New posts at Rovers and vacancies...

Bristol Rovers have suffered an early setback in the transfer window with summer target Ronan Curtis opting to join Port Vale, and Bristol Live understands the League Two club outbid a number of League One sides to secure the winger.

Curtis held talks with the Gas earlier this month but has decided to move to Vale Park where he signed a three-year deal as they seek an instant return to the third tier following relegation under Darren Moore.

As a result, Vale’s financial offer for the 28-year-old and promise of a three-year deal exceeded what Rovers were willing to negotiate, in-part, due to Curtis’ injury history as his final 12 months at Portsmouth were plagued by knee issues. The Gas were also not the only club in League One exploring the idea of signing the Republic of Ireland forward with Vale understandably feeling they have pulled off something of a transfer coup.

Curtis had only made his comeback to first-team football in January after joining AFC Wimbledon on a short-term deal and after five goals and two assists in 17 appearances, the Dons were keen to extend his agreement but are another club to have missed out to Vale.

Is it my imagination or are there more players with injury issues these days ? well Rovers certainly find a few but is it more widespread I wonder ?

The news that Rovers are recruiting a Chief Operating Officer and Club Secretary is encouraging but it would have been better to have done this months ago so they were already in place to help oversee preparations for the upcoming season.

As Taiwan Gas has posted on the other thread it’s important to consider the contrasting roles of a CEO and a COO. “While the CEO sets the company's vision, culture, and brand identity, the COO ensures the practical realization of this vision, fostering a cohesive business culture. Both roles are distinct yet interdependent, contributing significantly to the company's success.(From Google).”

I think we can take it that Abdullatif has assumed the role of CEO and it’s his and Hussain’s vision that will be followed. The culture and brand identity are going to be difficult things for them to conceive given their lack of football experience and the fact that they do come from a different culture. That’s where I think they are going to need some outside help if Rovers are going to have a culture and image which inspires Gasheads and encourages others to come on board.

But still no Chief Financial Officer ? This is difficult to understand given the amount of money which is apparently going to be spent ( is already being spent) and the fact that lack of financial control is the reason Rovers got to the point where we needed a bail out.

You have to remember the current person with the CEO title is a lame duck and I believe he is only still on the board because the Dwane Sports Mem & Arts give Wael the right to appoint an 1883 Ltd director. Once they bite the bullet and reach a compromise with him then that will save a substantial salary.

And while I do think we need an experienced COO and CFO the position of Head of HR is one we should eliminate asap.

My initial thoughts are the same as Oldie's. I wonder how many other clubs in our division have both a CEO, COO, and/or CFO?

And how many of these positions would be drawing a salary?
We could have the following posts at board level:

• Chairman:           Hussain AlSaeed     (unsalaried executive post)  
• President:           Wael Al-Qadi           (unsalaried executive post)
• Vice-President:    Abdullatif AlSaeed   (unsalaried executive post, but possibly filling a salaried role and drawing a salary)
• CEO:                  Tom Gorringe          (salaried post)
• COO:                  Vacant                   (salaried post)                   
• CFO:                  Possible future post  (would be salaried)

Or perhaps the CFO post would be at a level below the board, but still would be a high earner, along with Head of HR (required or not?) and Marketing Executive.

It seems a large number of highly paid jobs for our level.











 

I think you will find that Wael has been on the pay roll for sometime, one of the many departing former employees let the cat out of the bag on this one. I see in the recently posted year end BRFC 1883 Ltd accounts directors remuneration was entered at £150,000. There were only three salaried directors for this period, Colonel Custer(imposter) Gorringe and Wael. Its probably not so easy to transfer money into the UK any longer without good reason, so its easier to draw it down as a salary from the club.

It will be interesting to see what kind reaction and interest will be shown over the two well rewarded
responsible positions advertised by the club.Taking on the running of the club would be like being appointed as chancellor of the exchequer of a third world country heavily in debt. Not very appealing is it, what ever the salary.

Bristol Rovers advertise for new first-team coach after Kevin Bond and Anssi Jaakkola depart following the end of last season..By Daniel Hargraves.

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Matt Taylor's coaching staff will have at least one new face next season

Bristol Rovers have posted a job advertisement for a new first-team coach ahead of the new League One season, with Matt Taylor now having the opportunity to sculpt both his squad and staff without the interruption of matches.

Change in the coaching staff was always expected this summer following Kevin Bond's departure as well as goalkeeping coach Anssi Jaakkola. Bond re-joined the club on a part-time basis in November to assist then-interim manager Andy Mangan but was kept on by Taylor for the remainder of last season before confirming to Bristol Live that he had chosen to step away from his role last month.

As for Jaakkola, the former Rovers goalkeeper revealed he would be leaving the club on social media following the conclusion of last term having made the transition from player to coach last summer under toxic turd Barton. The Gas are expected to also bring in a new goalkeeping coach ahead of the new campaign.

Taylor did get the opportunity to bring in two of his own appointments though, bringing in Jamie McAllister as his assistant in December with the pair completing their Pro Licences together, while the Gas manager's long-term partner Wayne Carlisle joined in February on a part-time basis as an Individual Player Development coach having taken interim charge at Rotherham United following Taylor's departure in November.

In the advertisement the 'job purpose' states: "A great opportunity has arisen for a first team coach to work as part of the club’s football department led by the first team manager, based at The Memorial Stadium and the club’s training ground nearby" with some of the listed roles being: "develop and maximise potential in first team players (individually & collectively)," "feed talented young players into the professional game at the highest possible level," "devise individual programmes for under-23 players," "attend to all loan club/club arrangements" and "observe, support & feedback to players out on loan."

The main responsibilities listed are coaching, organisation, compliance, relationships, associated activities and commitment and health and safety while a UEFA A licence is amongst the requirements with a UEFA Pro Licence is desirable. The deadline for submissions is this coming Monday (June 17).

Rovers players are expected to report back to The Quarters for the start of pre-season on July 1st and will play their first friendly away at Melksham Town on July 5th.