5 minutes ago, TDarwall said:

Joe Williams threatening a 2 footed tackle for non renewal is probably the best bet.

Not sure Liam is cut out for a career in telesales & the nuance of the payment plan would confuse the Technical Director.

It would have to be players and not the management team or hierarchy.

Imagine a marquee, statement signing and then him phoning up non-renewals. 

5 minutes ago, Barrs Court Red said:

They used to? 
 

Which I find myself saying a lot lately.

 They used to have decent & well priced food and drink

The rewards scheme used to be good

The stewards used to know what they were doing 

 

I'm not sure if they used to. 

8 hours ago, WolfOfWestStreet said:

Also just thinking about it. City have not made a single attempt to regain my business. I can't go a day after cancelling one of the millions of subscriptions I have without someone calling or emailing me offering me allsorts of discounts/incentives to come back (and I often do).

City just just don't ******* care I swear.

Agreed. They should have players calling those who don't renew; a personal touch would go a long, long way. 

6 minutes ago, Gazred said:

Outside investment. He wont be the sole owner for long or if he is, neither he nor anyone else associated with the club will own the stadium, it will likely be multiple 3rd parties.

Give the sums still needed for the training ground, infrastructure and investment in the team, it's either a ridiculous time to be doing this given the current climate or a brilliant one. I really don't know.

Quite. The family think it’s time to sell up he thinks it’s time to go all in. They cannot both be right. 

5 minutes ago, Gazred said:

Such a lucrative investment opportunity coming up and yet his family want no part in it. Interesting.

Selling up? Can't see him clearing that much debt out of the goodness of his heart.

He’s got something in the pipeline regarding a stadium, I think that much is obvious. 

If it’s a good deal remains to be seen. The family are out now and they’ve took their money back, so it cannot have been that good.....

It looks like the start of something for the slags and wally.  Is it going to be a happy or sad ending? 

Cancel the season immediately. It’s football FFS.

4 hours ago, OldlandReddies said:

Looks like Leeds readying for restart. Players summoned including Costa who is flying back to UK from Portugal. Happy days.

I assume Costa is going into a two week quarantine now? 

I’ve been a firm advocate for finishing this season, whenever that is, and starting the next season, when we are closer to a vaccine or when we know more about The virus. I’ve changed my mind: this season should be cancelled with immediate effect and a new season start afresh whenever it’s safe (and by this I’m thinking next year).  Football is insignificant in the big scheme of things and should remain there. 

2 hours ago, BCFC Grim said:

See no point in behind doors games? Football is about the passion of the fans, those memorable moments. I wont be making much effort to watch us from a screen that's for sure and I wouldn't care less if we got promoted or not.

It’s not about the fans though is it. When have football really given a shit about the fans. Not in the past couple of years, that’s for sure. This board is full of people complaining about sky and changed kick off times. “Football” didn’t give a toss then did it?  Finishing the season has nothing to do with the fans. 

30 minutes ago, Snufflelufagus said:

It's a deferal though isn't it? I take it to mean then still get the money but at a later date. For example when we start again they will get 130% of wages for 3 months or so.

Yep that’s it. 

9 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

£9m per week from usual revenue due to the lockdown?

Kinnell!!

Could it be Arsenal? The Emirates is a significant source of revenue. Both matchday, corporate and all other associated. All out of action- read that matchday revenue 25% of their turnover a while ago.

Jesus wept- 9 million a week!  Can I change my guess to Spurs. 

16 minutes ago, Super said:

I wonder which Prem League club are reportedly losing 9M a month?

Total stab in the dark, but it would not surprise me if it was Wolves. 

1 hour ago, Northern Red said:

Interesting twitter thread from the Accrington chairman:

 

That’s a fantastic insight from the Stanley chairman. Tricky times a head for clubs.  

23 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Not a chance. Though I think it probably demonstrates just how bad a state some clubs' finances are in for this to be suggested.

Quite. Those with nothing to lose have the most to gain. 

I would hope that Ken Masters and the supporters club took legal advice before issuing that statement. If they did, then the slags are in a mess. If they didn’t, I imagine they’ll be hearing from Wallys lawyers. 

3 minutes ago, Bonkey Dollocks said:

 

the state of that barnet though...

Gerry Francis lives long in North Bristol. 

2 hours ago, zombie said:

From the EP:

Bristol Rovers director resigns claiming he has "no confidence or trust" in how the club is being run

The Supporters Club representative on the board had been suspended since January

James Piercy

Ken Masters (Image: Ryan Hiscott/JMP)

Long-standing Bristol Rovers director Ken Masters has resigned from the board in a lengthy statement in which he expresses concern at the governance and transparency of the football club.

