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25% => The Boardroom => Topic started by: pauld on Monday, January 28, 2019, 11:01:14



Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, January 28, 2019, 11:01:14
Opinions vary on the current state of the club, but I don't think anyone disagrees that it is certainly in the doldrums. Whether that's an understatement is a subject of much debate, (or mass-debate for some of the gloom mongers) but by way of a gallows humour counterpoint, I thought I'd start a generic "I know we're shit but it could be a lot worse" thread to point out the examples of owners worse than Power (they do exist) and clubs in a worse state. I'll kick things off with the Twitter cockwaver (literally) who is currently all set to take the League's oldest established club out of the League:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/jan/26/alan-hardy-notts-county-league-two-football-league

(This is a slightly more indepth look at how his behaviour is likely to spell doom for County than the knob joke he has made himself into)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, January 28, 2019, 11:06:35
Digressing slightly but I noticed a town fan who had a rant on twitter after we lost to Crawley to have a moan about Power. The final words on his tweet in capitals were 'IM GIVING UP'. I had a quick look at his bio which states "Swindon til I die".


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, January 28, 2019, 11:14:08
Digressing slightly but I noticed a town fan who had a rant on twitter after we lost to Crawley to have a moan about Power. The final words on his tweet in capitals were 'IM GIVING UP'. I had a quick look at his bio which states "Swindon til I die".

 :clap:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ronnie21 on Monday, January 28, 2019, 11:23:16
Opinions vary on the current state of the club, but I don't think anyone disagrees that it is certainly in the doldrums. Whether that's an understatement is a subject of much debate, (or mass-debate for some of the gloom mongers) but by way of a gallows humour counterpoint, I thought I'd start a generic "I know we're shit but it could be a lot worse" thread to point out the examples of owners worse than Power (they do exist) and clubs in a worse state. I'll kick things off with the Twitter cockwaver (literally) who is currently all set to take the League's oldest established club out of the League:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/jan/26/alan-hardy-notts-county-league-two-football-league

(This is a slightly more indepth look at how his behaviour is likely to spell doom for County than the knob joke he has made himself into)
Was also reading about Oldham, they want Scholes in as manager but he wants guarantees there will be no interference in team selection.  Apparently the temp manager picked the team promptly told to change it by the chairman!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 28, 2019, 11:30:42
Opinions vary on the current state of the club, but I don't think anyone disagrees that it is certainly in the doldrums. Whether that's an understatement is a subject of much debate, (or mass-debate for some of the gloom mongers) but by way of a gallows humour counterpoint, I thought I'd start a generic "I know we're shit but it could be a lot worse" thread to point out the examples of owners worse than Power (they do exist) and clubs in a worse state. I'll kick things off with the Twitter cockwaver (literally) who is currently all set to take the League's oldest established club out of the League:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/jan/26/alan-hardy-notts-county-league-two-football-league

(This is a slightly more indepth look at how his behaviour is likely to spell doom for County than the knob joke he has made himself into)

Thing is with Big Alan, he does seem to have put cash into the club which is what many of our fans think is all that is required for success.

Digressing slightly but I noticed a town fan who had a rant on twitter after we lost to Crawley to have a moan about Power. The final words on his tweet in capitals were 'IM GIVING UP'. I had a quick look at his bio which states "Swindon til I die".

I hope someone has checked he is OK, could have been a cry for help.....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, January 28, 2019, 11:43:05
  Interesting to read about something I've pointed out before, how Nottingham football has traditionally had fans who would go and watch Notts and Forest.  For a recent home game County dropped admission to a couple of quid and got 15K

Further, interesting to read that Notts fell away last season because of the loss of loan players

At least Wellens seems to get that you cannot reliably build a promotion side on having too many in key positions.... whether he can convince Power that having our own players will need to be financed is moot.

For me we've now entered the terrain where we can't be too sentimental about who drops..... it's dog eat dog.  Power might not be the world's worst owner, but he has reduced us to the present state, and as such leaves little wriggle room.

Both Notts (if they are to go) and Spireites last season have shown, you can have bigger budgets, seemingly doing OK and then drop due to getting a few strategic decisions wrong.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Monday, January 28, 2019, 11:53:46
I can't imagine there'd be a full house if we had a free entry game. There's very much an apathy in Swindon to the local club, too many armchair prem fans. The late 60s the gates would average around 25% of the towns population (purely estimating), compared to around 2.5% of the towns population today. Shame.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:10:11
Apathy is a very good word to describe how things are at the moment at the County Ground.

As we all know, the atmosphere has been dead for years, not helped of course by our shocking home performances and results. I was listening to the Loathed Strangers Podcast this morning and at the start, they have a raucous rendition of "Come on you Reds" which I do remember used to echo around the County Ground whenever we were awarded a corner. Now whenever we get a corner there is just a general collective muttering, as fans know we will fuck the thing up.

It can't be easy for the players given the lack of backing they are getting. We were quite patient on Saturday but after about 35 minutes this changed and every misplaced pass was berated.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:18:44
Digressing slightly but I noticed a town fan who had a rant on twitter after we lost to Crawley to have a moan about Power. The final words on his tweet in capitals were 'IM GIVING UP'. I had a quick look at his bio which states "Swindon til I die".
:D brilliant!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:19:50
Was also reading about Oldham, they want Scholes in as manager but he wants guarantees there will be no interference in team selection.  Apparently the temp manager picked the team promptly told to change it by the chairman!
Pre match on Saturday Wellens said that he has way way more freedom under Power to sign players and pick the team than he had at Oldham previously.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:23:38
Apathy is a very good word to describe how things are at the moment at the County Ground.

Yup. Need a cause to get behind, but feels like we are drifting into nothingness.

But...

At least Oxford, Rovers and Reading give hope that the season isn't a total shitshow.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:26:19
Apathy is a very good word to describe how things are at the moment at the County Ground.

As we all know, the atmosphere has been dead for years, not helped of course by our shocking home performances and results. I was listening to the Loathed Strangers Podcast this morning and at the start, they have a raucous rendition of "Come on you Reds" which I do remember used to echo around the County Ground whenever we were awarded a corner. Now whenever we get a corner there is just a general collective muttering, as fans know we will fuck the thing up.

It can't be easy for the players given the lack of backing they are getting. We were quite patient on Saturday but after about 35 minutes this changed and every misplaced pass was berated.

What's the atmosphere like amongst our fans at away games? My last away game was at Southampton when Austin scored for a 1-0 win.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:29:04
What's the atmosphere like amongst our fans at away games? My last away game was at Southampton when Austin scored for a 1-0 win.

I've not been since Crawley. Which was ok at best.


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:30:53
I've not been since notts county, which had a load of Tommy Robinson cunts there.

other than that, ok at best


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:31:24
I can't imagine there'd be a full house if we had a free entry game. There's very much an apathy in Swindon to the local club, too many armchair prem fans. The late 60s the gates would average around 25% of the towns population (purely estimating), compared to around 2.5% of the towns population today. Shame.

That would suggest around 30k crowds in the late 60's early 70's?

Yup. Need a cause to get behind, but feels like we are drifting into nothingness.

But...

At least Oxford, Rovers and Reading give hope that the season isn't a total shitshow.

Don't we have a cause 'Power Out!'


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:34:10
Don't we have a cause 'Power Out!'

Billionaire In! #projectPositive


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: chalkies_shorts on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:41:02
I think I'm pretty much done. Walked away this season over signing of McCormick and apart from the first couple of games I haven't missed it. I'm going to watch Supermarine and really enjoying it. I haven't enjoyed Town for a while now. There are so many things that I'm pissed off about but a lot of these are about league football in general and not specific to Town.
Can't see me coming back (even part time or big games) in the forseeable future - 47 years and out.
Will still spout my bollocks on the non STFC bits on here though.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:44:27
Apathy is a very good word to describe how things are at the moment at the County Ground.

As we all know, the atmosphere has been dead for years, not helped of course by our shocking home performances and results. I was listening to the Loathed Strangers Podcast this morning and at the start, they have a raucous rendition of "Come on you Reds" which I do remember used to echo around the County Ground whenever we were awarded a corner. Now whenever we get a corner there is just a general collective muttering, as fans know we will fuck the thing up.

It can't be easy for the players given the lack of backing they are getting. We were quite patient on Saturday but after about 35 minutes this changed and every misplaced pass was berated.
Apathy is a perfect word to decribe Swindon fans at the moment and probably for the last 15 years or more with one short interlude in Di Canio where he seemed to unite fans with his pre and post match war cries to the press.

He was a very public figure who knows to to inpire and motivate fans (and players too apparently) with just a few words, the difference wass that EVERYTHING PdC said was reported in the press, not just in Swindon but much further afield in the national and often international press too, absolutely everything he said.

Because he was more friendly with the press and was a huge figure in football the press were never far behind him quoting everything he said, good and bad, waiting for him to say something inspiring or offensive, but they were there.

The fans felt more of a part of the club because he constantly told them they were, he was always praising the fans, the fans felt he wanted to be with us and felt that together we would go places as a club, fans and on the pitch.

With the greatest respect to MacDonald, Cooper, Williams, Flipflop, Brown and Wellens they will never be followed by the press so will never have the opportunity to do what PdC did with the press.

He could manipulate them for his and the clubs benefits at times.

Whatever you think of the man as a person he was a great self publicist and motivational speaker but the press were always there for him to have an outlet.

So under him the fans felt they were part of the club, most of that was because of his communication with the fans.

Fans nowadays rely upon good communication which seems to be a little better under Wellens but the fans will never really feel a part of the club until they feel appreciated by the club, almost mollycoddled to be told we are great all the time and truly appreciated.

Wellens has praised the fans at many away games and said they are fantastic but rarely if any times has he praised the home supporters, the vast maority of the fans that actually see us play.

When we watch on iFollow or listen on the radio we do not generally hear the negativity when things don't go our way early in games, the constant moaning and muttering and often no more than 2 or 3 fans at a time, ut when you actually attend games you hear these things much more and they aften seem to come from the same group of maybe 50 people, this happens at every game I attend, its always the same ones. Most Town fans are very patient and at times deservedly like a moan but some fans would not be happy with 5-0 wins every week they would want more.

Sorry I have rambled enough I probably don't make mush sense, as usual.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:48:28
That would suggest around 30k crowds in the late 60's early 70's?
Swindons poulation in 1961 was 82,000.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Monday, January 28, 2019, 12:53:12
That would suggest around 30k crowds in the late 60's early 70's?


Yeah, should be 15%. Based on 1971 pop of 117k. Equivalent now would be us getting crowds of 33,000   ;D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:01:16
What's the atmosphere like amongst our fans at away games?

 Generally decent... you do get the regulars who are there for a day out come what may, so there are all the little rituals.

 Further if you've 400 at say Macc, then you can create some atmosphere, whereas it would get lost in much bigger grounds.

 I reckon a lot of the away regulars wouldn't mind too much going to non league, as new grounds and you still get things like away fans drinking in the clubhouse bar.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bewster on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:32:49
I was listening to the Loathed Strangers Podcast this morning and at the start, they have a raucous rendition of "Come on you Reds" which I do remember used to echo around the County Ground whenever we were awarded a corner. Now whenever we get a corner there is just a general collective muttering, as fans know we will fuck the thing up.

I was just thinking this the other day.

My son keeps on getting asked to go to Pompey games as its our local team. I just know the atmosphere will be electric and he will realise what it could/should be like.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:39:00
Swindons poulation in 1961 was 82,000.

1971 117k


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:39:36
I was just thinking this the other day.

My son keeps on getting asked to go to Pompey games as its our local team. I just know the atmosphere will be electric and he will realise what it could/should be like.
My mate is a season ticket holder at Pompey and has been for 30+ years and he says the atmosphere is a damp squib this season desipte their position in the league, barely one or 2 Po,pey chimes all game at the moment which is so unlike them.

I would encourage him to have another team as following just Swindon is not good for his health or sanity!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:42:14
Don't worry PV, you always make mush sense mate! :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:43:45
My mate is a season ticket holder at Pompey and has been for 30+ years and he says the atmosphere is a damp squib this season desipte their position in the league, barely one or 2 Po,pey chimes all game at the moment which is so unlike them.

I would encourage him to have another team as following just Swindon is not good for his health or sanity!

That does surprise me. Does he ever mention why he thinks that is? I always presumed it would be rocking, especially the season they are having and having come back from pretty much where we are now.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:48:58
1971 117k
TBF thats a pretty big rise on population in just the 1960s of about 45%. (obviously changing the subject somewhat) so Town gates didn't rise in proportion to population either.

Some more about it here.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/league-two-attendances-dons-grimsby-2266318


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:53:00
That does surprise me. Does he ever mention why he thinks that is? I always presumed it would be rocking, especially the season they are having and having come back from pretty much where we are now.
Yes it shocked me too, Pompey used to be a place I hated to visit as an opposing fan let alone the players in such an intimidating atmosphere of Fratton. They still average about 18k but he sayd the atmosphere is flat, but then after what hes been used to it is still probably fairly good.

He didn't actually suggest why but he did say the style of play of Kenny Jacketts side is more about getting results over entertainment.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bewster on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:53:50
My mate is a season ticket holder at Pompey and has been for 30+ years and he says the atmosphere is a damp squib this season desipte their position in the league, barely one or 2 Po,pey chimes all game at the moment which is so unlike them.

I would encourage him to have another team as following just Swindon is not good for his health or sanity!

Chap that works for me is a Pompey Season Ticket holder and he said it is pretty normal for Pompey. Not helped by the lack of away fans or the expectation to always win maybe ??


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:55:20
I think my statement about comparison to previous seasons could be valid looking at this chart.

https://www.footballgroundmap.com/stats/grounds/ratings/atmosphere/england/league-1

Interestingly Swindon comes 13th in L2!

https://www.footballgroundmap.com/stats/grounds/ratings/atmosphere/england/league-2

Not helped by the lack of away fans or the expectation to always win maybe ??
Absolutely, but most clubs do take a decent following to FP as they are the biggest side on that division this season other than Sunderland who I would say are comparable.

And yes I do agree that Pompey fans expectations are massive.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Monday, January 28, 2019, 13:59:10
TBF thats a pretty big rise on population in just the 1960s of about 45%. (obviously changing the subject somewhat) so Town gates didn't rise in proportion to population either.

Some more about it here.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/league-two-attendances-dons-grimsby-2266318

Ha, mid to low mid table


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Monday, January 28, 2019, 14:01:14
I think I'm pretty much done. Walked away this season over signing of McCormick and apart from the first couple of games I haven't missed it. I'm going to watch Supermarine and really enjoying it. I haven't enjoyed Town for a while now. There are so many things that I'm pissed off about but a lot of these are about league football in general and not specific to Town.
Can't see me coming back (even part time or big games) in the forseeable future - 47 years and out.
Will still spout my bollocks on the non STFC bits on here though.

That's a sad read but totally understandable.

I was sick of it at the end of Lukes reign and just stopped going to the last few games.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Monday, January 28, 2019, 14:10:59
My mate is a season ticket holder at Pompey and has been for 30+ years and he says the atmosphere is a damp squib this season desipte their position in the league, barely one or 2 Po,pey chimes all game at the moment which is so unlike them.

I would encourage him to have another team as following just Swindon is not good for his health or sanity!

This is really interesting - as I've mentioned before, I watch Watford fairly regularly (4-5 times a season) and away from home it's so refreshing to be involved in a big, positive, proud away following. Palace away a fortnight ago was fantastic. Can definitely see how people slip and slide to new allegiances.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 14:14:12
Can definitely see how people slip and slide to new allegiances.
Most definately, I just couldn't follow another team though, I go to games locally to me in Somerset/Devon and at bigger grounds from time to time but I personally feel detatched from the experience, a bit like when I see England play, but I fully understand fans wanting to follow bigger better teams as well, teams that win games regularly! reflected glory :D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 28, 2019, 14:24:50
Who knows, I have been very meh about football generally for a few seasons now, not sure if that is just down to Town or the general cesspit the game has become in terms of cheating and overall bollocks.

Being an exile I only get to 1 or 2 Town games a year, however I get to a fair few non-league games, over the years I have had time following fairly regularly (at home) Gateshead and Lancaster City and less so Workington, need to get myself to a Barrow game this season.

I cannot be arsed with football, whether a Town revival would help who knows.... at least I am not that Spurs lass crying on Twitter.... Video had to be taken down as lots of pervy men started DM'ing the poor lass


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Shrivvy Road on Monday, January 28, 2019, 14:44:49
This is really interesting - as I've mentioned before, I watch Watford fairly regularly (4-5 times a season) and away from home it's so refreshing to be involved in a big, positive, proud away following. Palace away a fortnight ago was fantastic. Can definitely see how people slip and slide to new allegiances.
I am the same Panda. I have always had a soft spot for Liverpool but over the years could just never justify going to a Liverpool game if Town were playing whether that be home or away. That has changed the last 3-4 years and it hurts me to say that the whole match day experience i enjoy more. Still never really celebrate goals at Liverpool properly and will never have the same buzz


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, January 28, 2019, 14:57:55
In my twenties I would watch almost every live TV game, watch Match of the Day every week etc. I used to love going to Town games (due to living abroad) and really had the buzz.

For about 5 years now, that buzz has gone, I barely watch any live games anymore and often going to see Swindon is proving more of a chore than something I enjoy.

Living in London I have been to a couple of Fulham and Spurs games (going on Wednesday at home v Watford) which I enjoy, only because the standard of football is so high. I 'cheer' on Fulham but its never the same as when Swindon score, it never will be.

the Sky era has more or less sucked the enjoyment out of football these days.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bewster on Monday, January 28, 2019, 15:12:23
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is a bit Meh about football. I still avidly follow the Town, go to a few games, more away than home but the whole buzz that was here in the PDC era has long gone. Back in the 80s, 90s, 00s I used to go to games and really expected to win. Nowadays I just hope we don't lose.

As already stated I think football has changed as a whole and spoilt completely by money. The gulf between the rich and the poor has grown to a level where it is so extreme that it has sucked the life out of the domestic cup competitions.

I've been thinking about going to MK and thought I'd take in Bletchley Park with the boy. I'm more excited about planning the trip and visiting BP than the game itself. Read into that what you will.   


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Monday, January 28, 2019, 15:13:17
Great, another wankfest over who goes the least.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, January 28, 2019, 15:14:12
Great, another wankfest over who goes the least.

I could win that one, though.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 28, 2019, 15:18:57
I could win that one, though.

Not sure about that.... on reflection I am not sure when I actually last went.....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: wheretherealredsare on Monday, January 28, 2019, 15:19:40
I could win that one, though.

Ahem! ...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 28, 2019, 15:20:18
Great, another wankfest over who goes the least.

I think that's part of the problem, we have all reached a certain age where we have no fests in life, just kids and discussions about second hand cars, mortgages and thermostats   :D :hmmm:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, January 28, 2019, 15:25:37
the Sky era has more or less sucked the enjoyment out of football these days.

I'm not sure it has. Over a life time of fandom, there will always be changes to how you see it.  

So there have been times when due to circumstances I've barely missed a game, then other times when it's not really fitted the lifestyle, so would only do highdays and holidays.

I'm not as rabid as when a lad, but still get the buzz.

However it's quite rare these days to find those with a lifetime commitment, more common are those who maybe go for a bit when things are promising but flake off, when the going gets tough, and become armchair and probably follow a Prem side.

They'll prob only go and watch said Prem side once in a blue moon, esp if Man City, but will talk about it in the pub.

You can see it on here, and of course it's reflected in the gates.

I know a few who are similar about other lower league clubs, and it's always fun to take the piss out of plastic Prem followers.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Shrivvy Road on Monday, January 28, 2019, 15:29:36
Great, another wankfest over who goes the least.
Hang on. You made a point of telling everyone when you were going to reading games?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Monday, January 28, 2019, 15:59:44
I only attend to get a beer off The Flash  :pint:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Monday, January 28, 2019, 16:55:46
Hang on. You made a point of telling everyone when you were going to reading games?

Yeah I do on the odd occasion as it's 10 minutes from my house and a lot of mates are Reading supporters - but I still watch the Town. In fact watching Reading makes me appreciate Town a lot more! I've never watched Reading when Town were at home.

There's a general vibe, particularly on Twitter, that people love talking about how much they dont go anymore. I don't even think it's true seeing as we're still getting around about 6k (ish).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Monday, January 28, 2019, 17:00:12
Yeah I do on the odd occasion as it's 10 minutes from my house and a lot of mates are Reading supporters - but I still watch the Town. In fact watching Reading makes me appreciate Town a lot more! I've never watched Reading when Town were at home.

There's a general vibe, particularly on Twitter, that people love talking about how much they dont go anymore. I don't even think it's true seeing as we're still getting around about 6k (ish).

I still watch Town whenever I can, and would love to go more.

It's still interesting to me to hear people talk about watching other teams, comparing the experience etc.

That's quite some over-reaction from you...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, January 28, 2019, 17:35:16
Quote from: Flashheart
Quote
Great, another wankfest over who goes the least.
I could win that one, though.

where's DV when you need him


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Monday, January 28, 2019, 18:10:08
I could win that one, though.

where's DV when you need him

I thought he was Rocking Robin?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bogus Dave on Monday, January 28, 2019, 18:33:13
 Oh boo hoo, Swindon aren’t doing very well so I’m going to stop going and go watch some other more successful teams instead or do something else

Pathetic

Actually, that’s harsh. Will edit

If/when Swindon town football clubs starts being competitive, winning games and making headlines for on the pitch achievements again, these fans will return and/or be replaced

Sunrise, sunset. Cats in the cradle and a silver spoon.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, January 28, 2019, 18:42:13
I might be adopting a Thai team when the new season starts. That's nothing to do with Swindon's performance, though.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 18:46:31
I might be adopting a Thai team when the new season starts. That's nothing to do with Swindon's performance, though.
Teams in other countries who will never play vs Swindon competitively have always been exempt :D

Actually what is the standard like over there?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, January 28, 2019, 18:46:56
I was worried when moving abroad about missing Swindon, but they went and streamed all the games for me.  It's been horrific - watched more games than I have done since 1993-97 period in quite probably our worst period.

I have enjoyed the Atlanta Utd games mind, the atmosphere is pretty good and the stadium is insane.   I do wonder how it will change when they have a poor season though - for now, they remain really positive even if behind and playing badly - will that remain when it's 46 games after 46 games of mediocrity?  I guess not.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, January 28, 2019, 19:06:31
Actually what is the standard like over there?

No idea to be honest.

I'm mostly going for the craic. Booze will be consumed.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 19:13:09
No idea to be honest.

I'm mostly going for the craic. Booze will be consumed.
Hopefully you will let us know how it is if you can indeed remember! foreign leagues are very interesting, seeing what sort of crowd is there, if there is any atmosphere and the quality of the actual football played, very interesting stuff, also what beer they have other than Singha!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Sir red ken on Monday, January 28, 2019, 19:15:58
No idea to be honest.

I'm mostly going for the craic. Booze will be consumed.
WTF is the craic?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 28, 2019, 19:17:36
WTF is the craic?


Quote
Craic - pronounced as crack.
Irish word for fun/enjoyment that has been brought into the English language. usu. when mixed with alcohol and/or music.
'Bhi craic agus ceol againn' : We had fun and music.
Fun doesn't really cut it though. General banter, good times had by all.
Also, a person who is good fun/great company.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, January 28, 2019, 19:21:49
It can also take on another meaning if headed to a red-light district.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Shrivvy Road on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 08:41:08
Oh boo hoo, Swindon aren’t doing very well so I’m going to stop going and go watch some other more successful teams instead or do something else

Pathetic

Actually, that’s harsh. Will edit

If/when Swindon town football clubs starts being competitive, winning games and making headlines for on the pitch achievements again, these fans will return and/or be replaced

Sunrise, sunset. Cats in the cradle and a silver spoon.
I think the difference these days is that people are actively watching other teams these days.I am still going to games to be fair just not as many. I find myself sitting there bored now or listening to fans arguing. That's pathetic


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 09:01:47
Started going to watch Banbury United a fair bit, really enjoyable, stand at the side with a beer etc. Not doing too bad in the league too.

And yes, they still hate Jed.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 09:18:36
Started going to watch Banbury United a fair bit, really enjoyable, stand at the side with a beer etc. Not doing too bad in the league too.

And yes, they still hate Jed.

Is Jed still involved at Solihull Moors? They are flying high in the Conference and we could well be playing them next season.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 09:28:42
I think the difference these days is that people are actively watching other teams these days.I am still going to games to be fair just not as many. I find myself sitting there bored now or listening to fans arguing. That's pathetic

I still watch Town as often as possible, but living 120 miles away and having access to cheap/free tickets at Watford makes it a pretty good substitute.

Your point about listening to fans argue is interesting. I remember away at AFC Wimbledon a couple of years ago being the worst, but for the last 3-4 season, our fans are so, so negative. Constantly bickering, constantly berating the players. Doesn't stop me going, but does make me think twice sometimes as it's just not an enjoyable atmosphere.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 10:09:59
I still watch Town as often as possible, but living 120 miles away and having access to cheap/free tickets at Watford makes it a pretty good substitute.

Your point about listening to fans argue is interesting. I remember away at AFC Wimbledon a couple of years ago being the worst, but for the last 3-4 season, our fans are so, so negative. Constantly bickering, constantly berating the players. Doesn't stop me going, but does make me think twice sometimes as it's just not an enjoyable atmosphere.
I am the same, living 120 (driving) miles away myself I only attend the local games to me, when well enough so just Yeovil, Exeter and Bournemouth (when we played them) unless I am in the locality already on a trip and a very few home games, but when I go the bickering and moaning from our own fans can indeed put me off, I find if I am sat close to the moaners I will move.

The whole atmosphere at home games especially so, the moaning seems to catch on quickly if we concede but as I stated earlier in this thread...for some being top of the table and winning 5-0 they would still moan and complain, its just when it catches on when we missplace a pass or go a goal down it annoys me much more.

As an example, the last home game I went to some bloke in his 40s stood fairly close to me shouted insults and booed every time Woolery touched the ball shouting stuff like "fuck off back to Wigan (of Forest Green) every single time, he was the same with Bayo too, "fuck off back to Fulham you useless wanker" and actually booed before he even touched the ball.

When the atmosphere is so quiet I am sure some of that must get to the players ears as he always made sure he shouted loudest when it was quietest.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 10:21:41

Your point about listening to fans argue is interesting. I remember away at AFC Wimbledon a couple of years ago being the worst, but for the last 3-4 season, our fans are so, so negative. Constantly bickering, constantly berating the players. Doesn't stop me going, but does make me think twice sometimes as it's just not an enjoyable atmosphere.

Full disclosure, I have not set foot in the theatre of nightmares for probably 15-20 years but from the various description which regularly appear on here to suggesting little positive atmosphere, getting on players backs very quickly it sounds fairly fucking toxic these days, could this explain our piss poor home form?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 10:57:01
Is Jed still involved at Solihull Moors? They are flying high in the Conference and we could well be playing them next season.

No, dont think so. The old oxford chairman is.

Jeds at worcester warriors


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 10:57:23
Is Jed still involved at Solihull Moors? They are flying high in the Conference and we could well be playing them next season.
No, he was last seen at Worcester RFU


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 10:58:13
No, he was last seen at Worcester RFU

Rrrrroooooaaaaaarrrrrrr


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:02:26
Full disclosure, I have not set foot in the theatre of nightmares for probably 15-20 years but from the various description which regularly appear on here to suggesting little positive atmosphere, getting on players backs very quickly it sounds fairly fucking toxic these days, could this explain our piss poor home form?

The whole atmosphere at home games especially so, the moaning seems to catch on quickly if we concede but as I stated earlier in this thread...for some being top of the table and winning 5-0 they would still moan and complain, its just when it catches on when we missplace a pass or go a goal down it annoys me much more.

As an example, the last home game I went to some bloke in his 40s stood fairly close to me shouted insults and booed every time Woolery touched the ball shouting stuff like "fuck off back to Wigan (of Forest Green) every single time, he was the same with Bayo too, "fuck off back to Fulham you useless wanker" and actually booed before he even touched the ball.

When the atmosphere is so quiet I am sure some of that must get to the players ears as he always made sure he shouted loudest when it was quietest.

This sort of ritual "abuse" of our own players has happened on each of  the last 6 home games I have been to over the last couple of years.

The players don't even need to be playing badly to get abuse from several members of the crowd, its just a natural thing with some fans to moan, shout insults and abuse our own players every single game.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:17:12
I am the same, living 120 (driving) miles away myself I only attend the local games to me, when well enough so just Yeovil, Exeter and Bournemouth (when we played them) unless I am in the locality already on a trip and a very few home games, but when I go the bickering and moaning from our own fans can indeed put me off, I find if I am sat close to the moaners I will move.

The whole atmosphere at home games especially so, the moaning seems to catch on quickly if we concede but as I stated earlier in this thread...for some being top of the table and winning 5-0 they would still moan and complain, its just when it catches on when we missplace a pass or go a goal down it annoys me much more.

As an example, the last home game I went to some bloke in his 40s stood fairly close to me shouted insults and booed every time Woolery touched the ball shouting stuff like "fuck off back to Wigan (of Forest Green) every single time, he was the same with Bayo too, "fuck off back to Fulham you useless wanker" and actually booed before he even touched the ball.

When the atmosphere is so quiet I am sure some of that must get to the players ears as he always made sure he shouted loudest when it was quietest.

Fans have always moaned since the year dot, and has been like that at the few clubs I've been to as a neutral, some ridiculously so.  Remember being at the City Ground circa 78.  Near end of season , Forest had just been presented with the league title and were playing Brum.... terrible game and ended 0-0.   It was McGovern you're useless, O'Neil  fucking donkey,  Barrett why don't you piss off and sign for Swindon (I made that bit up).  They went on and won two European Cups.

For many they're not even aware they're doing it... it's a kind of catharsis.  If you work in a difficult job, perhaps have unsatisfying personal relationships, it's a socially acceptable way to vent some bad feelings.

Watching Town at the CG for the last couple of years has certainly been a vintage period for those of a moaning tendency.  My take, is at least they're still there, unlike the moaners about moaners who use that as an excuse to lapse.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:21:28
Fans have always moaned since the year dot, and has been like that at the few clubs I've been to as a neutral, some ridiculously so.  Remember being at the City Ground circa 78.  Near end of season , Forest had just been presented with the league title and were playing Brum.... terrible game and ended 0-0.   It was McGovern you're useless, O'Neil  fucking donkey,  Barrett why don't you piss off and sign for Swindon (I made that bit up).  They went on and won two European Cups.

For many they're not even aware they're doing it... it's a kind of catharsis.  If you work in a difficult job, perhaps have unsatisfying personal relationships, it's a socially acceptable way to vent some bad feelings.

Watching Town at the CG for the last couple of years has certainly been a vintage period for those of a moaning tendency.  My take, is at least they're still there, unlike the moaners about moaners who use that as an excuse to lapse.
Oh I agree, fans have and will always moan, but the bloke that I was pointing out is a shouter, constantly, all game and even when we score he won't cheer. He stands not far from the Flash in the Town End.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:31:48
Oh I agree, fans have and will always moan, but the bloke that I was pointing out is a shouter, constantly, all game and even when we score he won't cheer. He stands not far from the Flash in the Town End.

There'll always be some who aren't the full ticket.... in a big crowd they're less obvious, but in say nowadays TE, they're very obvious.  If it really gets on your wick, then move.... there's plenty of space.   Probably better than trying the voice of reason.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:31:49
Does he wear a cap?  :sherlock:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:33:17
Does he wear a cap?  :sherlock:
No but he is mid 40's chubby and shaved head with a slight wanabee goatee, I think he is a season ticket holder, which considering the way he moans how much he hates the players, the club and Power is ironic.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Shrivvy Road on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:45:14
I still watch Town as often as possible, but living 120 miles away and having access to cheap/free tickets at Watford makes it a pretty good substitute.

Your point about listening to fans argue is interesting. I remember away at AFC Wimbledon a couple of years ago being the worst, but for the last 3-4 season, our fans are so, so negative. Constantly bickering, constantly berating the players. Doesn't stop me going, but does make me think twice sometimes as it's just not an enjoyable atmosphere.
Thing is it is both sides and it now transfers to twitter and on here. Literally bickering like fuck, you can't even moan at a player without being moaned at any more. I remember shouting out for fuck sake about a wayward pass by Knoyle and some idiot abusing me about being unsupportive  ::)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:46:50
Dickhead who sits a couple of rows behind me, his record before getting on Norris back last season was 32 seconds.

Moaning twat


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:48:52

As an example, the last home game I went to some bloke in his 40s stood fairly close to me shouted insults and booed every time Woolery touched the ball shouting stuff like "fuck off back to Wigan (of Forest Green) every single time, he was the same with Bayo too, "fuck off back to Fulham you useless wanker" and actually booed before he even touched the ball.


Looking at the players he is singling out it does hint that there might be another reason for his specific abuse  :hmmm: :hmmm:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:52:50
Dickhead who sits a couple of rows behind me, his record before getting on Norris back last season was 32 seconds.

Moaning twat

A little off topic, but 11ish years back we went to Stockport v. Swindon as part of my stag weekend, with a few lads attending who had never been to a football match before.

Within about 5 mins of kick off there was a bloke behind us who berated Aljofree (who was useless that day to be honest), he spent the whole match shouting 'Aljofree you are a fucking disgrace' etc in the most stereotypical Wiltshire accent it was frankly embarrassing although my mates thought it was hilarious and completely supported the opinion they always had of me as a fucking yokel.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:55:45
I remember a game yonks ago when I was stood close to some bloke giving Kerslake shit from Kick-off to the final whistle. He was relentless.

Kerslake wasn't even playing in that match. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 12:05:15
Thing is it is both sides and it now transfers to twitter and on here. Literally bickering like fuck, you can't even moan at a player without being moaned at any more. I remember shouting out for fuck sake about a wayward pass by Knoyle and some idiot abusing me about being unsupportive  ::)

There's an obvious common sense approach though - everyone has a pop from time to time, in frustration, but continuous abuse of our own players and staff is just weird and massively off-putting for me. AFC Wimbledon away 2 years ago, with the away end behind the dugout, was just a constant toxic tirade towards the bench by a fairly sized minority.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bogus Dave on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 12:14:22
Person at work, goes about 3-4 times a season, and even he’s pointed out how the fans seem to be silent until they can start getting on the players backs


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 12:16:35
I had some twat tell me to sit down once, I was actually walking down the steps to go to the bogs, and I hadn't even stopped. They got some chops back ;D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 12:19:12
I've never known the ground to be so quiet.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 13:51:55
Interesting comments - what I can deduce from them is that if we were allowed to sell beer you can take to your seats, and allow unrestricted seating around the ground, everyone would enjoy the games regardless of standard of football?  There can be no other explanation for watching Swindon Supermarine and enjoying it - whichever way you cut it, the football is worse than even Saturday's performance by both teams.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 13:53:08
Oh, and interestingly, for me, the Atlanta Utd MLS Final game had 73,000 fans stood for the entire game, even in the top tier, drinking beer and a large section is unrestricted seating.  They seemed happy, but they did win I guess.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 14:11:26
Interesting comments - what I can deduce from them is that if we were allowed to sell beer you can take to your seats, and allow unrestricted seating around the ground, everyone would enjoy the games regardless of standard of football?  There can be no other explanation for watching Swindon Supermarine and enjoying it - whichever way you cut it, the football is worse than even Saturday's performance by both teams.

Those that don't fancy the moaners at football, might give egg chasing a go.  Here you can still drink beer and watch, and anything other than support for all and sundry is definitely not the done thing.  They even shut up for opposition pen kicks.

Doubtless, you can get a decent cup of espresso or some such muck at half time.... rather than Bovril.

Supermarine are too closely connected to Justin Tomlinson and Wonga for my taste.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 14:44:27
The default position of "moaners" have always been and thus always will is simplifying the issue.

A lot of people are being discouraged from watching Town because the constant stream of negativity makes it less fun. It's not always been so, and I'm not talking about moaning, I'm talking about constant, unfounded abuse.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 14:48:42
The simple fact is that large number of fans will only put up with watching shite for so long. Season after season of dreadful home form has taken its toll.

It’s a wonder we still get 6,000 tbh.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Sippo on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 14:54:45
I wonder if we were doing well, would the crowd increase. I probably doubt it would considerably.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 15:06:00
I wonder if we were doing well, would the crowd increase. I probably doubt it would considerably.
The only valid comparison recently is that under PdC the crowd rarely dropped under 8k with 4 games being well over 10k.

Success brings crowds, I think considering the shit served up in the last few years over 6k average is bloody good going, if we got to the play off positions I think we would again get 8k with possibly 11k for the actual play off home leg.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 15:18:37
PDC probably not a fair comparison, probably pulled in a few hammers and curious nuterals given he's bat shit crazy.

Wellens hasn't got that gravitas. Not yet.

even so, 7k+ should easily be achievable with a sustained run.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 15:22:02
Is Jed still involved at Solihull Moors? They are flying high in the Conference and we could well be playing them next season.

Nope, but I didn't realise that Tim Flowers is manager there.......


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 15:40:07
PDC probably not a fair comparison, probably pulled in a few hammers and curious nuterals given he's bat shit crazy.
It was only a fair comparison based upon us being in the same division and crwods while we are doing well, although you are probably right, whos to say Wellens doesn't bring in extra Leicester and Blackpool fans to see their former idol ;)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 15:47:23
Success brings crowds, I think considering the shit served up in the last few years over 6k average is bloody good going.

Exactly. Power needs to look after those that still go.... those that don't that's their business, but the home form needs improving.  After get out of jail wins in the first 2 against sides just up from the Conference...we've won 2 of the next 13, chuck in home defeats in both cups and it's a sorry state of affairs.

Wellens has 8 games to show some progress in this area.... I would say 4 wins is the minimum requirement, otherwise the atmosphere will get more toxic.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 15:53:38
Exactly. Power needs to look after those that still go.... those that don't that's their business, but the home form needs improving.  After get out of jail wins in the first 2 against sides just up from the Conference...we've won 2 of the next 13, chuck in home defeats in both cups and it's a sorry state of affairs.

Wellens has 8 games to show some progress in this area.... I would say 4 wins is the minimum requirement, otherwise the atmosphere will get more toxic.

Just out of interest how is Power supposed to do this, he has appointed a manager, provided support in the transfer market and a budget comparable with many in the league, not sure what else he can be expected to do?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 16:08:45
Just out of interest how is Power supposed to do this, he has appointed a manager, provided support in the transfer market and a budget comparable with many in the league, not sure what else he can be expected to do?

That's for Power to figure out.  If it was me, I think I'd look at the budget, and wonder if a way could be found of increasing it. Failing that I think I would question if I was the right person, to bring the 6000 or so what they want., and consider my position.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 16:36:10
That's for Power to figure out.  If it was me, I think I'd look at the budget, and wonder if a way could be found of increasing it. Failing that I think I would question if I was the right person, to bring the 6000 or so what they want., and consider my position.

Consider my position? He owns the bloody club whats he going to do give it to someone else?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 16:41:11
Coming from Reg, that's basically a "Power out!"


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 16:41:22
Consider my position? He owns the bloody club whats he going to do give it to someone else?

I'm not sure of its value, but if you fail to bring the required success, then look to sell it on.  Isn't that basic business practice?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 16:48:11
I'm not sure of its value, but if you fail to bring the required success, then look to sell it on.  Isn't that basic business practice?

Basic business would be making money out of ones investment, which a nice little training ground with a tenant paying rent, some houses (Although if the Council have any gumption they will tie  that up in knots via s.106) and a share in a redeveloped ground with 24/7/365 revenue all achieves.

We have been stagnant on the pitch for 3 years yet crowds are standing up, we can moan all we like but its up to him what he does with his investment, as the title of this thread shows, a quick look around suggests things could be a lot worse,  when you look at those clubs in dire straits and see the mobilisation of their fans, one has to wonder why the enthusiasm isn't here for similar, perhaps in the cold light of day its not as bad as the doom mongers suggest - I do not attend so I do not know?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 16:58:10
I'm not sure of its value, but if you fail to bring the required success, then look to sell it on.  Isn't that basic business practice?
He’s said it often enough. He’s not here to bring success. He’s here to make money.

If success comes it would be as a byproduct - not a priority.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 22:08:12
 Oldham losing and Newport drawing means we keep 12th place....  the battle at the top end between former Power bosses ended unsurprisingly honours even 1-1..  hopefully FGR may have picked up an injury or 2, as like us they're better away than home.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 17:06:14
I'm not sure of its value, but if you fail to bring the required success, then look to sell it on.  Isn't that basic business practice?
But if its not turning a profit surely no one's going to want to invest ?.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 13:14:01
Returning the thread back to it's original purpose after the navel-gazing of the last 7 pages :)

At least we're not getting frequent flyer miles from the insolvency courts these days:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47150388


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 13:30:04
Bury FC and a winding up order? I’m so shocked!

Get them buckets out again lads!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 13:37:50
It is a fairy tale


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 13:53:47
Returning the thread back to it's original purpose after the navel-gazing of the last 7 pages :)

At least we're not getting frequent flyer miles from the insolvency courts these days:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47150388

On a procedural point, if the debt had been paid why did HMRC waste court time and money, why did they not just withdraw the petition....

Linked from the article this is quite an interesting read https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41083617 good to see Big Al from County get his say whilst keeping it in his pants!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 14:00:54
On a procedural point, if the debt had been paid why did HMRC waste court time and money, why did they not just withdraw the petition....

Linked from the article this is quite an interesting read https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41083617 good to see Big Al from County get his say whilst keeping it in his pants!

Dont need it out of your pants when its your screensaver... (if anyone still uses those)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 14:06:37
Dont need it out of your pants when its your screensaver... (if anyone still uses those)

Christ was it bounding round the screen like those old Windows screensavers?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 15:40:26
Christ was it bounding round the screen like those old Windows screensavers?

Ahh the old Windows 95 lock screen. Black background and each "bump" changed the colour (cyan, magenta, yellow...). You could also go into the settings and write your own message like "Dave's Away" but it was used for something more important than that. 12/13 year old geeks at senior school were provided with an opportunity to get their own back on the classroom bully by inputting "cocksucker" or "bender" on it. This also doubled up well if you popped in "Swedish Porn" on a google image search too. So as they were flummoxed at the lock screen message, as it disappeared they had a screen full of fanny. Which of course the IT teacher was already there as the "bully" had summoned the teacher over about the "issue" with their screen.

Obviously the net was also slower so it wasn't like you could close the tab quickly and there were no content filters (great idea, lets unleash the uncensored internet to a bunch of randy 14 year old boys!) either or if there were, they weren't very good.

Good times.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 17:22:33
Not school(but almost)

When I was an engineer we all had a pc back at the base. If you forgot to lock it when you went on a call, the  registry would be hacked and you'd boot up to a flashing red light with "gay porn alert" in large red letters with a nice siren noise the next morning.

When the new company intranet went live for the first time, we hacked that and replaced all the bosses profile photos with gifs from the muppet show. That really went down a storm :)

The all time fave was when  full network printing came in, and you could walk past any printer in any of  the offices and find multiple copies of  someone wanted a portion of sausage, and fast, usually accompanied by their full contact details including  home address..

Kids eh


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 17:44:48
Haha brilliant! Imagine the world of shit you'd get in now. I'm considered a "PC, Leftie socialist" but if you can't have a bit of a chuckle now and again, even at someone else's expense, when can you?  :pint:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 12:39:58
Only a matter of time before Blackpool cropped up in this thread:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/13/blackpool-receivership-sale-risk-12-point-deduction


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 12:44:02
Difficult one for the EFL that.

A large part of the Blackpool situation is the ELF taking no interest/unable to act on the Oystens.

But the club look like they are goint to fall foul of the rule. Can you really make exceptions for them?

Contraversial. I say not.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 12:44:25
Only a matter of time before Blackpool cropped up in this thread:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/13/blackpool-receivership-sale-risk-12-point-deduction

The annoying thing is that despite their basketcasery, on the pitch they're doing reasonably OK.  If they do get the points deduction then it might keep one of Rovers or Oxford up which would be hugely annoying.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 12:44:26
I saw this yesterday, it could be good for the club eventually to be rid of the scummy owners but it could leave them in the shit for a while.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 12:45:58
Difficult one for the EFL that.

A large part of the Blackpool situation is the ELF taking no interest/unable to act on the Oystens.

But the club look like they are goint to fall foul of the rule. Can you really make exceptions for them?

Contraversial. I say not.
If there's one thing the League are good at, it's being inflexible in applying rules when the whole situation is palpably more their fault than the club's. That and bending over whenever the Premier League ask them to


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 12:51:38
If there's one thing the League are good at, it's being inflexible in applying rules when the whole situation is palpably more their fault than the club's. That and bending over whenever the Premier League ask them to

Very true.... the Div 3 relegation battle is very close... from about 23rd to 13th/14th... a deduction would put Blackpool in the mix, but they still might just have enough to stay up.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 13:20:00
Thing is I recall from Twitter that a points deduction would take them down the  league but leave them outside the relegation zone, add into the mix that they are obviously a half decent side if they are mid table and thus should pick up more points than the teams they would find themselves competing with at the bottom, seems a reasonable price to pay to free themselves from the Oyston Yoke?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 13:21:32
would take them 2 points above the zone.

it's tight down there


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 13:22:50
would take them 2 points above the zone.

it's tight down there
Said the actress to the bishop...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 13:34:42
would take them 2 points above the zone.

it's tight down there

Indeed but they are unbeaten in 6 games and I cannot see any of the teams at the bottom having that sort of form. Its very tight but equally there goal difference is much better than any of the team down there as well so that's basically another point.

From the number of tangerines that went down to London for the hearing I get the impression the fans think its a price worth paying?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 13:39:51
Essentially, regardless of reasons and fairness, they are trading when insolvent - the club should have a much worse squad so they could afford to pay back the money they owe.  That's why the rule is there, to discourage people trading that way - the reality is you can't really tell owners like these that.  One of those moments where the short term pain may be worth it in the long run.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 13:50:58
It was wrong when we got demoted and it’s wrong if they dock Blackpool points.

Offences off the pitch should be dealt with off the pitch.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 13:52:50
If the FA/FL do decide to dock the club 12 points then please do it at the start of next season, thank you FL/FA.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, February 15, 2019, 13:04:08
Christ, talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place - some non-football perspective on the "good guy" in the Blackpool boardroom struggle:

https://thesternfacts.com/trump-jr-now-tied-to-banker-behind-russian-money-laundering-scheme-6664d24642fc


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Friday, February 15, 2019, 16:22:41
In When Saturday Comes, there was an article about Chansiri at Sheff Wednesday trying to flog PL season tickets for when they get there. Non-refundable. £445 a go, or you can get a 10 year one for £3200 if you fancy.

Lunatic.


Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Benzel on Sunday, February 17, 2019, 14:25:02
Oh boo hoo, Swindon aren’t doing very well so I’m going to stop going and go watch some other more successful teams instead or do something else

Pathetic

Actually, that’s harsh. Will edit

If/when Swindon town football clubs starts being competitive, winning games and making headlines for on the pitch achievements again, these fans will return and/or be replaced

Sunrise, sunset. Cats in the cradle and a silver spoon.
I quite like the first draft.

Sent from my CLT-L09


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Monday, February 18, 2019, 10:37:28
Thing is I recall from Twitter that a points deduction would take them down the  league but leave them outside the relegation zone, add into the mix that they are obviously a half decent side if they are mid table and thus should pick up more points than the teams they would find themselves competing with at the bottom, seems a reasonable price to pay to free themselves from the Oyston Yoke?

Most Blackpool fans would like to avoid the deduction but feel it's a very small price to pay if Oyston is out. It seems incredibly harsh to penalise a club which has not overspent and does not owe any money (it's the owners that owe Belokon, not the club)... But the laws around receivership have to be applied, meaning once again it is the EFL at fault for (a) not preventing the mess through proper legislation, (b) not sorting the mess out at any point over the last 5+ years, and (c) not having suitable flexibility in their own rules.

No wonder Harvey has decided to walk, no doubt hoping for a Scudamore-esque bonus. Good luck with that Shaun.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Monday, February 18, 2019, 16:19:25
Yet another winding up order down the other end of the A420!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, February 18, 2019, 16:26:36
5 in a row! ⚰️

Apparently, they have reneged on their payment to Uncle Firoz. £800,000 pa

It gets better. Their previous Winding Up Order was for non payment to HMRC - an obvious oversight said the little Thai fella.

Tomorrow is the day for the next HMRC payment - VAT, NI, Income Tax etc.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kyFyAqLtHq8


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, February 18, 2019, 16:49:38
Yet another winding up order down the other end of the A420!
Would rather it was MK but Pox is a close 2nd, more than anything because of the reaction of their fans when similar happened to us.

I will never forget that, the mirth and merriment on their forums etc. what goes around comes around.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, February 18, 2019, 16:54:00
 Power might have reduced us to 14th in Div 4, but at least we are seemingly reasonably OK in terms of debt. 

Oxford look like they've spunked money they haven't got to get out of their more rightful non league status, and now it's catching up with them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, February 18, 2019, 16:55:35
Would rather it was MK

What the actual fuck? You’re shitting me, right?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Ardiles on Monday, February 18, 2019, 16:57:39
I'm with PV.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:00:28
Jesus


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:02:38
I'm with PV.

+1


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: donkey on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:02:46
I'm with PV.

Me too.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Quagmire on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:03:39
Me too.
And me


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:07:33
What the fuck is going on here?

Pox over MK?

You’re all fucking insane


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:10:22
To be fair it is like the choice between having to eat  dog or cat shit really.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:18:09
What the fuck is going on here?

Pox over MK?

You’re all fucking insane

It's quite simple really, you often hear fans say at times of crisis, I wouldn't want to see any club go under.... even Oxford.

However I think nobody would care if Franchise went.... it's just not been put to the test.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:21:55
Me too.
And me. Oxford are our local rivals, we love to hate them, we'd be sorry if they didn't exist. Whereas Franchise should never have existed in the first place.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:27:10
It's quite simple really, you often hear fans say at times of crisis, I wouldn't want to see any club go under.... even Oxford.

However I think nobody would care if Franchise went.... it's just not been put to the test.
Exactly this.

And me. Oxford are our local rivals, we love to hate them, we'd be sorry if they didn't exist. Whereas Franchise should never have existed in the first place.
And this.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Super Hans on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:28:36
If Oxford went tomorrow I'd laugh but then realise we'll never play them and get a derby day again. Admittedly I'd soon be over it and I hate Bristol City nearly as much so they could take top spot.

MK though... shouldn't even exist. One of the darkest days in football when they came to be.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:35:50
me too


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:39:08
Me too.

But contributing to a bucket collection would be pushing it.  :no:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:46:15
Me too.

But contributing to a bucket collection would be pushing it.  :no:
:D absolutely. There is a line...thats way over that line!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, February 18, 2019, 17:57:00
I see rumours that the lawnmowers have been repossessed.  Can't be good.  Football clubs have an unhealthy way of plodding through such travails usually, so they will probably survive, but that did bring back memories as the very same equipment had a Secured Loan against it at the CG back in the day!  It should be a FL test or something - if you have secured your lawnmower against debts, things have gone too far.  Of course, back int he day, QPR, Preston, Luton & Oldham would have been up against it, not having a lawnmower to save the club with.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, February 18, 2019, 18:03:14
I see rumours that the lawnmowers have been repossessed.  Can't be good.  Football clubs have an unhealthy way of plodding through such travails usually, so they will probably survive, but that did bring back memories as the very same equipment had a Secured Loan against it at the CG back in the day!  It should be a FL test or something - if you have secured your lawnmower against debts, things have gone too far.  Of course, back int he day, QPR, Preston, Luton & Oldham would have been up against it, not having a lawnmower to save the club with.

The repossession of the CG lawn mower was a symbol for the collapse of the club.... these days lawnmowers are important, FGR have a solar powered robotic lawnmower


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, February 18, 2019, 18:10:31
Looks like I’m on my own, then.

I’d happily see them close, ground to dust and scattered to the wind. I don’t care that they’re our rivals.

The day the doors to the Kassam close is the day I’ll be jigging naked in Trafalgar Square.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Monday, February 18, 2019, 18:16:49
Looks like I’m on my own, then.

I’d happily see them close, ground to dust and scattered to the wind. I don’t care that they’re our rivals.

The day the doors to the Kassam close is the day I’ll be jigging naked in Trafalgar Square.

Nope i'm with you. No MK fan ever smacked my  then 15 year old friend and broke his jaw.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Monday, February 18, 2019, 18:17:27
Apart from the naked bit...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, February 18, 2019, 18:20:44
They can always do a Hereford.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 11:14:27
Whatever your stance on them going bust the squirming and uproar on their forum is indeed a thing of beauty and worth getting a front row seat for.

This little less than a year since Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth took over them with their fans saying about how his power of spending was going to catapult them upward through the leagues with is impressive and huge financial backing. Wehn it could indeed catapult them into another league but the one below!

A word of caution to all those who think that Swindon could do better with any new owner rather than Power.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 11:24:31
It could be much, much, MUCH worse.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 11:31:47
It would be good to pass them on the way down.

Their ails all boil down to Uncle Firoz screwing them over the lease of the Triangle.

Why on earth they thought the little Thai fella was some sort of saviour after his stint of fucking Reading over, I have no idea.

It’s a great little watch, for sure.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 11:35:06
The repossession of the CG lawn mower was a symbol for the collapse of the club.... these days lawnmowers are important, FGR have a solar powered robotic lawnmower

The pox have mystical goat, they could set him out grazing.

Sorry MG  :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: chalkies_shorts on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 12:08:15
That forum is a good read. Had to decontaminate the computer after but worth it. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bewster on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 13:07:02
The day the doors to the Kassam close is the day I’ll be jigging naked in Trafalgar Square.

Haven't you learnt your lesson of making promises ??


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bewster on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 13:10:52
https://twitter.com/HeadOUFC/status/1097834069272997888

Utter cunt


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 13:13:48
At least it's getting the response it deserves. What a helmet.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 13:22:38
Haven't you learnt your lesson of making promises ??
I’d make good on this one - living in Greece notwithstanding!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 13:49:06
https://twitter.com/HeadOUFC/status/1097834069272997888

Utter cunt

what did it say? Deleted now


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 13:56:22
what did it say? Deleted now

Basically 'let's laugh at all those people losing their jobs'

Even a few Oxford fans chipped in to tell him what a prick he was.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 14:00:48
Ah, yeah that's not cool. Tribalism in football is a fucking cancer. Like I don't understand how you can hate Oxford fans for example. I know quite a few and they're alright, and there's plenty of Swindon fans I think are complete knobs. It's fun to play along with during a match, much like a pantomime.

Don't care if they go bust though - it won't happen but even if it did they'll pop up under another guise in a few years with that renewed sense of optimism.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 14:53:02
I’d make good on this one - living in Greece notwithstanding!

Audonis  :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 15:08:15
Audonis  :)
:D Good work 4D!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: derbystfc on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 15:35:19
Ah, yeah that's not cool. Tribalism in football is a fucking cancer. Like I don't understand how you can hate Oxford fans for example. I know quite a few and they're alright, and there's plenty of Swindon fans I think are complete knobs. It's fun to play along with during a match, much like a pantomime.

Don't care if they go bust though - it won't happen but even if it did they'll pop up under another guise in a few years with that renewed sense of optimism.

A sensible comment

I don't get the idea of hooliganism, it's pointless.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: herthab on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 16:00:29
I wouldn't like to see Oxford go to the wall, much rather they were back in non league.

Franchise on the other hand I'd love to see completely expunged. Not go bust, but totally written out of history.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ferret on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 16:06:21
Ah, yeah that's not cool. Tribalism in football is a fucking cancer. Like I don't understand how you can hate Oxford fans for example. I know quite a few and they're alright, and there's plenty of Swindon fans I think are complete knobs. It's fun to play along with during a match, much like a pantomime.

