It'll be interesting to see how much time Maurice Watkins spends at BFC

To say he has his fingers in a lot of pies is an understatement. He's the chairman of British swimming, the one Olympic sport where our country really needs a kick up the arse, so he has his work cut out there. His appointment is with the intention of taking the British swimming team in to the next Olympics in 2016. He's also the chairman of Rugby Super League, another very high profile position. He's the chairman or board member for numerous other institutions, everything from greyhound racing to Lancashire Cricket Club, from the professional footballers pension scheme to Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity. He holds a number of positions with the FA and legally represents both the governing body and individual players. Then there's his day job as a lawyer and senior partner at a Manchester law firm.

The man works hard, clearly knows his onions and is hugely respected not only in the world of football, but in the whole of sport and the arena of law. It's amazing that we've managed to attract someone with such a high profile to become our chairman, but I do wonder how much time he will have for us. Although, as the saying goes, if you want something doing ask a busy man.

It's been my opinion that we've needed a leader and public face at board level for a long time. Apart from a brief and disastrous stint under Peter Ridsdale, I don't think we've had such a person since John Dennis. I've always thought it was a great shame that Patrick Cryne never took on that role. The few times he has given interviews he's come across as calm, measured and very astute. Very likeable too and I thought he was more than capable of energizing Barnsley supporters and promoting the club in the wider football world. But to be fair to Patrick, he said from the start he never wanted that. To be honest, it's not a position I would relish either. I guess, as Patrick's health deteriorated and maybe with the court case hanging over his head, he was even less inclined to take on such responsibilities.

So now we have Maurice Watkins. I doubt there is a more qualified person for the position in the whole country. If he can have the same effect on our off field activities as David Flitcroft had on it then we could become a football club of some reckoning and one we can all be proud of.

Welcome to Barnsley Mr Watkins.

 

i personally think that he will build a board underneath him. bringing in capable people that he can trust to do his work for him.
i think it is almost certain that the don is retiring, so a new general manager would be first on the list!
he surely has a vast contacts book!

 

Aye welcome indeed.

 

Agree entirely.

Maybe Don stays and works under Maurice's new strategy/vision...

 

He wont micromanage once he's had a look at the club's structure, but he'll put a people and system in place that will reflect where the direction the club should be heading.

 

Polishing a turd...

...seeing as we couldn't sell it as it was, maybe this is why he's been brought in?

 

Re: Polishing a turd...

I worked it out that he will be spending approximately six minutes a week at Oakwell and that will be occupied by marching Barry and Don off to detention by their ears amid plaintive claims that "he started it" and "it wer fookin thee, yer lying get."

I'm not overly excited, it won't hurt to have an experienced noggin on board. I'm getting my protest against electronic pitch side advertising in early, just to be on the safe side. Literally....

 

Re: Polishing a turd...

They'll be able to run it from the solar panels they installed... ohh just a minute!

 

thinking about a new general manager... didnt that bloke Gill leave Man Utd this summer?????

 

As others have said

I think initially, Mr Watkins could possibly spend a fair bit of time at the club whilst he puts into place the changes he feels necessary. The more of these that are completed, the greater the likelihood of him spending less time on the premises. Perhaps duties & responsibilities may get delegated amongst a greater number of staff, to better reflect the needs of an established Championship club.
All pure conjecture on my part.

 

Re: As others have said

Im more interested in the results he achieves rather than time served. Im confident that he will do a good job and i expect as with all new leaders will look for some quick wins in his tenure.

 

Re: Polishing a turd...

I think that's the reason, he's here to sell the club.

 

That would be my guess too. Improve the club to make it attractive to buyers if possible, but with the remit of selling it. Could be big changes at the club in the next couple of years.

 

Whatever happens hes a massive step forward, welcome Maurice.

 

He enjoys working a 7 day week, surely he'll manage one day a week. I may stalk him and report back with an itinerary.

When asked that in his interview he said that he hadn't been asked to find a potential buyer and that he would be working with PC. Don't know whether or not he just wasn't letting on though.

 

Surely you mean Richard Lewis not money saver Martin?
Oh and thanks for Daryl Powell.

 

The rugby league would be better off with martin. I love league but its just so limited financially it truly is a shame because as a spectacle it shits on union.

 

Re: Polishing a turd...

How about having an electronic pitch side advertising board that constantly scrolls "Say no to electronic pitch side advertising!"