|
Post by mids on Dec 12, 2022 21:37:11 GMT 1
To be equally fair mate those comments of Dean's came when we were nowhere near the Premier League. If we had stayed a Championship team his comments would have stayed true. But we hit 'the jackpot' and he rolled the dice and spent a lot of money. He likely thinks he wants that money he spent in those two years. Whether that's right or wrong is debatable. The truth is the Premier League, in hindsight, was a shit show of bad decisions and puss poor management of the club's finances. We are where we are. Lots of people to blame at all levels. It's a shame but life goes on, and to 99.9% of us it's just a game and not the be all and end all. Fair point fella......but was he investing further or utilising the prem tv money to fund it? Either way, the acquisitions of mbenza, diakhaby, pritchard, sobhi right royally shafted us! Spot on re not be all and end all - far more important matters in my life these days. Those four signings (and others) were abhorrent...both financially and on a footballing acumen basis. Mercenaries. Liars. Lazy. Twats
|
|
|
Post by rothwellterrier on Dec 12, 2022 21:40:33 GMT 1
Bluebeard - nobody begrudges deans health and the issues in that regard. But when youve constantly told everyone you dont expect your investment back then structure an exit where thats far from the case then you will be rightly questioned for it imho! No need for the nastiness and name calling - but its disappointing to realise the man many thought was a truly "different" fan owner actually isnt. 'Constantly told everyone'. That's a ridiculous exaggeration. It was said once at Canalside when we were going nowhere in the Championship when he said 'I'm not expecting to get any money back'. It was fair comment at the time but now used as a stick to beat him by some I can recall it being said on radio Leeds pre match when we played Villa at home in 2017. I had it on in the car on my way to the game.
|
|
htfcterry
Andy Booth Terrier
[M0:2]htfcterry
Posts: 3,500
|
Post by htfcterry on Dec 12, 2022 22:01:08 GMT 1
Have some people forgot just how ill Dean Hoyle was and i do not blame him at all for wanting to sell the club, your health is more important than anything. Fans are for life! i have watched Town since 1966 as an 8 yr old kid and i have no plans to give up watching them yet. If we go down we go down, then some fans might realize how lucky we were to Dean Hoyle as chairman and owner. I didn’t realise spaffing money up the wall & turning your back on the whole situation was a symptom of pancreatitis.
|
|
|
Post by Mastercracker on Dec 12, 2022 22:16:17 GMT 1
'Constantly told everyone'. That's a ridiculous exaggeration. It was said once at Canalside when we were going nowhere in the Championship when he said 'I'm not expecting to get any money back'. It was fair comment at the time but now used as a stick to beat him by some I can recall it being said on radio Leeds pre match when we played Villa at home in 2017. I had it on in the car on my way to the game. By which point we were 11 points ahead of 7th and only 6 off 2nd with a game in hand. Not exactly going nowhere.
|
|
|
Post by portugalterrier on Dec 12, 2022 22:37:04 GMT 1
Have some people forgot just how ill Dean Hoyle was and i do not blame him at all for wanting to sell the club, your health is more important than anything. Fans are for life! i have watched Town since 1966 as an 8 yr old kid and i have no plans to give up watching them yet. If we go down we go down, then some fans might realize how lucky we were to Dean Hoyle as chairman and owner. I didn’t realise spaffing money up the wall & turning your back on the whole situation was a symptom of pancreatitis. When you nearly die, perhaps your priorities change.
|
|
|
Post by Porrohman on Dec 13, 2022 8:42:27 GMT 1
Have some people forgot just how ill Dean Hoyle was and i do not blame him at all for wanting to sell the club, your health is more important than anything. Fans are for life! i have watched Town since 1966 as an 8 yr old kid and i have no plans to give up watching them yet. If we go down we go down, then some fans might realize how lucky we were to Dean Hoyle as chairman and owner. Who's the owner taking us down now ?
