It's Our club Mr Lansdown

[Spoons]

9 hours ago, Cowshed said:

In a normal franchise relationship the franchiser outsources its services and brands to others to use at a cost, and to create shared profits.

Bristol City are sharing Bristol Sports branding. There is an element of franchising present.

 

Bristol sport simply manages the day to day running of bristol city. No franchising present what so ever. That's a myth. Makes perfect business sense to do this and it will benefit the supporters  in the long run.

[NickJ]

7 hours ago, ashton_fan said:

How come Tammy said what clinched it for him was LJ travelling to London to meet his parents? Give credit where it's due, LJ has made mistakes this season but done some good things as well.

Anyone that thinks that somebody with the non pedigree of Johnson was the decisive or even significant factor in a Chelsea under 21 England striker coming to Bristol City is seriously deluded.

[paulcityfan]

Nothing to add.  Just to keep the OP post right at the top of the list for as long as possible

[ashton_fan]

27 minutes ago, NickJ said:

Anyone that thinks that somebody with the non pedigree of Johnson was the decisive or even significant factor in a Chelsea under 21 England striker coming to Bristol City is seriously deluded.

Well that came straight from Tammy on an interview on Player so it's not delusional

[paulcityfan]

1 minute ago, ashton_fan said:

Well that came straight from Tammy on an interview on Player so it's not delusional

Yes, but a lot of people were taken in by Lee johnsons silvery tongue back then 

[NickJ]

Just now, ashton_fan said:

Well that came straight from Tammy on an interview on Player so it's not delusional

Not delusional you heard it.

Just delusional if you believe "three windows" Johnson was the key factor in Chelsea under 21 England striker coming to Bristol City.

 

[NickJ]

Just now, paulcityfan said:

Yes, but a lot of people were taken in by Lee johnsons silvery tongue back then 

Brown

[Cowshed]

1 hour ago, Spoons said:

tBristol sport simply manages the day to day running of bristol city. No franchising present what so ever. That's a myth. Makes perfect business sense to do this and it will benefit the supporters  in the long run.

Bristol Sport is clearly not  just a backroom operation providing support services. It is not necessary to be so visible.

So yes elements are similar to a franchise. No myth.

 

[Redtucks]

57 minutes ago, NickJ said:

Anyone that thinks that somebody with the non pedigree of Johnson was the decisive or even significant factor in a Chelsea under 21 England striker coming to Bristol City is seriously deluded.

So Tammy is deluded????

I bow to your greater knowledge!!!

 

[NickJ]

2 minutes ago, Redtucks said:

So Tammy is deluded????

I bow to your greater knowledge!!!

 

Cheers

And if you seriously think that Tammy's comment was anything other than what he thought - or was told - he should say, yes you are deluded.

Unless you seriously think that Johnson on his own would have the credibility to attract a Chelsea under 21 England striker.

[Guest]

On 10/04/2017 at 16:50, SARJ said:

Well known gas head before buying City. Suggest you pop into Marlwood Secondary School near Severn Beach. Huge photo of him in there wearing a rovers top.

When you state Marlwood is near Severn Beach, it indicates you don't know your arse from your elbow and is a great start for claiming SL is a gashead . Marlwood is in Alveston and is nearer to Thornbury and a number of other places than Severn Beach.

You say 'Huge photo', produce no evidence and expect people to just take your word for it. That you take your gashead mates word for it tends to point to a person who is gullible.

Major back peddling when people start to point out the holes in our story.

Sounds like you are closer to the gas than SL is.

[Port Said Red]

8 hours ago, NickJ said:

Not delusional you heard it.

Just delusional if you believe "three windows" Johnson was the key factor in Chelsea under 21 England striker coming to Bristol City.

 

Nick, despite our runins in the past, I do appreciate your posts in that you don't resort to name calling and knee jerk comments. However I am finding the complete inability to give LJ any credit for anything at all a tad obsessive.

