Guardian article today on SL and Johnson

[Garland-sweden]

Who gonna be the big boss and who is gonna be the new manager. Maybe one fr.o.m. Australien or Austria. The manager probably fr.o.m. Scotland we will see. He he.

[BobBobSuperBob]

5 minutes ago, Cowshed said:

One of Mr Lansdown's quotes was "if it is good enough for Barcelona its good enough for Bristol".

Tbf - you have to put it back in the context it was said

Think you'll find that's when he got carried away over the Nicky Hunt signing

[Alessandro]

1 hour ago, glos old boy said:

Did anyone ask the fans if they wanted to be under the Bristol Sport Umbrella? BCFC are now part of something else, the board is toothless and under SL`s control. We are tied into this ground share with other clubs and are unable to do nothing about it.

So the way you see it is, it is a negative thing? Do you have any reason to think it is negative other than the fans weren't asked?

The ground share you say we are tied into has not had a negative effect on the football. Because of it we have fantastic new facilities and a state of the art pitch, which has held up well all season, so no problems there.

I often see people write the board is toothless. Why is that? Do you know they? Do you know they don't agree with what SL is doing? Ashton came out in agreement in January publicly. 

1 hour ago, glos old boy said:

Where does BCFC`s money input go? ST`s, transfer fees etc? the bank of Bristol Sport or the bank of BCFC, how is the grounds running costs shared amongst its users? it seems way to complicated now....but its progress as you say.

If you read the accounts of Bristol City Football Club - not Bristol Sport, which is a separate entity - you'll see the revenue of BCFC goes to paying to run club, which by the way, runs at a loss of several millions every year. There isn't money being syphoned off from BCFC into Bristol Sport, because there aren't any profits to do that.  

SL has always been clear, and the data backs that up, that BCFC doesn't prop up the rugby or the basketball or whatever else. There is only one thing propping the whole lot up, and that's SL, certainly not BCFC.

1 hour ago, glos old boy said:

Cant see any progress on the pitch and that was with the best goalscorer outside the prem......and yes I am scared, scared of where one man might decide he wants to take this club.

In my lifetime of supporting City, we've never had more 'direction' or 'vision' than we do now. People act like Lansdown has come in and changed everything and undone all the work and success of our previous owners and chairman. What was their model or success?

People are dismissive of the five pillars, you can debate who successful they've been, yes, but they are not a guarantee of success, just a guideline towards it. With a clear plan like we know have, you have a chance. Without, you're relying on luck or tons of cash.

Sustainable, long term success in football for a club like us = investing in youth and people (like managers), investing in facilities - ground and training, improving revenue. All things we are trying to do. Nothing scary about that. It's plain sensible. A platform for what happens on the pitch.

I have seen nothing yet from SL that has 'scared' me. It's clear action, thought out and communicated to the fans. 

This is a man who sold shares in his own business to help pay for our ground redevelopment that will serve the club for years to come. Someone quoted Robin Day earlier, well if SL leaves tomorrow, he leaves us in a better position than when he arrived.

1 hour ago, glos old boy said:

A pie, pint and footie on a Saturday has changed and developed as you say, its certainly nothing like what I exp in the late 60`s / 70`s .......modern footie, agents, sky, bt, health and safety and foreign imports have killed English football forever.

This is life. In many ways it's changed for the worse, but many ways, for the better. I certainly don't mind not be chased away from the Vetch Field on a Tuesday night by a group of crazy out of control Welshmen.

[Major Isewater]

On 11/05/2017 at 23:31, downendcity said:

RR I know you have raised lots of questions over a long period of time about the structure of the club, but your arguments are pretty reasoned and it's not posters like you to which I was referring.

We saw the same sort of thing when things started to go pear shaped under SC, when a few posters suddenly appeared on here with only a small handful of posts to their names. The posts were completely negative and critical and quite a few were pretty vitriolic. When things eventually picked up  - last season following LJ's appointment, and this season when results improved in the latter part of the season - those same posters suddenly disappeared. 

