SOTC Warnock.

[REDOXO]

Nice touch. Despite his daughters wedding I reckon he would be here straight away if asked to sort this shitfest out. 
 

Apparently spoke with SL before!

[Gakoe]

Yeh, said he wanted the job but LJ got appointed so he ended up at Cardiff and got them promoted instead!!  

[Kodjias Wrist]

15 minutes ago, Gakoe said:

Yeh, said he wanted the job but LJ got appointed so he ended up at Cardiff and got them promoted instead!!  

Yep done a few of them in the past haven’t we? Moyes/Pulis? McInnes /Robins? Any others?

Edited December 24, 2024 by Kodjias Wrist

[italian dave]

We’re 12th in the Championship.

Maybe not where we’d like to be. But “shitfest”? Really?

Try telling that to Cardiff.

[Midlands Robin]

1 minute ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

Any others?

Holden / Literally anyone

[SODS_LAW]

25 minutes ago, italian dave said:

We’re 12th in the Championship.

Maybe not where we’d like to be. But “shitfest”? Really?

Try telling that to Cardiff.

 

It’s crazy to think about how far we’ve come. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 23 years, and in the early days, we were a League One team struggling to get out of the play-offs, with 9-11,000 fans a week in a run-down stadium.

Now, we’re a solid Championship side with over 20,000 fans each week, and the Lansdowns have transformed the club massively. Yet, so many people seem to think we have a divine right to be a top Championship or Premier League team just because clubs like Brentford and Brighton have managed it.

The progress we’ve made isn’t bad at all, and some need to appreciate just how far we’ve come.

Mind you most on here can’t see that and there is not point in even trying to explain it, like banging your head against a brick wall!

Edited December 24, 2024 by SODS_LAW

[KegCity]

1 minute ago, SODS_LAW said:

 

It’s crazy to think about how far we’ve come. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 23 years, and in the early days, we were a League One team struggling to get out of the play-offs, with 9-11,000 fans a week in a run-down stadium.

Now, we’re a solid Championship side with over 20,000 fans each week, and the Lansdowns have transformed the club massively. Yet, so many people seem to think we have a divine right to be a top Championship or Premier League team just because clubs like Brentford and Brighton have managed it.

The progress we’ve made isn’t bad at all, and some need to appreciate just how far we’ve come.

Mind you most on here can’t see that and there is not point in even trying to explain it, like banging your head against a brick wall!

It's possible to see that yes we are no longer a league one side whilst also seeing that ridiculous amounts of money have been wasted and countless poor decisions have been made that have held the club back.

It's not about having a divine right to get promoted, it's simply a numbers game. We've had one play-off final in decades and have never really come close to going up since, whilst watching "smaller" clubs leapfrog us by spending less money more effectively and making better decisions. I guess it's just different standards and what people are happy to watch, but it's painfully frustrating seeing how poorly we are run from a footballing perspective when as you point out we have a decent fanbase and a decent enough ground.

I think myself and others understand progress has been made from when we were in league one whilst not being content to just sit on that progress. Do you think being a mid-table championship side is the ceiling for the club? If not, do you think we're run by the people to push us on, and if you do, then what's the point in turning up every week if we're never going to compete for anything again?

[SODS_LAW]

1 minute ago, KegCity said:

It's possible to see that yes we are no longer a league one side whilst also seeing that ridiculous amounts of money have been wasted and countless poor decisions have been made that have held the club back.

It's not about having a divine right to get promoted, it's simply a numbers game. We've had one play-off final in decades and have never really come close to going up since, whilst watching "smaller" clubs leapfrog us by spending less money more effectively and making better decisions. I guess it's just different standards and what people are happy to watch, but it's painfully frustrating seeing how poorly we are run from a footballing perspective when as you point out we have a decent fanbase and a decent enough ground.

I think myself and others understand progress has been made from when we were in league one whilst not being content to just sit on that progress. Do you think being a mid-table championship side is the ceiling for the club? If not, do you think we're run by the people to push us on, and if you do, then what's the point in turning up every week if we're never going to compete for anything again?

I understand the points being made, but how many teams have really progressed further than us, aside from the ones I mentioned? Yes, there’s been wasted money, but it’s Lansdown’s money. I saw people today calling for Lansdown to leave, but do they honestly think there’s someone else out there willing to invest in the club like he has? It feels like this place is full of teenagers with no understanding of how the real world works. There isn’t another person out there who would spend the kind of money Lansdown has to keep the club stable. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a wealthy owner who’s also a fan of the club!

[Bar BS3]

3 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

 

It’s crazy to think about how far we’ve come. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 23 years, and in the early days, we were a League One team struggling to get out of the play-offs, with 9-11,000 fans a week in a run-down stadium.

Now, we’re a solid Championship side with over 20,000 fans each week, and the Lansdowns have transformed the club massively. Yet, so many people seem to think we have a divine right to be a top Championship or Premier League team just because clubs like Brentford and Brighton have managed it.

The progress we’ve made isn’t bad at all, and some need to appreciate just how far we’ve come.

Mind you most on here can’t see that and there is not point in even trying to explain it, like banging your head against a brick wall!

