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Post by Cosmic Pasty on Feb 23, 2016 12:58:16 GMT
Al Qadi seems like a nice enough guy, but to be honest, I found that photo of him kissing the badge totally forced and unauthentic-looking, almost bordering on creepy. For all his faults, Higgs always seemed to be genuinely involved when pictured looking miserably on at events with his grumpy cat expression (even if his fears were only for his money!). I'd like to see Al Qadi pictured a few times at some of our games watching with real interest and concern, totally oblivious to the cameras, just as he was when he was watching Chelsea. I'm not saying that he doesn't have the fans interests at heart, just that he's done nothing yet to convince me otherwise. Initial impressions are that he knows how to communicate and talk the talk, and that there may even be a bit of a 'character' lurking within (of the type that media love to give a bit of airtime to). Neither of these are a bad thing.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
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Post by kingswood Polak on Feb 24, 2016 9:49:25 GMT
Irishrover a brilliant exposition, really enjoyable read summed up very poignantly and I quote you :- "What is sad for me though is that a Posh guy from Jordan with an expensive and elite UK education and no prior connection to the club or the area has come in and instantly sounded like he has a better understanding of what Rovers fans want to hear and what they will respond positively to than a board of professed lifelong Rovers fans have for most of the last 15 years!" Nail hit very firmly on the head I reckon.....UTG ! Agree 100% It has always amazed me how easy it would have been for the previous owners to do the little things that make so much difference to the relationship with the supporters. Treating them with respect like they actually matter for a start. Mr Al-Qadi has certainly got off to a flying start in that regard! I am hoping that the new owners start to do things to improve the supporter's experience and raise the image of the club. Better communication, a higher quality range of merchandise. I also think that it would be worth spending (a relatively small amount of) money on a minor facelift to the Mem. Just tidy things up a little. We will be there for at least two seasons after all. I wrote to the club, a couple of years ago and offered to provide the cherry pickers and labour, to sort out the flaking rust that rains down onto the west terrace and asked some pertinent questions as to the exact paint needed etc. I got no reply. While I understand the club probably wanted the place to look dilapidated I still thought it would be good to have it sorted and gratis. I think a tidy up is long overdue and I would certainly welcome it. I also think it would be a very good idea to cover the away area. We all know what it's like to get soaked and then have to travel home, after a loss as well. I bet it stops people from coming, it would me.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,261
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Post by kingswood Polak on Feb 24, 2016 9:56:18 GMT
I agree that this is an excellent post. I don't agree with the "instantly understand what the fans wants to hear" point though. I am sure Higgs said the right things to start with but if you don't deliver then no one cares what you have to say. Wael is in his honeymoon period, has said all the right things and we all want to believe him. If he fails to deliver then we slowly grow sceptical as we did with Higgs. Now he has to deliver - your first point about wait and see, don't rush to judge, is spot on. That's absolutely right - ultimately if you're not perceived to have delivered then people are going to stop giving you the benefit of the doubt whereas someone with a blank slate will get that. But the point really was how it highlighted the contrast more than anything else and I genuinely do find it sad because if anything a group of local owners should find it easier to take fans through tough times - not harder (as happened at Twerton for example). That's what was most annoying - the excuse making, the scapegoat finding, the lack of mea culpa's, etc. To me at a basic level leadership is about accepting responsibility for performance and relationships - instead the worst things got the more the board seemed to hunker down. If you come out and accept responsibility, apologise for mistakes made in good faith and reinforce a vision of the future then most people will accept that. If you start bitterly sniping at parts of your own fanbase, engage in petty personal disputes, constantly scratch around for someone to blame, kick responsibility downwards and keep up a façade that everything is rosie in the face of all evidence that will inevitably alienate people.