There are plenty of posters on OTIB that raise legitimate questions about the club, the owner and head coach, and have done  ( and quite possibly will continue to do so) for some time. These are not "haters", they are fans just like the rest of us, who love the club and want us to do well. As with so many aspects of life, we all see things differently. Some are glass half full people, and will probably see things through more optimistic and positive eyes. Others, who are more glass half empty, might be more circumspect and sceptical about the same issues.

if we all saw things the same way this forum would be boring. We all have different ideas as to how the club can best go forward and improve. Unfortunately, SL is in the unenviable position of having to decide that and try to keep all City fans happy - an impossible job I think!  The old saying is that you cannot please all of the people all of the time , and that is certainly true with City fans. I suspect that SL understands and accepts that at any point in time there will be a good number of fans who will not agree with his decisions ( certainly true of the decision to stand by LJ at the turn of the year) but that he is think skinned enough to accept that. What I suspect he is less comfortable is the very small minority who take that disagreement to an unacceptable level e.g. if true, that LJ has received death threats, and no proper City fan would condone anything to that degree.

The truth is that if we had been pushing for promotion throughout the season , we would not be having these debates, as ultimately it is success on the field that fans want to see. As long as the club's ambition is not being matched by what is happening on the pitch then the club  will be under increased scrutiny from many fans, and it is right that that should be the case.   

I see things the same way .

[Cowshed]

5 minutes ago, BobBobSuperBob said:

Tbf - you have to put it back in the context it was said

Think you'll find that's when he got carried away over the Nicky Hunt signing

Comparisons between business models are a nonsense. Comparisons between a world wide known club and its associated sport and BCFC ... Silly.

[Alessandro]

14 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

Governance : A chairman and Board who are puppets of the owner; Despite the pr about being committed to the community no fan representation, let alone community representation, on The Board; As I have said before, ad nauseam, an owner whose management outlook and skills set are rooted in the early 20th century, i.e. a failure to seek independent advice and counsel and act on it.

As i've said, ad nauseam, this is how EVERY football club in the top two divisions, and 90% below, are run. Fans do not have representation in this country. Please give me one club that does in the top two divisions, and that the club listens to their voice. 

You say his management outlook is rooted in the 20th century, bringing in specialists like Ashton is certainly not backwards thinking. We now have a top negotiator and earn fees for players like we never had before. I would also say, looking and aspiring to the 'Barcelona model' is not 20th century in the slightest. 

Oh and his very 21st century business has made him a billionaire, so i'd say your statements about his managerial skills are based on opinion that can't really be backed up with fact.

14 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

 He should undertake some media training to control his totally unwarranted outbursts against fans, some of whom have been supporters from before he was born.  He needs to show some respect in order to gain respect. He needs to learn what transparency actually means in terms of 21st century governance, as well as turning pr about community into full practice.

"Outbursts" - complete overreaction. As a fan, I actually completely agree with what he said. He is human. He bleeds, and the abuse, yes abuse he has to put up with would make any man angry. 

14 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

As Glos Old Boy has said it is difficult to see where City will be as a legal and business entity once the Lansdowns give up, as they inevitably will.

In a better position than when he took over.

14 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

If you can't get what a number of us are saying, and are very worried and scared about, you will just have to wait and see what will happen - and hope we are wrong.

Time will of course tell. I don't live in a fantasy land where I think we will be in the premier league anytime soon, if ever, but I certainly don't live in this doomsday preparation world that you and a few others seem to. Scared of what exactly? He sells the club after stealing all our profits, kicks us out of our ground and we go bust? 

14 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

I have never met Lansdown, and assume, save for the question of tax which I find morally inexcusable, a good guy; but after all these years as owner I believe he is out of his depth.

I disagree - the plan is clearer than ever. The management is clearer than ever. And it is communicated to the fans better than ever. There has never been a plan in my lifetime as a City fan. As i've said already, that plan doesn't guarantee success, but we stand little chance without it.

Just because you don't agree with the plan or are frustrated by certain choices or decisions, doesn't mean that the chairman is out of his depth. 