I agree - it certainly shouldn't stop us striving to progress further & we certainly shouldn't rest on our laurels or be content with where we are right now - but some of the entitled, out of perspective, self pitying nonsense that you read on here is utterly laughable.

We are currently what we've spent the majority of the past 45 years trying to be & apparently for some that is the worst situation that we have to endure.! 

Yes, we absolutely need to make every effort to progress again & take things to the next step.

Thankfully, this forum is not a representation of the general feeling around the ground on matchdays & is largely frequented by a very vocal minority who like to repeat the same thing over & over again on pretty much every thread & then regularly start new threads just to make sure that people see their opinions..!

It could be better, of course - but it could also be a damned site worse.

Yes, we should strive to emulate the Brentford & Brighton's of this world - but many seem to forget about the Bradford, Swindon, Blackpool, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Oldham,  (the list could go on & on....) alternatives.

It's not like we even have to look very far to see just how bad things could be..! 

[Davefevs]

15 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

 

It’s crazy to think about how far we’ve come. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 23 years, and in the early days, we were a League One team struggling to get out of the play-offs, with 9-11,000 fans a week in a run-down stadium.

Now, we’re a solid Championship side with over 20,000 fans each week, and the Lansdowns have transformed the club massively. Yet, so many people seem to think we have a divine right to be a top Championship or Premier League team just because clubs like Brentford and Brighton have managed it.

The progress we’ve made isn’t bad at all, and some need to appreciate just how far we’ve come.

Mind you most on here can’t see that and there is not point in even trying to explain it, like banging your head against a brick wall!

I don’t agree with this.  I just think people think with the resources we have we should aspire to and deliver better.

[TheReds]

3 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

 

It’s crazy to think about how far we’ve come. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 23 years, and in the early days, we were a League One team struggling to get out of the play-offs, with 9-11,000 fans a week in a run-down stadium.

Now, we’re a solid Championship side with over 20,000 fans each week, and the Lansdowns have transformed the club massively. Yet, so many people seem to think we have a divine right to be a top Championship or Premier League team just because clubs like Brentford and Brighton have managed it.

The progress we’ve made isn’t bad at all, and some need to appreciate just how far we’ve come.

Mind you most on here can’t see that and there is not point in even trying to explain it, like banging your head against a brick wall!

I don't think too many will disagree how far we've come, and doubt there are too many not grateful to the Lansdowns have done. The issue is we now seem to be going nowhere after multiple mistakes, also made by the Lansdowns. Hindsight is wonderful, but how letting certain people spend whatever they like and then nearly break FFP rules etc, we then had to get someone in to cut multiple costs, bring on and develop younger players, then sell those players when they were good enough for a decent profit etc.

We then get rid of that bloke who did an excellent job under huge constraints, and what most will agree was because he wasn't a yes man and probably a few home truths were told about the incompetence of others around the club (look who has left near the top over the last few years). We then replace him with another (probable) yes man, and give him/Tinnion what seems to be an open chequebook only to be exactly where we were after promises of now having a top 6 squad. Where is the next crop of youth coming through as well?

As much as it cannot be proved one way or the other, I'd happily state that we would be way better off now if we kept the bloke they sacked and gave him anywhere close to the money LM/BT has spent. So people are a bit fed up with the lack of progress in the last few years, and that is down to the Lansdowns and their decisions.

Shitfest - definitely not, mid table, average and pretty bland, definitely.

[SODS_LAW]

Just now, Bar BS3 said:

I agree - it certainly shouldn't stop us striving to progress further & we certainly shouldn't rest on our laurels or be content with where we are right now - but some of the entitled, out of perspective, self pitying nonsense that you read on here is utterly laughable.

We are currently what we've spent the majority of the past 45 years trying to be & apparently for some that is the worst situation that we have to endure.! 

Yes, we absolutely need to make every effort to progress again & take things to the next step.

Thankfully, this forum is not a representation of the general feeling around the ground on matchdays & is largely frequented by a very vocal minority who like to repeat the same thing over & over again on pretty much every thread & then regularly start new threads just to make sure that people see their opinions..!

It could be better, of course - but it could also be a damned site worse.

Yes, we should strive to emulate the Brentford & Brighton's of this world - but many seem to forget about the Bradford, Swindon, Blackpool, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Oldham,  (the list could go on & on....) alternatives.

It's not like we even have to look very far to see just how bad things could be..! 

Exactly this!

Nice to read a bit of common sense on here 

[Mr Popodopolous]

57 minutes ago, Gakoe said:

Yeh, said he wanted the job but LJ got appointed so he ended up at Cardiff and got them promoted instead!!  

Cardiff also had Parachute Payments which helps.

Year 3 and 4 ie the final ones albeit much lower than now which it was in those days. Not the be all and end all but it was a bit of a Promotion or downturn for their financials.

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, SODS_LAW said:

I understand the points being made, but how many teams have really progressed further than us, aside from the ones I mentioned? Yes, there’s been wasted money, but it’s Lansdown’s money. I saw people today calling for Lansdown to leave, but do they honestly think there’s someone else out there willing to invest in the club like he has? It feels like this place is full of teenagers with no understanding of how the real world works. There isn’t another person out there who would spend the kind of money Lansdown has to keep the club stable. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a wealthy owner who’s also a fan of the club!

