Be careful what you wish for

[Guest billsaja]

I have had my own disagreements on here with posters and yes indeed with Chairman Lee, but this new wave of anger and misdirected vilification of one of our own is particularly worrying.

In the next 2 or 3 weeks (apparently) a group of nameless Americans using a company with no assets in it and ever changing members/deadlines/excuses are supposed to conclude a deal (according to their leader/advisor/guy who posts on here and loves Scousers and thinks an accurate parallel to Wednesday is the Green Bay Packers).

In the meantime, the ST situation looks dire and the league position worse.

Lee, as often documented on here, came to the club without buying shares and was appointed Chairman on the basis that he was going to secure "investment" - unclear whether that was limited to outside investment or this Plan B idea of Forwards Together where we, the Consumer (FKA fan) bought in to the Brand (FKA team). And whatever spin is put on it, there have been several deadlines set or hinted at - from the opening salvo of March to the ICS introduction back in July when there were competing parties at the table.

So now that all fails, and given that Lee owns no shares, he is at the mercy of the Board (who we know read these pages).

So what happens if the Board decides the club, having failed to secure investment either from external parties or from the fans "buying in", needs a new CEO and Chairman.

The accounts show that we are short of cash and have been most fortunate to have a Chairman who works for expenses and a CEO who works for below market rates. So what happens now? We replace LS and NP with a new Chairman/CEO figure who charges the club what it would cost for 2 decent players per year.......not that any Wednesdayites under the age of 14 will understand the concept of 2 decent players, but the point remains - we get a worse (or less passionate Chairman), more upheaval, and a naturally weaker financial situation

So be careful what you wish for - LS out? Lunacy. Indeed quite a lot of what LS does smacks of someone under time pressure - the mad pleas for ST to be bought always now now now, these investment hints/plays/nonsense.

What this club needs is time for LS to put his real long term plan in place. The Board of SWFC should come out and say (oh, that's right, not their style....should allow LS to come out and say) that LS will be Chairman of SWFC through to the end of the 2015 season no matter what. Let him have the time to do the job he is obviously capable of doing without the pressures of short time swings.

LS15, you want to print up some T-shirts, wear them to games, that would be my choice (and in case Lee does leave, it can double as a Lazy Sh*t Beevers shirt).

Time for the club to give the fan a chance - LS until 2015, what do you say the Faceless Grey Entities?

Meantime, those of you who chose to blame him for everything that goes wrong, think why the guy is so desperate for a quick fix via investment or ST sales - easy to find fault, hard to find improvement. You think the Tories would have ousted Thatcher in 1989 if they knew they were going to end up with Major?

Careful what you wish for. Me, I say LS15.

[Teddy Chucker]

Sound words.

Whether Lee suceeds in bringing in investment, he is one of us and wants what is best for our club.

Give him time to do what he needs

LS15 for me!!

[Mr Farrell]

Your comments on the investment is a bit of a worry bills, and not very positive.

Nicely slipped into a positive post though.

[33]

:ls:

[horny owl]

Regardless of investment, we need Lee at the helm on a permanent basis.

We're all Wednesday.

[M Royds]

Sounds words from me.

I get the feeling that your post was a veiled warning about the American investors?

Some of the stuff you come out with have been spot on, just recalling the preditions you made about Portsmouth and how they were in an awful mess, around the time of Sheardbobbygate ithink.

[Guest billsaja]

Mr. F

I think LS would love nothing more than to push the potential investor groups hard. Great expression I heard once - you can't make an omlette without breaking some eggs - I think LS would love to be able to attack investment, managerial change, player purchase, ST pricing etc from a position of strength, not knowing that he could be replaced at any time.

So do I think C9S is going to happen - god no, it's Shard with a website (or 10) - but I do think the time has come to acknowledge that the old way wasn't working, and we have something new and innovative here and we have to give it a fair go. I remember when computers and mobile phones came out, lots of people thought they were daft ideas. Truly novel ideas require time and commitment.

So give LS 5 years, here, now, to put his plan in place. Then maybe he won't need to be so angry the whole time, Couple of fans disagree, who cares, I have 5 years to show them that my ideas work.......if it all fails then so what, not like we were looking like a return to the Prem anyway under Ravin' Kaven.

What have we got to lose - it just might work.......

Either way, sack the guy or back the guy.

LS2015

[vulva]

I agree with this 5 year plan. I'd extend that to Irvine. And McAulay. If we get relegated this year, so be it. It's time to sort this football club out, from top to bottom, a process that has already started. We've had enough of random managers and two bit hasbeen footballers. We havn't had a consistent approach to player recruitment for years. We just seem to lurch from loan player to loan player, and picking up any free transfer that appears to fit.

Start from the bottom, have a team with a core of local lads in it, sell cheap season tickets and cross your fingers.

[Guest billsaja]

Sounds words from me.

I get the feeling that your post was a veiled warning about the American investors?