|
|
|
Post by bumfluff69 on Dec 13, 2022 9:11:18 GMT 1
Have some people forgot just how ill Dean Hoyle was and i do not blame him at all for wanting to sell the club, your health is more important than anything. Fans are for life! i have watched Town since 1966 as an 8 yr old kid and i have no plans to give up watching them yet. If we go down we go down, then some fans might realize how lucky we were to Dean Hoyle as chairman and owner. Who's the owner taking us down now ? bluebeard it doesnt give hoyle the right to ruin the club tho,or are you hoyle u seem to love him
|
|
|
Post by overtonterrierspirit on Dec 13, 2022 9:39:37 GMT 1
Have some people forgot just how ill Dean Hoyle was and i do not blame him at all for wanting to sell the club, your health is more important than anything. Fans are for life! i have watched Town since 1966 as an 8 yr old kid and i have no plans to give up watching them yet. If we go down we go down, then some fans might realize how lucky we were to Dean Hoyle as chairman and owner. Appreciate your point of view. Fans are for life and I’d guess very few of us would decide to take the club in the direction it is currently heading.
|
|
|
Post by detox on Dec 13, 2022 10:06:13 GMT 1
I am led to believe that the club will be debt free to the “ right” new owners. Does this mean DH writing all his debts off? ..and that is why Hoyle stepped in to 'save' the club..he's still got loans of what, £45m that he wants repaid.
|
|
|
Post by detox on Dec 13, 2022 10:20:26 GMT 1
I think there's another key point that led to our decline, the 'timing' of Hoyle's demand to have his loans repaid.
While I accept he was totally entitled to recoup his investment, despite what he'd previously intimated, why did he not do it while we had the PL cash rolling in ? The worst possible time he could have done it was once we got relegated and still had expensive players on the books drawing mega wages.. The parachute money would have saved Town had we been able to use it to invest in better players, £60m I think..it was the 'saving grace' after our relegation...but when Hoyle said he wanted that money, that utterly fooked us up and has led to the decline we have now..Last season for example, with a bit of parachute money to strengthen the squad we could now be back in the PL..it was there, in our grasp..but no, Hoyle wanted that money for himself. That single act is what alienated him from many fans, it was terrible timing and I still don't know why he didn't shave off some the of Sky cash for himself, while we had it..I don't think anyone would have complained about that.
The sooner Hoyle is gone , the better..we need someone with some enthusiasm for the club, whoever it is..
|
|
|
Post by duncfost01 on Dec 13, 2022 10:36:09 GMT 1
Have some people forgot just how ill Dean Hoyle was and i do not blame him at all for wanting to sell the club, your health is more important than anything. Fans are for life! i have watched Town since 1966 as an 8 yr old kid and i have no plans to give up watching them yet. If we go down we go down, then some fans might realize how lucky we were to Dean Hoyle as chairman and owner. Who's the owner taking us down now ? how lucky we are to have an owner who is going to leave us where he found us but saddled with 40 million debt. Give me a break..
|
|
|
Post by space hardware on Dec 13, 2022 10:38:33 GMT 1
Going into administration is absolutely the worst thing that could possibly happen, it shouldn't be wished for just for a change in leadership. Administrators will do one of two things in that situation 1. Find a buyer (not a guarantee) 2. Dispose of all assets in the club to maintain the running costs (could argue to some extent this is already happening) If the sums of money Dean is paying just to keep the club afloat is to be believed, it won't take option 2 very long to reach the point of bankruptcy and the disappearance of HTAFC completely. Can't gamble that the subsequent "reduced price" will bring a new owner through the door. I am led to believe that the club will be debt free to the “ right” new owners. I think you need to stick some flesh on the bones of this theory. Hodgkinson was the "right" kind of new owner for Hoyle a few years ago. That cosy little carve up of a deal, selling to a guy who clearly didn't have enough money to run any kind of league club (let alone a Championship one), wasn't in Town's best interests. God help us if he's handpicking the next one.