[screech]

30 minutes ago, Cowshed said:

Comparisons between business models are a nonsense. Comparisons between a world wide known club and its associated sport and BCFC ... Silly.

It's also silly to take his observation literally.

It's nothing more than mischief making from the same few, turning every comment SL says and twisting it to fit their agenda. I honestly can't believe you or anyone else can seriously believe SL imagines or believes that Bristol Sport can in any way get get close to Barcelona, it was nothing more than an observation how sporting clubs in the same city can be brought together. He has stated many times he loves his sport, and has enough spare cash these days to fund his passion.

Give me this every day and twice on a Sunday to the run down Ashton Gate I have been to since the 70's.

[Ivorguy]

49 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

As i've said, ad nauseam, this is how EVERY football club in the top two divisions, and 90% below, are run. Fans do not have representation in this country. Please give me one club that does in the top two divisions, and that the club listens to their voice. 

You say his management outlook is rooted in the 20th century, bringing in specialists like Ashton is certainly not backwards thinking. We now have a top negotiator and earn fees for players like we never had before. I would also say, looking and aspiring to the 'Barcelona model' is not 20th century in the slightest. 

Oh and his very 21st century business has made him a billionaire, so i'd say your statements about his managerial skills are based on opinion that can't really be backed up with fact.

"Outbursts" - complete overreaction. As a fan, I actually completely agree with what he said. He is human. He bleeds, and the abuse, yes abuse he has to put up with would make any man angry. 

In a better position than when he took over.

Time will of course tell. I don't live in a fantasy land where I think we will be in the premier league anytime soon, if ever, but I certainly don't live in this doomsday preparation world that you and a few others seem to. Scared of what exactly? He sells the club after stealing all our profits, kicks us out of our ground and we go bust? 

I disagree - the plan is clearer than ever. The management is clearer than ever. And it is communicated to the fans better than ever. There has never been a plan in my lifetime as a City fan. As i've said already, that plan doesn't guarantee success, but we stand little chance without it.

Just because you don't agree with the plan or are frustrated by certain choices or decisions, doesn't mean that the chairman is out of his depth. 

You make my point for me better than I could myself,  when you end by saying 'doesn't mean the Chairman is out of his depth'. SL is not the Chairman, and that is one of my major concerns.  He orchestrates from outside the formal structure.

 

PS I think you will find that his money does not arise out of his management skills.

My views are based on being a CEO of a multi million pound company.  I am sorry but I do know what I am talking about, as I have been there and got the t-shirt. By the way there are many more City fans with greater expertise than me in a variety of ways whom I am sure if identified and approached would offer their advice free (well perhaps a matchday ticket could be thrown in!).  I am sure Tony Robinson would know, for example, about dealing with the media.

You are more than welcome to disagree but my concerns about the off the pitch side of City under the Lansdowns will remain whatever the results on the pitch are, for I see it as a timebomb waiting to go off.

Like you, and everyone on otib,  I want the club I love to have success. COYR

[Alessandro]

17 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

You make my point for me better than I could myself,  when you end by saying 'doesn't mean the Chairman is out of his depth'. SL is not the Chairman, and that is one of my major concerns.  He orchestrates from outside the formal structure.

Chairman. Owner. Majority shareholder. It doesn't matter, it is a word. He calls the shots ultimately, because it's his money. Along with every other majority shareholder in this country. And you are also basing this opinion on the HUGE assumption that the other board members and decision makers at BCFC disagree with him but are over ruled. You don't like that he oversees the key decisions? Some could call that strong leadership. 

17 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

 

PS I think you will find that his money does not arise out of his management skills.

Well, as you've already admitted you haven't met him, i'm not quite sure how you can say that a man with a personal wealth of £2 billion and the founder of a FTSE 100 company with over 1000 employees doesn't have management skills. So that's your opinion, again.