Some of the stuff you come out with have been spot on, just recalling the preditions you made about Portsmouth and how they were in an awful mess, around the time of Sheardbobbygate ithink.

Yep, told you the Pompey mess was coming back in September '08, and if I want to be really smug also you'll find posts from back then stating that McCabe was meeting with Don Garber of MLS looking desperately for new financial partners in the US and that he was moving all the Assets of SU in to one part of the business and the liabilities in to another.

The post is meant to reflect though that LS is a brash guy who is going to be at his best if he is not looking over his shoulder all the time. Read his posts and it is clear that for all the bravado, he has staked himself to the twin pillars of investment and ST sales - sometime backing off the investment speak when there are not deals in the works claiming FUD and misinformation over deadlines, then making new ones when there is a potential suitor.

I would bet though that give LS a clear mandate and a clear timeframe (and 5 years is perfect) he will get this good ship Wednesday turned around.

Also the OP was more a warning to those who have emerged to blame LS for everything under the sun - if he goes, we are in deep doo-doo and we know that the Board of SWFC has its messengers from these pages.

[Guest ashjam]

LS is worth supporting whilever he looks likely to deliver on his promises. I'd go no further.

I believe we may be close to investment however and if concluded, hats off to Lee and Nick.

If it falls through, and if we get relegated, he's on sticky ground however.

I am always fascinated by the timing of your arrival Bills. Whenever we are supposedly near completing an investment deal you appear to provide support then prove how inconsistent and fickle you can be in providing that support.

Nice to see you again anyhow mate.

[Mr Farrell]

Mr. F

I think LS would love nothing more than to push the potential investor groups hard. Great expression I heard once - you can't make an omlette without breaking some eggs - I think LS would love to be able to attack investment, managerial change, player purchase, ST pricing etc from a position of strength, not knowing that he could be replaced at any time.

So do I think C9S is going to happen - god no, it's Shard with a website (or 10) - but I do think the time has come to acknowledge that the old way wasn't working, and we have something new and innovative here and we have to give it a fair go. I remember when computers and mobile phones came out, lots of people thought they were daft ideas. Truly novel ideas require time and commitment.

So give LS 5 years, here, now, to put his plan in place. Then maybe he won't need to be so angry the whole time, Couple of fans disagree, who cares, I have 5 years to show them that my ideas work.......if it all fails then so what, not like we were looking like a return to the Prem anyway under Ravin' Kaven.

What have we got to lose - it just might work.......

Either way, sack the guy or back the guy.

LS2015

I wouldn't be too upset with a 3 year plan and a little stability. 5 may be pushing it a little, especially with all that anger.

Shame about C9S if that's the case. Do you know this Joe fella ?

[SiJ]

Great post.

No doubt that giving Strafford security in the job would help him ten-fold.

Feel at times (iam not a huge fan, but hes the best we can hope for) that he is a fall guy for a an old, past-it board who can't/won't do anything.

[M Royds]

Yep, told you the Pompey mess was coming back in September '08, and if I want to be really smug also you'll find posts from back then stating that McCabe was meeting with Don Garber of MLS looking desperately for new financial partners in the US and that he was moving all the Assets of SU in to one part of the business and the liabilities in to another.

The post is meant to reflect though that LS is a brash guy who is going to be at his best if he is not looking over his shoulder all the time. Read his posts and it is clear that for all the bravado, he has staked himself to the twin pillars of investment and ST sales - sometime backing off the investment speak when there are not deals in the works claiming FUD and misinformation over deadlines, then making new ones when there is a potential suitor.

I would bet though that give LS a clear mandate and a clear timeframe (and 5 years is perfect) he will get this good ship Wednesday turned around.

Also the OP was more a warning to those who have emerged to blame LS for everything under the sun - if he goes, we are in deep doo-doo and we know that the Board of SWFC has its messengers from these pages.

I agree, he needs to be given time to see the plan through! He proved that he can deliver, just thinking back to the World Cup Bid when the World and his brother were thinking that the Sheff U bid was the stronger one.

I just think his PR skills are left a lot to be desired. I'm sure the fans are 99% behind him.? I just hope the people on the board don't cast him adrift/fall guy. On a similar theme there was a discussionas to what the other board members do for the good of the club?

Regarding the loan i have to disagree. Being a Wednesday fan and assuming I had the wealth I would never have charged interest whther BofE or LIBOR. Either like for like or gifted.

I also recall your musings about McCabe as well

Edited March 1, 2010 by M Royds

[dave angel]

Regardless of investment, we need Lee at the helm on a permanent basis.