|
|
|
Post by dugnet on Dec 13, 2022 11:01:47 GMT 1
I think there's another key point that led to our decline, the 'timing' of Hoyle's demand to have his loans repaid. While I accept he was totally entitled to recoup his investment, despite what he'd previously intimated, why did he not do it while we had the PL cash rolling in ? The worst possible time he could have done it was once we got relegated and still had expensive players on the books drawing mega wages.. The parachute money would have saved Town had we been able to use it to invest in better players, £60m I think..it was the 'saving grace' after our relegation...but when Hoyle said he wanted that money, that utterly fooked us up and has led to the decline we have now..Last season for example, with a bit of parachute money to strengthen the squad we could now be back in the PL..it was there, in our grasp..but no, Hoyle wanted that money for himself. That single act is what alienated him from many fans, it was terrible timing and I still don't know why he didn't shave off some the of Sky cash for himself, while we had it..I don't think anyone would have complained about that. The sooner Hoyle is gone , the better..we need someone with some enthusiasm for the club, whoever it is.. You make some good points. I know there are people who get very animated when DH is criticised for anything to do with money but they choose to ignore that DH chose, and I use that word advisedly, to invest. He also chose to set his narrative. It is absolutely right he has done more than anyone for Town but what happened in the last 4 years has led a man who was beyond reproach to be viewed with anything from mistrust to vitriol. He has to accept that his approach and decisions will naturally have led to him being challenged. His dreadful illness is often offered as some reason/excuse for how things have panned out but I am afraid that doesn't stack up for me. It is absolutely right to put his health and family first but I can't that equate with: Being opaque, where he had been pretty transparent, to the deal with PH. The podcast where he blamed everyone else Not putting the club up for sale immediately after PH had his difficulties Not supporting Carlos Ultimately people are confused by a man who was so "Huddersfield Town" to someone who is giving the impression of bitterness towards his experience. For me that is incredibly sad, but ultimately we (the fans) aren't responsible for how things have turned out. We are powerless observers, the decisions are down to him and the team he selected to work with him. When fans aren't happy perhaps taking a slightly more introspective view might be appropriate. As you say - hopefully someone with a fresh outlook will take us forward and we can properly re-set. Right now things are incredibly painful to witness.
|
|
|
Post by duncfost01 on Dec 13, 2022 11:27:14 GMT 1
I think there's another key point that led to our decline, the 'timing' of Hoyle's demand to have his loans repaid. While I accept he was totally entitled to recoup his investment, despite what he'd previously intimated, why did he not do it while we had the PL cash rolling in ? The worst possible time he could have done it was once we got relegated and still had expensive players on the books drawing mega wages.. The parachute money would have saved Town had we been able to use it to invest in better players, £60m I think..it was the 'saving grace' after our relegation...but when Hoyle said he wanted that money, that utterly fooked us up and has led to the decline we have now..Last season for example, with a bit of parachute money to strengthen the squad we could now be back in the PL..it was there, in our grasp..but no, Hoyle wanted that money for himself. That single act is what alienated him from many fans, it was terrible timing and I still don't know why he didn't shave off some the of Sky cash for himself, while we had it..I don't think anyone would have complained about that. The sooner Hoyle is gone , the better..we need someone with some enthusiasm for the club, whoever it is.. You make some good points. I know there are people who get very animated when DH is criticised for anything to do with money but they choose to ignore that DH chose, and I use that word advisedly, to invest. He also chose to set his narrative. It is absolutely right he has done more than anyone for Town but what happened in the last 4 years has led a man who was beyond reproach to be viewed with anything from mistrust to vitriol. He has to accept that his approach and decisions will naturally have led to him being challenged. His dreadful illness is often offered as some reason/excuse for how things have panned out but I am afraid that doesn't stack up for me. It is absolutely right to put his health and family first but I can't that equate with: Being opaque, where he had been pretty transparent, to the deal with PH. The podcast where he blamed everyone else Not putting the club up for sale immediately after PH had his difficulties Not supporting Carlos Ultimately people are confused by a man who was so "Huddersfield Town" to someone who is giving the impression of bitterness towards his experience. For me that is incredibly sad, but ultimately we (the fans) aren't responsible for how things have turned out. We are powerless observers, the decisions are down to him and the team he selected to work with him. When fans aren't happy perhaps taking a slightly more introspective view might be appropriate. As you say - hopefully someone with a fresh outlook will take us forward and we can properly re-set. Right now things are incredibly painful to witness. Sums it up totally. His problem will be that the business is failing. Season cards (next season) and fan support will dwindle. Fans feel let down as great as it was upto 2017/18 it has been bloody awful since. That’s nearly 5 seasons. The only bight moment in those five seasons has been Carlos. He chose not to take him back. Now we are in big trouble. The business is worth less and less on a daily basis.