I’d argue some of his “investment” is more waste than investment.  And I think investment is the key word…he hasn’t given it to us / donated it…he wants as much of it back as he can get….and he currently wants more than it’s worth.

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

18 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

 

It’s crazy to think about how far we’ve come. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 23 years, and in the early days, we were a League One team struggling to get out of the play-offs, with 9-11,000 fans a week in a run-down stadium.

Now, we’re a solid Championship side with over 20,000 fans each week, and the Lansdowns have transformed the club massively. Yet, so many people seem to think we have a divine right to be a top Championship or Premier League team just because clubs like Brentford and Brighton have managed it.

The progress we’ve made isn’t bad at all, and some need to appreciate just how far we’ve come.

Mind you most on here can’t see that and there is not point in even trying to explain it, like banging your head against a brick wall!

Alternatively, I was watching City in the late 70s when we were in the top division with gates of more than 30,000.  How far have we come since then?

[SODS_LAW]

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I don’t agree with this.  I just think people think with the resources we have we should aspire to and deliver better.

Resources? We have a mid table budget and we’re a mid table team?

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

I agree - it certainly shouldn't stop us striving to progress further & we certainly shouldn't rest on our laurels or be content with where we are right now - but some of the entitled, out of perspective, self pitying nonsense that you read on here is utterly laughable.

We are currently what we've spent the majority of the past 45 years trying to be & apparently for some that is the worst situation that we have to endure.! 

Yes, we absolutely need to make every effort to progress again & take things to the next step.

Thankfully, this forum is not a representation of the general feeling around the ground on matchdays & is largely frequented by a very vocal minority who like to repeat the same thing over & over again on pretty much every thread & then regularly start new threads just to make sure that people see their opinions..!

It could be better, of course - but it could also be a damned site worse.

Yes, we should strive to emulate the Brentford & Brighton's of this world - but many seem to forget about the Bradford, Swindon, Blackpool, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Oldham,  (the list could go on & on....) alternatives.

It's not like we even have to look very far to see just how bad things could be..! 

There was chanting at WBA about the joys of 12th place, that isn't a good sign.

Booing at multiple Home Games this season even when we don't lose, not the best indicators.

I think a sense of being a bit worn down is growing.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[glynriley]

6 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

I understand the points being made, but how many teams have really progressed further than us, aside from the ones I mentioned? Yes, there’s been wasted money, but it’s Lansdown’s money. I saw people today calling for Lansdown to leave, but do they honestly think there’s someone else out there willing to invest in the club like he has? It feels like this place is full of teenagers with no understanding of how the real world works. There isn’t another person out there who would spend the kind of money Lansdown has to keep the club stable. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a wealthy owner who’s also a fan of the club!

What absolute nonsense.

[KegCity]

7 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

I understand the points being made, but how many teams have really progressed further than us, aside from the ones I mentioned? Yes, there’s been wasted money, but it’s Lansdown’s money. I saw people today calling for Lansdown to leave, but do they honestly think there’s someone else out there willing to invest in the club like he has? It feels like this place is full of teenagers with no understanding of how the real world works. There isn’t another person out there who would spend the kind of money Lansdown has to keep the club stable. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a wealthy owner who’s also a fan of the club!

I'll turn that question on you. Do you think there's nobody wanting/willing to buy a championship football club?

[Mr Popodopolous]

7 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

Resources? We have a mid table budget and we’re a mid table team?

That is down to the ownership in some ways because.. putting aside the fact we added cash to an 11th place, 40%, Win Ratio, 1.4 PPG from mid November 2023.

We had the highest non Parachute Income in 2022-23. Our Commercial Income is excellent. There were 5 Parachute Payments Clubs that year so we were 6th, we srill don't know what Reading managed so 7th at worst.

For a while we could not but now we can spend closer to that level...just 4 Parachute Payments Clubs this season. We are falling short IMO, by 3-4 Points maybe.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[Bar BS3]

Just now, Davefevs said:

I’d argue some of his “investment” is more waste than investment.  And I think investment is the key word…he hasn’t given it to us / donated it…he wants as much of it back as he can get….and he currently wants more than it’s worth.

If bailing us out every season to the tune of around £20million (average ballpark) in return for a bit of paper, isn't giving/donating, then I'm not sure what is..!

One thing that can be pretty certain is that he would have held on to, if not increased his wealth far more significantly if he had never bothered getting involved with BCFC & for that we should all be greatful.

We will never know what else may have come our way as an alternative - but not many clubs are as stable as us, having not received Premier League riches & that is down to the Lansdowns.

I fully agree that poor decisions have been made - wouldn't it be nice if just financial backing guaranteed success (more success)

I've always said & firmly believe, that without Steve Lansdown, we'd be no better than Rovers.

We'd have a larger but equally as shit, out of date, crumbling stadium - we'd likely still languish around the bottom 2 divisions & we'd still have to endure mixed results in regular Bristol Derby matches.

