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General Category => Altrincham FC First Team => Topic started by: Spring on March 22, 2017, 05:12:07 PM
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THIS IS A SPOOF MESSAGE AND INTENDED TO TRY AND BRING A BIT OF LEVITY TO PROCEEDINGS IN WHAT IS A SAD TIME FOR THE FOOTBALL CLUB WE SUPPORT.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT WE PROTEST IN OUR OWN WAY AND ALL IS SAID WITH TONGUE FIRMLY IN CHEEK.
Hello to fans of our wonderful football club and to put you at ease please feel free to call me ‘Mr Chairman’, as that makes me feel important. Firstly, I want to quash any worrying rumours that I intend to resign due to the club under-performing. What utter nonsense, for as we all know it is purely a case that the club has previously over performed, as was so eloquently explained in a recent programme article. I do not intend to resign from leading the football club …..I nearly said ‘our’ football club but that might have been a tad misleading …….and I am going to continue to run it ‘my way’, for as one pundit once said ‘why change a winning formula?
For some reason, any real opposition I have had to contend with on the Board seems to have disappeared and I would like to make it clear that it was the recent strategic review and not I, who said ’the Board lacks structure, perceives itself to be weak and divided, and most others have lost confidence in the Board as a collective’. My role will be to continue to inspire them with my leadership.
So let’s quickly move on to look at the footballing facts. Within three years you fans will have been treated to football in three different leagues, with the added bonus that travelling costs to away matches have been considerably reduced. Another example, of the way financial prudence is a feature of our club. For a reputable publication, to say that we are the most unsuccessful team in English soccer under my chairmanship is something that I refuse to comment upon. I am aware that some protestors at my chairmanship walked out of a recent match but these were a small minority of under 25 people in a crowd estimated to be up to 10,000 strong, although exact figures are as yet unconfirmed. On the subject of protest you may feel it strange that I have not seen fit to comment on ‘unknown’ hands taking control of the club Twitter account or allegations that microphones were wrenched away from critical supporters at a public meeting.
So let’s quickly move on again, to another topic; examples of the club’s benevolent community spirit. To date our club has felt it prudent to offer employment to a whole series of managers and through them to a huge number of players, many of whom may otherwise have been unemployed. To date over 50 different players have been provided with employment and have taken to the field in our colours this season and they have already won two league matches. As Brexit is not yet upon us, they even included one from the European Community, who allegedly couldn’t communicate with anybody…....... certainly not a problem under my watch!
Finally, I want you to feel re-assured that all is fine; my leadership will continue, the Board will continue and under my guidance will comment more positively about itself at the next Strategic Review and green shoots will continue to be seen popping up everywhere. On our present path it is even possible that we will have more people employed as footballers, than actually come to watch them? This will ensure a huge saving on ground staff and be reflected in our economic progress, which as we all know, is the envy of other non-league teams, even those in a lot higher divisions.
I thing that deserves a little tune….’I did it My Way’
Best regards
The Chairman
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Are you sure this is tongue in cheek, and not the script for his next PR "triumph" ?
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I'm no ideas man for this kind of a thing.
What happens next?
Do we few going to BPA hold a demo?
What DO we do next?
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I don't think we should do anything at away venues.
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I don't think we should do anything at away venues.
Tend to agree. At this stage anyway.
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York Alty asks a good question and I suppose the starting point always has to be what is the objective ?.......to which I believe the answer is to restore the fortunes of Altrincham FC after three years of relegation and decline?
Inevitably in determining the best way to do that there is a lot of emotion, accusations, counter accusations and issues that cloud the issues.
After saying that the crucial question for the supporters that remain concerned and feel that they need to try and influence events, rather than remain passive, is whether or not they have faith in the current leadership to restore our fortunes. The current poll on this forum shows a resounding vote against but this is clearly not representative of supporters in general which I suppose may number around 1000.
If the view is that the current regime do not have the abilities to restore our fortunes then the objective switches to how to oust them, when clearly for whatever reasons the chairman refuses to budge. However it has to be said, that supporters are inevitably playing with fire and the future of the club by wanting to do this, as nobody knows the alternative or the financial implications of the current board being ousted. It could lead to the end of the club or it could lead to a new chairman and a new board making a great success of the club.