Don't care if they go bust though - it won't happen but even if it did they'll pop up under another guise in a few years with that renewed sense of optimism.

100%. I think a lot of the comments get forced out. Frankly, if you asked me now, I'd prefer them to stay up than go down. That's on the basis that we will probably stay down... and I'd rather have a good, healthy day out at places like Wimbledon and Plymouth than having to cower in Oxford's unappealing ground, without the opportunity for a beer or anything, for a total of about 4 hours.

Obviously I understand that things are a bit different with MKD, and I can understand the principle of not wanting to go anywhere near the club. But then we routinely take a bigger following there than we take anywhere else. People will come on here, make all manner of comments about what a disgrace to football the club is... and then ask how much it costs to park at their ground.  


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 16:08:00
Fuck off Ferret.

I say that on the basis you are still ignoring me


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 16:09:02
Fuck off Ferret.

I say that on the basis you are still ignoring me

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 16:09:46
And another!

Sad bastards

https://twitter.com/georgeoufc93/status/1097880494522417152?s=21


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 16:22:37
Rivalry aside... that kind of comment is just plain fucking stupid.

Do idiots like that think that Swindon is in some kind of self-sufficient dome? The whole region will be affected. In addition to the suppliers being fucked, there's going to be 3,500 people from Swindon looking for jobs. That includes jobs in surrounding areas and no doubt some in Oxford will be taken by former Swindon Honda employees.

He doesn't look the type to have thought it through, though. 



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: @mwooly63 on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 16:57:19
Most of those 3500 dont live in swindon anyway, ppl travel miles to work in there. Probably a fair few from oxford and surrounding areas.
Tool


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: herthab on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 17:18:37
100%. I think a lot of the comments get forced out. Frankly, if you asked me now, I'd prefer them to stay up than go down. That's on the basis that we will probably stay down... and I'd rather have a good, healthy day out at places like Wimbledon and Plymouth than having to cower in Oxford's unappealing ground, without the opportunity for a beer or anything, for a total of about 4 hours.

Obviously I understand that things are a bit different with MKD, and I can understand the principle of not wanting to go anywhere near the club. But then we routinely take a bigger following there than we take anywhere else. People will come on here, make all manner of comments about what a disgrace to football the club is... and then ask how much it costs to park at their ground. 

I think there's a huge difference between tribalism and hooliganism. Tribalism is an ingrained part of following a team, not just in football either. You have rival teams which you dislike and this adds to the matchday experience when you play them. A victory against a local rival is always sweeter, a defeat always harder to take. I'd hate football to become so sanitised that everyone sits together to enjoy the 'product'.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 17:24:07
I'd hate football to become so sanitised that everyone sits together to enjoy the 'product'.
While streaming the live game in the Premier league between Liverpool and Chelsea on their iPhones.

According to the MK forum after their home game with us some MK fans were seen to be live streaming a Premier League game on their mobiles during the match. Something that was not entirely shouted down on their forum as some fans can see the benefit of this. (see the Concrete Roundabout Forum for details).

That is EXACTLY why Franchise should be wiped out from football history ASAP.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bogus Dave on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 17:25:16
TBf I’ve got a champions league game up on my phone before when we’ve been getting dicked at home by some northern no marks


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ferret on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 17:30:44
I think there's a huge difference between tribalism and hooliganism. Tribalism is an ingrained part of following a team, not just in football either. You have rival teams which you dislike and this adds to the matchday experience when you play them. A victory against a local rival is always sweeter, a defeat always harder to take. I'd hate football to become so sanitised that everyone sits together to enjoy the 'product'.


Yeah, I fully appreciate that. And if there's one thing I hate doing it's sit/stand with opposing fans during a game.

I suppose what I'm getting at is that the hooliganism prevails over the tribalism... and, as a result, the fact that I'm forced to stand around the ground for an hour post-match, before having stones lobbed at the car en route back to the road, dominates my recollections of a particular matchday. Especially if we lose, which no doubt taints my memories of trips to Oxford.

As has been said recently, some people enjoy going to a museum or such like pre-away game, and I most certainly wouldn't enjoy that on a matchday. Each to their own.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ferret on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 17:34:35
While streaming the live game in the Premier league between Liverpool and Chelsea on their iPhones.

According to the MK forum after their home game with us some MK fans were seen to be live streaming a Premier League game on their mobiles during the match. Something that was not entirely shouted down on their forum as some fans can see the benefit of this. (see the Concrete Roundabout Forum for details).

That is EXACTLY why Franchise should be wiped out from football history ASAP.

There's one (probably aged late 40s) who sits near me on a weekly basis and probably spends 75% of the game with his head in his phone, providing a running update of premier league scores and his Super 6 latest.

It's just a sign of the times. It's delusional to think that this type of thing is unique to one club.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 17:45:56
There's one (probably aged late 40s) who sits near me on a weekly basis and probably spends 75% of the game with his head in his phone, providing a running update of premier league scores and his Super 6 latest.

It's just a sign of the times. It's delusional to think that this type of thing is unique to one club.
I have not witnessed anyone actually watching a different game while attending a Swindon match, yes some people are interested in the scores of other matches(and always have been), often for betting purposes or especially near the end of the season but to actually watch a game on their mobile while at a match is not so much a sign of the times as being just wrong IMO.

Each to their own though as I personally couldn't give a shit about any team that isn't Swindon.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ferret on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 18:03:16
I have not witnessed anyone actually watching a different game while attending a Swindon match, yes some people are interested in the scores of other matches(and always have been), often for betting purposes or especially near the end of the season but to actually watch a game on their mobile while at a match is not so much a sign of the times as being just wrong IMO.

Each to their own though as I personally couldn't give a shit about any team that isn't Swindon.


In my opinion the difference is pretty trivial though. This guy completely missed the fact that Stevenage (with their tiny away support) had scored the other week until the tannoy announced it. He was sitting there spouting about some incident in the Champs League which he had been reading all about online. He clearly wouldn’t have done so 20 years ago. Nobody is in the slightest bit interested, but nobody says anything because it’s harmless.

Like you, during a game, I’m completely indifferent to any other scores, including those of teams around us in the table.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 18:05:15
Like you, during a game, I’m completely indifferent to any other scores, including those of teams around us in the table.
Absolutely I just don't get it, I am only slightly interested in other results for the last couple of weeks of the season, then not too much unless we are losing and so are our rivals.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 18:18:17
I watched a game on the Extension behind the Bank once, does that count?  It was more entertaining than the Town game and had a diabolical offside decision not given for a goal.  Well, I watched a few minutes of it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 18:26:48
Absolutely I just don't get it, I am only slightly interested in other results for the last couple of weeks of the season, then not too much unless we are losing and so are our rivals.

People are all different, so for example if you are someone on the ADHD spectrum, it may be you find it difficult to watch the match "intently" and are grateful for distractions... in pre phone days, perhaps you'd read the programme.  I couldn't care what folk do as long as they are there, and it doesn't impinge too much on others around.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Abrahammer on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:06:32
The tight arse in me just thinks what a waste of mobile data watching a game on your phone!

Going back to the rivalry thing. What always makes me laugh, well cringe, is when fans can’t separate the football team from the town/city. I’ve seen people say stuff along the lines of the fact they refuse to set foot in a rival’s town/city. It’s probably bollocks to try and sound a bit edgy, if true then get a grip of yourself


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:08:35
Quote from: herthab
Quote
100%. I think a lot of the comments get forced out. Frankly, if you asked me now, I'd prefer them to stay up than go down. That's on the basis that we will probably stay down... and I'd rather have a good, healthy day out at places like Wimbledon and Plymouth than having to cower in Oxford's unappealing ground, without the opportunity for a beer or anything, for a total of about 4 hours.

Obviously I understand that things are a bit different with MKD, and I can understand the principle of not wanting to go anywhere near the club. But then we routinely take a bigger following there than we take anywhere else. People will come on here, make all manner of comments about what a disgrace to football the club is... and then ask how much it costs to park at their ground. 
I think there's a huge difference between tribalism and hooliganism. Tribalism is an ingrained part of following a team, not just in football either. You have rival teams which you dislike and this adds to the matchday experience when you play them. A victory against a local rival is always sweeter, a defeat always harder to take. I'd hate football to become so sanitised that everyone sits together to enjoy the 'product'.
well said


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:09:06
The tight arse in me just thinks what a waste of mobile data watching a game on your phone!

Going back to the rivalry thing. What always makes me laugh, well cringe, is when fans can’t separate the football team from the town/city. I’ve seen people say stuff along the lines of the fact they refuse to set foot in a rival’s town/city. It’s probably bollocks to try and sound a bit edgy, if true then get a grip of yourself
That’d be me!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:11:22
Quote from: RobertT
I watched a game on the Extension behind the Bank once, does that count?  It was more entertaining than the Town game and had a diabolical offside decision not given for a goal.  Well, I watched a few minutes of it.


in summer you usually get a few cricketers that you can just about see from our seat. Have watched that for a good 5 minutes before.

reminds me of I think a Danny Baker story, Millwall were shit, they started kicking a can around at the back of the terrace. One of them 'scored' and about 50 people cheered.

no, no idea what I'm rambling about either


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:12:48
Was it Stoke fans that did the conga on the Bank when we beat them 6-0


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:13:03
Quote
The tight arse in me just thinks what a waste of mobile data watching a game on your phone!

Going back to the rivalry thing. What always makes me laugh, well cringe, is when fans can’t separate the football team from the town/city. I’ve seen people say stuff along the lines of the fact they refuse to set foot in a rival’s town/city. It’s probably bollocks to try and sound a bit edgy, if true then get a grip of yourself
I've refused to drink a nice looking Oxfordshire beer, instead getting something that tasted like cats piss..

yeah it's pathetic. I know


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:15:21
Was it Stoke fans that did the conga on the Bank when we beat them 6-0

Yes


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: donkey on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:19:35
I've refused to drink a nice looking Oxfordshire beer, instead getting something that tasted like cats piss..

yeah it's pathetic. I know

I wouldn't tar the county with the same brush as the city.  The county produces some lovely beer... and parts of it prefer their football red not yellow


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:20:26
Fuck off Ferret.

I say that on the basis you are still ignoring me

I'm being un-ignored now, I wonder if quoting a post works  :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:22:44
Me too 4d. Mind you I probably deserved it.


Good point donkey. It probably came from the red bit..


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: chalkies_shorts on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:26:51
The tight arse in me just thinks what a waste of mobile data watching a game on your phone!

Going back to the rivalry thing. What always makes me laugh, well cringe, is when fans can’t separate the football team from the town/city. I’ve seen people say stuff along the lines of the fact they refuse to set foot in a rival’s town/city. It’s probably bollocks to try and sound a bit edgy, if true then get a grip of yourself
Thats me with scumville. Ive only ever gone there to watch town or when relatives have needed to go to hospital there. When I go to the game there I won't spend anything other than the ticket. If that's sad, then I'm sad......and proud.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:28:29
I was shitting myself when Mrs Audrey fancied a house in Watchfield - before I diverted her to Wroughton.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Oaksey Moonraker on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:31:04
I watched a game on the Extension behind the Bank once, does that count?  It was more entertaining than the Town game and had a diabolical offside decision not given for a goal.  Well, I watched a few minutes of it.

I watched a team warming up on the CG extension in amber and black in 1992. They looked well organised and fitter than the usual teams. It was John Beck's Cambridge It's and the CG pitch was so close to being waterlogged both teams warmed up on the extension. I think Cambridge beat us 2-0 that day.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 21:40:42
Got stuffed 4-2 by Accrington this evening.

The gift that keeps on giving


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: SleafordRobin on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 22:19:53
Got stuffed 4-2 by Accrington this evening.

The gift that keeps on giving

I went to Accrington tonight (working up North), fuck me Pox are shite! Match was woeful for 30 minutes then sprung into life.  Pox were worse up top than we were pre-January & on this performance they're fucked  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Super Hans on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 22:31:32
They appear to have a shite defence and nobody to score regularly at the other end. Not a good combo.

Probably weasel their way out of it somehow but the natives are certainly restless.

Third season in League 1 since 2001 and they're falling apart as a club.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 00:32:08
I was looking at some stats the other night and it's 16 away games and 0 wins for them. That is pretty bad.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 10:21:11
Was it Stoke fans that did the conga on the Bank when we beat them 6-0
Wasn't that the defeat that got rid of Mick Mills as their manager and the whole ground was singing "sacked in the morning" at Mills?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 10:39:22
Was it Stoke fans that did the conga on the Bank when we beat them 6-0
It was,  never forget that performance by the Stoke fans, absolutely brilliant,  they were determined to have a good day out no matter what.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 10:46:21
They cheered our 5th and 6th


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 10:48:59
It was,  never forget that performance by the Stoke fans, absolutely brilliant,  they were determined to have a good day out no matter what.
I think the 374 that were there just wanted rid of the idiot manager Mick Mills, which we achieved with him being sacked 3 days after we stuffed them.

Kamara and Bamber played for Stoke that day, probably the first time I have heard the Town End singing an away players name all game towards Kammy.

https://youtu.be/ahuljtF_D64


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 22:05:27
I think the 374 that were there just wanted rid of the idiot manager Mick Mills, which we achieved with him being sacked 3 days after we stuffed them.

Kamara and Bamber played for Stoke that day, probably the first time I have heard the Town End singing an away players name all game towards Kammy.

https://youtu.be/ahuljtF_D64
Blimey,   can't believe it was almost fifteen years ago,   think the sight of the Stoke fans doing the conga  was one I'll never forget.
Don't think our fans would have reacted in the same way !!!.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 23:17:29
Blimey,   can't believe it was almost fifteen years ago,  

It's actually just about 30 years ago..... time is a relative concept, but to me it does feel like a long time ago.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Shrivvy Road on Thursday, February 21, 2019, 09:09:32
Blimey,   can't believe it was almost fifteen years ago,   think the sight of the Stoke fans doing the conga  was one I'll never forget.
Don't think our fans would have reacted in the same way !!!.
We did to be fair at a few games when we have been relegated. I remember people dressing for a funeral in our premier league season


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Thursday, February 21, 2019, 09:54:47
We did to be fair at a few games when we have been relegated. I remember people dressing for a funeral in our premier league season

QPR away


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, February 21, 2019, 10:38:00
We did to be fair at a few games when we have been relegated. I remember people dressing for a funeral in our premier league season
That was a hoot of a day out. Pride of Paddington, Inn on the Green, spliffs and booze.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Thursday, February 21, 2019, 12:49:42
QPR away
With good old Bobby Palmer leading the cortege.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Thursday, February 21, 2019, 12:55:24
That was a hoot of a day out. Pride of Paddington, Inn on the Green, spliffs and booze.
Until the old bill stepped in and started throwing their weight about (and a few supporters) for no apparent reason.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RedRag on Thursday, February 21, 2019, 15:29:29
Wasn't that the defeat that got rid of Mick Mills as their manager and the whole ground was singing "sacked in the morning" at Mills?
I recall:

He's short

He's fat

He's going to get the sack

Micky Mills, Micky Mills!


Stoke fans absolutely brilliant that day


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Sunday, March 3, 2019, 13:06:41
Good summary in today's Observer of those in the "much worse off" category:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/mar/03/football-fans-owen-oyston-blackpool-charlton-coventry


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, March 4, 2019, 14:23:53
Just 2 short years ago, this was our starting XI v Bolton

Vigouroux; Thomas, Rossi-Branco (C), Jones, Dabo; Kasim, Gladwin, Colkett, Goddard; Norris, Feruz.

Subs Henry, Rodgers, Smith, Murray, Stewart, Hylton, Delfouneso.

Jesus Christ!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Monday, March 4, 2019, 14:28:04
I thought we could only have seven subs?  ???


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Monday, March 4, 2019, 14:28:30
Just 2 short years ago, this was our starting XI v Bolton

Vigouroux; Thomas, Rossi-Branco (C), Jones, Dabo; Kasim, Gladwin, Colkett, Goddard; Norris, Feruz.

Subs Henry, Rodgers, Smith, Murray, Stewart, Hylton, Delfouneso.

Jesus Christ!

Good enough to win the game though.  :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: bigbobjoylove on Monday, March 4, 2019, 14:31:29
Meanwhile at Bolton .. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11672/11655037/boltons-training-ground-closed-as-no-food-available


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, March 4, 2019, 14:46:19
Meanwhile at Bolton .. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11672/11655037/boltons-training-ground-closed-as-no-food-available
Covered this in another thread but this thread is equally good.

I did wonder which thread to post it in TBH. But yes its a state.

EDIT.

In addition I read that today Boltons problems continue. Unpaid wages, players given the day off and apparently the training ground is closed due to lack of any food and fuel.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, 15:31:19
Todays summary of the Bolton shit show.... https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17476975.staff-pay-season-tickets-and-the-takeover-bid-every-twist-and-turn-in-the-wanderers-saga-from-the-last-48-hours/

As of this afternoon the Council have announced that unless they receive assurances by 1pm tomorrow that the club can meet the requirements of the University of Bolton Stadium's safety certificate in terms of safety medics stewards etc they may revoke its safety certificate and thus Saturdays game would be off.

Somewhat unhelpfully they are supposed to be playing Millwall which would, I assume, mean a larger police presence than usual and thus greater cost?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, 16:34:06
I see on one of the FB pages (no not the infamous one) that they are saying there is a press announcement due from the club at 5pm today :hmmm:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, 16:36:32
Get the Red Bull out!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, 16:42:17
I see on one of the FB pages (no not the infamous one) that they are saying there is a press announcement due from the club at 5pm today :hmmm:

Swindon or Bolton?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Saxondale on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, 16:45:46
Swindon Town FC

Verified account
 
@Official_STFC
 53s53 seconds ago
More
Club News | 📰

We have agreed a deal, in principle - alongside @TrustSTFC - to buy the County Ground from @SwindonCouncil

Full statement 👉 https://bit.ly/2Ukefk5

#STFC 🔴


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, 21:52:35
IIRC Coventry's deadline to prove they have somewhere to play next season expires some time in the next week or so. After that they face expulsion from the League.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, 22:14:27
They have an approaching deadline to show a hoe, after which an EGM will be called to vote on kicking them out.  The parent company are moaning that Wasps won't negotiate with them on a lease extension while taking them to court via a case against the Council who sold the long term leasehold to Wasps, trying to get damages as they were not invited to bid on the sale - after saying they were not interested in public.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, 08:59:21
They have an approaching deadline to show a hoe
A hoe? Is this some sort of masonic thing?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, 09:12:31
A lady of the night?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, March 8, 2019, 20:48:43
Todays summary of the Bolton shit show.... https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17476975.staff-pay-season-tickets-and-the-takeover-bid-every-twist-and-turn-in-the-wanderers-saga-from-the-last-48-hours/

As of this afternoon the Council have announced that unless they receive assurances by 1pm tomorrow that the club can meet the requirements of the University of Bolton Stadium's safety certificate in terms of safety medics stewards etc they may revoke its safety certificate and thus Saturdays game would be off.

Somewhat unhelpfully they are supposed to be playing Millwall which would, I assume, mean a larger police presence than usual and thus greater cost?
Looks like there might finally be some light at the end of the tunnel for Bolton fans:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/08/bolton-wanderers-chairman-ken-anderson-set-to-sell-club


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, March 11, 2019, 17:28:38
Or perhaps not:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47525012

Bolton looking like a Diamandis-era Swindon...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Monday, March 11, 2019, 19:33:13
Just liquidate the fuckers


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Frigby Daser on Monday, March 11, 2019, 20:04:41
According to a Bolton fan I work with, Anderson stands to make c. £30m from the sale and they’re the only debt free (except to their players) club in the league. Seems he stripped everything to the bones by design, but did so quite effectively, whilst obviously upsetting a few people along the way.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, March 11, 2019, 22:29:15
I thought Bolton were massively in debt?  has it been written off?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 01:46:07
Davies wiped out nearly all the debt owed to him from their big spending days, so Anderson had a clean slate of sorts.  Given he proudly stated they had some of the best finances in the league back in October when faced with a HMRC winding-up order being petitioned, I'd suggest you can trust him about as far as our name sake can shoot from the penalty spot!  Seems to have done a bit of Jed/Diamandis mash-up.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 06:48:06
oh ok


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 13:18:37
They have an approaching deadline to show a hoe, after which an EGM will be called to vote on kicking them out.  The parent company are moaning that Wasps won't negotiate with them on a lease extension while taking them to court via a case against the Council who sold the long term leasehold to Wasps, trying to get damages as they were not invited to bid on the sale - after saying they were not interested in public.

Could get tasty but lets see how much bottle the FL have, you feel for cov fans but sadly SISU dont look like they are going anyway.

Then there are Charlton's owners who think that the FL will buy the club from them....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 13:24:40
Coventry deadline to confirm where they will play next season or face expulsion from the League looming:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2019/mar/20/coventry-city-ricoh-arena-football-league


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, March 21, 2019, 09:59:12
Looks like Ken has mysteriously found another buyer just in time to fend off HMRC again....

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17514292.bolton-wanderers-fend-off-high-court-winding-up-move/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, March 21, 2019, 10:03:15
Looks like Ken has mysteriously found another buyer just in time to fend off HMRC again....

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17514292.bolton-wanderers-fend-off-high-court-winding-up-move/
They're not 3 Portuguese gentlemen are they?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, March 21, 2019, 10:14:06
They're not 3 Portuguese gentlemen are they?

Who knows, its getting like Ashley mysteriously having a buyer lined up before every transfer window as an excuse not to spend cash.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, March 22, 2019, 12:10:42
Brum to be deducted 9 pts after breaching FFP rules:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47667742

That would leave them in 18th place, 5 pts above the drop


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Friday, March 22, 2019, 12:18:55
The Championship is becoming a bit of a basket case division.

Apparently the Derby owner can't sell the club for £1.
The £100 million debt might be a problem with that though.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, March 22, 2019, 12:27:03
The Championship is becoming a bit of a basket case division.
Shitheads are losing £20m a year too but bankrolled by Lansdown, Swansea have money worries as well as Reading, Stoke could well be the next ones with such a huge wage bill after relegation last season and sitting well below half way in the division.

So many teams over spending to try and reach the promised land of the Premier league.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, March 22, 2019, 12:30:27
It's essentially turned into a high risk gambling venture, hence why all the foreign investors show-up.  Lose 39m over 3 years but get the windfall if you get promoted, wipe it out with liquidation/CVA's if you lose.  For the high rollers, this is high PR fun, for the fans, I guess it depends on which way your clubs' dice role.  In the meantime they no doubt use this as a tax write off as well.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, March 22, 2019, 12:46:14
We could probably have a sweepstake on who the next club after Bolton is to be on the verge of administration, seems to be so many at the moment with financial issues.

surely it is only a matter of time for Charlton though until the owner stops putting anything in to the club and declaring it is sell or bust


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Friday, March 22, 2019, 12:53:07
Shitheads are losing £20m a year too but bankrolled by Lansdown, Swansea have money worries as well as Reading, Stoke could well be the next ones with such a huge wage bill after relegation last season and sitting well below half way in the division.

So many teams over spending to try and reach the promised land of the Premier league.

Think Stoke might be fine....

https://www.ft.com/content/543d1040-ed8c-11e8-8180-9cf212677a57


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, March 22, 2019, 13:02:02
We could probably have a sweepstake on who the next club after Bolton is to be on the verge of administration, seems to be so many at the moment with financial issues.

surely it is only a matter of time for Charlton though until the owner stops putting anything in to the club and declaring it is sell or bust

Think I read somewhere that no club has been in admin since 2013... the last being Aldershot.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, March 22, 2019, 13:03:55
Think I read somewhere that no club has been in admin since 2013... the last being Aldershot.
Wiki says you're bang on the (run out of) money
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administration_(British_football)#List_of_clubs_that_have_entered_administration


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Exiled Bob on Friday, March 22, 2019, 13:14:35
Brum to be deducted 9 pts after breaching FFP rules:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47667742

That would leave them in 18th place, 5 pts above the drop
Wonder why they've decided to dock points for Birmingham but not for others that also breached the FFP rules - Bournemouth and QPR spring to mind.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Friday, March 22, 2019, 13:19:55
Wonder why they've decided to dock points for Birmingham but not for others that also breached the FFP rules - Bournemouth and QPR spring to mind.
Isn't it a new rule created in light of those clubs' misdemeanours? I could be wrong.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Paolo69 on Friday, March 22, 2019, 13:26:10
I thought they couldn't from Bournemouth as they went up to the Prem and these are EFL rules?! Might be wrong though and think they got a big fine like that makes it right.

R4E - you may well be right though.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, March 22, 2019, 14:37:27
Brum to be deducted 9 pts after breaching FFP rules:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47667742

That would leave them in 18th place, 5 pts above the drop

Looking as the loss seems to stem mainly for one year where wages jumped from £22m to almost £38m, someone somewhere in the club appears to have dropped an almighty bollock there!

Wonder why they've decided to dock points for Birmingham but not for others that also breached the FFP rules - Bournemouth and QPR spring to mind.

Its a new system of profitability and sustainability regulations introduced at the start of the 2016-17 season.

I thought they couldn't from Bournemouth as they went up to the Prem and these are EFL rules?! Might be wrong though and think they got a big fine like that makes it right.


They cannot dock Bournemouth as remember that was a fairytale........


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, March 22, 2019, 14:40:36
Didn't Bournemouth and QPR get big fines though,which were settled as they'd only be due on returning to the FL.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, March 22, 2019, 14:41:57
Didn't Bournemouth and QPR get big fines though,which were settled as they'd only be due on returning to the FL.

Depends how you define big..... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44980113


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, March 22, 2019, 14:43:58
Looking as the loss seems to stem mainly for one year where wages jumped from £22m to almost £38m, someone somewhere in the club appears to have dropped an almighty bollock there!
That wouldn't perchance be the season that Harry "Chequebook" Redknapp was in charge over the summer transfer window would it?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, March 22, 2019, 14:54:06
That wouldn't perchance be the season that Harry "Chequebook" Redknapp was in charge over the summer transfer window would it?

It seems to be June 2017-June 2018 so coincidentally Harry was in charge that summer.

So we can now add Birmingham to the list of Redknapp basket cases along with West Ham, Portsmouth, Southampton and QPR.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Exiled Bob on Friday, March 22, 2019, 16:34:40
He denies all responsibility though.... 8)

https://talksport.com/football/efl/515020/richard-keys-slams-harry-redknapp-birmingham-financial-points-deduction/ (https://talksport.com/football/efl/515020/richard-keys-slams-harry-redknapp-birmingham-financial-points-deduction/)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, March 22, 2019, 17:03:29
He denies all responsibility though.... 8)

https://talksport.com/football/efl/515020/richard-keys-slams-harry-redknapp-birmingham-financial-points-deduction/ (https://talksport.com/football/efl/515020/richard-keys-slams-harry-redknapp-birmingham-financial-points-deduction/)
Presumably while leaning out of a car window....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, March 23, 2019, 10:03:54
Another twatty owner taking a club to the abyss

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/norman-smurthwaite-port-vale-protests-2677769


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Saturday, March 23, 2019, 10:07:49
One of the only times I really heard Vale fans last week was at FT with 'get out of our club' chants.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, March 23, 2019, 20:01:30
Diamandis tried that "protests are damaging the club" line too, one way you can always tell an arsehole is when he borrows tactics off another arsehole


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, March 25, 2019, 13:11:36
It could be worse .... we could get promoted to the Championship: reading this makes you wonder why more Championship sides haven't gone under and how is it Brum got punished for their player spend when according to the graph at the bottom, Wolves' player spend was 250% of their income! Unless I'm misreading it?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47691385


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Monday, March 25, 2019, 13:46:19
Literally cheating, but they get away with it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, March 25, 2019, 13:47:43
It could be worse .... we could get promoted to the Championship: reading this makes you wonder why more Championship sides haven't gone under and how is it Brum got punished for their player spend when according to the graph at the bottom, Wolves' player spend was 250% of their income! Unless I'm misreading it?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47691385

I assume its something to do with the 'adjusted losses over three years' bit so Wolves will make a fortune as they went up which can offset it in some manner.

Its all bollocks though. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, March 25, 2019, 14:08:18
I assume its something to do with the 'adjusted losses over three years' bit so Wolves will make a fortune as they went up which can offset it in some manner.

Its all bollocks though. 
Ah yes, I remember now, I read  something about a club (don't think it was Wolves actually) being able to basically put 3 years spending into 1 year (and then not spend in the other years) that they thought would get them round it so they could just go shit or bust for promotion in this one year. Although I seem to remember it was a team that had just come down. Same thing applies though I guess


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Saxondale on Monday, March 25, 2019, 14:26:37
Ah, plucky little Bristol City only spending 135% of their income on player costs. 

Having heard Mark Watson on fighting talk going on about how amazing it is that they are doing so well having lost the spine of a team and being so financially responsible, this amuses me.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, March 25, 2019, 14:44:17
Ah, plucky little Bristol City only spending 135% of their income on player costs. 

Having heard Mark Watson on fighting talk going on about how amazing it is that they are doing so well having lost the spine of a team and being so financially responsible, this amuses me.
It's a fairytale, Manish


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Monday, March 25, 2019, 14:53:54
It's a fairytale, Manish

A loss of £24m in the last financial year

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-holding-company-announces-2174850


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, March 25, 2019, 15:56:51
A loss of £24m in the last financial year

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-holding-company-announces-2174850

Doesn't that only really give them scope to lose £8m over the next 2 years?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Monday, March 25, 2019, 15:57:37
Literally cheating, but they get away with it.

Nah, it's OK - the REAL cheating is signing loan players


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RedRag on Monday, March 25, 2019, 19:08:56
Championship finances are skewed by the parachute payments relegated clubs enjoy.  Other clubs, such as the 'traders really do have to gamble with high stakes to have a crack at promotion.  Even clubs with fair support and decent stadia seem to struggle.

Still hope we have another chance in the Championship one day and even for a number of seasons.  Vagaries of one playing season to the next aside, the acquisition of the CG could prove to be a small step in the right direction.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: singingiiiffy on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 22:52:43
We could change our logo to a similar version of Cheltenham Town ala Bristol City


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 10:02:21
We could change our logo to a similar version of Cheltenham Town ala Bristol City
Wrong established date on it as well I see. Have they deliberately made the 18 bit smaller as they realise it's not quite truthful?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: @mwooly63 on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 11:37:06
Wrong established date on it as well I see. Have they deliberately made the 18 bit smaller as they realise it's not quite truthful?

Apparently the club was formed in 1894 as Bristol south end and became city in 97
Either date is wrong as club reformed in 1982

Meh


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 11:41:09
We could change our logo to a similar version of Cheltenham Town ala Bristol City
Fuck off,  we don't want any logo similarities to either of those two scumbags !!.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: singingiiiffy on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 12:11:10
Fuck off,  we don't want any logo similarities to either of those two scumbags !!.

Just to clarify i meant it as a means of how 'it could actually be worse' by changing. Not that i wanted it to happen. With that logo and the robins nickname i automatically think of Cheltenham.

I wonder if our logo will ever be changed again for branding purposes. Probably something as/if we raise up the leagues/ ground development and the owners sees it as needed for bulk printing and recognition.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 12:14:09
It's a shit nickname. It's patronising. "Small but plucky' Fuck that.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Ardiles on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 12:27:26
It's a shit nickname for the obvious reason that it's used by others and not by us.  How often do you hear 'Come on the Robins!' from the stands?  Hardly ever.  We barely identify with it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 13:05:39
It's a shit nickname for the obvious reason that it's used by others and not by us.  How often do you hear 'Come on the Robins!' from the stands?  Hardly ever.  We barely identify with it.
Ah but how many of them have a short ass in a robin costume that's way too big for them do a shit dance before kick off.
Our badge needs changing again at some point purely because they fucked up the drawing of the loco on it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 14:07:47
Our badge needs changing again at some point purely because they fucked up the drawing of the loco on it.

It is total shite, pisses me off every time I see it!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 16:03:18
"Bristol City today unveiled its brand new crest to support the next chapter of its proud history"

Proud history  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 16:24:52
"Bristol City today unveiled its brand new crest to support the next chapter of its proud history"

Proud history  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:
Since 1982.....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, March 29, 2019, 22:20:50
Staff not paid this time

https://yellowsforum.co.uk/threads/players-and-staff-not-paid-for-march.2100/page-2


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, March 29, 2019, 22:36:14
And Bolton late paying wages too (again). But it's OK because serial bankrupt Bassini (back from his 3-year ban for financial wrongdoing) has lined up a takeover bid for them.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/03/29/exclusivelaurence-bassini-vows-take-bolton-back-premier-league/

Couldn't make it up.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, March 29, 2019, 22:49:42
Bet the EFL pass him too 😂


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Monday, April 1, 2019, 18:40:45
Bolton players go on strike in support of staff who havent been paid. Good on em


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, April 1, 2019, 19:51:04
Club staff also threatening to strike at the weekend, which would mean even if they get an extended stay of execution on Wednesday, they would be unlikely to get a safety clearance for ha game in time and would fail to complete the fixture.  Surprised Jed hasn't raised his head on this one.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Monday, April 1, 2019, 20:09:48
Oxford United ticket office, shop and club offices all closed today, staff not paid, from what my colleague from work was telling me today


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ibelieveinmrreeves on Monday, April 1, 2019, 20:14:54
If only they'd go back to losing matches as well.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, April 1, 2019, 20:30:17
looks like they've been paid now. Sorry to disappoint


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Family at War on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 12:43:23
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/company/00053268

Bury have another winding up order today


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 12:53:42
Not paid players either


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 14:00:02
Bolton now had a prohibition notice served on them, means they can't use the stadium until they sort out safety issues (presumably ensuring they have paid stewards etc)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47787062


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 14:02:37
(Bury) The last action is a Loan being secured against their Football League income!  That might suggest they raised the funds to clear whatever was going to end-up with a Winding-Up order, but using their FL income sounds pretty drastic as a security.  Using future income rights and not an asset is worrying and would probably hint at having no assets left to secure against.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 14:23:18
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/company/00053268

Bury have another winding up order today

Served by a players Agent it would seem.
The money they secured in March is from a bridging loan specialist, looking ropey.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 14:33:24
Bolton now had a prohibition notice served on them, means they can't use the stadium until they sort out safety issues (presumably ensuring they have paid stewards etc)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47787062

Not strictly correct, from the local reporting it suggests that they can hold the games but they will have to be essentially behind closed doors affairs.

There is also a suggestion that this might put the club in breach of contract with season ticket holders.....

But never fear, its not Kens fault OK!!

http://sport.bt.com/news/bolton-chairman-anderson-criticises-disappointing-player-strike-S11364352357217


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 14:37:48
This guy is crackers:

https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/april/a-note-from-the-chairman/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 15:06:57
This guy is crackers:

https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/april/a-note-from-the-chairman/

The first part about the buyers or non-buyers is reminiscent in some ways of Holt in his Friday Statement heyday; the bit about the "well, I might not have paid them but it's only a few times, and only a bit late and they're all shit anyway" is breaking new ground though.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Red Frog on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 15:17:42
This guy is crackers:

https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/april/a-note-from-the-chairman/


[Nev]Utmost, it's utmost[/Nev]


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RedRag on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 15:44:18
Bury.  Points deduction?  STFC needs to keep on going to the end of the road.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 20:36:34
Macclesfield joining in the not paying wages fun:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47794984

TBF the best manager in the known universe can't come cheap, everyone needs to make sacrifices


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 11:30:04
Yet another winding up order down the road


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 11:45:57
Coventry talking to clubs about a groundshare for next season


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 11:48:22
Yet another winding up order down the road

‘5 in a row, it’s 5 in a row
It’s Oxford United
They’re going to blow’

Maybe this doesn’t help

http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/agents/intermediaries/intermediary-fees---1-february-2018-to-31-january-2019.ashx


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 12:31:15
‘5 in a row, it’s 5 in a row
It’s Oxford United
They’re going to blow’
Yet again, following in our wake. Winding-up orders, not paying players, financial chaos, honestly guys, this stuff is just so 2007


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 13:15:39
It makes a welcome change to see others having these problems and not us. Let's hope we can throw a promotion in the mix as well.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 13:37:37
One can only guess that laundering money from foreign shores is a tricky business.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 14:09:35
‘5 in a row, it’s 5 in a row
It’s Oxford United
They’re going to blow’

Maybe this doesn’t help

http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/agents/intermediaries/intermediary-fees---1-february-2018-to-31-january-2019.ashx

Always interesting to read these figures.... only 5 teams in Div 4 with a smaller spend than us.... Morecambe, Macc, Exeter, Crewe and surprisingly Bury.  Further, again unsurprisingly only Accy in Div 3

If you take the numbers as a rough guide to budgets, then  we've done reasonably well to get a mid table Div 4 perch this season.   Morecambe and Macc you'd expect to be 2 of the lower spending outfits, and Crewe with their emphasis on spending on their academy is no surprise. Exeter are Trust run and similarly like to bring through their own.  Bury though seem to have players who you've heard of who you'd expect a spend on.... maybe they got them all last season and so didn't recruit much in the summer  :hmmm:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 14:13:20
So what’s the usual outcome for clubs accumulating winding up petitions?

Southend have clocked up loads and seemingly use late paying as normal.

You’d think that once a club has got into this state it’s really only a change of ownership that can get them out of the mire.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 15:04:08
The only real impact is on obtaining lines of credit.  So long as you pay off the debt and avid being actually Wound-up, then you are good to go.  The financial impact long term is a constant raising of funds to clear short term debt, and as your lines of credit narrow, those loans tend to be from less financially viable options.  In our case, the banks withdrew all overdraft facilities for example, back the SSW period.  Bury likely will avoid theirs because it looks like they went to a Bridging loan specialist - doubt that comes with a 1% interest rate.  Oxford are channeling money in from outside of the UK, which is why they keep hitting road blocks as it is likely checked for dodgy origins.  Bolton can;t even fund the debt clearance and have had to rely on a sale being agreed to another dodgy owner, that the EFL have previously banned but seem likely to accept as the lesser evil vs. liquidation.  As you continue in that spiral, other creditors get squeezed - eventually the only real way out is new revenue, selling the business or getting some sort of agreements from Creditors to reduce the debts, possibly through giving equity.  As football clubs are a bit special, people tend to give them more rope.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Sir Cliff Pipehard on Friday, April 5, 2019, 08:49:34

Some of the "Power out" pricks need to take a long look at this thread.

Shame about the Piss stains,mind.
Always upsetting to see a plucky little non-league side struggle after doing so well to get to league 1


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, April 5, 2019, 09:00:11
Shame about the Piss stains,mind.
Always upsetting to see a plucky little non-league side struggle after doing so well to get to league 1
:D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, April 5, 2019, 11:53:11
Notts County on the verge of a takeover with an offer being accepted


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, April 5, 2019, 14:36:36
All looking rosy at Bolton isn't it.....

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17553562.bolton-wanderers-can-return-to-the-top-laurence-bassini-defends-record-as-former-watford-owner-confirms-he-is-close-to-completing-deal-to-buy-the-whites/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Bassini


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Friday, April 5, 2019, 16:51:59
Notts County on the verge of a takeover with an offer being accepted

Is the offer a 24" monitor instead of an 18" to make his cock look bigger?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, April 6, 2019, 12:21:24
More financial problems at Bury.

https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/17548210.bury-fc-staff-and-players-not-paid-last-months-wages-amid-financial-issues-at-club/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, April 8, 2019, 13:58:21
Never fear Bolton supporters need not fear..... http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2040104-new-owner-for-bolton-wanderers-could-be-confirmed-within-days?

Not sure that the FL should be doing this with such a basket case... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47853058

Whilst the Bury shit show continues.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47821914


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, April 12, 2019, 11:47:10
All still going swimmingly in the north west...

Be interested to see the FL response to this.... https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17565956.bolton-supporters-trust-seek-answers-from-efl-chief-shaun-harvey/

Looking like a two window embargo will be imposed shortly... and still no sign of the imminent sale https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17566643.bolton-players-meet-with-pfa-to-discuss-their-next-move-in-pay-row/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, April 12, 2019, 17:00:22
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47911284


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, April 13, 2019, 18:39:26
Bolton had 9 away fans at Derby today. That's not a typo, you only needed one thumb (plus fingers) to count their total away support


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Saturday, April 13, 2019, 18:46:09
Are you sure?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, April 13, 2019, 18:56:13
Are you sure?
Reported on 5 live by their reporter at the game who claimed she had counted them individually. Didn't take her long apparently (and now that I think about it, I pinched the "only needed one thumb" gag from her. Sorry)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Saturday, April 13, 2019, 20:11:24
Boycott


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Saturday, April 13, 2019, 20:46:56
That's not a typo, you only needed one thumb (plus fingers) to count their total away support

Depending on which part of the country you come from


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, April 13, 2019, 22:05:35
Depending on which part of the country you come from
Sorry, yes, Dorset-adjusted you could count their fans on the fingers of one and a half hands. Or there was as many fans as 3 mens' nipples.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, 20:08:43
Bolton are creaking.

The EFL have told the Supporters Trust that they are satisfied the club has the funding to see the season out -but the players remain unpaid for March.  The Council are threatening to stop the weekend fixture if no guarantees are forthcoming about staffing.  The players, if indeed not paid, are now at the point where they can provide 14 days notice to quit their contracts and something like all but 9 are out of contract at the end of the season anyway, with nobody in the club available to negotiate contract extensions or bring in new players over the summer.  Even if they avoid the winding-up order, the best they can hope for is starting next season in L1 without a full squad and under the control of a guy previously banned by the EFL from running a club for 3 years!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, 20:13:47
I'm numb to the notion that a team the size of Bolton will plummet harder than their current pending relegation.

Of course, the angsty Swindon fan that I am knows that if/when this happens to Town (again) then we'd find ourselves in the Western League.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 08:30:08
Sorry, yes, Dorset-adjusted you could count their fans on the fingers of one and a half hands. Or there was as many fans as 3 mens' nipples.

I went to school with someone with three thumbs, true story!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 08:31:31
Bolton are creaking.

The EFL have told the Supporters Trust that they are satisfied the club has the funding to see the season out -but the players remain unpaid for March.  The Council are threatening to stop the weekend fixture if no guarantees are forthcoming about staffing.  The players, if indeed not paid, are now at the point where they can provide 14 days notice to quit their contracts and something like all but 9 are out of contract at the end of the season anyway, with nobody in the club available to negotiate contract extensions or bring in new players over the summer.  Even if they avoid the winding-up order, the best they can hope for is starting next season in L1 without a full squad and under the control of a guy previously banned by the EFL from running a club for 3 years!

Thing is, its been like this for three weeks with the same midweek trauma about the weekend fixture and safety, at what stage does someone do something?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 08:37:17
I went to school with someone with three thumbs, true story!

That's evolution.
We are at the stage where frantic double thumb action on a mobile phone keypad is not enough.
Humans need more thumbs.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 08:50:58
That's evolution.
We are at the stage where frantic double thumb action on a mobile phone keypad is not enough.
Humans need more thumbs.

That was 30+ years ago, he was well ahead of his time!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 09:06:06
In happier news looks like the Oyston/Blackpool empire continues to be dismantled.... http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2040591-holiday-resort-hotel-brought-to-market-for-9.7m?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NorthWest_17th_Apr_2019_Daily


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Munichred on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 11:54:36
I went to school with someone with three thumbs, true story!

I was born with three thumbs. Actually 2 1/2, just from the joint. I wish someone had photographed them before the removal operation when i was about a year old. My right thumbnail is about two thirds the size of my left  ;)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 12:26:58
I was born with three thumbs. Actually 2 1/2, just from the joint. I wish someone had photographed them before the removal operation when i was about a year old. My right thumbnail is about two thirds the size of my left  ;)

Sounds the same as the lad I went to school with, but he must not have had the op as he still had the arrangement at Primary School!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Red Frog on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 13:18:33
Sounds the same as the lad I went to school with, but he must not have had the op as he still had the arrangement at Primary School!

This is one of those conversations we're reeeeally not going to want fans of other clubs to see.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 13:44:00
This is one of those conversations we're reeeeally not going to want fans of other clubs to see.

For the record (and any other fans reading) I went to school in Oxfordshire!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Red Frog on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 13:55:40
For the record (and any other fans reading) I went to school in Oxfordshire!

 :clap:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 15:00:19
Bolton confirm they have been sold to Laurence Bassini. A bloke who has been bankrupt twice, and was forced out of Watford,

Oh dear


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 15:31:01
This Bassini thing baffles me.
Ok, he's done his time, but does the 'fit and proper' test extend beyond just a proof of funds into evidence of a long term business plan?
The power's that be taking the line of least resistance by the look of it.

Not had a look at their forum, but I wonder if any of their fans are saying it would be better to just fold and start again? A sense of PL entitlement is still fresh for many I guess.

Anyway, fuck em, they were living way beyond their means in the L1 promotion season and crossing 6 lanes (or so it seemed) of traffic to get to the station from the ground wasn't fun.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 15:51:30
This Bassini thing baffles me.
Ok, he's done his time, but does the 'fit and proper' test extend beyond just a proof of funds into evidence of a long term business plan?
The power's that be taking the line of least resistance by the look of it.

Not had a look at their forum, but I wonder if any of their fans are saying it would be better to just fold and start again? A sense of PL entitlement is still fresh for many I guess.

Anyway, fuck em, they were living way beyond their means in the L1 promotion season and crossing 6 lanes (or so it seemed) of traffic to get to the station from the ground wasn't fun.



Whats the saying about frying pan and fire.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Bassini

The BTL comments on here say it all really..... https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17580329.laurence-bassini-closes-in-on-takeover-at-bolton-wanderers/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 16:32:31
This Bassini thing baffles me.
Ok, he's done his time, but does the 'fit and proper' test extend beyond just a proof of funds into evidence of a long term business plan?
The power's that be taking the line of least resistance by the look of it.
Jed Mc(random surname) passed the fit and proper test, thats all you need to know :D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 12:04:25
If I were a Bolton fan I would be very concerned based upon his shoe choice alone....

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17584703.welcome-to-wanderers-bassini-rides-into-the-unibol-after-takeover/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, April 26, 2019, 12:16:09
Bury have now been put up for sale, owner saying they need £1.6m over the summer to pay debts, wages etc, but they project to get £180,000 - could be interesting as HMRC are one that is owned and they like their court cases.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, April 26, 2019, 12:37:23
It rather begs the question how they managed to get their wage funding cleared by the FL?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, April 26, 2019, 13:04:03
Bolton players threatening to strike and not play in tomorrows game if they are not paid by close of play today


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, April 26, 2019, 13:34:32
I didn't realise that in all the time that Doidge was at Bolton, FGR were paying his wages. Bolton basically got a free loan for half the season with no outlay!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, April 26, 2019, 15:05:36
Bolton players threatening to strike and not play in tomorrows game if they are not paid by close of play today

Makes fun reading

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17600490.bolton-players-issue-pay-ultimatum-over-championship-clash/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, April 26, 2019, 21:41:29
Bolton game called off


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, April 26, 2019, 21:45:33
So if they can't fulfill their fixtures, then... ?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, April 26, 2019, 21:59:48
Expel them from the league i say

Knowing the EFL though, they will give brentford a points deduction


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Saturday, April 27, 2019, 05:14:27
Expel them from the league i say

Knowing the EFL though, they will give brentford a points deduction

Fair I say. I cant stand brentford.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, April 27, 2019, 05:24:35
Wanker John McGinley


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, April 27, 2019, 09:19:51
Ancient rivalries etc aside, this could very easily have been us a few years ago, and we may yet end up there again. The League's "they're just businesses, nothing we can do really" attitude to some of our most ancient clubs is a massive failure of stewardship. Hope Bolton get through this, preferably without Bassini


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 13:55:48
Bassini deal on the brink, players still not paid, League now talking about the Brentford game being played after the end of the season. I'd have thought they'd be rather more worried about whether Bolton can fulfil their next fixture as well.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48103967


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 14:12:04
demote them 2 divisions and replace them with the first team in the league beginning with 'Swindo'


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 14:15:03
demote them 2 divisions and replace them with the first team in the league beginning with 'Swindo'

I can't see any other option.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 14:20:24
Bassini deal on the brink, players still not paid, League now talking about the Brentford game being played after the end of the season. I'd have thought they'd be rather more worried about whether Bolton can fulfil their next fixture as well.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48103967

I am not sure Ken is really in a position to be issuing deadlines.....

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17607180.deal-or-no-deal-bolton-issue-laurence-bassini-with-final-deadline/

The Chief Football writer on the local rag seems to be a fan which must be a nice touch, plus he seems to know tyhe significance of a good old statement https://twitter.com/MarcIles/status/1123179371278295041


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 14:52:15
I like the way the EFL have been taking pot shots at the club for not fulfilling it's fixture with Brentford and then not scheduling it this week.  What are they supposed to do - the current owner has all but done a runner and the accounts are frozen with an adjourned Winding-Up order hanging over the business.  The proposed new owner should pass a fit for anything test and the EFL can't sign him off in time anyway, the players and staff have not been paid for nearly two months now, the club doesn't have a safety certificate for the ground, or any players being paid to play the match.

They just seem paralysed by the fear f having to expunge Bolton's results for the season, throwing the promotion and relegation races into potential chaos.  There is a real chance Bolton don't play either of their remaining fixtures as a minimum here.

Power Out.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 15:06:25
I like the way the EFL have been taking pot shots at the club for not fulfilling it's fixture with Brentford and then not scheduling it this week.  What are they supposed to do - the current owner has all but done a runner and the accounts are frozen with an adjourned Winding-Up order hanging over the business.  The proposed new owner should pass a fit for anything test and the EFL can't sign him off in time anyway, the players and staff have not been paid for nearly two months now, the club doesn't have a safety certificate for the ground, or any players being paid to play the match.

They just seem paralysed by the fear f having to expunge Bolton's results for the season, throwing the promotion and relegation races into potential chaos.  There is a real chance Bolton don't play either of their remaining fixtures as a minimum here.

Power Out.

I cannot be bothered to do the maths, but there is a suggestion that if Bolton's resulted are expunged it could be very good news for West Brom? 

The scary thing is that we have made much of how vital it is for viability that a club owns its ground and has further sources of non football income, yet Bolton own the ground, and a bloody hotel and its come to this....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 15:08:00
We all know this isn't staff and fans fault, but surely the EFL have to come down on Bolton the FC like a ton of bricks over this.

They've at the very least been spending money they don't have. At worst they won't fulfill their fixtures.

I actually have a lot of sympathy, could be us again one day. But...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 15:13:24
The "view' is that money may well have been shifted around a lot - so while it is undoubtedly got some grounding in over spending vs. income, there is likely an issue with where the cash has been going that does come in.  HMRC is always an interesting one - basic accounting is that you should be able to pay that one - you take money on behalf of the Government, so banking on using it for anything other than paying your tax bill is pretty bad practice to begin with.  Not being able to pay wages would have little to do with long term debt, so again suggests things are being paid in the wrong order at the very least.  At worst, someone is doing ok out of this and might have other businesses that needed some cash, or for personal reasons.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 15:21:04
The scary thing is that we have made much of how vital it is for viability that a club owns its ground and has further sources of non football income, yet Bolton own the ground, and a bloody hotel and its come to this....
Well yes it is, but you still need to run the business properly. You can have all the assets in the world, but if you run the business like a twat, problems may well ensue.... We were probably better off not owing our own ground in our period of prolonged twattery.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 15:36:51
The "view' is that money may well have been shifted around a lot - so while it is undoubtedly got some grounding in over spending vs. income, there is likely an issue with where the cash has been going that does come in.  HMRC is always an interesting one - basic accounting is that you should be able to pay that one - you take money on behalf of the Government, so banking on using it for anything other than paying your tax bill is pretty bad practice to begin with.  Not being able to pay wages would have little to do with long term debt, so again suggests things are being paid in the wrong order at the very least.  At worst, someone is doing ok out of this and might have other businesses that needed some cash, or for personal reasons.

I suppose in those circumstances the FC may well be considered the victim (fraud or whatever) and the FA/EFL may take a kinder view if the individuals are removed.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 15:58:03
I suppose in those circumstances the FC may well be considered the victim (fraud or whatever) and the FA/EFL may take a kinder view if the individuals are removed.

But the FC is owned by the owners if that makes sense, so not sure how one can separate the two, its like when people babble on about Power fucking off, seeming to miss that as it stands whether we like it or not Power and STFC are one and the same in commercial entity terms.

It could have so nearly been us previously but I fear it does need a reasonably big club to crash and burn spectacularly before something actually gets done!  :no:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Ardiles on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 16:02:41
We all know this isn't staff and fans fault, but surely the EFL have to come down on Bolton the FC like a ton of bricks over this.

I did start to feel a smudge of sympathy, and then I remembered John McGinlay.


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 16:04:22
The way I think of it is the FC is the corporate entity that the owner  (or shell company) owns.

The owner can fleece his own company. Hence the company is a victim.

pah, probably nonsense. you're right.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 16:05:26
I did start to feel a smudge of sympathy, and then I remembered Wanker John McGinlay.
Corrected for you. Must give him his full name.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 16:18:57
The EFL just gave Blackpool a lifeline because they determined that the issue was a personal one between two sets of people using the football club as a pawn, and that case a Judge had to find the Oyston's had indeed been funneling money away from another shareholder.  Bolton doesn't look quite the same but it does look possible that the majority shareholder has been moving money about his own personal businesses.  Nothing confirmed, but that is the potential allegation it seems.  You also Diamond Mike types, you charge Consultancy fees or ensure contracts end-up in the right places.

At Bolton - the Hotel has actually also been served with a Winding Up order - it looks like it will get messy for them, whatever happens.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 16:19:33
The way I think of it is the FC is the corporate entity that the owner  (or shell company) owns.

The owner can fleece his own company. Hence the company is a victim.
Legally, you're correct. Directors (even when they are also owners) still have a duty of care to run the company properly and within the law. Which is how our own Mikey D came to be "asked to step aside from being a director for a while" (as he put it - or "banned for 10 years" as the law put it).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: chalkies_shorts on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 16:31:47
I did start to feel a smudge of sympathy, and then I remembered John McGinlay.
And don't forget that cunt mcateer. In the semi up there he elbowed one of ours and got away with it when it should have been red.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 07:56:51
Macclesfield rocking the "Town under Diamond Mike" look, late paying players for 3rd month in a row:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48113251


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 08:20:16
The EFL just gave Blackpool a lifeline because they determined that the issue was a personal one between two sets of people using the football club as a pawn, and that case a Judge had to find the Oyston's had indeed been funneling money away from another shareholder. 

Funny you mention Blackpool, its being suggested that Oyston is close to getting the cash together via 3rd party funding to retain a 20% holding in the company so not entirely out of the woods yet.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 08:45:05
Funny you mention Blackpool, its being suggested that Oyston is close to getting the cash together via 3rd party funding to retain a 20% holding in the company so not entirely out of the woods yet.
Largely being dismissed as bollocks here on the Fylde but I suppose you never know. Andrew Pilley seems to be the favoured choice amongst Blackpool fans, if he can somehow get around the whole conflict of interest thing. He's currently chairman and owner of Fleetwood but is rumoured to have handed over to a family member.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 09:02:26
Largely being dismissed as bollocks here on the Fylde but I suppose you never know. Andrew Pilley seems to be the favoured choice amongst Blackpool fans, if he can somehow get around the whole conflict of interest thing. He's currently chairman and owner of Fleetwood but is rumoured to have handed over to a family member.

Ooh sounds like the halcyon days of when Maxwell funded Oxford on the back of embezzling the pension fund of the Mirror workers, he then acquired Derby in his son's name. 

I always thought we dodged a bullet when Cap'n Bob wanted Thames Valley Royals at Didcot, in a new build stadium.