Things really aren't that bad..! But yes. We should always be striving for better, of course. 

[Malvern Red]

50 minutes ago, italian dave said:

We’re 12th in the Championship.

Maybe not where we’d like to be. But “shitfest”? Really?

Try telling that to Cardiff.

There’s an NLP technique where you sit in three chairs. In one you think of positives, in the second negatives and the third practical steps to bridge the gap. It’s supposed to give you a more balanced view of things. 
I did it with this club and concluded we’re a shitfest and need to replace three levels of management 

 

[Davefevs]

9 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

Resources? We have a mid table budget and we’re a mid table team?

And a brilliant on-the-grass coach, and a brilliant training ground that no player ever refuses to sign once he’s seen it, etc, etc.  Resources aren’t just £s!  And even if they are, a cost base is not mid table, it might not be on a par to PP clubs, but it’s one of the highest outside of the PP clubs.  But if you’re happy with an inefficient operation that means we can’t be more efficient with what we spend on “football”, that’s up to you.

This is 2023’s championship finances (sorted on total Costs):

Ask yourself why have we only got a mid-table “budget” to afford a mid-table “squad”.  We aren’t using the money very well, are we?

[KegCity]

Just now, Bar BS3 said:

If bailing us out every season to the tune of around £20million (average ballpark) in return for a bit of paper, isn't giving/donating, then I'm not sure what is..!

One thing that can be pretty certain is that he would have held on to, if not increased his wealth far more significantly if he had never bothered getting involved with BCFC & for that we should all be greatful.

We will never know what else may have come our way as an alternative - but not many clubs are as stable as us, having not received Premier League riches & that is down to the Lansdowns.

I fully agree that poor decisions have been made - wouldn't it be nice if just financial backing guaranteed success (more success)

I've always said & firmly believe, that without Steve Lansdown, we'd be no better than Rovers.

We'd have a larger but equally as shit, out of date, crumbling stadium - we'd likely still languish around the bottom 2 divisions & we'd still have to endure mixed results in regular Bristol Derby matches.

Things really aren't that bad..! But yes. We should always be striving for better, of course. 

How can you say  "we will never know what else may have come our way as an alternative" and then speak with absolute certainty that without Lansdown we'd be no better than Rovers?

There's nuance to it and it's not a binary "Lansdown is a moron" or "Lansdown is God". Lansdown has helped stabilise us in the championship (great) and has also pissed tens of millions of pounds up the wall and then bailed the club out of financial messes he's responsible for (not so great).

In short, Lansdown has absolutely brought the club forward but it seems to be that he's taken us as far as he can. 

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

18 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

I understand the points being made, but how many teams have really progressed further than us, aside from the ones I mentioned? Yes, there’s been wasted money, but it’s Lansdown’s money. I saw people today calling for Lansdown to leave, but do they honestly think there’s someone else out there willing to invest in the club like he has? It feels like this place is full of teenagers with no understanding of how the real world works. There isn’t another person out there who would spend the kind of money Lansdown has to keep the club stable. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a wealthy owner who’s also a fan of the club!

AFC effing Bournemouth.

[SODS_LAW]

19 minutes ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

Alternatively, I was watching City in the late 70s when we were in the top division with gates of more than 30,000.  How far have we come since then?

I mean this post just sums up the naivety of the people on here

Edited December 24, 2024 by SODS_LAW

[Street red]

1 hour ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

Yep done a few of them in the past haven’t we? Moyes/Pulis? McInnes /Robins? Any others?

Hughton/holden

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Bar BS3 said:

If bailing us out every season to the tune of around £20million (average ballpark) in return for a bit of paper, isn't giving/donating, then I'm not sure what is..!

One thing that can be pretty certain is that he would have held on to, if not increased his wealth far more significantly if he had never bothered getting involved with BCFC & for that we should all be greatful.

We will never know what else may have come our way as an alternative - but not many clubs are as stable as us, having not received Premier League riches & that is down to the Lansdowns.

I fully agree that poor decisions have been made - wouldn't it be nice if just financial backing guaranteed success (more success)

I've always said & firmly believe, that without Steve Lansdown, we'd be no better than Rovers.

We'd have a larger but equally as shit, out of date, crumbling stadium - we'd likely still languish around the bottom 2 divisions & we'd still have to endure mixed results in regular Bristol Derby matches.

Things really aren't that bad..! But yes. We should always be striving for better, of course. 

Depends on SL's Asking Price doesn't it, it's entirely up to SL but he *could* if he so chose convert all debt to him to equity. He is doing it a bit at a time in fairness.

That aside, the matter of the £90mish Secured Loan in 2020..Pula and possibly a similar secured Loan in 2024 which we don't know about yet as the Accounts aren't out- it could also assist protection of the Clubs Assets in the event of a sale or help to make a sale easier so I'm open-minded.

Post Balance Sheet Events may also refer to it, we'll see.

The latter is the £90ishm one, the former we've no idea yet.

[Davefevs]

4 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

If bailing us out every season to the tune of around £20million (average ballpark) in return for a bit of paper, isn't giving/donating, then I'm not sure what is..!

