Meet The Board

[Barrow afc 2018]

Pretty pointless night I thought to be honest. A lot of waffle from both sides.

The tough questions were pretty much skirted round and quickly moved onto another question, I don’t think many really got truly answered it was just a lot of mass words without meaning and contradiction’s

Came away not really learning anything.

Well then you were not listening!Tony Shearer and co were happy to answer any questions put about any aspect of the club,team,performances,responsibilities of CEO who is NOt a director of football and details given by the board as to how they have tried to choose the right players.No excuses made for their mistakes .Apart from the legal limitations about speaking about Pete Wild any subject was open to discussion whether it was financial ,team formations,reason why other managers selected then disposed off ,intentions of the board to see this through ,breakdown of financial figures if we do down and reassurance we we still have a club.Obviously if worst comes to pass will have to be slightly reduced staff but they are hoping that we we may pull it off and stay up,The fact that Wrexham are buying their way up the leagues and the effect that this has had on league clubs being asked for inflated figures of wealth by young unproven players before they will consider joining teams is league 2 has made it very expensive for a lot of clubs to recruit and strengthen.I disagree entirely evasive replies given to tough questions.As I said Only thing limited was Wild matter.As I believe he was responsible for this gagging order he may not have come out of the dispute if their was one smelling of roses.It was acknowledged by board that results had been good during his tenure.Personally I think Evatt was a far better manager .Wild time with Morecambe ended with sack so whilst he was very good with fans he appears not have been infallible.Someone else on here said it would be a toxic meeting sorry to disappoint you all iwas not.The board admitted that they made numerous mistakes and the Wood haters if any bothered to attend would have heard from him Tony Shearer and Paul Hornby of their involvement in trying to recruit correct managers and players.There was a very good turnout at the meeting and numerous questions asked and answers given.Lets all get behind the team for rest of season that’s all we can do.We have I think the hardest run in of the basement clubs.

Good summary that Anne very reflective and fair view of last night’s Q&A.

The BOD never shirked one question and in their responses gave a clear insight into the complexities of running an EFL club.

Let’s be honest what we don’t understand from what goes on behind the scenes can lead to all sorts of assumptions.

We all have different opinions especially about our beloved Barrow AFC, great season it ain’t but what I do know is the folk that turned up last night directed their questions in (shall we say) a very passionate and respectful manner and the same goes for the BOD responses.

I know we’re not in a great position but today could be the turning point, whatever it is I’m standing by OUR club.

[Jonty]

Away from the obvious main discussion about the team and position Can someone summarise the response to key questions

- what was said about Finances. £1.4 m losses last year how can this be sustained?

- investment, anything on the horizon?

- training locations- are they still deemed adequate etc

Thanks

From what Paul said, and I’m happy to be corrected on any this, the drop in home attendance is costing £10K per match. The £1.4M debt is there but serviceable because of the Owners commitment to the club, commitment that will continue if the worst comes to the worst. If we get relegated we get parachute payments of £750K for first year, then £500K the next, then £250k…again happy to be corrected on this. Also, costs incurred for being part of the EFL obviously won’t be required in the NL so the board’s expectation is for Barrow to be a Top 7 NL club in that fateful scenario.

- Investment…despite the Board’s efforts, it’s not really happening because our location and numbers aren’t that attractive to wannabe club investors, most of whom are after something for nothing in terms of a football club…. personal opinion, would we want a KSI type of investor at our club anyways

- Training location…Unless I missed it, strangely this wasn’t queried but no mention of a change and someone brought up injuries but no link was made to training facilities.

Fair play to all for turning up tonight - noted that a lot of negative keyboard warriors who dish it out on Fb & shout for peoples heads to roll didn’t have the Betty Swollocks to show up tonight, such as the French Ceramicist Physio, etc, etc…cowards!

Keep the faith, BAFC are staying up

Thanks for the update.

[spirit of 1990]

Not quite sure about some people's fixation with Pete Wild as if he's some kind of managerial genius. I enjoyed the first part of his tenure as much as anyone, but it certainly wasn't going well even before the final break, and lets not forget he was sacked by Fleetwood, having not brought them any great success. There's a common assumption about the NDA, but the reality is no one outside the parties involved actually knows the reason behind it. I remember Paul Hornby's RC interview at the time, and he sounded genuinely frustrated that he couldn't say more. As someone else has said, Wild isn't coming back, so there is no point in harping on about it.

Regarding Wild, I totally agree with what you’ve said. I remember in the months before he departed the club he was coming in for a lot of stick for his style of football, his formations, his bizarre substitutions and definitely for the way the results fell off a cliff at the end of the previous season. I don’t think Halifax were too pleased with the way he left them, then there was the strange ending to his time here and the sacking at Fleetwood, all suggesting something about his character wasn’t quite right.

Back to last night, good summaries by liverpoolanne and Gnasher66. I don’t think any questions were ducked and were all answered honestly by the owners. It was also mentioned how IW gave the players a few home truths about how they’re letting the club, supporters & town down on Thursday. I’m glad it was such a big turnout (staff even bringing in extra chairs) because if there’d had been a dozen or two supporters there it wouldn’t have been a good look to the owners.

[Wintergreen]

Wild by name wild by nature?
Seems to have a 3 amp fuse...

[Hendoblue]

Pretty pointless night I thought to be honest. A lot of waffle from both sides.

The tough questions were pretty much skirted round and quickly moved onto another question, I don’t think many really got truly answered it was just a lot of mass words without meaning and contradiction’s

Came away not really learning anything.

