Has Steve Lansdown Been Good For Bristol City?

[TRL]

Ken bates did that at leeds didn't stop them being sold,

Jack Walker and family did that at blackburn did stop them being sold

Deadly D Ellis did that a villa didn't stop them being sold

Its about how attractive a club is and we are not an attractive club to buy and invest in

Take Cardiff and Swansea for example they would never be where they are now if they didn't get the new facilites they have,

Thats what is holding us back its our out dated facilites which lansdown is trying to improve infact fighting hard then any of us ever have,

Aye, all either big, or with a good history

We are Bristol City, never amounted to anything much

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

I don't think I am exaggerating but then again I think a lot of our fans wouldn't dare say we could be worse than Rovers without Lansdown because they feel that would be a betray of the club.

We were the biggest club in the area long before Lansdown arrived and history shows that we have generally had more success, bigger support and better infrastructure of the two Bristol clubs (I appreciate that isn't much to boast about in the bigger footballing picture especially when you look at the success in Cities like Manchester etc).

However, the current board at Rovers have done well with their work to secure a new stadium at the UWE** and without SL and the new AV or AG projects who knows how that would've effected things in the future.

Lansdown isn't perfect but with his involvement in the club, even if only in the background, and looking at the Youtube video for a new AG Im really excited about the future even though this season we looked screwed.

** doesnt mean I like the fact they sold a War Memorial and whilst their new ground looks better than anything they've had in the past I think it does look bland and potentially soulless. The new Ashton Gate plan in the video posted on here look really impressive.

[Monkeh]

Aye, all either big, or with a good history

We are Bristol City, never amounted to anything much

it was more aimed at the facilites those clubs have,

Thats what really annoys me about people who say we should be investing in the sqaud and not the facilities,

Better facilities are cheaper to run attract better players and provide a good assist,

Thats lansdowns main goal imo the playing side of things has had to change, we tried with experance it failed we tried with big name it failed we are now trying with younger players and although we are going down (lets not beat about the bush on that one) I feel with the players out of contract we will have great strength in the transfer market to replace and for all the bad McInnes done with the first team he id a world of good for the youth and devlopment squad and we will benifit from that,

Some people say that you have to take a step backwards to go forward we've taken a too big a step backwards but I think going forward it will be better for all,

I mean if we are up challenging for the league one title next season (I'm not predicting that we will I'm being hyperthetical) then our crowd will be up and a feel good factor could come back and we will see less and less threads like this and more from Robbo calling S'oD and conference manager

[BS15_RED]

Let me just clear a few things up about the op, he's most certainly not a Gashead, me and him go to every home game, and have done many away days. He's held these views on SL for quite a while, it's only now that he's chosen to express them on here. I hope this helps a few of you in here, attack the post if you disagree with it by all means, but don't insult people or their right to an opinion.

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

Let me just clear a few things up about the op, he's most certainly not a Gashead, me and him go to every home game, and have done many away days. He's held these views on SL for quite a while, it's only now that he's chosen to express them on here. I hope this helps a few of you in here, attack the post if you disagree with it by all means, but don't insult people or their right to an opinion.

I smell Gas!!

(Joke btw)

[Natty Red]

I really canot beleive anyone can critise SL or any of his family members for what is happening at the club at this moment in time.

It would not be even a topic of disscussion if we were half way up the league and the diggers were in over at Ashton Vale.

He has made fantasic efforts in trying to turn this football club into something special.

Where we have been without him?

Some really ought to get a life!!!!

I certainly would not be happy with mid table. Seriously, when you consider the facilities that we go on about AND the investment then you have to wonder about the judgment in buying and selling and the basics of running a club. We should be in the play offs at minimum. We have gone downhill since Wembley, apart from a few moments, the club have not moved forwards in the pitch so how are we to look upon it ? We could shrug our shoulders and not care but most of us DO bloody care. There has been no forward momentum. It's all well and good citing the facilities but the results are what counts. I honestly do not want to argue with anyone as we are all passionate about our club but there is nothing wrong in wanting success. I am posses off that we look shot now and worse is knowing we have a team that are so obviously not playing with any pride on the shirt they pull on. We need local players who want to win because it is their team. Of course we are then going to look at why this has happened given that we have had the investment. It is bloody shameful to be frank. If we do go down then it is not going to be easy and anyone thinking we will go straight back is on for a shock.