One thing that can be pretty certain is that he would have held on to, if not increased his wealth far more significantly if he had never bothered getting involved with BCFC & for that we should all be greatful.

We will never know what else may have come our way as an alternative - but not many clubs are as stable as us, having not received Premier League riches & that is down to the Lansdowns.

I fully agree that poor decisions have been made - wouldn't it be nice if just financial backing guaranteed success (more success)

I've always said & firmly believe, that without Steve Lansdown, we'd be no better than Rovers.

We'd have a larger but equally as shit, out of date, crumbling stadium - we'd likely still languish around the bottom 2 divisions & we'd still have to endure mixed results in regular Bristol Derby matches.

Things really aren't that bad..! But yes. We should always be striving for better, of course. 

I’m grateful that he’s put his money in and paid the bills.  But he’s guilty of having to fund his own mistakes, across the whole Bristol Sport.

Not enough critical analysis by SL, and not enough critical analysis by fans.  “Bristol Sport” is a behemoth of inefficiency.

[Bar BS3]

6 minutes ago, KegCity said:

I'll turn that question on you. Do you think there's nobody wanting/willing to buy a championship football club?

Based on the types that have often bought Championship clubs - are there many that you'd have wanted..?!

The Championship is the most expensive (loss making) division in world football. You'd need vast wealth to be willing to plough into a Championship club that you had no connection with - with the only likely return possible by making it to & sustaining Premier League football & then progress into Europe.

It's a far better investment to take a lower League club for very little & help it grow organically with the aid of financial backing.

Even if someone came in with huge money, we'd be limited by FFP rules - although that does infuriate when you look at how the likes of Bournemouth basically just ignored that & did what they wanted.

 

[SODS_LAW]

2 minutes ago, KegCity said:

How can you say  "we will never know what else may have come our way as an alternative" and then speak with absolute certainty that without Lansdown we'd be no better than Rovers?

There's nuance to it and it's not a binary "Lansdown is a moron" or "Lansdown is God". Lansdown has helped stabilise us in the championship (great) and has also pissed tens of millions of pounds up the wall and then bailed the club out of financial messes he's responsible for (not so great).

In short, Lansdown has absolutely brought the club forward but it seems to be that he's taken us as far as he can. 

 

But you do realize it’s his millions being spent? Yes, some of it has been wasted, but do you really think anyone else would come in and invest this kind of money? Even if someone else took over, even a billionaire, their main interest would be making money, they wouldn’t care about the club the way he does.

[bexhill reds]

14 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I don’t agree with this.  I just think people think with the resources we have we should aspire to and deliver better.

Absolutely, a quick flick through Transfermarket seems to suggest we've spent £60m on transfers since 2014-15, yet we've really not progressed, SL might be a generous benefactor but he does like backing the wrong horses and has arguably done that since he's been in charge, and he's still doing that by who he has running the club.

Lovely ground and the "high" performance centre, yet mid-table blandness is pretty much the standard return on investment, and the current recruitment set up seems on the whole to be content with buying duds with what little budget is available.

[KegCity]

1 minute ago, SODS_LAW said:

 

But you do realize it’s his millions being spent? Yes, some of it has been wasted, but do you really think anyone else would come in and invest this kind of money? Even if someone else took over, even a billionaire, their main interest would be making money, they wouldn’t care about the club the way he does.

Fantastic! They'd run it as a business not a hobby? They'd hold staff to KPIs and demand more results than not getting relegated? Sign me up  

[ashton_fan]

22 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I don’t agree with this.  I just think people think with the resources we have we should aspire to and deliver better.

Yes but the resources are being supplied by the Lansdown family, get rid of them and what resources do we have then? People go on about money being wasted as if it's their money but it's the Lansdown's who are losing out when money's not well spent.

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

 

But you do realize it’s his millions being spent? Yes, some of it has been wasted, but do you really think anyone else would come in and invest this kind of money? Even if someone else took over, even a billionaire, their main interest would be making money, they wouldn’t care about the club the way he does.

This is very true but he could've saved millions had he appointed experts and let them get on with it. Maybe tens of millions but certainly millions.

He would have ultimate financial override as owner of course to make sure we aren't breaking Rules or spending on rubbish but as a principle..

Hypothetical £10m in January 2008 and we go up then. Maybe Cotts has more and cheaper success or achieving the same here if backed better Summer 2015.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[sludge]

24 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

I understand the points being made, but how many teams have really progressed further than us, aside from the ones I mentioned? Yes, there’s been wasted money, but it’s Lansdown’s money. I saw people today calling for Lansdown to leave, but do they honestly think there’s someone else out there willing to invest in the club like he has? It feels like this place is full of teenagers with no understanding of how the real world works. There isn’t another person out there who would spend the kind of money Lansdown has to keep the club stable. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a wealthy owner who’s also a fan of the club!

The kind of money he’s had to spend to keep the club stable is in large part due to his shocking decision making and way he chooses to run the club, is it not? 

[KegCity]

2 minutes ago, ashton_fan said:

Yes but the resources are being supplied by the Lansdown family, get rid of them and what resources do we have then? People go on about money being wasted as if it's their money but it's the Lansdown's who are losing out when money's not well spent.