Masters, who has served as Supporters Club representative on the board and has been a director since 2006, was suspended in January for reasons that have never been made public, and was banned from the directors box at the Mem.

The matter has since been in the hands of solicitors but after the publishing of the club's accounts last week for the financial year 2018/19, in which Rovers detailed a loss of £3.4m and debts approaching £25m, Masters has decided to step down.

In a lengthy statement published on the Supporters Club website and sent to Bristol Live, Masters reveals he was first asked to leave the board in November - the same month when the club "parted company" with former chairman Steve Hamer - and claims he has "no confidence or trust in any corporate governance going forward". 

"I have today resigned as a director serving on the board of Bristol Rovers Football Club," Masters said. "I have taken this decision after a good deal of thought and much soul searching. I have not taken the decision lightly.

"It is with deep regret that I could not in all good conscience approve either the Bristol Rovers (1883) Limited accounts or the Bristol Rovers Football Club Limited accounts for the financial year through June 2019.

 

"I have not been given access to a current budget July 2019 through June 2020. I have been given no introduction to newly appointed auditors to ask questions or to express my concerns. I have not been invited to attend a Board Meeting since March 5 2019.

"I have been suspended and effectively excluded from all Board matters with no good reasons being substantiated and no response to communications in relation to these matters since January.

"I was asked to stand down in November. I was told the reasons were confidential with no further explanation given and relayed to me by former club director Mike Turner by telephone call and reiterated by the present CEO during a face to face conversation in a public place at the stadium prior to a game.

"There has been no adequate and sufficient response to questions asked firstly by Supporters Club Chairman Jim Chappell and subsequently when lawyers representing me requested the confidential reasons.

"My suspension and banning from directors seating and areas at football matches home and away, was relayed to me by being copied in to an email from the Club’s lawyers to Jim Chappell.  

"I am in no position to assess the current financial well-being of the Company or otherwise. I am in no place to assess, predict or forecast the financial state of the Company going forward. I have been given no comfort that the company will necessarily be supported as a going concern.

"I have no confidence or trust in any corporate governance going forward under the proprietary operational methods now employed by the Club. My position is therefore untenable.

"As a consequence I have informed the club’s lawyers I am standing down as a director of the football club I have supported for all of my life. It has been a considerable honour and privilege to serve."

Confirmation of Masters' departure leaves Rovers' board as president Wael Al-Qadi and chief executive Martyn Starnes, with the expectation now that a new Supporters Club representative will be elected, as they own 8% of the football club.

As Masters details, lawyer Mike Turner has also now left the board. Turner was first appointed in May 2016 in a non-executive role to offer legal expertise to Dwane Sports.

Bristol Live understands his decision has been for "personal reasons" and he still remains close to the Al-Qadi family.

Ken Masters at the Mem.

Masters' exit brings some sense of conclusion to a power struggle that has been waged in the Rovers boardroom for the best part of a year with growing distrust between Wael Al-Qadi and Starnes and Hamer and Masters.

In February, the Supporters Club issued a statement accusing Starnes of making "factually incorrect and false statements" in an interview broadcast on BBC Radio Bristol in which he briefly discussed Masters' exit.

Masters continues: "I have always done my best to be honest and open and to talk face to face with many supporters. However, being a director of a company, any company, comes with confidentiality and communication restrictions.

"Supporters Groups elected directors of football clubs and other sporting clubs find this to be difficult at times and many step down from the role after a relatively short period of time.

"I have given many years service to the club I love and I’m sure the vast majority understand that as a good honest man I have remained in the role not for any personal gain but to protect the generous shareholding that I have been proud to represent.

"We owe a great deal of gratitude to share-scheme members, past and present, for their commitment and generosity to the cause. A further £120,000 has been raised over the past four years. It is disappointing that not a single share certificate has been issued over that time despite numerous requests. 

"Other groups too, Helpline Members and the President’s Club not least who have also contributed generously. I have developed a strong bond with the Presidents Club and I have the greatest of respect for their work and for their financial contribution over the years. Bristol Rovers supporters are simply the best.

Part of Masters' remit on the board was to oversee the Community Trust and he was chairman of trustees assigned with growing the project which has since become an award-winning aspect of the club under CEO Adam Tutton.

"I am proud of the progress and work of the Youth Academy," Masters adds. "When I joined the Board the Under-18’s group were under the auspices of Filton College.

"The Board led by Geoff Dunford and then Ron Craig supported my proposition that the group be brought in house as paid apprentice professionals. I asked the Supporters Club Committee for financial sponsorship in this regard. The committee led by Jim Chappell agreed and remain proud sponsors to this day.

I am proud of the work of the Community Trust. When I joined the Board the education element was in mothballs and the community work comprised the then well respected Football in the Community.

