Makes for interesting reading that, answered a few questions we've been wanting for a while. Hope you've copyrighted it that prat Murray will be pinching quotes from it and marking it as his exclusive
Great read. Interesting to see that DF was demanding all of the best stuff, not just within the club, for away trips too.
Excellent read, Dyson. Thanks for that. Rowing's comments about managers serving time in academies is very interesting.
Good work mate. I have to say that I enjoyed the Paul Gibbs interview in the fanzine too. Do you have a wishlist of interviewees for future issues? The reason I am asking is that one of the major figures that led to any success we've had over the past 35 years (and you have to remember where we were as a club in the mid-70s) is a bit of a forgotten man when we all start reminiscing. I'm referring to Allan Clarke, who changed the club from top to bottom, making us more professional on and off the field, whilst bringing in some of the best players we've seen at the club. He obviously still has connections with the club, as he was at Norman's 90th party, but it would be fascinating to hear his take on events like dragging the club from the doldrums, tripling the crowds, signing players like Glavin and Aylott, taking the players down the pit after we lost 7-0 at Reading (and then doing a major overhaul of the team/squad on the back of that defeat), as well as how different it was when he came back post-miners striker, when he had to do all he could to balance the books and keep the team in Division 2. Make it happen!
Cracking stuff Dyson. Good of Don to give up his time. And then there's this: 'As far as the other guy is concerned, how can I put it diplomatically? I was always told as a youngster ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say about someone then don’t say it’.' I'll be laughing about that for weeks.
I've got **** loads I'd like to interview mate but it's finding them. Like I mention, I'm not a journalist so it's difficult to fit around a job that actually pays me money. If anyone has any details of any ex players then please let me know. I'm lining up Mike Turner for issue 3...
good read. makes you wonder how on earth a board of three people can be effective, when two of them can't stand each other. maybe next edition we can have one with Taylor? Right to reply type thing... "So, Mr. Taylor. First question I need to get out of the way. Mr. Rowing thinks you're a lovely person, but was too polite to say. What are your thoughts on that? And what is it that you actually do"?
Brilliant - thats brought a smile to my face Interesting interview - thanks for posting still dont agree with his views on everything but I can understand where he is coming from For example "A lot of things were cosmetic – wanting 5 star hotels, better buses, training & first team pitches etc." -not sure I would lump 5 star hotels and better buses in with training and first team pitches.
Top stuff that mate, and really interesting. I always reserve judgement on a situation when we don't have the beneift of all parties view points, but it definitely gives a cracking insight to Don's take on things. A couple of points that interested me: The desire for year on year improvement, I wonder how the club believed or believes that can happen when there the budget doesn't increase (relative to others) year on year. Is this just a buzz word target that isn't actually achievable to suggest ambition and sell season tickets? And, connected to the above, he suggests that continuity of manager is key to improvement. We obviously had a high turn over of manager during his time at the club, and allegedly he would have liked to have sacked Hill in the summer of 2012. We've also had a lot of loan players (which can only happen if the board sanctions the request). I wonder if the board became a hostgae to their own statement about year on year improvement, and if that target (perhaps simply judged on points) wasn't met the manager was deemed to have failed and therefore left the club. I can't disagree with a word of how he says progress is achieved but none of that has been evidenced in our approach, and it seems to ignore the elephant in the room of the budgets available. I don't want this to sound overly criticial of Don, and I absolutely appreciate he was just one leg of (a seemingly two legged) stool, but just some thoughts. He does seem a really likeable man though and he is very gracious to give his time.