We all lose out watching a football club do absolutely nothing for over a decade don't we?

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, sludge said:

The kind of money he’s had to spend to keep the club stable is in large part due to his shocking decision making and way he chooses to run the club, is it not? 

I'd say partly yes, partly no. Championship Football is very expensive full stop as an owner but the Johnson and Ashton era was fairly ruinous, Covid likewise..mixed IMO.

[Bar BS3]

4 minutes ago, KegCity said:

How can you say  "we will never know what else may have come our way as an alternative" and then speak with absolute certainty that without Lansdown we'd be no better than Rovers?

There's nuance to it and it's not a binary "Lansdown is a moron" or "Lansdown is God". Lansdown has helped stabilise us in the championship (great) and has also pissed tens of millions of pounds up the wall and then bailed the club out of financial messes he's responsible for (not so great).

In short, Lansdown has absolutely brought the club forward but it seems to be that he's taken us as far as he can. 

Those are valid points - but until someone else with the right intentions comes along to take over & invest, with a clear plan & the footballing & business nouse to improve on all of that - what is that you(and others) actually want...?

What if (God forbid, imo) Lansdown woke up tomorrow & said to himself "you know what, I've had enough - I'm not hanging around until someone wants to buy it all. I'm cutting my losses & pulling out now - someone else can just have it & take it all on for free & I'm going to go lay on a Caribbean beach for the rest of my days"

Where would that leave us..? You really think we'd suddenly get some unknown Arab Sheikh who's always had a fondness toward BCFC come out of the woodwork & propell us to the Prem & then Europa league..?

I'd suspect it's far more likely that we'd end up like Sheffield Wednesday than Brighton...! 

[ashton_fan]

1 minute ago, KegCity said:

We all lose out watching a football club do absolutely nothing for over a decade don't we?

A decade ago we were in L1

[KegCity]

Just now, Bar BS3 said:

Those are valid points - but until someone else with the right intentions comes along to take over & invest, with a clear plan & the footballing & business nouse to improve on all of that - what is that you(and others) actually want...?

What if (God forbid, imo) Lansdown woke up tomorrow & said to himself "you know what, I've had enough - I'm not hanging around until someone wants to buy it all. I'm cutting my losses & pulling out now - someone else can just have it & take it all on for free & I'm going to go lay on a Caribbean beach for the rest of my days"

Where would that leave us..? You really think we'd suddenly get some unknown Arab Sheikh who's always had a fondness toward BCFC come out of the woodwork & propell us to the Prem & then Europa league..?

I'd suspect it's far more likely that we'd end up like Sheffield Wednesday than Brighton...! 

What do I want? Some people with experience running a football club that didn't get their job via their dad or scoring vs Liverpool in charge.

[bexhill reds]

4 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

 

But you do realize it’s his millions being spent? Yes, some of it has been wasted, but do you really think anyone else would come in and invest this kind of money? Even if someone else took over, even a billionaire, their main interest would be making money, they wouldn’t care about the club the way he does.

Arguably his interest has peaked now given the noises made about inward investment from elsewhere, anyone else that comes in (assuming due diligence is undertaken) will treat the club as an investment and will want a return on the investment in one way shape or form, and that can only come from being successful. He might be still pumping his money in via share issues, but that appears more to keep things ticking over than anything else

[glynriley]

2 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

Those are valid points - but until someone else with the right intentions comes along to take over & invest, with a clear plan & the footballing & business nouse to improve on all of that - what is that you(and others) actually want...?

What if (God forbid, imo) Lansdown woke up tomorrow & said to himself "you know what, I've had enough - I'm not hanging around until someone wants to buy it all. I'm cutting my losses & pulling out now - someone else can just have it & take it all on for free & I'm going to go lay on a Caribbean beach for the rest of my days"

Where would that leave us..? You really think we'd suddenly get some unknown Arab Sheikh who's always had a fondness toward BCFC come out of the woodwork & propell us to the Prem & then Europa league..?

I'd suspect it's far more likely that we'd end up like Sheffield Wednesday than Brighton...! 

What, 9th in the table..!!

[Mr Popodopolous]

Warnock here..

He could work with budgets higher and lower alike. Would the fans have taken to him that well? Hard to say..may have split opinion at time of appointment?

[KegCity]

1 minute ago, ashton_fan said:

A decade ago we were in L1

Damn, got me there.

We all lose out watching a football club do absolutely nothing for 9 years after recovering from a relegation that happened due to countless poor decisions from the club's ownership don't we? 

[Bar BS3]

10 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I’m grateful that he’s put his money in and paid the bills.  But he’s guilty of having to fund his own mistakes, across the whole Bristol Sport.

Not enough critical analysis by SL, and not enough critical analysis by fans.  “Bristol Sport” is a behemoth of inefficiency.

I agree in many ways - but it's his money that's he's wasted.

The intentions have always been genuine & he's still here bailing out the failed attempts.

Many others would have cut their losses & left us in all sorts of financial turmoil.

 

[KegCity]

1 minute ago, Bar BS3 said:

I agree in many ways - but it's his money that's he's wasted.