As it transpired would have been about ripe for the Prem, and could have meant a power house club 20 mins down the line from Swindon.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, May 2, 2019, 20:05:27
https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/club-statement/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, May 2, 2019, 20:07:40
oops. administration beckons. which may actually be better


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Private Fraser on Friday, May 3, 2019, 12:02:46
Bolton v Brentford has been binned!

https://twitter.com/skysportsnews/status/1124278531809337344?s=21



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, May 3, 2019, 12:11:43
Southend.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48134629

Gateshead FC in financial trouble too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48134461

And down here Yeovil takeover almost completed, being bought by an American Rob Couhig who has been bankrupt already twice in the US, it doesn't bode well for them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, May 3, 2019, 12:28:33
The FL really need to do something - but of course we all know they wont, that's probably 2 clubs, maybe 3 that may end up in administration in the next few weeks, then include Blackpool as well


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 3, 2019, 12:39:12
The FL really need to do something - but of course we all know they wont, that's probably 2 clubs, maybe 3 that may end up in administration in the next few weeks, then include Blackpool as well
Let's not forget Coventry with their ongoing ground issues, Bury are in real financial trouble despite doing well on the pitch and Macclesfield are also struggling on and off the pitch, 3rd successive month they've not been able to pay players on time


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, May 3, 2019, 12:42:45
The FL really need to do something - but of course we all know they wont, that's probably 2 clubs, maybe 3 that may end up in administration in the next few weeks, then include Blackpool as well
Bury could be in admin in the next few weeks too, the list is almost endless of clubs in real financial trouble.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, May 3, 2019, 12:43:19
Thank fuck we have Power at the helm  ;)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, May 3, 2019, 12:53:25
That Bassini fella who tried to buy Bolton but didn’t actually have a pot to piss in and was just a front man for God knows who is very similar to the piss stains and that little Thai fella.

A real mystery as to who actually is financing - or, judged by the number of winding up orders, not financing - them.

I can’t believe how football clubs are allowed to operate with such flimsy evidence of ownership. All this non disclosure of transfer fees and other financial shenanigans seem to be normal practice for some reason.

No wonder lower league football clubs are seen as the perfect vehicles for money laundering.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, May 3, 2019, 12:58:12
Indeed, one reason a loss making football club isn't really an issue for them - any funds cleared are good for business.  Loan this business "money", get regular payments in return with a bit of interest - maybe you end-up being defaulted on, but by then you've washed enough to have made it worthwhile.  Oxford seem to have their problems entirely because that funding is coming from outside the country when bills are due - the club, like most at this level, doesn't have enough cash to cover it's own bills.  Normally you'd have someone in country chucking some investment in or loaning money, but they have to keep getting funds from abroad sent through which get stuck.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, May 3, 2019, 13:23:17
Curiouser and curiouser said Alice....

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17616718.efl-confirm-laurence-bassinis-status-at-bolton-wanderers/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, May 3, 2019, 13:34:41

Gateshead FC in financial trouble too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48134461


Be sad if anything befalls the Mighty Heed, spent a happy couple of seasons regularly watching them!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, May 3, 2019, 15:07:52
Bolton allegedly owe FGR up to 600k in unpaid wages for Doidge!  Surely that must include the original transfer fee they were going to pay after the loan?  If not, that may explain FGR's position in the table.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, May 3, 2019, 15:11:26
Bolton allegedly owe FGR up to 600k in unpaid wages for Doidge!  Surely that must include the original transfer fee they were going to pay after the loan?  If not, that may explain FGR's position in the table.

I mentioned up thread that Bolton never paid Doidge a penny, his wages all the time he was at Bolton were still being paid by FGR.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, May 3, 2019, 15:29:29
It's the amount which was eye opening.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, May 3, 2019, 15:37:59
It's the amount which was eye opening.
Doidge was on loan at Bolton for exactly 4 months.

FGR only paid his FGR contract for 4 months not his newly agreed Bolton contract which was allegedly more. So that means that FGR are paying Doidge between £1.2m and £1.8m per year.

I think that proves how much silly money the vegan twat is paying their players  trying to get promotion. We cannot compete with that, our full wage budget was hinted at by Power was £1.8m for the whole squad for the season.


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Friday, May 3, 2019, 15:45:02
wonder how much shit Bolton are in now the Brentford game has been awarded.

is this the first time a league fixture hasn't been played for reasons other than war or tragedy? Reg?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Saxondale on Friday, May 3, 2019, 15:46:37
Surely if you cannot complete your fixtures there has to be a question of expulsion from the leagues?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, May 3, 2019, 15:47:20
Surely if you cannot complete your fixtures there has to be a question of expulsion from the leagues?

Indeed thats what I thought too.


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Friday, May 3, 2019, 15:50:44
They're guilty of misconduct according to the EFL... we'll see

edit, ok, it'll be one of

83.1.1

imposing a fixed penalty in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 86;

83.1.2

referring the matter to a Disciplinary Commission appointed under Regulation 88; or

83.1.3

referring the matter to the Football Association in accordance with Regulation 87


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Private Fraser on Friday, May 3, 2019, 16:10:38
.. and then something from the ‘pick list’ in Regulation 91.2:

https://www.efl.com/-more/governance/efl-rules--regulations/section-8---offences-inquiries-commissions-disputes-and-appeals/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, May 3, 2019, 16:24:11
You'd expect a points deduction carried into next season, given the league has used that before for a club not playing a game when requested.  Add that to any points deduction for Admin and they could be in trouble next year before it has started, layered onto a summer of not signing players I imagine.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, May 3, 2019, 16:35:40
wonder how much shit Bolton are in now the Brentford game has been awarded.

is this the first time a league fixture hasn't been played for reasons other than war or tragedy? Reg?

I seem to remember Aldershot went tits up during the season, and certainly Accrington Stanley in their original incarnation did.

Accy's results were just expunged so a 44 game season rather than 46.

Aldershot managed about 30 odd games in 92, so their results were expunged along witn Maidstone a few months later Div 4 ended up a 42 game league of 22 clubs.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, May 3, 2019, 16:47:37
Anyone know if the POs in the Championship would be affected if Bolton’s record was expunged?

Be bloody unfair if it does just for 2 games.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, May 3, 2019, 16:56:34
Yes - it moves West Brom into the Auto's I think.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: wheretherealredsare on Friday, May 3, 2019, 16:58:11
Isn't there something along the lines of if a club has fulfilled XX% of its fixtures the remaining ones are awarded to their opponents? Maybe as much as 90%? Therefore no expunging.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, May 3, 2019, 16:59:03
Whatever happens it's got to get messy now that a fixture has been cancelled.  Do Brentford benefit by getting 3 points, do other teams think that is unfair that lost against Bolton and might be closer to saving their season or in the play offs etc.  The EFL pretty much has to pressure them into Admin so they can get through the summer without throwing the season into chaos.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, May 3, 2019, 17:18:07
Didn’t a club - Luton(?) - get docked 20-odd points once or am I dreaming that?

Bolton’s debts £46m - is dwarfed during Pompey’s demise when they owed £135m. Although they probably still had oodles of parachute payments still coming through.

Almost guarantee now that Bolton will go into admin and get docked points for next season. Cue some other shark to take them over for fuck all and continue to suck any money they can get their hands on.

I thought FFP was supposed to cap these sort of debts from piling up.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, May 3, 2019, 17:21:02
Kick em out the league.

The end.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Dr Pierre Chang on Friday, May 3, 2019, 17:21:17
Didn’t a club - Luton(?) - get docked 20-odd points once or am I dreaming that?

Bolton’s debts £46m - is dwarfed during Pompey’s demise when they owed £135m. Although they probably still had oodles of parachute payments still coming through.

Almost guarantee now that Bolton will go into admin and get docked points for next season. Cue some other shark to take them over for fuck all and continue to suck any money they can get their hands on.

I thought FFP was supposed to cap these sort of debts from piling up.
30 points was Luton’s penalty!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, May 3, 2019, 17:22:39
30 points was Luton’s penalty!
Lordy!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 3, 2019, 20:07:56
Bolton’s debts £46m - is dwarfed during Pompey’s demise when they owed £135m. Although they probably still had oodles of parachute payments still coming through.

Almost guarantee now that Bolton will go into admin and get docked points for next season. Cue some other shark to take them over for fuck all and continue to suck any money they can get their hands on.

I thought FFP was supposed to cap these sort of debts from piling up.
There's quite a good piece in the Bolton News about how it's more cash flow than debts that have caused the problems:

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17606012.cash-flow-has-pushed-bolton-wanderers-to-the-very-edge/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Friday, May 3, 2019, 20:33:52
30 points was Luton’s penalty!

Leeds also got docked points IIRC. Not sure what for and cannot be bothered to google it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: @mwooly63 on Friday, May 3, 2019, 22:59:54
Leeds also got docked points IIRC. Not sure what for and cannot be bothered to google it.

15 pts 2007 for exiting administration without a cva


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Saturday, May 4, 2019, 04:30:09
15 pts 2007 for exiting administration without a cva

Cheers mate. On that bombshell, don’t we win the star prize for a FL/FA punishment beating?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 13:27:22
Port Vale bought out, along with the ground. Good news for the club.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48188086



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 13:49:22
The soap opera continues.... https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17622994.bolton-wanderers-supporters-trust-launch-fighting-fund/

The way that Ken has just walked away rather supports the suspicion that he did not invest a penny of his own cash in the club.....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 09:10:29
Down here Yeovils dream takeover by the American millionaire has fallen through on the verge of him signing, his puppet manager has quit and he has walked away, Yeovil are in deep shit financially.

The Yank was bankrupt twice in the US and the FL did not consider him fit or proper after the test!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 09:49:36
Down here Yeovils dream takeover by the American millionaire has fallen through on the verge of him signing, his puppet manager has quit and he has walked away, Yeovil are in deep shit financially.

The Yank was bankrupt twice in the US and the FL did not consider him fit or proper after the test!
Christ, he must be about the only person to ever fail that test.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 09:57:48
Oh to be a Bolton fan today, in court and the best solution seems to be administration, reminds me of many a Friday afternoon in the office just constantly refreshing the web to see if we had survived another week.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 09:58:08
Christ, he must be about the only person to ever fail that test.

The official line is
Quote

    Yeovil Town FC can confirm that it has not been possible to agree mutually acceptable terms and conditions with Feliciana EFL Limited and Mr. Robert Couhig, so the proposed sale of the Club to them will not go ahead. The Club will continue to seek potential investors whilst concentrating on planning to bounce back from relegation.

– Spokesperson, Yeovil Town Football Club
He could not secure enough funding to actually buy the club and failed the first "fit and proper test" back in February then appealled it and again failed on insuffiecient funding and chose to not appeal it again.

YTFC now actively searching for investors, with Harry Redknapp rumoured to be interested :D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 10:01:28
Christ the club are in court fighting for their very survival and Ken decides its a good time to release more ramblings....

https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/a-note-from-from-the-chairman/

TL/DR its not his fault!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 10:02:02
Bolton in admin according to their owner. 12 point deduction.

What i dont understand is why were Luton deducted 30 points? Why was there punishment more harsh?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 10:02:36
Christ, he must be about the only person to ever fail that test.

Werent there issues with our esteemed leader passing the test?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 10:06:10
Bolton in admin according to their owner. 12 point deduction.

What i dont understand is why were Luton deducted 30 points? Why was there punishment more harsh?

Haven't read it all, but summary here...

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jul/15/lutontown.leaguetwofootball

Seems to be a totting up process of points deductions from the FA and FL separately?

Its also being suggested that Bolton will be subject to a 2 year transfer embargo?

I wonder whether Bolton will be hit separately as per Luton, remember they have failed to complete their fixtures this season!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 10:15:48
What i dont understand is why were Luton deducted 30 points? Why was there punishment more harsh?

It was 10 points one season followed by 20 points the following season because they had been in Admin before the FL .
Quote
The 20-point additional penalty related to the club's inability to agree a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) to exit administration, with the Football League pointing out that this is the third time in 10 years that Luton have been in such a position.

They also had 10 points because of agent irregularities.

Quote
10-point deduction for financial irregularities in regard to its dealings with agents

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/7500435.stm


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 10:17:33
It was 10 points one season followed by 20 points the following season because they had been in Admin before the FL .

As per the link above I think the 10 points was due to financial,irregularities with agents.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 10:18:07
Yeah, not just the admin itself with them.

Southampton had the normal 10 points deduction too.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 10:47:34
I wonder whether Bolton will be hit separately as per Luton, remember they have failed to complete their fixtures this season!

That surely has to be resolved separately of the admin penalty.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 11:06:37
Just to be clear, as it stands Bolton are not in Administration (despite what seems to be being reported in certain media outlets), the hearing for both the club and the hotel has been adjourned to May 22.

Source: The Bolton News who have reporters in Court.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17625860.bolton-wanderers-given-breathing-space-to-appoint-administrator/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 12:43:43
Just to be clear, as it stands Bolton are not in Administration (despite what seems to be being reported in certain media outlets), the hearing for both the club and the hotel has been adjourned to May 22.
tbf, it's been adjourned so an adminstrator can be appointed. Think you're splitting hairs a little bit


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 13:30:27
tbf, it's been adjourned so an adminstrator can be appointed. Think you're splitting hairs a little bit

Its all still up in the air in terms of tactic I understaand, there are a lot of rumours floating about that the main creditors are clubbing together with one of the failed consortia to get Anderson out, be that either a) quietly by realising the game is up or b) by finally forcing the admin, getting his shares then selling to the consortia with whom one of the main creditors is now directly involved, hence why the NoI for admin were presented by different companies for the Hotel co and the Club co.?

Memories of the heady old days of Statement Friday!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 14:25:18
If it's the Creditors forcing the hand they will go into Admin one way or the other.  Probably get 3 point penalty for the fixture as well.  With their entire team leaving in the summer (most likely) and no new owner ready for the summer transfer period, even if they don't have an embargo, they could be a write off for next season already.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 21:59:13
Macclesfield players still not paid, despite securing the club's league status. Also considered a Bolton style strike for last game but decided not to due to importance of the match:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48202505


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, May 9, 2019, 09:26:32
Macclesfield players still not paid, despite securing the club's league status. Also considered a Bolton style strike for last game but decided not to due to importance of the match:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48202505
Spent all their wages on getting in the best manager in the world to keep them up.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Thursday, May 9, 2019, 09:47:33
Spent all their wages on getting in the best manager in the world to keep them up.

And what a great decision that turned out to be.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, May 9, 2019, 09:54:34
And what a great decision that turned out to be.
Shame they spent all the money on the manager and not on the players that actually kept them up.

I bet Sol was paid on time.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: DiV on Thursday, May 9, 2019, 10:13:34
Do you know how much Sol Campbell is earning?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, May 9, 2019, 10:16:31
Do you know how much Sol Campbell is earning?
Does it seem like I do or are you just picking holes in everything I post like normal? yes thought so.

Oh wait....oh the fucking irony....


Thanks.
Do you make any posts that aren’t about me?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: DiV on Thursday, May 9, 2019, 10:21:37
Yes, it seems like you do considering twice you claimed that Macclesfield have spent all their money on their manager.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, May 9, 2019, 10:25:47
(https://media1.giphy.com/media/8P6kWZXDKw56U/giphy.gif)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, May 13, 2019, 14:58:00
Bolton placed in administration today


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, May 13, 2019, 15:22:35
Bolton placed in administration today

Most surprising thing being they are the first club for 6 years to do so?? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48257398

Whenever I see an issue of Admin I always think of our old friend and what he is up to these days....  https://www.quantuma.com/person/andrew-andronikou/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: @mwooly63 on Monday, May 13, 2019, 17:24:45
Bolton placed in administration today

Minus 12 pts from the EFL to start next season.
Be Interesting to if anymore added for failing to play the Brentford game


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, May 13, 2019, 17:42:20
it'll be  a disgrace if that's it.

You can't not complete fixtures without recourse


Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Oaksey Moonraker on Monday, May 13, 2019, 19:01:07
it'll be  a disgrace if that's it.

You can't not complete fixtures without recourse
Surely there has to be a further points deduction of at least 3 points. That would happen in local football. Otherwise there is an incentive for not fulfilling fixtures.

Sent from my HTC U11


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Monday, May 13, 2019, 20:49:16
Surely there has to be a further points deduction of at least 3 points. That would happen in local football. Otherwise there is an incentive for not fulfilling fixtures.

Sent from my HTC U11

Agreed.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, May 13, 2019, 21:51:19
Given those pesky Macclesfield players went and played under the same circumstances, I'd imagine the EFL will have their hand forced to do something, talk of up to 6 points.  Haven't they also got to exit in a CVA to avoid another points hit as well?

Anyway, they are screwed for next season - no chance of this getting done before they need to be signing players.  Their current Manager is waffling about the need to keep the squad together - someone might want to let him in on the secret.  He'll be lucky to have a job and his replacement will be lucky to have a coherent squad of any description by season start.  Very few worse times in a year for a football club to appoint and Administrator I'd imagine, especially when it comes after every player in contract is now able to serve notice and leave for free.

Bury are likely to cut costs next season as well, and they don't do well when being promoted after spending someone else's money anyway.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, May 13, 2019, 21:53:05
Oh, and the Administrator was the one that allowed Sisu to essentially buy back Coventry from themselves after going into Admin.  No guarantee's for Bolton that this works out well for them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 08:43:34
This could have gone in any number of threads, but another great rant from Andy Holt this morning:

Quote
I’ve had letters telling me of their powers to sanction me or our club: But let me say one thing clearly. @OfficialBWFC have not gone into admin because I tweet concerns. @buryfcofficial are not on their arse because I tweet concerns. @thesilkmen ......@ReadingFC @SUFCRootsHall @oldham and many others (allegedly) are not paying wages at all, or have been late paying, because I tweet concerns. @Official_NCFC a founder member, have not gone out of @EFL because of my tweeting concerns. @BlackpoolFC fans have not gone years...absent from their club because of my tweeting concerns. @BCFC have not been deducted 9 points because I tweet concerns. @SkyBetChamp clubs are not losing over HALF A BILLION a year because I tweet concerns. @CAFCofficial supporters are not placarding @EFL with @Coventry_City and @BlackpoolFC fans because of me. Tweeting concerns. Supporters are not boycotting games in @CheckatradeTrpy because of me tweeting concerns. @SkyBetChamp clubs were not threatening a breakaway because. I tweet concerns. I could go on for another hour on this. The fact is all the above and much more is down to you @EFL @premierleague @FA IT’S YOUR responsibility. IT’S YOUR JOB to manage and protect the framework our clubs should thrive in. The fact is, I’m tweeting my concerns, because you are failing my club and all the....others. The fact is, you can’t hide from the mess that has been created in our game. Who else can be responsible??? There is no one to voice concerns to!! Might as well talk to the wall. We need to talk EXISTENTIAL THREATS to our game. The first threat is inaction by the bodies looking after our clubs and football’s long term health and well being, not doing their jobs properly. I’m going for a brew now and may start with the rest of the threats later.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: @mwooly63 on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 14:14:49
PNE have sent £2000 food vouchers to Bolton for the unpaid staff struggling to feed families

https://twitter.com/theawayfans/status/1128301146148413440?s=09

No love lost for either team but a decent gesture from Preston


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 15:14:20
And an emergency foodbank set up for unpaid staff. An emergency foodbank. In a game that pays some individuals up to half a million pounds a week, and where clubs gave Scudamore a £5m leaving gift off a whipround. Jesus Wept


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 10:34:52
Bury's fans have had to club together to raise money for food vouchers for the club's staff who still haven't been paid all of April's wages

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48358800


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 10:41:17
Bury's fans have had to club together to raise money for food vouchers for the club's staff who still haven't been paid all of April's wages

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48358800

And yet they were still allowed to go up. It's cheating. Plain and simple.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 11:23:48
It's cheating. Plain and simple.
It really is. The FL/FA should do something, thats not sour grapes that is just cheating the rules.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 11:36:09
It really is. The FL/FA should do something, thats not sour grapes that is just cheating the rules.

Or is it cheating within the rules?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 11:40:15
https://twitter.com/nickyadams10/status/1131244386208092161

Strong Statement from Bury players asking for Chairman to sell up


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 12:14:39
Or is it cheating within the rules?
I think there is a massive amount of twisting the rules definately.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 12:18:02
Or is it cheating within the rules?

I really don't understand how they could have done it within the rules - they must be using some dodgy numbers to achieve the % of turnover thing for wages?  It looks like any funding they have had was a result of loans, not investment or sponsorship, and the turnover doesn't seem to cover the wage bill, let alone being a % of it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 12:21:01
fair enough,  which case the EFL should be all over it and if it's proven the club sanctioned

as you were


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 12:23:30
Bury should be deducted points or have a transfer embargo placed on them for at least the next transfer window.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 12:25:15
fair enough,  which case the EFL should be all over it and if it's proven the club sanctioned

as you were

The EFL are all over this shit, they said they were concerned about the finances, job done.  Integrity of the league retained.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 12:36:58
oh, well, if they're are at 'defcon: concerned' what more can be done.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 12:53:09
Hope I'm wrong but don't think the governance will improve in EFL any time soon - Isn't it the owners of the clubs that would have to vote to change the system?

The turnover rule is too easily manipulated.  Until there is strong governance over cashflows and related party/director loans then clubs are easy pickings.   

For example perhaps season ticket monies should be held centrally in EFL segregated accounts and then released over 12 months or for certain expenses, so the owner cash grab is a little harder and will be spotted sooner.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 18:58:20
https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/a-statement-from-the-chairman/

Statement time!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 19:36:06
Extraordinary statement.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Nemo on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 19:40:04
Some poor press officer has been emailed that and been told to put it online. They probably support the club.

The best bit is that at the bottom there are related articles:

A message from the Chairman 25 April
Statement from the Chairman 10 April
A note from the Chairman 10 April
Statement from the Chairman 4 April 2019

Christ.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 20:08:10
Well, that's a classic, but at least he's openly stated they cheated.  The fact they are going to pay wages for the past few months, that the PFA have loaned, with next seasons ticket money.  Pretty much admits they spent way more than they had coming through the door this season to get promotion, in fact, they couldn't even pay those wages that got them over the line. If I was Mansfield, I'd be after them.  On top of that, what the fuck happens once they pay the back pay - they've got no money left for next season.

That's on top of the bizarre nature of the statement, which was a jolly good read I must say.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 20:31:51
that's a work of art of a statement.

a right Jackson Pollock


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 20:37:49
He actually blames some of the staff at one point.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Thursday, May 23, 2019, 21:18:00
Phew. I needed Google translate for some of that. It sure wasn't in English. . Although I have a sort of English word for it. Clusterfuck


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, May 24, 2019, 08:24:37
All seems to have an air of Jed about it, guy buys club which was in grave danger of disappearing altogether if they didn't but then doesn't actually have the cash to take it forward.

Its similar to us with Power, if the club wasn't a bit of a basket case these people would not be able to afford to buy in the first place, likewise anyone with cash and sense will buy further up the ladder with better prospects and revenues.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 24, 2019, 08:52:27
Jesus, that's really quite special. You can almost hear his eyes swivelling as he bashes the keyboard composing it


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Friday, May 24, 2019, 16:54:25
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48398640

Looks like Gateshead are finished - relegated 2 divisions, no players.  Phoenix club is probably the best option now.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Private Fraser on Sunday, May 26, 2019, 13:24:10
Looks like Coventry will definitely be taking part (somewhere) next season:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48413990


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Monday, May 27, 2019, 09:15:43
Looks like Coventry will definitely be taking part (somewhere) next season:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48413990

St Andrews I read somewhere.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, May 27, 2019, 09:18:58
St Andrews I read somewhere.
Wow playing on a golf course, The Ricoh used to have a bit pitch but thats ridiculous!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 09:21:23
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48398640

Looks like Gateshead are finished - relegated 2 divisions, no players.  Phoenix club is probably the best option now.

The whole things a mess, the fans group who were looking to start the phoenix club thought they had bought the club last week, to the extent of handing over £25k to the owner and getting him off the directors register at Companies House and getting a new name on, however a day later that was all revered, what has happened to the money seems unclear and the whole thing has got lost in the news of NUFC being possibly taken over.

Really feel for the fans!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 11:44:29
Another club in dire straights.... the name might ring a bell with a few people *cough* Chester...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48344614


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 13:01:01
Another club in dire straights.... the name might ring a bell with a few people *cough* Chester...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48344614
God is he still going? Thought he was banned. How the hell is he:
a) not in jail?
b) allowed anywhere near running a football club?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 14:03:55
God is he still going? Thought he was banned. How the hell is he:
a) not in jail?
b) allowed anywhere near running a football club?

His old man is banned, I think? I think the assets were transferred to Jr after snr was banned from being a director just offered to step back for a while* for 12 years or whatever?

*(c) Diamond Mikey D!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 15:06:14
His old man is banned, I think? I think the assets were transferred to Jr after snr was banned from being a director just offered to step back for a while* for 12 years or whatever?

*(c) Diamond Mikey D!
Ah yes, it was the old man who was banned and then continued to run clubs using jr as a proxy (allegedly). At least until Jr was jailed for helping a guy who killed a copper to evade capture:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/former-footballer-stephen-vaughan-jailed-11120365

Looks like he picked up where he left off


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, May 30, 2019, 13:32:54
More trouble for Bury:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/29/bury-financial-crisis-loan-former-owner-stewart-day-winding-up-petition-debt


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Waffle on Thursday, May 30, 2019, 14:31:12
More trouble for Bury:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/29/bury-financial-crisis-loan-former-owner-stewart-day-winding-up-petition-debt

Looks like they may be in League 2 if this keeps up. May be able to get a player or two from them?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Friday, May 31, 2019, 10:08:48
Interesting thread on Bristol Rovers accounts (published today) which show:

1) wages were 97% of income
2) they lost £65k per week from day-to-day operations
3) wages went up 12% and revenue down 12%
4) currently £20m in debt, relying on a holding company to stay afloat

In terms of FFP they're not ruined yet, but if they lose the same amount next year they could be looking at a points deduction

https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1134348659468976128


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, May 31, 2019, 10:19:36
Rovers are certainly not the only ones in the lower 2 divisions to be like this, so many clubs flying close to the wind, hoping for that promotion season or good cup run to break even.

So many of the clubs are being propped up by an individual backer like Mansfield, FGR, Cheltenham, Yeovil, Notts County, Crawley etc etc.

The episodes at Bury, Bolton and Gateshead are likely to become a yearly occurance as teams chase the "big time" and the financial rewards of the upper 2 leagues.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Ardiles on Friday, May 31, 2019, 10:26:53
Now that Bristol City have got their act together (also with the help of a wealthy financial backer, it has to be said), I doubt very much that a city the size of Bristol will be able to sustain two league clubs in the longer term.  Rovers' future is going to be particularly challenging.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RedRag on Friday, May 31, 2019, 10:31:17
Not sure about the Championship, Venks.  I understand that's where the biggest losses tend to be.  Almost impossible for a smaller club such as ourselves to compete with clubs with much bigger followings and/or parachute payments.

We are however punching below our weight in League Two.  Not saying we're too good for it but we should never be languishing in it.  It is tinpot for a club with our support and potential.  I'm certainly concerned that League 2 seems to be a level gaining acceptance amongst some of our fans.  

Pragmatism yes but ambition over fatalism anyday.  We have a number of advantages at our present level.  Shared ground ownership would be another one.  Onwards and upwards please.  


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, May 31, 2019, 10:48:51
Not sure about the Championship, Venks.  I understand that's where the biggest losses tend to be.  Almost impossible for a smaller club such as ourselves to compete with clubs with much bigger followings and/or parachute payments.
Oh absolutely the Championshp is the one with the greatest potential operating losses because teams over spend to reach the giddy heights of the Premier League.

After all if teams like Swindon can get there then there is hope for all the "smaller" clubs.

Many many clubs over extend themselves in trying to reach the "promised land" as the rewards can far outweigh the negatives financially, but thats only if you eventually do reach it.

Bolton gambled and failed, Shitty are gambling and failed this time but with their backing they could eventually reach it but before they do the operating losses will be massive, as they are already, but one season could well underwrite that....eventually.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, May 31, 2019, 10:50:23
Not sure about the Championship, Venks.  I understand that's where the biggest losses tend to be.  Almost impossible for a smaller club such as ourselves to compete with clubs with much bigger followings and/or parachute payments.

We are however punching below our weight in League Two.  Not saying we're too good for it but we should never be languishing in it.  It is tinpot for a club with our support and potential.  I'm certainly concerned that League 2 seems to be a level gaining acceptance amongst some of our fans.  

Pragmatism yes but ambition over fatalism anyday.  We have a number of advantages at our present level.  Shared ground ownership would be another one.  Onwards and upwards please.  


There does seem to be a number on here, who are grateful to Power for at least keeping us afloat as a middling Div 4 outfit, rather than accepting we should be able to sustain a middling Div 3 club, as we have been for most of our 100 years in the FL.  I still maintain Power needs to up his game and get us back, to the Div 3 perch he inherited as owner.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Kinky Tom on Friday, May 31, 2019, 11:16:23
If Power get's us back to that point, Reg, along with ground ownership and a club owned (we still don't know yet either way) training ground then would a few seasons in Div 4 be forgivable if we suddenly become an attractive investment opportunity?

On paper he'd be the best owner we've perhaps ever had. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Friday, May 31, 2019, 11:19:30
More trouble for Bury:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/29/bury-financial-crisis-loan-former-owner-stewart-day-winding-up-petition-debt

I think this case sums up completely why football clubs should be not for profit trusts, rather than companies with far stricter governance placed on loans.   Whilst company A can borrow a £1m at 138% API secured on the assets of football club B every club is in danger.   Clubs should also not be able to borrow against future season ticket revenue (like Rangers did) or sell off 10 years of canteen revenue!

Our chairman's decision making has seen us go backwards, but he's not done anything over the last 5 years to suggest that he would do anything like this (unlike numerous other chairmen we've had in the recent past).   For me the constant hate towards him seems unjustified - there's a difference between poor decisions, made in good faith and a deliberate, unethical and borderline criminal cash grab.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, May 31, 2019, 11:20:04
Will joint ownership mean that it would be impossible for one party individually to, say, raise a loan on their half?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RedRag on Friday, May 31, 2019, 11:34:02
Good question.  My unscientific take is that it would depend on the terms of co-ownership agreed.  

It may be that to, a reduced extent, Power could obtain better borrowing terms or more extended credit from a lender either through fixed or floating charges or a direct equitable charge on a half share.  

It would (surely) be impossible under the terms of any co-ownership arrangement for a sale of the CG itself ever to be enforced by a creditor to recover his loan.  

However Power/the club may well wish to obtain limited benefit at the expense of charging its share in the CG - even to repay Power's own lending to the club.  Indeed the very purchase by Power/the Club will require financial outlay that would need securing.

Accountants and trust member input, anyone?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, May 31, 2019, 11:40:09
If Power get's us back to that point, Reg, along with ground ownership and a club owned (we still don't know yet either way) training ground then would a few seasons in Div 4 be forgivable if we suddenly become an attractive investment opportunity?

On paper he'd be the best owner we've perhaps ever had. 

I don't think we'll pull in any extra fans, because Power owns a bit of Highworth or half the CG.... however we might pullin a few extra if we get back to Div 3 and play some winning football again at the CG.  That's what I'll carrying on basing my judgement of Power on.  I'm not sure the ownerships are necessary to make that happen....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Friday, May 31, 2019, 11:45:20
I don't think we'll pull in any extra fans, because Power owns a bit of Highworth or half the CG.... however we might pullin a few extra if we get back to Div 3 and play some winning football again at the CG.  That's what I'll carrying on basing my judgement of Power on.  I'm not sure the ownerships are necessary to make that happen....

So better to be ran like Bury than us?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Kinky Tom on Friday, May 31, 2019, 11:51:05
I don't think we'll pull in any extra fans, because Power owns a bit of Highworth or half the CG.... however we might pullin a few extra if we get back to Div 3 and play some winning football again at the CG.  That's what I'll carrying on basing my judgement of Power on.  I'm not sure the ownerships are necessary to make that happen....

Not necessary but surely desirable alongside good on the field performance?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 31, 2019, 12:05:15
Interesting thread on Bristol Rovers accounts (published today) which show:

1) wages were 97% of income
2) they lost £65k per week from day-to-day operations
3) wages went up 12% and revenue down 12%
4) currently £20m in debt, relying on a holding company to stay afloat

In terms of FFP they're not ruined yet, but if they lose the same amount next year they could be looking at a points deduction

https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1134348659468976128

They've already announced a "restructuring" of backroom staff which has led to their well-regarded Academy manager leaving to pursue other options


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 31, 2019, 12:14:16
I don't think we'll pull in any extra fans, because Power owns a bit of Highworth or half the CG.
But that's not the purpose of either. The purpose is to make the club a more attractive business for fresh investment or new buyers. Which makes funds available to invest in the team. Which, if well spent, produces a better team capable of promotion, which brings about the "middling Div 3 status" we all yearn for :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Friday, May 31, 2019, 12:14:43
I don't think we'll pull in any extra fans, because Power owns a bit of Highworth or half the CG.... however we might pullin a few extra if we get back to Div 3 and play some winning football again at the CG.  That's what I'll carrying on basing my judgement of Power on.  I'm not sure the ownerships are necessary to make that happen....

Agree that only winning football will put more bums on seats, but the club has not spent anything on infrastructure for 25 years and we've been on a downward trajectory since.

I don't think it is a coincidence that we've been at our worse since we moved out of Liddington into a temporary home, on a variety of public parks and school 3G pitches.   A dedicated training ground with all the facilities in one place, that looks and feels like a professional outfit, may get an extra few % out of players and put us in a better place to attract players/loans/youngsters that have a few similar options.  

If we look and feel like we mean business it can only help the cause.

We just need to be less shit than everyone else to get out of this league, so small percentages matter.

  


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 31, 2019, 12:20:12
I don't think it is a coincidence that we've been at our worse since we moved out of Liddington into a temporary home, on a variety of public parks and school 3G pitches.   A dedicated training ground with all the facilities in one place, that looks and feels like a professional outfit, may get an extra few % out of players and put us in a better place to attract players/loans/youngsters that have a few similar options.   
While you're clearly doing a Reg by characterising Stanley Park and Beversbrook, both decent facilities, as "a variety of public parks and school 3G pitches", I'd agree that decent training facilities can make the difference in attracting loans etc. Andy King used to reckon that being able to show potential prospects around Liddington tipped the balance in several cases where players had options to choose from


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, May 31, 2019, 12:44:51
There does seem to be a number on here, who are grateful to Power for at least keeping us afloat as a middling Div 4 outfit, rather than accepting we should be able to sustain a middling Div 3 club, as we have been for most of our 100 years in the FL.  I still maintain Power needs to up his game and get us back, to the Div 3 perch he inherited as owner.

I am not sure there are a number who are happy to stay in D4, but I am sure you are fully aware of this but ignoring as it fails to respect the tedious narrative being saved up for a told you so frenzy in the future. .

Whilst I am perfectly happy to accept that Power made some bloody woeful decisions early on I am intrigued to know what he has done over the last 3 managerial appointments which could have been done differently, we have had a budget up there and a manager that looked at least on paper to be a good choice, Power has stepped back and let them mainly get on with up?

Intrigued to know in what way you think he needs to 'up his game' apart from throwing cash at it which does not necessarily end well?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, May 31, 2019, 12:49:59
Agree that only winning football will put more bums on seats, but the club has not spent anything on infrastructure for 25 years and we've been on a downward trajectory since.

I don't think it is a coincidence that we've been at our worse since we moved out of Liddington into a temporary home, on a variety of public parks and school 3G pitches.   A dedicated training ground with all the facilities in one place, that looks and feels like a professional outfit, may get an extra few % out of players and put us in a better place to attract players/loans/youngsters that have a few similar options.  

If we look and feel like we mean business it can only help the cause.

We just need to be less shit than everyone else to get out of this league, so small percentages matter.

Interestingly when I argued previously on here that I wasn't happy about leaving Liddington and going to Calne.... I got the usual shit about just being "negative" and it would make no difference.  That, of course, the idea was arrived at after careful thought and then backed up later, by analysis which confirmed our results at the CG had deteriorated in the post Liddington time frame, was merely met with just a coincidence...

So yes, whilst I think that having the improved facilties would be desirable, and may help in persuading players to sign, it's more likely they can be persuaded by their wage packet. Wellens made the point a while back that he was finding it difficult to convince players we were a "big club" in Div 4, and good facilities would have to be backed by good wages for that to happen.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, May 31, 2019, 13:31:11
A bright light in a thoroughly depressing thread....

Looks like some positive news for The Heed,

http://www.gfcsoul.co.uk/2019/05/gateshead-fc-future-takeover/

Finally it appears the fan led consortium have got their hands on the club and can now work with the FA to try and sort the regulatory problems to retain their league position.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Friday, May 31, 2019, 13:47:21
While you're clearly doing a Reg

Ouch! - can't you just call me a cunt  :) 

As good as they are, looking at it from a players perspective they are closer to non-league than championship facilities. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Friday, May 31, 2019, 13:53:49
Interestingly when I argued previously on here that I wasn't happy about leaving Liddington and going to Calne.... I got the usual shit about just being "negative" and it would make no difference.  That, of course, the idea was arrived at after careful thought and then backed up later, by analysis which confirmed our results at the CG had deteriorated in the post Liddington time frame, was merely met with just a coincidence...

So yes, whilst I think that having the improved facilties would be desirable, and may help in persuading players to sign, it's more likely they can be persuaded by their wage packet. Wellens made the point a while back that he was finding it difficult to convince players we were a "big club" in Div 4, and good facilities would have to be backed by good wages for that to happen.

I was only a lurker then but I'm sure they were just winding you up  :)   

Wages will win more often than not, but we can't (and often don't) outspend the opposition.   Loans from champ/prem in particular will want good facilities to help development.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, May 31, 2019, 13:54:28
Ouch! - can't you just call me a cunt  :)  

As good as they are, looking at it from a players perspective they are closer to non-league than championship facilities.  

As we are closer to non-league football than championship football sounds perfectly reasonable.  ;)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 31, 2019, 13:59:42
Ouch! - can't you just call me a cunt  :) 
:D
As good as they are, looking at it from a players perspective they are closer to non-league than championship facilities. 
Yes, and I agreed with your general point, but they're still a lot better than "public parks" and "school 3G pitches"


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Friday, May 31, 2019, 14:12:45
:DYes, and I agreed with your general point, but they're still a lot better than "public parks" and "school 3G pitches"

Glad you agree  :beers:
Apologies for poor wording in emphasis - they have trained at Lydiard park academy on a few occasions which is where the 2nd point came in.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 31, 2019, 14:59:25
Glad you agree  :beers:
Apologies for poor wording in emphasis - they have trained at Lydiard park academy on a few occasions which is where the 2nd point came in.
The 1st team? I know the Academy train there up to U16s but are you sure the 1st team have? I'd be surprised, if nothing else because it's so heavily used by the Academy lads


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, May 31, 2019, 15:03:31
Intrigued to know in what way you think he needs to 'up his game' apart from throwing cash at it which does not necessarily end well?

The most obvious thing would be to concentrate on one club... either STFC or Waterford, and if the latter to sell on the former.  It seems to me obvious that if you're struggling to fund one club to the level required to at least tread water, then you shouldn't be spending money at another.

If you're proper minted like the Man City lot, or even Benham at Brentford, then fair enough, but neither of them have slipped down the league...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, May 31, 2019, 15:18:17
The most obvious thing would be to concentrate on one club... either STFC or Waterford, and if the latter to sell on the former.  It seems to me obvious that if you're struggling to fund one club to the level required to at least tread water, then you shouldn't be spending money at another.

If you're proper minted like the Man City lot, or even Benham at Brentford, then fair enough, but neither of them have slipped down the league...

Hasn't Power been clear all along that with the right offer he is open to sell, all rather hypothetical without anyone prepared to pay the cash to buy the club though isn't it?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, May 31, 2019, 15:41:55
Hasn't Power been clear all along that with the right offer he is open to sell, all rather hypothetical without anyone prepared to pay the cash to buy the club though isn't it?
Yes and yes.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, May 31, 2019, 15:42:05
Hasn't Power been clear all along that with the right offer he is open to sell, all rather hypothetical without anyone prepared to pay the cash to buy the club though isn't it?

I want an owner who's decisions improve the playing side.... as to whether he'll sell the club, is nether here or there. TBF when Power first came in using the TT link and spending a bit on a Luongo/Byrne type, things did stay top end Div 3, for a season or so.... Power then cashed in and seemed to lose interest, along with the TT link.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Friday, May 31, 2019, 15:53:04
The 1st team? I know the Academy train there up to U16s but are you sure the 1st team have? I'd be surprised, if nothing else because it's so heavily used by the Academy lads

I have no inside knowledge other than what the kids have told me.
It's possible the Beversbrook pitch was frozen and LP was the only 3G available or kids were winding me up!   (It's easily done!)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 31, 2019, 15:56:59
I have no inside knowledge other than what the kids have told me.
It's possible the Beversbrook pitch was frozen and LP was the only 3G available or kids were winding me up!   (It's easily done!)
Or they saw the U16s training/playing a match there and thought it was the 1st team? Beversbrook and Stanley Park both have 3G pitches so even if the grass was frozen at Beversbrook, they could just use the 3G. I'd be genuinely astonished if the 1st team were training at LPA.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Friday, May 31, 2019, 16:28:44
Or they saw the U16s training/playing a match there and thought it was the 1st team? Beversbrook and Stanley Park both have 3G pitches so even if the grass was frozen at Beversbrook, they could just use the 3G. I'd be genuinely astonished if the 1st team were training at LPA.

Astonishing yes, but it definitely happened under Mark Coopers (pre Beeversbrook) reign according to Adver, so could have happened since.
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/10919998.swindon-town-boss-hails-lydiard-park-academy-for-training-help/

I'm sure it's very rare though!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, May 31, 2019, 16:41:56
Astonishing yes, but it definitely happened under Mark Coopers (pre Beeversbrook) reign according to Adver, so could have happened since.
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/10919998.swindon-town-boss-hails-lydiard-park-academy-for-training-help/

I'm sure it's very rare though!

But that was when they were training at Liddington, there'd be no need to do that now as they'd just use the 3G at Beversbrook. Or Ciren. Or Supermarine. All much better than the 3G at Lydiard.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Stef Troll on Sunday, June 2, 2019, 03:27:10
Anthony Joshua losing. Didn’t see that coming. He seems a decent person as well.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, June 6, 2019, 21:06:25
More worries for Yeovil: takeover in trouble

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48526137


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, June 7, 2019, 07:55:00
More worries for Yeovil: takeover in trouble

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48526137
Yeah been in the news down here for weeks, any takeover looks unlikely currently, no squad, no manager, no money, no fans.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, June 7, 2019, 08:27:39
Yeah been in the news down here for weeks, any takeover looks unlikely currently, no squad, no manager, no money, no fans.
How bad actually is it? "No squad" etc is the kind of hyperbole fans regularly engage in, but how fucked are they at the moment?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, June 7, 2019, 08:31:22
Or... how many players do they have that we can scavenge?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, June 7, 2019, 08:38:43
Or... how many players do they have that we can scavenge?
How many would we want? Struggling to think of any, they looked like a side rightly bound for relegation when we played them, even though we managed to offer them a glint of hope


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, June 7, 2019, 08:46:23
No idea, that's JJ's neck of the woods.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, June 7, 2019, 08:49:23
How bad actually is it? "No squad" etc is the kind of hyperbole fans regularly engage in, but how fucked are they at the moment?
They have had 2 interested buyers since the previous one fell through due to lack of funding and not passing the fit and proper test, the current owner will sell for any price but cannot attract anyone, so much so that Harry Redknapp has been asked if he wishes to invest, they are losing money hand over fist and have about 8 players under contract and all are available for transfer.

No manager will come in due to the uncertaintly of the ownership and I think they have sold about 200 season tickets so far (Notts County have broken 2,500 already in comparison).

without new owners they are unsustainable, the fans hate the current owner, there is a real despondancy with the fans. I wouldn't be shocked to see them fall through this league southwards as Torquay did.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, June 7, 2019, 08:50:30
How bad actually is it? "No squad" etc is the kind of hyperbole fans regularly engage in, but how fucked are they at the moment?

Relatively speaking it's not that long ago..... I remember it, Yeovil were relegated out of the Conference, at the time there were 3 feeder leagues.  Yeovil opted for the Isthmian League, basically London and suburbs. Their thinking, they can't get players down to Somerset, so just used London based players bussed in every other Sat for home games... away games took care of itself.

Recruitment is always a problem for SW teams, as a relatively small population and long journeys involved. 

We just about miss the worst of it, but having to rely on London based players, isn't without its problems


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, June 7, 2019, 08:56:24
As Reg says yes they had a team almost entirely London based and it paid off for them, they had training in South London twice a week and it paid off for them they stormed the league that season, my best mates favourite season ever as a Yeovil fan actually he thinks.

Yeovil is in the middle of nowhere and they have always struggled to attract players that are not Bristol/Exeter based as its a 2 and half hour train/drive from London on a good day.

They are in trouble, they do have a couple of players that could do a job for us but in the main I wouldn't take any off their hands currently, except maybe that young Welsh lad that was linked a couple of days ago, Tom James.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, June 7, 2019, 09:00:15
Shit, they're really in the brown stuff then. Cheers JJ (and Reg for the historical perspective!)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, June 7, 2019, 09:03:36
Shit, they're really in the brown stuff then. Cheers JJ (and Reg for the historical perspective!)
They are struggling, some staff have not been paid yet for last month (not the players as far as I know) and they are suffering from cashflow problems as they normally rely upon season ticket sales in the close season to keep the club going.

The current owner is refusing to give them any extra funding, which is understandable.

Could be a season of struggle for them coming, that is if they get past the current predicament and nothing more serious happens.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, June 7, 2019, 09:44:54
They moved didn't they from the place with the infamous slopey pitch, do they actually own their existing ground or is it a Kassam situation?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, June 7, 2019, 12:17:05
They moved didn't they from the place with the infamous slopey pitch, do they actually own their existing ground or is it a Kassam situation?
They do own thier own ground and that makes up almost the full takeover cost of the club. They sold the old sloping pitch to developers who built the Tesco on the site as its pretty much the centre of the town. That funded tbe new ground in about 1990.

The new ground is on land that is currently developing massively and has been marked for building a Sainsbury next to the ground with the club owning the land. Which was why the yank wanted the club.

Been a lot of talk about Yeovil wanting to sell the land for further development and the club moving further out of town. The development is the major selling point to any future buyer.

Their owner Fry has been abused a lot by Yeovil fans for refusing to invest any of the money from the breif jaunt into the Championship. Fry used thst venture to get the money back he invested in getting the club into the football league. Repaying loans of well over £10m to himself and not putting anything back into the club. Upsetting the fans in the process as the team fell down the leagues.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, June 7, 2019, 12:25:13
And during their brief sojourn in the Championship he voted against L1 and L2 clubs getting a higher % of TV income.

Fuck him.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, June 7, 2019, 12:46:41
And during their brief sojourn in the Championship he voted against L1 and L2 clubs getting a higher % of TV income.

Fuck him.
They also got decent transfer fees for several players including £1.5m for Chris Cohen to Forest. Not a well liked man down here.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Monday, June 10, 2019, 11:59:02
So maybe Bury & Yeovil going out of existence ? that will be a huge slap for the FL to lose 2 clubs 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, June 10, 2019, 12:03:12
So maybe Bury & Yeovil going out of existence ? that will be a huge slap for the FL to lose 2 clubs  
Would Yeovil be considered part of the FL since they were relegated? if Bury do fold then in an ironic turn of events it could mean that Yeovil are reinstated in L2? Aldershot were reprieved by Gateshead folding in the Conference a week or so ago so it could be a possiblility.

The next couple of weeks could be interesting.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, June 10, 2019, 12:07:31
Would Yeovil be considered part of the FL since they were relegated? if Bury do fold then in an ironic turn of events it could mean that Yeovil are reinstated in L2? Aldershot were reprieved by Gateshead folding in the Conference a week or so ago so it could be a possiblility.

The next couple of weeks could be interesting.

I missed the Shots reprieve.... it's something that seemed to happen quite often to FGR.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, June 10, 2019, 12:11:03
Aldershot were reprieved by Gateshead folding in the Conference a week or so ago so it could be a possiblility.


Just to be a light fitting, the Heed didn't/haven't folded, have been taken over but have been demoted into National League North after various misdemeanours last year under the old ownership (confirmed at the AGM last week), they are staying full time, have secured a new lease to use the ground and hopefully will get back up at the first try.

One beneficiary has been Oxford City who were going to be placed into the National League North next season but with the Heed replacing Aldershot they can fit in the National League South.

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/more-sport/the-full-story-on-gateshead-s-national-league-demotion-as-new-owners-react-plus-2019-20-home-ground-confirmed-1-9811684


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, June 10, 2019, 12:22:09
Yeovil would be in trouble in the NL - they don't take any messing with the financial side, chucking clubs down several divisions when necessary.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, June 10, 2019, 12:25:38
There are so many clubs flying close to the wind, Bury, Hartlepool, Bolton, Blackburn, Yeovil, Notts County, Southend, Ipswich, Oxford, Oldham, Ebbsfleet, Macclesfield, Morecambe and Crawley have all had windng up orders or been taken to court oe nor paid players/staff in the last 6 months. Manyy of them several times.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Monday, June 10, 2019, 12:28:15
There are so many clubs flying close to the wind, Bury, Hartlepool, Bolton, Blackburn, Yeovil, Notts County, Southend, Ipswich, Oxford, Oldham, Ebbsfleet, Macclesfield, Morecambe and Crawley have all had windng up orders or been taken to court oe nor paid players/staff in the last 6 months. Manyy of them several times.
People complain about Power, myself included,  but without him would we be added to that list ?.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, June 10, 2019, 12:29:40
People complain about Power, myself included,  but without him would we be added to that list ?.
If Jed was still at the club then thats a definate yes.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, June 10, 2019, 15:13:04
If Jed was still at the club then thats a definate yes.
If Jed was still at the club, there wouldn't be a club to be on the list


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 11:58:47
I think the main one in trouble at the moment is Bury, I don't think they have the money for administration and have no money coming in over the close season so unless something happens in the next week or so they could surely then put in liquidation perhaps

Bolton seem to have a few bidders sniffing around them,but surely nothing will be done in time to stop them falling through the leagues with no squad built, and of course the FL still have to deal with them refusing to play a match, so you would image that will be an extra points deduction when the FL decides to deal with it.

Then there is Blackpool who appear to being run the the receivers...



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 12:08:37
I have heard that Bristol Rovers are actively looking for a new owner with current owner Wael al-Qadi having lost interest ala Andrew Black and refusing new team investment funding.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 12:50:50
I have heard that Bristol Rovers are actively looking for a new owner with current owner Wael al-Qadi having lost interest ala Andrew Black and refusing new team investment funding.
Difference being that Black actually put some in in the first place.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 13:07:29
Thought about putting this in the "What's right with football" thread (the bit about the Stevenage owner selling 12% of the shares to fans to raise funds for investment in the squad), but on balance the article is more about how utterly fucked the finances of lower league football are so probably belongs more in here (or the "What's wrong" thread, I guess)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/11/sustainable-efl-club-stevenage-chairman-luck-selling-fans-football


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 13:08:56
Difference being that Black actually put some in in the first place.
True that, rather than just saying he would as has happened at the gas, when all he wanted was the development rights of the Mem.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 13:21:16
Thought about putting this in the "What's right with football" thread (the bit about the Stevenage owner selling 12% of the shares to fans to raise funds for investment in the squad), but on balance the article is more about how utterly fucked the finances of lower league football are so probably belongs more in here (or the "What's wrong" thread, I guess)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/11/sustainable-efl-club-stevenage-chairman-luck-selling-fans-football
He’s valuing a pissy little L2 club at nearly £10m? No wonder Powers hanging on at SN1.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, June 13, 2019, 11:40:06
Looks like Bolton could be about to emerge from administration with new owners:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48622014

And Blackpool too:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48616207

Let's hope they're both a bit better than the last lot


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, June 13, 2019, 11:57:47
Looks like Bolton could be about to emerge from administration with new owners:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48622014

And Blackpool too:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48616207

Let's hope they're both a bit better than the last lot

It will be interesting to see the players Bolton can attract when they are sorted due to the extra points deduction hanging over them, which surely would put them in L2 the following season


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Thursday, June 13, 2019, 14:23:57
Blackpool takeover confirmed. A guy who grew up supporting the club and (seemingly) has its interests at heart. Wonder how much discount he got for inheriting their dogs dinner of a training ground!

https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2019/june/club-statement-new-owner/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Thursday, June 13, 2019, 20:49:46
The Vegans have had their new stadium rejected by the council again, don't think it'll be long before Mr Egotricity walls away in a strop, that'll then be the end of them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, June 14, 2019, 14:33:04
It will be interesting to see the players Bolton can attract when they are sorted due to the extra points deduction hanging over them, which surely would put them in L2 the following season
They'll need to start attracting some quickly. Only six senior pros currently left, according to the Times today


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, June 14, 2019, 14:57:18
They'll need to start attracting some quickly. Only six senior pros currently left, according to the Times today
8 according to Wiki but that can change daily.

Didn't we have only about 4 contracted 1st team players when PdC took over following our relegation and still did pretty well the following season?

Could be difficult to attract players with that 12 point deduction over their head, but saying that with a good run they could be on positive points by September.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, June 14, 2019, 15:44:14
Didn't we have only about 4 contracted 1st team players when PdC took over following our relegation and still did pretty well the following season?
Maybe but (again according to the Times), the new owners are guaranteeing a £1m recruitment budget. That's not going to fund a Di Canio style "throw enough shit at the wall and some of it might stick" recruitment splurge


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, June 14, 2019, 15:52:52
Maybe but (again according to the Times), the new owners are guaranteeing a £1m recruitment budget. That's not going to fund a Di Canio style "throw enough shit at the wall and some of it might stick" recruitment splurge
There will always be jobbing football mercenaries willing to play one season on good lower league wages as they near the end of their careers.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Friday, June 14, 2019, 16:13:25
There will always be jobbing football mercenaries willing to play one season on good lower league wages as they near the end of their careers.

A 1 million recruitment budget will get them a ball boy and a tea lady


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, June 14, 2019, 16:21:31
A 1 million recruitment budget will get them a ball boy and a tea lady
Youth mixed with experience, I like it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, June 14, 2019, 18:09:58
Hopefully the ball boy has a set of GK gloves and the tea lady has played a bit at right back, guaranteed success.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, June 14, 2019, 19:19:58
The bury chairman seems to have exceeded himself again. What a nob

Quote
BURY FC are set to make a number of members of staff redundant next week, the Bury Times understands.

It is understood that between 10 and 12 members of staff at the financially troubled club have received letters of “potential redundancy”, subject to a consultation.

A range of club staff are believed to involved, including ground staff, operations, accounts and maintenance.

However, club secretary Jill Neville is not thought to be one of those involved.

When quizzed on the redundancies, the club's owner Steve Dale accused staff of "trying to extort money from the club".

He said: "If you read my past statements I indeed made clear that staff will be let go as we are overstaffed.

"That’s just commercial sense. What you should be asking is, these staff who are purporting to love the club, why didn’t they just go and find other jobs? But no, they are trying to extort money from the club."

Unbelievable quote!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Saturday, June 15, 2019, 05:14:46
A 1 million recruitment budget will get them a ball boy and a tea lady

Which one is at RB and which one is in goal?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Saturday, June 15, 2019, 08:48:43
The ball boy is Buster Gonad so in goal he goes.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, June 15, 2019, 08:50:47
Get John McGinlay back out of retirement for a season, he has to be younger than Kevin Ellison who has signed a new 1 year contract at Morecambe.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, June 17, 2019, 16:18:18
Where has all the money gone????