It is our job to support but also to have healthy debate over the direction we are going. I think so anyway.

[BS15_RED]

I smell Gas!!

:laugh:!

(Joke btw)

[glynriley]

The new Ashton Gate plan in the video posted on here look really impressive.

Where bis that video Ted ?

[TRL]

it was more aimed at the facilites those clubs have,

Thats what really annoys me about people who say we should be investing in the sqaud and not the facilities,

Better facilities are cheaper to run attract better players and provide a good assist,

Thats lansdowns main goal imo the playing side of things has had to change, we tried with experance it failed we tried with big name it failed we are now trying with younger players and although we are going down (lets not beat about the bush on that one) I feel with the players out of contract we will have great strength in the transfer market to replace and for all the bad McInnes done with the first team he id a world of good for the youth and devlopment squad and we will benifit from that,

Some people say that you have to take a step backwards to go forward we've taken a too big a step backwards but I think going forward it will be better for all,

I mean if we are up challenging for the league one title next season (I'm not predicting that we will I'm being hyperthetical) then our crowd will be up and a feel good factor could come back and we will see less and less threads like this and more from Robbo calling S'oD and conference manager

Fingers crossed we are challenging next season I reckon we maybe mid table next season if we go down. there is a lot of same old same old but some change as well.

Lets cross out fingers and hope for an immediate bounce back, but I do think a complete restructure of what we are trying to achieve, and time to put it in place would outweigh the immediate return. If SL and his directors can stick to the under 24 Phylosophy and push a style of football and way we carry out our business, and stick to it, and follow through with it, without flitting from one disaster to another, Then I will start to believe in what he is trying to do, and if it means staying down in Div1 for a period of time so be it.

No more Knee jerk reactions and following a proper plan, then I can deal with the football at a lower level for a few years.

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

Where bis that video Ted ?

The Ashton Gate Re-Design thread.

[glynriley]

The Ashton Gate Re-Design thread.

Cheers , I'll have a gander.

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

Cheers , I'll have a gander.

Obviously it's just initial plans by the sounds of it but I think it's an impressive start.

[Monkeh]

Fingers crossed we are challenging next season I reckon we maybe mid table next season if we go down. there is a lot of same old same old but some change as well.

Lets cross out fingers and hope for an immediate bounce back, but I do think a complete restructure of what we are trying to achieve, and time to put it in place would outweigh the immediate return. If SL and his directors can stick to the under 24 Phylosophy and push a style of football and way we carry out our business, and stick to it, and follow through with it, without flitting from one disaster to another, Then I will start to believe in what he is trying to do, and if it means staying down in Div1 for a period of time so be it.

No more Knee jerk reactions and following a proper plan, then I can deal with the football at a lower level for a few years.

Personally It will be pray-offs for me in league one next season and that should be minimum expectections of the board

[Bedminster Born And Red]

Fingers crossed we are challenging next season I reckon we maybe mid table next season if we go down. there is a lot of same old same old but some change as well.

Lets cross out fingers and hope for an immediate bounce back, but I do think a complete restructure of what we are trying to achieve, and time to put it in place would outweigh the immediate return. If SL and his directors can stick to the under 24 Phylosophy and push a style of football and way we carry out our business, and stick to it, and follow through with it, without flitting from one disaster to another, Then I will start to believe in what he is trying to do, and if it means staying down in Div1 for a period of time so be it.

No more Knee jerk reactions and following a proper plan, then I can deal with the football at a lower level for a few years.

People may not like your "plan" but listening to things JOHN Lansdown has said recently I think that is exactly where we are heading.

[weeble]

Cheers , I'll have a gander.

Think he means this,

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=D3DCvNkGuME&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DD3DCvNkGuME

[Spike]

We were the biggest club in the area long before Lansdown arrived and history shows that we have generally had more success, bigger support and better infrastructure of the two Bristol clubs (I appreciate that isn't much to boast about in the bigger footballing picture especially when you look at the success in Cities like Manchester etc).