Ken Masters with Adam Tutton at the Mem in 2018

"Ron Craig asked me to take up the reigns and I readily agreed. Education has been re-established and student numbers are in excess of 50 full-time extending to degree level. The work in the community has grown massively with the aims of inclusivity, diversity and widening participation and inclusivity.

"Building on the good work with Women’s and Girl’s Football project the highly successful Bristol Rovers Women’s Football Club has been formed. Once again I asked the Supporter’s Club Committee for financial sponsorship and once again they supported me; my grateful thanks. The work of the Trust has been recognised with five major awards over the past two years.

Follow Bristol Rovers Live on social media 

Keep up to all the latest from the Mem via our Facebook page dedicated to the Gas

You can also follow us on Twitter @BristolLiveBRFC

Our Rovers reporter Sam Frost will also keep you up-to-date with all the goings-on at the club @frosty920

"I take immense pleasure from the work of the Community Trust over time. It has been an immense pleasure to lead a dedicated group of Trustees and I thank them with all sincerity for their contribution and for the support they have given me to demonstrate the standards required for capability, good governance and sound financial management.

"I wish to thank staff and volunteers at the Football Club, at the Community Trust and at the Supporters Club, past and present, for their considerable help, cooperation and friendship over the years; so very much appreciated.

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"I wish to thank my family for their, support, sacrifice, tolerance and understanding. The past year, especially, has been as difficult for them as it has been for me.

"I will remain a proud supporter of the famous blue and white quarters, front and back, through thick and thin and always. I have no affinity to any other football club. Along with thousands of good and true I love the Club, its long tradition, its place in our city and it’s place in our region.

"Please keep safe and well until we are able to come together again to enjoy our football. FTG."

Ironic that this is released on April fools day. 

6 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

To be fair, a number of other eminent virologists and pandemic experts had criticised the UK's approach - including the Editor of The Lancet, and the World Health Organisation.

And to be even more fair to Chris Witty and Patrick Vallence, we don't know for sure that government policy was shaped 100% by their advice, or if they deliberately delayed the more draconian measures because they thought it would damage the economy too much.

There are a lot of things we'll only know after all this blows over. My criticism is muted until then.

But I think we can safely say that most people - B Johnson included - didn't take it really seriously until it was too late. The virus was here and circulating when Bongo told everyone he had shaken hands with everyone in a hospital which housed Covid-19 sufferers. Of course, like most things he claims, he hadn't actually done that, but it was a daft thing to say nonetheless and shows our early complacency.

 

How much experience in dealing with the Coronavirus do the editor of the Lancet and the WHO have?  I’ll tell you how much: the same as every other swinging dick out there. 
 

The response by the government to COVID can only really be judged when this has finished. 

Defeating Coronavirus will be a marathon not a sprint. Comparing Italy two weeks ago with UK is nonsense and shows people up to be narrow minded bigots whose only interest is to take a dig at the government in a time of national emergency. This country is full of point scoring show ponies. When at ‘war’ you have to acknowledge that you will lose some battles. But winning the war is what it’s all about. 

14 minutes ago, Bat Fastard said:

Last time I looked we were the 4th highest testing country in the World. We are also ramping up our testing and developing an antibody test to show who has already recovered.

Jesus Christ, man: don’t use facts to back up your argument. Be like the majority: uninformed bigoted armchair scientists. 

3 minutes ago, TRL said:

Supermarkets are be it only temporary 

A large pool of delivery drivers will be needed soon in would imagine. 

3 minutes ago, LondonBristolian said:

I think it is. And a friend made the point to me the other day that she had various friends on her Facebook page who had spent year sharing memes around poppies and talking up the blitz spirit and that those friends were the exact same people who were both panic buying and insisting on going out to pub, cafes and restaurants cos "the government isn't going to tell me what to do".

This is the chance these people keep saying they have been waiting for to do their patriotic duty for their country. And it turns out that,the time has come and their patriotic duty involves no more than

a) staying at home to protect the elderly and the vulnerable

b) refraining from buying from everything in the shop so that elderly people, vulnerable people and key workers have a chance of getting key provisions too

and even that is beyond them. Maybe the community spirit and stoic calm of the blitz is a mirage and a fairytale created after the event and people were just as panicked and self-interested now as they were then. Or maybe our society now just lacks the resolve to do what is needed. 

Our society no longer has rules (many of which were/are unofficial) and everything is now a right.  

31 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

Looks exactly the same .....

Looks like slightly more in the top picture?

2 minutes ago, JBFC II said:

I was talking about us back in the 05/96 season

Ah . How may did the slags take  this weekend then?

6 minutes ago, JBFC II said:

Took just over 1k according to the OS

Absolute tinpot winkers.