theme throught all the comments and speculation on any Swindon forums is that if STFC continue to survive, and hopefully go forward and prosper, then I'm sure most fans won't mind who is at the helm.

Apologies that I rambled a little bit but I hope I made my point!  Here's to hoping this investment is good news and good times will soon be heading back to the CG!  :beers:


A very good point expressed eloquently. I'd have said it would be my view up until Sept last year.
Now, I have to disagree on a fundamental point.  The current boards mismanagement IS unforgiveable. No almost about it, they have lost all credibility with me.  Because of that they should all go. The only one who has shown any shred of decency is Starnes.
I have no axe to grind with the investors at all if only because, no body can be as bad as the current lot.


Title: Re: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 13:44:23
Quote from: "DerbyRed"
I believe too many people are writing off these new investors before they have even taken over.

I don't think people are writing off the new investors, just asking legitimate questions as to the nature and scale of any investment, and what their intentions are.
Quote
I'm sure I read a lot of pessimism when Blackpool's Latvian owner was in the process of buying them, fans were questioning his alterior motive(s) - but I'm sure if you asked most Blackpool fans about him now, they would be delighted to have him.  he has done as promised and pumped a few £m into the club which has allowed them to climb into the Championship.

Conversely, far too few Pox fans questioned when Kassam took over, those that did were shouted down by the majority saying "Oooh, be quiet, it'll be fine, he's putting money in and building us a lovely new stadium". Except he wasn't, was he? To echo your words, I'm sure if you asked most Pox fans now, they'd wish they hadn't been quite so head in the sand welcoming.
Quote
Here's to hoping this investment is good news and good times will soon be heading back to the CG!  :beers:

Totally agree - I think I'm like most people trying to keep an open mind about what the investors intentions may be, but extremely worried that the board seem wholly unwilling to answer even the most straightforward of questions as to the club's future.


Title: Re: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: DerbyRed on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 13:51:08
Quote from: "Phil_S"
Quote from: "DerbyRed"
I'd like to point out before I start this post, I am most certainly not a supporter of the board and their mismanagement over the years is almost unforgiveable.  I am also not a fan of all this secrecy surrounding this takeover and as frustrated as everyone else at knowing nothing regarding the identity of these new investors (apart from the fact we think they're Portugese!).

However, I have an open mind and am willing to be patient and wait to see what the exact details of this new takeover are before passing judgement.

So having got that pre-ramble out of the way - playing devils advocate I believe too many people are writing off these new investors before they have even taken over.  I'm sure I read a lot of pessimism when Blackpool's Latvian owner was in the process of buying them, fans were questioning his alterior motive(s) - but I'm sure if you asked most Blackpool fans about him now, they would be delighted to have him.  he has done as promised and pumped a few £m into the club which has allowed them to climb into the Championship.

Now I'm not for a second saying this is how this situation will unfold, but it is plausible that these investors genuinely want the club to do well (as the higher we climb through the leagues, the better it is financially for them - obviously) and are happy to pump some money into the club to achieve this.  It may also be that they want to progress with the CG redevelopment, maybe they have secured another site in Swindon, who knows, but they may have decent reasons for buying the club.

As for the secrecy - if as has been rumoured they are football agents, they will know that rumours of a multi-million pound takeover will get other agents trying to tout their players to Swindon for more than they would, say Leyton Orient.  By revealing their stance, and the amount of money they will be putting into the club they would be opening themselves up to fellow agents trying to rip them off so silence keeps us getting players in at the same price as other clubs after the same players.

Finally, if some of the board do stay as part of this new development, so be it.  One underlying theme throught all the comments and speculation on any Swindon forums is that if STFC continue to survive, and hopefully go forward and prosper, then I'm sure most fans won't mind who is at the helm.

Apologies that I rambled a little bit but I hope I made my point!  Here's to hoping this investment is good news and good times will soon be heading back to the CG!  :beers:


A very good point expressed eloquently. I'd have said it would be my view up until Sept last year.
Now, I have to disagree on a fundamental point.  The current boards mismanagement IS unforgiveable. No almost about it, they have lost all credibility with me.  Because of that they should all go. The only one who has shown any shred of decency is Starnes.
I have no axe to grind with the investors at all if only because, no body can be as bad as the current lot.


The only reason I didn't write 'is unforgiveable' was because if these investors turn out to be genuine and progress the club, then the board will at least have done 1 decent thing in their otherwise dreadful tenure.


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: STFC_Gazzza on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 13:56:05
All people want is answers. People are bound to be skeptical however Bill Power wasn't exactly bad was he?


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: stfctownenda on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 14:39:00
Quote from: "STFC_Gazzza"
All people want is answers. People are bound to be skeptical however Bill Power wasn't exactly bad was he?