As has been rightly pointed out, I am in an ivory tower 200 miles away and although a passionate Robins fan from afar, I do not know the facts and indeed started of fully supporting the chairman until I heard the other side and became negative at some of the goings on related to the strategic review meeting, Twittergate and the disturbing content of the strategic review itself with revelations about a split board. However I also get the feeling that most people equally do not know the whole facts and my view for what it is worth (probably not a lot) is that the next step is that a representative group of supporters chosen from the 25 group (probably no more than 4 or 5 ) should take up the chairman's invitation to meet him. They should canvas around the whole group to determine the questions that they want answered and go to the meeting with the total intention of having an open and civilised discussion. If too many people go the meeting will lack focus and candour. Equally it is important that the people that attend go with the right approach and are open minded as to what is discussed.
The objective of the meeting should be to find out information in order for the supporter representatives to recommend once and for all, whether or not they have faith with the current leadership, once they are given all the facts (and if they are not treated to these, then the answer is obvious) or whether they decide to recommend they definitely have to oust the leadership and risk the consequences of the turmoil that might follow. At the meeting it is vital that confidences are maintained and if for example some information is agreed before hand to remain in the meeting, then that must be the case........the supporters would need to trust their representatives.
If you are optimistic such a meeting could be a watershed, it could begin to heal splits and lead to a supporter on the board and a more open regime ........if one is pessimistic, then one believes such a meeting would be a waste of time, a tissue of lie or that relevant facts would remain hidden. I just believe in the best interest of the club, it is worth going through this stage and it is worth giving the chairman the courtesy of attending the meeting he has offered.
Other views of people with more knowledge are obviously more relevant but it is vital that any next steps are CONSIDERED and not just a knee jerk, as the very future of 'our' club is at stake........for good or for bad. You asked for a view, so please don't slate me for saying what I think.
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Great post Spring, I didn't walk out the other Saturday as it isn't my bag, but feel a sit down open meeting is as good a next step as any.
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I take issue with ivory tower. Someone who does not live locally to the ground may actually have it worse.
Robbie Lawton made the point he can punch a wall or bollock them.
Fans on terraces can't do much other that protest.
What can exiles do? They can't boycott, etc
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I think that as the meeting has been offered, it should obviously take place as soon as possible, and certainly before any further action is contemplated. 4-5 is a sensible number of delegates. The main thing that needs to be addressed is the communication issue - and particularly the Twittergate saga, which demands a full and public apology. It alienates me as a committed non-user of social media, so heaven knows how many others have been similarly disgusted.
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Totally agree Romeo48.
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The problem is there's been meetings, all these points have been raised before and summarily dismissed. Nothing in the slightest has changed. There is now no credit or trust left in the bank.
Amidst all of it the only truth lies out there in front of us on the pitch.
It doesn't lie.
If Grahame wants a meeting but none the less fully intends to stay on then there is no point in a meeting. If his head is in the sand then it's all just lip service at best. Whether he is being badly advised (and I expect better of the board to unequivocally back him, family and friends fair enough but the board have a greater responsibility) or is a bit out of touch or by now cannot envisage life without being chairman I don't know.
He doesn't need to meet people, he needs to sit down on his own, without listening to everyone he's listened to and make an honest assessment.
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The problem is there's been meetings, all these points have been raised before and summarily dismissed. Nothing in the slightest has changed. There is now no credit or trust left in the bank.
Amidst all of it the only truth lies out there in front of us on the pitch.
It doesn't lie.
If Grahame wants a meeting but none the less fully intends to stay on then there is no point in a meeting. If his head is in the sand then it's all just lip service at best. Whether he is being badly advised (and I expect better of the board to unequivocally back him, family and friends fair enough but the board have a greater responsibility) or is a bit out of touch or by now cannot envisage life without being chairman I don't know.
He doesn't need to meet people, he needs to sit down on his own, without listening to everyone he's listened to and make an honest assessment.
spot on
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Ballers, my first reaction to the request for a meeting was much the same as you and Jimmy's. The problem is, if the chairman is surrounded by people telling him how well he is doing and that our current woes are not his fault, then he will be less inclined to resign.