We're all Wednesday.

i agree,

get ready for the brown nose burglar...

i like the man a lot, he will wee wee all of us off at somepoint guaranteed, but he's one of these business fookers that knows how to make money, n is a rough neck at heart n an owl n the club needs to turn a healthy profit for its own sake, not that of wealthy casino blokes who want more money to roll around in.

i think in future LS will do us sh itloads of good esp when we aint in a world of poo poo on't pitch, n look forward to a time when the club can afford to pay him a wage.

think we should offer him a contract of 37.5 hours p/week at minimum wage,

what you reckon lee? better than nowt?

http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif

Edited March 1, 2010 by dave angel

[Guest billsaja]

i agree,

get ready for the brown nose burglar...

i like the man a lot, he will wee wee all of us off at somepoint guaranteed, but he's one of these business fookers that knows how to make money, n is a rough neck at heart n an owl n the club needs to turn a healthy profit for its own sake, not that of wealthy casino blokes who want more money to roll around in.

i think in future LS will do us sh itloads of good esp when we aint in a world of poo poo on't pitch, n look forward to a time when the club can afford to pay him a wage.

think we should offer him a contract of 37.5 hours p/week at minimum wage,

what you reckon lee? better than nowt?

http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif

If looking for a period of stability with a business-savvy fan as Chairman of the club is brown-nosing, then I've been called worse. I don't think anyone (at least anyone on here around Christmas) would accuse me of being a LS groupie but his ideas and visions are long term yet we've got the herd mentality turning against him now - I was at Reading, I heard the sentiments - and it needs to be put to rest before we hound the man out of the club and get stuck with a vacuum at the top (or some other tool.......)

All this LS out, LS this - short term reactionary nonsense. Needs to end. Guy needs clear targets and goals and they need to be long term. 2015 is perfect (plus I like the dual use of the LS15 banners/shirts).

1867 - that was 143 years ago - this club is like the old Harry Enfield commercial for the polo mint - it's around, it's been around and it will be around forever (look it up Anglophile, next to "why not to praise Scousers as better than dour South Yorkshiremen in Sheffield" in your urban dictionary). However it is clear that this whole enterprise needs dragging in to the 21st century, online payments, DD, RFID ticketing etc, and Lee is the right chap to do that.

If the Faceless Grays can see fit to do the right thing for once, they should publicly embrace the Chairman and give him a long term commitment in public to shut the snipers up once and for all.

LS15

[latemodelchild]

I remember when Billsaja appeared. I remember what he said and the effect it had. He was proven right time and time again. I agree with the 5 year mandate.

Bill, heard any rumours about any of our rivals getting into admin trouble? May be our only hope of survival.

[Mike Hunt]

Bills you are preaching to a fully paid up disciple here regarding the boardroom structure which you will know if you have read some of my recent posts .

I want Lee in and a new board to bolster and build on this vision .

Hulley has had 30+ years and Bobby G not that much less however on a whim from these two LS could be toast .

I have been reading veiled messages in some of Lees more erratic posts which led me to believe that the men in suits could be ready to make change .

The T shirt idea does not do it for me i am afraid but a plan is indeed required .

Still not sure who you are batting for though Billyboy .

[NYCOWL]

I can't see Lee sticking around for five years. I would imagine that at some point he plans to go back to being a highly paid executive.

[Arthur Bach]

I can't see a situation in which a chairman, manager or player can be given an automatic five year mandate unless a legitimate and realistic business plan with viable funds would be in place.

Bills slightly contradicts himself by mocking C9S but if that is the case what does that do to Straffords integrity if they can be described as 'Geoff Sheard with a website'?

[Guest billsaja]

LS is worth supporting whilever he looks likely to deliver on his promises. I'd go no further.

I believe we may be close to investment however and if concluded, hats off to Lee and Nick.

If it falls through, and if we get relegated, he's on sticky ground however.

I am always fascinated by the timing of your arrival Bills. Whenever we are supposedly near completing an investment deal you appear to provide support then prove how inconsistent and fickle you can be in providing that support.

Nice to see you again anyhow mate.

I have never supported any investment deal - how dare you!!!

Have to leave off here when I am in the office, and I had my little Smashie and Nicey "do a lot for charity" sabbatical back in November working 3 months for free, they've got me back in the thick of things now especially with tax season in full swing.

I think it is important in engaging online with someone to understand and empathise with their position. Late last year when I was attacked and abused by the Chairman I failed to do that, and on reflection I realise (having seen him repeat the actions with dozens of other fans) that he is under great pressure - I am sure much relating purely to his own pride and personality but obviously some externally - to get this investment closed and the ST levels up to the rather silly numbers promised.

Last year, for the first year in 4, I bought two STs (rather more as a gesture than anything, only been to 4 home games) and have to say that as the Customer I am disgusted and will absolutely NOT be renewing. But that is no reflection on Lee beyond an objection to paying money to a business and then getting abuse from the owner, there are other factors too relating to work and the amount of away time I will have. Also not heard a coherent message regarding what happens if we go down - don't think the JPT makes up for the lower quality of product. But that doesn't mean I am going to abandon the club, far from I will attend every game in the SE as I always do, and it doesn't mean that I doubt LS's credentials as the man for the job. He is, but he needs backing from the Board more than ever.

Hence

LS15