However, the current board at Rovers have done well with their work to secure a new stadium at the UWE** and without SL and the new AV or AG projects who knows how that would've effected things in the future.

Lansdown isn't perfect but with his involvement in the club, even if only in the background, and looking at the Youtube video for a new AG Im really excited about the future even though this season we looked screwed.

** doesnt mean I like the fact they sold a War Memorial and whilst their new ground looks better than anything they've had in the past I think it does look bland and potentially soulless. The new Ashton Gate plan in the video posted on here look really impressive.

History doesn't have anything to do with the current game though, there are no guarantees that we'll remain a bigger club than Rovers, I mean if ever there was a reason we may not it would be Lansdown leaving and us having no financial backing as well as a shit board.

[glynriley]

Obviously it's just initial plans by the sounds of it but I think it's an impressive start.

Think he means this,

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=D3DCvNkGuME&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DD3DCvNkGuME

Cheers lads , looks pretty good to me.

[Kid in the Riot]

I would have hoped that the whole TVG thing would have been anticipated and dealt with before theh stadium plans were even announced in terms of the proof we needed to provide, evidence that it was never used as a Village Green etc. You would think that a Billionaire having access to the best leagal brains around would have had that covered. The TVG thing may then never have got off the ground.

Cannot agree with you on the Academy. We do not produce anywhere near the amount or same quality of players that other enlightened clubs who have invested wisely in their Academies over the years produce. We all know who these clubs are. When are we going to see a Luke Shaw for example?

I agree this should've been dealt with by the legal team employed by Lansdown or even NLP who he appointed as the planning specialists.

However, I think it's very harsh to lay the blame for this at the door of Lansdown. You say it yourself "You would think that a Billionaire having access to the best legal brains around would have had that covered."

I think the stadium team underestimated the NIMBYs or even overlooked the TVG legislation. They were also in a rush to get the application in on the back of the WC bid and to nullify the TVG legislation I believe the land needs to be fenced off for at least TWO years.

Lansdown cannot be personally blamed for the TVG situation IMO.

[citybs3]

Cheers lads , looks pretty good to me.

looks very nice, just a shame bcfc won't own it. we'll be seen as equal tenants with the rugby lot.

[leadman]

he was king when we were 1 game from the prem.

now hes no good cuz we were going down.

i hope hes here for another 10 years.

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

History doesn't have anything to do with the current game though, there are no guarantees that we'll remain a bigger club than Rovers, I mean if ever there was a reason we may not it would be Lansdown leaving and us having no financial backing as well as a shit board.

I agree with what you say Spike, the reason I mentioned 'history' was in response to your point that City fans would not say Rovers could be bigger or better than us without SL because they would see it as a betrayal. We were the bigger, wealthier club before SL arrived.

Like you say (and again I agree), as things stand NOW, with the UWE soon to be in construction without someone like Lansdown we could, possibly, have been overtaken by them if they managed to get their sh1t together on the pitch. I believe that with SL involved with City we can still stay one step ahead of our closest rivals in respect of investment in the club and attracting new fans.

[Monkeh]

looks very nice, just a shame bcfc won't own it. we'll be seen as equal tenants with the rugby lot.

we've been tennents for a very long time now

[phantom]

An Academy that was not fit for purpose then and certainly doesn't fit that description in any way now (the neglect of the Academy, no doubt "encouraged" by Gary Johnson in my view, is the one area where his actions have been negligent)

Ironic timing that Yeovil today announced they are scrapping their youth team

Cheers lads , looks pretty good to me.

Only problem is this was the original design, before the changes to the East End were mentioned (safe standing)

[Monkeh]

Ironic timing that Yeovil today announced they are scrapping their youth team

Only problem is this was the original design, before the changes to the East End were mentioned (safe standing)

Safe standing isn't approved by the FA and football league therefore those changes aren't relevent...................yet

[citybs3]

true, not great though is it? trouble is when we're sharing any change we want to make will have to be agreed by them too. as i said in another thread its shame the redevelopment plans have to consider them so much, im sure the boxes at the back of the eastend and safe standing across the dolman is to accommodate them.

will most bristol city football club supporters thank SL for this? i certainly will not, how much more more of our football club identity are we willing to sacrifice for yet more promises of success?