17 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

My views are based on being a CEO of a multi million pound company.  I am sorry but I do know what I am talking about, as I have been there and got the t-shirt. By the way there are many more City fans with greater expertise than me in a variety of ways whom I am sure if identified and approached would offer their advice free (well perhaps a matchday ticket could be thrown in!).  I am sure Tony Robinson would know, for example, about dealing with the media.

Good for you. And your point is what? What is it you know that Steve Lansdown doesn't? The only thing concrete I can get from you is you don't like his media manner? I think he is personable and clear enough, and i've yet to see him 'attack' the fans as you suggest. He has defended himself and that's fair enough. I think a club with no regard for it's fans wouldn't refund fans tickets after a poor away performance, for example. 

17 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

You are more than welcome to disagree but my concerns about the off the pitch side of City under the Lansdowns will remain whatever the results on the pitch are, for I see it as a timebomb waiting to go off.

Like you, and everyone on otib,  I want the club I love to have success. COYR

Of course we all do. I just still yet to understand what this ticking time bomb actually is? What do you mean by that? 

Do people honestly believe that a man who has invested so much time and money into his childhood club, someone who is looking to leave a legacy and better future for BCFC, would callously do something to undo all this work and leave the club up shit creek, as it were. Because I find that conspiracy theory one of the more far fetched on here for a while.

I actually think the worse that can happen is SL has enough of this attitude from a minority of fans who look to hound him out, sells to the first foreign businessman and then we would have even less control or certainty over our future, identity or integrity. That would be idea of a time bomb. 

[Merrick's Marvels]

1 minute ago, Alessandro said:

Chairman. Owner. Majority shareholder. It doesn't matter, it is a word. He calls the shots ultimately, because it's his money. Along with every other majority shareholder in this country. And you are also basing this opinion on the HUGE assumption that the other board members and decision makers at BCFC disagree with him but are over ruled. You don't like that he oversees the key decisions? Some could call that strong leadership. 

Well, as you've already admitted you haven't met him, i'm not quite sure how you can say that a man with a personal wealth of £2 billion and the founder of a FTSE 100 company with over 1000 employees doesn't have management skills. So that's your opinion, again.

Good for you. And your point is what? What is it you know that Steve Lansdown doesn't? The only thing concrete I can get from you is you don't like his media manner? I think he is personable and clear enough, and i've yet to see him 'attack' the fans as you suggest. He has defended himself and that's fair enough. I think a club with no regard for it's fans wouldn't refund fans tickets after a poor away performance, for example. 

Of course we all do. I just still yet to understand what this ticking time bomb actually is? What do you mean by that? 

Do people honestly believe that a man who has invested so much time and money into his childhood club, someone who is looking to leave a legacy and better future for BCFC, would callously do something to undo all this work and leave the club up shit creek, as it were. Because I find that conspiracy theory one of the more far fetched on here for a while.

I actually think the worse that can happen is SL has enough of this attitude from a minority of fans who look to hound him out, sells to the first foreign businessman and then we would have even less control or certainty over our future, identity or integrity. That would be idea of a time bomb. 

His childhood club is Bristol Rovers.

That's common knowledge. And if you can't get basic facts like that correct, god only knows what other inaccuracies you're spouting.

[Alessandro]

4 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

His childhood club is Bristol Rovers.

That's common knowledge. And if you can't get basic facts like that correct, god only knows what other inaccuracies you're spouting.

Have a look and tell me what other inaccuracies i've spouted. 

It was a turn of phrase. Childhood city.

He started watching Rovers as a kid, but he settled on City in the 1980's.

He won't be the first person to do that, my grandfather supported City and Rovers. 

But City is his club. Or perhaps this is the great conspiracy theory, SL is trojan horse to destroy us from within.

[Lanterne Rouge]

Just now, Alessandro said:

Have a look and tell me what other inaccuracies i've spouted. 

It was a turn of phrase. Childhood city.

He started watching Rovers as a kid, but he settled on City in the 1980's.

He won't be the first person to do that, my grandfather support City and Rovers. 

But City is his club. Or perhaps this is the great conspiracy theory, SL is trojan horse to destroy us from within.

I don`t think you`ll ever convince some people but fair play for trying.