The intentions have always been genuine & he's still here bailing out the failed attempts.

Many others would have cut their losses & left us in all sorts of financial turmoil.

 

Why does that matter sorry? It's our football club he's wasted it on and he can't buy the time back.

[Bar BS3]

2 minutes ago, KegCity said:

What do I want? Some people with experience running a football club that didn't get their job via their dad or scoring vs Liverpool in charge.

And who, with that CV wants the position & has tens, of not hundreds of Millions that they are happy to risk on giving you what you want..?

Would I swap our set up for Brightons...? Yes, in a heartbeat.

Would I swap it for many other clubs...? I'd certainly be very cautious about most of them..!

[Bar BS3]

Just now, KegCity said:

Why does that matter sorry? It's our football club he's wasted it on and he can't buy the time back.

So you'd rather we had had Al-Quadi instead...?

No wasted funds there & he went & bought the fans a beer at away games occasionally..! 

Is that what you'd prefer...?

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

And who, with that CV wants the position & has tens, of not hundreds of Millions that they are happy to risk on giving you what you want..?

Would I swap our set up for Brightons...? Yes, in a heartbeat.

Would I swap it for many other clubs...? I'd certainly be very cautious about most of them..!

It's a difficult one really. Clubs can sell for the right price, 100%.

If the price is right- of course if too cheap then there is a risk of an owner selling it to an Asset Stripper or moron so there's that as well.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[SODS_LAW]

8 minutes ago, KegCity said:

Fantastic! They'd run it as a business not a hobby? They'd hold staff to KPIs and demand more results than not getting relegated? Sign me up  

Exactly this. I was part of an organisation that was thriving until it was taken over by a large company. They made these exact changes, and the workplace went from being a fantastic environment to one where most people left. Margins dropped significantly, and the big company has now moved on, leaving the once successful business in ruins with dozens of jobs lost.

The big corporation didn’t care about anything or anyone beyond making money. They bled it, ruined it, and moved on to the next target like nothing ever happened.

People need to understand this isn’t a game of Football Manager, this is the real world.

[Gert Mare]

Enjoyed that episode. Great to hear Neil Warnock talking fondly about Bristol City, especially the supporters.

I really wished we had brought him in years ago. Yes, it wouldn’t have been pretty, but it would have been passionate and felt we might just have had a chance of getting up. Sadly, we’ll never know. He went to Cardiff and took them up instead when many said he was ‘past it’. Shame.

Very interested in seeing him at Ashton Gate next September. That sounds like it will be a great evening!

[KegCity]

Just now, Bar BS3 said:

And who, with that CV wants the position & has tens, of not hundreds of Millions that they are happy to risk on giving you what you want..?

Would I swap our set up for Brightons...? Yes, in a heartbeat.

Would I swap it for many other clubs...? I'd certainly be very cautious about most of them..!

You asked what I wanted if Lansdown doesn't go? I know for a fact there's somebody out there with a connection to the club and actual experience and results to back it up that wanted to work for us and was turned down by JL  

You are right I can't pick a new owner out of thin air as I don't work in investment banking.

[SODS_LAW]

3 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

And who, with that CV wants the position & has tens, of not hundreds of Millions that they are happy to risk on giving you what you want..?

Would I swap our set up for Brightons...? Yes, in a heartbeat.

Would I swap it for many other clubs...? I'd certainly be very cautious about most of them..!

Exactly, be careful what you wish for!

[Bar BS3]

6 minutes ago, glynriley said:

What, 9th in the table..!!

You'd prefer to be 9th in the table, run the way they are..?

I think you'd the first one complaining about the way they are run mate.!

[Phantom]

12 hours ago, REDOXO said:

Nice touch. Despite his daughters wedding I reckon he would be here straight away if asked to sort this shitfest out. 
 

Apparently spoke with SL before!

Excuse my ignorance, but what does SOTC in the title stand for?

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, Gert Mare said:

Enjoyed that episode. Great to hear Neil Warnock talking fondly about Bristol City, especially the supporters.

I really wished we had brought him in years ago. Yes, it wouldn’t have been pretty, but it would have been passionate and felt we might just have had a chance of getting up. Sadly, we’ll never know. He went to Cardiff and took them up instead when many said he was ‘past it’. Shame.

Very interested in seeing him at Ashton Gate next September. That sounds like it will be a great evening!

Cardiff had Parachute Payments in Years 3 and 4 just for pure balance.

Subtract £23m in Costs of Promotion from Losses but they had £15-20m more Income than us due to.PP over the 2 years. Still their Wage Bill wasn't major but not were their Player Sales.

He may well have taken us up but it's hard to say.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[Bar BS3]

2 minutes ago, KegCity said:

You asked what I wanted if Lansdown doesn't go? I know for a fact there's somebody out there with a connection to the club and actual experience and results to back it up that wanted to work for us and was turned down by JL  

You are right I can't pick a new owner out of thin air as I don't work in investment banking.

And does he have the finances to buy the club & solve all of our perceived problems...?

[Bar BS3]

Just now, Phantom said:

Excuse my ignorance, but what does SOTC in the title stand for?

