In defence of the Board

The owners, or at least 80% of them, are coming in for a real slating at the moment. But where were all the critics last year, when we reached the playoffs with a team that looked destined for another relegation dogfight?

For as long as I can remember, we have sold our best players - usually for bargain basement prices. Some of the worst examples were under the Cryne regime. Yet this season we held on to all but a couple of fringe players, and rebuffed any interest shown in our stars (there will have been interest, even if it didn’t materialise into a firm offer).

So what have they done that is so wrong?

The manager left - beyond their control
The captain left - beyond their control
The CEO left - beyond their control
Most of the back room staff left - beyond their control
Daryl Dike left - probably beyond their control
Several key players got injured - beyond their control
Fans returned to stadiums, and the 5 subs rule changed - both beyond their control

Almost everything that led to our unexpected success last year has changed - mostly beyond the control of those in charge.

Granted, in hiring Markus Schopp, they appear to have dropped a clanger. But it wasn’t possible to know that in advance. For every Valerian Ismael, there are half a dozen Schopps and Moraises. They’ve chosen the wrong guy, but that doesn’t make them (or him) evil beasts determined to bring about the destruction of the football club.

 

Spot on. I think they are the greatest owners, not only in the history of Barnsley Football Club, but in the history of owners of all football clubs. On the basis of their decision making and how much they have committed to the Club over the brief time they have been here they certainly deserve the support of us fans.

I’ll certainly be getting a season ticket, shirt and vouchers next season. In fact I might just buy two. And I’m certainly going to change my Will, remove my family from it and ensure any money goes direct to Mr Conway. Just my way of saying ‘thanks’.

 

You seem to be omitting some creative cash movements and shutting an entire stand once 1000 folk had forked out for season tickets.

 

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Neither of those things are the reason we are sitting at the foot of the table, which is what seems to be upsetting people the most.

 

I'd say on here it's probably the off-field omnishambles that's the hot topic.

 

The off field issues far outweigh the onfield clusterfuck.

Losing I can take. Treating my fellow fans like crap I can’t.

 

If you think the CEO leaving, a succession of managers choosing to leave, backroom staff leaving, etc are beyond the control of those running the club then you're being extremely generous. If not them, then who?

Ultimately, staff retention comes down to have staff who are fully engaged into their roles, and there has been a pattern, in particular of Head Coaches, expressing frustrations with the constraints of their roles.

Without Coronavirus, we wouldn't even have been in the Championship to have the season we enjoyed last year. Had we carried on straight after the Cardiff game we'd have been relegated without a whimper, and stayed up only due to another club's ownership issues.

The difference last season was down, primarily to an outstanding Head Coach, and better recruitment decisions which hindsight suggests were influenced by Dane Murphy (the Dike deal in particular). The general running of the club at ownership level was no better, and the cracks were exposed when news of the dispute broke.

However, even if we gave them the benefit of being "better owners" due to an improved league position, then it just makes the subsequent deterioration all the more stark, as most of it has been self-inflicted in one way or another.

 

At least that destroys the argument of those that claim you couldn't find anyone worse to run the club.

 

WHAT?


(I've not been reading all the news of threads as everything seems to be toxic at the moment, not just BFC so I'd not seen this).

 

No but the change of head coach and playing style because they didn't get loads of offers for players in summer is

 

I was about to ask that question, too!

 

Have a look at Gally' s transcript from the first meeting, not sure what it was posted under

 

I can only assume that if he said that, it was a poor attempt at humour.

To go hand in hand with the other myriad poor things he's said over the last few days.

 

Thanks, I'd thus far intentionally stopped away. I will build up the courage to read it tomorrow

 

Even if it was, tone doesn't come through in text.

 

There is no defending them

 

Did you read what was said in the interview with the CEO? They're putting profits before results. They're more peaved they dint sell Helik, Styles or Woodrow than they didn't go up.

 

Apologies, I've read it back and it seemed that Jason asked the question. I'll delete my post cos there's enough on here without false info. Apologies again.

 

I did read it, and it was one line that seemed strangely out of context. I wonder if it’s been misinterpreted or blown out of proportion.