As far as I can see the most fervent SL critics fall into two camps, those who have never forgiven him for sacking Cotts and those who want to go back to watching football in the sixties with the great Big John leading the line and hate modern football and all its trappings. Fair play if those are their opinions but I don`t believe it is any way representative of the fan base as a whole.

[Alessandro]

9 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said:

I don`t think you`ll ever convince some people but fair play for trying.

As far as I can see the most fervent SL critics fall into two camps, those who have never forgiven him for sacking Cotts and those who want to go back to watching football in the sixties with the great Big John leading the line and hate modern football and all its trappings. Fair play if those are their opinions but I don`t believe it is any way representative of the fan base as a whole.

To be honest i'm not trying to convince anyone necessarily, because I know that is pointless.

What I love the most about OTIB is, even when I have a strong opinion on something, I read something someone says, and I say "Oh fair enough, I hadn't thought about that" and see things in a different way. 

I don't think SL is the messiah. Hell I was angry with him over LJ at times this season. Questions were asked of him and rightly so. In my mind, many have actually been answered.

But still for the life of me, I've yet to see anyone who has 'extreme' views about SL, see some kind of doomsday coming and want him out, make me see where they are coming from. Which makes me agree with what you're saying, their opinions come from something very personal, therefore emotional. 

[Ivorguy]

59 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

To be honest i'm not trying to convince anyone necessarily, because I know that is pointless.

What I love the most about OTIB is, even when I have a strong opinion on something, I read something someone says, and I say "Oh fair enough, I hadn't thought about that" and see things in a different way. 

I don't think SL is the messiah. Hell I was angry with him over LJ at times this season. Questions were asked of him and rightly so. In my mind, many have actually been answered.

But still for the life of me, I've yet to see anyone who has 'extreme' views about SL, see some kind of doomsday coming and want him out, make me see where they are coming from. Which makes me agree with what you're saying, their opinions come from something very personal, therefore emotional. 

No not emotional at all.  Bristol City is now part of Bristol Sport.  If, rather when, the Lansdowns sell up who will want the whole caboodle of BS?  Seems unlikely to me given that it looks likely on present evidence to be a failing enterprise.  City will be part of a larger whole not even owning its ground or indeed the sole club using the ground.  At that point I think City are in real trouble.  Believe, of course, what you will but that is the long term worry, and the short term is the way the club's chairman and Board are clearly not functioning as such with the non resident owner calling the shots from his tax haven and doing so as the sole owner of BS. I remain uneasy.

[View from the Dolman]

17 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

No not emotional at all.  Bristol City is now part of Bristol Sport.  If, rather when, the Lansdowns sell up who will want the whole caboodle of BS?  Seems unlikely to me given that it looks likely on present evidence to be a failing enterprise.  City will be part of a larger whole not even owning its ground or indeed the sole club using the ground.  At that point I think City are in real trouble.  Believe, of course, what you will but that is the long term worry, and the short term is the way the club's chairman and Board are clearly not functioning as such with the non resident owner calling the shots from his tax haven and doing so as the sole owner of BS. I remain uneasy.

On what basis do you assert that Steve Lansdown is the sole owner of Bristol Sport?

[Alessandro]

28 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

No not emotional at all.  Bristol City is now part of Bristol Sport.  If, rather when, the Lansdowns sell up who will want the whole caboodle of BS?  Seems unlikely to me given that it looks likely on present evidence to be a failing enterprise.  City will be part of a larger whole not even owning its ground or indeed the sole club using the ground.  At that point I think City are in real trouble.  Believe, of course, what you will but that is the long term worry, and the short term is the way the club's chairman and Board are clearly not functioning as such with the non resident owner calling the shots from his tax haven and doing so as the sole owner of BS. I remain uneasy.

If's and but's. A whole load of if's and but's. 

BCFC is part of Bristol Sport in a commercial sense and it has been stated a number of times that each individual element is entirely separated from each other financially. It has only existed for a few years now, so to call it a failing enterprise already, is premature to say the least. As a former CEO of a multi million pound company, surely you know these things aren't built and successful over night.