I think even his most fervent supporters will admit to seeing mistakes and inconsistencies in the way he works, and I actually think it would strengthen your position if you could concede even a small point in the mans favour.

I dont think it helps calling those of us who feel he played a good part in bringing Tammy to the club delusional, and your opinion of LJ'S as someone inconsequential in the game, is not backed up by things that were said in articles at the time.

 

[Redtucks]

7 hours ago, NickJ said:

Cheers

And if you seriously think that Tammy's comment was anything other than what he thought - or was told - he should say, yes you are deluded.

Unless you seriously think that Johnson on his own would have the credibility to attract a Chelsea under 21 England striker.

Yes, yes, whatever suits your agenda!!!

 

 

[Trueredsupporter]

@NickJ

Steve Lansdown is going nowhere. he has paid for everything. what actually are your alternatives?

[SARJ]

18 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

Deary me, get over yourself pal. I was local to Marlwood for many years and know many people who attended that school and taught there (I went to the rival one FWIW) and I've never heard a mention of this - that's why I am so skeptical. Perhaps your gaseous little friends are telling you porkies...

You said there's a HUGE photo of him there, now you've changed your mind and are saying it was "there at one point". Make your mind up...it sounds like you haven't seen it and you don't even know where Marlwood is so I'm sensing a whiff of BS

Nothing to get over mate, you seem to be the one with issues when somebody states something that you haven't heard, seen or witnessed. Perhaps you're the Pope of Bristol City, all knowing and powerful who's opinion is the 'correct' one.

I dated a girl from Marlwood for years and years who also told me about the photos and Lansdown connection so not just Gas colleagues. But then you've never met said girl, so maybe I'm lying, perhaps she's a figment of my imagination? 

[Big C]

17 hours ago, Red-Robbo said:

Lansdown has spoken about not particularly being interested in football,

Ah so he was a Gashead then.

[Kid in the Riot]

36 minutes ago, SARJ said:

Nothing to get over mate, you seem to be the one with issues when somebody states something that you haven't heard, seen or witnessed. Perhaps you're the Pope of Bristol City, all knowing and powerful who's opinion is the 'correct' one.

I dated a girl from Marlwood for years and years who also told me about the photos and Lansdown connection so not just Gas colleagues. But then you've never met said girl, so maybe I'm lying, perhaps she's a figment of my imagination? 

When there's inaccuracies in what you're saying followed by back-peddling then yes I do have an issue with it. Just to confirm then, you haven't seen this photo (or now photos according to your latest post) then? Just like I haven't? Seems a bit of a silly argument then really...

[Welcome To The Jungle]

15 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

In your humble opinion. I don't think the way this club is governed as private enterprise is any of your concern, if you don't like the way it is run you can sit back and watch it die. What works in Germany may not work here, for a start we would have to look at removing the milllions of pounds of debt so we could start with a clean slate, or perhaps you feel the "community" will supply that instead of SL? If you compare clubs in this country who operate in the same financial market I don't think you will find we are run any more or less autonomously than many other clubs. 
Bournemouth tried living as a community run club but only really achieved success when they sold out to a large investor. You might like to think that we live outside the finances of football like some sort of anarcho syndicalist commune, but I don't think it's any more realistic than a benign Communist Government. SL's idea is to bring in as many revenue streams as possible and as such he IS trying to engage with the community to supply services they need.

If it makes any difference, Portsmouth and WImbledon both turned a profit in their latest accounts and are both set to achieve their highest finishes since becoming fan owned.

As for Bournemouth then define success. On the pitch certainly, but I'd be interested to see how many fans feel like the 'club' element has not improved. After all we follow City and not a Prem club because we value the family and club over sporting success. I may be wrong and Bournemouth fans may all be delighted, but the green grass of success is not all it's cracked up to be. Many Man City fans dream of 10 years ago, and just ask many true Cardiff fans what they thought of red kits. 