|
|
|
Post by townarentbest on Dec 13, 2022 13:19:37 GMT 1
Does this mean DH writing all his debts off? ..and that is why Hoyle stepped in to 'save' the club..he's still got loans of what, £45m that he wants repaid.Says who?
|
|
|
Post by westislandterrier on Dec 13, 2022 13:39:28 GMT 1
It may all come out when Deano finally sells the club - I met him and his lovely lady Janet once - it was after his last game as chairman v Man United, he took time to chat and signed ma T- shirt and trainer footwear - all was good then, he was retiring, he seemed in better health and good form, he was the perfect gentleman and was pleased that Town had supporters in Scotland...
When he eventually sells the club - I think I’ll write to him to ask could he produce a book with his memoirs of his tenure at HTAFC and if so we may ‘find out more’ of what’s went on and where it went wrong and whose to blame and why -
I’m sure it’d be a best seller certainly for our forum community here on DATM !
|
|
|
Post by bumfluff69 on Dec 13, 2022 14:16:24 GMT 1
It may all come out when Deano finally sells the club - I met him and his lovely lady Janet once - it was after his last game as chairman v Man United, he took time to chat and signed ma T- shirt and trainer footwear - all was good then, he was retiring, he seemed in better health and good form, he was the perfect gentleman and was pleased that Town had supporters in Scotland... When he eventually sells the club - I think I’ll write to him to ask could he produce a book with his memoirs of his tenure at HTAFC and if so we may ‘find out more’ of what’s went on and where it went wrong and whose to blame and why - I’m sure it’d be a best seller certainly for our forum community here on DATM ! he’s to blame there’s your answer
|
|
k1man999
Andy Booth Terrier
Posts: 3,553
|
Post by k1man999 on Dec 13, 2022 14:35:49 GMT 1
I think there's another key point that led to our decline, the 'timing' of Hoyle's demand to have his loans repaid. While I accept he was totally entitled to recoup his investment, despite what he'd previously intimated, why did he not do it while we had the PL cash rolling in This is nail on head for me. Should have got his money out if he was desperate for it back. The club could then have been run on its own merits.