Even at the end Higgs was reinforcing the fact that without the board the club would have gone under - fine, but without the fans the club also would have gone under and that's what they never seemed capable of either admitting or convincingly conveying in anything other than the most bland platitudes; even if you do see the club as nothing more than an asset that is still your most vital mutual relationship. That was the problem - the lack of respect for that dynamic to the extent that fans doing anything other than just paying their money on a Saturday afternoon and shutting up was seen as a problem rather than an essential part of the club. That's sad for all concerned because you'd want Rovers fans to understand Rovers fans and that didn't seem to happen and therefore if Higgs truly did keep the club alive he'll probably never get the universal respect for that he would otherwise deserve (in the way, say, Dennis Dunford did). Somebody from completely outside comes in and instantly sounds like they know how to easily communicate the importance of this in a way that unbelievably sounds more authentic and genuine then the kind of forced, defensive and resentful tone that we've had to deal with for most of the last 10 years. Could well turn out to be the total bollocks of smooth talking professionals the first time we hit some bumpy weather, but it still highlights that breakdown somewhat depressingly and I find that quite sad. I can't help but have a slight man crush on Wael lol. The way Toni the till asked him if he wanted a tie and the reply of no, it's a football match not a fashion show, that shows him in a good light too. He came out and talked with fans and posed for selfies, can you imagine Nick Higgs doing that ? Didn't think so. I can honestly say that every single Arabic friend I have is a solid friend. They are honourable people and are very understated when compared to the western equivalents. As you say though, it is a honeymoon period and its actions that are remembered. My hope is that any banning orders are ceased and that we get people coming back, those who have stopped going entirely. Never a dull moment with the gas.
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eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
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Post by eppinggas on Feb 24, 2016 10:17:37 GMT
Agree 100% It has always amazed me how easy it would have been for the previous owners to do the little things that make so much difference to the relationship with the supporters. Treating them with respect like they actually matter for a start. Mr Al-Qadi has certainly got off to a flying start in that regard! I am hoping that the new owners start to do things to improve the supporter's experience and raise the image of the club. Better communication, a higher quality range of merchandise. I also think that it would be worth spending (a relatively small amount of) money on a minor facelift to the Mem. Just tidy things up a little. We will be there for at least two seasons after all. I wrote to the club, a couple of years ago and offered to provide the cherry pickers and labour, to sort out the flaking rust that rains down onto the west terrace and asked some pertinent questions as to the exact paint needed etc. I got no reply. While I understand the club probably wanted the place to look dilapidated I still thought it would be good to have it sorted and gratis. I think a tidy up is long overdue and I would certainly welcome it. I also think it would be a very good idea to cover the away area. We all know what it's like to get soaked and then have to travel home, after a loss as well. I bet it stops people from coming, it would me. I was about to say "unbelievable" regarding the fact that you offered voluntary help to tidy up the Stadium and got no response. Then again, that is symptomatic of the way the Club was 'run'. Not the first time I have heard a story like this. And 100% agree we should put a roof on the away terrace. It's embarrassing to treat away support like this and reflects badly on the Club. If we are at the Mem for a couple more years - we should address this ASAP. Surely wouldn't cost that much? Up the Gas. Or should that be Yasil Alghaz...
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Igitur
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Post by Igitur on Feb 24, 2016 10:18:43 GMT
I also do not like badge kissing. In the case of Wael Al Qadi I think he was trying to make some gesture to the fans to show his commitment, but I think he got it slightly wrong. (Don't get me wrong I welcome him at the moment.)
As for posing for selfies etc, my memory is not so good, and I tend to avoid such things, but didn't Higgs pose with fans when he took over?
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Angas
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Post by Angas on Feb 24, 2016 10:26:13 GMT
I also do not like badge kissing. In the case of Wael Al Qadi I think he was trying to make some gesture to the fans to show his commitment, but I think he got it slightly wrong. (Don't get me wrong I welcome him at the moment.) As for posing for selfies etc, my memory is not so good, and I tend to avoid such things, but didn't Higgs pose with fans when he took over? The way I see it with these photos - they weren't for show or to win us over. They were from sheer exuberance and excitement. He looked like a kid at christmas getting the best present ever. So I'll let him off with the badge kissing just this once.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
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Post by kingswood Polak on Feb 24, 2016 10:47:37 GMT
I also do not like badge kissing. In the case of Wael Al Qadi I think he was trying to make some gesture to the fans to show his commitment, but I think he got it slightly wrong. (Don't get me wrong I welcome him at the moment.) As for posing for selfies etc, my memory is not so good, and I tend to avoid such things, but didn't Higgs pose with fans when he took over? The way I see it with these photos - they weren't for show or to win us over. They were from sheer exuberance and excitement. He looked like a kid at christmas getting the best present ever. So I'll let him off with the badge kissing just this once. That is very much how I perceived it and I also had the Mrs watch the video and I didn't preload her. Her thoughts were that the guy is super excited and found it hard to contain himself. Sophie isn't one of those people who agree just because she is my partner. I wish lol
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Igitur
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Post by Igitur on Feb 24, 2016 10:51:10 GMT
The way I see it with these photos - they weren't for show or to win us over. They were from sheer exuberance and excitement. He looked like a kid at christmas getting the best present ever. So I'll let him off with the badge kissing just this once. That is very much how I perceived it and I also had the Mrs watch the video and I didn't preload her. Her thoughts were that the guy is super excited and found it hard to contain himself. Sophie isn't one of those people who agree just because she is my partner. I wish lol I am willing to agree that could be the interpretation. Such harmony after regime change!