A regular question for some fans, well its going on at Northampton.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/14/police-hunt-missing-10m-northampton-town-council


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Kinky Tom on Monday, June 17, 2019, 16:22:43
Not seen this although I only returned home a month ago and have been in Spain for a couple of weeks since.  I'll ask a couple of mates how things are looking for them, usually see one on Wednesdays.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, June 17, 2019, 16:23:47
Not seen this although I only returned home a month ago and have been in Spain for a couple of weeks since.  I'll ask a couple of mates how things are looking for them, usually see one on Wednesdays.
Ask them "where has all the money gone?" :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Monday, June 17, 2019, 18:22:01
That Northampton thing has been going on for a couple of years at least.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Monday, June 17, 2019, 18:26:20
That Northampton thing has been going on for a couple of years at least.

A bit Jedesque isn’t it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Mother Brown on Monday, June 17, 2019, 19:06:40
A bit Jedesque isn’t it.
Sounds like a load of cobblers to me.
Anything to get the post count up.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 08:36:15
That Northampton thing has been going on for a couple of years at least.

Indeed, don't let Reg see this... https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/24/council-loan-northampton-town-auditors-inquiry


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 20:52:27
Looks like Jed to Yeovil is a goer. Poor fuckers


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 09:03:24
More background on the dire situation at Bury, including this little gem

"Capital and Bury agreed that 40% of the money being borrowed would never come to the club. Instead, Capital paid it to an unnamed third party, as an “introduction fee”. "

So Bury still owe £1.6m (and the interest on it) but never even saw £640k of that, it went straight out to some dodgy fixer.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/18/bury-inside-story-financial-ruin-winding-up-petition-loans-car-park


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 09:05:15
40%?

Plus interest?

Blimey


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 09:06:50
40%?

Plus interest?

Blimey
Quite. The company that arranged the loan, Capital, justified the fee on the basis that they got a "relatively low" interest rate of 7.5% so "it's swings and roundabouts". Sounds more like "Head I win, tails you lose"


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 09:13:26
They are royally fucked by chancers and con men, looks like Bury are the same!



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 09:20:47
http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/ASP/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=30004&fbclid=IwAR20a1uynQvZS4v1xKA2TxbN1LAypqgTFGEPIWvdEQzNWt5sCl0PqiTpWeE

Quote
Last week saw the name of Jed McCrory pop up on the rumourmill in connection with the ownership takeover at Yeovil Town. Friday night's statement by the club did not name the group that they believed had reached an agreement with, but he was one of a number of names that had been circulating at that time. McCrory's name has now been firmly linked with the club by the local media - he's got past experience of owning Swindon Town and Banbury United, was on the Board at Solihull Moors and is the current owner of Stratford Town. He was also briefly the owner of Worcester Warriors.

Jed McCrory comes from Alcester in Warwickshire and is 49 years old. He's had involvement with a number of clubs over the years, with the first one one involving Southern League Premier Division side Banbury United. He had to relinquish his shares to take over Swindon Town in 2013, after he was part of a consortium to purchase the County Ground club. He worked under the name of Seebeck 87 as a group of four that included Steve Murrall, Gary Hooper and Callum Rice. Murrall is no longer involved in football, having been jailed in November 2017 for eight years for his part in a fraud whilst he was trying to buy Hartlepool United - McCrory was not involved in this scam. Hooper and Rice bowed out of Swindon after just three months, with both reported at the time as stepping down to concentrate on their non-football businesses.

At the time McCrory's group took over, Swindon were top of League One under Paolo Di Canio, but had been massively overspending under the previous ownership, suffering the fate of becoming the first Football League side to be put under a transfer embargo, due to breaches of the League's SCMP spending limits. McCrory's takeover coincided with the January transfer window and it led to an immediate row with Di Canio due to one player being sold off, and the manager being unable to make signings as a result of the transfer embargo. Di Canio then resigned and the Robins slipped from first to sixth, losing in the play-offs at the end of the 2012-13 season.

In December 2013, with Swindon sat in seventh place in the League One table, McCrory bowed out of the County Ground, with his right hand man Steve Murrall having resigned a month earlier. They'd brought in Lee Power as an investor, and he bought out the McCrory/Seebeck87 shares to give himself full ownership. At the time of the departure everything seemed amicable with Swindon's statement praising him saying: "He has instilled pride back into Swindon and the town. He leaves the club having established a robust, proven business model".

However, by 2014 all of that had turned sour as McCrory and Power went to Court in a dispute over the sale of McCrory's shares. McCrory's claim was that an option for Power to purchase the Seebeck 87 shares had expired when the December 2013 handover had taken place, but Power produced evidence of a three year extension on the agreement that allowed him to complete his takeover. It took until July 2014 for a High Court to find in favour of Power, with McCrory ordered to pay in the region of £50,000 in costs. That wasn't the end of it, with McCrory taking the issue to the Court Of Appeal, with that case running until January 2015 until it was closed, with some mixed reports over whether he had withdrawn his case or whether the Court had rejected it.

Whilst the two court cases were going through, McCrory also involved himself in talks with Kidderminster Harriers, Bristol Rovers and Hereford United. Just after he left Swindon in December 2013, he claims that he had a verbal agreement with Kidderminster for a takeover that would have gone through in January 2014. McCrory claimed that he was backed by a £5 million investment from Quest Capital Ltd but this ultimately did not go through.

In February 2014 he is reported to have met Herefordshire Council to explore the detail behind Hereford United's lease agreements relating to their Edgar Street ground. The Bulls were in financial trouble and although it was reported that McCrory had been approached by former Chairman David Keyte, his involvement also had been influenced by the arrival of Tommy Agombar as Hereford's prospective owner, with Agombar having been part of the Seebeck 87 set-up. That all collapsed when Agombar failed the FA's Fit and Proper Person's Test in August 2014 due to a prison sentence that he had served, with the Bulls later being liquidated in December 2014 due to their financial problems. There's no suggestion that McCrory held an executive position at the club during that period, with his role appearing to be an attempt to deal with the club's ongoing financial problems. It was later reported that in September 2014 he aided Bristol Rovers in a restructuring of the club, although does not appear to have held a firm position.

McCrory's presence in football then seems to have gone quiet for a couple of years. He was named as being part of one of four separate consortiums that were attempting to purchase Northampton Town in November 2015, but his group did not make the final cut. His next role came in August 2016 when he became a Director at Solihull Moors, lasting a year with the National League club before stepping down. During that period there had been reports that McCrory was attempting a full takeover but these never materialised.

Instead he turned up at Southern League Premier Division Central side Stratford Town, close to his own home town, where he has maintained a position on their Board since July 2018. If he is to takeover Yeovil Town he will need to relinquish this role under FA rules concerning dual ownership. In parallel with his Stratford role, McCrory also moved into Rugby Union as part of a group that took over Premiership side Worcester Warriors. At that time in October 2018, his financial backing came from London and Miami-based financier Errol Pope, who is a property and commodity trader, along with Scott Priestnall and former Saracens and Sale Sharks player David Seymour. Pope was to provide the financial backing, whilst McCrory would run the club on a day-to-day basis.

However, this arrangement did not last long, with Morecambe FC owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham coming in during December 2018 as investors. On June 12th 2019, McCrory left the rugby club entirely, leaving Goldring and Whittingham in charge after just eight and a half months. Instead he was reported as having taken a sports development role with Redditch Borough Council, and so is no longer involved with rugby union. Whittingham said of McCrory's departure:

"Jed has brought tremendous energy and enthusiasm to the executive board and has helped to shape the vision of a club with strong links to the local community. We respect Jed's decision to take up a new post working to develop sports and leisure opportunities in his local community and wish him the very best in his new venture."

At present, Yeovil Town have not confirmed McCrory's involvement in the takeover process currently going on at Huish Park, with his involvement at Stratford Town presumably having been a significant reason why he had asked not to be named at the point that the club reached last Friday's agreement.

Jed McCrory Timeline:
August 2012 - March 2013 - Banbury United
February 2013 - December 2013 - Swindon Town (owner)
February 2014 - Attempted takeover of Kidderminster Harriers but this fell through
July 2014 - Held some discussions with Herefordshire Council regarding the Edgar Street ground leases
September 2014 - Appears to have had some involvement with Bristol Rovers but this doesn't amount to much
November 2015 - Was named as one of four separate bidders for Northampton Town, but was not selected
August 2016 - August 2017 - Solihull Moors (Director only)
July 2018 - Present - Stratford Town
October 2018 - June 2019 - Worcester Warriors Rugby Club (co-owner)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 09:25:43
And from the comments on their FB page it sdounds like they deserve each other.

Quote
Thanks for that. I was expecting to see a lot more sinister stuff after reading some of the comments about him if I am totally honest. I tend to take things said by people on here and other grouos/forums with a giant pinch of salt, especially when no substance is offered other than a whinge or a bit of hysteria but I'm struggling to see why there is an uproar and hoping that somebody can inform me, as I still feel quite in the dark. A link to... A forum with Swindon fans bleating doesn't cut it for me as far as evidence or justification goes so hoping that people could enlighten us all as to why the are so upset, because although not my first choice, I'm a little bit confused.


Let's hope he can turn our fortunes around and we get out of that league sooner rather than later. Let's give him a chance and make our own minds up


Don't know much about him if I'm honest but he doesn't seem to hang around long!


Have to agree with Dan, unless I’m being naive I fail to see the reason for the hysteria I’ve seen posted.
I’ll give this guy a chance to prove himself, after all I was amongst those calling for change....


I wonder what the Swindon fans would say if rolls were reversed and Fry and Haywood were going to Swindon? Would you say take no notice of our forum ?


He does flit around a lot and doesn't seem very interested in "football" although one of those testimonies mentioned "community". He is obviously the figurehead for the real money men.
So, we will have to wait and see.


I think until we know everything, we are still completely in the dark. We still need some open and frank disclosures on our future but i cant see where the hysteria is coming from just yet.


from a Swindon Town fan's point of view, if your club had been wrapped up in a 14 month (end to end) court case and a battle over who actually owned the club (the article above is the tip of the iceberg on that) then clearly you're not going to see that level of disruption in a kindly light. I didn't bother to mention it, as it was Power's problem rather than McCrory's but in 2015 the whole process led to a winding up order against Swindon because of the legal bills they'd spent in fighting the case - the legal firm that represented Swindon brought the action. So it's not hard to see why they saw McCrory as harming their club.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 10:01:41
Thing is with Jed, throughout these saga's I don't really see where he has actually made a great deal of cash for all the effort?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 10:05:45
Bury’s WUP adjourned for 6 weeks- though I can’t see what difference that’ll make.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 10:16:13
Thing is with Jed, throughout these saga's I don't really see where he has actually made a great deal of cash for all the effort?

From selling off the catering at the CG maybe?
Around about the time of the court case or just after Power mentioned the possibility of also going after Jed for some "missing" money. Something like £200k if memory serves.

With Jed, deep down, it's possibly more about this than the money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D2qcbu26gs


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Super Hans on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 10:42:51
And from the comments on their FB page it sdounds like they deserve each other.

I guess it's only natural that football fans will look for positives in a takeover, especially in the lower tiers, as they see the person or group in question as a new beginning and chance of recovery.

I feel sorry for the ones burying their heads in the sand. To dismiss it as Swindon fans being hysterical is incredibly naive. Hope they're not in too bad of a state when inevitably gets found out to be the chancer he is and legs it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 10:52:13
Thing is with Jed, throughout these saga's I don't really see where he has actually made a great deal of cash for all the effort?
Catering sell-off would be the main one. Much like the Yeovil FB posters with their "why the hysteria?" there was plenty of "don't be daft" stuff from Town fans when people suggested Jed was a dodgy asset stripper, because "we don't have any assets to strip". I and others pointed out at the time that forward selling is one way you asset strip a business with no apparent assets, as pioneered various dodgy Rangers owners prior to their collapse, when they forward sole season ticket sales in return for cash they then claimed to use as "investments" in the club. TBF, the asset stripping didn't get as literal as it did at Hereford where his sometime collaborator Agombar was apparently ordering TVs and other removable items be literally ripped off the walls in the hours before the receivers came in.

Remember he and his fellow directors also did very nicely with "in kind" niceties like leased Bentleys etc. Might not have made cash on that directly, but it certainly took money out of the club and into private hands.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 10:56:34
Not forgetting hookey bars and concerts...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 10:57:51
Catering sell-off would be the main one. Much like the Yeovil FB posters with their "why the hysteria?" there was plenty of "don't be daft" stuff from Town fans when people suggested Jed was a dodgy asset stripper, because "we don't have any assets to strip". I and others pointed out at the time that forward selling is one way you asset strip a business with no apparent assets, as pioneered various dodgy Rangers owners prior to their collapse, when they forward sole season ticket sales in return for cash they then claimed to use as "investments" in the club. TBF, the asset stripping didn't get as literal as it did at Hereford where his sometime collaborator Agombar was apparently ordering TVs and other removable items be literally ripped off the walls in the hours before the receivers came in.

Remember he and his fellow directors also did very nicely with "in kind" niceties like leased Bentleys etc. Might not have made cash on that directly, but it certainly took money out of the club and into private hands.

In effect mortgaging the business and putting a charge over it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 11:09:38
Probably only natural they'd turn a bit sour about us badmouthing Jed. Some of us would do the same I imagine...

It'll be a couple of months time when reality kicks in and we smugly say "We told you so". Although I hope he doesn't fuck them up too bad, they've suffered enough recently.

Wonder how many new cars his buddies will get?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 11:17:05
Probably only natural they'd turn a bit sour about us badmouthing Jed. Some of us would do the same I imagine...

It'll be a couple of months time when reality kicks in and we smugly say "We told you so". Although I hope he doesn't fuck them up too bad, they've suffered enough recently.

Wonder how many new cars his buddies will get?

In fairness it won’t be the fans making the decision as who the successful purchasers are. Though it will be hard to hold back from saying WTYS. Looking at this individuals dealings with so many clubs it is hard to take his interest seriously, that would be a mistake though if they don’t. Kind of looks like Yeovil are caught between a rock and a hard place either way.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 11:20:31
Not forgetting hookey bars and concerts...
Indeed, always a handy way of tidying up any cash you may need "cleaning up" a bit, too.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 11:22:20
Thing is with Jed, throughout these saga's I don't really see where he has actually made a great deal of cash for all the effort?

Yet at the time you could see he could take say 200K for consultancy and cars and were quite happy about it, as long as it brought "stability"

Quote
The £200k consultancy fees and cars is almost to be expected with regards to the above, if the transaction is merely business you are goping to want something for the risk and time, to be honest I won't lose too much sleep over that if in the long run we get some stability.

The sale of catering still make it pretty pointless for the club to put on events at the CG as even the beer money goes elsewhere.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:26:52
Yet at the time you could see he could take say 200K for consultancy and cars and were quite happy about it, as long as it brought "stability"

The sale of catering still make it pretty pointless for the club to put on events at the CG as even the beer money goes elsewhere.

I am not sure of the context of that post, what with me having a life and not the time to trawl back, but in the real grown up world you lead on a business transaction you get paid for it?

I could make some trite remark about hindsight or try and tragically spin it to present a modern interpretation, but hey ho I am not as insecure as that and I don't always make posts with the sad hope that I will be proved right 6 years later!  :bye:

If only we all had the time to spend ages trawling back 6 odd years to find posts, but then again in your case one only has to trawl back about 6 minutes to find on that immediately contradicts one following it!   :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

All very sad and pathetic really, I should stick to posting ill informed nonsense about the Council and blaming the Tories for everything, safer there.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:30:10
Catering sell-off would be the main one. Much like the Yeovil FB posters with their "why the hysteria?" there was plenty of "don't be daft" stuff from Town fans when people suggested Jed was a dodgy asset stripper, because "we don't have any assets to strip". I and others pointed out at the time that forward selling is one way you asset strip a business with no apparent assets, as pioneered various dodgy Rangers owners prior to their collapse, when they forward sole season ticket sales in return for cash they then claimed to use as "investments" in the club. TBF, the asset stripping didn't get as literal as it did at Hereford where his sometime collaborator Agombar was apparently ordering TVs and other removable items be literally ripped off the walls in the hours before the receivers came in.

Remember he and his fellow directors also did very nicely with "in kind" niceties like leased Bentleys etc. Might not have made cash on that directly, but it certainly took money out of the club and into private hands.

I know and accept all that, but in the big scheme of things its a hell of a lot of work and hassle for very limited returns, even with the catering they would have paid only a small premium up front with the rest based one would assume on yearly payments throughout the contract which will have gone to Power subsequently.

BTW wasn't it Mercs anyway! 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:31:07
http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/ASP/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=30004&fbclid=IwAR20a1uynQvZS4v1xKA2TxbN1LAypqgTFGEPIWvdEQzNWt5sCl0PqiTpWeE

That doesn't really cover it does it. The rented Bentley, failed concerts, Town end bar without a licence, continuously lying to supporters, threatening supporters, getting called a liar by a high court judge. Those are why there is the 'hysteria' about him, he's as dodgy as they come.

Wonder what happened to his career in politics that he mentioned in court....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:32:06
I know and accept all that, but in the big scheme of things its a hell of a lot of work and hassle for very limited returns, even with the catering they would have paid only a small premium up front with the rest based one would assume on yearly payments throughout the contract which will have gone to Power subsequently.
No-one said he was any good at being dodgy.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:32:18
That doesn't really cover it does it. The rented Bentley, failed concerts, Town end bar without a licence, continuously lying to supporters, threatening supporters, getting called a liar by a high court judge. Those are why there is the 'hysteria' about him, he's as dodgy as they come.

Wonder what happened to his career in politics that he mentioned in court....

Redditch Council dear boy....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:32:59
No-one said he was any good at being dodgy.

And that was the point I was making, if I wanted to make a cool £250k by being dodgy I can think of considerably easier ways of doing it!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:34:27
I know and accept all that, but in the big scheme of things its a hell of a lot of work and hassle for very limited returns, even with the catering they would have paid only a small premium up front with the rest based one would assume on yearly payments throughout the contract which will have gone to Power subsequently.

BTW wasn't it Mercs anyway! 
Think he likes the image (and free bar) that comes with being a chairman. Back when he joined I was told by a friend who knew him that he was all "champagne lifestyle with lemonade funds".


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:34:53
Redditch Council dear boy....
Well seems like that was a lie as well now!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:36:43
And that was the point I was making, if I wanted to make a cool £250k by being dodgy I can think of considerably easier ways of doing it!
Yes but you're not a fucking idiot.... that's the whole point about Jed, not only is he dodgy as fuck, he's long on bullshit, extremely short on competence.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Super Hans on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:37:01
Bury’s WUP adjourned for 6 weeks- though I can’t see what difference that’ll make.

Season starts 6 weeks on Saturday. No manager, no players, no hope really. I don't see how they will be able to fulfil their fixtures unless they somehow appoint a manager and sign players with all this on going.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:37:52
Season starts 6 weeks on Saturday. No manager, no players, no hope really. I don't see how they will be able to fulfil their fixtures unless they somehow appoint a manager and sign players with all this on going.
Not that many jobs in football, someone will take it on.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 12:43:29
Macclesfield face a winding up petition on 26th June. The players and some staff still have not been paid for 2 months.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 13:07:33
Yes but you're not a fucking idiot....

Ah that's the nicest thing you have ever said to me!  :girlgiggle:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 13:14:10
Season starts 6 weeks on Saturday. No manager, no players, no hope really. I don't see how they will be able to fulfil their fixtures unless they somehow appoint a manager and sign players with all this on going.

Supposed to be two serious buyers involved which I assume explains the delay to the WUP, suggested in the MEN that both local MP's are quite heavily involved in trying to sort things out and find a solution.

Looks like the debts could be £3-4 million which might explain why even the lieks of Jed etc are giving this one quite a wide berth, despite them actually owning some real estate.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 13:34:35
I am not sure of the context of that post, what with me having a life and not the time to trawl back, but in the real grown up world you lead on a business transaction you get paid for it?

I could make some trite remark about hindsight or try and tragically spin it to present a modern interpretation, but hey ho I am not as insecure as that and I don't always make posts with the sad hope that I will be proved right 6 years later!  :bye:

If only we all had the time to spend ages trawling back 6 odd years to find posts, but then again in your case one only has to trawl back about 6 minutes to find on that immediately contradicts one following it!   :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

All very sad and pathetic really, I should stick to posting ill informed nonsense about the Council and blaming the Tories for everything, safer there.

Just trying to answer your question. It takes about a minute or so to look back at stuff.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, June 21, 2019, 16:12:15
Proposed CVA been circulated to Bury's creditors...

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2043632-rescue-plan-proposed-to-save-bury-football-club?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NorthWest_21st_Jun_2019_Breaking


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Sunday, June 23, 2019, 09:48:03
Not sure it goes in this thread but my mate lives in Holland and in their local news there is a story that Dirk Kuyt is ready to buy a L1 English football club, he has denied its Bolton but it would be a multi million pound takeover bid if successful.

https://talksport.com/football/efl/561927/liverpool-dirk-kuyt-consortium-close-buying-bolton-wanderers/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9343377/liverpool-dirk-kuyt-buy-bolton-league-one/

That story suggests its Bolton but Kuyt has denied that.

Save your money and come make an off to Mr Power! :D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Sunday, June 23, 2019, 09:50:27
Not sure it goes in this thread but my mate lives in Holland and in their local news there is a story that Dirk Kuyt is ready to buy a L1 English football club, he has denied its Bolton but it would be a multi million pound takeover bid if successful.

https://talksport.com/football/efl/561927/liverpool-dirk-kuyt-consortium-close-buying-bolton-wanderers/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9343377/liverpool-dirk-kuyt-buy-bolton-league-one/

That story suggests its Bolton but Kuyt has denied that.

Save your money and come make an off to Mr Power! :D

As fanciful as your last sentence is, in a future Swindon Town set up when the ground is owned, that would have a more solid resonance.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Sunday, June 23, 2019, 09:54:56
As fanciful as your last sentence is, in a future Swindon Town set up when the ground is owned, that would have a more solid resonance.
Absolutely.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 11:33:24
Bury looking likely to start next season -12 points, assuming they can get their CVA passed (and that Dale doesn't default on the terms which is a pretty big assumption in it's own right!)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/25/bury-owner-steve-dale-debts-winding-up-petition-points-penalty


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 12:40:16
jeez, what a mess. The price of 'ambition' (or is it Shenanigans?).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 12:42:56
It's worse than that, they truly played the game - this should have been a penalty enforced last season but they didn't pay their staff to ensure they got through the last fixture before proposing a CVA.  That would have meant them dropping into the Play Offs.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 12:43:55
true, Shenanigans it is then


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, 08:08:03
It's worse than that, they truly played the game - this should have been a penalty enforced last season but they didn't pay their staff to ensure they got through the last fixture before proposing a CVA.  That would have meant them dropping into the Play Offs.
Hadn't noticed that,  cheating bastards !!.  Think they'll get found out this season,  must be very short price, or odds on, for relegation.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, 08:15:51
Hadn't noticed that,  cheating bastards !!.  Think they'll get found out this season,  must be very short price, or odds on, for relegation.
Blimey 4/7 with skybet.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, 08:43:32
I wouldn't be surprised if they end up with back to back relegations.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, June 29, 2019, 06:14:49
Things ain’t looking too good - again - with the piss stains. Rumours of staff not being paid - again - and finding difficulty in attracting players because of their financial position.

Transferring money from abroad to the club is the usual excuse for non existent cash flow.

That little Thai fella is doing a stand up job!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, July 1, 2019, 15:23:38
Bury now getting kicked out of their rent free training ground.... https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-evict-bury-fc-16509443


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, July 1, 2019, 15:43:50
Jed McCrory currently denying being part of the consortium taking over at Yeovil but his mates have come out and said they are part of it, the same group that purchased Worcester Rugby Club, Scott Priestnall and Errol Pope.

But there are a few unusual comments from Scott Priestnall

Quote
This is a question I've already had from the Glovers Trust with their Chairman Stuart (Burrell). Jed (McCrory) has already made it publically aware that he's not involved in this takeover. He's doing a great job up in Stratford. He's a very good friend of mine and I believe he's got a very good record in football. In fact what we are doing is bringing Stratford Town down next Saturday. We've done a deal with Jed to bring them down, do a meet the players - for the fans to meet the players and the new manager. We'll be down there as well to try to give a bit of openness in terms of what's going off during this transition period. But certainly Jed is not involved in this takeover "at this moment".

Yeovils first home friendly of the season is....yes Stratford Town, a team owned by Jed McCrory!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Monday, July 1, 2019, 15:54:55
Jed McCrory currently denying being part of the consortium taking over at Yeovil but his mates have come out and said they are part of it, the same group that purchased Worcester Rugby Club, Scott Priestnall and Errol Pope.

But there are a few unusual comments from Scott Priestnall

Yeovils first home friendly of the season is....yes Stratford Town, a team owned by Jed McCrory!
Did see that over the weekend, he’s bound to be lurking in the background. Probably come in as a ‘consultant’ and make some money that way. That comment Jed made to that Yeovil fan that “they’d be lucky to have him” sums him up.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, July 1, 2019, 17:47:25
https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/post-says-if-notts-county-3030913


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, July 1, 2019, 18:21:54
https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/post-says-if-notts-county-3030913
And according to the same paper, the lead bidders are a consortium including a convicted con man. Out of the frying pan ....

https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-still-sale-talks-3026045


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, July 1, 2019, 18:37:27
and an alternative Consortium stemming from Betting Advice, no potential conflicts of interest there!  To be fair to the conman, didn't a load of Old People Cons Notts County our of playing contracts last season, so he might be a good fit.................sorry, will get my coat.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 08:14:02
Not looking good for Macclesfield.

https://thestarlaneend.wordpress.com/2019/07/01/mtfc-players-statement/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 08:31:23
They've just signed another player too. Who the hell thinks its a good idea to sign for them atm


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 08:35:57
They've just signed another player too. Who the hell thinks its a good idea to sign for them atm
Jak McCourt seemed to think it was a good move!

Sounds like madness to me.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 08:36:35
Jak McCourt seemed to think it was a good move!

Sounds like madness to me.

Must have a few quid saved up to tide over


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 08:45:59
Must have a few quid saved up to tide over
McCourt wasn't THAT bad he was just an average L2 midfielder, this looks like a poor move though, certainly financially.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 08:49:39
They've just signed another player too. Who the hell thinks its a good idea to sign for them atm
Not that many jobs around, better off with a contract than without?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 08:54:51
Not that many jobs around, better off with a contract than without?
Not if there is little chance of the contract actually paying wages though?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 08:56:43
If they go into admin football creditors will be paid in full - contract will be paid up instantly surely?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 09:02:26
Not if there is little chance of the contract actually paying wages though?
What jayo said. Not saying it's a good choice, but this is a time of year when players can get desperate for the security of a contract, particularly if they've had little interest elsewhere.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Trashbat? on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 09:06:18
They've just signed another player too. Who the hell thinks its a good idea to sign for them atm

How many times do you see "player has signed subject to Football League approval" I take it that not being able to afford the player doesn't get taken into account by the FL.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 09:39:37
Bolton preferred bidder revealed and not not Dirk...

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2044194-bolton-wanderers-joint-administrators-reveal-preferred-bidder


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, 12:27:10
How many times do you see "player has signed subject to Football League approval" I take it that not being able to afford the player doesn't get taken into account by the FL.

It is odd they are allowed to sign players, football creditors usually get paid by the FL out of payments due to the club, you would have thought players not getting wages FL would be all over it and put them under embargo...clearly not


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, 13:41:50
At Macclesfield...

Quote
Macclesfield Town's winding-up petition has been adjourned until 14th August.

Egerton Youth Club have been paid, and one of the unpaid players will now take over as lead petitioner.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, 13:53:00
Bury should become a one word put down to anyone moaning about squad spending, for any club in this league.  The more I think about their season, the more I think I'd be more than happy for the FL to demote them.  Whether it was fully intentional or not to play the system, they have.  They could never afford their squad, yet they kept it together past the Transfer Window and almost immediately stopped paying them.  If I was a team like Mansfield, I'd be livid, but maybe I might be looking inwards and thinking, it's what we are doing, just with more secure funding.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, 15:56:37
I'd be very surprised if Mansfield didn't do some behind-the-scenes legal checks... unless they're not holier than thou either!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Thursday, July 4, 2019, 14:36:51
FGR's veganism has nothing on this...

Quote
Quite Interesting
‏Verified account @qikipedia
8m8 minutes ago

Third division Spanish football club Mostoles Balompie has renamed itself Flat Earth FC, with its president announcing the club is now dedicated to the flat earth movement.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Thursday, July 4, 2019, 19:45:35
Bury should become a one word put down to anyone moaning about squad spending, for any club in this league.  The more I think about their season, the more I think I'd be more than happy for the FL to demote them.  Whether it was fully intentional or not to play the system, they have.  They could never afford their squad, yet they kept it together past the Transfer Window and almost immediately stopped paying them.  If I was a team like Mansfield, I'd be livid, but maybe I might be looking inwards and thinking, it's what we are doing, just with more secure funding.
But it worked for them, like it or not.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Thursday, July 4, 2019, 19:47:05
But it worked for them, like it or not.

Maybe, until the rules get changed again.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Thursday, July 4, 2019, 19:51:36
Maybe, until the rules get changed again.
Never knew that the rules had been changed.    Didn't we originally get demoted two divisions for financial irregularities ?.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, July 4, 2019, 20:52:34
Bury are hardly and example to follow.  They now have a likely 12 point deduction coming, lost their Manager, most of their players and other staff.  They will probably get relegated again and find themselves worse off in L2 the season after.

My annoyance with them is how on earth did they convince the EFL that they were spending less than the limit on wages?  They didn't pay players from March and when they got one of the Winding-Up petitions extended is was based on getting the next seasons EFL money, not income from the current season.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Thursday, July 4, 2019, 21:21:35
Never knew that the rules had been changed.    Didn't we originally get demoted two divisions for financial irregularities ?.

Tax evasion, undeclared payments and maybe a few other transgressions. Bury’s are for spending more than they were entitled to v % of income.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, July 4, 2019, 21:41:52
But it worked for them, like it or not.

It did?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, July 5, 2019, 08:44:30
My annoyance with them is how on earth did they convince the EFL that they were spending less than the limit on wages?  They didn't pay players from March and when they got one of the Winding-Up petitions extended is was based on getting the next seasons EFL money, not income from the current season.

I am a little confused about the FL starting to forward pay future payments to clubs in dire straits, I always thought that it was this cash that was used to pay the preferential football creditors if the company went bust, but if say Bury or Bolton went bang now the cash has already been credited to the clubs under the previous owners?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, July 5, 2019, 10:24:08
But it worked for them, like it or not.
Define "worked". Yes they got promoted, but at the cost of bankrupting the club. That stay in League 1 is likely to be short-lived and humiliating, assuming they make it through this season, they'll be back down next season in worse shape than they left it and it could take years to undo the damage that has been done to the club. The purpose of promotion is to go up, stabilise in the division above and then try to kick on. If you come crashing back down in a mess, that's not "worked" for them at all.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, July 12, 2019, 10:53:06
So it now turns out that the League didn't even apply the rules on takeovers to Bury:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/11/bury-takeover-without-full-football-league-approval-transfer-embargo-efl

You could drive a coach and horses through the rules they have, but if they don't even bother to enforce those then what's the point? The Football League is indeed, as the song says, full of shit


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, July 12, 2019, 13:14:41
summed up by a Bury fan. Have to feel deeply for their fans.

Well it gets worse.

It’s come to light that Steve Dale never passed the EFL ‘fit and proper’ test, yet here he is, 7 months later, killing the club off.

He has never submitted anything to prove he has necessary funding to sustain the club. Essentially he’s just walked in and the EFL haven’t done anything.

Whilst not wholly to blame at all for our mess, some of the blood is undoubtedly on the hands of the EFL. They could have used their power to remove Dale and appoint an administrator months ago yet haven’t.

Staff have been told to walk away as the club is insolvent and the debt is unrecoverable.

The end is now.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: leftside on Friday, July 12, 2019, 20:17:27
Hey ho, at least the EFL are getting its priorities right by showing concern about whether fans want goal-line technology and VAR.

Shame about Bury. I hope they don't fold as my record at Gigg Lane is three wins from three visits.

In all seriousness, Bury looks fucked, which is gutting for the fans, employees and others. Even if Bury go bust, I wouldn't have confidence in the EFL pulling its finger out to truly safeguard football fans and the clubs they support from falling foul of unfit owners and unsustainable ambitions.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: singingiiiffy on Friday, July 12, 2019, 20:59:20
Hey ho, at least the EFL are getting its priorities right by showing concern about whether fans want goal-line technology and VAR.

Shame about Bury. I hope they don't fold as my record at Gigg Lane is three wins from three visits.

In all seriousness, Bury looks fucked, which is gutting for the fans, employees and others. Even if Bury go bust, I wouldn't have confidence in the EFL pulling its finger out to truly safeguard football fans and the clubs they support from falling foul of unfit owners and unsustainable ambitions.

what would happen to their league place? losing playoff finalist? no relegation 4th bottom? it makes a huge mess should the worst case happen. I'm assuming the least impact on recruitment and budgets would be to have a 23 team league for this season.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, July 13, 2019, 20:04:57
Bolton, still to confirm their takeover with just a few weeks to go before the start of the new season, currently have 7 senior players on their books, 2 of them keepers. Which is probably as well, as they don't currently have any defenders. And Lawrence Bassini is still sniffing around, making life difficult even though he's been told to do one. If they can manage to get past all that, once they come out of administration, if they do, they get an automatic 12 point penalty to start the season, plus whatever the league decides to impose for not fulfilling their fixtures last season. Could be a long season for Bolton fans (or a very very short one if things go badly with the takeover)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/13/bolton-seven-players-fulfil-pre-season-fixture-york-takeover


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Monday, July 15, 2019, 11:49:34
Bassini sounds like a bit of a Jed


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, July 15, 2019, 12:17:18
Bolton, still to confirm their takeover with just a few weeks to go before the start of the new season, currently have 7 senior players on their books, 2 of them keepers. Which is probably as well, as they don't currently have any defenders. And Lawrence Bassini is still sniffing around, making life difficult even though he's been told to do one. If they can manage to get past all that, once they come out of administration, if they do, they get an automatic 12 point penalty to start the season, plus whatever the league decides to impose for not fulfilling their fixtures last season. Could be a long season for Bolton fans (or a very very short one if things go badly with the takeover)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/13/bolton-seven-players-fulfil-pre-season-fixture-york-takeover

Got beat by York... https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17770055.match-verdict-york-city-1-bolton-wanderers-0/

Bassini sounds like a bit of a Jed

Delusional and without a pot, possibly so.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: @mwooly63 on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 15:34:09
Just seen on Twitter, Boltons friendly with Chester is off as players refusing to play.
Citing pay problems and communication issues.

Bodes well for the season ahead


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Super Hans on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 16:37:11
2 weeks for Bolton and Bury to solve a lot of issues...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 16:56:56
Still got those points deductions to come, too


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, July 18, 2019, 14:19:54
Bury CVA agreed which is a start I suppose... http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2045244-football-club-saved-after-rescue-package-agreed


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, July 18, 2019, 15:05:40
The consortium trying to take over Bolton have asked for a loan from the PFA to pay players:

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17778415.bolton-takeover-question-football-ventures-seek-pfa-loan/



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, July 19, 2019, 12:09:54
How can Bury agree a CVA when the current owner hasn't been paying bills due to no money, and then there is the issue of the owner not passing the FL tests, will they just allow him to continue regardless as they have for the past x months.

Something smells fishy, but I'm surprised that HMRC have agreed


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, July 19, 2019, 12:11:46
The consortium trying to take over Bolton have asked for a loan from the PFA to pay players:

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17778415.bolton-takeover-question-football-ventures-seek-pfa-loan/



Part of their agreement to buy BWFC is that they also get the hotel, that is being dealt with by different administrators and there is seemingly lots of suitors for it, so not sure they will get it, which means they may not want the football club after all


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, July 19, 2019, 12:35:57
How can Bury agree a CVA when the current owner hasn't been paying bills due to no money, and then there is the issue of the owner not passing the FL tests, will they just allow him to continue regardless as they have for the past x months.

Something smells fishy, but I'm surprised that HMRC have agreed

A CVA normally occurs when people don't pay the bills as a rescue mechanism to keep the business alive and secure at least some payment for those owed money which is better than the nowt they would get were the company liquidated, so in this case that's entirely normal, what is less clear is where the money to make these payments is coming from as they have apparently been skint for a couple of months, no I assume that some assurances have been made to pacify the HMRC and the football creditors but no idea what.

Ass for the FPP tests etc that's something for the FL to sort out as again one would assume that for HMRC to agree the CVA they must be comfortable that there will be someone running the club to honour the CVA.

I suspect there is a hell of a lot more to this than meets the eye.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, July 19, 2019, 12:37:45
The consortium trying to take over Bolton have asked for a loan from the PFA to pay players:

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17778415.bolton-takeover-question-football-ventures-seek-pfa-loan/



So they have the money but don't want to use it to settle debts immediately, again its not clear how they pass the FPP test in this case as doesn't that need proof of funds both now and going forward to evidence capability to run the club?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, July 19, 2019, 12:55:55
A CVA normally occurs when people don't pay the bills as a rescue mechanism to keep the business alive and secure at least some payment for those owed money which is better than the nowt they would get were the company liquidated, so in this case that's entirely normal, what is less clear is where the money to make these payments is coming from as they have apparently been skint for a couple of months, no I assume that some assurances have been made to pacify the HMRC and the football creditors but no idea what.

Ass for the FPP tests etc that's something for the FL to sort out as again one would assume that for HMRC to agree the CVA they must be comfortable that there will be someone running the club to honour the CVA.

I suspect there is a hell of a lot more to this than meets the eye.

The CVA also usually provides a payment period covering multiple installments and I think quite a bit of the debt was due immediately, so it gives them time to pay down the remainder through normal operating income.  They have offloaded a load of staff recently and only have 6 contracted players, so I'd imagine they've been able to show a considerable drop in operating expenses as a result.

It would not surprise me to see it fail in a couple of years though, especially if they get themselves into a Leyton Orient style slide from here.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, July 19, 2019, 14:06:04
So they have the money but don't want to use it to settle debts immediately, again its not clear how they pass the FPP test in this case as doesn't that need proof of funds both now and going forward to evidence capability to run the club?
Given what happened at Bury, it would appear that the League don't always actually bother with these small details  ::)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, July 20, 2019, 09:43:29
PFA unsure if Bolton will even be able to start the season:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11672/11765942/bolton-doubtful-for-start-of-season-says-pfa-chief-executive-gordon-taylor?fbclid=IwAR0I1ihccS5f5N5HZwKzAMed2-FL77LsT9kixaCzj76-Fg3pEJ7XVn-6pgI


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, July 20, 2019, 10:01:30
Yeovil takeover still not complete and in a it of doubt apparently.

http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/ASP/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=30107&fbclid=IwAR2XytmQXpD6g8XfHnZ960asiweJltoiZu-Wr_ly9ipNbHlTh-14dc8Rwo4

Quote
Prospective co-owner Scott Priestnall has insisted that the takeover of Yeovil Town is still going to plan, despite delays in the proceedings. The current Huish Park Board announced an agreement with Priestnall and Errol Pope on June 14th, claiming at that time that both parties were "close to signing the required legal documents".

Five weeks later, and the club still remains under the ownership of Norman Hayward, albeit with himself and Chairman John Fry having been largely anonymous during that time. Priestnall has told the Western Gazette that the only sticking point is 'a few minor property queries' with respect to the due diligence and believes everything is going as he expected it to:

"The takeover is going to plan. We are very close to completing due diligence. We've got a few minor property queries being dealt with between the lawyers at the moment, which has taken a little bit longer than we expected, but I'm very confident we are in the final stretch. I'm really keen and eager to take over and start putting my plans in place. Some of those plans are already taking shape under our agreement with the existing board. Everything seems to be going the way it should and I'm as eager as anybody else to get it all finalised."

Back on June 26th, the Glovers Trust were informed that due diligence had been completed, but more recent communications from Priestnall have backtracked on that position, with the provisional co-owner stating that issues relating to the club's land had not been resolved. That aspect of the takeover process would appear to still be ongoing.

Currently ownership of the club's 26 acres of land is split between the original Yeovil Football and Athletic Club Ltd company (trading as Yeovil Town Football Club) and a parent company called Yeovil Town Holdings Ltd. In addition, there are two legal charges registered against both companies under the name of Norman Hayward, with the latter also having a covenant written into the Land Deeds under Hayward's name. Priestnall has previously said that he would expect these to be removed prior to completion of the deal.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, July 20, 2019, 10:06:06
Yeovil takeover still not complete and in a it of doubt apparently.

http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/ASP/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=30107&fbclid=IwAR2XytmQXpD6g8XfHnZ960asiweJltoiZu-Wr_ly9ipNbHlTh-14dc8Rwo4

The ongoing "all going fine but just not quite done yet" delay is very reminiscent of the Portugeezers


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Saturday, July 20, 2019, 10:07:16
yeah, 'everything's fine' always gets the alarm bells ringing.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, July 20, 2019, 10:12:37
It won't please many people on Facebook or some posters on here.....

But...

We really could be a lot worse off than we are.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, July 20, 2019, 12:33:22
Really?

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/football/shakers/17783754.bolton-bury-fans-look-challenge-efl-points-deductions/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, July 20, 2019, 13:11:01
Really?

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/football/shakers/17783754.bolton-bury-fans-look-challenge-efl-points-deductions/
That's just an irresponsible waste of fans' money which would be better put toward a fighting fund in case they need to step in and rescue the clubs.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, July 20, 2019, 16:40:45
Bolton's friendly on Tuesday called off due to ongoing players' strike and two more players have handed in their notice, asking for PFA help to terminate their contracts

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17784045.bolton-call-off-preston-friendly-player-strike/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Monday, July 22, 2019, 12:22:09
That's just an irresponsible waste of fans' money which would be better put toward a fighting fund in case they need to step in and rescue the clubs.

They have now read the rules and realised they cant challenge the point deduction, likewise Bury trust have realised they cant challenge either.

Its all getting very close to the beginning of the new season, and the FL are staying v quiet, would anyone bet one or both of these not having enough players to field a team first game and being called off, especially with the remaining 6 Bolton players on strike at the moment, must be a possibility.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, July 22, 2019, 12:49:03
They have now read the rules and realised they cant challenge the point deduction, likewise Bury trust have realised they cant challenge either.

Its all getting very close to the beginning of the new season, and the FL are staying v quiet, would anyone bet one or both of these not having enough players to field a team first game and being called off, especially with the remaining 6 Bolton players on strike at the moment, must be a possibility.


They will be able to field a team, if nothing else of kids if necessary. What that does to the fairness of the league is another matter considering it will basically be a bye for the first few teams who play them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, July 22, 2019, 12:54:37
Reading this and the other stories https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17785127.make-break-time-wanderers-takeover/

The Adnministrators do not seem to be coming out of this sorry saga with much credit, but lots of cash!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Monday, July 22, 2019, 14:51:49
Reading this and the other stories https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17785127.make-break-time-wanderers-takeover/

The Adnministrators do not seem to be coming out of this sorry saga with much credit, but lots of cash!
I haven't trusted Administrators since our CVA days. In no way was Andrew Andonikou operating in the best interests of the club and creditors when he was on the scene. Clearly he was also very friendly with Diamandis which was a massive conflict of interests, sounded like he was equally as slimey with Portsmouth as well.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, July 22, 2019, 14:54:55
I forgot all about that cunt.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, July 22, 2019, 15:04:26
I haven't trusted Administrators since our CVA days. In no way was Andrew Andonikou operating in the best interests of the club and creditors when he was on the scene. Clearly he was also very friendly with Diamandis which was a massive conflict of interests, sounded like he was equally as slimey with Portsmouth as well.

Who coincidentally appears to be a Director at Quantuma who are managing the process at Bolton.....

I have had two personal experiences of the processes in my employment life and both times the appointed Administrators have been long standing associates of the Directors of the company in trouble.

Sadly I suspect its as mired as most Company law.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 20:11:45
Notts County still in a world of trouble and a la Yeovil their protracted takeover delayed yet again:

http://twohundredpercent.net/summer-discontent-notts-distress/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, July 25, 2019, 11:43:15
cant find the link but the FL have issued Bury with a put up or shut up type notice, wanting answers to questions and if they do not get them within 14 days from today then the FL share will be suspend, and the safety committee meet today as well and if they say its not happening then fixtures will be suspended.

I assume among other things Bury need to explain how they intend to pay the CVA and then the football creditors which they have to pay in full (assume not in instalments).

Interesting times there

found the link - https://www.efl.com/news/2019/july/efl-statement-bury-fc/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, July 25, 2019, 11:52:27
They still have today to answer the questions, and if they don't then the 14 day clock begins

https://www.efl.com/news/2019/july/efl-statement-bury-fc2/

I don't blame the EFL for playing hard ball if Bury aren't answering the questions. Bit late for their concern though.

Shit times at the shakers.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, July 25, 2019, 12:55:25
Isn't that basically the fact they have to pay all football creditors, i.e players and clubs, once the CVA is arranged for the FL to be satisfied?   They are all protected by the FL rules, meaning they can withdraw the Golden Share.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, July 26, 2019, 13:16:59
Isn't that basically the fact they have to pay all football creditors, i.e players and clubs, once the CVA is arranged for the FL to be satisfied?   They are all protected by the FL rules, meaning they can withdraw the Golden Share.

And don't they have to put a 'bond' down as well and show where the money is going to come from for the next 3 years


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, July 26, 2019, 13:23:49
And don't they have to put a 'bond' down as well and show where the money is going to come from for the next 3 years
Theoretically yes, but they were supposed to do that when the current clown took over and didn't quite get round to it, but somehow the League still allowed them to go ahead with the takeover


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, July 26, 2019, 14:57:25
Is there a firm rule in place that the FL has to adhere to if a club actually folds - as in how the leagues are reformatted?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: @mwooly63 on Friday, July 26, 2019, 21:18:32
EFL statement on Bury.

If the EFL arent in receipt of previously requested information by mid day monday then their opening game v franchise is suspended


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, July 27, 2019, 13:28:54
Some better news for Notts County at last:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48282230


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Sunday, July 28, 2019, 14:27:53
Coventry will be playing at St Andrews this season in front of 3-4,000:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/07/27/coventry-city-season-tickets-home-games-birmingham-fail-inspire/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:03:40
Both Bury and Bolton look unlikely to take the field for the opening games.

https://www.efl.com/news/2019/july/efl-statement-bolton-wanderers-and-bury-fc/

What a farce L1 is this coming season.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:05:21
Both Bury and Bolton look unlikely to take the field for the opening games.

https://www.efl.com/news/2019/july/efl-statement-bolton-wanderers-and-bury-fc/

What a farce L1 is this coming season.
If they can't fulfill their fixtures then they should be ejected from the league, simple.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:10:28
If they can't fulfill their fixtures then they should be ejected from the league, simple.

And the team that finished in 13th in L2 the previous season should take Bury's place. It's the fair thing to do.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:10:36
If they can't fulfill their fixtures then they should be ejected from the league, simple.

Particularly if it's the first fixture!

I feel for the fans, but particularly with Bury, I think they should be gone. They won promotion with a team they couldn't afford to pay. If they had a team they could afford, they'd have been relegated. It's cheating, and unfair on clubs who live within their means (irrelevant of how those means are obtained).

It's also time to send a message.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:11:48
And the team that finished in 13th in L2 the previous season should take Bury's place. It's the fair thing to do.
Impossible to see how any reasonable person could reach any other conclusion.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:14:37
Impossible to see how any reasonable person could reach any other conclusion.
Word. That way there is no arguing between the clubs that were relegated or failed in the play offs....just go straight down the middle of the table to replace them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Trashbat? on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:14:41
Just took a look at both clubs squads, as it stands neither could probably field a team on Saturday if they wanted to.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:21:52
Kick them both out of the league. Have 2 relegation spots in L1 and none in L2. Problem solved! Would probably be kinder to both clubs to have them start again


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:41:48
Presumably the EFL would have to compensate clubs the lost revenue of two home games?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Monday, July 29, 2019, 11:58:17
I'm sure the EFL wont want to kick them out, can you imagine the criticism and the court cases, and we know they cant handle these things.

You suspect Bury's game will be suspended on Sat, after that who knows, not sure the owner has the money to pay back if he had none last season to pay anyone, and even what team they could field.

As for Bolton, the EFL seem to be treating them different as they have administrators running the club, but can they allow them to start the season still in administration with the new consortium waiting to see if they get the hotel, and then maybe pulling out if they don't as that us clearly where they see making their money.

Not sure if Bolton's first game is home but surely they have not been able to sell matchday tickets or ST's
Interesting couple of days.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, July 29, 2019, 12:04:35
Not sure if Bolton's first game is home but surely they have not been able to sell matchday tickets or ST's
Interesting couple of days.
Bolton's first game is/was away to Wycombe who have now suspended ticket sales for the fixture


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, July 29, 2019, 12:21:59
H'ave they had the case for not fulfilling last years fixtures dealt with yet?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, July 29, 2019, 12:25:49
H'ave they had the case for not fulfilling last years fixtures dealt with yet?
Yeah surely this is not fulfilling 2 consecutive fixtures for them, and over 2 seasons...that cannot and should not be allowed.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, July 29, 2019, 17:41:20
Might be worse, might be better, Walsall have a new owner who says hes going to back them with more funding this coming season.

Walsall fans overjoyed by the news, only time will tell.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Exiled Bob on Monday, July 29, 2019, 19:49:32
Jed made promises like that......


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Super Hans on Monday, July 29, 2019, 20:00:49
Walsall fan and been on the board of directors since 2010 so looks quite a decent move.

However you wonder why he didn't provide more funding in that time if he was able.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Monday, July 29, 2019, 20:44:10
Burys game suspended, Bolton to go ahead


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, July 29, 2019, 20:45:26
EFL statement

https://www.efl.com/news/2019/july/efl-statement-bolton-wanderers-and-bury-fc2?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, July 29, 2019, 20:52:28
Bury's game on 10th will also be suspended if they can't meet the proof of funding requirements by Friday. They're in real danger of not starting the season. Or any season


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Trashbat? on Monday, July 29, 2019, 20:59:24
I feel sorry for the Bury fans, if that was us I would be devastated. However I still believe that they got to League 1 by basically cheating the system.

This should be the wake up call the EFL needs to start proper legislation on owners and club finances. At this rate they are going to be finding themselves with a 23 team League 1 before the season has even started.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, July 29, 2019, 21:13:30
Do Bolton have a team to put out though?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, July 29, 2019, 21:36:47
Looks like they got the EFL backing thanks to the prospective owners agreeing a loan from the PFA to pay the players once they takeover - that would be a big warning sign for me, suggests they don;t really have much by way of financial backing.  They may have a few years of struggle ahead of them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 09:27:22
This should be the wake up call the EFL needs to start proper legislation on owners and club finances. At this rate they are going to be finding themselves with a 23 team League 1 before the season has even started.
The League have had plenty of wake-up calls, many far more urgent than this. They much prefer to keep their heads in the sand, muttering about clubs being independent businesses that it would be wrong for the league to interfere with.

(http://recoverynetworktoronto.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/head_up_ass1.jpg?w=480)
A Football League spokesman pictured last night giving a full statement on the situation at Bury, Bolton, Macclesfield, Coventry etc etc etc


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Ticker45 on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 14:02:36
If, and a big "if" that Bury go defunct means that Divvy 1 will have only 23 clubs. Will that then mean three relegations and four promoted from Divvy 2 or just two relegations and three promoted as normal?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 10:14:36
If, and a big "if" that Bury go defunct means that Divvy 1 will have only 23 clubs. Will that then mean three relegations and four promoted from Divvy 2 or just two relegations and three promoted as normal?

Nah its all going to be fine at Bury, if the bloody EFL would just let the owner get on with things and stop messing them about!

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2045886-bury-fc-owner-vows-to-challenge-injustice-after-fixture-blow

Although in other news the Winding Up Petition from HMRC has been dismissed in court this AM.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 2, 2019, 11:46:49
D-Day 2 for Bury. If they don't submit the required paperwork to the League today, their second game next week will also be postponed. And they must then be in real danger of being expelled.

A very good piece in the Graun today that uses Bury's dilemma to encapsulate not just their plight but the whole spirit of this thread and indeed of being a lower league fan (although it is a bit Reg-y in places):

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/aug/02/bury-plight-efl-fans-boredom-pain-for-granted

I especially enjoyed this bit:

Quote
Wes Hoolahan – an international footballer – was on trial in pre-season. Or more accurately, Cambridge were on trial during Wes Hoolahan’s pre-season. And we didn’t make the grade.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Friday, August 2, 2019, 12:20:18
Wes Hoolahan. Remember him well.
Not celebrating a goal against an opponent that he was due to join ffs. Scaling the heights of pathetic.
Might have been Norwich v Villa in the PL and the move never happened at that time anyway.

As for Bury, they should be put out of their misery, and everyone else's.
No excuse for an opening day fixture not being fulfilled.

The EFL needs to get a grip on the wherewithal of potential club owners.
The National League wouldn't piss about with something like this at their level.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Friday, August 2, 2019, 21:21:37
If we were L1 and not playing Bolton I'd be mighty pissed off. How is this fair to other teams?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49211030


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Private Fraser on Friday, August 2, 2019, 21:51:46
Not looking good for Bury. Their second game now suspended, having failed again to provide evidence they can settle their debts:

“Bury's second game of the season against Accrington Stanley has been suspended by the EFL.”

More: bbc.in/2YDuham

#bbcfootball


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 2, 2019, 21:57:21
If we were L1 and not playing Bolton I'd be mighty pissed off. How is this fair to other teams?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49211030
Indeed. There's regulations about not fielding a competitive team, I know Bolton don't have a choice right now, but the same thing applies. Fact is, while they've just about managed to scrape together whatever bits of piss and wind the League require to persuade them they can complete the season with 3 senior outfield players they are clearly not in a fit state to start the season. I get that the League are trying to give them headroom to complete the takeover but if it hasn't been done by now, then what guarantee is there it will be done by September? October? Or that they can indeed complete their fixtures? The League are turning their own competition into a farce by failing to
a) have proper governance in place
b) adequately enforce what little governance they do have.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, August 2, 2019, 22:05:16
I was going to say it's embarrassing for those in charge...

But I suspect that they could not give a flying one. They will not be embarrassed when they are going to the bank.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, August 2, 2019, 22:05:39
I forgot to add...

Cunts


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Friday, August 2, 2019, 22:17:01
Someone does need to go to the wall. Then the craziness might end. It won't though. Wouldn't wish Bolton and Bury fans ill will, just the stupid dickheads who got them into this predicament. Wankers all of them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: bathford on Friday, August 2, 2019, 22:45:56
If Lansdown kicks the bucket the Shitheads will be royaly fucked.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Saturday, August 3, 2019, 12:47:52
A quote from Burys’ lawyer :”The actions from the EFL are causing immeasurable damage to Bury Football Club”
I should say the actions of the chairman have caused all the damage, allowing such disgraceful overspending


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, August 3, 2019, 12:49:54
If Lansdown kicks the bucket the Shitheads will be royaly fucked.

Unfortunately not, Jon Lansdown is Vice chairman, Steves son, the legacy will live on.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, August 3, 2019, 13:13:07
Come on. The Lansdown model is what every fan would wish for.

Fair fucks, I say.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 8, 2019, 12:46:34
Bury have 3rd game suspended and now on 14-day deadline to avoid expulsion from the League:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49280328

As Dan Roan put it so well "News of Bury’s imminent risk of expulsion from the EFL comes as Premier League clubs close in on another record summer transfer window spree of more than £1billion..."