|
|
|
Post by Toxic Ted on Dec 13, 2022 16:29:39 GMT 1
It may all come out when Deano finally sells the club - I met him and his lovely lady Janet once - it was after his last game as chairman v Man United, he took time to chat and signed ma T- shirt and trainer footwear - all was good then, he was retiring, he seemed in better health and good form, he was the perfect gentleman and was pleased that Town had supporters in Scotland... When he eventually sells the club - I think I’ll write to him to ask could he produce a book with his memoirs of his tenure at HTAFC and if so we may ‘find out more’ of what’s went on and where it went wrong and whose to blame and why - I’m sure it’d be a best seller certainly for our forum community here on DATM ! Fair play Westie but I cannot imagine a scenario ever that I’d ask a man to write his name on my shoe 🤷♂️
|
|
|
Post by duncfost01 on Dec 13, 2022 16:56:46 GMT 1
It may all come out when Deano finally sells the club - I met him and his lovely lady Janet once - it was after his last game as chairman v Man United, he took time to chat and signed ma T- shirt and trainer footwear - all was good then, he was retiring, he seemed in better health and good form, he was the perfect gentleman and was pleased that Town had supporters in Scotland... When he eventually sells the club - I think I’ll write to him to ask could he produce a book with his memoirs of his tenure at HTAFC and if so we may ‘find out more’ of what’s went on and where it went wrong and whose to blame and why - I’m sure it’d be a best seller certainly for our forum community here on DATM ! I’m sure Rishi Sunak would appear to be nice person if you met him, he is very good self PR also…
|
|
|
Post by Junior & Onuora on Dec 13, 2022 17:11:24 GMT 1
It may all come out when Deano finally sells the club - I met him and his lovely lady Janet once - it was after his last game as chairman v Man United, he took time to chat and signed ma T- shirt and trainer footwear - all was good then, he was retiring, he seemed in better health and good form, he was the perfect gentleman and was pleased that Town had supporters in Scotland... When he eventually sells the club - I think I’ll write to him to ask could he produce a book with his memoirs of his tenure at HTAFC and if so we may ‘find out more’ of what’s went on and where it went wrong and whose to blame and why - I’m sure it’d be a best seller certainly for our forum community here on DATM ! Fair play Westie but I cannot imagine a scenario ever that I’d ask a man to write his name on my shoe 🤷♂️ But writing your own name with a ballpoint pen on the bottom of a new slipper sole. Bliss!
|
|
|
Post by malcolmbrown on Dec 13, 2022 17:23:03 GMT 1
I walked out of Wembley in May thoroughly frustrated with what had been a miserable afternoon, on every level. It was quite a contrast to that most wonderful day in 2017. I also had a hope we might be able to go again but, and I can't explain this, I had an underlying foreboding about where we were heading. In the last six months I have not attended an away game (which is unheard of), I have also walked out of a game with more than 30 minutes to go (PNE home in the League Cup, as documented on here). I have witnessed a club that had last season created a new identity for itself, against the odds it looked as though we were looking back up again. What has happened since Jon Moss blew his final whistle has almost beggared belief. I look at our squad and I see a lack of quality in key areas. I see potentially good players not quite being good enough yet. I see a rookie coach with a positive outlook but little evidence of the magic touch we need to take us forward and out of trouble. Off the pitch our owner has decided to draw stumps on his tenure, but with little more than "it's time to go". The club functions but has no energy or purpose, it's like the lights are being kept on but to give the impression someone is at home. I sit and watch,I discuss, I debate but I know there is absolutely nothing I can do other than turn up for games. I turn up. at home, and get absolutely nothing back in the way of hope that this downward spiral is going to be halted. In 43 years I have seen many dire games and seasons but I always had hope of better. Right now that hope has been eroded. Why did I post this? In the naive hope that someone who can directly influence our future positively reads and wants to do something. The reasons why we are here have been well debated. It's now time for someone to pick us up, kick us up the backside and get us moving forward again. As ever I hope for the best but my reality sense tells me to expect the worst. UTT Nail on head. Been watching since 1979 myself. Jon Moss's 'performance' in the play off final has cost us more dearly than even I feared. It truly was a disaster for this club. Is he still working as a refereeing mentor/supervisor?
|
|
|
Post by westislandterrier on Dec 13, 2022 17:37:04 GMT 1
Fair play Westie but I cannot imagine a scenario ever that I’d ask a man to write his name on my shoe 🤷♂️ But writing your own name with a ballpoint pen on the bottom of a new slipper sole. Bliss! Aye he left a ‘marker’ with me that day for sure - The other trainer was chucked and I’ve just been looking at that left one there it’s under the desk table that I’m writing on just now - Maybe I’ll instruct my niece to donate it to the club museum when I kick the bucket - they might want ma hundreds of strips and training tops as well... Hopefully not till I get ma telegram from The Queen though !!!