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Post by mancgas has left the building on Feb 24, 2016 11:05:31 GMT
On the badge kissing - I guess when you've watched so much top level football it probably seems normal
Like others I've offered help in a smaller way than others (offered to stick the tiles which are bulging off the wall in disabled loo behind exec boxes back on and also buy a disabled national key lock for the disabled loo under main stand)and got ignored.
After I posted about the tie thing I saw the owner later and ask why he still hadnt got a tie on and he laughed like a drain and said 'I've already said I dont wear ties to football' -he may struggle in a few away boardrooms with that. The other brother Samer who also did the meet and greet was a far quieter considered man and you can see why Wael got the job of front man. We didnt speak to the third brother, Hani as he was looking after the many children presumably who all seemed mega excited and wearing their Rovers stuff.
Having spoken to him 3 times I've seen nothing but smiles and gratiousness (he thanked every fan he met on Saturday for allowing him in to their(our) club), he even smiled and chatted in loos while washing hands despite having to use trap one which was filthy.
Massive difference from previous regime, indeed nothing like it since Denis Dunford imo.
However, I trust no mans words only deeds so remain cautiously optomisti***til things happen which show the aim is to drive the club forward on a sustainable business basis, while maintaining the passion for the on the field activities.
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Post by Henbury Gas on Feb 24, 2016 11:10:43 GMT
I wrote to the club, a couple of years ago and offered to provide the cherry pickers and labour, to sort out the flaking rust that rains down onto the west terrace and asked some pertinent questions as to the exact paint needed etc. I got no reply. While I understand the club probably wanted the place to look dilapidated I still thought it would be good to have it sorted and gratis. I think a tidy up is long overdue and I would certainly welcome it. I also think it would be a very good idea to cover the away area. We all know what it's like to get soaked and then have to travel home, after a loss as well. I bet it stops people from coming, it would me. I was about to say "unbelievable" regarding the fact that you offered voluntary help to tidy up the Stadium and got no response. Then again, that is symptomatic of the way the Club was 'run'. Not the first time I have heard a story like this. And 100% agree we should put a roof on the away terrace. It's embarrassing to treat away support like this and reflects badly on the Club. If we are at the Mem for a couple more years - we should address this ASAP. Surely wouldn't cost that much? Up the Gas. Or should that be Yasil Alghaz... easy way to sort the away terrace - give them the tent end !
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pirateer
Vaughn Jones
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 147
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Post by pirateer on Feb 24, 2016 11:23:42 GMT
I was about to say "unbelievable" regarding the fact that you offered voluntary help to tidy up the Stadium and got no response. Then again, that is symptomatic of the way the Club was 'run'. Not the first time I have heard a story like this. And 100% agree we should put a roof on the away terrace. It's embarrassing to treat away support like this and reflects badly on the Club. If we are at the Mem for a couple more years - we should address this ASAP. Surely wouldn't cost that much? Up the Gas. Or should that be Yasil Alghaz... easy way to sort the away terrace - give them the tent end ! how about we look after our own fans who get just as wet as the away fans on the open dribuid terrace first?
