Live meeting thread - KO 7:30pm

[fezbob]

Originally Posted by Foxy

My take on the meeting:

Harris did make an attempt to tone it down and there was a new humility in his approach, most definitely. He was as always articulate , but on this occasion more open to acknowledge where things are not going well. If I was him I would also be getting frustrated by now with the failure of other board members to back me up or take a lead. For example this was a communications evening, and there is a new WST Board member with responsibility for such, so why wasn't he on the top table chairing and taking a lead ?

Steve Lloyd came across as well meaning, though a little bit tangled up (and tripping up) in the minutiae of DSAgate. In fact it was noticeable that the Board were on the stickiest wicket where others present knew as much as them about events; the fact that clearly angry DSA members were present and able to rebut the Board's claims in detail did box the latter into a corner. It also demonstrated how easy it is for the Board usually to say anything and get away with it because the rest of us don't know the detail, but on this occasion where insiders were asking questions, those on the top table appeared seriously weakened.

Peter Jones was quite frankly awful beyond belief, rambling and irrelevant in many of his answers with a tendency to rant at points. There was one particularly good question about a tendency towards group think and inertia when the same people are in power for so long. He turned this into an analysis of Dean keates - don't know how he managed that. Then when brought back to the question, he showed enormous complacency; in his view the Board are fine.

What struck me most was how depressed and sad everyone on the two Boards looked. They all looked completely fed up and their body language seemed to be saying this (the football club) is going tits up despite our hard work

All in all, fairly interesting with a Pearson type performance from Harris, a Rutherford type game from Lloyd and a Barnum Bobb circus from Jones. The rest of them were Hooper-like in their anonymity.

Oh, and a big black mark for the lady who decided to stand up and try and shout down the questioner on group think and the need for changes on the Board.

Disappointing to hear that this still goes on.

[Inside Left]

At a latter stage The Secretary did read out a message re an EGM. and I think members might have expected someone from the floor to address the issue but matters moved on to the next topic.

There was also a call to provide members with a quicker response in publishing the WST board minutes. Understandably the FORMAL minutes do have to be approved at their next meeting. It was felt, as with some other organisations, a summary of the meeting could be provided or minutes published with the proviso that they have yet to be approved.

The response from the board suggested members might get a quicker summary of meetings and they will look into it but ---- there was a nervousness about content being released that might be - shall we say - sensitive.

[FieldtownRed]

Originally Posted by Inside Left

PJ amongst the debate on the role of manager appointments did say he was in favour of a football director. SH highlighted on a few occasions the when they had one in Barry Horne it wasn't so successful a position.
It came across as a subtle knock down for BH with SH suggesting better managerial decision making had been carried out by the board without BH.

These comments came amidst the question relating to McNeils role in appointing Keats. SH claimed he as a director couldn't win whichever way the managers appointment was made.

I don't understand this at all. Spencer works at Kellogs in a HR role. He brings that skill to the board at the football club. If they're recruiting you would expect him to be involved as that's his area of expertise. If he gets it wrong he gets it wrong but at least own up to it rather than pretend someone else is doing the recruitment.

And if he's not involved in the recruitment, who's more suitable on the board to do it??

[Vorporix]

Best meeting I have been too with some pointed and searching questions aimed at the board.

To be fair they did their best to answer but I was less than convinced by some of the responses. At times some of those being questioned looked like 'rabbits caught in headlights'.

In my humble opinion the club needs to work hard on its comms/PR which at the moment is not the best. For example, accusing the DSA of going on strike!

Some good news from last night - hopefully 2 concerts are lined up for 2020 and money will be made available for dean to strengthen the squad.

[Quay Red]

Originally Posted by Bustas Nads

Foxy often gets stuck on here.....but was clearly there last night amongst the 60/70 others....good assessment imo of what happened.

Pete did waffle and ramble, the lad at the bar who asked that question was very composed and presented it well. Not all questions are going to be comfortable as they shouldn’t but they need answers even if the subject asked is a truth or an opinion.

The ginger headed lad at the bar seemed to have information although sounded like he was in love island with his “I have a text” line being repeated. He challenged the board and Spencer over Johnathan Hughes resignation and the Barrow resigning prior to the meet the manager, difficult to know who was right on both....a board member Simon? Who works with Johnathan confirmed it was personal matters and the work load was more than expected (apparently he works with him) yet the lad with the text said it wasn’t personal reasons but never enlightened us to why so didn’t gain any credibility.

