The Owners

Let’s see what happens when we get promoted………………….!!!

 

For me, the difference is astonishing. I don't believe any board will ever be universally liked. However, Conway & Lee caused so much damage last season (after the club had a brilliant campaign previously), that trust will take some time to be built up. I believe they're doing a great job with the start they've made. I accept others will be more cautious with any praise being offered up.

 

I’m pretty sure what you’re demanding is impossible. And then even if they manage it you’ll only consider giving full support. That’s what’s wrong with football fans. They’re doing about the best they can. They’ve done a lot of good but more importantly they’ve put money in that was required to ensure we can finish the season. That’ll do for me.

 

Anyone still pining for Conway and Lee take note of FC Den Bosch's last two results, defeats of 4-0 and 13-0 (thirteen!). They haven't beaten a senior team since 4th November and would be odds on for relegation other than the fact that there is no relegation this season from their league for senior teams.

 

The results have turned round but so has the financing of the club.

For the first time post Patrick the owners have put money in to help the club. The prior year of mismanagement meant it was essential to sustain the club. Sorting out the ownership issues was a big step forward.

Things are progressing and i think the change in the board has brought a change in attitude and outlook.

The next few months are going to be enormous for the club both on and off the field. Let’s hope we can keep improving.

 

The results have turned round but so has the financing of the club.

For the first time post Patrick the owners have put money in to help the club. The prior year of mismanagement meant it was essential to sustain the club. Sorting out the ownership issues was a big step forward.

Things are progressing and i think the change in the board has brought a change in attitude and outlook.

The next few months are going to be enormous for the club both on and off the field. Let’s hope we can keep improving.

 

They have since the reformation of the board. The way the acted to get rid of Lee and Conway convinced me they have the best interests of the club at heart. I suppose the only one I was unsure of was Khaled just because I wasn't sure how much of a "Conway" appointment he was, but his work in getting Duff over the line meant I was prepared to give him a chance. I think it's clear that everyone is pulling in the right direction.

 

Wouldn’t say full support but the only one out of that list I’m still on the fence about is Nareev.
I appreciate I may be totally unfair on him in that and is only based on since the big meetings at start where he turned up with his scarf, I’ve heard nothing about him.
How I see it is:
JAQ - is visible and appears to be regularly promoting us.
Nareev - not sure
J&J Cryne - think it’s a given that we all believe they have club interests first.
Khaled - involved in some horrible instances but does come across as someone who genuinely is trying.

 

Spot on. Khaled justifiably took some stick last season, but since the reshaped board he’s been doing a good job without Conway looking over his shoulder. I think it’s time to cut him some slack but sadly some still see him as the pantomime villain

 

They've got more decisions right than wrong. That's all we can ask for. Let's not forget that if we were midtable/struggling then the vibe would be very different.

They've still got a job to do & the core problems remain. We're losing money, we still have the Oakwell problems, we still might be in L1 next season etc etc. Lots being masked by brilliant performances on the pitch.

 

I'll be surprised if Collins, Andersen or Williams have any intention of signing a new contract. And there's not much the board can do about that, unless they want to put ridiculous amount of money in and see the club run up massive losses, so we can change our wage structure.

 

If we don't go up I imagine all three will be sold in the summer.
We appear to have replacements already in the building for two of them in Isted and Cotter.
Fortunately all the main midfield three are contracted for at least another two years.

 

I'm more worried about another hangover if we aren't promoted this season. At the start of the season I'd have snatched your hand off at the Play-Offs but now I'd be disappointed if we weren't promoted given the form of this team.

 

Isn't Kane into his last year next year? Pretty sure he signed a 4 year contract, and this is the third.

 

Yes, it looks like you're right. No mention of an additional year in our favour either.
Can't see him signing an extension as the form he's in right now he'll definitely have suitors.

 

Regarding the owners. I wasn't too taken with them and still aren't to a certain extent. However, they're keeping us ticking over and don't look like walking away so they'll do for me at the minute.

 

If we don't go up there will need to be significant sales and potentially another cash call on the owners, that may well test the resolve of the ownership group.

There comes a point when you don't have the same emotional attachment that throwing money in to a bottomless pit is not a great investment approach.

So far they have helped turn things round but if the club doesn't achieve promotion then there are more tough decisions to be made. Let's just hope for the sake of all supporters and owners that the players continue to deliver and we get promoted.

 

Chien Lee - I'm not sure he really understood what he was getting into, nor enough about the game to make a difference. I'm not sure he was a bad guy though.
Paul Conway, on the other hand, a malicious, as well as clueless, 'moneyman' with dillusions of grandeuer; a man who thought he was both clever and wealthy. Yet was neither. He totally underestimated that the passion of Barnsley supporters was not limited to results on the pitch, but reached into the boardroom, the history, the background and the running of the club. When he was found out, he slunked off to the land of silence. He neglected his English investment whilst at the same time appointing himself CEO. He focussed on conquering Europe and establishing a 'well-run' portfolio whilst 5punk1ng money, that BFC didn't have, on the likes of Oulare and Iseka. All his other clubs floundered; success to him meant lining his back pocket and had the square root of ph00.k all to do with the team, the clubs or their communities. The heart was ripped out of ourselves, and the likes of Esjberg and other 'commodities'.

One cannot underestimate the damage done under their tenure. It could take years to recover. Still.

They are mentioned because the ownership now are essentially 'new blood' but with original PMG members still lurking, though with little or no power. Of course the most obvious remnant is Neerav, who 'seems' like he is a good guy with good intentions. JAQ has come in as a mouthpiece, and as mentioned above it is not a bad first season from a self-promotion and 'judge us by our actions' point of view (not withstanding early-season issues around communication and 'Hex'). It is positive. I'm liking it. There has been progress, but there are still issues though they are masked by what is turning out to be a great season on the footballing side. We saw similar under Val. Would the charlatans mentioned in my opening gambit have got away with so much damage in the background if all eyes had been on them a little more? Who knows. To me it is almost as though success on the pitch, in a unique set of circumstances, almost allowed Conway to eat the club from the inside.

So I am happy with the way it is going. Khaled is flavour of the month again, and let's hope that this is via some metaphorical kick-up-the-jacksi by the ownership group. If it is, long may it continue. ST's for next season announced early; decent players under contract with potential sell-on value to maintain the model. A gaffer we could have only dreamt about last year, and a re-connection with the fans who are buying into what is happening. Away from the playing field, let's see progress on issues like the stadium and access and I really can see us becoming an established Championship club again. I can't contemplate the alternative if it goes T1t5-up this time!!