[Kid in the Riot]

Dont know if you ever heard about the book by Len Shackleton, but he summed up his thoughts on football club directors quite succinctly. If the directors have no experience of their industry, how do they know the right questions to ask when appointing managers for example. I asked Steve once what qualities he looks for in a manager and didnt really receive an answer. I just think our board needs help in the key ingredient.

Nick, wasn't David Moyes on the City interviewing panel last time around (Robins, McInnes, O'Driz) ?

[bearded_red]

Same old City fans, things go bad, we blame everyone we can... getting tired of reading some of the crap sprouted on here. Without SL we'd be Rovers.... I think that's the best and most simple way to put it.

Even though in our entire history we have only spent two seasons in that division? In a period when managing to get 11 players on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon was an achievement for City.

Our lowest ever finish is 14th in the fourth tier, Rovers are currently at a season high of 13th. Why do you think that without Lansdown we would currently be replicating that?

The vast, vast majority of our history as a club has been spent in the lower reaches of the second tier or the higher reaches of the third tier. Why without Steve Lansdown would we suddenly fall to a lower mid table fourth tier team?

In the 36 teams lying between us and Rovers there are only four or five that I would say are as big, or bigger than us. Why is it that without Steve Lansdown we would suddenly fall to a level where we cannot compete with the likes of Shrewsbury and Stevenage, let alone Fleetwood and Burton Albion?

In the years since Lansdown became Chairman in 2002 we have finished 3rd, 3rd, 7th, 9th, 2nd in League 1 then 4th, (at this stage the big spending began) 10th, 10th, 15th, 20th and in all probability 24th in the Championship. Of course, in the last two of those seasons he hasn't actually been chairman.

Working back 11 years from Lansdown replacing Laycock our league finishes were as such; 7th, 9th, 9th in League 1, one season finishing bottom of the Championship, 2nd, 5th, 13th in League 1, 23rd, 13th, 15th and 17th in the Championship.

The 11 years since 2002 have been better (on the pitch, if not the balance sheets) and it cannot be questionned that Lansdown's riches have helped us to compete in the transfer market in an an era of parachute payments and so many teams in our division having owners and chairman that are happy to spend money like it is water.

However he if far from blameless in our decline since Wembley and the relevent criticism and questions should, and will, be directed his way. Afterall, the managers and players have all been subjected to criticism during this time. To blindly and ignorantly suggest that without him we would be Bristol Rovers doesn't really add anything to any debate.

[phantom]

Safe standing isn't approved by the FA and football league therefore those changes aren't relevent...................yet

Safe standing will be for the rugby

[exiledinwatford]

I agree this should've been dealt with by the legal team employed by Lansdown or even NLP who he appointed as the planning specialists.

However, I think it's very harsh to lay the blame for this at the door of Lansdown. You say it yourself "You would think that a Billionaire having access to the best legal brains around would have had that covered."

I think the stadium team underestimated the NIMBYs or even overlooked the TVG legislation. They were also in a rush to get the application in on the back of the WC bid and to nullify the TVG legislation I believe the land needs to be fenced off for at least TWO years.

Lansdown cannot be personally blamed for the TVG situation IMO.

The two barristers that Vence/AV employed at the most recent hearing have under their resume's

"Specialties:All aspect of the law relating to land, including its development and use."

and

"My planning practice encompasses all aspects of planning both at inquiries and in the Higher Courts. This also encompasses compulsory purchase and compensation, highways, rights of way and village greens."

Maybe these guys were employed after the horse has bolted but no one could accuse SL of not getting top advice. You'd imagine that these guys must have said either "we're on a sticky wicket here" or "don't worry it's in the bag" or maybe there's another cunning plan? Neither of these guys come cheap and they certainly aren't ambulance chasers!

[hortonred]

Has Steve Lansdown been good for BCFC ? And at what price ?