For this reason I want City to be a club first, and a successful team second. The craic, the banter, the songs, the passion, the roar, the despair, the joy, the chats in the pub afterwards etc all take precedent over how good we are and imo that should always be the case. 

SL however seems to have an agenda where the Premier League is the ultimate goal and the 'club' element is being sacrificed. Two clubs of a similar size to ourselves who may not be fan owned, but have certainly had a more fan focused attitude with money being spent keeping ticket prices really low, rather than millions on below par players, are Huddersfield and Reading. Both have spent next to nothing on players (at least compared to us) and are both in the top six. 

If you can build the foundation of a club atmosphere, then that can carry a team forward, sadly I feel SL wants to build a roof before getting a brilliant foundation. 

[ashton_fan]

30 minutes ago, Welcome To The Jungle said:

If it makes any difference, Portsmouth and WImbledon both turned a profit in their latest accounts and are both set to achieve their highest finishes since becoming fan owned.

As for Bournemouth then define success. On the pitch certainly, but I'd be interested to see how many fans feel like the 'club' element has not improved. After all we follow City and not a Prem club because we value the family and club over sporting success. I may be wrong and Bournemouth fans may all be delighted, but the green grass of success is not all it's cracked up to be. Many Man City fans dream of 10 years ago, and just ask many true Cardiff fans what they thought of red kits. 

For this reason I want City to be a club first, and a successful team second. The craic, the banter, the songs, the passion, the roar, the despair, the joy, the chats in the pub afterwards etc all take precedent over how good we are and imo that should always be the case. 

SL however seems to have an agenda where the Premier League is the ultimate goal and the 'club' element is being sacrificed. Two clubs of a similar size to ourselves who may not be fan owned, but have certainly had a more fan focused attitude with money being spent keeping ticket prices really low, rather than millions on below par players, are Huddersfield and Reading. Both have spent next to nothing on players (at least compared to us) and are both in the top six. 

If you can build the foundation of a club atmosphere, then that can carry a team forward, sadly I feel SL wants to build a roof before getting a brilliant foundation. 

I doubt Portsmouth or Wimbledon will ever have sufficient finances to maintain a team at Championship level but if they're happy as they are in the lower leagues then fine.

There are two options in Bristol, a club who aspire to Premier League status or at least Championship football, or the other one who sound much more like the sort of club you should be supporting

[Bat Fastard]

26 minutes ago, Welcome To The Jungle said:

If it makes any difference, Portsmouth and WImbledon both turned a profit in their latest accounts and are both set to achieve their highest finishes since becoming fan owned.

As for Bournemouth then define success. On the pitch certainly, but I'd be interested to see how many fans feel like the 'club' element has not improved. After all we follow City and not a Prem club because we value the family and club over sporting success. I may be wrong and Bournemouth fans may all be delighted, but the green grass of success is not all it's cracked up to be. Many Man City fans dream of 10 years ago, and just ask many true Cardiff fans what they thought of red kits. 

For this reason I want City to be a club first, and a successful team second. The craic, the banter, the songs, the passion, the roar, the despair, the joy, the chats in the pub afterwards etc all take precedent over how good we are and imo that should always be the case. 

SL however seems to have an agenda where the Premier League is the ultimate goal and the 'club' element is being sacrificed. Two clubs of a similar size to ourselves who may not be fan owned, but have certainly had a more fan focused attitude with money being spent keeping ticket prices really low, rather than millions on below par players, are Huddersfield and Reading. Both have spent next to nothing on players (at least compared to us) and are both in the top six. 

If you can build the foundation of a club atmosphere, then that can carry a team forward, sadly I feel SL wants to build a roof before getting a brilliant foundation. 