|
|
|
Post by westislandterrier on Dec 13, 2022 17:50:36 GMT 1
It may all come out when Deano finally sells the club - I met him and his lovely lady Janet once - it was after his last game as chairman v Man United, he took time to chat and signed ma T- shirt and trainer footwear - all was good then, he was retiring, he seemed in better health and good form, he was the perfect gentleman and was pleased that Town had supporters in Scotland... When he eventually sells the club - I think I’ll write to him to ask could he produce a book with his memoirs of his tenure at HTAFC and if so we may ‘find out more’ of what’s went on and where it went wrong and whose to blame and why - I’m sure it’d be a best seller certainly for our forum community here on DATM ! I’m sure Rishi Sunak would appear to be nice person if you met him, he is very good self PR also… Aye Dunc - but I might not be such a nice person to Rishi given his position... I’d probably remind him about the crooks in his party and across his parliament houses of all political stripe and what his havoc his mob have done to Scotland over many decades ! Not that I’m bringing politics to a football blog and this will be my last comment on it (but a political person did get mentioned) but for anyone that is even remotely interested I had always voted Lib-Dem as they were the only ones that could keep The Tory’s outta Argyll & Bute but I went to The SNP in 2015 after The Libs jumped into bed with The Tory’s (Like most people in this constituency did) and I’ve been lucky in always getting the MP that I voted for - not that I’ll ever meet them or want anything from them ! Card carrying Conservative I most certainly am not (though my late uncle was) and I wouldn’t and don’t waste any energy on any of that mob (politicians) across Scotland or The UK apart from once every five years to post a vote ! Rant over - I promise all other posts will be football related ! ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
|
|
|
Post by westislandterrier on Dec 13, 2022 17:53:15 GMT 1
Aye he left a ‘marker’ with me that day for sure - The other trainer was chucked and I’ve just been looking at that left one there it’s under the desk table that I’m writing on just now - Maybe I’ll instruct my niece to donate it to the club museum when I kick the bucket - they might want ma hundreds of strips and training tops as well... Hopefully not till I get ma telegram from The Queen though !!! *King Jeez oh - so it is... I think I’m just that used to saying that statement I forgot ! RIP to her of course...
|
|
|
Post by detox on Dec 13, 2022 18:52:52 GMT 1
..and that is why Hoyle stepped in to 'save' the club..he's still got loans of what, £45m that he wants repaid.Says who? [br He did
|
|
|
Post by townarentbest on Dec 13, 2022 21:44:30 GMT 1
There's no evidence of this being part of any sale is there? Historically he has set out repayment schedules when it looked like the club was in a position to repayment without likely detriment to the football side, and when circumstances have overtaken that, he's put a pause on any repayment. As he said just a few weeks back, at "no point have I put my personal financial interests ahead of the best interests of the Club. Football is a challenging industry where mistakes are plentiful and I accept responsibility for mine. I have tasked Dave Baldwin to to look at all options to pass the baton of our Club to someone who can genuinely take it forward." I think we all know what the best interests of the club are, and it doesn't involve setting out a schedule to repay outstanding directors loans made that it can't afford unless its a Premier League club.
|
|
|
Post by shawsie on Dec 13, 2022 21:48:14 GMT 1
There's no evidence of this being part of any sale is there? Historically he has set out repayment schedules when it looked like the club was in a position to repayment without likely detriment to the football side, and when circumstances have overtaken that, he's put a pause on any repayment. As he said just a few weeks back, at "no point have I put my personal financial interests ahead of the best interests of the Club. Football is a challenging industry where mistakes are plentiful and I accept responsibility for mine. I have tasked Dave Baldwin to to look at all options to pass the baton of our Club to someone who can genuinely take it forward." I think we all know what the best interests of the club are, and it doesn't involve setting out a schedule to repay outstanding directors loans made that it can't afford unless its a Premier League club. I hope thats the case.......time will tell.