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,261
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Post by kingswood Polak on Feb 24, 2016 11:53:02 GMT
On the badge kissing - I guess when you've watched so much top level football it probably seems normal Like others I've offered help in a smaller way than others (offered to stick the tiles which are bulging off the wall in disabled loo behind exec boxes back on and also buy a disabled national key lock for the disabled loo under main stand)and got ignored. After I posted about the tie thing I saw the owner later and ask why he still hadnt got a tie on and he laughed like a drain and said 'I've already said I dont wear ties to football' -he may struggle in a few away boardrooms with that. The other brother Samer who also did the meet and greet was a far quieter considered man and you can see why Wael got the job of front man. We didnt speak to the third brother, Hani as he was looking after the many children presumably who all seemed mega excited and wearing their Rovers stuff. Having spoken to him 3 times I've seen nothing but smiles and gratiousness (he thanked every fan he met on Saturday for allowing him in to their(our) club), he even smiled and chatted in loos while washing hands despite having to use trap one which was filthy. Massive difference from previous regime, indeed nothing like it since Denis Dunford imo. However, I trust no mans words only deeds so remain cautiously optomisti***til things happen which show the aim is to drive the club forward on a sustainable business basis, while maintaining the passion for the on the field activities. Just love the way the C bomb was avoided by the code. You made an error but it recognised that the two words made up the C bomb lol.
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irishrover
Global Moderator
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Post by irishrover on Feb 24, 2016 12:21:15 GMT
On the badge kissing - I guess when you've watched so much top level football it probably seems normal Like others I've offered help in a smaller way than others (offered to stick the tiles which are bulging off the wall in disabled loo behind exec boxes back on and also buy a disabled national key lock for the disabled loo under main stand)and got ignored. After I posted about the tie thing I saw the owner later and ask why he still hadnt got a tie on and he laughed like a drain and said 'I've already said I dont wear ties to football' -he may struggle in a few away boardrooms with that. The other brother Samer who also did the meet and greet was a far quieter considered man and you can see why Wael got the job of front man. We didnt speak to the third brother, Hani as he was looking after the many children presumably who all seemed mega excited and wearing their Rovers stuff. Having spoken to him 3 times I've seen nothing but smiles and gratiousness (he thanked every fan he met on Saturday for allowing him in to their(our) club), he even smiled and chatted in loos while washing hands despite having to use trap one which was filthy. Massive difference from previous regime, indeed nothing like it since Denis Dunford imo. However, I trust no mans words only deeds so remain cautiously optomisti***til things happen which show the aim is to drive the club forward on a sustainable business basis, while maintaining the passion for the on the field activities. Just love the way the C bomb was avoided by the code. You made an error but it recognised that the two words made up the C bomb lol. I think you've misunderstood - we just don't allow the expression of optimis*........
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Post by Cosmic Pasty on Feb 24, 2016 12:33:57 GMT
I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt re the badge kissing for now anyway. I don't think the photo of it was a great one and have realised what it reminded me of now - the moment in the old horror films where the camera captures the smug and predatory expression of the vampire as he sinks his teeth into his victim's neck. There was never much chance of me getting good vibes from that one Regarding giving The Mem a bit of TLC, did the club ever do anything about making that open bit of balcony railing on the Dri-Build stand a bit safer where a child fell through on to the concrete (twice, as far as I know)? At the very least, that kind of thing should be addressed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 13:30:43 GMT
Putting a roof on the away end would be absolutely bottom of any list of things I'd do to spruce up the Mem while we're still there.
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Peter Parker
Global Moderator
Richard Walker
You have been sentenced to DELETION!