Sound Of The City - radio Bristol.

Not heard it, but sounds like they have given NW the platform to shit stir & come across as someone who actually loves us & wants/wanted to be part of giving us success.

Easy to say at this stage in his life & convenient when he's trying to sell tickets to his "evening with" type event.

Although, fair play, it is pretty funny that he has included Ashton Gate as one of his tour venues.! He's certainly good at winding up & milking it..!  

[sludge]

16 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

I'd say partly yes, partly no. Championship Football is very expensive full stop as an owner but the Johnson and Ashton era was fairly ruinous, Covid likewise..mixed IMO.

If he’d made better decisions we may have had a decent stint in the Premier League and our finances ‘could’ look completely different? 

[Gert Mare]

6 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Cardiff had Parachute Payments in Years 3 and 4 just for pure balance.

Subtract £23m in Costs of Promotion from Losses but they had £15-20m more Income than us due to.PP over the 2 years. Still their Wage Bill wasn't major but not were their Player Sales.

I still feel that he would have made us very difficult to beat, regardless of the budget, but appreciate that he had better funds at Cardiff. He had 8 promotions under varying circumstances so regardless he was able to get the maximum out of what he had to work with and was effective at Championship level. The Premier League though is a different kettle of fish.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Gert Mare

[sludge]

16 minutes ago, glynriley said:

What, 9th in the table..!!

And will more than likely return to the premier league before we ever reach there. 

[KegCity]

6 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

And does he have the finances to buy the club & solve all of our perceived problems...?

No because again, you asked what I want if Lansdown doesn't go.

The whole "what if this happens", "what if that happens" is pointless because we don't know. Besides, if Lansdown is the all-knowing, all-loving owner that many believe him to be he would never ever sell to a dodgy buyer would he? He loves the club above all else remember?

[BigTone]

6 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

Sound Of The City - radio Bristol.

Not heard it, but sounds like they have given NW the platform to shit stir & come across as someone who actually loves us & wants/wanted to be part of giving us success.

Easy to say at this stage in his life & convenient when he's trying to sell tickets to his "evening with" type event.

Although, fair play, it is pretty funny that he has included Ashton Gate as one of his tour venues.! He's certainly good at winding up & milking it..!  

He said many years ago he would love to be part of the setup so nothing new and no shit stirring

[glynriley]

3 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

You'd prefer to be 9th in the table, run the way they are..?

I think you'd the first one complaining about the way they are run mate.!

It was a joke to be fair.

All I'm reading as defence of Lansdown is the hypothetical situation that "things could be worse". They could also improve.

I think every fan on here is grateful for the bricks and mortar. Nice ground, decent training ground etc...

But the decision making, nepotism, backing managers who clearly aren't up to it and putting us in FFP difficulties is a recurring theme. I'd take my chances with a new owner in a heartbeat.

 

[Malvern Red]

14 minutes ago, SODS_LAW said:

Exactly this. I was part of an organisation that was thriving until it was taken over by a large company. They made these exact changes, and the workplace went from being a fantastic environment to one where most people left. Margins dropped significantly, and the big company has now moved on, leaving the once successful business in ruins with dozens of jobs lost.

The big corporation didn’t care about anything or anyone beyond making money. They bled it, ruined it, and moved on to the next target like nothing ever happened.

People need to understand this isn’t a game of Football Manager, this is the real world.

This is a great point to be fair but don’t you think we’re the other extreme with our jobs for the boys mentality?

[Mr Popodopolous]

13 minutes ago, Gert Mare said:

I still feel that he would have made us very difficult to beat, regardless of the budget, but appreciate that he had better funds at Cardiff. He had 8 promotions under varying circumstances so regardless he was able to get the maximum out of what he had to work with and was effective at Championship level. The Premier League though is a different kettle of fish.

I can't deny that. We had some fine players in that era too in specific positions especially.

What might Warnock have done with a defensive set of Kalas, Webster, Baker and Wright? Parts of that are lower PL never mind Championship. Pisano a better defensive full back than Hunt may have got the nod more often?

Weimann in his prime wouldn't have been on the wing, not in a million years. Ah how we misused certain players IMO.

He could mix his play as well too..QPR high budget though they were, very decent- got the best of Taarabt, and Sheffield United..Jagielka, Quinn, Tonge- younger players and didn't play too badly times I thought.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[Midred]

So what else did Warnock say?

[Mr Popodopolous]

22 minutes ago, sludge said:

If he’d made better decisions we may have had a decent stint in the Premier League and our finances ‘could’ look completely different? 

Totally agree. Still think the big time opportunity was January 2008 when we had unexpected momentum, FFP didn't exist and the division was fairly open.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[Bar BS3]

25 minutes ago, KegCity said:

No because again, you asked what I want if Lansdown doesn't go.

The whole "what if this happens", "what if that happens" is pointless because we don't know. Besides, if Lansdown is the all-knowing, all-loving owner that many believe him to be he would never ever sell to a dodgy buyer would he? He loves the club above all else remember?

I think he's said that himself before hasn't he..? That he'd welcome investment/sale - but only if it was to someone with the right intentions.