|
|
|
Post by dugnet on Dec 14, 2022 13:03:03 GMT 1
I gave up my season ticket at the end of last season. It got to a point around Feb/Mar where the games were just not enjoyable at all. Maybe it’s more football fatigue but even with winning games, riding high, there was no excitement at all to our football last season. There was a game on a Friday night which I didn’t even bother to go to. The constant fixture changes didn’t help. When Carlos left I didn’t shed any tears. With a cost of living crisis happening, its hard to justify now the cost of both a season ticket, and also the travel to/from Huddersfield on Matchdays. I use that money to do stuff for/with my kids at weekends and I get much more enjoyment out of that. I mentioned above about football fatigue and I think that has played a part. There was so much on TV during the pandemic and it was great to get back into the stadiums last year but I am sort of fed up with the game as a whole at the moment. I barely watched the group stage of the World Cup and the whole tournament just feels strange. VAR really doesn’t help when either not correcting blatantly obvious decisions, or sucking the emotion out of scoring. I wish they would be rid of it but hard to see that happening now. In terms of Town, I have only seen about 40 minutes of us this season, the first game against Burnley and it was diabolical. It doesn’t sound like it has improved much. I can’t comment much on the manager as I haven’t seen any of the games, but from interviews I have seen, he just seems a disaster waiting to happen. I also find it hard to criticise Dean after the enjoyment he brought us for 10 years or so. I understand why other people do and I feel it is down to higher expectations. If you could take people back 10 years and tell them everything that would happen, I bet most would snap your hand off for the last 10 years we have had, even if it ends up with us where we are now. The expectation is too high and it leads to a lot of the arguments/criticism and bordering abuse you see on here at times. Of course Dean has set those expectations now but I am glad the club will get a reset, although I think it is likely inevitable we will drop in League One at some point in the not too distant future. Fair play to those who keep going and supporting the club through hard times (both for Town and the country in general). I will keep watching from afar and hope the future is brighter than the present. A good post but I would challenge the "would snap your hand off for the last 10 years". It is absolutely true without DH this is unlikely to have happened. It is equally true that we might have ended up where we find ourselves right now, perhaps a different journey but the same outcome. Where I have the problem is the acceptance, by some, that as a club we aren't really capable of aspiring to be better. That we punch excessively above our weight and we are now headed where we should expect to be. My argument is not about being entitled to expecting better it is about the potential to be better. Those heady months on 16/17/18 showed what this club was capable of. What was at the heart of that? Us, the fans. The passion we had/have wasn't generated by cheap season tickets it was generated by something that is in our DNA as Town fans. We aren't an entitled bunch but there is something in each of us, whether we tacitly identify with it or not, that believes in our club. It was that DNA that saw our fans, and atmosphere, be praised during the Premier League years. It is that which should be used as a selling point to anyone looking to invest in a football club with real potential. Although there are many clubs I would concede around and below us would make the same argument it is important that we don't talk ourselves down. This club, with the right guidance, can be successful and aspire to much better things. I have immense respect for what has been achieved at Brentford and Brighton but could someone not do the same with Town? I have every respect for all the good stuff, the time and the money DH has put into Town but it feels as if he also has "we had a great ride mentality" and that is so disappointing. Yes he is making the right decision (to sell) for himself and the club, but don't lose sight of what we can be. With hindsight, which is, I know, completely pointless, he should have sold at our highest point and got his "Moment in Time Book" used it as the catalogue and said "this is what this club is about". In that book I think there are some pictures of a snowy miserable day but the energy from the stands is so evident and shines through. On Saturday, on what is likely to be a similar type of day, the John Smiths, despite the efforts of the Cowshed Loyal and others, will be a much grimmer place. It was never really about money for me it was always about belief (and using the money available wisely) and at the moment we have no belief (despite MF's admirable positive outlook - for which I applaud him and hope that it ultimately comes good for him). Our club still has potential, let's hope someone with some real belief shares that opinion. UTT
|
|
|
Post by duncfost01 on Dec 14, 2022 13:10:48 GMT 1
