Come On You Bantam Reds

I would add that when they go it will be your fault. As Conway has already intimated. “If we’re not welcome…” This is a great get-out. I could write it now.

“From the very start we have striven to implement a long-term plan that would guarantee Barnsley FC’s security and success well into the future. Sadly, the fan base and the owners of the ground have made clear our efforts are not appreciated. It is with regret….”

 

If I get to use profits generated by sales to pay for it then I'm in!

 

The Wigan story came out of the blue , mostly Wigan fans as well .
There’s no smoke without fire and the club haven’t categorically denied any of the rumours.
Someone from the club is enquiring about ground sharing .
It’s not a state secret the owners and the ground owners are not exactly best mates .
Maybe not all the rumours are true but I believe enquires or hints have been made at some point .

 

To be fair, business types rarely confirm or deny anything.

 

After their departure I’d edit it from the clubs website! Instead adding an article with less than 21 words announcing their exit.

 

"The club have stressed that their primary goal is to stay at Oakwell and positive discussions have been recently held to that effect with Barnsley MBC officials, it is understood. The Reds hierarchy are committed to a positive relationship with the council going forward, according to sources close to the club."
Fron the YP article. Both these statements are consistent with what Khaled said at the last Q&A, which, I believe post dates any discussions which may have taken place with BCFC.
However let's disregard that and continue to pour petrol on the flames before our new Head Coach takes charge of his first game tmrw. As someone else has said, why did the lovely Leon and the YP choose now and not 8 (or more) months ago to release this bombshell?
Go figure.

 

Most categorically deny if there absolutely nothing in the news story’s .
The fact they haven’t denied worries me as that tells me they not ruling it out and that it is a possibility .

 

Bombshell in inverted commas BTW.

 

There you go. 20 words.

“From the start we implemented plans to guarantee BFC’s success. Fans and ground owners didn't appreciate our efforts. We're off.”

 

agreed mate, we aren’t going anywhere just yet. To see in print we’ve spoken to nearly every club with 30 miles about moving though isn’t the greatest of PR from anyone

 

That tells me there is some friction and doesn’t instill me with any confidence whatsoever .

 

What would be good PR is some update on the West stand.

 

Semantics are important. 'primary goal is to stay at Oakwell' is not the same as saying 'we will not be moving from Oakwell'.
We are already at Oakwell so if that's our goal its very easy to score.

 

I’m not saying I doubt the story, I’m just not sure what the story even is. The consideration of other grounds was reported last season, so this article just repeats that and names a ground. There could be a similar article surface in a few months that names Huddersfield or Doncaster, and that won’t be new news. Which clubs have we actually approached to ground share? How real is the danger of moving from oakwell?

I don’t like the way these owners are operating, but I’m not sure what this story is doing beyond digging into existing wounds.

 

I had £150k p.a. in my head?

 

Exactly. 2 million at Pride Park.

 

Quite possibly less than Patrick Schmidt is costing.

That said, I feel sure there are issues with Oakwell that go beyond the responsibilities of a tenant. We’re never really going to generate anything like the amount of revenue needed if we have a ground that can only bring money in 23 times a year, before you even factor in issues with West Stand, access to parking, rendezvous points etc… Though if i was a billionaire that owned the club. I’d be buying some land away from oakwell, building a training ground and academy there and using the space it frees up for improved facilities.

 

Isn't it seen as a plus point to have the training ground and academy near the stadium though?

 

Possibly, but I think most clubs have their training ground away from the stadium. Liverpool at Melwood, United at Carrington etc. But point is, if the investment was there, I’m sure there’d be ways to do the developments needed, without being affected by whatever covenant Conway has referred to.

 

Can't see how it makes any difference?