Don't know the bloke and didn't subscribe to the magazine, but the people with issues with him, why let it bother you so much, just don't read his website or publications. If you don't think he's independent and you want an independent view then ignore him. Surely he has the freedom to set up his own website/magazine/blog/tv show whether he works for the club or not. The issue should be whether you think what he writes is of interest. I can understand if you paid money and are awaiting a refund you are annoyed but he says it will be repaid. And I don't know whether he works for the club or not but I wouldn't necessarily take the Chron as fact. But either way does it really matter? Have you not got anything better to do? Just don't read his website and get a good book instead. there's lots of good books around which theres no dispute as to whether the author worked fro BFC or not. Although I hear Cormac McCarthy is our kitman
Though on the other side if he is not independent and he is producing a website and/or magazine that claims to be independent then shouldnt ALL the potential readers know about it? For example a lot of people read the Brian Howard article in his magazine and were under the impression that a neutral had observed this and formed that opinion, this in turn swayed their opinion. Now if that turns out to be a biased article from someone linked to or even employed by the club wouldnt peoples opinion of the article be different? That is why I think it's important that the magazine/website should be absolutly clear about who runs it/who influences it.
It just seems a pointless argument though He says he is independent. others say he isn't. No-one can prove it so either believe him and read it, don't believe him and don't read it, don't care whether he's independent or not and either read it or ignore it
RE: It just seems a pointless argument though Unless Simon Davey is lying, Mark Stokes works for Barnsley Football Club and is not independent.
Fair enough then, don't read Mark Stokes website if your looking for an independent view or if you couldn't care less decide whther to read it or not
TBH i dont really care either way. But do you think that when davey went to work that morning he was simply told 'Dont worry about Ruben at school today, we have arranged for somebody to be there to handle press'. And that that someone was Mark Stokes who was known to the club because of his reporting for paper.??? So he simply did em a favour. Like i say. couldnt care less really!!
That is the way I see it too. The club have employed him on a kind of 'consultancy' basis with the remit of handling the press when certain circumstances arise. Other than that he is free to do what he likes. The media is full of lies and being mislead, seems to be the natural order these days so no surprises if all is not clear cut.