Richard Ulrich has a long standing dispute with the board after January gate.
He tried to suggest that Spencer was lying about Barrows resignation, suggesting that it was before the meet the manager meeting when in fact it was a number of days later. Spencer had the evidence to back his version up.
I'm sure RU will have a lot more to say, if his call for an EGM comes to fruition.
Lively meeting at times after a slow start. Some repetition in answers and waffle.
Don't like harking back to the past even to provide some sort of justification of events, smacks of desperation. We may well have had better points tallies since Barry Horne quit but it's down to the manager and his team.
Carl Darlingtons role came under scrutiny and there was a strong denial that Ricketts left because he couldn't work with him. The board reiterated the fact that the manager gets his own team in and the board will support him.
Pointed out that it was hard to have to tell Brian Flynn that his services were no longer required. (That must have been difficult)
Board questioned regarding Dixies role in selection. He had a vote but no one "led" the process. Joint effort.
Keates appointment criticised, board asked what justified his return after he left last time. Apparently Keates has been to a few clubs to learn from other coaches and managers and comes back with new enthusiasm and skills.
His previous boring football was also highlighted.
Alan Fox read out a long winded repetitive 'E' mail regarding the number of members required to call an EGM. Basically wanted to know if the 5% was of the whole membership or the adult voting membership and what were the actual numbers required. Board will discuss Wednesday and respond.
Positive vibes about the Gateway project and possible new kop for 5000 but nothing concrete as yet as discussions between numerous parties are on going.
Groves training facility, Heads of terms drafted, expect difficulties regarding covenants that will have to be resolved, expect progress on these matters in the next 6 months with a view to commencing work in 18months time.
Ward money. Final payment will be shown in this years accounts.
Board are looking to set up a weekly Q & A whereby they will respond to any queries. The detail is being worked on.
Communication accepted as being poor and is being addressed.
Turn out fairly low but understandable due to replay tomorrow. I know a number of fans who would have gone last night but couldn't justify two nights on the run at the 'course.
Can't see an end to some of the criticism until we start winning games.

[dixienormous]

Originally Posted by Foxy

My take on the meeting:

Harris did make an attempt to tone it down and there was a new humility in his approach, most definitely. He was as always articulate , but on this occasion more open to acknowledge where things are not going well. If I was him I would also be getting frustrated by now with the failure of other board members to back me up or take a lead. For example this was a communications evening, and there is a new WST Board member with responsibility for such, so why wasn't he on the top table chairing and taking a lead ?

Steve Lloyd came across as well meaning, though a little bit tangled up (and tripping up) in the minutiae of DSAgate. In fact it was noticeable that the Board were on the stickiest wicket where others present knew as much as them about events; the fact that clearly angry DSA members were present and able to rebut the Board's claims in detail did box the latter into a corner. It also demonstrated how easy it is for the Board usually to say anything and get away with it because the rest of us don't know the detail, but on this occasion where insiders were asking questions, those on the top table appeared seriously weakened.

Peter Jones was quite frankly awful beyond belief, rambling and irrelevant in many of his answers with a tendency to rant at points. There was one particularly good question about a tendency towards group think and inertia when the same people are in power for so long. He turned this into an analysis of Dean keates - don't know how he managed that. Then when brought back to the question, he showed enormous complacency; in his view the Board are fine.

What struck me most was how depressed and sad everyone on the two Boards looked. They all looked completely fed up and their body language seemed to be saying this (the football club) is going tits up despite our hard work

All in all, fairly interesting with a Pearson type performance from Harris, a Rutherford type game from Lloyd and a Barnum Bobb circus from Jones. The rest of them were Hooper-like in their anonymity.

Oh, and a big black mark for the lady who decided to stand up and try and shout down the questioner on group think and the need for changes on the Board.

Probably the same helmet who thought it was a good idea to tell me to shut my face when I shouted up at Mills and the board at the end of the Chesterfield game, she regretted it.

[Hometown Unicorn]

Originally Posted by Quay Red

I'm sure RU will have a lot more to say, if his call for an EGM comes to fruition.

How do you know it's his call?

As far as I'm aware, those involved haven't revealed their names.

[Haruki]

Originally Posted by KingBuxton_Forever red

Reading everybody's comments about the board, how they came across, how they defended themselves etc:

If you were the board, what would you do? How would you have handled tonight?

Genuine question.

They could answers direct questions with direct answers for a start. Their answers are hot air irrelevance. I asked the same question three times and received three different responses, none of which answered the question,. I gave up and have emailed the chairman this morning. My question was clearly about the board and Pete Jones answered talking about individual mistakes made by players on the pitch!! I also noticed Quay Red becoming frustrated at them not directly answering his question as to why Keates was the right appointment not.

[WrexhamO]

Originally Posted by Hometown Unicorn

How do you know it's his call?

As far as I'm aware, those involved haven't revealed their names.

My understanding is that is not him involved in this.