Mark Devlin got Bill to the club tho not the current bunch of clowns.  Bill is a decent human being the board are slimy downright crooks so it makes us all a little weary to who they may have attracted to the club....trying hard to keep an open mind tho  :|


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: herthab on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 14:40:52
Quote from: "stfctownenda"
Quote from: "STFC_Gazzza"
All people want is answers. People are bound to be skeptical however Bill Power wasn't exactly bad was he?


Mark Devlin got Bill to the club tho not the current bunch of clowns.  Bill is a decent human being the board are slimy downright crooks so it makes us all a little weary to who they may have attracted to the club....trying hard to keep an open mind tho  :|


No proof of that is there?

I just thought they were inept, useless, tossers.........


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: neville w on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 14:50:20
Quote from: "stfctownenda"
Quote from: "STFC_Gazzza"
All people want is answers. People are bound to be skeptical however Bill Power wasn't exactly bad was he?


Mark Devlin got Bill to the club tho not the current bunch of clowns.  Bill is a decent human being the board are slimy downright crooks so it makes us all a little weary to who they may have attracted to the club....trying hard to keep an open mind tho  :|

 :roll:


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 14:52:32
Quote from: "herthab"
Quote from: "stfctownenda"
Quote from: "STFC_Gazzza"
All people want is answers. People are bound to be skeptical however Bill Power wasn't exactly bad was he?


Mark Devlin got Bill to the club tho not the current bunch of clowns.  Bill is a decent human being the board are slimy downright crooks so it makes us all a little weary to who they may have attracted to the club....trying hard to keep an open mind tho  :|


No proof of that is there?

I just thought they were inept, useless, tossers.........


Does Diamandis' disqualification count as criminal?  I suppose he's not technically a Board member though.


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: stfctownenda on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:01:45
Quote from: "neville w"
Quote from: "stfctownenda"
Quote from: "STFC_Gazzza"
All people want is answers. People are bound to be skeptical however Bill Power wasn't exactly bad was he?


Mark Devlin got Bill to the club tho not the current bunch of clowns.  Bill is a decent human being the board are slimy downright crooks so it makes us all a little weary to who they may have attracted to the club....trying hard to keep an open mind tho  :|

 :roll:


I said trying to keep an open mind just not succeeding  :(


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: red macca on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:05:00
Quote from: "stfctownenda"
Quote from: "STFC_Gazzza"
All people want is answers. People are bound to be skeptical however Bill Power wasn't exactly bad was he?


Mark Devlin got Bill to the club tho not the current bunch of clowns.  Bill is a decent human being the board are slimy downright crooks so it makes us all a little weary to who they may have attracted to the club....trying hard to keep an open mind tho  :|
If i was bill power i would of kicked fuck out devlin for that


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: sonic youth on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:17:42
i'm going to market a new drink - devil's advocaat


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: neville w on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:38:05
Quote from: "sonic youth"
i'm going to market a new drink - devil's advocaat


Nice one Sonic.

That's the spirit. :beers:


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:45:12
Don't egg him on


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: The_Plagiarist on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:49:41
Nothing wrong with a bit of DUTCH courage eh. :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

(Dick Advocat is/was Dutch :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:  - therein lies the pun)


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:50:15
it doesn't work if you have to explain it!


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: The_Plagiarist on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:51:45
I'll remember that for NEXT time! :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: geddit? NEXT? Next time? :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:  

(no pun intended)


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:52:27
you've gone wrong mate.  :?


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: The_Plagiarist on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:53:04
I don't get it. You'll have to explain that one :|


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: Colin Todd on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 15:56:10
I think he means you're being a twat :|


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: SwindonTartanArmy on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 17:28:08
Quote from: "The_Plagiarist"
Nothing wrong with a bit of DUTCH courage eh. :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

(Dick Advocat is/was Dutch :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:  - therein lies the pun)
advocaat is a dutch drink anyway so why mention Dick? :roll:


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: flammableBen on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 17:30:55
Advocaat and Coke is a good one. I think it goes a weird brown colour and looks like it should be solid.


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 17:35:54
Quote from: "flammableBen"
Advocaat and Coke is a good one. I think it goes a weird brown colour and looks like it should be solid.


 How do snort that up your nose ?


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: flammableBen on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 17:59:01
Through a straw or waterproof £20.


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: wheretherealredsare on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 19:28:41
Comes with health warninks I believe.


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: Simon Pieman on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 20:29:21
Quote from: "wheretherealredsare"
Comes with health warninks I believe.


Is that because nobody would advocaat drinking it?


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: wheretherealredsare on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 20:55:00
Not a snowball in hell's chance of that.

Please can we stop this, I'm trying to dethisis and I keep getting flashbacks  :oops:


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: lebowski on Thursday, August 9, 2007, 20:58:34
stop? you are havana laugh


Title: Playing Devils Advocate
Post by: neville w on Friday, August 10, 2007, 06:46:10
I'm proud of most of you - not that you're doing it for my benefit of course.