You are being very unkind to SL! We are not a League 2 side and we have not spent a vast amount on players recently if you factor in some of the funds that we have received form sell on clauses and Kodjia. We are trying to build a foundation of a sustainable side by investing in youngsters with an eye to the future. If the product on the pitch improves, as I believe it will, then the feeling of some of the fanbase will also become less toxic. The stadium feels different and this will mean that we have to get used to a different atmosphere - but that is created largely by the fans - as we saw against Wolves. Being in a club means meeting up with and chatting to like minded people and friends that you make in the vicinity of your regular seat as well as following every detail of your club and team in the media and even on this forum. All that is still in place - but some have become obsessed with SL, and the way he runs the club - and the venom directed at LJ is stunning - by all means question and criticise, but some on here have gone way beyond that.  I am certain that everyone behind the scenes at BCFC are trying really hard to improve the playing and every other aspect of the club - but it will take time and there will be failures as well as successes, and good supporters will help to see us through the duff times and that will make them feel that they have earned the good times that will undoubtedly come. Just enjoy what we have on the pitch and in our wonderful stadium - and if you see SL, thank him for all he has done and all he is trying to do. That is simply good manners!

[Welcome To The Jungle]

44 minutes ago, ashton_fan said:

I doubt Portsmouth or Wimbledon will ever have sufficient finances to maintain a team at Championship level but if they're happy as they are in the lower leagues then fine.

There are two options in Bristol, a club who aspire to Premier League status or at least Championship football, or the other one who sound much more like the sort of club you should be supporting

We'll see regarding the Dons and Portsmouth. However what you've suggested is that Bristol Rovers are more of a family and a club than we are. Should we not aspire to be better than them?

41 minutes ago, Bat Fastard said:

You are being very unkind to SL! We are not a League 2 side and we have not spent a vast amount on players recently if you factor in some of the funds that we have received form sell on clauses and Kodjia. We are trying to build a foundation of a sustainable side by investing in youngsters with an eye to the future. If the product on the pitch improves, as I believe it will, then the feeling of some of the fanbase will also become less toxic. The stadium feels different and this will mean that we have to get used to a different atmosphere - but that is created largely by the fans - as we saw against Wolves. Being in a club means meeting up with and chatting to like minded people and friends that you make in the vicinity of your regular seat as well as following every detail of your club and team in the media and even on this forum. All that is still in place - but some have become obsessed with SL, and the way he runs the club - and the venom directed at LJ is stunning - by all means question and criticise, but some on here have gone way beyond that.  I am certain that everyone behind the scenes at BCFC are trying really hard to improve the playing and every other aspect of the club - but it will take time and there will be failures as well as successes, and good supporters will help to see us through the duff times and that will make them feel that they have earned the good times that will undoubtedly come. Just enjoy what we have on the pitch and in our wonderful stadium - and if you see SL, thank him for all he has done and all he is trying to do. That is simply good manners!

I don't think I've been mean to SL in my post, just critical which you yourself said is okay. Even calling him out as the tax dodging Lord of Guernsey is is nothing shy of the truth. Not like the NHS is on its knees is it?

However putting his highly questionable morality to one side, I've had the privilege to watch teams in Europe and have seen two different models which are comparable to politics (which you love). In Germany you have the socialist model of fan ownership and in Italy you have the Union model of private ownership but the fans maintain some control by being organised enough to literally abandon stadia completely if they're not happy, and hold the club to ransom. I can honestly say that the unity I have felt at games as the fans have a genuine say it matters is huge.

Someone will take more pride in a home they own, rather than a rented house or a hotel. Same applies to football. The British model is different however. It is more 'take it up the backside' and put up with it. It isn't just Bristol City, it is English football as a whole. But that does not mean that we can't aspire to be better. Your many posts on the football forum focus on the team. I focus on the club. We are allowed to differ as if you go to football for the team, then fine, that's allowed and perfectly reasonable. But for some of us, SL is far from the ideal. Far from the worst too, but far from ideal.