Unless things have changed and anyone can prove otherwise, the ground is owned by Bristol City Holdings, which is separate to the club and Bristol Sport anyway, so you don't need to worry about that.

As i've said already, i've yet to see proof the board and chairman are "clearly not functioning" - and after about 2 or 3 times of asking you in what way that's the case, you can't add anything other than it is your belief, I guess we're going round in circles. Again, as a former CEO of a multi million pound company, surely you understand the value of hard evidence, facts, figures to back up arguments, not just gut feelings.

And your several tax haven digs perhaps reveal that, although you say you're not emotional at all, you come across very much as if you are.

[Lanterne Rouge]

3 minutes ago, View from the Dolman said:

On what basis do you assert that Steve Lansdown is the sole owner of Bristol Sport?

I`d also like to see his evidence for his assertion that BS appears to be a failing enterprise.

I suspect that the wish is father to the thought there. He`s very good at stating his opinions as if they`re facts but when asked for evidence comes up with some wishy-washy `I`m not comfortable with it` waffle.

[Merrick's Marvels]

2 hours ago, Alessandro said:

Have a look and tell me what other inaccuracies i've spouted. 

It was a turn of phrase. Childhood city.

He started watching Rovers as a kid, but he settled on City in the 1980's.

He won't be the first person to do that, my grandfather supported City and Rovers. 

But City is his club. Or perhaps this is the great conspiracy theory, SL is trojan horse to destroy us from within.

You said BCFC are Lansdown's "childhood club".

That's about as wrong as it gets.

 

[Alessandro]

Just now, Merrick's Marvels said:

You said BCFC are Lansdown's "childhood club".

That's about as wrong as it gets.

 

and i've already said, I mean't childhood City.

And i've already said he went from supporting Rovers to City many many years ago. Back in the 80's. And may have supported both. 

Eitherway, Bristol City is his club. So what's the problem.

Do you have anything interesting to add or just want to point out my spelling mistakes?

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

If's and but's. A whole load of if's and but's. 

BCFC is part of Bristol Sport in a commercial sense and it has been stated a number of times that each individual element is entirely separated from each other financially. It has only existed for a few years now, so to call it a failing enterprise already, is premature to say the least. As a former CEO of a multinational company, surely you know these things aren't built and successful over night.

Unless things have changed and anyone can prove otherwise, the ground is owned by Bristol City Holdings, which is separate to the club and Bristol Sport anyway, so you don't need to worry about that.

As i've said already, i've yet to see proof the board and chairman are "clearly not functioning" - and after about 2 or 3 times of asking you in what way that's the case, you can't add anything other than it is your belief, I guess we're going round in circles. 

And your several tax haven digs perhaps reveal that, although you say you're not emotional at all, you come across very much as if you are.

How exactly is this worked then? who gets what on matchdays?

 Do we play in Bristol City Holdings ground for free, for ever?

 If not how much does it cost and what happens to the cost of the ground improvements? do all its users have to pay that cost back, if so what percentage does each club pay?

Do we get all ST fee income in a lump sum?

How is the transfer budget worked, does it all come from and go to SL`s back pocket?

Just what are our board in charge of and what if anything can they do without asking the boss?

Not much to worry about there but just how is each element separated and just how is the paperwork set out?

[glynriley]

4 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

and i've already said, I mean't childhood City.

And i've already said he went from supporting Rovers to City many many years ago. Back in the 80's. And may have supported both. 

Eitherway, Bristol City is his club. So what's the problem.

Do you have anything interesting to add or just want to point out my spelling mistakes?

Just to be slightly pedantic, pretty sure SL said the first game he took Jon to was v Bury in the 89/90 season. That game took place in the January of that season, so he didn't start going in the 80's. Sorry. 

[Alessandro]

12 minutes ago, glynriley said:

Just to be slightly pedantic, pretty sure SL said the first game he took Jon to was v Bury in the 89/90 season. That game took place in the January of that season, so he didn't start going in the 80's. Sorry. 