Meeting a delegation of reasonable fans, allowed to voice reasonable objections to his tenure, may make him think again.
I don't know the man personally, but I can't see what harm a meeting with some of the dissatisfied would do.
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A concerted effort to encourage a boycott of season ticket renewals? Downside is it will hit the club in the pocket, unlike the walkout. The upside is that it a clear method of demonstration opposition to the current Chairman. Perhaps a compromise is to buy them on the deadline day? A positive thing would be extol the virtues of Geoff Goodwin in chants and songs. I know they may be rubbish ideas but its all I've got.
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Geoff Goodwin is still our biggest shareholder. Does anyone have his ear ? I know he doesn't actively take part in running the club any more, but I seriously doubt that he'd approve of the current state of affairs. Perhaps he might be prepared to mediate ?
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Ballers
You may well be right but this meeting would have to be quite different than an open meeting or by the sound of it, other meetings that have happened before. There would have to be a level of mutual maturity and trust and an appreciation that there was common ground......the wish to improve the lot of the football club.
I also start from the position that the Chairman must realise he has made mistakes .......like us all.......and that he realises that the cadre of passionate supporters that give their views on this site, are actually an important element of the football club. If that is not the case and he genuinely wants to rule over a passionless group of supporters, who never have a counter view to his own, then yes he is a naïve fool and we are doomed to his dictatorship, for as long as he wishes to continue in power or the board continues to support him. No intelligent person would surely take this stance and I am thus hopeful, that his motives for the meeting are genuine and that he would listen and respond to concerns.
I also start from the position that the supporters must realise that they are not running the club, and have to respect the fact that whilst mistakes have been made, they have not been made purposefully........ how many of us thought the managers that were appointed would be total disasters? do we know why they were not able to succeed, when they had previously? Were the communications fiascos made out of frustration and have lessons been learnt?
I just believe all parties in the discussion would have things to learn and things to contribute and that there should be no fixed stances or needs to win arguments but that out of the chat there could possibly be a mutual way forward for the betterment of the club.
Equally if supporters do not engage with the people running the club what is left for them? ......being disgruntled supporters, walking away from the club they support or just hoping that either the Chairman resigns or starts to improve our fortunes. It should also be noted that none of us really understands what would happen to the club if the Chairman resigned......would the sponsors follow suit? ........what would the financial implications be?
Surely it is better to have the good grace to recognise that he has at least suggested a meeting, than to just flounce away. After saying this I accept I do not have the insight that some of you that have experienced the past at first hand, so yep I might be smoking pot and if so apologies.
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Indeed Spring
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Rowleys reaction to last Saturdays protest has been to try to marginalise it, where would we be now if 200 had walked out? Food for thought
As for the rest of the board 100% backing him then to a man they are more of the problem than the solution
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Spring, do you work at the club, are you an official?
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The club is a f**kin bunch of sh*t players sh*t managers and chairman ,
Build a f**kin bonfire
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The club is a f**kin bunch of sh*t players sh*t managers and chairman ,
Build a f**kin bonfire
What about the volunteer`s and fans?
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The board in reality is made of 2 people Grahame Rowley and Bill Waterson. Bill has only been a member for a month and no blame can be placed at his door which leaves only Rowley. With due respect to messers Faulkner and Wilshaw, I couldn't seem them disagreeing with the Chairman on anything. I assume thats why Shaw and Daine got frustrated and stood down.
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The club is a f**kin bunch of sh*t players sh*t managers and chairman ,
Build a f**kin bonfire
What about the volunteer`s and fans?
Probably lighting the fire..
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Hi Man of Moss
I assume your question is one of sarcasm but for the record I have never met any of the people involved with AFC.
The 'crime' I am clearly committing in your eyes is to try and suggest a constructive way forward, as an alternative to saying everything is terrible which perhaps gets an easy acclaim amongst others with the same approach.
What suggestions do you have to make? It would be good to hear them or do you prefer not to comment further.