Well then you were not listening!Tony Shearer and co were happy to answer any questions put about any aspect of the club,team,performances,responsibilities of CEO who is NOt a director of football and details given by the board as to how they have tried to choose the right players.No excuses made for their mistakes .Apart from the legal limitations about speaking about Pete Wild any subject was open to discussion whether it was financial ,team formations,reason why other managers selected then disposed off ,intentions of the board to see this through ,breakdown of financial figures if we do down and reassurance we we still have a club.Obviously if worst comes to pass will have to be slightly reduced staff but they are hoping that we we may pull it off and stay up,The fact that Wrexham are buying their way up the leagues and the effect that this has had on league clubs being asked for inflated figures of wealth by young unproven players before they will consider joining teams is league 2 has made it very expensive for a lot of clubs to recruit and strengthen.I disagree entirely evasive replies given to tough questions.As I said Only thing limited was Wild matter.As I believe he was responsible for this gagging order he may not have come out of the dispute if their was one smelling of roses.It was acknowledged by board that results had been good during his tenure.Personally I think Evatt was a far better manager .Wild time with Morecambe ended with sack so whilst he was very good with fans he appears not have been infallible.Someone else on here said it would be a toxic meeting sorry to disappoint you all iwas not.The board admitted that they made numerous mistakes and the Wood haters if any bothered to attend would have heard from him Tony Shearer and Paul Hornby of their involvement in trying to recruit correct managers and players.There was a very good turnout at the meeting and numerous questions asked and answers given.Lets all get behind the team for rest of season that’s all we can do.We have I think the hardest run in of the basement clubs.

Im not reading all that.

[WillBAFC]

Not quite sure about some people's fixation with Pete Wild as if he's some kind of managerial genius. I enjoyed the first part of his tenure as much as anyone, but it certainly wasn't going well even before the final break, and lets not forget he was sacked by Fleetwood, having not brought them any great success. There's a common assumption about the NDA, but the reality is no one outside the parties involved actually knows the reason behind it. I remember Paul Hornby's RC interview at the time, and he sounded genuinely frustrated that he couldn't say more. As someone else has said, Wild isn't coming back, so there is no point in harping on about it. More immediately we can only wish Sam Foley all the best, and hope that his approach will provide the required miracle!

Agreed. I think Monty Python sum up Pete Wild quite well:

“He’s not the messiah, he’s a very naughty boy”

[barrowfan_chris]

I'm not sure you can use his time at Fleetwood as a stick to beat him when they sold their best players including top scorer to Salford!

Halifax they lost in the play offs whilst he was being poached by us not sure how that is leaving them in a bad place.

Yes that April was bad when we collapsed but he definitely deserved to have been the manager going into the next season.

Anyway he's not coming back so we move on.

[Jonty]

The default to Wild is because since Wild we've struggled. We had a far better squad with Wild but don't forget we struggled from the turn of the year (second season) with Wild. Lack of goals and we failed to secure a top 7 place.
Whing had a promising start but then struggled to make an impact and think he was out of steam towards the end. Think it was the right decision to let him go. Hard to judge Gallagher, Maamria but they were struggling too. Maamria’s selection and approach v Bristol Rovers was the end for him. Not sure how Foley and Worrall can get the results we need to stay up with the squad we have and ultimately the buck does stop with the board.

I would say 80% of this poor season has been down to squad recruitment and unfortunately it’s the coach who gets the bullet. The January window did not bring in the right type of players for a relegation battle

[bluessupporter]

CEO who is NOt a director of football

A few weeks ago we were given to believe that this was going to happen and from what you say it has, so is Wood the CEO now or the DOF?

If he's the CEO, do we have a new DOF - if so who is it?

[Adam29]

CEO who is NOt a director of football

A few weeks ago we were given to believe that this was going to happen and from what you say it has, so is Wood the CEO now or the DOF?

If he's the CEO, do we have a new DOF - if so who is it?

As said in my interview with Paul
They will be bringing a director of football in in the summer
Iain Wood is the CEO as appointed during last season

[blue nige]

CEO who is NOt a director of football

A few weeks ago we were given to believe that this was going to happen and from what you say it has, so is Wood the CEO now or the DOF?

If he's the CEO, do we have a new DOF - if so who is it?

When I pointed out that Wood wasn't really qualified to be Director of Football Tony Shearer agreed and are looking to sort this position out, so until then The Manager has the final say on recruitment!

[blue nige]

I also brought up about injuries which have been unstatainable and the board agreed and are looking at this to be honest that forum wasn't really the place to go into detail, it was also mentioned about communication and how poor it was and they agreed!
When I listened to the board it really did come over that they were looking for help,@Barrowaberdeen do you think this is the trusts job to pass on concerns to the board or do we need some kind of other format to create a bond between fans and the board?

[Tony]

Wild by name wild by nature?
Seems to have a 3 amp fuse...

Wasn't there a tale of him punching a player?

Apologies if this is in correct.

[Beanmuncher]

Thank you for the reports of what sounds a very civilised evening. Sounds like there was some sober and honest questioning with nothing being shrugged off.
Glad to hear that the numbers have been run for the club should we go down, but not clear from the responses what is the club is doing to ensure we stay up. Apologies in advance if I missed this, but sounds like lots of reflection on what has gone wrong to get us to where we are - but what is the lookahead for finishing the season a few places higher in the league?
Hearing no large investment is currently foreseen is a bummer but the explanation makes sense.

Thanks to all who attended on behalf of us who couldn’t be there. Our job is clear - continue to support the club and Sam and the team to make sure we stay up.

[XDeanX]

I was impressed by everyone's questions, and whilst passionate, they remained respectful. Hopefully get a good crowd today and we get behind the team.