I gave up my season ticket at the end of last season. It got to a point around Feb/Mar where the games were just not enjoyable at all. Maybe it’s more football fatigue but even with winning games, riding high, there was no excitement at all to our football last season. There was a game on a Friday night which I didn’t even bother to go to. The constant fixture changes didn’t help. When Carlos left I didn’t shed any tears. With a cost of living crisis happening, its hard to justify now the cost of both a season ticket, and also the travel to/from Huddersfield on Matchdays. I use that money to do stuff for/with my kids at weekends and I get much more enjoyment out of that. I mentioned above about football fatigue and I think that has played a part. There was so much on TV during the pandemic and it was great to get back into the stadiums last year but I am sort of fed up with the game as a whole at the moment. I barely watched the group stage of the World Cup and the whole tournament just feels strange. VAR really doesn’t help when either not correcting blatantly obvious decisions, or sucking the emotion out of scoring. I wish they would be rid of it but hard to see that happening now. In terms of Town, I have only seen about 40 minutes of us this season, the first game against Burnley and it was diabolical. It doesn’t sound like it has improved much. I can’t comment much on the manager as I haven’t seen any of the games, but from interviews I have seen, he just seems a disaster waiting to happen. I also find it hard to criticise Dean after the enjoyment he brought us for 10 years or so. I understand why other people do and I feel it is down to higher expectations. If you could take people back 10 years and tell them everything that would happen, I bet most would snap your hand off for the last 10 years we have had, even if it ends up with us where we are now. The expectation is too high and it leads to a lot of the arguments/criticism and bordering abuse you see on here at times. Of course Dean has set those expectations now but I am glad the club will get a reset, although I think it is likely inevitable we will drop in League One at some point in the not too distant future. Fair play to those who keep going and supporting the club through hard times (both for Town and the country in general). I will keep watching from afar and hope the future is brighter than the present. A good post but I would challenge the "would snap your hand off for the last 10 years". It is absolutely true without DH this is unlikely to have happened. It is equally true that we might have ended up where we find ourselves right now, perhaps a different journey but the same outcome. Where I have the problem is the acceptance, by some, that as a club we aren't really capable of aspiring to be better. That we punch excessively above our weight and we are now headed where we should expect to be. My argument is not about being entitled to expecting better it is about the potential to be better. Those heady months on 16/17/18 showed what this club was capable of. What was at the heart of that? Us, the fans. The passion we had/have wasn't generated by cheap season tickets it was generated by something that is in our DNA as Town fans. We aren't an entitled bunch but there is something in each of us, whether we tacitly identify with it or not, that believes in our club. It was that DNA that saw our fans, and atmosphere, be praised during the Premier League years. It is that which should be used as a selling point to anyone looking to invest in a football club with real potential. Although there are many clubs I would concede around and below us would make the same argument it is important that we don't talk ourselves down. This club, with the right guidance, can be successful and aspire to much better things. I have immense respect for what has been achieved at Brentford and Brighton but could someone not do the same with Town? I have every respect for all the good stuff, the time and the money DH has put into Town but it feels as if he also has "we had a great ride mentality" and that is so disappointing. Yes he is making the right decision (to sell) for himself and the club, but don't lose sight of what we can be. With hindsight, which is, I know, completely pointless, he should have sold at our highest point and got his "Moment in Time Book" used it as the catalogue and said "this is what this club is about". In that book I think there are some pictures of a snowy miserable day but the energy from the stands is so evident and shines through. On Saturday, on what is likely to be a similar type of day, the John Smiths, despite the efforts of the Cowshed Loyal and others, will be a much grimmer place. It was never really about money for me it was always about belief (and using the money available wisely) and at the moment we have no belief (despite MF's admirable positive outlook - for which I applaud him and hope that it ultimately comes good for him). Our club still has potential, let's hope someone with some real belief shares that opinion. UTT If I was Dean I would employ you to sell the club. What an outstanding post.
|
|