<font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Pride in duty for Strafford </font></font><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Posted on: Thu 08 Jan 2009 </font></font><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">The second instalment of our interview with new chairman Lee Strafford delves into the busy period since his appointment to the board of directors last month and discusses the process of securing investment in the club.He also speaks about the pride of running the club he has supported - something he feels obligated to succeed in... </font></font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">One of the first major decisions made by the board, you and Nick Parker was Kaven Walker moving on from this football club. What was behind that decision?</font></p> <font face="Calibri" size="3"></font></p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">The driver was accelerating change, being able to implement a new approach, being able to implement a culture change and moving on from the past. We're now in a position where we can accelerate a whole bunch of things and move on to a whole bunch of stuff that; a) enables the plans that we have and, b) also unwinds some of the pain that all stakeholders in this club - that's the employees, customers, fans and corporate partners - have been complaining about.We get to take a fresh look and we are doing. We're working with the people internally and setting the agenda of what we need to do here to make everybody proud of what Sheffield Wednesday does: What do we need to do to make people proud of working here? What do we need to do to make people only grumble about performances on the pitch? What do we need to do here to make people walk away from the stadium after a game and say 'they did their best' about everybody they came into contact with. We're now in the middle of all that. We're working hard and driving that change internally and it's been brilliant seeing the reaction from everybody.Of course, alongside that we still have the job of closing out the investment transaction. </font></font> <font face="Calibri" size="3"></font></p> <font face="Calibri" size="3">Do you think there is going to be an immediate change at this football club, not just since the appointment of yourself but since you arrived on the board of directors?</font></p> <font face="Calibri" size="3"></font></p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">There has already been an immediate change, we have seen a massive turn around in the last week or so - we're looking to just accelerate that. </font></font> <font face="Calibri" size="3"></font></p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">And how will you do that? </font></font><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Further development of our business plan, closing off the investment transaction but also enabling all the people here to feel that they can do things that make sense. </font></font> <font face="Calibri" size="3"></font></p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">What can you tell us about the investment in this football club, is it right to think that you and Nick Parker are not the people bringing the money here in terms of it coming from your bank accounts? </font></font><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">No, that's right. The way to get proper investment into a business is to put together a management team and a business plan and then get investors on board to deliver that investment through the management team and the business plan. That creates a situation where Nick and myself are the delivery element; the investors are financially motivated in getting a return by the business plan being executed. Not only would it be uncomfortable but inappropriate for myself and Nick to be participants in the financial piece and the actual management people delivering it.We've had a great benefit in being truly independent in coming into this football club, not owning any shares, not having any debt, not being associated with anything from the past always us to just implement the new and that independence allows us to create the platform for everybody else to move forward. </font></font> <font face="Calibri" size="3"></font></p> <font face="Calibri" size="3">So are you two now paid employees of Sheffield Wednesday?</font></p> <font face="Calibri" size="3"></font></p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">I'm not a paid employee, Nick is on the hook as a person who is classed as an employee on a paid basis and is now expected to deliver in a formal capacity - whereas previously he was working on a pure goodwill basis.I've been very fortunate that I have been lucky to work with a bunch of people that have created a financial opportunity for myself with my previous business, PlusNet - that's put me in a position where I can offer my services to this club without looking to extract any cost. I'm here right now, doing something I'm proud of but something I consider as something I am obligated to do, not something I should be taking advantage of. </font></font> <font face="Calibri" size="3">I'm very conscious there is a big job to be done to close off cultural operation changes and also closing off the funding, the transaction around that funding piece, the debt restructuring and everything else. We have got a lot of work to do over the next few weeks and then it should be fun after that.</font></p>
Said the same yesterday http://www.barnsleyfc.org.uk/bbs/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=130514&mid=867088#M867088 It's a load of crap. (And no Stahlrost, I never use phrases like the crap spouted here - even in project proposals)! (neer)
I bet the deedars are relieved at this bit "I'm very conscious there is a big job to be done to close off cultural operation changes and also closing off the funding, the transaction around that funding piece, the debt restructuring and everything else". Once they figure out what it means
RE: Yes you do! Never been part of a project proposal, of mine, though I suspect you write it into all of yours?? (blaze)
I've been laid up for a couple of days Been out cold with a bit of a bug. Finally managed to shake it off about 7pm, and went for a hot dish to kill off the last remaining viren. Was only drinking mineral water, but at the last minute decided to wash it down with a glass of red wine. Apart from that, nothing............
RE: I've been laid up for a couple of days ah well, I'm sure that one glass of red wine did the trick.... and the hot dish. You're lucky to have remedies like that on your doorstep. If you lived in this part of deedarland you'd be scuppered ... no pub to be found in 200 metres; and as for hot dishes - you could order one but you may well be asleep when it arrives. Just glad to hear you're back to optimum fitness.
So you do without curries and beer then? OK, I have no choice to believe you. Will you be in the Gate on Saturday? Or stuck in the House? Or both?
Well, On rare occasions such as when my friends venture to this neck of the woods; (you know, like for games at Hillsbro; nights out etc), I sometimes take them to the local ... it's a bit of a hike - about 50m up a steep incline. Worth it when you get there though - VERY cheap ale. Curries - you have to venture into unknown territories for those... theres a place called Ecclesfield, otherwise you have to get on a bus with a blindfold, and after 10 mins, (when it's safe) you can take it off, and you're in the city centre.. I think you can get one there. I may be meeting someone on Saturday who has a flag I don't need. He says it's not the Gate though - he never goes in there, will keep you posted.
RE: The man with the plan................Sean Lewis ! nt At least Lee's is a wednesday fan and does support them unlike Mr Lewis.
And this bit they will love I can offer my services to this club without looking to extract any cost. but surely its brass they want not ideas