But being pendantic back at ya, that's presuming the first game he went to at Ashton Gate was with John?

I believe he started going to City games when Rovers left for Twerton, which was what, 1982?

[glynriley]

Just now, Alessandro said:

But being pendantic back at ya, that's presuming the first game he went to at Ashton Gate was with John?

I believe he started going to City games when Rovers left for Twerton, which was what, 1982?

1986.

SL said on radio bristol the other week that Jon had got him into watching City, not that he had been a supporter who took his son along. 

Sorry mate, you're wrong on this one, SL got involved in City because his boy wanted to watch football and he said himself, as rovers were playing at Twerton, it was easier to go to Ashton Gate, and he could blag some tickets from Des Williams who was a client of his. 

[Alessandro]

15 minutes ago, glos old boy said:

How exactly is this worked then? who gets what on matchdays?

 Do we play in Bristol City Holdings ground for free, for ever?

 If not how much does it cost and what happens to the cost of the ground improvements? do all its users have to pay that cost back, if so what percentage does each club pay?

Do we get all ST fee income in a lump sum?

How is the transfer budget worked, does it all come from and go to SL`s back pocket?

Just what are our board in charge of and what if anything can they do without asking the boss?

Not much to worry about there but just how is each element separated and just how is the paperwork set out?

It is my understanding, happy to be corrected, BCFC effectively 'lease' the ground from BCH. BCH is effectively BCFC with almost the same directors, but separated for financial/tax reasons. 

In terms of transfer budget, I cannot remember the last time BCFC posted a profit as a club, so any money coming in for transfers offsets outgoing expenses. Surely over the last 5/10 years we have spent far more than we've made in transfers.

[Alessandro]

Just now, glynriley said:

1986.

SL said on radio bristol the other week that Jon had got him into watching City, not that he had been a supporter who took his son along. 

Sorry mate, you're wrong on this one, SL got involved in City because his boy wanted to watch football and he said himself, as rovers were playing at Twerton, it was easier to go to Ashton Gate, and he could blag some tickets from Des Williams who was a client of his. 

Fair enough mate, always happy to stand corrected! Eitherway, doesn't make him 'less of a fan', in my opinion. 

[glynriley]

Just now, Alessandro said:

Fair enough mate, always happy to stand corrected! Eitherway, doesn't make him 'less of a fan', in my opinion. 

Indeed it doesn't. 

[Northern Red]

2 hours ago, Red Right Hand said:

I`d also like to see his evidence for his assertion that BS appears to be a failing enterprise.

I suspect that the wish is father to the thought there. He`s very good at stating his opinions as if they`re facts but when asked for evidence comes up with some wishy-washy `I`m not comfortable with it` waffle.

And then accuses people of 'abuse' when they take him to task over it.

[Cowshed]

5 hours ago, screech said:

It's also silly to take his observation literally.

It's nothing more than mischief making from the same few, turning every comment SL says and twisting it to fit their agenda. I honestly can't believe you or anyone else can seriously believe SL imagines or believes that Bristol Sport can in any way get get close to Barcelona, it was nothing more than an observation how sporting clubs in the same city can be brought together. He has stated many times he loves his sport, and has enough spare cash these days to fund his passion.

Give me this every day and twice on a Sunday to the run down Ashton Gate I have been to since the 70's.

When Mr Lansdown is explaining aspects of his vision it is hard not take this literally.

Bristol City x Bristol Sport are in position where they can mirror aspects of Barcelona's social footprint. That can be a serious consideration for BCFC/Bristol Sport working in partnership (non financial) with grass roots clubs and the community.  It does not have to be a nonsense.

The redevelopment of Ashton Gate  plans where in place prior to Bristol Sports inception. Something people like Andrew Billingham have pointed out. Bristol Sport was not necessary to redevelop the ground.

[Guest]

10 hours ago, Alessandro said:

It is my understanding, happy to be corrected, BCFC effectively 'lease' the ground from BCH. BCH is effectively BCFC with almost the same directors, but separated for financial/tax reasons. 