How many fans are aware that Steve Lansdowns 'investment' in BCFC - is

· Virtually all loans and not investment at all

· These Loans are 100% secured on all the clubs assets including the ground

· Lansdown charges the Club interest on his Loans. This interest is also secured against all the Clubs assets

· As regards the proposed new stadium which, as I understand it, Lansdown personally owns (?), he has actually charged most of the expenses incurred to the Football Club, not himself. well in excess of half a million pounds

Look at the BCFC Financial statements where all is revealed

Looking at other club benefactors over the years, I wonder if for example, Jack Walker decd at Blackburn or Dave Whelan at Wigan adopted the Lansdown model of Club Support

There is a big difference between properly investing in a football club AND blindly propping up the losses year after year whilst slowly sinking the ship - and BCFC now appears to be a financial basket case I am afraid. The clubs finances appear to have been wrecked under Lansdowns tenure and all you are going to have to show for it is League 1 football. Should he decide to walk away, think Portsmouth FC without the fun of the Premier League for a few years.

Its Steve Lansdowns money AND NOW, his football club, and he is at liberty to do what he wants with it. Far be it from me to tell him what to do. But Guardian Angel he is not as an example:

Please correct me if I am wrong, but was Lansdown the Chairman who authorized the issue of season ticket marketing literature to the fans in the summer of Brian Tinnions tenure as manager, with the catchy sales pitch See international players at Ashton Gate and a big glossy colour picture of Leroy Lita ( who had just been picked to play for England under 21s) on the front page? After hoovering up all the fans hard earned cash for their season tickets (about 10000 if I remember correctly?) Lansdown then promptly sold Leroy at the beginning of July, much to Tinmans dismay and succeeded in wrecking Brians pre season planning. I dont recall the sales proceeds being invested in the squad. Were the sales proceeds a very useful stopgap to cover some of the forthcoming seasons anticipated financial losses and save Lansdown some of his own money ?. Hardly the action of a club benefactor, especially when Leroy had the potential to be our top scorer that season. Brian Tinnion, a wonderful servant of our football club as a player, was duly sacked in the Autumn how predictable was that.

The season in question was not exceptional. The football club have form here during Lansdowns time on the board and Leroy is not the only star turn to have been cashed in after the money from season ticket sales has been harvested by the Club. Think e.g Scott Murray to Reading. Same circumstances and same timing. So Mr Lansdown REALLY cares about you the fans does he? Only asking.

If the club wish to behave like this, that is their prerogative, but dont lie to the fans and mess with their emotions. The cost of attending football matches is a big investment to lot of BCFC fans who are in reality just wage slaves unlike SL. Truthfully, if you look at typical fans on average earnings or less who buy a season ticket and perhaps attend some away matches as well, they are actually investing a bigger percentage of their desposable net income/wealth in the football club than Mr Lansdown. Do the sums. And they dont have the benefit of being a tax exile to boot. On the affordability scale, such BCFC fans can afford their support less than Mr Lansdown can. SL is a very very seriously wealthy man. Just look at the Hargreaves Lansdown share price compared to the flotation price and the ongoing profit/dividend stream

Has Steve Lansdown been good for BCFC?? Given the amount of his significant wealth, he has not been if you compare BCFC to other clubs who have seriously wealthy owner benefactors as well just think Fulham or Wigan for example. Who would have thought a while back, either of these clubs would get promoted to the Premier League and then survive year after year

Until Mr Lansdown changes his philophosy as regards BCFC think investment, not chucking good money after bad things will never change. BCFC with its masive debt/40 million pounds plus ?(and not a lot to show for it) is now the footballing equivalent of Cyprus or Greece. Cant see a painless way out of this one I am afraid. I hope Mr Lansdown doesnt have too many sleepness nights worrying about it. But please dont ask me to worship at the altar of false Gods. What next. 1982 all over again? I hope not.

Before you respond to this post take a look at the Clubs balance sheet for yourself...

We have loans to Lansdown because of his pathetic track record in selecting Managers and their hopeless record of poor overpaid signings. We are abck in league 1 and back to square one with a poor overpaid squad and weakness in key areas . Well done Steve .