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, August 8, 2019, 14:22:41
Dale has had a bit of a rant on Talksport about the EFL, but by doing so I think he's shed light on the issues.  He tried to say it's the previous owners fault that the debt accrued, which might be fair if he made that an issue 9 months ago.  However, he went through an entire Transfer window in January without so much of a hint of a fire sale being needed of the players.  He stood on the shoulders of that debt pile and ensured the clubs promotion, reaching a point where he couldn't even afford to pay the wages of the staff to do so.

The issues he alludes to are that the EFL wants assurances on financing for three things - the PFA debt (they loaned money to pay the wages), the first CVA payment that will be due and their ability to finance the team itself.  Seems like Dale has tried to get away with saying they can finance the season but it's up to him to sort out the other stuff and the EFL should be worried about it.  In other words, he's got to find financing for all three things before they can kick off the season, good luck with that if they couldn't even pay wages a few months ago.  Clearly he is barely going to be able to show a club washing it's face, let alone pay back PFA loans and make a big CVA payment, not now anyway.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Super Hans on Thursday, August 8, 2019, 17:14:27
Bolton takeover fallen through.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 8, 2019, 17:26:26
Bolton takeover fallen through.

Well, blocked rather than fallen through altogether. But Baddini back on the scene isn't good news

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49286229


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, August 9, 2019, 12:16:08
Bolton have only started selling match tickets for the Coventry game today and will not be selling any on the day, seems an odd decision not to sell any on the day.

The FL are allowing them more leeway than Bury, I know there is a consortium 'ready' but they keep having names leaving that consortium at company house and others joining, but if they don't get the hotel then it seems they will walk, odd with Bassini as surely he would not pass the FL directors test so not sure what he has to gain by trying to scupper the takeover


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, August 9, 2019, 12:43:51
I would imagine they have limited staff available currently, so probably keeping match day running costs to the absolute minimum.  Bolton are being run by an Administrator so probably have more ability to file the right paperwork to keep the EFL at bay for a while.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, August 9, 2019, 13:55:15

As Dan Roan put it so well "News of Bury’s imminent risk of expulsion from the EFL comes as Premier League clubs close in on another record summer transfer window spree of more than £1billion..."

Well that's Bury fucked then if Roan has taken and interest and started reporting on them. He reports on nothing, but when things start getting juicy and the stories get bigger (and I imagine the kudos and possibly awards for reporting) his byline starts popping up allover the place - One assumes taking over from other reporters who have been covering from the start. He was exactly the same in cycling, had feck all  to do with it then suddenly all the fancy bears stuff kicked off and he was everywhere.

Reminds me of so many people I have worked with over the years, do very little but whenever a media opportunity pops up or a camera appears they are at the front!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 9, 2019, 13:57:19
Well that's Bury fucked then if Roan has taken and interest and started reporting on them.
Like Kate Adie, I'm pretty sure she's one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, wherever she goes there's a war or a famine, the woman's a bloody liability :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Friday, August 9, 2019, 14:27:12
Like Kate Adie, I'm pretty sure she's one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, wherever she goes there's a war or a famine, the woman's a bloody liability :)

Can't beat Orla Guerin as the go to for keeping half an eye on incoming shell fire when delivering a news report.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 9, 2019, 14:31:17
Can't beat Orla Guerin as the go to for keeping half an eye on incoming shell fire when delivering a news report.
Now that I think about is, Orla's picked up where Kate Adie left off. Think I'm just showing my age (again)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: skiptotheLouMacari on Friday, August 9, 2019, 14:53:16
Now that I think about is, Orla's picked up where Kate Adie left off. Think I'm just showing my age (again)

From first hand experience of a certain Miss Adie she is a nasty, obnoxious piece of work. And trust me that is from someone who has served on the front line, and her demands for a story in such circumstances are atrocious just for her own self importance.
But I suppose they're all of similar ilk as its a cut throat business.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 12:07:46
I see Bury staff put a statement on the club web site stating they was aware of an offer for the club and telling the owner to sell to them, although they don't want to reveal who it is that has made the offer.

Then Dale, Bury owner saying he was not aware of this statement and said he would consider selling the club to the right people and seemingly for the right price even though he only paid £1, not sure who owns their ground though.

You would assume it is some consortium of local business people and their supporters trust, good luck to them but you would guess Dale will hold out for as long as he can, and it depends if he is bothered about the club, he may just let it die.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 13:57:24
I am sure Bury own their ground but it is used as security for some of their debts.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 14:17:28
I am sure Bury own their ground but it is used as security for some of their debts.

They do, but its mortgaged up to the armpits! Dunno what was cleared when the club changed hands for a quid back end of last year but the previous chairman had borrowed against it from payday loan type companies to fund his other companies.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 15:21:13
Game suspended again


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 15:46:40
This is getting very silly now.

I know they (EFL, club) want to find a resolution. I know there are procedures to follow. But delaying 3 league games should surely be a massive penalty if they survive. IF. Relegation should be a certainty.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RedRag on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 16:01:47
Can't beat Orla Guerin as the go to for keeping half an eye on incoming shell fire when delivering a news report.

wrong thread.

should be on the birds you would but really shouldn't


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: bathford on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 17:00:25
wrong thread.

should be on the birds you would but really shouldn't

Only met her the once. I was a steward at Swindon at the time of Princess Diana's funeral. Football clubs provided a lot of the stewards on the day. I was looking after the area occupied by the TV studios overlooking Buckingham Palace by Canada Gate. It was my turn for a break when the Gun Carriage past the Palace. Kate Adie and I watched the proceedings from the roof of a Land Rover.  I had my own commentary from Kate Adie!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, 08:57:15
Only met her the once. I was a steward at Swindon at the time of Princess Diana's funeral. Football clubs provided a lot of the stewards on the day. I was looking after the area occupied by the TV studios overlooking Buckingham Palace by Canada Gate. It was my turn for a break when the Gun Carriage past the Palace. Kate Adie and I watched the proceedings from the roof of a Land Rover.  I had my own commentary from Kate Adie!

To go off thread a bit, my BiL was an armed copper at the time in Northants and thus was guarding the Althorp Estate on the day to keep the press etc out. His mobile went off mid patrol and he thought 'oh shit here we go', transpires it was only the gamekeeper of the estate who was a friend of his asking him to feed the pheasants as the police wouldn't let him on the estate.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, 09:50:38
To go off thread a bit, my BiL was an armed copper at the time in Northants and thus was guarding the Althorp Estate on the day to keep the press etc out. His mobile went off mid patrol and he thought 'oh shit here we go', transpires it was only the gamekeeper of the estate who was a friend of his asking him to feed the pheasants as the police wouldn't let him on the estate.

In the excitement could he have misheard and what was actually said was 'feed the peasants'? So the serfs would have gone hungry on the big day.

Back on thread I'm assuming that Sheffield Wednesday will get a bye if Bury are turfed out. This can't drag on beyond the next deadline.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, 10:43:20

Back on thread I'm assuming that Sheffield Wednesday will get a bye if Bury are turfed out. This can't drag on beyond the next deadline.

Who knows, the way its going with the FL I can see Bury having to play 3-4 games a week come April and May to catch up, it will be like the good old days when I used to play shite Sunday pub football when crap pitches and massive winter postponements made Spring mental!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, 11:59:30
Maccelsfield have now had 4 winding up orders against them, the latest which was due to not paying former players was dismissed as the players were paid the day before it was due back in court but it has been taken on by HMRC now.

Surely the FL is not going to allow them to to keep having winding up petitions and not paying their creditors until they are due back in court.

Its about time the FL grew some balls and sorted this out.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Kinky Tom on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, 12:32:20
Sad as it is there need to be examples made.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, 12:49:50
Sad as it is there need to be examples made.

There will be, its just the FL biding their time until we are in that position again and then something will be done!  ;)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, 17:03:25
Maccelsfield have now had 4 winding up orders against them, the latest which was due to not paying former players was dismissed as the players were paid the day before it was due back in court but it has been taken on by HMRC now.

Surely the FL is not going to allow them to to keep having winding up petitions and not paying their creditors until they are due back in court.
Why not? They did with us and many clubs since. We could yet find ourselves back in that position, be careful what you wish for.

In other news Bassini's injunction against the Bolton sale has been shunted into the sidings so their sale should now be able to proceed. Christ knows what will emerge from the wreckage buy at least they can start to see how bad the damage is. Bury keep dangling by their finger tips


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Exiled Bob on Thursday, August 15, 2019, 05:10:14
Why not? They did with us and many clubs since. We could yet find ourselves back in that position, be careful what you wish for
Exactly. I keep seeing people saying other clubs shouldn't be getting away with this and that, forgetting that we have been in similar circumstances many times over the last 20 years and beyond. I think, for the fans at least, it is sad to see what is going on with a lot of clubs at the moment and what makes it worse is the obscene amount of money sloshing about in the troughs of the big (and not so big) clubs in the top division and ludicrous transfer fees paid for (and salaries paid to) bang average players.

I wouldn't like to see any club go to the wall or be expelled from the League (with the exception of MK and possibly Salford and Bournemouth).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 15, 2019, 08:50:20

I wouldn't like to see any club go to the wall or be expelled from the League (with the exception of MK and possibly Salford and Bournemouth).

I don't really get the Salford hate, it all seems very hypocritical for fans to hate other clubs for doing what they would happily accept their club doing if it were possible.

We would be knocking one out silly if a consortium of former club players with links to Swindon bought Power out and started pouring cash into the club, accusing anyone complaining of being bitter, its little different to the Black years! 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Exiled Bob on Thursday, August 15, 2019, 10:42:49
I don't really get the Salford hate, it all seems very hypocritical for fans to hate other clubs for doing what they would happily accept their club doing if it were possible.

We would be knocking one out silly if a consortium of former club players with links to Swindon bought Power out and started pouring cash into the club, accusing anyone complaining of being bitter, its little different to the Black years! 
I agree. I'm just jealous ☺

It's not so much the money, it's the media gushing over them that annoys me.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 15, 2019, 11:08:40
In other news Bassini's injunction against the Bolton sale has been shunted into the sidings so their sale should now be able to proceed. Christ knows what will emerge from the wreckage buy at least they can start to see how bad the damage is. Bury keep dangling by their finger tips

Problem is, whilst it has been adjourned it hasn't been dismissed, a lot depends on the confidence of Football Ventures to proceed with a purchase that could be challenged should Bassini be successful next month!

This makes interesting reading https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17838841.bolton-wanderers-happy-see-injunction-go-extra-time/

Looks like the Bassini deal was funded by cash coming from one of the Dildo brothers, thought you could not hold stakes in more than one club?

Oh and they have lost another senior player, I wonder if this ruling will open the gates wider!
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17838844.erhun-oztumer-quits-bolton-wanderers-winning-appeal/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, August 15, 2019, 12:22:17
I see Sol Campbell has now resigned as Maccelsfield manager, you would assume he has decided he's got a bit of exposure he cant continue as his ego is to big for the club he will get another club so off he trots into the sunset, and after winding up order after winding up order the club is clearly a basket case so not to his satisfaction.

To be fair he done well at the backend of last season which may see him given a chance elsewhere


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, August 15, 2019, 12:40:49
Burys next game vs Rotherham suspended


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, August 16, 2019, 12:08:55
I reckon that Bury's chairman will leave it 1 day before the explosion from the league and accept an offer to sell the club


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, August 16, 2019, 12:09:47
Talksport had the chairman and a player have a debate against each other today i see


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, August 16, 2019, 12:32:10
Talksport had the chairman and a player have a debate against each other today i see
Now there is a dodgy owner.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, August 16, 2019, 12:38:46
Must listen

https://twitter.com/talksport/status/1162330968604237824?s=21


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, August 16, 2019, 13:00:26
Must listen

https://twitter.com/talksport/status/1162330968604237824?s=21

Steve Dale looks like an aged Robbie Savage.... and is a grade 1 bullshitter!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Berniman on Friday, August 16, 2019, 13:25:54
Sounds like a man scrabbling - when your players are coming on live and calling you a liar you don't recover from that


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Saturday, August 17, 2019, 10:07:54
Sounds like a man scrabbling - when your players are coming on live and calling you a liar you don't recover from that
Probably telling the truth,  after all,  what have they got to lose ?. Bet a lot of other players wish they had the same opportunity to tell the chairman what they really think of them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Leggett on Saturday, August 17, 2019, 11:43:05
What's in it for Dale though, that's what I don't understand?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, August 17, 2019, 16:44:52
While we're enjoying our 7 points out of 9 start to the season, Yeovil have just kicked off away to Barrow #conferenceJoys


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, August 19, 2019, 08:41:07
What's in it for Dale though, that's what I don't understand?

He always seems very loathe to answer questions regarding the ownership of the ground so one has to wonder whether that has been squirrelled away somewhere, when he took over he made much of redevelopment.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Monday, August 19, 2019, 15:12:09
Boltons game tomorrow suspended.

Enough is enough. Someone make an example of these teams and expunge their membership. Gone on far too long now. Sounds harsh but this cant go on forever.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Monday, August 19, 2019, 15:26:47
What I don’t get is all these people on Twitter saying the EFL, PL and other clubs should be bailing them out. How’s that fair on other clubs who haven’t financially fucked themselves.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, August 19, 2019, 15:31:08
It’s already skewing the equality of the league. Any team playing them before they get sorted have a gimme for 3 points. They come out of Admin and they’ll have a side not made up of kids.

I presume if they, and Bury, can’t fulfil their fixtures it’s the end entirely - reforming 9 levels down.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Monday, August 19, 2019, 15:33:06
It’s already skewing the equality of the league. Any team playing them before they get sorted have a gimme for 3 points. They come out of Admin and they’ll have a side not made up of kids.

I presume if they, and Bury, can’t fulfil their fixtures it’s the end entirely - reforming 9 levels down.
Tell that to Coventry, they somehow drew 0-0 with Bolton.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, August 19, 2019, 15:53:07
They did have three goals disallowed in the game and something like 30 shots on goal.  Like one of those stupid FM games you have from time to time.

Bury's final deadline is this week I think, we shall see if the EFL mean it.  Bury will suffer either way.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 16:35:50
Burys next game suspended. Just end it now.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 16:40:24
And with 3 days until they face expulsion, Dale still rejected deal that would save the club, holding out for more money

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49410172


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 17:14:29
And with 3 days until they face expulsion, Dale still rejected deal that would save the club, holding out for more money

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49410172

To be  fair to Dale he wants a return on that whole £1 he spent on the club! 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, August 22, 2019, 12:04:41
It seems he has actually managed to contrive the taking on of the club (which included a 3.6m loan from the previous owners company), converted the debt to share capital and valued it pound for pound, got the CVA sorted and put himself down as a creditor owed 900k at 25% as per the CVA.  Something along those lines, which is what is now creating issues with any takeover - basically he put a quid in, ran out of cash from the club to pay any of it's bills and now wants to get close to a million for his troubles.  On top of that, the EFL's claim is pretty much that he hasn't shown any evidence of being able to pay the ongoing running costs plus the CVA payments and football debts.

How this lot were allowed up is one thing, how he was allowed to run the club without EFL approval is another.  The fact their saviour may end up being the villified ex owner of Port Vale is another again!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 22, 2019, 12:14:28
It seems he has actually managed to contrive the taking on of the club (which included a 3.6m loan from the previous owners company), converted the debt to share capital and valued it pound for pound, got the CVA sorted and put himself down as a creditor owed 900k at 25% as per the CVA.  Something along those lines, which is what is now creating issues with any takeover - basically he put a quid in, ran out of cash from the club to pay any of it's bills and now wants to get close to a million for his troubles.  On top of that, the EFL's claim is pretty much that he hasn't shown any evidence of being able to pay the ongoing running costs plus the CVA payments and football debts.

How this lot were allowed up is one thing, how he was allowed to run the club without EFL approval is another.  The fact their saviour may end up being the villified ex owner of Port Vale is another again!

Buggered if I can find it today, but I read something on the train yesterday that suggested that the CVA only passed as suddenly the day before it was finalised a bloody huge (multi-million pound) debt emerged to a newly founded company which meant that them agreeing the CVA would be enough to pass it despite what others thought.

Strangely the company holding this debt was incorporated very shortly before the date the debt was accrued, despite having very little in terms of assets, and guess who owns this additional company?

Edit - This summarises it.  https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1161603390348115969


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 22, 2019, 12:34:45
Good article on the failings of governance that allowed this to happen on twohundredpercent:

http://twohundredpercent.net/900000-holes-bury-lancashire/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 22, 2019, 13:27:16
So Parkinson leaves Bolton, suspect that suggests he didn't see the problems being sorted in the short term. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 22, 2019, 13:34:47
I am sadly reaching the conclusion that things probably have to take their course, but reading this is heart breaking for the supporter of any club, possibly more so for us in that it could easily have been (and could still be again) Swindon.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49414602


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, August 22, 2019, 19:08:18
Looks like Bury might get an extension.
Precedents being set all over the shop!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Abrahammer on Thursday, August 22, 2019, 19:45:04
So Parkinson leaves Bolton, suspect that suggests he didn't see the problems being sorted in the short term. 

From what I heard on 5live early it’s actually a case of the takeover is nearly done and Parkinson thinking it’s best all round if the new folks bring in somebody different as manager


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, August 23, 2019, 08:33:30
This is a good summary of the shenanigans at Bury, also deserves credit for the effort in spelling out a relevant piece with the first letter of each para!

http://priceoffootball.com/bury-minutes-to-midnight/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, August 23, 2019, 08:43:26
This is a good summary of the shenanigans at Bury, also deserves credit for the effort in spelling out a relevant piece with the first letter of each para!

http://priceoffootball.com/bury-minutes-to-midnight/
Wank Puffin, indeed!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Red Frog on Friday, August 23, 2019, 09:09:59
This is a good summary of the shenanigans at Bury, also deserves credit for the effort in spelling out a relevant piece with the first letter of each para!

http://priceoffootball.com/bury-minutes-to-midnight/

How on earth did you - or anyone - spot that?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, August 23, 2019, 09:31:46
How on earth did you - or anyone - spot that?

I didn't, someone picked it up with the author on his twitter feed and he confirmed it!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Oaksey Moonraker on Friday, August 23, 2019, 10:00:38
Bit rich of Phil Neville to complain about Bury's plight when he is a part owner of Salford who are paying wages above their league position and therefore inflating costs for other clubs trying to complete at the same level.

Sent from my HTC U11


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, August 23, 2019, 10:06:50
Bit rich of Phil Neville to complain about Bury's plight when he is a part owner of Salford who are paying wages above their league position and therefore inflating costs for other clubs trying to complete at the same level.

Sent from my HTC U11

To be fair, that's not why Bury are fucked.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 23, 2019, 10:26:16
To be fair, that's not why Bury are fucked.
No, but given the Neville brothers' family history with Bury and their vast personal wealth, they could probably have solved the club's problems at the stroke of a pen if they had chosen to. Instead they'd rather spend their money on a vanity project. Their money, their choice, obviously. But don't then go whinging about it when you've chosen to turn your back*

* Obviously subject to being proven utterly wrong if it turns out they have been trying to do stuff behind the scenes, which they may well have been


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 23, 2019, 10:42:10
This is a good summary of the shenanigans at Bury, also deserves credit for the effort in spelling out a relevant piece with the first letter of each para!

http://priceoffootball.com/bury-minutes-to-midnight/
And contains what may well be a clue to Dale's apparently extraordinary behaviour in seemingly wanting Bury to crash out of the League and into insolvency:
"Fearing bailiffs acting on behalf of creditor taking Bury’s assets is the reason that Dale has given for the creation of these companies, who apparently have had some of the football club’s assets transferred to them."

What's the betting that some of those assets are potentially valuable land/property that he can cash in on once there's no longer an inconvenient football club kicking around the place spoiling things?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, August 23, 2019, 11:02:56
What a cunt!

https://talksport.com/football/efl/591362/bury-owner-steve-dale-fans-pledge-efl-expulsion/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, August 23, 2019, 21:43:46
Dale sells Bury with an hour to spare. No doubt the twat will say ‘he saved the club’


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 23, 2019, 22:24:46
Dale sells Bury with an hour to spare. No doubt the twat will say ‘he saved the club’
Correction: Dale claims to have sold Bury. No guarantee other than his word that it has been done or will go through. Remember the Portugeezers?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Saturday, August 24, 2019, 07:49:02
EFL statement expected at 945. Almost certainly 48 hour extension to get everything over the line.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, August 24, 2019, 07:51:42
Prospective new owners Alastair Campbell’s son and some bloke who was interim manager at Barnet.

Run a small sports betting company.

What could possibly go wrong?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Saturday, August 24, 2019, 19:06:08
EFL statement expected at 945. Almost certainly 48 hour extension to get everything over the line.
5pm Tuesday now apparently.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: JoeMezz on Saturday, August 24, 2019, 20:04:10
Crowd 5,400 at Bolton today. Hardly trying hard on keeping the club afloat are they?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Saturday, August 24, 2019, 23:01:29
Crowd 5,400 at Bolton today. Hardly trying hard on keeping the club afloat are they?
But at least they are seeing plenty of goals.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Saturday, August 24, 2019, 23:49:27
But at least they are seeing plenty of goals.

You callous bastard!!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Sunday, August 25, 2019, 13:25:28
You callous bastard!!
Well, I like it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: singingiiiffy on Monday, August 26, 2019, 09:56:23
Bolton looking like they are gone.

Looking back to that big sam era, some fantastic players. Okocha, djorkaeff, campo, anelka, nolan, cahill, gudjohnson.

A big club and sad for the fans. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, August 26, 2019, 10:23:57
Not looking good for them, but there's still time for a last-minute change of mind from Anderson by the sounds of it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RWB Robin on Monday, August 26, 2019, 10:25:13
.......4 times FA Cup winners, and home of Nat Lofthouse and Joe Smith, and many more. A tragedy if it happens.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, August 26, 2019, 10:25:55
From a selfish point of view if Bolton and Bury go out of the league then there will be more promotion spots to play for.

Not good for them but this whole process has dragged on far too long and should have been sorted in the Summer by the FL.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, August 26, 2019, 10:42:40
Don’t think so. I’m sure I read if that does happen there will only be 2 relegated from L1, usual 4 promoted from L2 and nobody relegated from L2.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, August 26, 2019, 10:43:58
Don’t think so. I’m sure I read if that does happen there will only be 2 relegated from L1, usual 4 promoted from L2 and nobody relegated from L2.
Ah well, we are going up in the top 3 spots anyway :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, August 26, 2019, 10:46:54
Few more details here for those who haven't seen this morning's papers:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/08/26/bolton-face-liquidation-sale-collapses-process-closing-company/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/08/24/bury-granted-stay-execution-efl-gives-rory-campbell-5pm-tuesday/

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/aug/26/bolton-sale-collapses-liquidation-efl

TLDR: Both clubs given until 5pm Tuesday to prove they can meet the financial obligations required to complete the season. Bolton's takeover looks to have collapsed; Bury buyers asking how they're supposed to complete a complicated deal (you'd definitely want to make sure you do full due diligence on that mess) over a Bank Holiday weekend with then just one working day to complete.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Monday, August 26, 2019, 12:08:35
So it looks like if Bury's prospective owners can get a deal nearly done, they will get another extension for a few days, but the FL say no more games to be postponed, but that is confusing as Bury don't have a team to put out for Sat surely, they would have to recruit players quickly and find a manager within a few days.

Bolton I reckon something will happen with the Eddie Davis trust as they wont want to lose all the money the former owner put in.

Tomorrow will be crucial for both teams, will one go to the wall, I suspect not 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, August 26, 2019, 12:11:21
So it looks like if Bury's prospective owners can get a deal nearly done, they will get another extension for a few days
Don't know where you're getting that from. That was the case on Friday, hence the extension to Tuesday but as of Saturday morning, Tuesday 5pm is the final deadline according to the League:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/aug/24/efl-bury-5pm-tuesday-campbell-takeover

Unless something's changed since then?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Red Frog on Monday, August 26, 2019, 13:16:55
So it looks like if Bury's prospective owners can get a deal nearly done, they will get another extension for a few days, but the FL say no more games to be postponed, but that is confusing as Bury don't have a team to put out for Sat surely, they would have to recruit players quickly and find a manager within a few days.

Bolton I reckon something will happen with the Eddie Davis trust as they wont want to lose all the money the former owner put in.

Tomorrow will be crucial for both teams, will one go to the wall, I suspect not 

These are all just rehearsals for October 31st.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, August 26, 2019, 13:28:30
Don't know where you're getting that from. That was the case on Friday, hence the extension to Tuesday but as of Saturday morning, Tuesday 5pm is the final deadline according to the League:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/aug/24/efl-bury-5pm-tuesday-campbell-takeover

Unless something's changed since then?

The new head of the EFL said she'd extend it if they were something like 99% complete and the 1% left was basic stuff.  They have also confirmed no more suspended games, Bury have asked for volunteers to clean the ground ahead of Saturday and started selling tickets, so assume they will go down the Bolton road of playing some kids without full contracts.  Given Bolton have shipped five in three games, I don;t see what this gains for the EFL.  They've managed to oversee a mockery of the sport - Bury should never have been allowed up, should never have had the guy running the club and same for Bolton (Ken Anderson has enough on his record to Not be Fit).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Abrahammer on Monday, August 26, 2019, 16:50:43
So it looks like if Bury's prospective owners can get a deal nearly done, they will get another extension for a few days, but the FL say no more games to be postponed, but that is confusing as Bury don't have a team to put out for Sat surely, they would have to recruit players quickly and find a manager within a few days.

Think they have a manger, name escapes me but think was an uninspiring ex conference guy.  Player wise they have more under contract than Bolton but far from a squad’s worth


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, August 26, 2019, 17:01:42
The new head of the EFL said she'd extend it if they were something like 99% complete and the 1% left was basic stuff.
Fair enough. Vanishingly unlikely they'll get to 1% basic stuff by Tuesday 5pm.
Think they have a manger, name escapes me but think was an uninspiring ex conference guy.  Player wise they have more under contract than Bolton but far from a squad’s worth
The manager is Paul Wilkinson, ex Truro. Player wise they might have had more than Bolton but a lot have left as their contracts have been voided by the situation, don't think they have much more than Bolton left now.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: NotHarryAgombar on Monday, August 26, 2019, 17:05:57
I am having difficulty in working out how they can complete the season in practice, even if takeovers complete tomorrow.
They will have very few contracted players left , be under a transfer embargo until football creditors including unpaid wages are cleared in full. Even if those are cleared quickly, the transfer deadline is on Thursday. After that they will be restricted to “free agents” who will not be match fit. Throw in the points deductions 12 already without anything for cancelled fixtures (including Bolton’s last game of last season) and relegation is a formality.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, August 26, 2019, 17:14:30
I am having difficulty in working out how they can complete the season in practice, even if takeovers complete tomorrow.
They will have very few contracted players left , be under a transfer embargo until football creditors including unpaid wages are cleared in full. Even if those are cleared quickly, the transfer deadline is on Thursday. After that they will be restricted to “free agents” who will not be match fit. Throw in the points deductions 12 already without anything for cancelled fixtures (including Bolton’s last game of last season) and relegation is a formality.
And every game they play will be a rollover effectively. Completely agree, as everyone has said this situation should never have been allowed to have got to this stage. Although if it does finally force the FA to fucking grow a pair around doing some actual governance, it will be worth it (albeit not Bolton or Bury fans). I say the FA as the League have proven they cannot perform governance of their own members - too many turkeys not wanting to vote for the stuffing they so richly deserve. So if it's going to be anyone it would have to be the FA either directly or by imposing an independent body on the League. Sadly I doubt we'll even get that, just more of the same handwringing and window dressing.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Monday, August 26, 2019, 17:49:10
See the BBC have wheeled out Wanker John McGinley to offer up his insightful opinion.

Cunt.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Abrahammer on Monday, August 26, 2019, 18:02:58
8 players under contract i see, not as many as I thought at Bury.

Did notice the assistant manager is David Byrne, I assume that’s our one?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, August 26, 2019, 18:39:04
8 players under contract i see, not as many as I thought at Bury.
Ha, it's about twice as many as I thought :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, August 26, 2019, 18:48:21
There must be a real question about how viable either club is going to be if they are essentially writing off an entire season.  Already the Bolton support is reducing, Bury have very little to begin with.  With youth teams playing all season they may mitigate some of the costs, but their income is going to tank, surely?  Maybe this was one of the sticking points for Bury - you pretty much have to underwrite an entire season of little to no income on top of paying the CVA (which may even come under scrutiny due to the potential dodginess on the last minute debt to the owner).

On top of that Bury have to slot 5 games into the season somewhere, without any further postponements.

You can see them both being back in the same boat a year from now if they do survive this, and then repeating it.  For Bolton, maybe there is just enough there to hang onto, but Bury may well be at a point where saving it is pointless and it would be better to start over.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Monday, August 26, 2019, 19:19:36
Yep, Bury are going to have to start all over again as a Phoenix Club...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 09:25:14
There must be a real question about how viable either club is going to be if they are essentially writing off an entire season.  Already the Bolton support is reducing, Bury have very little to begin with.  With youth teams playing all season they may mitigate some of the costs, but their income is going to tank, surely?  Maybe this was one of the sticking points for Bury - you pretty much have to underwrite an entire season of little to no income on top of paying the CVA (which may even come under scrutiny due to the potential dodginess on the last minute debt to the owner).

On top of that Bury have to slot 5 games into the season somewhere, without any further postponements.

You can see them both being back in the same boat a year from now if they do survive this, and then repeating it.  For Bolton, maybe there is just enough there to hang onto, but Bury may well be at a point where saving it is pointless and it would be better to start over.

In both cases writing off a season will see them in Lg 2 next year so at least they will retain their status. As for playing yoof teams so be it, in both cases if legit owners take over they are going to need support from the fan base, if the fans don't come back then so be it, tough shit and your club goes under. May sound harsh but its a two way street.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 10:51:01
Excellent cartoon from David Squires on the plight of Bury and Bolton:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2019/aug/27/david-squires-on-bolton-bury-and-the-threat-to-our-football-clubs

Especially enjoying the guest appearance by herthab as the bloke who always shouts the same thing :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ibelieveinmrreeves on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 11:09:14
Love that last line - ‘If the pyramid burns, even those at the top will eventually burn.’ He has a way of hitting the nail on the fucking head with unerring consistency.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 11:39:02
Love that last line - ‘If the pyramid burns, even those at the top will eventually burn.’ He has a way of hitting the nail on the fucking head with unerring consistency.

See, I think this is the myth we now tell ourselves, that it matters what goes on down here anymore.  I think the PL clubs have already insulated themselves.  They get Billions from overseas funding now, and those locations couldn't give a shit about Championship level, let alone Conference - unless they are expats watching games.

Closer to home they have Academies that now hoover up talent - the fact Chelsea had about 3 teams out on loan for example, and even then the youth's were too good to send to us.  They don't need to sign players through the system or really even bother with loaning them to us anymore, not the ones who make it.  It may make a part of the pyramid burn, but I think they've put  near fire proof wall up between us.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 11:50:48
See the BBC have wheeled out Wanker John McGinley to offer up his insightful opinion.

Cunt.

Seconded......If ever there was an occasion for VAR back in the day!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Red Frog on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 12:02:58
See, I think this is the myth we now tell ourselves, that it matters what goes on down here anymore.  I think the PL clubs have already insulated themselves.  They get Billions from overseas funding now, and those locations couldn't give a shit about Championship level, let alone Conference - unless they are expats watching games.

Closer to home they have Academies that now hoover up talent - the fact Chelsea had about 3 teams out on loan for example, and even then the youth's were too good to send to us.  They don't need to sign players through the system or really even bother with loaning them to us anymore, not the ones who make it.  It may make a part of the pyramid burn, but I think they've put  near fire proof wall up between us.

It's true, and it's virtually a different sport from the one I watch. I take an interest in the Prem in the same fairly distant way I follow the Six Nations or TMS without bothering with those sports at club level. But following STFC is almost as much about the chat in the Glue Pot / DRS / TEF over the last 35+ years as what actually happens on the pitch.

Losing that is the real tragedy for Bolton and Bury fans.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 12:09:32
See, I think this is the myth we now tell ourselves, that it matters what goes on down here anymore.  I think the PL clubs have already insulated themselves.  They get Billions from overseas funding now, and those locations couldn't give a shit about Championship level, let alone Conference - unless they are expats watching games.

Closer to home they have Academies that now hoover up talent - the fact Chelsea had about 3 teams out on loan for example, and even then the youth's were too good to send to us.  They don't need to sign players through the system or really even bother with loaning them to us anymore, not the ones who make it.  It may make a part of the pyramid burn, but I think they've put  near fire proof wall up between us.

Agreed, with the likes of Chelsea, Man City etc creating a new position of loan manager (or similar description) to deal with the players out on loan it speaks volumes.

In a sense Bolton will have longer than today as if no deal is done today then it just means the FL will give them 14 days notice of removing the golden share, so they can continue to negotiate, and I'm sure the administrator wont pull the plug with Bassini still hovering about claiming he has £39m.

As for Bury, their fans seem confident with the cleaning the stadium knowing they have to play Sat if they survive, I suspect that one will go to the wire and maybe drag into tomorrow, not sure how a deal can be agreed without investigations being done into the CVA though.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 14:36:46
Quote
Matt Slater
@mjshrimper · 4m

Bury....some very big news will be hitting the wires shortly. It's not good.

Sounds ominous...

EDIT the company have pulled out of the purchase as due diligence unveiled a big old mess.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 14:44:56
Thats the end for them then


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 14:57:27
So 59 minutes to find a new buyer and complete the process.  >:( ::) :no:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 14:59:58
the company have pulled out of the purchase as due diligence unveiled a big old mess.
Well that must have come as a shock to everyone! If they hadn't even completed due diligence before today, this was never going to happen was it?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:05:36
Well that must have come as a shock to everyone! If they hadn't even completed due diligence before today, this was never going to happen was it?
Exactly, its all been a farce at Bury's fans expense, keep them hanging on like there actualyl is a lifeline when in actuality there never really was.

You have to feel for the fans but its time the FL put its foot down and remove Bury and Bolton from the league, enough is enough.

If there really was a genuine interested party for both clubs then it would have been completed in the Summer.

Its an absolute joke at Bolton and Bury fans expense.

Let them form phoenix clubs and rise again as so many other ex league teams have done and lets all move on from it now.

The FL should have put its foot down way before now, a huge amount of blame must be shouldered by them in allowing it to carry on for so fucking long giving their fans some hope when there was none.

Every sympathy for both clubs fans (not the owners) but its time to move on now.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:07:44
I don't fully recall the collapse of Maidstone, could that be as attributed to specific and dubious individuals as the shit shows at Bury or Bolton?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:12:07
From Matt Slater

First take on the Bury news is on the PA wire now and it's grim but the celebrations on Friday night were very premature. The mortgages on the ground/bar taken out by Stewart Day (and fudged by Steve Dale in the CVA) are like unexploded bombs under the pitch.... ...C&N can rightly say that there simply wasn't enough time to resolve those issues but - even if Day, Dale and their lenders had been angels during this process - I'm told the league had reservations about C&N's ability to deliver all the money needed to keep Bury in the EFL......I'm told there was one other radical proposal made today, from another party, but it was rejected. Meanwhile, Bolton are in real danger of joining Bury in...who knows? Northern Premier, probably. As of an hour ago, total stalemate between Ken Anderson and Eddie Davies Trust.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:12:39
I don't fully recall the collapse of Maidstone, could that be as attributed to specific and dubious individuals as the shit shows at Bury or Bolton?
There wasn't the national coverage back in the early 90s as there is now, all I remember is they went bankrupt, not sure the reasons behind it but I know they were ground sharing and didn't even have a home ground worthy of the FL at the time and were playing games in Dartford.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Red Frog on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:17:52
Bolton to Bury is six miles. The fans should band together to build a new joint enterprise. Dammit, they even wear near-enough the same colours. Bet they'd be back in the league within a decade.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:20:23
Bolton to Bury is six miles. The fans should band together to build a new joint enterprise. Dammit, they even wear near-enough the same colours. Bet they'd be back in the league within a decade.
FC Lancashire. Play in White and dark blue. I recon they could be up the ladder quicker than that TBH. 5 years in theory is the quickest return I think.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:21:14
There wasn't the national coverage back in the early 90s as there is now, all I remember is they went bankrupt, not sure the reasons behind it but I know they were ground sharing and didn't even have a home ground worthy of the FL at the time and were playing games in Dartford.

Had a quick google and it seems that Maidstone were buggered up by getting promoted then trying to get aground to work etc etc, doesn't seem to be the dubious characters in their background.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:30:58
Bolton to Bury is six miles. The fans should band together to build a new joint enterprise. Dammit, they even wear near-enough the same colours. Bet they'd be back in the league within a decade.
Thames Valley Royals


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Nemo on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:34:37
So 59 minutes to find a new buyer and complete the process.  >:( ::) :no:

It must be bad, we've not even heard rumours of Jed nosing around...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:39:38
It must be bad, we've not even heard rumours of Jed nosing around...
Jed still has his little toe in the back door at Yeovil.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ibelieveinmrreeves on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 15:48:47
Jed still has his little toe in the back door at Yeovil.

That’s quite a...feet.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 12:04:52
Some (slightly) better news for Bolton, threat of liquidation starting today has been lifted (only temporarily though):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49496968


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 12:36:34
It will only happen for Bolton if the consortium can get the hotel as well as the FC seemingly as a lot of the profit is in the hotel, there are 2 bidders in for that 1 is the consortium that want the football club also, but the other is the owners of Boohoo website and they don't want the football club only the hotel and the administrators seem to be dragging their feet a little there.

There was talk that the venture consortium were willing to take Bolton and hope to get the hotel, but then it seems former owner Anderson has had some falling out with the Eddie Davis Trust over who gets what money, and this has now caused the stumbling block.

The administrators I would be surprised if they decided to liquidate before the 14 days was up as there is always hope a deal will be done at the last.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 13:47:45
I believe Ken Anderson took a loan from the Davies family to secure the club last year, but did so personally, he then secured a loan against Bolton.  If they liquidate, he gets paid off with the assets.  That's on top of any other shady stuff he's been doing in the meantime.  He has zero incentive to find a solution that doesn't include him getting his pay day.  The Davies family Trust is also involved as they have the loan to Ken to worry about, plus they tied in some other stuff when writing off a lot of the original debt.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 14:18:18
Also not helped as the admin for the hotel and club is being handled by two different administrators.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, August 29, 2019, 12:24:40
So Bolton was saved then and the consortium go what they wanted by getting the hotel as well.

They have a very short time to recruit players, but to be fair they may as well write of this season, they have their 12 point deduction already, the FL still have to decide on the penalty from the game from last season that was postponed due to player strikes, and then they have the game from this season that Bolton called off themselves, you would guess those will be some sort of points deduction.

I suppose they have to come down hard on them as it sends a message out to other clubs as well, if it was only a slap on the wrist then they would have set a precedent and other clubs would think they can do the same and get away with it.

I hope it gets sorted quick so the club can plan correctly and maybe build with a view to next season.

The question is though who will be the next club, Maccelsfield keep having court cases and paying the creditor the day before to avoid the case, will their luck run out or will it be someone else, until the FL sort the rules there is always going to be clubs struggling and riding their finances to the edge.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 29, 2019, 13:59:49
So Bolton was saved then
Remains to be seen, doesn't it? It may just be a temporary stay of execution


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 29, 2019, 14:05:46
Remains to be seen, doesn't it? It may just be a temporary stay of execution

It appears that Ken Anderson finally made £240,000 from the sale of the club, yet to get it over the line around £7.5million of debt was ‘forgiven’ by the Eddie Davies Trust, including loans made to Ken Anderson.

Not yet clear to what extent the new owners are in possession of a pot to piss in.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17866367.bolton-wanderers-takeover-completed-football-ventures-consortium/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 29, 2019, 16:12:35
Just reading about Bury's potential saviours, sounds not at all dodgy!

'Efforts were still being made on Wednesday to ask the EFL to reverse its decision, which has devastated Bury supporters, and to consider a last-minute offer to buy the club made by a London-based Brazilian, Gustavo Ferreira. He told the Guardian he is a pastor, and made the offer shortly before the 5pm deadline on Tuesday, in partnership with a gold mining company in Brazil, WGS Mining, of which he is a partner.'


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, August 29, 2019, 16:28:34
Bloody gold diggers


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Thursday, August 29, 2019, 16:56:10
It appears that Ken Anderson finally made £240,000 from the sale of the club, yet to get it over the line around £7.5million of debt was ‘forgiven’ by the Eddie Davies Trust, including loans made to Ken Anderson.

Not yet clear to what extent the new owners are in possession of a pot to piss in.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17866367.bolton-wanderers-takeover-completed-football-ventures-consortium/

We know what happens next. All of the unknown creditors and debts fall out of the cupboard one by one. They're still Blair Witch Project rather than The Sound of Music in film analogy.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 29, 2019, 20:35:49
We know what happens next. All of the unknown creditors and debts fall out of the cupboard one by one. They're still Blair Witch Project rather than The Sound of Music in film analogy.
That's really well put, I'm going to nick that!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Friday, August 30, 2019, 15:08:27
Bury ST are now threatening legal action against the FL for not following their own procedures, I can understand why they are doing this as they are clearly hurting and must feel that need to go to certain lengths to try and protect the club, but equally I'd suggest they are fighting a losing battle the debts owed are to much and the white knight does not sound much like a white knight, they may just be in an even worse situation next season if they as to survive.

I think its time for them to accept what has happened and concentrate on what they can do like ensure the club is put into receivership and maybe have a chance of buying the stadium at a knock down cost and keeping the club name with its history and starting next season further down the ladder.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 09:16:49
Daily Mail saying we missed wage payments last season? Did we?

(https://i.postimg.cc/mPwfH5rh/551-E7-E86-2766-4-D95-9934-DDF425-B4-F5-F5.png) (https://postimg.cc/mPwfH5rh)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 09:19:03
Daily Mail saying we missed wage payments last season? Did we?

(https://i.postimg.cc/mPwfH5rh/551-E7-E86-2766-4-D95-9934-DDF425-B4-F5-F5.png) (https://postimg.cc/mPwfH5rh)
News to me, I would have thought if this was true then the "anti STFC" element at the Adver would have picked up on it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 09:23:04
Unless they are on about the pension thing


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 09:26:36
Unless they are on about the pension thing
Could be, unusual way of wording it if it was though, and I thought that was nearer 2+ years ago now? wasn't Williams in charge when that happaned?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 09:43:35
Being as they can't even construct a sentence properly, I would lay doubts on their ability to research correctly either.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 11:44:46
He's admitted the article is wrong and we did pay all the wages but is refusing to issue and apology or correction as he's not the sub editor. Utter trash of a paper and journalist!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Frigby Daser on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 12:24:40
Phil Brown complained of unpaid wages.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 13:00:14
Phil Brown complained of unpaid wages.

Phil Brown should have repiad us. Useless twat


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 13:52:46
Flitcroft to Bolton as assistant manager; as if things were not bad enough for them


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ibelieveinmrreeves on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 17:10:32
Bury North MP suggesting they should be re-instated in League Two. Can’t see the EFL going for that, unless they want to look like even more of a Mickey Mouse outfit.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: cheltred69 on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 19:53:24
Daily Mail saying we missed wage payments last season? Did we?

(https://i.postimg.cc/mPwfH5rh/551-E7-E86-2766-4-D95-9934-DDF425-B4-F5-F5.png) (https://postimg.cc/mPwfH5rh)

Very much doubt it. Power was on radio yesterday saying that 9 clubs had done so and that we in a better position than them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 21:37:17
Very much doubt it. Power was on radio yesterday saying that 9 clubs had done so and that we in a better position than them.
The writer has already admitted it is wrong and the clubs PR guy has asked for a 'chat' on Twitter.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Sunday, September 1, 2019, 21:39:41
Very much doubt it. Power was on radio yesterday saying that 9 clubs had done so and that we in a better position than them.
Journo responsible has now admitted this was an error, that he meant Reading not us, accidentally clicked the wrong column in his spreadsheet apparently. But true to form for the Daily Mail, refusing not going to retract or apologise for publishing bollocks, even when they admit they got it wrong. Fucking arse wipe of a paper


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Monday, September 2, 2019, 06:06:16
Wont help them if Power decides to take them to court for slander. Someone there will have had a bad nights sleep, and be up on the carpet this morning.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Exiled Bob on Monday, September 2, 2019, 06:50:24
Wont help them if Power decides to take them to court for slander. Someone there will have had a bad nights sleep, and be up on the carpet this morning.
Libel.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Monday, September 2, 2019, 08:05:52
Libel.

I hear words I never heard in the bible


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Monday, September 2, 2019, 08:10:14
...and I'm one step ahead of the shoe shine...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, September 2, 2019, 09:11:29
He's admitted the article is wrong and we did pay all the wages but is refusing to issue and apology or correction as he's not the sub editor. Utter trash of a paper and journalist!

Journo responsible has now admitted this was an error, that he meant Reading not us, accidentally clicked the wrong column in his spreadsheet apparently. But true to form for the Daily Mail, refusing not going to retract or apologise for publishing bollocks, even when they admit they got it wrong. Fucking arse wipe of a paper

Wont help them if Power decides to take them to court for slander. Someone there will have had a bad nights sleep, and be up on the carpet this morning.

Hmmm utterly useless and totally libelous, if I was Power I would sue the arse off them.

Bury North MP suggesting they should be re-instated in League Two. Can’t see the EFL going for that, unless they want to look like even more of a Mickey Mouse outfit.
This cannot be allowed to happen, if they were relegated at the end of last season and continued to play in the League then I would have been happy with that outcome, they essentially cheated their way to promotion and deserved it to be taken away from them. Not when they have gone bankrupt and won't even play a game for a season.

I know its going back over old shit but we got relegated 2 divisions for what was far less a crime AND we didn't go bankrupt.

Of course I feel sorry for Bury fans/players/staff but not for the club, they have got now what their crooked owner deserves.

Just admit that the claub have now folded and start afresh, its the best outcome all round now.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Monday, September 2, 2019, 09:17:19
I'd like to see Power sue the Daily Mail. Partly just because I fucking hate those cunts.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, September 2, 2019, 09:42:14
The Daily Fail should be banned by Power publically in the national press from coming to the club, wouldnt help financially but would be some good press for the club at minimum.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Abrahammer on Monday, September 2, 2019, 09:53:37
The Daily Fail should be banned by Power publically in the national press from coming to the club, wouldnt help financially but would be some good press for the club at minimum.

Don't think the national press send people to our level.

I read the Mail for shits and giggles when I'm at my old dears place.  The Monday League 2 roundup is no more than a couple of hundred words for the whole league


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, September 2, 2019, 09:57:08
Don't think the national press send people to our level.
Probably not but it would get the Swindon name out there in the nationals a bit more even if it was announced in the local press.

Good press for the club?

At minimum they should print an apology.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Monday, September 2, 2019, 10:29:06
Probably not but it would get the Swindon name out there in the nationals a bit more even if it was announced in the local press.

Good press for the club?

At minimum they should print an apology.
Agreed 100% JJ....fuck them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Monday, September 2, 2019, 11:19:34
Probably not but it would get the Swindon name out there in the nationals a bit more even if it was announced in the local press.

Good press for the club?

At minimum they should print an apology.

Im right behind Power on this....he needs to make a statement...unless its true!!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Monday, September 2, 2019, 12:21:37
The guy that done the article Kieran Maguire does the Price of Football blog and for most of his articles they are usually decent and informative, this time he was wrong and I think I was the first one to call him out on it and he admitted he was wrong, but equally it should have been either withdrawn this is in the public domain and will but of potential sponsors etc if they think the club is in trouble


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Cookie on Monday, September 2, 2019, 12:44:24
This doesn't look good though does it. I assume some losses are hidden by FFP shenanigans (Forest Green Rovers) but we're near the top of the splurging table without much to show for it.

(https://i1.wp.com/priceoffootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/a-screenshot-of-text-description-automatically-ge.png?resize=768%2C596)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: singingiiiffy on Monday, September 2, 2019, 12:48:49
This doesn't look good though does it. I assume some losses are hidden by FFP shenanigans (Forest Green Rovers) but we're near the top of the splurging table without much to show for it.

(https://i1.wp.com/priceoffootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/a-screenshot-of-text-description-automatically-ge.png?resize=768%2C596)

£1.7m loss in one season? How accurate is the above with regards to source


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, September 2, 2019, 12:56:25
This doesn't look good though does it. I assume some losses are hidden by FFP shenanigans (Forest Green Rovers) but we're near the top of the splurging table without much to show for it.

(https://i1.wp.com/priceoffootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/a-screenshot-of-text-description-automatically-ge.png?resize=768%2C596)

Worth noting that is the season before last season?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ferret on Monday, September 2, 2019, 13:10:47
Flitcroft to Bolton as assistant manager; as if things were not bad enough for them

Brilliant. I hope (and expect) that the useless, arrogant, patronising prick will never be able to impose his terrible double standards on any other management role.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Monday, September 2, 2019, 15:52:41
The loss for 2017/18 looks accurate, which is nasty in isolation.  We seemed to have made 3.2m in profit over the previous two years though, so there is going to be some timing issues between the separate sets of accounts I guess.  We were break even for 2015.

More relevant is the fact that in 4 years our Net Liabilities are lower at 5m vs 6m, and we financed the loss by seemingly taking on a long term loan (well, our creditors due over one year went back up in 2018)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 08:18:05
Steve Dale has received payments totalling £115,097 from Bury FC this year.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bury-owner-steve-dale-received-115k-this-year-from-club-accounts-3vhvpppcm


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 08:25:23
And Bolton have finally signed some players. I have no idea if this bunch are any good without doing some research but I can't imagine it's going to be a fun season for their fans either way.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49553884


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 08:28:11
And Bolton have finally signed some players. I have no idea if this bunch are any good without doing some research but I can't imagine it's going to be a fun season for their fans either way.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49553884

Seen a fair amount of saltiness from other fans about this, saying they should be made to replay all of their games now. Why exactly? Get a grip and get on with it


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 08:32:15
Because it’s palpably unfair to have 6 games where their opposition only had to play against their youth team while, from now on, teams have to play against a competitive squad.

That and the fact their new owners have borrowed £40m to be repaid over 3 years to fund the club.

That’s what got them in the shit in the first place.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 08:35:27
Seen a fair amount of saltiness from other fans about this, saying they should be made to replay all of their games now. Why exactly? Get a grip and get on with it

I don't agree they should replay all their games. I do agree the EFL have cocked it up royally and some clubs gained an unfair advantage by playing Bolton's youth team. Gills, Ipswich and Tranmere all put 5 past them, and even if you ignore the 3 points on a plate, that GD could be the difference between relegation and survival, or between 6th and 7th.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Super Hans on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 08:39:53
And Bolton have finally signed some players. I have no idea if this bunch are any good without doing some research but I can't imagine it's going to be a fun season for their fans either way.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49553884

Some good (Bridcutt, Murphy, Buckley) and some bad (O'Grady, Bunney). Ultimately still in the shit. And someone's decided to lend the new owners 40 million to be repayed over 3 years. Wonder how that ends.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 09:07:59
Seen a fair amount of saltiness from other fans about this, saying they should be made to replay all of their games now. Why exactly? Get a grip and get on with it
By that logic, so should any team that strengthens in the transfer window. There's some right bell-ends out there isn't there? Everyone knows Bolton are going down like a cheap hooker, the only questions are what punishment they get for not playing the game against Brentford last season and whoever it was this season and, if it's an additional points deduction, whether they can do enough to end the season with zero points (or even break into the single figure positives)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 09:18:14
I don't agree they should replay all their games. I do agree the EFL have cocked it up royally and some clubs gained an unfair advantage by playing Bolton's youth team. Gills, Ipswich and Tranmere all put 5 past them, and even if you ignore the 3 points on a plate, that GD could be the difference between relegation and survival, or between 6th and 7th.
I thin Bolton should have a transfer embargo for the season, or at least until January, much like Rangers were given after their demise in Scotland.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 09:24:36
Bolton taking out £40m worth of loans the day after being taken over. Seems a little...excessive.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 09:28:25
Bolton taking out £40m worth of loans the day after being taken over. Seems a little...excessive.
To say the least. If I was a Bolton fan, I'd be hugely worried about what the purpose of that is. Where did you see that PP?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ferret on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 09:51:39
Because it’s palpably unfair to have 6 games where their opposition only had to play against their youth team while, from now on, teams have to play against a competitive squad.

That and the fact their new owners have borrowed £40m to be repaid over 3 years to fund the club.

That’s what got them in the shit in the first place.

I do take your point, but if we were getting really pedantic we could say that they've managed more points (1, vs Coventry in a credible 0-0 draw) than Southend, who have lost all their games. Although the whole situation is a farce, making them start the season again would set a dangerous precedent.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 09:57:51
Bizarre the level of reaction to Bolton signing players. A few days ago people were saying how happy they were that Bolton survived, are they only allowed to survive and be shit? It will take a long time for the team to gel and a lot of the players they've signed won't even be close to match fitness, so I imagine the results will still be poor for most of the season.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Abrahammer on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 09:59:47
Also where do you draw the line?

What happens if a side has to field a severely weakened side to multiple injuries/suspensions?

The sides that have played Bolton so far got lucky, that’s life


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 10:14:38
To say the least. If I was a Bolton fan, I'd be hugely worried about what the purpose of that is. Where did you see that PP?

https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1168485668374417408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1168485668374417408&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twtd.co.uk%2Fforum%2F465419%2Fboltons-business%2F%2337


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 10:33:01
Bizarre the level of reaction to Bolton signing players. A few days ago people were saying how happy they were that Bolton survived, are they only allowed to survive and be shit? It will take a long time for the team to gel and a lot of the players they've signed won't even be close to match fitness, so I imagine the results will still be poor for most of the season.



As it appears that Flitcroft and Hill only met the players this morning I cannot imagine that much scouting has gone into the new signings which doesn't bode that well.

Edit - I believe that Bolton were supposed to play Bury this weekend, so they have got lucky having a weekend off.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 10:38:08
https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1168485668374417408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1168485668374417408&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twtd.co.uk%2Fforum%2F465419%2Fboltons-business%2F%2337
So they've borrowed £20m of that from one of the partners in the buyout who didn't have her own money to put into the buyout so had to be financed by Roger Mason? Wow. Stinks worse than Grimsby on fish market day.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Sippo on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 10:38:15
Suppose it was just a matter of getting some players in... to be honest, I think the whole saga maybe just a stop gap. Can seem them in the conference in two years.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 10:39:25
https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1168485668374417408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1168485668374417408&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twtd.co.uk%2Fforum%2F465419%2Fboltons-business%2F%2337

So the same guy who said we couldn't pay our players?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 10:40:38
So the same guy who said we couldn't pay our players?
So it's probably Boston who've borrowed 40k


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 10:42:09
So the same guy who said we couldn't pay our players?
No idea, I haven't even read it TBH, I just read thats where the comments came from.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 11:01:30
So the same guy who said we couldn't pay our players?

He's normally very good. Admitted the mistake re us.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 11:09:47
So it's probably Boston who've borrowed 40k

To be fair to him he is normally fairly on the ball, however, he did get extremely sniffy and passive aggressive when people picked him up on the Swindon issue on social media and seemed to suggest that we were still in financial difficulties (which may be correct but nigh impossible to tell based upon the very limited accounts the club have to produce).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Saxondale on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 11:12:10
So they've borrowed £20m of that from one of the partners in the buyout who didn't have her own money to put into the buyout so had to be financed by Roger Mason? Wow. Stinks worse than Grimsby on fish market day.

Im sure the terriers that conduct the EFL financial examinations looked into this with their usual thorough, meticulous analysis skills.