[Bat Fastard]

7 minutes ago, Welcome To The Jungle said:

We'll see regarding the Dons and Portsmouth. However what you've suggested is that Bristol Rovers are more of a family and a club than we are. Should we not aspire to be better than them?

I don't think I've been mean to SL in my post, just critical which you yourself said is okay. Even calling him out as the tax dodging Lord of Guernsey is is nothing shy of the truth. Not like the NHS is on its knees is it?

However putting his highly questionable morality to one side, I've had the privilege to watch teams in Europe and have seen two different models which are comparable to politics (which you love). In Germany you have the socialist model of fan ownership and in Italy you have the Union model of private ownership but the fans maintain some control by being organised enough to literally abandon stadia completely if they're not happy, and hold the club to ransom. I can honestly say that the unity I have felt at games as the fans have a genuine say it matters is huge.

Someone will take more pride in a home they own, rather than a rented house or a hotel. Same applies to football. The British model is different however. It is more 'take it up the backside' and put up with it. It isn't just Bristol City, it is English football as a whole. But that does not mean that we can't aspire to be better. Your many posts on the football forum focus on the team. I focus on the club. We are allowed to differ as if you go to football for the team, then fine, that's allowed and perfectly reasonable. But for some of us, SL is far from the ideal. Far from the worst too, but far from ideal.

The facts are simple - Ashton Gate needed to be redeveloped and that required someone with pockets deep enough to do both of these things.  The other models are matters for those clubs and countries - I don't spend all my time worrying about the ownership when I am watching the team on the pitch.  Family areas and areas for fans in wheel chairs have all been provided in an attempt to provide a great match day experience for all.  I believe that (apart from the loss of the chicken, leek and ham pies) they have largely succeeded.  As for criticism of SL - the amounts that he has ploughed into City and the amounts he will spend in an attempt to get us into the Premier League, would be beyong the capacity of continental models of ownership. 

As for the "morality" of SL - I cannot see a problem. In building his fortune in the UK he will have paid or generated tax revenues in such quantity that it would be beyond the comprehansion of most City fans. He still pays vast UK taxes on his shares in HL and other investments.  The employment that he has brought to Bristol will generate tax, NICs and VAT - as well as business taxes and wealth in the community.  By becoming a tax exile he exchanged the prospect (at the time) of 50% tax on his income and 40% tax on his estate for 20% tax on both income and estate.  That allows him to spend that money in the UK and enrich the Bristol area.  Is it such a surprise that he would rather leave as much of his wealth to his family rather than the Uk government?  Having had some experience in talking to people about such choices - I have to say that 99% of people would believe that he was right.  Even the previous leader of the Labour party organised the tax affairs (along with his brother) of his father's estate in order to minimise tax. I think that SL has brought much more benefit to society than those two gentlemen.  I admire SL and what he is trying to do for the club that I love and support.  Someone has to be the leader and it happens to be him - people grumbling in the ranks seldom understand the issues concerned and find it easier to complain. Just saying!

[NickJ]

5 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

Nick, despite our runins in the past, I do appreciate your posts in that you don't resort to name calling and knee jerk comments. However I am finding the complete inability to give LJ any credit for anything at all a tad obsessive.

I think even his most fervent supporters will admit to seeing mistakes and inconsistencies in the way he works, and I actually think it would strengthen your position if you could concede even a small point in the mans favour.

I dont think it helps calling those of us who feel he played a good part in bringing Tammy to the club delusional, and your opinion of LJ'S as someone inconsequential in the game, is not backed up by things that were said in articles at the time.

 

You are right I am obsessive.

 

3 hours ago, Trueredsupporte said:

@NickJ

Steve Lansdown is going nowhere. he has paid for everything. what actually are your alternatives?

At the moment, a decent manager. The wasted opportunity which presented itself at the end of 2014/15, and the non backing of a very successful manager to be replaced with a statistically inferior one is grating on my obsessive tendencies (see above).