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Post by Peter Parker on Feb 24, 2016 13:32:55 GMT
I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt re the badge kissing for now anyway. I don't think the photo of it was a great one and have realised what it reminded me of now - the moment in the old horror films where the camera captures the smug and predatory expression of the vampire as he sinks his teeth into his victim's neck. There was never much chance of me getting good vibes from that one Regarding giving The Mem a bit of TLC, did the club ever do anything about making that open bit of balcony railing on the Dri-Build stand a bit safer where a child fell through on to the concrete (twice, as far as I know)? At the very least, that kind of thing should be addressed. The barriers on the steps have had wired panelling put in/attached
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Post by Cosmic Pasty on Feb 24, 2016 14:18:40 GMT
I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt re the badge kissing for now anyway. I don't think the photo of it was a great one and have realised what it reminded me of now - the moment in the old horror films where the camera captures the smug and predatory expression of the vampire as he sinks his teeth into his victim's neck. There was never much chance of me getting good vibes from that one Regarding giving The Mem a bit of TLC, did the club ever do anything about making that open bit of balcony railing on the Dri-Build stand a bit safer where a child fell through on to the concrete (twice, as far as I know)? At the very least, that kind of thing should be addressed. The barriers on the steps have had wired panelling put in/attached Thanks, I'm glad to hear that. I can't really see that bit from where we stand on the Blackthorn (or whatever they're calling it these days), but it's been bothering me. My daughter's first comment on hearing the news was 'Maybe the girls will get better toilets than portaloos now!'. I think that kind of progress might be asking too much, too soon
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Bridgeman
Alfie Biggs
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Post by Bridgeman on Feb 24, 2016 20:05:58 GMT
On the badge kissing - I guess when you've watched so much top level football it probably seems normal Like others I've offered help in a smaller way than others (offered to stick the tiles which are bulging off the wall in disabled loo behind exec boxes back on and also buy a disabled national key lock for the disabled loo under main stand)and got ignored. After I posted about the tie thing I saw the owner later and ask why he still hadnt got a tie on and he laughed like a drain and said 'I've already said I dont wear ties to football' -he may struggle in a few away boardrooms with that. The other brother Samer who also did the meet and greet was a far quieter considered man and you can see why Wael got the job of front man. We didnt speak to the third brother, Hani as he was looking after the many children presumably who all seemed mega excited and wearing their Rovers stuff. Having spoken to him 3 times I've seen nothing but smiles and gratiousness (he thanked every fan he met on Saturday for allowing him in to their(our) club), he even smiled and chatted in loos while washing hands despite having to use trap one which was filthy. Massive difference from previous regime, indeed nothing like it since Denis Dunford imo. However, I trust no mans words only deeds so remain cautiously optomisti***til things happen which show the aim is to drive the club forward on a sustainable business basis, while maintaining the passion for the on the field activities. Your personal experience of him is encouraging, long may that continue, I guess at some time he or his family are going to have to make some hard decisions concerning the direction they are going to take the club and the speed at which they do that. It's interesting to see the make up of some of the individuals on the board being non football related.
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Feb 25, 2016 2:44:35 GMT
Blimey - where to start. Don't normally start threads based on my personal opinion as it feels a bit (and, to be honest, is) self-indulgent especially when posting at length. But, in my defence there's too many threads I want to contribute to here and so in the interests of efficiency I wanted to bung down some thoughts. Firstly, I don't know about anyone else but I'm still struggling to digest this and I suspect that what we feel about this now will almost certainly not be the same as what we feel about it in 6 months time. So I feel like it's almost impossible to reflect on this properly at the moment beyond a kind of vague shopping list of positives and negative that have been largely been already covered on the board. Overall then I think reserving judgement seems like a pretty sensible (and deathly dull) approach and a way of avoiding mammoth dissaspointment. But, sod it, that's boring so lets do it anyway! Secondly, I accept all the concerns about foreign owners but nearly all of those concerns equally well apply to British owners. The kind of issues people flag up about clubs not having owners rooted in their communities could just as well apply if we'd been taken over by a businessman from Carlisle and there have been just as many incidents (probably more in fact) of those kind out of town British owners screwing over football clubs with which they had no prior connection (normally in collusion with previous owners that did have a connection....). The difference is that those owners don't get grouped together as 'British owners' in the same way 'Foreign Owners' do. They get treated as individual cases not as part of a malign process but, in reality, the mechanism is exactly the same; clubs being bought by unscrupulous people who have no connection with the community or fans. The problem isn't whether someone is British or not, the issue is our model of football club ownership that treats clubs purely as assets to be bought and sold. Once that's in place then fans have no more control over who owns our clubs than we do over who owns our local pub. Ie. We may have an emotional tie to it but we have no impact on its