Best regards
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Hello Spring, I have been a club official recently, unlike you (it appears) I am not happy and will take my time to reflect before I respond, many thanks
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I, and virtually all the supporters I know, knew Neil Tolson would be an absolute disaster.
For the record like.
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I, and virtually all the supporters I know, knew Neil Tolson would be an absolute disaster.
For the record like.
And neil young quit football 6 months earlier and vowed never to return after nearly destroying Stockport
He did a much better job of that here
Then quit again
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Hi Ballers
Yes the Tolson appointment was made with eyes open, as he was already a known entity at the club, so clearly an obvious case of bad judgement.
I have to admit the next two appointments seemed reasonable to me at the time but purely on the fact that both could point to a previous record of success. Obviously if one had the advantage of interviewing them then one would have got a far more detailed view and Young had a dodgy time at Stockport, whilst Halifax got rid of the other one.
What interests me is why they both failed so spectacularly? Was it purely their own fault or was there something wrong at the club that they inherited ?
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Hi Ballers
Yes the Tolson appointment was made with eyes open, as he was already a known entity at the club, so clearly an obvious case of bad judgement.
I have to admit the next two appointments seemed reasonable to me at the time but purely on the fact that both could point to a previous record of success. Obviously if one had the advantage of interviewing them then one would have got a far more detailed view and Young had a dodgy time at Stockport, whilst Halifax got rid of the other one.
What interests me is why they both failed so spectacularly? Was it purely their own fault or was there something wrong at the club that they inherited ?
conscious your not asking me but here is my opinion
Young got rid of too many players brought in worse players and was continually tinkering with the squad the low point had to be playing an unknown who lasted 10 minutes as he could not communicate
Harvey was in too deep and we gained nothing by letting him go and bringing in an unproven manager who had been heavily involved previously
Not to dissimilar to Neil T
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Thanks Wayno....makes sense.
I must admit to be being surprised they got rid of Harvey so quickly, as he had inherited a team who were not successful, so hardly surprising he was not a quick success himself. I assumed there were issues also behind the scenes.
All a catalogue of errors.
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Thanks Wayno....makes sense.
I must admit to be being surprised they got rid of Harvey so quickly, as he had inherited a team who were not successful, so hardly surprising he was not a quick success himself. I assumed there were issues also behind the scenes.
All a catalogue of errors.
I personally would have stuck with him longer but he wasn't interviewing well and was coming across as defeated and lacking ideas
It's a really sad situation
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I feel a bit sorry for Jim Harvey, unlike every other manager since Lee Sinnott.
We often mention due diligence before appointing a manager, considering, for example, Neil Young's record at Stockport, but I feel Harvey didn't perform his own due diligence before taking the job, thinking that Altrincham are obviously too big a club to be bottom of the National League North and this would be a straightforward job,. When it transpired the club's malaise was so much deeper, then,, as Wayno said, he just seemed devoid of ideas and hope.
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I think Jim Harvey was treated very badly our Chairman, he arrived and inherited a complete shambles, got rid of players that weren't good enough and tried to get his own players in. He was then sacked in a swift movement with Rowley claiming that performances weren't good enough for Alty Fc and that we would fight to keep our place in the league. He then said we would search to find the best person to be our manager, only to give it to Matt Doughty, a man that had a hand in Tolson's disastrous reign and also worked with Harvey. Doughty's first interview was to slag off Harvey and distance himself from any wrongdoings and his record has been similarly poor. Doughty isn't fit to lace Jim Harvey's boots. The sooner Rowley and Doughty are both replaced in the respective positions the better.
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I was also surprised at the time at the lack of "protection" it was apparent we were in the mire he should have been given breathing space in interviews etc
He was definitely exposed in that respect
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It makes no bloody difference now but Jim Harvey was the right appointment, at the wrong time. Had he got the job instead of the shambolic Young in the summer we'd be nowhere near the mess we are in now. The Tolson appointment was the easy call for the board. It is the ruinous decision to appoint Young that put us into a steep downward spiral, one that we are singularly ill-equipped to get out of any time soon. It is for that reason that Chairman Rowley must go. Responsibility sometimes means having the balls to admit 'I screwed up'.