 

1 hour ago, Bat Fastard said:

You are being very unkind to SL! We are not a League 2 side and we have not spent a vast amount on players recently if you factor in some of the funds that we have received form sell on clauses and Kodjia. 

I have seen this point made many times, and it is disingenuous in the extreme.

Incoming funds from sale of players has been through the efforts of previous managers who had identified and signed those players in the first place. 

The fact is, LJ has spunked £15m on 19 players most of whom he does not "trust" to start games.

[Bat Fastard]

2 minutes ago, NickJ said:

You are right I am obsessive.

 

At the moment, a decent manager. The wasted opportunity which presented itself at the end of 2014/15, and the non backing of a very successful manager to be replaced with a statistically inferior one is grating on my obsessive tendencies (see above).

 

I have seen this point made many times, and it is disingenuous in the extreme.

Incoming funds from sale of players has been through the efforts of previous managers who had identified and signed those players in the first place. 

The fact is, LJ has spunked £15m on 19 players most of whom he does not "trust" to start games.

The fact is that they are City players and will become assets of the club. Many are young and will come in to their own in seasons to come - or hopefully be sold for a profit.  This is the start of the project and not the end - you need to be a little patient!

[1953]

Talk about going over old ground. Over and over again. City are and will next season be a Championship club. And, strangely, I'm excited at the prospect of Friday's game and haven't thought that many times this season.  They could easily win the last three games here and that would be something to cheer (or politely clap.... depending on where you sit .) I'm just praying for the same approach as last week and the same two up front.  Get the ball in the box enough times and they will find the net. Final thought though..... if they stay up, what will the moaners  have to talk about all summer?

[Port Said Red]

9 minutes ago, 1953 said:

Talk about going over old ground. Over and over again. City are and will next season be a Championship club. And, strangely, I'm excited at the prospect of Friday's game and haven't thought that many times this season.  They could easily win the last three games here and that would be something to cheer (or politely clap.... depending on where you sit .) I'm just praying for the same approach as last week and the same two up front.  Get the ball in the box enough times and they will find the net. Final thought though..... if they stay up, what will the moaners  have to talk about all summer?

Take your pick - the subjects will be many and varied.  

 

[SARJ]

4 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

When there's inaccuracies in what you're saying followed by back-peddling then yes I do have an issue with it. Just to confirm then, you haven't seen this photo (or now photos according to your latest post) then? Just like I haven't? Seems a bit of a silly argument then really...

Fair pay you win, multiple people from all over Bristol , City and Gas, all wrong because you haven't seen it.

I'm going to sue to sue The Sun because they said they had nudes of Jennifer Lawrence, but I haven't seen them, ergo they don't exist.

I can't say I've seen the photo in the school, but I trust the people who told me it's there. I have seen the alleged photo in question both on this forum a few years back and on countless phones of both City and Gasheads, but again, nah, must be forged.

[Natchfever]

3 hours ago, 1953 said:

Talk about going over old ground. Over and over again. City are and will next season be a Championship club. And, strangely, I'm excited at the prospect of Friday's game and haven't thought that many times this season.  They could easily win the last three games here and that would be something to cheer (or politely clap.... depending on where you sit .) I'm just praying for the same approach as last week and the same two up front.  Get the ball in the box enough times and they will find the net. Final thought though..... if they stay up, what will the moaners  have to talk about all summer?

Make your mind up.

[1953]

3 hours ago, Loon plage said:

Make your mind up.

No ambiguity there. They will stay up, but that being the case, etc etc. You seem to have taken my use of the word if in a way it wasnt intended. 

[Trueredsupporter]

@NickJ

so just changing the manager would make City feel like more a fans club. that's a bit its all about winning and Mr Lansdown can keep piling in the money as long as you like the Manager.

thought you would be putting ideas forward on a fan on the board? fans shares? Bristol Sport?

Not just you but a lot of fans criticising Mr Lansdown but apart from change the Manager I don't like him no alternatives to anything else.