They're fucked.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 11:42:22
To be fair to him he is normally fairly on the ball
I know, I follow him on twitter. Shame the League apparently don't, he could spare them a lot of embarrassment. Come to that, they could do worse than employing him as a forensic accountant to keep a pre-emptive eye on some of their member clubs (as long as someone double checks his spreadsheets before he publishes them :) )


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 12:27:09
So Inspector Knacker has  launched a fraud investigation into Bury FC.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: wheretherealredsare on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 13:50:22

Old Bury or new Bury ... or both?
So Inspector Knacker has  launched a fraud investigation into Bury FC.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 14:00:54
Meanwhile the EFL continue to try and paper over the cracks...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49569697


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 14:18:08
Old Bury or new Bury ... or both?

I am not sure there is a 'new' Bury, I assume its the actions of Messers Day and Dale attracting their interest?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 14:40:19
Old Bury or new Bury ... or both?
"There's only one Bury" ... Bury still exists as a business and as a football club, it is still in CVA and it is, incredibly, still owned by the execrable Mr Dale. All that has changed is that it has been expelled from the Football League


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 14:40:51
Meanwhile the EFL continue to try and paper over the cracks...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49569697

All look a bit Brexity...

'We wanted to let them back in but the dastardly clubs wouldn't let us' Blame them Bury fans!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 15:06:03
Precedents being set all over the shop with this sorry saga.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Leggett on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 23:29:31
What a clusterfuck. Sorry state of affairs.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, 08:50:25
Not necessarily a bad thing, but Tranmere getting some foreign investment.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2047440-far-eastern-investors-take-stake-in-tranmere-rovers


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, September 13, 2019, 08:52:51
To add to the League's woes over their piss-poor governance, Middlesborough are suing the League over Derby's "sale and lease back" scam with their stadium to dodge FFP. Their claim is that in doing this Derby gained an unfair advantage and so finished 1pt above Boro to pip them to the playoffs and had the League enforced their rules properly, then Derby would not have had this unfair advantage. Shaun Harvey's left quite a legacy he must be ever so proud


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, September 13, 2019, 08:59:06
To add to the League's woes over their piss-poor governance, Middlesborough are suing the League over Derby's "sale and lease back" scam with their stadium to dodge FFP. Their claim is that in doing this Derby gained an unfair advantage and so finished 1pt above Boro to pip them to the playoffs and had the League enforced their rules properly, then Derby would not have had this unfair advantage. Shaun Harvey's left quite a legacy he must be ever so proud

I am not saying it wasn't done to circumvent FFP, but sale and lease back is a very regular practice with property to raise some capital, I cannot believe for one minute that Derby are going to be the only club that have done it, so another can of worms beckons.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, September 13, 2019, 09:02:33
I am not saying it wasn't done to circumvent FFP, but sale and lease back is a very regular practice with property to raise some capital, I cannot believe for one minute that Derby are going to be the only club that have done it, so another can of worms beckons.
Oh, they're not, Villa and Reading also being looked at. I think Derby are deemed especially egregious because they sold the stadium at twice their own valuation and got into the play-offs. Mind you, Villa got promoted on the back of it, so maybe their sale price wasn't taking the piss to quite the same extent?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Saturday, September 21, 2019, 05:59:25
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/17917935.us-firm-makes-7m-bid-buy-swindon-town-club-denies-knowledge/?fbclid=IwAR3knpImJ3dPOeFDojY-l56mMZruSQRFW5Hy6CEbCmgakjJmKtFgB0LncaE


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Leggett on Saturday, September 21, 2019, 06:21:42
The parent company appears to have been set up in February, with a residential address as their HQ, and just the one person filling the board positions. I'm sure it's fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, September 21, 2019, 09:36:09
The takeover of my local side Yeovil Town was finally completed yesterday!

I was speaking to Lawson D'Ath at an event in Yeovil I was attending yesterday too, he speaks highly of Wellens and says there was never an offer of a contract at Swindon despite what some people on here have said.

Jed Mc expected to have a finger in the Yeovil pie according to the YT Facebook group.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 09:57:59
Yeovil finally taken over by Jeds mates. Already taking out loans secured on the ground according to some football finance bloke on twitter


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 10:00:38
Yeah as my post above says it went through on Friday, already treading a dangerous path, Jed is still alleged to be hanging around waiting to jump on board.

Also there are charges against the club from the a company called MSP Capital concerning ground ownership too, which is said to be about loaning money against the ground.

Quote
The entry against Yeovil Town Holdings is a loan, secured against the land assets for Huish Park. The implication is that MSP Capital have leant money to the new Owners. Given the date of the transaction is also the date of the takeover, then yes it does look like money has been borrowed to secure the takeover.

It all sounds a bit dodgy already.

Quote
Yeovil Town's new co-owner Scott Priestnall has confirmed that he will be taking over the position of Chairman of the club from John Fry, with immediate effect. With Fry and outgoing owner Norman Hayward having stepped down both in terms of their ownership of the club and their Director positions, the club is now fronted by Priestnall along with Errol Pope who has so far kept a low profile.

Priestnall attended a press conference today as his first formal introduction to the local media, with both the original Yeovil Town company (Yeovil Football and Athletic Club Limited) and parent company Yeovil Town Holdings Limited now having a two man Board of Priestnall and Pope. He said that it was a position he hadn't been contemplating during the early part of his negotiations with the outgoing owners, but became something that he wanted to take on during the last few weeks:

"I am going to be Club Chairman - yes. I actually want to be. It's a position that I've kind of changed my mind on since I started. When I first started out I didn't think about being Chairman. I was actually looking at potential people to do it, both inside and outside the club. As I've got more involved with the club, if the completion had been maybe six or seven weeks ago, maybe I wouldn't have done. I think I've got the bug now, I'm hoping to earn my stripes as a Glover and I've really got excited about games. It's kind of got me interested in football again, to be honest with you. It was a really easy decision over the last couple of weeks to become Chairman. Hopefully I'll do right by the fans."

Priestnall also clarified one false assumption that has tended to be the case throughout the majority of the last three months since the pair were announced as the prospective bidders for the club. With Pope being labelled as the 'money man' when they were part of a consortium that was in discussions to take over Worcester Warriors rugby club in 2018, it had been largely assumed that Pope would have the lion's share of the Ownership of Yeovil Town. However, Priestnall explained that he would be the majority shareholder in this relationship, but admitted he didn't know the exact mathematical split between them at this stage:

"I'm not sure I know exactly, at the moment, but I'm the majority shareholder of that arrangement. I was just on a call earlier to find out what that exact percentage is, but I've certainly got control. We're in the very early days. The old Board have now resigned - each member. If I'm totally honest with you, since Friday I haven't had any conversations with regard to Board members at all. But I do want to and that's something I will work on once we get through this initial period of getting things right within the club first. Once that's done, I'll start to focus more on the Board."

Companies House information today has confirmed the above, with Alan Chamberlain and David Lee the last of the two remaining Directors formally stepping down from their position as Directors of the core Yeovil Town company. Priestnall and Pope remain as the only two Directors on both companies for the time being.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 10:15:44
See its 'D' day for Bury's appeal today, news seems to suggest they are not getting much sympathy from the other clubs.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 10:35:49

Jed Mc expected to have a finger in the Yeovil pie according to the YT Facebook group.
One of many places you wouldn't want Jed's finger


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 10:37:04
One of many places you wouldn't want Jed's finger
I wouldn't want Jeds finger anywhere near anything thank you :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 15:02:51
See its 'D' day for Bury's appeal today, news seems to suggest they are not getting much sympathy from the other clubs.

So no reprieve for Bury.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 15:06:05
Sad, but the correct decision.

But we are closer to safety now :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 15:57:22
Sad, but the correct decision.

But we are closer to safety now :)

I think it's the right call and fully appreciate that Swindon may one day be in this situation.

The governance of the game needs a significant review but letting them back in 2020-21 would almost certainly result in this becoming a potential common practice.

"We can't afford this season, fuck it. Let's take a year out, raise funds and come back stronger."

Bury's demise is no shock. I just hope that if Swindon were in a situation that they were winning on the pitch but had a Dale like owner (and Power isn't that) then I'd be fighting the good fight (like many Blackpool fans were forced to do).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Oaksey Moonraker on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 18:11:01
We didn't get a lot of sympathy from other clubs in 1990 after our Football League demotion. It all got lost in the excitement of the World Cup that summer and barely a passing comment from the TV coverage.

Tranmere held it against us for years because they got promoted to Div 2 before we appealed to the FA and were relegated only one division.

Our friends in Brizzle like to still through the 'Swindle' tag at us.


Sent from my HTC U11


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 18:24:19
And that’s rich coming from the 82ers


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 18:35:41
'Swindle' is still very common here in Bristol.

Funnily enough just this week someone sent me an IM at work and referred to Town as 'Swindle'. I asked him if he knew why Town were known as 'Swindle'... He did not know.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 18:41:33
What with all the Bury shennanigans, only one team will get relegated from L2 this season.

Gives us a chance at least.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Richie Wellen-Dowd on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 18:42:42
What with all the Bury shennanigans, only one team will get relegated from L2 this season.

Gives us a chance at least.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves now.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Richie Wellen-Dowd on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 18:44:07
'Swindle' is still very common here in Bristol.

Funnily enough just this week someone sent me an IM at work and referred to Town as 'Swindle'. I asked him if he knew why Town were known as 'Swindle'... He did not know.

With that level of historical knowledge, he probably doesn't know why they're called the Slave Traders either.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 20:05:05
I think it's the right call and fully appreciate that Swindon may one day be in this situation.

The governance of the game needs a significant review but letting them back in 2020-21 would almost certainly result in this becoming a potential common practice.

"We can't afford this season, fuck it. Let's take a year out, raise funds and come back stronger."

Bury's demise is no shock. I just hope that if Swindon were in a situation that they were winning on the pitch but had a Dale like owner (and Power isn't that) then I'd be fighting the good fight (like many Blackpool fans were forced to do).

We've been through a near identical scenario.  Black over funded Di Canio, pulled the plug, sold to someone without any funding, we mortgaged everything for cash flow, the new owner tried to wriggle some cash out of the business and we went to the wall - OK, we didn't do the last bit because some evil Eastender living in Switzerland ruined us, or prevented collapse, one of those.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Thursday, September 26, 2019, 20:31:30
With that level of historical knowledge, he probably doesn't know why they're called the Slave Traders either.

You would not expect anything more from a club founded in 1982


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, October 3, 2019, 15:06:21
See the Macc Lads have not been paid for September.... Statement from players and staff

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EF9jeFkWoAcBK2w?format=jpg&name=medium)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Thursday, October 3, 2019, 16:07:16
Doubt many people have been paid for September yet. I haven't.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 10:15:51
Wycombe's Supporters Trust have just voted through the takeover by a US lawyer who thinks they're a "soccer franchise" that can be everyone's second team globally after "Liverpool, Chelsea and the Man teams". That's his business plan.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 10:17:09
Wycombe's Supporters Trust have just voted through the takeover by a US lawyer who thinks they're a "soccer franchise" that can be everyone's second team globally after "Liverpool, Chelsea and the Man teams". That's his business plan.

Fuck that!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 17:06:36
Wycombe's Supporters Trust have just voted through the takeover by a US lawyer who thinks they're a "soccer franchise" that can be everyone's second team globally after "Liverpool, Chelsea and the Man teams". That's his business plan.
They must be mad !!.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 17:10:23
It will all be worth it just to hear how the yank will pronounce Wycombe


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 17:11:27
It will all be worth it just to hear how the yank will pronounce Wycombe

Why-coom


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 17:23:30
Why-combi


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 20:25:39
Ly sester


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 20:40:13
Wycombe's Supporters Trust have just voted through the takeover by a US lawyer who thinks they're a "soccer franchise" that can be everyone's second team globally after "Liverpool, Chelsea and the Man teams". That's his business plan.
Presumably the same peeps that wanted to buy our "soccer franchise" a couple of weeks ago. 
Bonkers - they will regret that big time. (IMO for what it's worth etc)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 20:54:23
See the Macc Lads have not been paid for September
It's sad but not unsurprising - one if the reasons Sol Campbell left.  The EFL have to step up and do something to stop this happening so often.

On a more positive personal note I'm seeing the Macc lads next month at Bristol O2.  30 years ago they were banned from every venue in the country - but now we are more politically correct they can play anywhere.  Perhaps it's because they are old fat bastards like their audience 😀,


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, October 25, 2019, 13:49:19
Presumably the same peeps that wanted to buy our "soccer franchise" a couple of weeks ago. 
No, this is the guy who was trying to buy Yeovil, although it's covered in the thread on the "US takeover"


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, October 25, 2019, 19:23:40
Fucking hell

https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2019/october2/statement-from-bury-fc/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, October 25, 2019, 20:53:39
Fucking hell

https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2019/october2/statement-from-bury-fc/
WTF?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Saturday, October 26, 2019, 15:09:45
Fucking hell

https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2019/october2/statement-from-bury-fc/

Author: Jed Mc(Roarrrr)ry


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Saturday, October 26, 2019, 16:17:17
https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/17985182.bury-fc-mps-hear-clubs-missing-1million/

Likely because scrutiny is being shone on the people involved right now.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: @mwooly63 on Saturday, October 26, 2019, 17:11:53
https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/17985182.bury-fc-mps-hear-clubs-missing-1million/

Likely because scrutiny is being shone on the people involved right now.

Saw an interview with FA last week where they stated they didnt get involved with the Bury mess till after the EFL had booted them out.
Shameful that


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, October 31, 2019, 12:00:32
Macc players not paid again for October

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50242811

They look like a club that's been teetering on the precipice for a little while now


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, October 31, 2019, 12:07:39
Macc players not paid again for October

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50242811

They look like a club that's been teetering on the precipice for a little while now
January 2018 they failed to pay their players wages on time for the first time publically, this however has been going on since promotion to the FL back in 2017.

They have yet another winding up order over their heads from HMRC too.

From last Wednesday...

Quote
Per BBC Radio Manchester Sport:

"Macclesfield Town's winding-up petition has been delayed by a 'few weeks'.

Barrister Niall McCulloch said he understood that Brexit was having "some impact" and asked for more time to pay.

Club bosses are waiting for 'international payments to come through'."

Wonder which one will be resolved first?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Friday, November 1, 2019, 13:59:58
January 2018 they failed to pay their players wages on time for the first time publically, this however has been going on since promotion to the FL back in 2017.

They have yet another winding up order over their heads from HMRC too.

From last Wednesday...

Seems as though brexit is the perfect response to every problem,   what are we going to blame once brexit is settled ?.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, November 1, 2019, 14:00:56
Seems as though brexit is the perfect response to every problem,   what are we going to blame once brexit is settled ?.

The fucked economy?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, November 1, 2019, 14:13:15
Seems as though brexit is the perfect response to every problem,   what are we going to blame once brexit is settled ?.

It will still be the EU/forrins.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Friday, November 1, 2019, 14:14:29
 :D
The fucked economy?
:D :D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, November 1, 2019, 14:22:42
Seems as though brexit is the perfect response to every problem,   what are we going to blame once brexit is settled ?.
We won't be around. It will be our grandchildren, once Brexit is settled


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, November 1, 2019, 15:25:51
Oldham fans are protesting tomorrow at the state of their club.  At this rate Manchester will just be left with United and City along with the Salford vanity project.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, November 1, 2019, 15:30:27
Oldham fans are protesting tomorrow at the state of their club.  At this rate Manchester will just be left with United and City along with the Salford vanity project.

Being a pendent if you are including Oldham and Bury in Manchester, one must also include Wigan and Bolton.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, November 1, 2019, 15:31:21
Being a pendent

Uhm!

Or have I been wooshed by deliberate irony?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: 4D on Friday, November 1, 2019, 15:37:44
Are Rochdale still around?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, November 1, 2019, 15:42:00
Are Rochdale still around?

They are indeed, my mistake.

Uhm!

Or have I been wooshed by deliberate irony?

Entirely intentional my far eastern friend.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, November 1, 2019, 16:40:32
Will somebody please think of (NL) Stockport!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, 11:14:12
Not football, but Saracens have been deducted 35 points and fine £5.3m for breaking their salary cap.

Those egg chasers don’t piss about!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Nemo on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, 11:18:15
Not football, but Saracens have been deducted 35 points and fine £5.3m for breaking their salary cap.

Those egg chasers don’t piss about!

It's a weird one in that it's been a fairly open secret that the salary cap hasn't been all that effective for a few years now, and suddenly it's gone from being overlooked to incredibly harshly enforced without as much as an interim step. But it sure is a hell of a message to send.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, 11:19:35
Not football, but Saracens have been deducted 35 points and fine £5.3m for breaking their salary cap.

Those egg chasers don’t piss about!

Saracens owner is Nigel Wray, bro of Jeremy.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, 11:40:58
Not football, but Saracens have been deducted 35 points and fine £5.3m for breaking their salary cap.

Those egg chasers don’t piss about!
Fair play, that's a sanction that will encourage others to take notice. Is it likely to stand?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, 11:50:37
Fair play, that's a sanction that will encourage others to take notice. Is it likely to stand?

Gone in hard knowing they can fall back if there's an appeal.

Should of been done to Muff when they went up....20 points deduction reduced to 19 on appeal.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, 11:58:56
Seems a little more nuanced in trying to circumvent the rules. I know its the Mail, sorry.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-6766973/Have-Saracens-broken-salary-cap-rules-Owner-Nigel-Wray-business-four-England-stars.html


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, 12:45:22
Macclesfield players looking at going on strike over unpaid wages:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11855202/macclesfield-players-consider-strike-action-over-unpaid-wages


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, 12:52:42
Macclesfield players looking at going on strike over unpaid wages:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11855202/macclesfield-players-consider-strike-action-over-unpaid-wages
Sad state of affairs,   could easily have been us in the past.  Do clubs get themselves in this position due to overspending or lack of income,either way surely the accountants should pick up on this long before it gets to this stage.  Slippery slope I presume,   let's hope they don't finish up with the same outcome as Bury although it's not looking good for them at present.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: NotHarryAgombar on Monday, November 11, 2019, 13:50:17
After yesterday, fielding a Cup side made up of youth players and loanees, losing 0 - 4 to Kingstonian, I think there must be a risk of Macclesfield not completing this season.
Presumably if that occurs matches against them / points won will be struck off the record, which will no doubt impact differently on some teams near the top. Looking back at results to date they lost to us, Cheltenham and Exeter, but drew against Colchester and Newport.
No point in worrying unnecessarily, but let’s hope it doesn’t happen.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, November 11, 2019, 22:27:33
Macclesfield players now advised not to train or play because they aren't currently insured

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50383149


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 09:40:24
But some interest in bailing them out https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50338348


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 10:55:47
But some interest in bailing them out https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50338348
Fingers crossed for them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 11:01:02
Fingers crossed for them.

Good to see you starting to understand the importance of silly rituals and superstitions in football....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 11:05:04
Heh, heh!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 11:14:04
Good to see you starting to understand the importance of silly rituals and superstitions in football....
:D Touche!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 16:54:18
Football League now threatening to throw Macclesfield out of the Boycott Cup. That has to be one of the least terrifying threats ever

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50389723


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: donkey on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 17:05:55
Football League now threatening to throw Macclesfield out of the Boycott Cup. That has to be one of the least terrifying threats ever

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50389723

How can we get thrown out of it in perpetuity? Stupid pile of shit competition.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 18:20:29
I think it's actually the EFL trying to help them out, after all, they must lose money every time a game is played in that competition.  There is no way any club returns more revenue than the cost of putting the games on, and as for away games, I doubt the players walk.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 18:29:50
I think it's actually the EFL trying to help them out, after all, they must lose money every time a game is played in that competition.  There is no way any club returns more revenue than the cost of putting the games on, and as for away games, I doubt the players walk.

Which would be a tacit admission that the competition is no good for the clubs they are supposed to be representing?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 19:46:03
Football League now threatening to throw Macclesfield out of the Boycott Cup. That has to be one of the least terrifying threats ever

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50389723
Christ, that would be a bonus not a punishment.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 23:28:53
If there was ever a Cup you would welcome being banished from, it would be this "cup".


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, November 14, 2019, 15:52:57
Football League disciplinary committee finally meeting to discuss what punishment Bolton should get for failing to fulfil fixtures last season. Just as they were getting close to 0 points too.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: NotHarryAgombar on Thursday, November 14, 2019, 17:08:38
It needs to be meaningful to stop sides from just downing tools and not playing the last game or two - should be a minimum 6 points in my view, maybe 9.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: singingiiiffy on Thursday, November 14, 2019, 17:37:17
Football League disciplinary committee finally meeting to discuss what punishment Bolton should get for failing to fulfil fixtures last season. Just as they were getting close to 0 points too.

They also failed to fulfil fixtures this season as well. Which should be another charge as well


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, November 14, 2019, 19:35:47
They also failed to fulfil fixtures this season as well. Which should be another charge as well
Yeah sorry I phrased that badly, the hearing is about the fixtures this season and last, being considered as separate charges but in one hearing.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, November 15, 2019, 10:26:19
Football League now threatening to throw Macclesfield out of the Boycott Cup. That has to be one of the least terrifying threats ever

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50389723
Thats like taking away the gloves from a convicted arab shoplifter.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, November 15, 2019, 13:02:08
Wendies charged after trying to get round spending regulations by "selling" Hillsborough to their owner. Problem being that they declared the profit in 2018, but didn't sell the ground until this summer, in fact the company he used to buy the ground wasn't even incorporated untll June. Looking at a "significant" points deduction apparently. Ooops!

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/14/sheffield-wednesday-charged-efl-misconduct-hillsborough-sale-spending-rules


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, November 15, 2019, 16:26:20
Macclesfield players threatening a strike/boycott of tomorrow's game again. What will it take for the League to actually start taking some action on deadbeat owners? (rhetorical question, obviously I know they won't do anything)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50438021


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, November 15, 2019, 17:06:34
Macclesfield players threatening a strike/boycott of tomorrow's game again. What will it take for the League to actually start taking some action on deadbeat owners? (rhetorical question, obviously I know they won't do anything)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50438021

Then the FA will get involved 6 months after its all happened...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, November 15, 2019, 17:07:17
Then the FA will get involved 6 months after its all happened...
Well, only as long as it's too late to do anything useful


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, November 15, 2019, 17:33:01
Glenn Tamplin has bought Romford and immediately appointed himself manager and signed 15 players. Since Tuesday. What could possibly go wrong?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50439121


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Friday, November 15, 2019, 17:42:17
Glenn Tamplin has bought Romford and immediately appointed himself manager and signed 15 players. Since Tuesday. What could possibly go wrong?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50439121

Including Freddy Moncur who is son of, well, you can guess...

It's not Adi Whitbread.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: donkey on Friday, November 15, 2019, 23:18:02
Including Freddy Moncur who is son of, well, you can guess...

It's not Adi Whitbread.

Adi Viveash?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, November 15, 2019, 23:22:21
Including Freddy Moncur who is son of, well, you can guess...

It's not Adi Whitbread.

Mehdi Kerrouche?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Saturday, November 16, 2019, 00:14:30
Including Freddy Moncur who is son of, well, you can guess...

It's not Adi Whitbread.

Lukas Magera?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Saxondale on Saturday, November 16, 2019, 13:25:12
Milan Misun?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, November 16, 2019, 19:45:26
Bolton finally have a point. Just in time to have it taken off them next week when their penalty for the games they missed last season and this is announced :(


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Nijholts Nuts on Saturday, November 16, 2019, 20:13:36
Lukas Magera?
I legit saw him play the other weekend!!
I was in Prague watching my adopted Czech team FC Viktoria Žižkov vs Brno. Brno chucked him on in the last 20 as they adopted some hoof ball to chase the game. He's still a massive donkey.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Saturday, November 16, 2019, 20:57:33
Probs be 12pts I guess? Although technically they can/will still fulfil their match v Doncaster (within the current season timeframe) but they will get penalised for postponing it, without consent from the EFL and not consulting DRFC. The other penalty is for the penultimate fixture v Brentford toward season 2018/19 end.

They got 12pts for administration. Now the league may go softer on the Doncaster match (as it can still be fulfilled) but if they wish to make an example then they will dish out 2 x 6pt deductions. Likely Bolton will appeal the Donny 6pts but I can't see the league quashing it completely. Possibly halve it at best so Bolton will have a 9pt deduction.


The searching question has to be; after further deduction, will they manage to stay up?

Best case scenario. They would have played about half their games or more just to get out of the relegation places (with no one winning around them for the next 10 games) and then maintain a form better than the teams below them of course. Essentially Bolton are all but screwed. Tough cookie for their fans yet they still have a club - for now.

Survival Verdict: Highly Unlikely


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pete on Sunday, November 17, 2019, 05:47:29
The FGR chairman seems to think they are up already and wants to move. With no progress on his M5 J13 wooden stadium, where can he set up Forest Green Dons?

https://twitter.com/DaleVince/status/1195792009103056897?s=19


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Sunday, November 17, 2019, 13:12:58
The FGR chairman seems to think they are up already and wants to move. With no progress on his M5 J13 wooden stadium, where can he set up Forest Green Dons?

https://twitter.com/DaleVince/status/1195792009103056897?s=19
The guy is an utter cunt, he’s deliberately doing nothing to help with traffic management to help his case for a new stadium. He then wants to build housing on the existing stadium site... very green hey?
Living nearby to Eastington and working in Stonehouse I’ll continue to object to the new stadium as it’s just a pure vanity project to act as an enabler to eventually build his business park. It’s just a scheme to make him money whilst feeding his ego at the same time. He also expects the highways agency and council to improve the junction 13 roads at their cost to accommodate the stadium, a real detestable character.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Sunday, November 17, 2019, 13:28:00
The guy is an utter cunt
You could have stopped there ;)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Sunday, November 17, 2019, 13:31:57
You could have stopped there ;)
Fair point, he’s even claiming that water supply to the stadium isn’t sufficient now and having to tanker it in. Worked fine previous seasons didn’t it?! Yesterday they parked the away coaches in the road which was only ever going to cause significant traffic issues and clearly a deliberate act to cause chaos.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Sunday, November 17, 2019, 19:41:46
The searching question has to be; after further deduction, will they manage to stay up?
If they get the sort of deduction they should, then the question should be will they manage to get back above zero? I've got more chance of growing a womb than Bolton have of staying up


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Sunday, November 17, 2019, 19:46:39
If they get the sort of deduction they should, then the question should be will they manage to get back above zero? I've got more chance of growing a womb than Bolton have of staying up
Stranger things have happened .........


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Sunday, November 17, 2019, 19:47:23
Stranger things have happened .........
Than me growing a womb or Bolton staying up? :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Sunday, November 17, 2019, 19:55:30
Take your pick !! :eek: :eek:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Sunday, November 17, 2019, 20:02:05
If they get the sort of deduction they should, then the question should be will they manage to get back above zero? I've got more chance of growing a womb than Bolton have of staying up

For the two matches they are being inquired about, the maximum penalty they can receive is 12pts. So unless I'm missing some extra penalties (maybe the postponements trigger other sanctions?) then on current form they will manage to get above zero.

Looking at how shit it is at the bottom of L1, at present seems like Southend are doomed. Bolton have the same form as Wimbledon and would be on the same points as MK (if no deducts). They've only lost seven matches (Womble 10, MK 12, Sarf 14) and also have 3 games in hand on the aforementioned teams. Like I say it's highly unlikely and they are being rightfully punished but could it be that there are at least three other teams worse than Bolton, possibly more? They could stay up - against the odds.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Monday, November 18, 2019, 09:15:39
I wouldn't write Bolton off, they've improved a lot and are 4 wins off safety with 3 games in hand....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 18:35:24
Fucking make it up as they go along dont they

Quote
An independent Disciplinary Commission, appointed under EFL Regulations, has ruled that Bolton Wanderers will be handed a sanction of five points, suspended for 18 months, and a financial penalty as a result of being deemed guilty of breaching EFL Regulations in failing to meet its fixture obligations.

The Commission’s findings follow the consideration of a series of charges in relation to Regulation 31 and the non-fulfilment of two fixtures over the course of two seasons with the first in reference to the Club’s failure to meet its requirements for the scheduled 2018/19 Championship fixture with Brentford, while further charges were issued in September 2019, after the Club failed to fulfil its League One fixture against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday 20 August 2019.

At a hearing on Thursday 14 November 2019, the Club pleaded guilty to the charges and, after hearing representations from both parties, the independent panel has ruled that Bolton Wanderers will be subject to a two point deduction for the fixture against Brentford and a further three points for the match against Doncaster Rovers.

Both penalties are suspended for 18 months and will not be activated as long as the Club is not subject to a further misconduct charge for non-fulfilment of fixtures in that timeframe.

The financial penalty issued includes £20k and £50k fines handed out for the two respective fixtures, with half of the amounts due also suspended for 18 months.

The decision remains subject to appeal.

This season’s fixture with Doncaster Rovers will be rescheduled and details will be confirmed as soon as possible.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 18:40:46
joke of a punishment


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 18:57:37
Imagine what the punishment would have been had the offences related to a club called Swindon Town.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 19:10:50
It's the suspended nature of this verdict. Surely this opens up a can of worms for clubs to manipulate League positions.

Scenario: A team in 3rd/4th place need 3pts to overtake the team above them and gain promotion (other). The team they are due play are mid table. The mid table team "Does a Bolton" and postpones the match without consultation. Handing the former team promotion.

Now if the punishment is only 3pts or 2pts suspended for 18 months, plus a fine of £50k and with promotion to L1 worth around £1.5m (solidarity and basic awards only), other than moral values, what is stopping the team needing promotion from having conversations with the mid-table team and offering them £150/200k for the "convenience"? It could even be concealed as an Undisclosed Transfer, further down the line. Corruption abound and if it wasn't already then cases like this can only enable those looking to flout the rules.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 19:19:18
League and FA are no longer fit for purpose when it comes to governance of the game. There needs to be a complete overhaul of the way the game is governed, probably done by an independent body as football is apparently incapable of governing itself


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 19:25:55
Oh yeah Paul...I know I said it was "highly unlikely" but possible that Bolton could stay up. Even with a new 12pts deduction applied. However now they will likely stay up. Part of me hopes they don't now.

Fucking holiday camp!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 19:28:05
Oh yeah Paul...I know I said it was "highly unlikely" but possible that Bolton could stay up. Even with a new 12pts deduction applied. However now they will likely stay up. Part of me hopes they don't now.
tbf it's not Bolton's fault the League is a shambles. They've gamed the system and got away with it, I'm half minded to say good luck to them. But football governance is a mess


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 19:47:18
If Doyle gets called back i vote we postpone every other game. Fuck em


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 19:56:24
tbf it's not Bolton's fault the League is a shambles. They've gamed the system and got away with it, I'm half minded to say good luck to them. But football governance is a mess

Yeah I retract slightly on that. Bolton haven't issued the punishment but it does open a gateway to (further) corruption.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 21:57:02
They might as well appoint Sweaty Andrew as chairman, thats how "not corrupt" that decision is.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 22:40:08
But he doesn't sweat remember!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Friday, November 22, 2019, 08:43:38
Bet he is at this very moment waiting for the knock on the door..


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, November 22, 2019, 08:57:21
Bet he is at this very moment waiting for the knock on the door..

Or a note from the butler that there's somebody here to see him.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Red Frog on Friday, November 22, 2019, 09:10:56
League and FA are no longer fit for purpose when it comes to governance of the game. There needs to be a complete overhaul of the way the game is governed, probably done by an independent body as football is apparently incapable of governing itself

You have to sympathise with the Doncaster fans who say that Bolton have effectively got no punishment for not fulfilling the fixture at the start of the season, and when it's replayed will now have a significantly stronger squad than they did at the time.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, November 22, 2019, 09:17:53
You have to sympathise with the Doncaster fans who say that Bolton have effectively got no punishment for not fulfilling the fixture at the start of the season, and when it's replayed will now have a significantly stronger squad than they did at the time.

Sorry but in my view Bolton should have to forfeit that fixture and Donny get a 3-0 win (or whatever).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Friday, November 22, 2019, 09:19:37
You have to sympathise with the Doncaster fans who say that Bolton have effectively got no punishment for not fulfilling the fixture at the start of the season, and when it's replayed will now have a significantly stronger squad than they did at the time.
The whole affair stinks, Bury would have ripped their arm off for an opportunity half as good as that.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, November 22, 2019, 09:22:56
Boro got relegated off a 3 point deduction for failing to meet 1 fixture having the absence of 23 players ill or injured.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Friday, November 22, 2019, 09:25:07
Boro got relegated off a 3 point deduction for failing to meet 1 fixture having the absence of 23 players ill or injured.
and they had a GENUINE excuse.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, November 22, 2019, 09:37:25
Sorry but in my view Bolton should have to forfeit that fixture and Donny get a 3-0 win (or whatever).
Completely this. And the chair of the disciplinary panel should personally go round to every Donny fan's house and weed their gardens for free.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Friday, November 22, 2019, 09:39:04
Completely this. And the chair of the disciplinary panel should personally go round to every Donny fan's house and weed their gardens for free.
;D ;D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, November 22, 2019, 10:05:12
Completely this. And the chair of the disciplinary panel should personally go round to every Donny fan's house and weed their gardens for free.

haha! What if they live in a flat and don't have a garden?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, November 22, 2019, 10:19:08
haha! What if they live in a flat and don't have a garden?
They can sort out their window box then. And if they don't have a window box, they can provide one.

https://youtu.be/69iB-xy0u4A


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: singingiiiffy on Friday, November 22, 2019, 10:24:13
EFL have appealed. Must get a point deduction from this. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: NotHarryAgombar on Friday, November 22, 2019, 10:32:55
Let’s hope so - at least the EFL recognise this “sanction” isn’t strong enough.
Does anyone know by whom the appeal is heard?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Friday, November 22, 2019, 11:44:40
Let’s hope so - at least the EFL recognise this “sanction” isn’t strong enough.
Does anyone know by whom the appeal is heard?
Men in grey suites  ?.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Mother Brown on Friday, November 22, 2019, 17:13:38
Men in grey suites  ?.

Are they sponsored by Dfs ?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 11:05:05
Someone must have dropped an almighty bollock here...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50564661


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 11:07:36
Someone must have dropped an almighty bollock here...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50564661
Possibly you? the link doesnt work! :D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 11:10:01
Possibly you? the link doesnt work! :D

Does for me?  :hmmm:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 11:11:50
And me. Wondering how much the stadium costs in total if they need another 10 mil?

Still, it shouldn't really come as a shock that Wimbledon can't afford to play in Merton. Thats partly why Winkleman was able to do what he did in the first place.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 11:14:07
Does for me?  :hmmm:
This is mine.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jzy4ppgR/zntitled.png)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 11:15:11
Weird, may clear my cookies out and try again then.

Hmm works in the Edge but not FF.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 11:15:15
And me. Wondering how much the stadium costs in total if they need another 10 mil?

Still, it shouldn't really come as a shock that Wimbledon can't afford to play in Merton. Thats partly why Winkleman was able to do what he did in the first place.

The shocker for me is that they suddenly seem to have realised that they need £11m by January, which suggests something has gone awry with the project or financial planning?

Link to story on club site https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2019/november/club-statement/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 11:22:10
They could always find a non-league team to bully out of their ground and then buy.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Abrahammer on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 11:29:56
Haha, the bit of the “fairytale” always conveniently forgotten 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: wheretherealredsare on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 12:07:59
Wouldn't it be nice if one or several of the wealthy clubs in the Premiership offered to help at easily affordable terms?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 12:10:17
They could always find a non-league team to bully out of their ground and then buy.
Which isn't how Kingstonian themselves see it, they see the villains as their former chairman Khosla who got them in the shit, and Wimbledon actually helping them out with the initial rental agreement and then giving them quite a "generous" share of the sale proceeds from Kingsmeadow

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/kingstonian-director-mark-anderson-if-you-get-portaloos-in-you-know-its-a-big-game-q7hngsqtl


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 12:21:48
They could always find a non-league team to bully out of their ground and then buy.

What's the story here?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 12:25:07
What's the story here?
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/25/kingstonian-kingsmeadow-lost-stadium-chelsea-afc-wimbledon


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 12:27:19
Cheers Paul


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 12:35:57
Was going to say, this is more about the Chelsea involvement rather than AFC Wimbledon's. Plus the Kingstonian Chairman is hardly a saint. I think the Dons did pretty much as much as they could. It can easily be made to look like they didn't though.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 14:18:27
Haha, the bit of the “fairytale” always conveniently forgotten 
They could always find a non-league team to bully out of their ground and then buy.

:D

Why dont they just ground share with Franchise. Win win for everyone.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: NotHarryAgombar on Friday, December 6, 2019, 14:59:03
Macclesfield v Crewe called off tomorrow - Macclesfield players’ strike given as the reason.
Unless something happens on the takeover soon I can see them going the way of Bury, and probably before the end of this season.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Friday, December 6, 2019, 16:17:31
(haven't read recent post so apologies if it's a repeated question)


...if Macclesfield disappeared then I guess we'd 'lose' our points against them?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, December 6, 2019, 16:23:11
Yep, that's the usual outcome, in so far as this has happened very few times in the past.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, December 6, 2019, 16:54:30
(haven't read recent post so apologies if it's a repeated question)


...if Macclesfield disappeared then I guess we'd 'lose' our points against them?

Yes and so would the other 13 teams that have either won or drawn against them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, December 6, 2019, 17:33:20
If Macclesfield did go bust and the results expunged then we would sit in 3rd place in the table behind FGR and Crewe who have yet to play them.

In the top 9 places Swindon, Exeter and Cheltenham would be 3 points worse off each, Bradford 1 point and Northampon 0 as they lost to them. Plymouth and Port Vale have also yet to play them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Friday, December 6, 2019, 19:54:50
Macclesfield beat vale 2-1 didn't they?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Friday, December 6, 2019, 20:09:33
Macclesfield beat vale 2-1 didn't they?
yep, they did and lost 2-3 to them in the FLT.   Not looking good,  apparently Sol Campbell still owed 180k in wages.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, December 6, 2019, 21:17:21
180k?

Fucking hell, how much a year were they paying him?!?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 7, 2019, 10:06:57
Macclesfield beat vale 2-1 didn't they?
Did they? I missed that I saw the Mickey Mouse result.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 7, 2019, 10:27:15
Mass protests expected at Oldham today vs Orient by Oldham fans.

The club have said they are in financial problems again and the HMRC are knocking at the door for unpaid tax. The club say thats partly due to only having 1 home game in the month of November.

Not looking great for the Latics, again, another club that seem to go from crisis to crisis.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Saturday, December 7, 2019, 15:48:33
If Macclesfield did go bust and the results expunged then we would sit in 3rd place in the table behind FGR and Crewe who have yet to play them.

In the top 9 places Swindon, Exeter and Cheltenham would be 3 points worse off each, Bradford 1 point and Northampon 0 as they lost to them. Plymouth and Port Vale have also yet to play them.

I can think of a manager who might have been confident enough to say "they can take the 3 points, no problem, we will still win this league".

Maybe not the case now and rightly so. Probably.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RedRag on Sunday, December 8, 2019, 12:00:33
Mass protests expected at Oldham today vs Orient by Oldham fans.

The club have said they are in financial problems again and the HMRC are knocking at the door for unpaid tax. The club say thats partly due to only having 1 home game in the month of November.

Not looking great for the Latics, again, another club that seem to go from crisis to crisis.



A good and sad example for the "could be worse" thread, as a once Premier League club which by last season had slipped to the bottom half of League Two.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, December 9, 2019, 09:30:58
If Macclesfield did go bust and the results expunged then we would sit in 3rd place in the table behind FGR and Crewe who have yet to play them.

In the top 9 places Swindon, Exeter and Cheltenham would be 3 points worse off each, Bradford 1 point and Northampon 0 as they lost to them. Plymouth and Port Vale have also yet to play them.

As noted before, if Macc go bang it will be a very peculiar one as there are a number of parties with the cash to buy them if the bloody owner would just sell, although that does possibly suggest some rather large skeletons may be in the cupboard!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, December 9, 2019, 09:54:23
As noted before, if Macc go bang it will be a very peculiar one as there are a number of parties with the cash to buy them if the bloody owner would just sell, although that does possibly suggest some rather large skeletons may be in the cupboard!
Yeah its a bit like the Oystons at Blackpool, it seems a stubborness by the owner thats stopping progress.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 14:15:42
The Bury saga rumbles on...

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2053057-winding-up-petition-against-bury-fc-dismissed-in-latest-high-court-appearance


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, December 19, 2019, 20:28:40
Macclesfield whacked 6 points

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36067/11890862/macclesfield-town-deducted-six-points-for-efl-regulation-breaches

Bolton got very lucky.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, December 19, 2019, 20:32:34
Macclesfield whacked 6 points

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36067/11890862/macclesfield-town-deducted-six-points-for-efl-regulation-breaches

Bolton got very lucky.
Yes, very very lucky. Here's the profile of the Football League's in-house solicitor

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EMLTxqnW4AEnmXG?format=jpg&name=medium)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Thursday, December 19, 2019, 20:52:07
Macclesfield whacked 6 points

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36067/11890862/macclesfield-town-deducted-six-points-for-efl-regulation-breaches

Bolton got very lucky.
Plus another four point deduction that is currently suspended,  not sure what the criteria is,  or what it's for,  but as far as we're concerned point wise, it's much better than administration.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, December 19, 2019, 21:33:44
so far...
talk of another postponement or zero fan admittance Saturday


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Friday, December 20, 2019, 09:51:39
Macclesfield whacked 6 points

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/36067/11890862/macclesfield-town-deducted-six-points-for-efl-regulation-breaches

Bolton got very lucky.
They can appeal,  but  would it make any difference ?,   Probably get it increased to 10 points !.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Friday, December 20, 2019, 21:41:22
Macclesfield v Plymouth game off tomorrow.

EFL refused them permission to play behind closed doors. Then charged them with misconduct


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Private Fraser on Friday, December 20, 2019, 21:42:43
Macclesfield v Plymouth game off tomorrow.

EFL refused them permission to play behind closed doors. Then charged them with misconduct


Here’s the EFL statement:

https://twitter.com/efl/status/1208129950747955206


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, December 20, 2019, 21:53:32

Here’s a link from the EFL account on twitter, with a tweet providing a link to the EFL statement:

https://twitter.com/efl/status/1208129950747955206

Fixed it for you ;)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, December 30, 2019, 14:38:01
Chesterfield could be on track to do a Stockport?

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/28/chesterfield-relegation-national-league


Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Oaksey Moonraker on Monday, December 30, 2019, 18:42:00
Chesterfield could be on track to do a Stockport?

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/28/chesterfield-relegation-national-league
I can remember so clearly driving past Chesterfield's new ground on the way to Sheffield United in the 2015 play offs. They were home to Preston and lost 1-0 IIRC.

Shows how quickly the fortunes of teams change. I counted recently that since we dropped out of the 2nd tier in 99/00, now 20 seasons ago, that 14 teams we played at tiers three and four had gone onto the PL.

The number of teams we played in tiers three and four over the same period dropping out the league is very similar.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, January 3, 2020, 09:12:03
Not necessarily 'worse' but peculiar https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7846305/West-Brom-fans-demand-club-open-investigation-3-7million-loan-Jeremy-Peaces-company.html


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Friday, January 3, 2020, 09:16:30
Not necessarily 'worse' but peculiar https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7846305/West-Brom-fans-demand-club-open-investigation-3-7million-loan-Jeremy-Peaces-company.html

Fake news. It’s the daily fail 😉


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 10:11:21
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/malaga-manager-sex-video-victor-sanchez-leaked-online-a9274441.html

Although if he is being blackmailed they have suspended him for being a victim of crime?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 10:32:40
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/malaga-manager-sex-video-victor-sanchez-leaked-online-a9274441.html

Although if he is being blackmailed they have suspended him for being a victim of crime?
His original conduct could still be something that would amount to a disciplinary/sackable offence though, hence providing the grounds for the blackmail


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 10:40:19
His original conduct could still be something that would amount to a disciplinary/sackable offence though, hence providing the grounds for the blackmail

Is knocking one out such an offence?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 11:02:45
Is knocking one out such an offence?
No idea what the video allegedly showed (and don't want to, thanks), just suggesting that if it wasn't something considered harmful/shameful there wouldn't be much cause for blackmail


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 11:41:33
‘Matters are in the hands of the police’.  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 11:43:42
‘Matters are in the hands of the police’.  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:
Now that would be a video worthy of blackmail!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, January 13, 2020, 12:46:33
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/10/phil-parkinson-sunderland-dark-clouds-stewart-donald


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Monday, January 13, 2020, 12:51:48
Driven past the Stadium of Light but never watched a game there. 20 years since Town played there - a long way (even from where I live up north) but would be nice to tick that one off the list next season!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 13, 2020, 12:54:28
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/10/phil-parkinson-sunderland-dark-clouds-stewart-donald

Parkinson chooses 'em doesn't he!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, 16:09:01
Macclesfield given 70-day stay of execution on winding-up petition

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/15/macclesfield-town-winding-up-petition-adjourned-offer-club-shares


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, 16:11:22
Macclesfield given 70-day stay of execution on winding-up petition

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/15/macclesfield-town-winding-up-petition-adjourned-offer-club-shares

That doesn't quite get them to the end of the season does it, bugger!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 27, 2020, 14:06:16
So the choice for Newcastle fans seems to be the big mug peddler v. the human rights abusers....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51258778

Be interesting which side the fans land on?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, January 27, 2020, 14:49:58
So the choice for Newcastle fans seems to be the big mug peddler v. the human rights abusers....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51258778

Be interesting which side the fans land on?
It will be Anyone But Ashley. A consortium of Stalin, Saddam Hussein and Idi Amin could roll up there and be welcomed with open arms


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 27, 2020, 14:53:22
It will be Anyone But Ashley. A consortium of Stalin, Saddam Hussein and Idi Amin could roll up there and be welcomed with open arms
Sounds like some of our fans going on about Power!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, January 27, 2020, 15:29:04
It will be Anyone But Ashley. A consortium of Stalin, Saddam Hussein and Idi Amin could roll up there and be welcomed with open arms

Would no doubt pass FPP tests as well, despite all being dead.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, January 27, 2020, 15:31:10
Would no doubt pass FPP tests as well, despite all being dead.
If Jed can pass one....yep.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, 10:16:32
Bury still limping on: to the surprise of precisely no-one, Steve Dale hasn't paid any of the money into the CVA he was supposed to so the company now faces liquidation. Which is probably something of a mercy killing at this stage, and will allow the fans to focus their efforts on rebuilding a phoenix club rather than trying to prop up the rotting carcass that Dale has thoroughly ravaged

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/31/bury-owner-steve-dale-fails-to-pay-money-to-creditors?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, 14:16:27
Bury still limping on: to the surprise of precisely no-one, Steve Dale hasn't paid any of the money into the CVA he was supposed to so the company now faces liquidation. Which is probably something of a mercy killing at this stage, and will allow the fans to focus their efforts on rebuilding a phoenix club rather than trying to prop up the rotting carcass that Dale has thoroughly ravaged

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/31/bury-owner-steve-dale-fails-to-pay-money-to-creditors?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Looking at it, this seems to be more to do with Dale trying to salvage some value (again without spending any of his cash, the Ken school of club ownership) with little relevance to the future of football in the town.

A very sad tale, there but by the grace and all that jazz.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, February 10, 2020, 17:02:18
Oldham now:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/10/oldham-league-two-trouble-rent-north-stand

Ian King of twohundredpercent is working on a piece about the shenannigans going on there as well - "Oldham Athletic is an "I just had to close 42 tabs on my browser" sort of football club. That shit is *complicated*." Apparently there are layers upon layers of charges on the ground. Puts some perspective on Wellens' tenure there.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Monday, February 10, 2020, 17:44:17
Becoming a circle of destruction on the edge of Manchester.... Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Stockport.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: singingiiiffy on Monday, February 10, 2020, 18:04:55
Becoming a circle of destruction on the edge of Manchester.... Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Stockport.

Macclesfield!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, February 14, 2020, 17:07:36
https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/18236414.bury-fc-new-liquidation-threat-steve-dale-defaults-cva/

In other news a bear has been spotted disappearing into the woods with a rolled up newspaper under its arm!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Mother Brown on Friday, February 14, 2020, 18:54:47
Sounds like Man Citeh are in the cac


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, February 21, 2020, 15:39:53
Bury AFC, the Bury fans' phoenix club, has applied for membership of the NW Counties League (tier 10) for next season

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51584394


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: harrisonaw on Friday, February 28, 2020, 10:18:30
Oldham served with winding up petiton.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51673033


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Cookie on Friday, February 28, 2020, 21:13:11
https://twitter.com/BBCRMsport/status/1233455567051665409

Admin for Oldham by the looks of things, could be a lifeline for Stevenage.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, February 29, 2020, 06:16:56
It’s obvious the EFL’s fit and proper person test doesn’t work, but what would take its place to prevent these chancers rocking up at a club.

If possible, I reckon a 50/50 ownership with a Supporters Trust or somesuch.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, February 29, 2020, 19:26:14
It’s obvious the EFL’s fit and proper person test doesn’t work, but what would take its place to prevent these chancers rocking up at a club.
It is shit, but it might be more effective if it and the surrounding regulations were actually enforced properly. It would still be shit but it would make a bit of difference. But the football authorities don't care about enforcing these rules, they're just window dressing they got forced into and have no interest in enforcing.

If possible, I reckon a 50/50 ownership with a Supporters Trust or somesuch.
Like the German 50+1 model.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Saturday, February 29, 2020, 19:29:57
It is shit, but it might be more effective if it and the surrounding regulations were actually enforced properly. It would still be shit but it would make a bit of difference. But the football authorities don't care about enforcing these rules, they're just window dressing they got forced into and have no interest in enforcing.
Like the German 50+1 model.
[/quote


Great win for them today so not letting off the field activities affect the players


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: NotHarryAgombar on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 09:40:25
According to BBC, Macclesfield late paying February wages - 4th time in 5 months.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 10:04:24
Like the German 50+1 model.

Yeah that's going well after the events at Bayern at the weekend.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 10:04:51
Think they'll be out of the Football League by next season whether they are relegated or not.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 10:30:47
Think they'll be out of the Football League by next season whether they are relegated or not.


Which would be a bloody disgrace as there are people with cash available to buy the club.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 10:42:04
I thought it had been sold?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 10:45:57
I thought it had been sold?
Deal agreed in principle but not gone through yet.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/01/15/joe-sealey-takeover-macclesfield-edges-closer-clubs-owner-says/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 11:50:10
Yeah that's going well after the events at Bayern at the weekend.
Which were specifically a protest against a bloke who's violated that model? Not sure what your point is tbh?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Dr Pierre Chang on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 12:18:41
Which were specifically a protest against a bloke who's violated that model? Not sure what your point is tbh?
Uh oh, is there trouble in paradise for the chuckle brothers  ;)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 13:17:44
Uh oh, is there trouble in paradise for the chuckle brothers  ;)

🤣🤣🤣🤣 you must have been telepathing my thoughts.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 14:01:02
Gr8 b8 m8, I r8 8/8


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 14:02:22
Which were specifically a protest against a bloke who's violated that model? Not sure what your point is tbh?

That much is made of the 50+1 model in Germany yet there are clubs (Hoffenheim*, Red Bull Liepzig and another that I cannot recall OTTOMH) which fly directly in the face of that suggesting that its as toothless and as much of a gimmick as FPP.

* Actually looking at them on Wiki the guy who is bank rolling them is the founder of SAP, for that alone he deserves everything coming to him!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 14:10:09
That much is made of the 50+1 model in Germany yet there are clubs (Hoffenheim*, Red Bull Liepzig and another that I cannot recall OTTOMH) which fly directly in the face of that suggesting that its as toothless and as much of a gimmick as FPP.
As I understand it (and happy to be corrected), the rule is that no individual shareholder can own more than 49% of a club, but they didn't apply it retrospectively which is where the SAP guy (who had an existing shareholding in Hoffenheim), VW (Wolfsbug) and Bayer (go on, guess) have an exemption. RB Liepzig is slightly different in that they just priced the shares outrageously (as in tens of thousands of euros per share) so that they were out of reach of ordinary fans, hence why they are reviled by pretty much everyone else in German football. Unlike Hoffenheim, even other club owners seem to dislike what Red Bull have done. So yes the rule can be subverted and there are exceptions to it which perhaps there shouldn't be, but it's still a pretty solid rule that does much to prevent the excesses we see in football in this country and keep the game at least responsive to fans. It's not even comparable to the dead letter that is FFP.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 15:00:55
As I understand it (and happy to be corrected), the rule is that no individual shareholder can own more than 49% of a club, but they didn't apply it retrospectively which is where the SAP guy (who had an existing shareholding in Hoffenheim), VW (Wolfsbug) and Bayer (go on, guess) have an exemption. RB Liepzig is slightly different in that they just priced the shares outrageously (as in tens of thousands of euros per share) so that they were out of reach of ordinary fans, hence why they are reviled by pretty much everyone else in German football. Unlike Hoffenheim, even other club owners seem to dislike what Red Bull have done. So yes the rule can be subverted and there are exceptions to it which perhaps there shouldn't be, but it's still a pretty solid rule that does much to prevent the excesses we see in football in this country and keep the game at least responsive to fans. It's not even comparable to the dead letter that is FFP.

I'll let you have that one then Barry.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 16:50:12
I see that the EFL may give Macclesfield a further deduction of points for their failure to fulfil their fixture vs Plymouth, that may open the bottom of the league back up even if Macc survive this setback.

Although Stevenage may well be deducted points or a financial penalty given themselves for postponing a fixture illegally vs Oldham!

Quote
Stevenage have been referred to an independent disciplinary commission following the postponement of their scheduled League Two match against Oldham on November 16, the EFL has announced.

The fixture was rearranged under the international postponement policy after Stevenage had three players called up to represent their respective international teams.

But a statement from the EFL on Monday read: The club had requested a postponement under the EFL 'postponement policy' which allows clubs to make an application in the event that three or more eligible players are called up to represent their respective national teams.

However, following enquiries made by the EFL it is alleged that, at the time of the postponement request, only two players were eligible to be counted towards the total and not three as required by the policy.

The fixture was subsequently played on January 14, 2020. As this matter is now subject to proceedings, the EFL will be making no further comment at this time.

Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace revealed his shock at the news, telling the official club website: We are genuinely stunned at the EFL's decision to refer their case to an Independent Disciplinary Committee.

Our staff acted in good faith throughout and applied all the relevant rules available to us, making a legitimate postponement application which the EFL accepted and the FA subsequently reinforced by not allowing the player to play in our FA Cup replay.

We have a 10-year unblemished record of administration in the EFL and will use the full resources at our disposal to support the decisions and actions of our staff in order to protect the reputation of the club and avoid the imposition of financial penalties.

And then there is the real risk of similar for Oldham!

So many teams in this division in huge financial troubles.

I really could be a lot worse for Town!



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 10:35:48
As a reminder for Oldham fans that when you think you've hit rock bottom there's often still some way to go, serial failure and conman Laurence Bassini is now interested in buying them. I can put it no better than football finance expert Kieran Maguire:

"Delusional fantasist Laurence Bassini, former bankrupt & banned from football for three years for dishonesty, confirms interest in buying League Two Oldham Athletic. I’d rather be wanked off by Edward Scissorhands than have my club run by Bassini #OAFC"
https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1235306936125599744


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 10:55:04
Poor bastards. Nobody deserves him owning them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 15:32:11
Poor bastards. Nobody deserves him owning them.
Except for Franchise


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, March 5, 2020, 16:46:35
Except for Franchise
OK fair point :D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: wheretherealredsare on Saturday, March 7, 2020, 11:03:42
Better news for Oldham, hopefully ...

https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2020/march/06032020-statement/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, March 9, 2020, 16:35:24
Macclesfield have been charged with misconduct for the non payment of wages by the EFL.