In terms of transfer budget, I cannot remember the last time BCFC posted a profit as a club, so any money coming in for transfers offsets outgoing expenses. Surely over the last 5/10 years we have spent far more than we've made in transfers.

ok fair enough how about

Matchdays who gets what? gate receipts, catering costs/rights/rents, even shop receipts? who pays stewards? ground op costs?

Where does Season Ticket money go?

What is the cost of the new improved ground to BCFC compared to the Rugby Boys and where does the commercial income go and how does it benefit us;

Just trying to get down to the bare bones of how things work as it doesn't seem to be made very public certainly not many fans know, we are just told its better for us and our future......well how exactly?

As for transfer fees LJ is SL`s man he should back him or sack him, I have no clue as to the figures for this season but in was Kods fee, and out was seemingly wasted fees for players who hardly got a kick or were even loaned out; we are likely to be faced now with a squad ripped apart, losing the best goalscorer outside the prem, possibly Tomlin off to Boro or somewhere as they don't seem to get on/or he was a bad expensive choice; even Flinty could be off if a decent bid comes in, again one of if not the best out there; there are others likely/possible inc Wilbs, GON etc; all big losses imo and will be difficult to replace........progress.......cant see it.

[Alessandro]

Just now, glos old boy said:

ok fair enough how about

Matchdays who gets what? gate receipts, catering costs/rights/rents, even shop receipts? who pays stewards? ground op costs?

Where does Season Ticket money go?

What is the cost of the new improved ground to BCFC compared to the Rugby Boys and where does the commercial income go and how does it benefit us;

Just trying to get down to the bare bones of how things work as it doesn't seem to be made very public certainly not many fans know, we are just told its better for us and our future......well how exactly?

I'm sure both BCFC and Bristol Rugby pick up there own tabs when it comes to match day costs. Match revenues are pumped back into each side to cover those costs. Season ticket sales go back into the clubs revenue streams, but are a relative drop in the ocean. They're not massive, i'd guess in the single million figures, £5m say.

The cost of the new ground, in large part, came from SL selling a small % of his shares in his company to pay for it, £40m odd. 

The reality is the 'bare bones' as you say will never be fully disclosed, because clever accounting will no doubt be done for tax/FFP purposes etc.

The bottom line is though, the cost of running BCFC are currently higher than the revenue received, so no one is 'taking' profits from the club.

Just now, glos old boy said:

As for transfer fees LJ is SL`s man he should back him or sack him, I have no clue as to the figures for this season but in was Kods fee, and out was seemingly wasted fees for players who hardly got a kick or were even loaned out; we are likely to be faced now with a squad ripped apart, losing the best goalscorer outside the prem, possibly Tomlin off to Boro or somewhere as they don't seem to get on/or he was a bad expensive choice; even Flinty could be off if a decent bid comes in, again one of if not the best out there; there are others likely/possible inc Wilbs, GON etc; all big losses imo and will be difficult to replace........progress.......cant see it.

The Kodjia fee was around £10m basic plus add ons to £15m I believe, add ons we wont get yet because one would have been promotion for Villa. We also picked up fees for Agard and Ayling, and sell-on from Bolasie to Everton. We've spent somewhere in the region of £12m on transfers this season. I'd say for the first time, we may have near 'broken even' over the transfer windows, after agents fees etc. I expect we will spend this summer. 

As for wasted fees, we definitely invested a lot for the future, Taylor Moore, COD, Brownhill, Paterson etc and we will see more of them. Tammy of course is a great loss, but he was never 'ours'. Tomlin, to be honest if he does leave, we seem to have had better results with him out the team anyway. Flint has been a transfer rumour for the last two years, if he goes, he goes. I think you're outlook is quite gloomy mate, i'd see it as bad as you. As long as the right players come in, the only person I'd be disappointed to lose is Flint, but let's be honest, a rock in the air he may be, but he has made plenty of errors and cost us goals too. I'd love us to have more of a ball playing CB.