future affairs beyond the ability to withhold our custom - the relationship is purely customer - owners and that's the way football clubs are now run in England. People who make the anti-foreign owner argument tend to focus on what type of people these owners are - they should concentrate more on the structure I think because it's a much bigger issue. I don't like the current ownership structures of English football at all but I can't blame Nick Higgs or the Al-Qadi's for that - to me it's a different question. It's a bit like when people get angry when an unpleasant individual wins the lottery - it kind of misses the point. It's the structure of the contest that creates this - not the specific people involved. I feel that that the truth is that most foreign owners are quietly competent but high profile failures/dodgy individuals get more attention because it's an easy extra stick to throw at them (unlike s*** British owners, these type of owners are both s*** and foreign so therefore in a false logic foreign owners must be s***!). So, as a criticism, that's a complete non-starter for me. Exactly the same concerns would have applied if Higgs had sold up to the rumoured Birmingham consortium (unsubstantiated reports of ex-Rovers involvement not withstanding). Thirdly, like everyone else I like the sound of this guy and good noises are being made. But, at the same time I find it a little bit sad. Wael has given several interviews in which he has sounded humble, intelligent, realistic, passionate about the game and excited about the project. Despite being coy about the details I see no particular reason not to believe what he says. The reaction by Rovers fans has been predictably positive. What is sad for me though is that a Posh guy from Jordan with an expensive and elite UK education and no prior connection to the club or the area has come in and instantly sounded like he has a better understanding of what Rovers fans want to hear and what they will respond positively to than a board of professed lifelong Rovers fans have for most of the last 15 years! OK, yes, obviously it's much easier when you are announcing good news and being hailed as a saviour and no doubt he has a very good mastery of basic PR in his line of business etc etc but this isn't really designed as a massive dig at the departing board. I just think it puts into sad contrast the absolute breakdown of the positive relationship between the board and the fans over a successive number of years. Which kind of backs up the previous point - people tend to want clubs (however they're owned) to be ideally run by those who are from and understand the area, and have always supported the club, largely because they think those type of local owners understand the supporters better. Well we've had that and there's been naff all evidence of any real understanding - if anything it's just produced a paranoid and parochial bunker mentality based on perceived slights and petty personal disagreements. I find that sad because it really, really didn't have to be like that. Maybe a professional distance will actually be a good thing after the last few years - it's probably reached the stage where we needed someone from the outside to come in and basically steamroller over all cracks and fissures that have opened up in the last decade. This could not represent more of a fresh start for all concerned (the retention of certain holdovers excepted) - why do I suspect that will not be the case though and people will just find other proxy battles to fight? Fourthly, at this stage we have absolutely no idea the level of investment these guys are planning. So before we start planning our assault on the Champions League perhaps we should reign in our horses just a weebit until the colour of the money is revealed. Meetings with UWE, commitment to build the new stadium etc. All of that sounds very promising. They were far less forthcoming I thought about investment in the team although there are many reasons why you wouldn't want to come in all guns blazing on that score; unsettle current staff, get driven up in wage negotiations, create unrealistic expectations etc. Mostly I liked how calm and measured and well thought through all of this sounds - the amount of evidence that is being found related to due dilligence and working with high end professional organisations is quietly relieving while, I admit, not perhaps as exciting as a guy walking onto the training ground with a giant bag of money and saying to DC 'it's all yours mate'. The emphasis on academy sounds good as does their prior football experience. My completely uninformed hunch is that these people want to be a player in regional/international football politics (I would imagine that there's likely huge financial/reputation potential in the wider area linked to the Qatar World Cup in terms of offering a unique international networking opportunity for big Middle East organisations) and that owning an English football club is a good way of building up a credible profile while investing in something interesting. I don't see how this is all about the stadium deal. Whatever wealth level these people have we know it's pretty astronomical - they're not looking to make a pile from a stadium deal in the way a speculative consortium might be, they're already megawealthy. I think it's more likely that they were looking to invest in a football club anyway and that our stadium deal adds a very handy potential bonus as a good reason to chose us over someone else. If all they wanted to do was invest in a property deal then surely there are simpler ones available for people that wealthy. But, at the same time I'm sure they'll look to maximise the deal because it makes sense for them to do so and that's where we all just have to trust that those interests align with the club' interests. All in all I think I'm marginally happier trusting megarich Jordanians to do that than I am moderately rich Bristolians for the simple reason that they have far less personally riding on it (both financially and for their professional and personal status). My main worry all along was that the board would do a deal on the UWE anyway because one way or another they had to and it would end up as the final millstone that dragged the club under - something that has happened at other clubs. This removes that concern but potentially replaces it with other ones. Fifthly, what a result for Nick Higgs. Good for him - he's had a rough ride and I hope he goes happily off into the sunset. For all that there is much to criticise about his period in charge I always felt it fell a bit disproportionately on his head - the real problems with Rovers definitely predated Higgs Chairmanship. But, I think it's fair to say that his legacy also rides on what happens now. If Al-Qadi come in, get the stadium built (particularly if it is UWE and I don't think there's any real reason to think it won't be) and provide a solid base for the club then I think he would deserve to be seen as the guy who built the base for that. However, if it all goes pear shaped with Al-Qadi then that's part of his legacy too - they've made a big play on having sold the club to the right people, I really hope they've got it right - if so the Higgs statue at UWE may not be such a laughable idea. Very good initial signs. Sixthly, we can calm down about onfield stuff! Relax, take a chill pill. If these guys are the real deal then what we currently have essentially is a freepass for the rest of the season - if they're not then we're screwed anyway. It would be bloody awesome if we got promoted and would definitely add to the sense of a club on the up. But, if not, we have billionaires with pocketfuls of cash to fund a serious promotion bid next time. I don't think anyone (not even DC if he was being really honest) thought we'd do this well and coupled with City's struggles the season has taken on an urgency that seemed a bit unlikely in September. Now it looks like City will stay up and we seem to be well placed off the field. So it doesn't need to happen tomorrow. Though I would love it if this side managed to go up I don't think this increases the pressure. DC should definitely stay and the squad should be added to not rebuilt by the way - it would be very dissapointing if it went any other way. However, I am concerned that the 'Holloway in' movement will build very quickly the moment we hit any kind of roadblock and given that these new owners will have a desire to make an impression with fans and Ollie's current employment status it seems a very real risk to me that DC would find himself on an unfarily short leash. Seventhly, bloody hell can we take a leaf out of our impressive sounding new owners book and be a little bit humble about this? Getting involved in 'who has the richest owner?' debates with City fans seems incredibly tedious and almost completely irrelevant (though sadly I see it becoming as standard as the crucial 'who takes more fans away?' debate). It's pretty funny though for someone my age who grew up with both clubs being financial basketcases in the early 90s. Certainly the your Channel Island Tax Exile vs Our Jordanian Bankers (who one assumes are not overly burdened in the tax department themselves) is a somewhat different order of magnitude from 'My Milkman vs Your Keyboard Player from Bros....'! Anyway, that's more than enough crap for the timebeing. Most of it is guff but I needed to write that down just to get my own head round what I actually thought about it - still pretty stunned. Turns out a leopard can't change it's spots - boring old cautious optimism is the order of the day as usual.... Points 4 and 7 sum up my feelings on this exactly. All sounds great so far, but the counting of chickens regarding investing in the squad has been quite staggering and the cock waving regarding how our luck has changed overnight is quite frankly an embarrassment. It seems that some of us never learn from the past. We keep doing the billy big bollocks bit and make ourselves look royally stupid when it all comes crashing down around our ears. Not saying that this is how it will pan out this time, but I wish people would leave the bragging and boasting to the crowd from south of the river until we've actually got something to boast about. Even then, I think I'd prefer to be smugly and silently satisfied rather than risk setting myself up for ridicule. Plus this is Rovers we are talking about - things so rarely go in our favour that caution should be firmly in our DNA.
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womble
Arthur Cartlidge
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 300
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Post by womble on Feb 25, 2016 8:02:05 GMT
Agree 100% It has always amazed me how easy it would have been for the previous owners to do the little things that make so much difference to the relationship with the supporters. Treating them with respect like they actually matter for a start. Mr Al-Qadi has certainly got off to a flying start in that regard! I am hoping that the new owners start to do things to improve the supporter's experience and raise the image of the club. Better communication, a higher quality range of merchandise. I also think that it would be worth spending (a relatively small amount of) money on a minor facelift to the Mem. Just tidy things up a little. We will be there for at least two seasons after all. I wrote to the club, a couple of years ago and offered to provide the cherry pickers and labour, to sort out the flaking rust that rains down onto the west terrace and asked some pertinent questions as to the exact paint needed etc. I got no reply. While I understand the club probably wanted the place to look dilapidated I still thought it would be good to have it sorted and gratis. I think a tidy up is long overdue and I would certainly welcome it. I also think it would be a very good idea to cover the away area. We all know what it's like to get soaked and then have to travel home, after a loss as well. I bet it stops people from coming, it would me. I believe the reason that the away end and part of the Dri-build terrace are uncovered, is that the view of parts of the pitch from the seats would be blocked by a roof. When the rugby club built the stand they used architects who had never designed one before. They got the rake of the seats wrong and the pitch had to be moved slightly away from the stand, so that the near touch line remained visible.
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