Don't they already have a charge hanging over from earlier this season?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 10:17:25
Looks like Charlton are in the shit again - seems like their "saviour" from the Belgian bloke might be a bit of a Jed

https://twitter.com/CAFCofficial/status/1237159302038781956


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 10:18:58
Not really in the merde, but shows how shit football finances are, and the way rising can just make things worse.

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2056644-losses-at-wigan-fc-widen-to-more-than-9m


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 11:10:58
Macclesfield have been charged with misconduct for the non payment of wages by the EFL.

Don't they already have a charge hanging over from earlier this season?
Yes, believe the punishment was suspended,  not too sure what it was but presume this may bring it into play.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 11:16:09
Looks like Charlton are in the shit again - seems like their "saviour" from the Belgian bloke might be a bit of a Jed

https://twitter.com/CAFCofficial/status/1237159302038781956
And now their new owner has resigned from the board, but remains the majority shareholder. And still hasn't provided proof of funding. How the hell the league let him take over without it after the Bury saga beggars belief. The Football League doing a cracking job of protecting clubs from rogue owners yet again. Got to feel for Charlton fans, out of the frying pan into the fire


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 11:19:20
And now their new owner has resigned from the board, but remains the majority shareholder. And still hasn't provided proof of funding. How the hell the league let him take over without it after the Bury saga beggars belief. The Football League doing a cracking job of protecting clubs from rogue owners yet again. Got to feel for Charlton fans, out of the frying pan into the fire
Makes you realise how lucky we've been over the years.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 11:43:50
Makes you realise how lucky we've been over the years.
Hmm, we've had our moments too. Diamandis and Jed to name but two in relatively recent times.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 11:47:19
And now their new owner has resigned from the board, but remains the majority shareholder.

He is claiming that he hasn't resigned?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 11:51:12
He is claiming that he hasn't resigned?
Well, he'd better tell Charlton then, statement on their website claims he has

https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5e67651e1e92d/statement-from-matt-southall-executive-chairman

Reminds me of the Bob Holt days. Resigning from a football club board is a lot like leaving a house ....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 12:09:07
Well, he'd better tell Charlton then, statement on their website claims he has

https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5e67651e1e92d/statement-from-matt-southall-executive-chairman

Reminds me of the Bob Holt days. Resigning from a football club board is a lot like leaving a house ....

I suspect the true winner in this spat will be the party who have the pot to piss in, if the guy who has allegedly resigned is the principal shareholder it would suggest that he is the money, thus as Jed discovered any amount of fan schmoozing and bombastic fan pleasing statements means jack shit if you do not have the pot.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 12:24:53
I suspect the true winner in this spat will be the party who have the pot to piss in, if the guy who has allegedly resigned is the principal shareholder it would suggest that he is the money, thus as Jed discovered any amount of fan schmoozing and bombastic fan pleasing statements means jack shit if you do not have the pot.
Agreed, but it would seem that the board have made this move because they don't think he does have said pot. Hence the emphasis on the proof of funds, seems their position is that he came in, waved a picture of a pot around, everyone said "Oh, nice, what a lovely pot", they've been asking him for a couple of months for a closer look at the pot and it seems he can't or won't produce it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 12:32:59
Agreed, but it would seem that the board have made this move because they don't think he does have said pot. Hence the emphasis on the proof of funds, seems their position is that he came in, waved a picture of a pot around, everyone said "Oh, nice, what a lovely pot", they've been asking him for a couple of months for a closer look at the pot and it seems he can't or won't produce it.

Who knows*, suspect the real winners will ultimately be our learned friends...

Possibly a lesson for all football supporters in being careful what you wish for.

*Although you have got to be some sort of numb nuts to end up with someone being a majority shareholder in the company without putting cash in, assuming they are being entirely truthful!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 12:40:21
*Although you have got to be some sort of numb nuts to end up with someone being a majority shareholder in the company without putting cash in, assuming they are being entirely truthful!
True. Almost certainly more to this than meets the eye, a murky tale lurks beneath no doubt, it usually does


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 15:02:32
Apparently, a fella called McCarthy, who was instrumental in introducing Steve Dale to Bury, is also responsible for introducing said chairman to Charlton.

Football stinks.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 16:56:16
Oxford make a loss of £4m last season. Still, they are sustainable arent they


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 17:33:45
Oxford make a loss of £4m last season. Still, they are sustainable arent they
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YKUOB8MN4Kc


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 16:40:20
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51933722


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 19:10:09
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51933722

Blame the virus to carry out a cutting restructure.... This will be happening all over and most just in football.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 21:40:35
see Laura Ashley..

I haven't a fucking clue what Laura Ashley sells. clothes, furniture, something like that??


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 08:55:23
see Laura Ashley..

I haven't a fucking clue what Laura Ashley sells. clothes, furniture, something like that??

Laura Ashley have been in the shit for quite a while, I suspect this is just the straw that broke the camels back so to speak.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 10:07:44
yeah, that's what I meant in reply to flash


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, April 4, 2020, 18:07:38
The Bristol Rovers Supporters Club have reported their owner - that Wael fella - to the EFL as being ‘an unfit and proper person’.

Don’t know what to say, really.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ronnie21 on Saturday, April 4, 2020, 19:07:31
The Bristol Rovers Supporters Club have reported their owner - that Wael fella - to the EFL as being ‘an unfit and proper person’.

Don’t know what to say, really.
Remember their fans on Point West salutinng him as the new messiah!!  Never mind there are still some of our fans who thinks Lee Power is the anti-Christ lining his pockets with OUR money every week!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: JBZ on Saturday, April 4, 2020, 19:12:09
Remember their fans on Point West salutinng him as the new messiah!!  Never mind there are still some of our fans who thinks Lee Power is the anti-Christ lining his pockets with OUR money every week!
Are you suggesting that football supporters are fickle?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, April 4, 2020, 19:15:04
The Bristol Rovers Supporters Club have reported their owner - that Wael fella - to the EFL as being ‘an unfit and proper person’.

Don’t know what to say, really.
Jesus, that's a right mess:

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/civil-war-bristol-rovers-ken-4017850

See our old friend Martyn Starnes is reprising his role here building bridges with the fanbase


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: suttonred on Saturday, April 4, 2020, 19:54:43
I'm generalising with no context or background information. But Mr Starmes ought  to be flogging personal goal seminars.

Stfc- Fucked whilst he was here.

Yeovil. Well fucked

Rovers. Jesus wept.

The man has trousered millions by being the kiss of death. That is a talent


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Sunday, April 5, 2020, 09:26:53
I'm generalising with no context or background information. But Mr Starmes ought  to be flogging personal goal seminars.

Stfc- Fucked whilst he was here.

Yeovil. Well fucked

Rovers. Jesus wept.

The man has trousered millions by being the kiss of death. That is a talent
TBF to Starnes, I suspect he's trousered more in the order of 10s of thousands, he's no Peter Ridsdale.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Sunday, April 5, 2020, 09:33:07
Isn’t he CEO at Plymouth?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Sunday, April 5, 2020, 09:36:15
Isn’t he CEO at Plymouth?
No, he left in 2018 to go to Rovers.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Sunday, April 5, 2020, 09:58:21
Was told years back about the Wael family from my mate who works at Rovers, been a timebomb waiting to happen. He doesn't has a brass farthing in real money.

The "newly minted" Rovers is not as it seems, the new owners are in it for ground redevelopment and not investing in the team, they have given Clarke no funds for new signings because they do not have ready cash as they are property investors.

Rovers will have no more money than we have for new signings this summer and Clarke has been told to trim is squad.

But the injection of money at board level, paying off Rovers debts in the process, seemed to give them the impetus for a winning run towards the end of the season which gained them promotion, the feel good factor as it were pushing the fans and players on to 10 wins in 13 matches.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Cheltred on Sunday, April 5, 2020, 10:47:05
There had to be something wrong when they were in the top 6 in L1 yet their manager left for Mansfield, halfway down L2


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Saturday, May 23, 2020, 21:02:37
Bassini rears his ugly head again, Charlton this time:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11684/11993439/laurence-bassini-confirms-charlton-takeover-interest-but-bolton-also-an-option


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Saturday, May 23, 2020, 21:20:47
Probably turn up here next


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Private Fraser on Sunday, May 24, 2020, 08:18:11
Not sure which thread this is best suited to but Alan Nixon tweeting this morning:

"Premier League. Being asked to give 200m to EFL. 10m per club. That’s 6.6m per Championship club. 1m each for League One. 666k for League Two. One off money. Issues over those with parachute payments. And Prem want ‘something back’ out of it. Big big issue.
9:14 am · 24 May 2020·"



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: REDBUCK on Sunday, May 24, 2020, 09:10:26
So kind of them, nothing like giving with menace.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Sunday, May 24, 2020, 09:15:18
Basically the Premier League are saying "you don't get owt for nowt" ...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Sunday, May 24, 2020, 09:59:17
Not sure which thread this is best suited to but Alan Nixon tweeting this morning:

"Premier League. Being asked to give 200m to EFL. 10m per club. That’s 6.6m per Championship club. 1m each for League One. 666k for League Two. One off money. Issues over those with parachute payments. And Prem want ‘something back’ out of it. Big big issue.
9:14 am · 24 May 2020·"
So will Power the club get £1m or £660,000? Asking for a friend who’s thinking of leaving the country in a bit of a hurry.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Sunday, May 24, 2020, 11:10:50
So will Power the club get £1m or £660,000? Asking for a friend who’s thinking of leaving the country in a bit of a hurry.
:D


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Sunday, May 24, 2020, 17:10:52
No real reason why the split should be that far apart. A fairer split per club would be something like  £4.8m(Champ), £2.4m(L1), £1.2m(L2) or even award in order of finishing position (once squabbling in L1 has been sorted) something like;

Champ
£6.15m (+£200k Bonus for Champions)
-
£3.85m
(red. of £100k per place to 24th)

L1
£3.7m (+£100k Bonus for Champions)
-
£1.5m
(red. of £100k per place to 23rd)

L2
£1.4m (+£100k Bonus for Champions)
-
£250k
(red. of £50k per place to 24th)

This might encourage more clubs in the EFL to finish the season as it stands and secure a little more future for those clubs in uncertainty (a fair bunch it seems).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: JanAirplaneMan on Sunday, May 24, 2020, 17:13:04
Bassini rears his ugly head again, Charlton this time:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11684/11993439/laurence-bassini-confirms-charlton-takeover-interest-but-bolton-also-an-option
How Jenkins ex Swansea chairman is buying Charlton


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Sunday, May 24, 2020, 17:15:15
How Jenkins ex Swansea chairman is buying Charlton
Hope that goes through, they deserve a break


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 15:07:58
Macclesfield accounts

https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1277952668837822464?s=20


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 15:19:04
And this vague statement from Sunderland. Does it actually say their players will only get the government’s £2500 with no top up by the club?

‘SAFC players and staff have received letters this morning telling them they are furloughed until August 31 on 80% of salary.
Staff will receive no top up from club - unsure about players.
First they learned was letters dropping on their doormats this morning.’


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 15:48:42
And this vague statement from Sunderland. Does it actually say their players will only get the government’s £2500 with no top up by the club?

‘SAFC players and staff have received letters this morning telling them they are furloughed until August 31 on 80% of salary.
Staff will receive no top up from club - unsure about players.
First they learned was letters dropping on their doormats this morning.’
Pretty sure what you've quoted there isn't a statement from Sunderland. But for any furloughed worker the max govt contribution is 80% of their salary up to a maximum of £2500 per month. After that employers can choose to top up if they wish. If a football club didn't top up a player's wages without that player's agreement, they would be in breach of contract and the player would be free to seek a new club without compensation payable to their current club


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 16:08:18
That is exactly what the club put out - cut out the chaff. The vagueness surrounds their saying they will not carry on topping up over and above the government’s £2500.

I’ll dig it out.

‘The majority of Sunderland's staff, including their players, have been on furlough since April 7 but the club were topping up the wages to ensure staff were still receiving full pay during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, with the initial phase of furlough ending after today, all furloughed employers of the club received letters through the post from the club today extending their furlough until August 31. The one change is that the club will no longer top-up the salaries, and therefore they will just receive the Government's 80% contribution.

It is not yet known whether this extends to the playing staff, almost all of whom will earn more than the £2,500 Government cap.’


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 17:52:06
That is exactly what the club put out - cut out the chaff. The vagueness surrounds their saying they will not carry on topping up over and above the government’s £2500.
It's not, what you've quoted is a report from the local paper, and the story seems to be based on staff having received letters not a statement from the club per se. The vagueness is then because the paper aren't sure if it's just non-playing staff this will affect. I'd be astonished if they're not topping up playing staff with time left on their contracts that they think might have value or else those players can just walk without any compensation to the club for the residual value of their contracts. Equally they may have a few high earners on their wage bill that they'd be happy to see off the payroll if they don't think they're going to be able to sell them anyway


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 19:24:46
BBC Look North "understands" (must be a BBC thing) several Wendies players not paid in full this month:

https://twitter.com/robstaton/status/1278017574870102017


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 09:06:17
I didn't realise that Bolton only have 11 contracted senior players and are under embargo until May 2021 in terms of not being able to pay a fee for a player.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 09:21:50
I didn't realise that Bolton only have 11 contracted senior players and are under embargo until May 2021 in terms of not being able to pay a fee for a player.
I mentioned a few times about their transfer embargo and how difficult it will be for the new manager.

Only 6 currently contracted apparently with 5 having been offered new deals and expected to accept.

Kieth Hill
Quote
“The embargo is a bigger challenge than I ever expected,” he told The Bolton News. “I didn’t realise the ramifications of how it could hinder us.

They can now sign any free agent players rather than just U23 but have a salary cap per player imposed on the by the EFL still in place until the end of this coming season.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 09:57:05
I mentioned a few times about their transfer embargo and how difficult it will be for the new manager.

Only 6 currently contracted apparently with 5 having been offered new deals and expected to accept.

Kieth Hill
They can now sign any free agent players rather than just U23 but have a salary cap per player imposed on the by the EFL still in place until the end of this coming season.

Missed that, its being reported with much glee up here 'cos it means Evatt cannot take any players with him!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 11:17:20
Wigan into admin.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 11:18:41
Wigan into admin.
First of many this summer, no doubt. I guess they're getting in early to beat the rush, no-one wants to be left with the bargain basement insolvency practitioners no-one else would touch. I'm looking at you, Mr Andronikou


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 11:22:34
Wigan into admin.
Not surprised that a club goes into admin but slightly surprised that its on still currently playing fixtures in the Championship rather than a L1 or L2 club with no fixtures or income at all.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 11:27:07
Not surprised that a club goes into admin but slightly surprised that its on still currently playing fixtures in the Championship rather than a L1 or L2 club with no fixtures or income at all.
A lot of staff would have come out of furlough as back playing so with no real income they’ll have become pretty much insolvent.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 11:28:53
Not surprised that a club goes into admin but slightly surprised that its on still currently playing fixtures in the Championship rather than a L1 or L2 club with no fixtures or income at all.
Less surprising when you consider that L1 and L2 currently have most of their staff furloughed whereas Championship clubs have had to bring all (or at least most of) their staff back out of furlough and resume paying them. So it's worse for them as they also have very little income (iFollow won't generate as much as normal matchday revenue) but considerably larger outgoings

EDIT: I seem to be theakston's echo today :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 11:32:52
They were only taken over last month

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/52920816


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 11:32:53
Less surprising when you consider that L1 and L2 currently have most of their staff furloughed whereas Championship clubs have had to bring all (or at least most of) their staff back out of furlough and resume paying them. So it's worse for them as they also have very little income (iFollow won't generate as much as normal matchday revenue) but considerably larger outgoings

EDIT: I seem to be theakston's echo today :)
True.

Not great that a club in the Premier league and FA cup winners only 7 years ago could go bust, doesn't bode well for any club TBH.

I looked on the Bolton forum and OMG they are a bunch of cunts about this. More jibes and laughter than I would even expect Oxford to have if similar happened to us.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 11:35:45
Also if a points deduction of 12 points is given to them for THIS season then they will automatically go straight to the bottom of the table from their safe mid table position.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 11:55:47
Also if a points deduction of 12 points is given to them for THIS season then they will automatically go straight to the bottom of the table from their safe mid table position.

It remains to be seen if the FA deem Covid related admin to be a special case and will suspend the points deduction, although you would question as they was only taken over a while ago surely new owners would have been aware of perilous finances and sailing close to the wind.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 12:00:10
It remains to be seen if the FA deem Covid related admin to be a special case and will suspend the points deduction, although you would question as they was only taken over a while ago surely new owners would have been aware of perilous finances and sailing close to the wind.
Yeah there is a fine line between leniency due to Covid and following the EFL rules.

This could be groundbreaking as I am 100% certain they will not be the last to have this happen.

If the EFL are lenient with smaller or zero point penalty then more clubs could be convinced that now is the time to go into Admin with a clean slate.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 12:21:19
EFL have released a statement saying 12 point penalty will be applied at the wnd of season.

If out of relegation zone at the end will be applied then, if in the relegation zone at the end it will be applied next season


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 12:29:55
EFL have released a statement saying 12 point penalty will be applied at the wnd of season.

If out of relegation zone at the end will be applied then, if in the relegation zone at the end it will be applied next season
Effectively 4 points adrift currently then.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 12:32:58
EFL have released a statement saying 12 point penalty will be applied at the wnd of season.

If out of relegation zone at the end will be applied then, if in the relegation zone at the end it will be applied next season

So basically they are down, I suppose it means a further NW game for us next season, which is nice, if fans are allowed in.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 12:39:48
So basically they are down, I suppose it means a further NW game for us next season, which is nice, if fans are allowed in.
Unbeaten in the last 10 games with just 1 defeat in the last 12 games, they have won 3 on the trot and won 6 of their last 8 games.

Can't write them off just yet, they would only be 6 points off survival with 6 games left, still possible.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 12:43:54
Unbeaten in the last 10 games with just 1 defeat in the last 12 games, they have won 3 on the trot and won 6 of their last 8 games.

Can't write them off just yet, they would only be 6 points off survival with 6 games left, still possible.

A lots going to depend on how they respond to this, they basically need to be 14 points above 22nd at season end, presently 8.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 12:49:36
A lots going to depend on how they respond to this, they basically need to be 14 points above 22nd at season end, presently 8.
If the players respond by giving it their best as they have for the last 12 games or so then they could feasibly stay up having taken 20 point from the previous 8 games.

If they knuckle down and play for the club despite wage problems then I do think they can do it, some players may not respond as well though, naturally.

But they will all be in the shop window until the end of the season.

On the Slavetrades forum they are touting Paul Cook the current Wigan manager to replace Lee Johnson as he would be a steal and would cost no compensation fee, not sure in actuallity it works like that as the Administrators will have an idea of the players/managers value and will not be undersold.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 13:07:23
Wigan??...im a bit shocked!!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 13:58:19
From reporter on local rag....

Just had 20 minutes with the administrator at the DW Stadium. Transcribing now, and video interview soon.
Some key points:
- Intention is to finish season
- Confident of finding a buyer
- Club 'well run day to day'... money just hasn't arrived from owner
- Plan is to find a buyer, rather than break up and sell-off training ground, players etc
- Spoken to manager, who was shocked.. but positive attitude. He'll be informing players
- Won't impact on Warriors' use of DW.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 14:28:05
They were only taken over last month

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/52920816
The footballing authorities have to take a hard look at themselves over their supposed ‘fit and proper’ test. It’s putting clubs in peril. Got to be a time where a certain amount of money has to be lodged independently before any club purchase goes ahead.

In these Covid times they’ll be plenty of asset stripping sharks just waiting for carcasses.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 14:49:40
The talk of Barrow's search for a manager in the other thread got me thinking about their ownership, seems to be a model we dream of.

https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/17236095.barrow-afc-confirm-new-ownership-structure-at-the-club/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 15:57:50
They were only taken over last month

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/52920816
Hmm, they weren't really. I was reminded by a Wigan fan on twitter that actually the "takeover" last month was more a case of shuffling the club between companies in the main shareholder's portfolio. i.e. Johny Mainbloke* is one of the main shareholders in IEC who sold Wigan to NewCo who's primary shareholder is Johny Mainbloke. Because? Well, said Wigan fan speculates that the intention was always to put the club into admin, but ensure it was off the books of IEC as they listed on the HK stock exchange. An insolvency event in a company owned by IEC would be notifiable to the Stock Exchange and may have had an impact on IEC's share price. So effectively he's quarantined Wigan from affecting his main portfolio but still managed to shave off some of the debt.


* It's possible I may have forgotten the guy's name and he is not, in fact, called Johny Mainbloke. But it will do for now


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 18:46:09
Not massively shocked at this for Wigan in the recent years. They have always been punching above for what is very much a Rugby League town. A lot of work was put in by Dave Whelan to change that and to some desire, did do so. I'm sure he was pretty pissed that his grandson sold WAFC to IEC.

Another one bites the dust and likely a reprieve for Hull or Boro. Have no idea why Bolton fans are so cunty about it; only thanks to an EFL Barrister fucking up would be their saving grace - this time. They'll be gone under soon.

On the Bolton decision ~ 'The IDC decided that Bolton's penalty should be suspended because it would have relegated them if it had meant points docked this season.'

I know Bolton are relegated but why then is this different to Wigan? They will be pretty much relegated* via points deduction, even if they don't relegate themselves.




*I know they can technically stay up but 12 off 18 available means they really need to win at least four of their games to stay up or three wins and a draw min. Tough ask


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, July 2, 2020, 09:50:48
Further info/write-up on the Wigan situation from the excellent 200%

https://twohundredpercent.net/wigan-athletic-well-that-escalated-quickly/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, July 2, 2020, 12:16:26
Seems to be a fair bit of interest in Wigan.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53262876


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, July 2, 2020, 20:55:32
Latest rumour, via Rick Parry no less, is that there was a multi million pound bet in the Phillipines that Wigan would get relegated. 12 point deduction will sort that OK

Makes our £10 to lose at Newcastle into perspective


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, July 2, 2020, 20:57:04
Tranmere release a statement about an instagram post

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/club-statement/#.Xv4eH5CP39Q.twitter


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, July 3, 2020, 06:20:56
Loose lips, sink ships

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8485007/EFL-chief-Rick-Parry-secretly-filmed-discussing-Wigan-Athletics-stricken-former-owner.html


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Friday, July 3, 2020, 07:42:37
Tranmere release a statement about an instagram post

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/club-statement/#.Xv4eH5CP39Q.twitter

They're tragic at the moment.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, July 3, 2020, 09:15:17
Tranmere release a statement about an instagram post

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/club-statement/#.Xv4eH5CP39Q.twitter
They're taking the relegation well aren't they?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, July 3, 2020, 09:20:57
They're taking the relegation well aren't they?

(https://media1.giphy.com/media/mmYy42RNrgA0w/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47640aed291cd14eccbeac34264814c1e54c7b52ad&rid=giphy.gif)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, July 3, 2020, 14:44:36
EFL appealing the independent disciplinary commision sanctions regarding Macclesfield


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, July 3, 2020, 15:48:00
EFL appealing the independent disciplinary commision sanctions regarding Macclesfield
Good. They have to get something right occasionally


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Friday, July 3, 2020, 17:10:35
have to say I've taken my eye off the ball regarding Macclesfield.

why is the independent ruling too lenient?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Friday, July 3, 2020, 17:16:46
Tranmere release a statement about an instagram post

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/club-statement/#.Xv4eH5CP39Q.twitter

That and the fucking floodlights, the league is against them


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Friday, July 3, 2020, 19:29:30
Talk of a huge bet on Wigan going down is interesting.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Saxondale on Friday, July 3, 2020, 21:35:20
That whole thing stinks.  Ive no idea the truth behind it and whothis guy who seems to thunk its dodgy is but its an interesting thread.

https://twitter.com/marksparko/status/1279000646335836163


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Monday, July 6, 2020, 13:15:46
The club we signed Jimmy Quinns from Oswestry Town have gone bust.

https://fanbanter.co.uk/fans-left-gutted-as-non-league-club-announce-they-will-fold/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Monday, July 6, 2020, 14:15:17
Quote from: Saxondale
That whole thing stinks.  Ive no idea the truth behind it and whothis guy who seems to thunk its dodgy is but its an interesting thread.

https://twitter.com/marksparko/status/1279000646335836163 (https://twitter.com/marksparko/status/1279000646335836163)

interesting read, but surely nobody is dumb enough to be that close to a massive bet...

that aside, it's all a bit odd


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, July 6, 2020, 14:19:32
interesting read, but surely nobody is dumb enough to be that close to a massive bet...

that aside, it's all a bit odd

Its been heavily reported over the weekend up here, not sure of the truth in it all, but it all folds together well.

https://bylinetimes.com/2020/07/06/a-major-global-scandal-the-collapse-of-wigan-athletic/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 10:01:34
Wigan lay 75 support staff off


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 10:12:26
Wigan lay 75 support staff off

Including the groundsman after 20+ years service.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 10:23:08
75? What do they do, ffs?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 10:24:43
Wigan Warriors announce they have made a bid to buy the club


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 10:25:16
They’ll have a few sent off next season


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: THE FLASH on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 11:21:44
They’ll have a few sent off next season

Ha ha ha...you beat me to it!



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 11:28:34
75? What do they do, ffs?

At a guess, it's £12m a year business. It's understandable, therefore, to have a workforce of 75-100, including casuals on the hospitality side of the business.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 11:39:08
Quote from: tans
Wigan Warriors announce they have made a bid to buy the club

cheap way to own/secure use of the ground (85% of it) and reduce overheads long term?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 11:47:09
cheap way to own/secure use of the ground (85% of it) and reduce overheads long term?
Didn’t their owner own Oxford a few years ago?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 11:47:34
Well this could open the floodgates https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53318930


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 11:49:57
Didn’t their owner own Oxford a few years ago?

Yes, Ian Lenaghan and Darryl Eales both did


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 11:53:32
Didn’t their owner own Oxford a few years ago?

Yep, also used to be chair of the football league.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 06:08:32
Here’s why so many dodgy owners pass the EFL fit and proper test.

They don’t actually carry out any investigation at all - it’s a self certification process.

What a shambles.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 21:16:20
Compulsory redundancies "across all departments" at Donny:

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers-staff-face-compulsory-redundancy-programme-2906968

and "organisational restructure" (likely to involved redundancies) at Plymouth

https://www.pafc.co.uk/news/2020/july/club-statement/

There will be many more in the weeks and months to come I'm sure. Let's hope we're not one of them



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, July 9, 2020, 07:54:44
I've never know restructuring to mean anything other than layoffs


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 14:09:43
Things looking up for Wigan, and as importantly their unsecured creditors...

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2063660-preferred-bidder-selected-to-rescue-wigan-athletic


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 22:25:01
Things looking up for Wigan, and as importantly their unsecured creditors...

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2063660-preferred-bidder-selected-to-rescue-wigan-athletic

I take from that, they look likely to avoid next seasons 15pt deduction but it seems like the  12pt deduction for this season will still be applied. Can't see how they can avoid that element without it causing huge implications for the sport.

If they did avoid it, pretty certain Barnsley will be lodging a huge appeal themselves. They've stayed up on merit. If Wigan win their appeal it almost certainly opens the door for any club owners to put a club in administration and then get away with any punishment for doing so. Would not be the finest hour for football if so but then...this is the EFL so...  :hmmm:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, July 23, 2020, 04:40:26
It’s by no means certain that Wigan will appeal their 12 point deduction. Their proposed new owners would prefer funding a L1 club than a Championship one.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, July 23, 2020, 08:00:44
It’s by no means certain that Wigan will appeal their 12 point deduction. Their proposed new owners would prefer funding a L1 club than a Championship one.

Have they, they haven't even named who the preferred bidder is up here?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, July 23, 2020, 16:54:14
1/3 of staff under threat of redundancy from Ashton Gate stadium.

I guess they aren't exactly employed by Bristol City, but ....

going to get worse isn't it


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, July 23, 2020, 16:57:18
Furloughing is coming to an end - people will be let go or put in limbo.

I’d imagine a lot of clubs will be doing similar.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, July 23, 2020, 17:12:02
You'd think there's a good chance we'll be one of them.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, July 23, 2020, 17:14:03
You'd think there's a good chance we'll be one of them.
You recon? :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, July 23, 2020, 17:16:37
You recon? :)

You can call it a hunch ;)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, July 23, 2020, 21:07:40
Furloughing is coming to an end - people will be let go or put in limbo.

I’d imagine a lot of clubs will be doing similar.
Wonder as well how many go into administration before the start of the new season or very soon after. Could easily be a couple of dozen or more across the 3 divisions, which would make the 12 point penalty nigh on impossible to apply or risk the season being a farce before it barely gets started.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, July 24, 2020, 08:14:01
Wonder as well how many go into administration before the start of the new season or very soon after. Could easily be a couple of dozen or more across the 3 divisions, which would make the 12 point penalty nigh on impossible to apply or risk the season being a farce before it barely gets started.
Absolutely, if we can scrape through this without going into admin then there could feasibly be 5 or 6 clubs in L1 starting of on or being deducted 12 points giving us a head start on the relegation scrap that many seem to be predicting.

I personally think that 3 attacking signings and a couple of keepers and we are at least as good as any club that were in the L1 play offs this month.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, July 24, 2020, 09:16:05
Absolutely, if we can scrape through this without going into admin then there could feasibly be 5 or 6 clubs in L1 starting of on or being deducted 12 points giving us a head start on the relegation scrap that many seem to be predicting.
Actually I was more wondering whether if we get to the stage where the League are faced with (possibly) over half of Leagues 1 and 2 going into administration, they may suspend the automatic 12-point penalty until the situation stabilises a little as it would render the season a bit of a farce.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, July 24, 2020, 09:22:04
Actually I was more wondering whether if we get to the stage where the League are faced with (possibly) over half of Leagues 1 and 2 going into administration, they may suspend the automatic 12-point penalty until the situation stabilises a little as it would render the season a bit of a farce.
Oh yes definately, the longer things carry on the more chance there will be more casualties, its innevitable. starting a season with 6 or 7 clubs on -12 would  be an absolute farce thats for sure, I thenk the FA/EFL are probably and quite rightly shitting themselves at the possibility.

Can of worms doesnt cover the extent of the problems laying just under the surface, its scarey stuff for a whole host of clubs on the edge of the breadline.

Its going to be a difficult call.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, July 24, 2020, 09:27:37
But why should a number of clubs benefit from a penalty free administration? It’ll only encourage owners to do just that and gain an advantage.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, July 24, 2020, 09:30:40
But why should a number of clubs benefit from a penalty free administration? It’ll only encourage owners to do just that and gain an advantage.
Definately.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, July 24, 2020, 09:34:58
Oh yes definately, the longer things carry on the more chance there will be more casualties, its innevitable. starting a season with 6 or 7 clubs on -12 would  be an absolute farce thats for sure, I thenk the FA/EFL are probably and quite rightly shitting themselves at the possibility.

Can of worms doesnt cover the extent of the problems laying just under the surface, its scarey stuff for a whole host of clubs on the edge of the breadline.

Its going to be a difficult call.

I think there has to be a point of no return kicking about somewhere probably around around October, whereby unless we see some fans back into grounds, then lower league football, as we know it, just won't be economically viable.   There are some tentative signs that it could be doable, but is very much dependent on avoiding that second spike, I think such an occurence would finish lower league pro football.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, July 24, 2020, 09:46:45
But why should a number of clubs benefit from a penalty free administration? It’ll only encourage owners to do just that and gain an advantage.
Might be a case of the lesser of two evils Audrey. As Reg says, there could well come a point where the existence of Leagues 1 and 2 in their current form is under threat. At that point, promotion/relegation etc wouldn't matter so much as just survival. Not sure I'd go as far as saying it could be the end for lower league pro football all together, but it's not beyond the realms of imagination to see how we could end up in that kind of territory. Certainly, if things do head in that direction, then it's difficult to see how the clubs could drag themselves out of it by their own efforts alone without a serious cash injection (not a loan, advance or whatever but actual injection of funds) from the Premier League.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, July 24, 2020, 09:53:53
Actually I was more wondering whether if we get to the stage where the League are faced with (possibly) over half of Leagues 1 and 2 going into administration, they may suspend the automatic 12-point penalty until the situation stabilises a little as it would render the season a bit of a farce.

Virtually guarantee that if the penalty was removed probably about 95% of the clubs would go into admin to clear their debts (I suspect many that don't actually have to), which is going to lead to a lot of local small businesses getting royally screwed over.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, July 24, 2020, 13:58:28
Wigan's preferred bidder pulls out, onto option 2.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, July 24, 2020, 20:36:39
Wigan's preferred bidder pulls out, onto option 2.

I gather the "preferred bidder" was the one that was supposedly offering up around £6m? According to the administrators.

They seemed incredibly hopeful in the article (you posted it I think). The question is, if the preferred bidder has ceased hat throwing, who is next in line and are they likely to have even less fundage?

Looks like Wigan could be heading for the 15pts deduction as well as the 12pts (pending any appeal to remove). Another question would be, to any fan. Would you rather still have a club and accept the double punishment of relegation AND starting on -15pts; or be "saved" by someone like Jed McCroary?  :hmmm:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 09:24:45
After the news that Dover have put their whole team up for transfer and are likely to fold, Droylsden have resigned from the Northern Premier. Looks like they're hoping to sit next season out in mothballs and then rise again once COVID is done, but got to be decent money on this being the end for them

https://nonleaguedaily.com/droylsden-resign-from-northern-premier-league/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: stfcjack on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 11:04:02
This was our starting line up 3 years ago yesterday....



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 11:18:20
...at least we won.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Old_Town_Red on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 11:24:48
This was our starting line up 3 years ago yesterday....



they weren’t starting together but Lancashire and Robertson were, for me, the worst CBs (individually and together) I’ve ever seen watching town in the 22 years I’ve been going. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: stfcjack on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 12:04:08
they weren’t starting together but Lancashire and Robertson were, for me, the worst CBs (individually and together) I’ve ever seen watching town in the 22 years I’ve been going. 

Yeah would have to agree mate, was bad times at the club. We've remarkably improved in all areas over the last year and a bit. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 14:58:20
...at least we won.

I recall feeling quite upbeat about a winning start at Brunton Park, with what seemed to be a battling victory after the dross we'd witnessed under Luke and Embers.... still some people are never pleased, preferring a bit of Kingy "flick fanny" stuff, with some kids on loan from Chelsea over at least being competitve with some gnarled Div 4 type journeymen..


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 14:59:32
Didn’t Doris do his shoulder in that one?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: stfcjack on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 15:09:32
I recall feeling quite upbeat about a winning start at Brunton Park, with what seemed to be a battling victory after the dross we'd witnessed under Luke and Embers.... still some people are never pleased, preferring a bit of Kingy "flick fanny" stuff, with some kids on loan from Chelsea over at least being competitve with some gnarled Div 4 type journeymen..

I get what your saying, I found it refreshing at the start to see a team that would get stuck in a bit and wouldn’t just pass for passings sake! But that team would never have gotten out of that league.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Dr Pierre Chang on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 15:27:41
I get what your saying, I found it refreshing at the start to see a team that would get stuck in a bit and wouldn’t just pass for passings sake! But that team would never have gotten out of that league.
In fairness to Reg’s old mate Flitters, I’m pretty sure he left us in the play off places so it wouldn’t have been the biggest shock ever if we somehow made it up.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 15:34:08
I get what your saying, I found it refreshing at the start to see a team that would get stuck in a bit and wouldn’t just pass for passings sake! But that team would never have gotten out of that league.
We were naive to Flitcroft at that point. We thought his buzzword interviews talking about ‘synergy’ and all that bollocks meant he was modern intelligent manager. How wrong we were, his lottery football (especially at home) with no really tactic other than lumping it long and feeding on scraps soon became apparent against Crawley and Barnet and ...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 16:04:01
We were naive to Flitcroft at that point. We thought his buzzword interviews talking about ‘synergy’ and all that bollocks meant he was modern intelligent manager...

...and 'microwaves'   :doh:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 16:19:51
We were naive to Flitcroft at that point. We thought his buzzword interviews talking about ‘synergy’ and all that bollocks meant he was modern intelligent manager. How wrong we were, his lottery football (especially at home) with no really tactic other than lumping it long and feeding on scraps soon became apparent against Crawley and Barnet and ...

Personally I always thought he was a jobbing Div 4 gaffer who'd got Bury up, therefore the sort of thing required.  Of course it's quite possible that some thought he was a sort of Div 4 Guardiola.  We do see some strange stuff on here at times.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 16:53:03
He should have done better with his budget, his team were dire but he had a very specific way of playing that didn't need good footballers, it was fucking awful to watch, I'm glad he's gone.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RedRag on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 17:36:32
A jobbing Lg 2 manager a la Flitcroft was not the answer.  He was the anti-football and had cast a shroud of gloom over the CG, lightened only by a puncher's chance at a PO shot.  Sneering at Luke or Guardiola does not change that and neither does sneering at League 2 rivals, where I have certainly witnessed some quality amidst the limitations in recent seasons.  And indeed also in Lou's inspired, no-nonsense team before.  

Sturrock aside, STFC has by and large enjoyed most of its promotions with essentially unproven managers who had something about them.

I suppose we do need to consider the possibility of losing Richie.  Getting back to the thread subject, there is no doubt for me that Power deserves credit for having found RW.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 18:08:23
I get what your saying, I found it refreshing at the start to see a team that would get stuck in a bit and wouldn’t just pass for passings sake! But that team would never have gotten out of that league.

As Chang said we could have made it up.... we'll never know but Cobblers did usung the traditional Div 4 template of being fairly direct.

For me at the time (of Flitcroft's appointment) we were looking in free fall.... and we've seen instances with the likes of Chesterfield, Notts and Yeovil recently how easy it is to sllde from Div 3 into non league.  Our first priority, which tbf I think Power could see was to get back to being at least competitive, we quickly saw under Brown how easy it is to drop off of that with some poor decisioins and a bit of bad luck.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 18:13:58
He should have done better with his budget, his team were dire but he had a very specific way of playing that didn't need good footballers, it was fucking awful to watch, I'm glad he's gone.

At the time it was reckoned our budget ws about 7th.... we were 7th when Flitcroft bailed so i reality about par.... remember Chesterfield were 6th, according to David Conn of The Graun and he's well respected.... they went down.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 18:33:34
The problem with playing the way he had us playing is that you have to be winning to make it remotely watchable.  Any hint of a wobble and the fans will turn, as many did.  I seem to remember suggesting we'd be in the play off early in the season, which is where he had us.  I have no doubt there was a risk of us really shafting ourselves if we had continued down the path of the prior season, so I can see why we brought him in.  Wellens has since shown that the budget was good enough to get a team together for promotion though, and in a style much more entertaining to watch.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, August 6, 2020, 18:47:31
The problem with playing the way he had us playing is that you have to be winning to make it remotely watchable.  Any hint of a wobble and the fans will turn, as many did.  I seem to remember suggesting we'd be in the play off early in the season, which is where he had us.  I have no doubt there was a risk of us really shafting ourselves if we had continued down the path of the prior season, so I can see why we brought him in.  Wellens has since shown that the budget was good enough to get a team together for promotion though, and in a style much more entertaining to watch.

I think most fans want to see a win over "style", great if you can get both.   It's all about context.... clearly last year's side was better than Flitcroft's outfit, but the context there was coming in late and needing a rapid rebuild.... not easy. When Wellens came in he couldn't lift us up too many slots by the season's end, but could use the time to identify those worth keeping those needing replacing etc.

Wellens has a whole new ball game ahead, be interesting to see how he goes.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Friday, August 7, 2020, 08:19:45
Didn’t Doris do his shoulder in that one?
Yes, in the process of scoring the opener IIRC. It wasn't pretty football that day but it was a hard fought win in front of a decent away crowd.

Reg is exactly right, Flitcroft felt like what was needed at the time. It didn't matter how, we just wanted somebody who would get us out of L2. Obviously it didn't work out as we'd hoped.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: jayohaitchenn on Friday, August 7, 2020, 08:22:50
Flitcroft was a real life case of "be careful what you wish for."



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, August 7, 2020, 08:34:47
Flitcroft.

Eugh!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 09:24:08
Flitcroft although he won his games in charge he was probably THE most boring manager we have ever had, who made us play some of  THE most boring brand of football in my 45 years of following Swindon, the only one who cam close was Beamish in the bad old days.

I don't mind us grinding out results occassionally in games, digging in and getting the win but to do that week in week out, even if it meant us winning then I would stop watching us. Having to watch a team like Lincoln (under the Cowleys), Newport, Wycombe or Northampton week in week out would make me lose my love of football.

I am probably in the minority as Reg and previously DV stated most fans would love that, not sure I agree that "most would want it" though, shit football, winning games by bullying hoofball tactics, relying on set peices and corners and.

I am obviously probably the only one who would rather we were less successful but played better football to watch, as has been the Swindon style throughout history. If you ask fans of other clubs (rivals excluded) they all say that Swindon play good football often at the expense of results, a bit like West Ham.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 09:28:12
I am probably in the minority as Reg and previously DV stated most fans would love that, not sure I agree that "most would want it" though, shit football, winning games by bullying hoofball tactics, relying on set peices and corners and.

I am obviously probably the only one who would rather we were less successful but played better football to watch, as has been the Swindon style throughout history. If you ask fans of other clubs (rivals excluded) they all say that Swindon play good football often at the expense of results, a bit like West Ham.
I don't think you are necessarily in the minority I just think the question has been put wrong as two extremes: most people aren't "results above everything" or "style above everything", they'd like to watch entertaining football with some successes every now and then. Nowt wrong with that.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, August 7, 2020, 09:30:31
I was willing to sacrifice style for getting out of L2. What we got was... eugh! Watching it felt like a chore. Even long ball managers tend to have some sort of style or plan in place. Not Flitcroft. Get it to the fullback and HOOF!

I could not watch that week in week out. I'd given up after 15-20 games or so. I'd take Wellensball in L1 over Flitcroft's abomination in the PL without hesitation.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 09:41:38
I don't think you are necessarily in the minority I just think the question has been put wrong as two extremes: most people aren't "results above everything" or "style above everything", they'd like to watch entertaining football with some successes every now and then. Nowt wrong with that.
Absolutely.
I was willing to sacrifice style for getting out of L2. What we got was... eugh! Watching it felt like a chore. Even long ball managers tend to have some sort of style or plan in place. Not Flitcroft. Get it to the fullback and HOOF!

I could not watch that week in week out. I'd given up after 15-20 games or so. I'd take Wellensball in L1 over Flitcroft's abomination in the PL without hesitation.
100% this.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: leftside on Friday, August 7, 2020, 09:45:44
Thoughts of the style of football never entered my head at the final whistle on the first day of the season at Carlisle (yes Audrey, Doris did his shoulder when he scored).

I can’t vouch for every game but as far as I can remember it wasn’t all hoof all, the win at Mansfield included some great football and left me feeling Town had a chance of competing for promotion.

As far as I’m concerned, my criticism of Flitcroft is down to his out of the blue comment about negativity coming from the Town fans, which then seemed to be him preparing the ground for his exit.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, August 7, 2020, 09:51:06
Flitcroft although he won his games in charge he was probably THE most boring manager we have ever had, who made us play some of  THE most boring brand of football in my 45 years of following Swindon, the only one who cam close was Beamish in the bad old days.

I don't mind us grinding out results occassionally in games, digging in and getting the win but to do that week in week out, even if it meant us winning then I would stop watching us. Having to watch a team like Lincoln (under the Cowleys), Newport, Wycombe or Northampton week in week out would make me lose my love of football.

I am probably in the minority as Reg and previously DV stated most fans would love that, not sure I agree that "most would want it" though, shit football, winning games by bullying hoofball tactics, relying on set peices and corners and.

I am obviously probably the only one who would rather we were less successful but played better football to watch, as has been the Swindon style throughout history. If you ask fans of other clubs (rivals excluded) they all say that Swindon play good football often at the expense of results, a bit like West Ham.

It's all relative and about context.... for example you eulogised Brown's start to the season side, as playing sexy football, but for me even if we did have a good looking kid Alzate in midfield, 3 goals in something like 8 games proves it was ineffective. Unsurprisingly Brown was sacked.

The anti Flitcroft club probably forget that Teddy Sheringham was a live candidate for the job.... this, at a time where relationships between club and fans were strained, as the communication breakdown grew, and Power's stewards would remove anti regime banners in the TE.  Would TS have been any use  :hmmm: seemed a mate of TT.  Think hindsight would suggest we dodged a bullet... Flitcroft did settle things down a bit.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:00:00
I think the manner of Flitcroft’s departure meant a lot of fans automatically took to lambasting his style, or lack thereof.

For me, it was his haphazard team selections with players played out of position and his strange substitutions that he made, seemingly, to try and show what a brilliant tactician he was.

It was falling apart before he left anyway, but tbh if he had somehow succeeded in getting us promoted that season nobody would cared about the entertainment factor. In fact, I’d say Brown’s football was even worse.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:06:32
but tbh if he had somehow succeeded in getting us promoted that season nobody would cared about the entertainment factor.

I would have cared.

I already did care even before he left. I wanted him gone. I was thinking we should stick with him and maybe get promoted, and then just get fucking rid.

He made me start hating watching my team. No other manager has done that to me. Not even the likes of Williams or Malpas.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:09:15
Flitcroft for me is right up there with McMahon and Hart as one of my most disliked Town managers. An absolute imposter of a manager.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:09:21
I think the manner of Flitcroft’s departure meant a lot of fans automatically took to lambasting his style, or lack thereof.

For me, it was his haphazard team selections with players played out of position and his strange substitutions that he made, seemingly, to try and show what a brilliant tactician he was.

It was falling apart before he left anyway, but tbh if he had somehow succeeded in getting us promoted that season nobody would cared about the entertainment factor. In fact, I’d say Brown’s football was even worse.

Certainly I'm not saying Flitcroft was a great gaffer, he clearly was somewhat limited, but this is in could be worse thread, and in the circumstances he came into he did an OK job of stabilising us. That was needed.

Brown showed how quickly things can slide. Don't forget there many on here who thought we had the players, who would blossom as soon as they were given a bit of freedom, feeling Flitcroft was holding them back.  We won something like 2 in 11, after he went, having won 5 straight home games before.   It was that ho,me form which needed sorting as te away form was as good as at any time in our history.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:09:26
I didn’t like the fucker, but watching Luke Williams’ side was more dispiriting. Game after game a couple of defensive howlers would do us every time, coupled with Nancy pass it for passing’s sake going nowhere shite.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:13:30
It was falling apart before he left anyway, but tbh if he had somehow succeeded in getting us promoted that season nobody would cared about the entertainment factor. In fact, I’d say Brown’s football was even worse.
Brown>Flitcroft for me. But looking back its like asking who's shit was the smelliest. When Brown came in he allowed the players to play football again but it quickly became apparent the players weren't up to the job as wasn't Brown.

Only Doughty, Conroy and Woolery (plus Twine and Iandolo) are left from the 27 players that Wellens inherited from Brown.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Saxondale on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:14:05
No pace to that Williams team.  Pass it round and round at the same tempo, 60% possession.  Its gotta go somewhere, the tempo has to change.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Abrahammer on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:18:02
Fully paid up member of the “Sport is about winning, style is nothing more than a bonus” brigade.

Winning is fun


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:20:54
I think the manner of Flitcroft’s departure meant a lot of fans automatically took to lambasting his style, or lack thereof.
Not my experience at all. There was profound relief at his departure among those who I sit with *because* we were so fed up of watching the terrible football his team played. For the first month or so, you could just about kid yourself that if that's what it took to get out of the division you could grit your teeth and put up with it. And if he had got us promoted, it would have been at least "effective". But it was still completely unenjoyable, we were dragging ourselves to games out of habit both under the final part of Williams' tenure and under Flitcroft.

Anyway fortunately those days are gone. Not sure why we keep having to drag this up every couple of months? It's like getting nostalgic over some especially messy root canal surgery


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: REDBUCK on Friday, August 7, 2020, 10:44:29
Because things are going along nicely, its the last bad period and it gives Reg chance to stir the pot.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BoA Vagabond on Friday, August 7, 2020, 11:14:03
Town win is my priority. Prefer it if we do it with swagger and style. If not possible then do it through blood and guts. A loss however we play, ruins my day/week so love expressive play but a 0-1 boring win at Barnsley on a Tuesday night is fine by me.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 11:19:54
Town win is my priority. Prefer it if we do it with swagger and style. If not possible then do it through blood and guts. A loss however we play, ruins my day/week so love expressive play but a 0-1 boring win at Barnsley on a Tuesday night is fine by me.
A boring 1-0 win away on a Tuesday at Barnsley yes that fully acceptable, but 5 boring 1-0 wins at home in a row and 4 boring 0-0s in a row? thats not so clear cut for me.

I know it would please probably 95% of our fans though so I fully accept I am unusual, but I have seen so much crap football played where we havent won that I would rather we went for it and lost.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: JBZ on Friday, August 7, 2020, 11:24:14
I am in the win rather than style camp. Given that we are talking about lower league football, I don't expect to be entertained.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Walthams on Friday, August 7, 2020, 11:25:05
A boring 1-0 win away on a Tuesday at Barnsley yes that fully acceptable, but 5 boring 1-0 wins at home in a row and 4 boring 0-0s in a row? thats not so clear cut for me.

I know it would please probably 95% of our fans though so I fully accept I am unusual, but I have seen so much crap football played where we havent won that I would rather we went for it and lost.


Like others I stopped attending when Flitcroft was manager, I travel a fair way and just got fed up with the style of football. Started to watch Maidenhead a bit, at least they tried to play the ball on the deck.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BoA Vagabond on Friday, August 7, 2020, 11:43:09
A boring 1-0 win away on a Tuesday at Barnsley yes that fully acceptable, but 5 boring 1-0 wins at home in a row and 4 boring 0-0s in a row? thats not so clear cut for me.

I know it would please probably 95% of our fans though so I fully accept I am unusual, but I have seen so much crap football played where we havent won that I would rather we went for it and lost.


A dull loss with crap football is the pits! The idealist I has every Town team playing with a combination of swagger and fire. 46 years of mostly the opposite, tells me that my ideal happens very rarely. I just hate hate hate them losing. I should probably get some help!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 11:46:25
A dull loss with crap football is the pits! The idealist I has every Town team playing with a combination of swagger and fire. 46 years of mostly the opposite, tells me that my ideal happens very rarely. I just hate hate hate them losing. I should probably get some help!
I agree, I went to my first Town game in 1974 so have seen so much shit over the years, I want entertainment now but not at the expense of results, we had that under Williams and his brand was supposedly entertaining but was actually sull as dishwater.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:07:52
A defeat (or even a win pretty much) these days doesn't really affect me as much as it used to. In fact by the time i'm back in London i've got over it (unless its a bigger game or a derby) pretty much so for me I'd rather see us play an entertaining expansive game than a turgid defensive display to try and nick a 1-0 win.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:08:10
I agree, I went to my first Town game in 1974 so have seen so much shit over the years, I want entertainment now but not at the expense of results, we had that under Williams and his brand was supposedly entertaining but was actually sull as dishwater.
Williams managed to achieve the worst of both worlds though, although he was trying the "style over results" extreme end of the spectrum, it managed to combine being dull to watch and ineffective. It doesn't have to be entertaining vs effective though. We've seen last season, and in many other previous seasons, you can have both, the polarisation is unncecessary


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:18:57
A defeat (or even a win pretty much) these days doesn't really affect me as much as it used to. In fact by the time i'm back in London i've got over it (unless its a bigger game or a derby) pretty much so for me I'd rather see us play an entertaining expansive game than a turgid defensive display to try and nick a 1-0 win.
Yep I agree.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:20:06
Salary caps voted in


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:24:15
Salary caps voted in
I see payments linked to progression in cup competitions and promotion are excluded, there's the loophole then that will be able to be exploited.

Still think proper FFP enforcement was the right option but hey ho.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:24:27
Salary caps voted in
Sounds like with immediate effect. Live scenee from Bolton:  :doh: :jawdrop: :furious:


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:26:10
Salary caps voted in
Not a massive surprise.

Although I personally feel that any cap needs to be brought in at all levels with varying amounts as the Championship and Premiership are where the biggest problem lies with massively inflated wages, although I doubt it would be voted in by the overspending teams.

Still think proper FFP enforcement was the right option but hey ho.
Very much this. Make it fit for purpose and policed.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: reeves4england on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:28:48

I see payments linked to progression in cup competitions and promotion are excluded, there's the loophole then that will be able to be exploited.

Still think proper FFP enforcement was the right option but hey ho.
The way I'm reading that is that you can pay bonuses to players for promotion or cup runs. Don't see a problem with that myself, and as a player you'd know there's no guarantee of that many materialising without some success on the pitch.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:29:49
Sounds like with immediate effect.
Well then any player waiting to sign a new contract such as Isgrove and Woolery will now possibly be offered less than they were originally offered. And no club in the same division can offer them more than the allowed salary cap, they could have shot themselves in the foot by waiting. (maybe).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:30:31
The way I'm reading that is that you can pay bonuses to players for promotion or cup runs. Don't see a problem with that myself, and as a player you'd know there's no guarantee of that many materialising without some success on the pitch.
Clubs with money will just load up on promotion and cup bonuses, a win in the EFL trophy will suddenly earn a sunderland player £100k or something stupid.

All its going to do is make the gulf between league 1 and the championship even bigger now and allow them to hoard more players and will be almost impossible to get championship players to drop down to league 1.

Wouldn't be surprised if the PFA start legal action or threaten a strike as it's a restriction on earnings effectively.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:32:51
I see payments linked to progression in cup competitions and promotion are excluded, there's the loophole then that will be able to be exploited.

Still think proper FFP enforcement was the right option but hey ho.
There's all kinds of loopholes that can be exploited. Without proper enforcement, it doesn't much matter whether you're doing FFP, a salary cap or anything else. If it's not monitored and enforced, it's window dressing at best, a cheats' charter at worst.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:34:28
Well then any player waiting to sign a new contract such as Isgrove and Woolery will now possibly be offered less than they were originally offered. And no club in the same division can offer them more than the allowed salary cap, they could have shot themselves in the foot by waiting. (maybe).
Not sure about that. From what Wellens has said previously, our budget would fit comfortably inside the £2.5m cap anyway and it's a cap on the whole squad, not an individual player. So any offers made to Woolery, Isgrove or anyone else will be inside our budget and so presumably also inside the cap.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:35:54
There's all kinds of loopholes that can be exploited. Without proper enforcement, it doesn't much matter whether you're doing FFP, a salary cap or anything else. If it's not monitored and enforced, it's window dressing at best, a cheats' charter at worst.
Ironically they've made a system even harder to enforce now though, clubs can seemingly hide what ever they want in cup/promotion bonus packages. Probably won't even need to win a game so will still be guaranteed earnings.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:38:29
Ironically they've made a system even harder to enforce now though, clubs can seemingly hide what ever they want in cup/promotion bonus packages. Probably won't even need to win a game so will still be guaranteed earnings.
I was listening to something the other day where they told the tale of how when Derby signed Tom Ince, they paid him £x salary to fit inside FFP but then took his Mum on as a scout at £x+y. For all I know, she may well be an excellent scout, but you know ... Plenty of examples all over the leagues of players being employed by one of the owner's other companies as a "side job".


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, August 7, 2020, 12:46:17
I was listening to something the other day where they told the tale of how when Derby signed Tom Ince, they paid him £x salary to fit inside FFP but then took his Mum on as a scout at £x+y. For all I know, she may well be an excellent scout, but you know ... Plenty of examples all over the leagues of players being employed by one of the owner's other companies as a "side job".
You'll probably be able to get away with putting in something like a bonus for getting to the 1st round of the FA cup despite it being a dead cert. Will just be a farce.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, August 7, 2020, 13:29:41
I was listening to something the other day where they told the tale of how when Derby signed Tom Ince, they paid him £x salary to fit inside FFP but then took his Mum on as a scout at £x+y. For all I know, she may well be an excellent scout, but you know ... Plenty of examples all over the leagues of players being employed by one of the owner's other companies as a "side job".

