The Ben Mansford Interview

https://audioboo.fm/boos/2111076-barnsley-chief-executive-ben-mansford-on-the-club-s-relegation

Apologies if already posted. Couldn't see it.

 

Nice one Jay.

 

He's correct when he says about them retaining so many from last season. 5/6 at least should have gone.

They needed to be ruthless and they just weren't.

 

I agree completely, although I would imagine we will disagree on which players should have stayed and which should have been shown the door.

 

I also agree that we should be up there season. Apart from Sheffield United then surely there isn't any bigger budgets.

 

Again the way he speaks is really good in my opinion.

How he dealt with the Wilson Contract question was very good.

 

I think part of the problem was, from memory, David Flitcroft didn't accept the manager's job until he came back from holiday after the season had ended and coupled with the fact that our league status wasn't confirmed until the last game of the season that put us behind in our recruitment. It was probably too easy to offer renewals to players we already had because we'd missed out on players from outside the club who'd signed up with other clubs. I'm still shaking my head at the offer of a renewal to McNulty who was farmed out on loan very early in to the season.

 

thankyou for that Jay

he said some very interesting things there. I wish he had been also asked about John Stones too. But I felt too that he was genuinely as gutted as the rest of us. We will have a more enjoyable season next term I reckon albeit at a lower level.

 

I like what he has said. I also think Danny has been waiting for this moment to get into Mansford about what needs to be done as it probably wouldn't have been practical to do so during the relegation battle.

Although there are some political answers in there I guess that is only natural but he made some key points around the following I thought:

Clearing out the crap
Getting rid of those who were given contracts at the end of last season that didn't really deserve them I.e. Mates of flicker
Getting a better blend of young, hungry players being released from prem clubs
Using our young players
Creating a better bind in the squad by having people who want to be in the town and support on and off field activities
Budget doesn't sound too bad and sounds as though PC will support again
Looking at new club sponsors
Wants to create a winning footbal club
Probably end up selling a Cranie, COG, Jennings if money is right for BFC (would be positive as would obviously indicate a lack if desire from the player anyway. As long as we don't get screwed over on the deal)

Time will tell once the retained list is announced

I'm feeling positive

 

Made In Barnsley

This one line showed to me what might have been discussed in the board room recently.

Made In Barnsley would be a great marketing tag line - better than our team our blood whatever.

With 7 to 8 Barnsley Academy players in the squad and all the players living with 25 miles I think there would be greater support for the team.

That is - until we're in League 2

 

Re: thankyou for that Jay

He answered them questions when he was down at Charlton.

Basically there is a sell on clause and international appearances fee but he can't say it outright he had to go around through the back door because Everton was a confidentiality clause in place.

 

add to that his inexperience with it being his first go at the budget/Summer transfer market and then the yearly hanging around to see what the Prem casts out (lets hope we **** that off this season).

 

thanks

I did not know that.

 

Quite good that, I was expecting him to be saying things like "don't get too excited about next season" but he genuinely seems to think (rather than hope) that we can compete in that division.

It's always a bit of a lottery, a team always comes out of nowhere, others continue to get stronger, but it doesn't sound like we have anything to really worry about financially.

My concern was had we gone overboard in January trying to retain our status but that doesn't seem to be the case, thankfully.

 

Encouraging especially the bit about outsourcing and more bods to help with advertising/revenue streams.

 

Speaks well at a very difficult time for everyone. I don't think anyone would have any objections were there to be a greater number of local lads, or ones from the Academy, involved in the first team squad next season. Provided, of course, that they're of the required standard.

 

Speaks a lot but manages to say very little

here's hoping having an ex agent as Chief Exec reaps some rewards this summer.

 

Re: Made In Barnsley

Probably got a Leeds marketing firm to come up with it.

 

They have to be given time as well, what's frustrated me this season is we've used players like Fox and Woods for long periods who offer absolutely nothing and were something of a liability. Digby gets a game, doesn't particularly shine but doesn't do anything wrong and is never seen again.

 

Both Digby & RNL have struggled with injuries. However, I think it's foolish to write either lad off because of them. Eric Winstanley & Steve Agnew struggled with injuries early on. It didn't stop them having decent careers, both with Barnsley and other clubs. Patience, tolerance and understanding need to be shown with our young players if they're to fulfil any potential with us. I think fans are much more likely to show that patience, tolerance and understanding with our own, rather than with 'here today, gone tomorrow' loan players.