She cant be that good a scout surely, awful player he is


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 13:37:34
Not sure about that. From what Wellens has said previously, our budget would fit comfortably inside the £2.5m cap anyway and it's a cap on the whole squad, not an individual player. So any offers made to Woolery, Isgrove or anyone else will be inside our budget and so presumably also inside the cap.
I haven't been able to find the "small print" as it were, but previosuly the rumour was there would be an individual player wage cap of £1,300 pw.

I see there is also a maximum squad size of 22 players (over 21) for the coming season, that could affect a lot of teams, we had 27 over 21's players in the Flitcroft season, last season we had 25 over 21's during the season.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Hyabb17 on Friday, August 7, 2020, 13:44:09
I haven't been able to find the "small print" as it were, but previosuly the rumour was there would be an individual player wage cap of £1,300 pw.

I see there is also a maximum squad size of 22 players (over 21) for the coming season, that could affect a lot of teams, we had 27 over 21's players in the Flitcroft season, last season we had 25 over 21's during the season.

The £1300 per week ''cap'' is for a player signed/already on an existing contract prior too today's announcement, they're get classed as 'an average weekly wage'. Players signed after this actual weekly wage will count towards the cap. In theory it could take a number of years to actually take effect.

Here's some more detail.......https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/league-one-salary-cap-vote-result-1-6782584


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, August 7, 2020, 13:52:41
The more I read the more this seems a clusterfuck in the making, the PFA are already sounding a strike ballot and this sounds like something that's open to a legal challenge.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: JBZ on Friday, August 7, 2020, 14:06:41
Just a small point but why do we talk about player salaries by reference to a weekly wage?  In almost all other walks of life, we refer to an annual figure.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, August 7, 2020, 14:14:36
Clubs with money will just load up on promotion and cup bonuses, a win in the EFL trophy will suddenly earn a sunderland player £100k or something stupid.

All its going to do is make the gulf between league 1 and the championship even bigger now and allow them to hoard more players and will be almost impossible to get championship players to drop down to league 1.

Wouldn't be surprised if the PFA start legal action or threaten a strike as it's a restriction on earnings effectively.
The cap includes any bonuses, image rights, appearance money etc. So I presume, taking Doyle as an example last season, would have been on a basic wage, so much per goal scored, so much appearance money, so much win bonus etc.

This year every player signed from now can only get the maximum cap limit which will include any extras. So Doyle would now only get his agreed wage and no extras no matter how many goals he scored.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, August 7, 2020, 14:23:15
The more I read the more this seems a clusterfuck in the making, the PFA are already sounding a strike ballot and this sounds like something that's open to a legal challenge.

This cant be right, i mean, the PFA actually doing something?

One of the most spineless organisations out there unless you are a big player


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Friday, August 7, 2020, 14:24:15
1. Spend whatever you like
2. Get promoted
3. Hire Man City's lawyers

Simple.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, August 7, 2020, 14:25:50
You'd think the PFA would have consulted with the FA already?

Right?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:02:45
Williams managed to achieve the worst of both worlds though, although he was trying the "style over results" extreme end of the spectrum, it managed to combine being dull to watch and ineffective.

Yet relatively recently you were saying players like Keshi Anderson, as I pointed out signd by Flitcroft, did so because they liked sexy Lukeball....

Quote
as players they enjoy playing the style of football we played under Cooper, Williams and now Wellens.

which you now describe as ineffective...  :hmmm:



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:10:31
Yet relatively recently you were saying players like Keshi Anderson, as I pointed out signd by Flitcroft, did so because they liked sexy Lukeball....
Anderson said so himself. Listen to the pod (for the 3rd time of asking), you can hear Anderson himself say that was why he initially wanted to come to Swindon on loan

which you now describe as ineffective...  :hmmm:
Which it was.

There is of course a difference between what a player might like and what a fan might like to watch. It's not a wildly subtle difference but appears to be lost on you in your weird masochistic fetishisation of Flitcroft's anti-football.



Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:13:29
You'll probably be able to get away with putting in something like a bonus for getting to the 1st round of the FA cup

We could put clauses in our players contracts payable if they get beyond the 1st round of the FA cup,  would save us a fortune.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:14:17
We could put clauses in our players contracts payable if they get beyond the 1st round of the FA cup,  would save us a fortune.
There's a 2nd round of the FA Cup?


Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:17:02
The more I read the more this seems a clusterfuck in the making, the PFA are already sounding a strike ballot and this sounds like something that's open to a legal challenge.
Setting aside the rights and wrongs of the cap, its precisely what the PFA should be doing to protect their members interests if they have not been consulted/involved, its basically putting on arbitrary block on their members earning potential.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:19:11
Three current/prospective owners of Chalrton have failed the Owners and Directors Test

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/charlton-takeover-efl-owners-directors-test-latest-news-a9659696.html

According to the independent, it's not clear who the 3 are but would almost certainly include the current directors of East Street Investments who currently own the club. According to talksport, it also includes Paul Elliott who is claiming he is lining up a bid to buy out ESI and take over.

Charlton seem to have a matter of weeks to find new owners or face being the next Bury.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:19:54
Anderson said so himself. Listen to the pod (for the 3rd time of asking), you can hear Anderson himself say that was why he initially wanted to come to Swindon on loan
Which it was.

There is of course a difference between what a player might like and what a fan might like to watch. It's not a wildly subtle difference but appears to be lost on you in your weird masochistic fetishisation of Flitcroft's anti-football.

So although you consider Luike's stuff ineffective, you're still happy to say players plural, not just Keshi like to sign up to it.

 


Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:22:48
Three current/prospective owners of Chalrton have failed the Owners and Directors Test



Christ they failed it, are they war criminals or something?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:22:53
The cap includes any bonuses, image rights, appearance money etc. So I presume, taking Doyle as an example last season, would have been on a basic wage, so much per goal scored, so much appearance money, so much win bonus etc.

This year every player signed from now can only get the maximum cap limit which will include any extras. So Doyle would now only get his agreed wage and no extras no matter how many goals he scored.
No you just use one of the many loopholes there will be. Load finances into bonuses supposedly related to the cups or promotion and hide it, probably wouldn’t even need to actually win a cup game to achieve the bonus.  It specifically states that incentives related to cups and promotion are excluding, it’s basically telling clubs how to get around the rules if they choose.

Setting aside the rights and wrongs of the cap, its precisely what the PFA should be doing to protect their members interests if they have not been consulted/involved, its basically putting on arbitrary block on their members earning potential.
Yep they’ve just released a statement saying they weren’t even consulted, and the cap is illegal and unforceable,  standard clusterfuck from the EFL.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:23:29
So although you consider Luike's stuff ineffective, you're still happy to say players plural, not just Keshi like to sign up to it.

  
Jesus. Obsessed or what. Player. Players. Whatever. Flitcroft's gone Reg, it's over. I know you think his horrible ugly football and endless ongoing misery is all us lower league scum deserve and it's a mark of the genuine fan to be able to wallow in the misery. But it's gone. I'm sorry. Maybe Wellens will get poached and we'll get someone shit in to replace him, there's always that to look forward to.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:28:55
PFA already served notice of arbitration then, that’ll put the whole thing on hold indefinitely.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 15:37:18
Christ they failed it, are they war criminals or something?
It looks like the League are actually trying to enforce it, albeit belatedly after the Bury fiasco. Not a lot of use to Charlton fans though, as they let the takeover happen, then worried about the test 8 months later.

And speaking of Bury, looks like Steve Dale is still trying to wring the last few drops of blood from the zombie corpse of Bury FC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53696143


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, August 7, 2020, 16:15:01
Jesus. Obsessed or what. Player. Players. Whatever. Flitcroft's gone Reg, it's over. I know you think his horrible ugly football and endless ongoing misery is all us lower league scum deserve and it's a mark of the genuine fan to be able to wallow in the misery. But it's gone. I'm sorry. Maybe Wellens will get poached and we'll get someone shit in to replace him, there's always that to look forward to.

This is about Williams.  Still don't let that get in the way of the chance of some snidery... I'll leave it here before you resort to personal abuse mode.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, August 7, 2020, 16:40:39
This is about Williams.  Still don't let that get in the way of the chance of some snidery... I'll leave it here before you resort to personal abuse mode.
But not before engaging the "defining the terms of the debate to suit yourself" and "weary martyr" modes.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Friday, August 7, 2020, 17:01:58
Fuck sake people 🤣😖


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 20, 2020, 09:00:40
Possibly a glimmer of hope for Charlton? Danish bloke interested in buying them from (apparently) the two chancers who originally bought them from Duchatelet as East Street Investments. But the others two chancers who claim they bought ESI from the first two chancers but then got told to do one by the League are trying to block it. Of course, it may well be the Danish bloke is also a chancer but he talks a good game.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53837348


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 20, 2020, 09:07:46
Possibly a glimmer of hope for Charlton? Danish bloke interested in buying them from (apparently) the two chancers who originally bought them from Duchatelet as East Street Investments. But the others two chancers who claim they bought ESI from the first two chancers but then got told to do one by the League are trying to block it. Of course, it may well be the Danish bloke is also a chancer but he talks a good game.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53837348

Read about this last night as Paul Elliott (specifically the fans asking him to fuck off) was trending on Twatter.

I think the root of the problem is that Elliott's lot have basically been funding the club for a while whilst they complete the purchase that has been blocked by the FL after he failed the FPP test (quite some achievement), after the original purchasers fell out and flounced about a bit, the fact that no one seems able to talk or sort out a simple deal suggests there is more crap behind the scenes.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 20, 2020, 09:44:25
Read about this last night as Paul Elliott (specifically the fans asking him to fuck off) was trending on twitter.

I think the root of the problem is that Elliott's lot have basically been funding the club for a while whilst they complete the purchase that has been blocked by the FL after he failed the FPP test (quite some achievement), after the original purchasers fell out and flounced about a bit, the fact that no one seems able to talk or sort out a simple deal suggests there is more crap behind the scenes.
That and the fact that Duchatelet still owns the ground and training ground and ESI Mk 1 agreed a £50m option to buy them as part of their takeover. Which is apparently proving a significant deterrent to lots of potential suitors, most recently the Barclay/Varney consortium which was apparently popular with fans.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 20, 2020, 11:57:36
Good news for Wigan, although one has to wonder why they were prepared to wipe these debts?

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2065173-wigan-athletics-former-owner-waives-rights-to-outstanding-debts


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, August 20, 2020, 14:30:16
Good news for Wigan, although one has to wonder why they were prepared to wipe these debts?

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2065173-wigan-athletics-former-owner-waives-rights-to-outstanding-debts

If anything, that and the fact that the current owner apparently enquired about putting them into admin the day before he informed the League of his ownership of the club, makes the whole thing even more fishy. Plod should be looking at this


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 15:41:09
Quite literally, what the actual fuck....

https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/latest-statement-07-08-2020/august/club-update/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 16:09:59
Quite literally, what the actual fuck....

https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/latest-statement-07-08-2020/august/club-update/

Someone is having a tough time of letting things go, including the bottle it would seem.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Legends-Lounge on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 16:27:56
Someone is having a tough time of letting things go, including the bottle it would seem.

Maybe we could a whip-round/crowd funding thingy and get them on a cheap transfer to TEF. They’d fit in nicely.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Geoff the Ref on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 18:43:15
Quite literally, what the actual fuck....

https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/latest-statement-07-08-2020/august/club-update/

That is just so unprofessional.  
I understand of Course that events at Bury will have caused deep upset to many, many good people.  But it’s happened and moving forward hearts should only be worn on sleeves in private.  This statement shows that moving on isn’t really happening, whereas what is needed is a load of pulling together, rebuilding the club from the ashes of the past.  
It is worrying that someone thinks that this sort of amateurish outpouring will achieve anything, and having a pop at the football hierarchy is particularly likely to backfire.  And what on earth are they doing dragging in TV Licence and Prom Concert issues? I’m speechless.
I truly wish them well, but ......


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 18:50:24
Quite literally, what the actual fuck....

https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/latest-statement-07-08-2020/august/club-update/
That's a bit like reading one of Bamboo's rambling monologues. I stopped reading after two lines...must have attention deficit...something....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Miles Mayhem on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 19:07:58
Jesus I never realised it was all the BBCs fault


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 19:42:46
That's a bit like reading one of Bamboo's rambling monologues. I stopped reading after two lines...must have attention deficit...something....

I have to confess to hacking another media teams press office, again.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Abrahammer on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 19:51:15
This statement shows that moving on isn’t really happening, whereas what is needed is a load of pulling together, rebuilding the club from the ashes of the past.  

This is happening, the new club had their first match the other night and are entered in some lower tier of the non league pyramid.

I assume a sizeable proportion of the fanbase have migrated to this new version


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 21:00:10
I'm sure that will give confidence to all the Bury fans who can now see that their club is in safe hands.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, August 27, 2020, 22:09:35
the Bury fans have moved to the phoenix afc club haven't they?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, September 3, 2020, 11:37:34
Not sure why the old club has not been wound up, surely it still have unpaid debts


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, September 3, 2020, 11:38:28
Not sure why the old club has not been wound up, surely it still have unpaid debts

I believe its the BBC's fault or something to do with giant lizards?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, September 4, 2020, 15:39:26
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EhE-C3tXsAI_83L?format=jpg&name=large)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, September 4, 2020, 15:57:13
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EhE-C3tXsAI_83L?format=jpg&name=large)

Maybe they have made an further agreement with KCOM. Hull isn't unknown for going independent. KCOM run the telephone and broadband, hence cream phone boxes instead of red in Hull.

Just a thought though, KCOM have been installing a load of fibre in the East Riding lately too, and consider they do have big sponsorship interests, so possible they have agreed something with Hull City FC regarding media. Possibly provide a Hull TV. I don't know, pure speculation.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Friday, September 4, 2020, 16:09:39
Been there. Gone through that.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: theakston2k on Friday, September 4, 2020, 16:15:31
Could have the greatest player in a clubs history being forced to stay and him then absolutely destroying the clubs hierarchy in an interview. The Messi interview is astonishing but paints a picture of a club in absolute disarray, gonna be fun to watch the awkwardness at Barcelona this season.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, September 4, 2020, 16:21:46
Been there. Gone through that.

There was one season when they went with a different station instead, and ended up going back to the Beeb halfway through the season because the other lot were so crap?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 16:47:04
There was one season when they went with a different station instead, and ended up going back to the Beeb halfway through the season because the other lot were so crap?


That season was shite GWR or similar and the commentary was awful and wasn't it the infamous Stuart Mac who has to be taken off air at Bolton


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Friday, September 4, 2020, 17:41:13
There was one season when they went with a different station instead, and ended up going back to the Beeb halfway through the season because the other lot were so crap?

Brunel FM... but they got the whole season.

https://thewashbag.com/2014/02/19/hall-of-shame-28-brunel-fm/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Friday, September 4, 2020, 17:42:26
Brunel FM... but they got the whole season.

https://thewashbag.com/2014/02/19/hall-of-shame-28-brunel-fm/

That's the badger.

My memory must have gone wonky on the 1/2 season thing.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Friday, September 4, 2020, 17:42:59
Brunel FM... but they got the whole season.

https://thewashbag.com/2014/02/19/hall-of-shame-28-brunel-fm/

That's the one and think they were also based in Bassett


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, September 14, 2020, 09:09:25
Macclesfield had winding up order issued against them by HMRC in High Court last week, suspended for 7 days because the owner claimed (for the umpty ninth time) he'd found a buyer who was going to clear all the debts. Back in court in a couple of days time


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, September 14, 2020, 09:35:23
Macclesfield had winding up order issued against them by HMRC in High Court last week, suspended for 7 days because the owner claimed (for the umpty ninth time) he'd found a buyer who was going to clear all the debts. Back in court in a couple of days time

Strange thing is, unless it has changed recently, there is a willing buyer who will clear debts, fact is the existing owner won't sell to him.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: JBZ on Monday, September 14, 2020, 14:29:54
Macclesfield had winding up order issued against them by HMRC in High Court last week, suspended for 7 days because the owner claimed (for the umpty ninth time) he'd found a buyer who was going to clear all the debts. Back in court in a couple of days time

I think, technically, the petition (rather than an order) has been adjourned.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, September 14, 2020, 14:54:43
I think, technically, the petition (rather than an order) has been adjourned.
Sorry yes, you are of course absolutely correct, very sloppy wording on my part


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Valid Pint on Monday, September 14, 2020, 17:34:26
Doesn't Hull have its own train company too?

What was the story when the Adver used Subbuteo to depict games because of a press ban? I seem to recall Southampton away.


Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, September 14, 2020, 18:52:46
Doesn't Hull have its own train company too?

What was the story when the Adver used Subbuteo to depict games because of a press ban? I seem to recall Southampton away.
No, its First group same as GWR.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Valid Pint on Monday, September 14, 2020, 19:28:23
Oh OK. I was thinking of Grand Central, which isn't Hull.

But didn't they have their own phone system or summut?



Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Monday, September 14, 2020, 19:45:02
No, its First group same as GWR.

Northern Rail which is part or Arriva also operate round here too.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Nemo on Monday, September 14, 2020, 20:01:22
Oh OK. I was thinking of Grand Central, which isn't Hull.

But didn't they have their own phone system or summut?

KCOM (of stadium fame) would be who you're thinking of. Sort of a local version of Openworld.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Monday, September 14, 2020, 20:11:22
Maybe they have made an further agreement with KCOM. Hull isn't unknown for going independent. KCOM run the telephone and broadband, hence cream phone boxes instead of red in Hull.

Just a thought though, KCOM have been installing a load of fibre in the East Riding lately too, and consider they do have big sponsorship interests, so possible they have agreed something with Hull City FC regarding media. Possibly provide a Hull TV. I don't know, pure speculation.

KCOM (of stadium fame) would be who you're thinking of. Sort of a local version of Openworld.

I mentioned this on the previous page, regarding their breaking of ties with BBC :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 08:27:08
Northern Rail which is part or Arriva also operate round here too.

Northern is nowt to do with Arriva any more, they were so shite (actually it wasn't really them who were shite it was the government)  it was basically renationalised (like LNER) in March this year.

Which actually neatly brings this thread back on track (see what I did there) as it could be worse, your trains could be provided by Northern.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 10:09:22
Northern is nowt to do with Arriva any more, they were so shite (actually it wasn't really them who were shite it was the government)  it was basically renationalised (like LNER) in March this year.

Which actually neatly brings this thread back on track (see what I did there) as it could be worse, your trains could be provided by Northern.

Ahh, I've made one train journey since about early March (pre-covid) and at the time I'd previously heard the news it being Arriva. I also think they managed to upgrade a few of the trains (put free wifi and usb points in) and make them a bit shinier before the (unknown to me) plug got pulled.

And absolutely, we still have a club to support, Town have somehow managed to move a lot of the big earners off the books, despite going up a division we still look fairly good at this moment for it. Even if there was before there is now certainly plenty of room to add others (plus any sniff of Bogle money or at least allows an investment from Power/Standing/BarryUSAJobbies/etc).


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 09:58:28
Sky News Breaking
@SkyNewsBreak
·
5m
Macclesfield Town has been wound up after a judge at the specialist insolvency and companies court was told that the football club owed more than £500,000


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 09:59:02
Fuckin hell


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 10:12:45
Not a huge surprise, other than that football clubs always seem to keep getting away with it. There was always going to come a point where a judge would go "Nah, you're just taking the piss now". And Macclesfield's owner had been well beyond that point for a season or more.

There's a reason why the League gave them an extra points deduction so they went down instead of Stevenage. Shit for Macclesfield's fans, League owe them an explanation and apology as to how the League let that man destroy their club and not only did nothing to stop it but at the end pushed them out of the League so the blood wouldn't be on their carpet. Never again after Bury? My arse


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 10:15:31
here's the beeb story

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54177582


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 10:16:26
The kicker for Macc fans is that there was/is someone prepared to buy the club and clear the debts but Alkadhi won't/wouldn't sell.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 10:21:02
Southend have 42 days to find a similar amount of money. They are in serious trouble as well.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 10:28:10
Sky News Breaking
@SkyNewsBreak
·
5m
Macclesfield Town has been wound up after a judge at the specialist insolvency and companies court was told that the football club owed more than £500,000
Not a mssive shock TBH its been on the cards all year.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 10:30:54
Macclesfield's demise has nothing to do with COVID, it is simply a Bury-style case of appalling ownership and personal greed. But as the COVID recession strikes and the realities of another season or substantial part of one with vastly reduced income streams bites, there will be many well run clubs also falling into trouble, not to mention the border line cases that would have tottered on in previous seasons now getting pushed over the edge. I fear this thread could be very busy as the season progresses.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 10:46:35
It sounds like Southend aren't that far from the brink either.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 10:49:49
Macc owe me £600. That's the real issue here.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: china red on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 11:02:02
Such a shame for Macc, wonder how many more will be gone by end of the season


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 11:09:14
Macc owe me £600. That's the real issue here.

Ouch. Did you book hospitality or something?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Panda Paws on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 11:12:30
Ouch. Did you book hospitality or something?

Exactly that. Didn't fancy our chances of getting away tickets so booked a table of 10 back in Jan.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, September 17, 2020, 14:03:19
If the premiership don't hurry up and decide how much they are willing to give to the FL to bail clubs out then there maybe a few more this side of crimbo.

The problem is even when they do decide to give up some money (notice they wanted keep parachute payments from fulham & WBA) it is then for what conditions they will attach to it, I'm sure they wont just hand it over from the goodness of their heart.

Then it remains to be seen how the FL decide to distribute it, I'm sure the lions share will go into the championship, but surely they cant just hand it over as I'm sure there are owners that would pocket that money and ride of into the sunset and then there will be all sorts of issues when the club goes into admin.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Red Frog on Thursday, September 17, 2020, 14:19:15
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/16/wigan-in-danger-of-being-wound-up-like-macclesfield-administrators-warn?fbclid=IwAR1wawsFXtu6YLocBGM1XWyQumI7b2Uyn2mVlRjeCy93KNzuVZe3ynAqslI

Wouldn't be great timing for Matty Palmer...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Thursday, September 17, 2020, 17:54:10
Steve Dale lending his support for Macclesfield

https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/latest-statement-07-08-2020/september/support-for-macclesfield-town-fc/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Leggett on Friday, September 18, 2020, 08:45:04
Spellchecking and proof reading (and not being a fucking mental money grubbing fantasist) are not that man's forte...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, September 18, 2020, 08:56:18
If the premiership don't hurry up and decide how much they are willing to give to the FL to bail clubs out then there maybe a few more this side of crimbo.
They've decided - fuck all. The decision around the Fulham and WBA parachute payments shows that. Will take the govt to force them to do the right thing


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, September 18, 2020, 09:08:41
They've decided - fuck all. The decision around the Fulham and WBA parachute payments shows that. Will take the govt to force them to do the right thing

I imagine they are a bit tied up with Ashley taking legals for not being allowed to sell the club to an oppressive state?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, 15:50:42
Macclesfield being expelled from National League.

https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-macclesfield-town-63821



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, 16:43:40
Macclesfield being expelled from National League.

https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-macclesfield-town-63821


Isn't that a bit like expelling a bloke who's died from an organisation? Seems a bit redundant


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, October 1, 2020, 08:56:03
Looks like things are looking brighter for Wigan, subject to League approval.

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2067175-spanish-bidder-agrees-rescue-deal-for-wigan-athletic


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, October 1, 2020, 09:20:35
And Charlton seemingly also out of the poo now, with the Danish-American bloke taking over. Nice to see some good news on clubs in trouble


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, October 1, 2020, 11:31:05
Looks like things are looking brighter for Wigan, subject to League approval.

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2067175-spanish-bidder-agrees-rescue-deal-for-wigan-athletic

I see whoever it is has asked to remain anon until such time he gets FL approval and takeover completed, he lives in Spain.

You would think he would want to talk publicly about his plans to take the club forward when it all goes through.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Saturday, October 3, 2020, 12:01:48
AFC Bury playing their first ever league game today.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 08:21:30
I see whoever it is has asked to remain anon until such time he gets FL approval and takeover completed, he lives in Spain.

You would think he would want to talk publicly about his plans to take the club forward when it all goes through.

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2067372-new-owner-of-wigan-athletic-revealed

Not convinced he will be there for the long run.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 13:26:09
Local businessman buys the assets of the liquidated Macclesfield Town to form a new phoenix Macclesfield FC playing in the NW Counties League. And appoints Robbie Savage as director of football.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/13/robbie-savage-to-join-macclesfield-board-after-smethurst-buys-club


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: NotHarryAgombar on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 17:31:23
Could turn out as well as LP appointing Tactics Tim ...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 08:35:24
Local businessman buys the assets of the liquidated Macclesfield Town to form a new phoenix Macclesfield FC playing in the NW Counties League. And appoints Robbie Savage as director of football.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/13/robbie-savage-to-join-macclesfield-board-after-smethurst-buys-club

Indeed it could be worse, imagine your club appointing Robbie Savage as your Director of Football!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 08:36:46
Indeed it could be worse, imagine your club appointing Robbie Savage as your Director of Football!
At least it means their first team squad will have really nicely maintained teeth and hair.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, October 26, 2020, 12:27:23
Not looking good for Southend - in court on Wed to face a winding up order from HMRC for a tax bill their chairman now admits he can't pay

https://twohundredpercent.net/bell-tolling-southend-united/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Monday, October 26, 2020, 13:52:57
Oof. One-by-one....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Cheltred on Monday, October 26, 2020, 16:01:49
Not looking good for Southend - in court on Wed to face a winding up order from HMRC for a tax bill their chairman now admits he can't pay

https://twohundredpercent.net/bell-tolling-southend-united/
It does seem this was going on before covid


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, October 26, 2020, 16:21:27
It does seem this was going on before covid
As was this thread :) TBF the article does make that very point, as with Macclesfield, Southend's troubles pre-date COVID which has really only played a small part in a much larger tale of financial troubles over very many years. Suspect there are a lot of Football League sides in a similarly precarious position, some largely of their own mismanagement such as Southend and Macc, others who just can't sustain over 6 months with next to no income


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, October 26, 2020, 16:37:12
As was this thread :) TBF the article does make that very point, as with Macclesfield, Southend's troubles pre-date COVID which has really only played a small part in a much larger tale of financial troubles over very many years. Suspect there are a lot of Football League sides in a similarly precarious position, some largely of their own mismanagement such as Southend and Macc, others who just can't sustain over 6 months with next to no income

As with so much in wider life C-19 has just bought the inevitable forward.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 10:44:41
Southend pay tax bill in full

So there owner was once again, talking shit.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 15:48:26
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElaKpHyW0AE2mEN?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, December 4, 2020, 12:09:30
Bury Mk1 into administration

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2070461-bury-fc-placed-in-administration


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Friday, December 4, 2020, 12:23:13
back into the pyramid? he's dreaming


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Friday, December 4, 2020, 12:24:43
Isn’t there a Bury Phoenix club already playing in the pyramid


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Friday, December 4, 2020, 12:25:59
yes


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, December 4, 2020, 14:28:54
Isn’t there a Bury Phoenix club already playing in the pyramid

Yep, hence the Mk1 in my post!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Costanza on Friday, December 4, 2020, 15:01:42
The Bury situation has been a bit different to others as somehow he's managed to keep them alive if only to release those outstanding rambling statements where they start on football and finish on politics or politcal correctness gone mad.

Been a slow and painful death.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, December 4, 2020, 15:45:47
The Bury situation has been a bit different to others as somehow he's managed to keep them alive if only to release those outstanding rambling statements where they start on football and finish on politics or politcal correctness gone mad.
I suspect it's more because he's still hoping to cash in on the ground somehow rather than as a vehicle for launching himself as a new Laurence Fox (one is more than enough)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, December 4, 2020, 15:56:41
I see the administer appointed now is the same one who oversaw the first CV which failed and the attempts for a second which also failed.

Its all looking a bit like Swindon in the Wills/Diamandis days......


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Friday, December 4, 2020, 16:27:32
I see the administer appointed now is the same one who oversaw the first CV which failed and the attempts for a second which also failed.

Its all looking a bit like Swindon in the Wills/Diamandis days......
He has also previously been disciplined by his professional body apparently. Regarded as close to Steve Dale, amazing that he has been appointed to this administration by .... Steve Dale


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: That Nestor Lorenzo Heade on Monday, December 7, 2020, 10:18:53
Administration by Christmas....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Leggett on Monday, December 7, 2020, 10:29:20
Administration by Christmas....

... for whom?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Monday, December 7, 2020, 10:38:32
Administration by Christmas....
One of Chris Rea's less popular seasonal tracks


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, December 7, 2020, 14:03:24
Looks like Wigan might finally be getting there, https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2070924-new-bid-to-resurrect-takeover-deal-for-wigan-athletic


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: BambooToTheFuture on Friday, December 11, 2020, 19:57:58
Ahhh, good old Town ey?

You have to laugh or you end up drinking.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Leggett on Saturday, December 12, 2020, 10:45:48
I think it's more likely that Swindon's H.M.S PISS THE LEAGUE was one of those ghost boats from that firm that Grayling gave the ferry contract to...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Saturday, December 12, 2020, 10:56:58
H.M.S Walk The Plank (the ship is sinking)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Saturday, December 12, 2020, 10:59:48
Why would you walk the plank if a ship's sinking?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, December 12, 2020, 11:59:59
Could be bullshitting



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: pauld on Thursday, December 17, 2020, 15:20:05
PFA called in to help sort out a solution at Sheffield Weds after club only pay players part of November's salaries

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55351588


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 12:03:50
Wigan back in the shite https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2071946-rescue-deal-for-wigan-athletic-fc-collapses


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 16:41:07
More than 40 PL players and staff have tested positive for Covid.

God knows how many cases will be revealed after the EFL clubs have finished testing.


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, April 8, 2021, 15:02:06
I'm not sure it's actually worse now, but anyway...

Colchester on the brink?

https://fanbanter.co.uk/league-two-club-allegedly-put-into-administration-with-points-to-be-deducted (https://fanbanter.co.uk/league-two-club-allegedly-put-into-administration-with-points-to-be-deducted)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Thursday, April 8, 2021, 15:15:14
Check out this classic statement from the Col U chairman.

https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2021/april/club-statement/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Flashheart on Thursday, April 8, 2021, 15:48:18
Check out this classic statement from the Col U chairman.

https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2021/april/club-statement/

I did call him a swear word beginning with W (ftp://I did call him a swear word beginning with W)

Willyhead? 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Thursday, April 8, 2021, 15:56:27
I did like this

Quote
I know many of you may consider me to be a lousy Chairman but I would like to think that you have found me to be an honest lousy Chairman.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Thursday, April 8, 2021, 16:04:32
I did call him a swear word beginning with W (ftp://I did call him a swear word beginning with W)

Willyhead? 

I think it's almost certainly going to be Willyhead.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 08:34:03
I see the carcass stripping continues https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2078714-administrator-puts-bury-fc-stadium-up-for-sale

Perhaps Power could buy it.....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 08:36:08
It should not have, but the name 'Steven Wiseglass' gave me a chuckle


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, September 9, 2021, 12:13:59
Banning your own non-season ticket holding supporters is a novel approach I grant you....

https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2021/september/08092021-ticketing-update/


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Thursday, September 9, 2021, 12:30:58
Banning your own non-season ticket holding supporters is a novel approach I grant you....

https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2021/september/08092021-ticketing-update/

Another club facing potential exit from the FL.
Terrible goings on from their owners. Another Bury and hoping this is avoided as another decent club.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Thursday, September 9, 2021, 12:34:02
What a team they had back in the late 80's / early 90's, albeit on that horrible plastic pitch...


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, September 17, 2021, 10:44:11
Former Charlton Chairman Matt Southall has agreed a deal to buy 25% of Rochdale.

Frying pan to fire......


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: NotHarryAgombar on Friday, September 17, 2021, 20:04:49
Derby entering administration
Is it possible that Mitchell-Lawton’s return was linked - eg transfer fee instalment unpaid ? Or sell on cancelled ?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Friday, September 17, 2021, 20:33:09
He was a free transfer - out of contract


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 13:53:40
Reading now set for a points deduction for breaching EFL finance rules.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 14:06:21
9 points apparently. Also they haven’t published their most recent accounts so could be in line for a few more.

What with Derby getting -21 there may only be 1 relegation spot up for grabs.

If Reading go down we just HAVE to go up!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 16:09:25
Reading now set for a points deduction for breaching EFL finance rules.

Was only a matter of time.
Millions in debt and not improving. The plastics are in trouble for sure.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: swindonmaniac on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 07:39:39
Another club facing potential exit from the FL.
Terrible goings on from their owners. Another Bury and hoping this is avoided as another decent club.
A 7-0 thumping last night won't exactly help their cause.  Got a mate been a season ticket holder there since I first met him in 1974.
Gotta feel for them,  could have been us.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: TheDukeOfBanbury on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 07:52:48
A 7-0 thumping last night won't exactly help their cause.  Got a mate been a season ticket holder there since I first met him in 1974.
Gotta feel for them,  could have been us.

Without doubt. We are playing them away the end of next month.
Sad to see a decent club going backwards as we rightly know how it feels.
Just hope they pull through.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 08:10:51
Was only a matter of time.
Millions in debt and not improving. The plastics are in trouble for sure.

It's 8 years since Reading were last in the Premier League and that parachute money has long since past. I think the stories about Reading, Sheff Weds, Derby (and many more which are going to come to light) show just what level of financial risk clubs are playing with to get into the top division, where the income then becomes astronomical. It does make you wonder just how many clubs in the Championship are playing within their means. I imagine it's a minority.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 09:01:06
It's 8 years since Reading were last in the Premier League and that parachute money has long since past. I think the stories about Reading, Sheff Weds, Derby (and many more which are going to come to light) show just what level of financial risk clubs are playing with to get into the top division, where the income then becomes astronomical. It does make you wonder just how many clubs in the Championship are playing within their means. I imagine it's a minority.

From memory I think it was just Barnsley with the odd club having a big transfer.  Kieran Maguire has done loads of analysis on it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Tails on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 09:01:20
Was only a matter of time.
Millions in debt and not improving. The plastics are in trouble for sure.

It all started with the fella currently in charge at Oxford too....


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 09:19:09

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/championship-crisis-figures-detail-second-21836589

It was Rotherham not Barnsley.   This is from a quick google - plenty of detail elsewhere.

Reading paid over twice their turnover on player wages - bonkers!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 09:55:59
It all started with the fella currently in charge at Oxford too....
Yeah. That Tiger fella has always just been the front man for shadowy backers. The piss stains are supposedly being taken over by some billionaires. Let’s hope it’s the Bristol Rovers variety.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 09:59:43
Yeah. That Tiger fella has always just been the front man for shadowy backers. The piss stains are supposedly being taken over by some billionaires. Let’s hope it’s the Bristol Rovers variety.
Yes Bristol Rovers, ahem, "billionaires"! good one!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 10:07:39
hope it's a Lee power front :)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 10:09:14
hope it's a Lee power front :)
Popular Peoples Front Of Power?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 12:39:17
Those billionaires are already on the board there anyway


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Summerof69 on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 12:59:39
Andrew Andronikou is one of the administrators appointed at Derby...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58649432


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ThreeDrawsMentality on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 20:50:49
Fleetwood's owner in court over fraud and money laundering charges regarding his business energy supply companies dealings. Funding from his business has helped bankroll Fleetwood up the league's.

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/crime/fleetwood-town-owner-andy-pilley-accused-of-fraud-and-money-laundering-and-appears-in-court-in-blackpool-3392290


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Robinz on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 00:33:19
Surely with these many issues facing the likes of Derby Co, Reading and now seemingly the Fleetwood owner to name but a few
Surely, the FL / FA can only now look sympathetically towards Swindon especially with the huge difficulties removing Power and also with the transparency shown by the new owners. Well done Clem
I know its hope that kills you.....But surely STFC are now on the road to recovery and a very bright future.
We can only hope !!! 
COYMRs


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: bathford on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 09:26:10
FGR must be bricking it at the moment. With the collapse of the energy market and so many suppliers going bust, will the bubble burst for them?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ThreeDrawsMentality on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 09:39:06
FGR must be bricking it at the moment. With the collapse of the energy market and so many suppliers going bust, will the bubble burst for them?
Ecotricity will be one of those that will be alright at the moment as they hedge/purchase their energy a year ahead. Whilst fine now, may prove problematic next autumn/winter as they'll be looking to hedge/purchase their 2022 energy now, which will have higher prices and navigating that with the price caps.
FGR are reliant on a £2mn plus sponsorship from Ecotricity each season, so losing that will really effect FGR, but he's always put the club before anything else so will probably be the last thing to lose funding.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 10:10:07
Ecotricity will be one of those that will be alright at the moment as they hedge/purchase their energy a year ahead. Whilst fine now, may prove problematic next autumn/winter as they'll be looking to hedge/purchase their 2022 energy now, which will have higher prices and navigating that with the price caps.

I suspect they will be OK come next year as the cap will have been adapted by then to reflect the price rises in the previous 6 months. As Martin Lewis pointed out the other day, the real shit is going to hit the fan for consumers in April as the cap is revised then to reflect the previous 6 months, hence the cap will go up to reflect the prices now being experienced. 


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: tans on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 17:11:07
Matt Southall of Ex Charlton fame buys a stake in Rochdale


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 17:19:09
Hopefully that scuppers Curran et al.

He's not the chairman that left Charlton in a mess is he?!

oh: doesn't sound good


Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 18:35:05
Hopefully that scuppers Curran et al.

He's not the chairman that left Charlton in a mess is he?!

oh: doesn't sound good
That's the fella.

Sent from my SM-A125F


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Pookemon on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 18:45:26
Reading finally deducted 6 points.   Absolutely pointless (pardon the pun).  They were going to be mid table and will still be.

The way the championship clubs are run seriously needs sorting out.  £20m loss every year and they are not alone.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Friday, December 10, 2021, 15:50:07
Carlisle in the shit https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59611692


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 09:06:30
I see after all the shite they have been through, Bury FC and Bury AFC seem unable to get their shite together so they still have one club with a ground but no league place and another with a league place but no ground.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63438766

https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/23086851.plans-merge-bury-fans-groups-bring-professional-football-back-town-fails/

Fuck sake.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, December 22, 2022, 13:16:33
I think this warrants another fuck sake....

https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1605919097723551744


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, May 22, 2023, 10:24:48
Interesting times at Fleetwood.... https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2114944-lancashire-energy-company-owner-found-guilty-of-fraud-charges

This is the same guy who threatened to stop funding the club if the Tories didn't win the election in 2019.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Thursday, July 13, 2023, 09:58:05
This does all sound a little bit Power and Standing so what sanction they get could be interesting.... https://www.efl.com/news/2023/july/efl-statement-barnsley-fc


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Thursday, July 13, 2023, 13:54:15
It may even be a bit worse, on the ownership side at least.  I'd presume the club (STFC) can make a good claim for ignorance when it comes to Standing being a potential owner - we'd likely say Power was owner, told us as much and all the paperwork said as much and that Standing simply gave us some cash.  Power vs Standing on being owner could still be resolved in Standing's favour and us have a defence against any charge.  More likely we run into trouble on the fact Standing was an agent.  Although everything is clears as mud.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Thursday, July 13, 2023, 14:30:11
It may even be a bit worse, on the ownership side at least.  I'd presume the club (STFC) can make a good claim for ignorance when it comes to Standing being a potential owner - we'd likely say Power was owner, told us as much and all the paperwork said as much and that Standing simply gave us some cash.  Power vs Standing on being owner could still be resolved in Standing's favour and us have a defence against any charge.  More likely we run into trouble on the fact Standing was an agent.  Although everything is clears as mud.

What is the likely punishment for the club if it's found that we broke rules when Standing was an agent when invested in the club? (allegedly)



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, July 13, 2023, 14:36:49
What is the likely punishment for the club if it's found that we broke rules when Standing was an agent when invested in the club? (allegedly)



Clem was adamant it will be a fine and nothing more


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Thursday, July 13, 2023, 14:38:07
Clem was adamant it will be a fine and nothing more

Thanks - and IIRC we've got the potential money aside to cover that cost I think. It was stated in the AB minutes if I'm not mistaken.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 09:47:11
Newport on the verge of a takeover, 2 bids have come in apparently.

Quote
Newport recorded a financial loss of £1.2m last year and face a shortfall in their operational budget for the current season.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66471677


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 10:37:17
Newport on the verge of a takeover, 2 bids have come in apparently.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66471677

If they are owned by the Supporters Trust one has to wonder who is funding these losses?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: JoeMezz on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 11:01:48
Thanks - and IIRC we've got the potential money aside to cover that cost I think. It was stated in the AB minutes if I'm not mistaken.

What percentage of shares will be sold for this fine?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 11:25:41
Talking of these losses I found a few of these for (then) L2 teams for the 21/22 season courtesy of Keiran Maguire.

Salford City lost £56,000 a week in 2021/22 but had cash in the bank at end of season due to share issues and owner loans. Total losses over the years now exceed £15 million

Colchester lost almost £2m in 2021/22, taking total losses to over £35m. The club is funded via owner loans of over £31m

Bradford Lost £299,000.
It cost the club £410,203 to play at Valley Parade during 21/22 season - this is just ground rent.
Playing budget was £3m in comparison to £2.7m for the 19/20 season. This season budget nearer £3.5m.

Leyton Orient lost £2.3m in 21/22.

Doncaster Rovers lost £1.07 million in 21/22 taking total losses to £33.6 million. Losses covered by owner share purchases.

Barrow lost £725k in 2021/22, their second season back in EFL League Two. Losses were underwritten by fresh share issue by owners.

Swindon Town gone from a £1.1m loss to a £158k profit.

Crewe made a profit of £153k in 2021/22.

AFC Wimbledon operating losses fell to £850k.

Thats the only ones I can find at the moment though.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 11:37:22
If they are owned by the Supporters Trust one has to wonder who is funding these losses?

Losses <> Cash

Newport traded at a profit for four years before the one quoted and were carrying nearly 900k in the bank in 2021.  That had been drained to nearly 400k at end of 2022 financial year though.  The club does not carry any historical "hard" debt - so  very few loans < 100k.  They reacted to this loss by cutting costs significantly, aiming for a neutral budget in 2024 and confirmed access to funding and a payment arrangement with the Ground owners, which it seems most of any unpaid bills were sat.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ChalkyWhiteIsGod on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 12:30:42
Swindon Town gone from a £1.1m loss to a £158k profit.

Gives us a good idea of how much Power was fleecing us all for on a yearly basis then. Must have been at least half a million quid a year to him and then more to his cronies.

I can remember being told by a mate of a mate in the tap that I was paranoid and we had nothing to be worried about with Power. I do hope I run in to him soon and remind him of that conversation.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: JoeMezz on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 12:51:47
Talking of these losses I found a few of these for (then) L2 teams for the 21/22 season courtesy of Keiran Maguire.

Salford City lost £56,000 a week in 2021/22 but had cash in the bank at end of season due to share issues and owner loans. Total losses over the years now exceed £15 million

Colchester lost almost £2m in 2021/22, taking total losses to over £35m. The club is funded via owner loans of over £31m

Bradford Lost £299,000.
It cost the club £410,203 to play at Valley Parade during 21/22 season - this is just ground rent.
Playing budget was £3m in comparison to £2.7m for the 19/20 season. This season budget nearer £3.5m.

Leyton Orient lost £2.3m in 21/22.

Doncaster Rovers lost £1.07 million in 21/22 taking total losses to £33.6 million. Losses covered by owner share purchases.

Barrow lost £725k in 2021/22, their second season back in EFL League Two. Losses were underwritten by fresh share issue by owners.

Swindon Town gone from a £1.1m loss to a £158k profit.

Crewe made a profit of £153k in 2021/22.

AFC Wimbledon operating losses fell to £850k.

Thats the only ones I can find at the moment though.


Colchester... wow.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 12:59:01
Colchester... wow.

People in glass houses.......

Colchester are underwritten by a profitable business and are included as part of that Group of companies.  They are all essentially designed to feed Colchester as they are owned by the same chap.  It's a more complicated version of FGR.

Our combined losses over the past 15 years would be in the same ballpark - Black wrote off nearly 10m from memory, and I think our reserved losses are 13m since that reset moment.  That equates to losing 1m per year since Black walked away.

Again though, losses do not equal cash.  Football clubs have a habit of trading at a loss and finding ways to stay solvent, usually via someone chucking in loans, or capital, or converting loans to capital.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: hefty toe on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 12:59:17
Gives us a good idea of how much Power was fleecing us all for on a yearly basis then. Must have been at least half a million quid a year to him and then more to his cronies.

I can remember being told by a mate of a mate in the tap that I was paranoid and we had nothing to be worried about with Power. I do hope I run in to him soon and remind him of that conversation.

Not sure that's quite right. The best thing that's happened since Morfuni's ownership is the large rise in attendances averaging 8,000-9,000. We weren't typically getting those attendances under Power (unless we were doing very well on the pitch).  I'd really like to know what gate the club broadly needs to get to break even.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 13:03:30
Not sure that's quite right. The best thing that's happened since Morfuni's ownership is the large rise in attendances averaging 8,000-9,000. We weren't typically getting those attendances under Power (unless we were doing very well on the pitch).  I'd really like to know what gate the club broadly needs to get to break even.

Well, we made a profit in 2021/22, which is the last set of published accounts, so not much less than that seasons average I guess.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 13:06:06
Oh, and Power made some losses, but the accounts are much less detailed under his reign.  It certainly looked like loans were being repaid, to him (Standing fighting to get some of that because he says it came from him originally) and Power also charged some operational costs to the business, which he had to add into his last accounts when it all went to court and was about to come out.  Power also got "lucky' with the Ritchie sell on coming through during his tenure, and also leveraged his football know how in getting some decent transfer fees in his earlier years.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ThreeDrawsMentality on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 13:07:26
Not sure that's quite right. The best thing that's happened since Morfuni's ownership is the large rise in attendances averaging 8,000-9,000. We weren't typically getting those attendances under Power (unless we were doing very well on the pitch).  I'd really like to know what gate the club broadly needs to get to break even.
I recall Fitting saying back around 07/08 time that gates of 7500 were required to create a budget of £2.5mn. At the time this was a top half L1 budget but those days are long gone. That was also based upon cheaper season and matchday tickets.



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 13:11:50
Not sure that's quite right. The best thing that's happened since Morfuni's ownership is the large rise in attendances averaging 8,000-9,000. We weren't typically getting those attendances under Power (unless we were doing very well on the pitch).  I'd really like to know what gate the club broadly needs to get to break even.

That profit season was the season where we scrabbled together our squad last minute, on what was (I think) embargo wages.  Due to the nature of the good feeling around the club, our home attendances were higher than break even. Add to that we had the televised play-off matches as well as the money-spinning FA Cup game with Man City. Because of the embargo wages I'm guessing our budget was pretty low that season?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Mooneyraker on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 13:15:52
We were in the 5/6,000 area in the darkest of the Power days.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: ChalkyWhiteIsGod on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 14:12:36
Colchester... wow.

You'd think maybe a newish stadium they might be paying for but if they're still losing £2m a year.....big yikes.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 14:59:57
This example is almost certainly in the wrong thread, as everything they seem to do is very good, but the setup at Exeter is almost something we should aspire to. They've been a fan run club for 20 years now and nobody has over 10% of shares as they are purely Trust-owned.

https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2023/september/trust-post-may/#:~:text=The%20Exeter%20City%20Supporters%27%20Trust%20is%20the%20majority%20shareholder%20of,footballers%20through%20our%20academy%20system.

https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/company-details/

Out of interest I perused their accounts and was mightily impressed to see a highly detailed, transparent set of accounts that appears to go over and above what is required. They must be one of a very unique set of football clubs in this country that regularly turn a profit.

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00097808/filing-history


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 15:50:22
This example is almost certainly in the wrong thread, as everything they seem to do is very good, but the setup at Exeter is almost something we should aspire to. They've been a fan run club for 20 years now and nobody has over 10% of shares as they are purely Trust-owned.

https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2023/september/trust-post-may/#:~:text=The%20Exeter%20City%20Supporters%27%20Trust%20is%20the%20majority%20shareholder%20of,footballers%20through%20our%20academy%20system.

https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/company-details/

Out of interest I perused their accounts and was mightily impressed to see a highly detailed, transparent set of accounts that appears to go over and above what is required. They must be one of a very unique set of football clubs in this country that regularly turn a profit.

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00097808/filing-history

I fear we would need to go down a bloody great big hole to get to this point, IIRC they were up shit creek with barely a paddle or canoe and were basically gifted the club by the majority shareholder as it was that or the wall - didn't some of the previous Directors end up doing time? The point for this for us would probably have been either when Seton Wills went (but Diamond Mike would never have allowed it), when the fan base seemed pretty united and organised or when Black went?

With the attitude of much of our fan base towards the Trust (and each other) can you imagine the fissures such a thing would cause, it would be like the Judean Popular Peoples Front scene in Monty Python.  ::)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 15:59:40
yeah that's very true Horlock, in 1994 they very nearly went out of business and sold the stadium to Beazer for 650k although I think their local council managed to get them out of that particular hole.

I just thought it was an interesting case study of what could be done without being bankrolled by wealthy backers - although I am sure they do have some in their Trust.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: fuzzy on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 16:00:56
Splitters!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Mooneyraker on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 16:01:23
I fear we would need to go down a bloody great big hole to get to this point, IIRC they were up shit creek with barely a paddle or canoe and were basically gifted the club by the majority shareholder as it was that or the wall - didn't some of the previous Directors end up doing time? The point for this for us would probably have been either when Seton Wills went (but Diamond Mike would never have allowed it), when the fan base seemed pretty united and organised or when Black went?

With the attitude of much of our fan base towards the Trust (and each other) can you imagine the fissures such a thing would cause, it would be like the Judean Popular Peoples Front scene in Monty Python.  ::)

They also essentially had a lottery win with Ollie Watkins which has helped. He's netted them almost £6m over his sale to Brentford and onward move to Villa.


Title: Re: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Oaksey Moonraker on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 16:57:54
They also essentially had a lottery win with Ollie Watkins which has helped. He's netted them almost £6m over his sale to Brentford and onward move to Villa.
And drawing at home with Man Utd in the FA Cup and earning a replay at Old Trafford.  Think that gave them the funds to get back in the EFL.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 17:31:58
They also essentially had a lottery win with Ollie Watkins which has helped. He's netted them almost £6m over his sale to Brentford and onward move to Villa.

He wasn't the only one. Ethan Ampadu springs to mind but there are others. I haven't done any research but was down to them focusing more on their academy?


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: RobertT on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 17:50:20
He wasn't the only one. Ethan Ampadu springs to mind but there are others. I haven't done any research but was down to them focusing more on their academy?

I was going to say, the fact they have repeated the success may suggest someone there knows what the fuck they are doing, ala Crewe in days gone by.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: DiV on Thursday, September 7, 2023, 19:03:43
I wonder if location helps Exeter.
The fact there probably isn’t (I’m guessing here) a Premier League club within 80-85 miles of them means maybe their youngsters are less likely to be poached at a proper young age. Is there still a cap on how many miles from the club teams can recruit kids?



Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Quagmire on Thursday, September 7, 2023, 20:46:58
I wonder if location helps Exeter.
The fact there probably isn’t (I’m guessing here) a Premier League club within 80-85 miles of them means maybe their youngsters are less likely to be poached at a proper young age. Is there still a cap on how many miles from the club teams can recruit kids?



It can’t do any harm can it?

Over the holidays I’ve seen Southampton, Reading and Bristol Rovers soccer schools/coaching at different Wiltshire schools.
I can’t imagine Exeter have competition like that on their doorstep.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: DiV on Thursday, September 7, 2023, 23:15:44
It can’t do any harm can it?

Over the holidays I’ve seen Southampton, Reading and Bristol Rovers soccer schools/coaching at different Wiltshire schools.
I can’t imagine Exeter have competition like that on their doorstep.

Closest would be Plymouth and they’ve only just gone back to being a division ahead of Exeter this season….

….and that’s still gonna be 40+ miles.

Even that is probably too significant for full time working dad to take little Jimmy to & from 3 evenings a week for training…


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 16:55:56
Not really it could be worse as such, but, Southend United agree the sale of the club to a new buyer.

A consortium led by Justin Rees apparently.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Leggett on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 18:22:30
They've had a much, much worse ride than we have, their previous owner was Power x10.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 18:34:57
They've had a much, much worse ride than we have, their previous owner was Power x10.
Hopefully part of that consortium isnt Power or Curran!


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 07:38:38
It's worth taking a look at the last c.12 hrs of Andy Holt (chairman of Accrington) twitter feed, major chair/owner v. Manager v. Fans implosion going on in plain sight.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 09:09:29
https://x.com/AndyhHolt


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Bob's Orange on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 09:18:59
https://x.com/AndyhHolt

Seems like an untenable relationship between chairman and manager if I'm reading that right (I only scanned it)


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 09:36:17
Says the club is up for sale - he’s had enough. Probably a bit of brinkmanship.


Title: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Batch on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 09:37:06
I've scanned it.

seems like the manager (actually, could be assistant) wanted a new contract and ended up going to the media about the situation

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/sport/football/67147737.amp

Holt had had a hissy fit, claims he's not happy at the club any more and has declared it up for sale via Twitter.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Jimmy HaveHave on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 11:52:49
 But doing ok in the league on the same number of points as us😁


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Laddy in Red on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 15:09:31
An odd outburst but I can understand his annoyance. Same management duo who were shite last season going to the press for more money after a few good performances. Still should've been settled in the chairman's office mind.

Social media meltdown is a way to bow out, something for a basket case like us to aspire to.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 14:11:39
Mike Ashley in talks to take over at Reading.

https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/ex-newcastle-united-owner-mike-104235978.html


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 14:17:43
They got another Winding Up Order today from HMRC.

Got the feeling Ashley is in the Power mode.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 14:19:16
Mike Ashley in talks to take over at Reading.

https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/ex-newcastle-united-owner-mike-104235978.html

Plus another winding up petition landed on them today.

So the options are William Storey or Mike Ashley..... nice!


Got the feeling Ashley is in the Power mode.

Nah, Ashley actually has money.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Quagmire on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 14:28:49
Mike Ashley will actually do very well at a club like Reading.
One of the main reasons Newcastle fans didn’t like him is because he wouldn’t throw his millions on signing players, but they were actually very well run during his time there.

I’d snap your hand off for him to come to Swindon in all honesty.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 14:29:36
Plus another winding up petition landed on them today.

So the options are William Storey or Mike Ashley..... nice!

Nah, Ashley actually has money.
Oh, he has the money. Just doesn’t like spending it.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 13:28:39
William Storey pulls out of running to buy Mike Ashley's Royals.

Or as being noted extensively on Twitter - BREAKING: Man who didn’t have money to buy football club doesn’t buy football club


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Mooneyraker on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 13:29:54
William Storey pulls out of running to buy Mike Ashley's Royals.

Pleased for them. No one deserves that.


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Power to people on Thursday, November 16, 2023, 12:35:29
William Storey pulls out of running to buy Mike Ashley's Royals.

Or as being noted extensively on Twitter - BREAKING: Man who didn’t have money to buy football club doesn’t buy football club

Has he made an offer for stfc yet


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: adje on Thursday, November 16, 2023, 13:07:07
We could be like Bradford,FGR and Gillingham and have bigger budgets and still be shit


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: horlock07 on Monday, December 4, 2023, 15:24:07
More fruity wrigglings at Morecambe.... https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2023/december/a-statement-from-the-board-of-directors


Title: Re: The "it could actually be worse" thread ....
Post by: Peter Venkman on Sunday, December 17, 2023, 15:59:32
It could be worse, we could be in the Scottish Premier division.

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/11668027/derek-adams-ross-county-morecambe-scottish-football-is-rubbish/