Fans Forum

[uptheus]

Simon said he's a good bloke....

They said Kassam cared about the club too!!

 

[uptheus]

Mmm I came away thinking a little different to you.
Regarding the 5 sites it was made very clear that this would all be detailed in hopefully a month or so. The time g of the forum was such I assume that it can't be disclosed yet. After 17 years at the Kassam I am not sure that this us. Big deal.
The way that Kassam has treated the club was a bit of a surprise. To me it sounds like Kassam is almost trying to force the club out.
're the Milan owner it will be very interesting to hear about that if and when it happens.
I tend to think that this is the most important time in the club's history. The club can't continue in this ground for ever in this arrangement. So either Kassam takes a couple of reasonable pills (very unlikely), we find a new ground which enables the club to grow or we end up playing at s non league ground probably as a non league team.
I just hope that the club have the right quality of people to be able to successfully deal with all of these issues.

I thought Darryl was going to get us to the Championship? We’ve heard all this stuff/waffle before; Kassam, Lenagan, Darryl etc etc. The thing with these three they actually had some sort of plan, but what is Tigers? Oh I know, let a head master lead us into the promise land!!

 

[Common Villager]

Mmm I came away thinking a little different to you.
Regarding the 5 sites it was made very clear that this would all be detailed in hopefully a month or so. The time g of the forum was such I assume that it can't be disclosed yet. After 17 years at the Kassam I am not sure that this us. Big deal.
The way that Kassam has treated the club was a bit of a surprise. To me it sounds like Kassam is almost trying to force the club out.
're the Milan owner it will be very interesting to hear about that if and when it happens.
I tend to think that this is the most important time in the club's history. The club can't continue in this ground for ever in this arrangement. So either Kassam takes a couple of reasonable pills (very unlikely), we find a new ground which enables the club to grow or we end up playing at s non league ground probably as a non league team.
I just hope that the club have the right quality of people to be able to successfully deal with all of these issues.

The whole thing just felt like whole load of substanceless talk to me.

Also, weren't we being told not so long ago that the stadium wouldn't be a big issue if we get to the Championship, and that staying at the Kassam was the best option available?

What's changed (other than Tiger coming to the incredible realisation that Kassam is not the most compromising and helpful of chaps)?

 

[RyanioBirdio]

People can speak about us walking out of the stadium but it ain't going to happen.
There may not be a plan but it sounds like a lot more detail will be released shortly. So let's see what comes out then?

I will tell you now - as of yesterday lunchtime there was no plan. So if there is one it’s happened literally overnight.

You don’t fire a bullet without knowing exactly what your options are. This is reckless.

 

[uptheus]

I will tell you now - as of yesterday lunchtime there was no plan. So if there is one it’s happened literally overnight.

You don’t fire a bullet without knowing exactly what your options are. This is reckless.

I take it you were one of the invited few that went to the training ground/building site thstvwe don’t OWN, if so, Joe seemed fairly convinced that things were positive at the club and there was a plan!

 

[Scotchegg]

Okay, I'll try not to let the frustration of today's match affect my thoughts on the forum, but here goes.

First of all, I was amazed to hear Tiger say that he's surprised by how difficult Kassam is? Really?!?!?!? Every single fan in the stadium today could have told him how much a prick that guy is, and yet he didn't manage to find it out during the due diligence phase of buying the club? I find that incredibly amateurish.

Next we were told about the five different options the club has identified, but weren't given any sort of clue what these five options are. I was hoping to ask (before the forum was abruptly called to an end) what lead to these options being identified. Were they options that Tiger had identified prior to his purchase of the club? Have they been put together as a reaction to the lack of progress in talks with Kassam? Who are they being driven by?

Multiple times during the forum we were told that 'exciting' times lie ahead, but there was really no substance whatsoever to these claims. How many times have we been told about exciting goings on and the prospect of multi-million investment? Like I said in a previous post, I'll believe it when I see it.

Robinson spoke well but my God did he play up to the stadium issue. Yes, we all know the satdium is s**t, but previous teams have proved that success can be achieved despite the soullessness of the three sided dump. We've beaten Newcastle and Swansea on that pitch, and under Appleton but in so many tremendous performances. I can't see how playing at The Kassam can be any less inspiring for the professional footballer than playing at, say, Blackpool's/Accrington's/Fleetwood's/Scunthorpe's/Burton's/Wimbledon's grounds. To me it just came across as a mighty excuse.

Next was all this talk about being sustainable at the Championship level. I understand the need for long term goals, but right now we need to focus on how we can improve our results on the pitch over the next 6 months. Otherwise we will find ourselves in a proper relegation battle (if we're not already). I was slightly alarmed by the lack of talk about our current predicament.

There's probably more I could mention, but overall I must say I thought it was a poor fan's forum. It was rushed, lacked clear focus, and was full of meaningless chatter about excitement, investment, and 'plans'. I left feeling more worried than I was before I went in to be honest. And today's result and performance did nothing to help my mood.

I think Tiger might be in over his head.

I hope I'm wrong, I really do.

Regarding the 5 options, we were told that nothing could be said now but we should know more in 4 or 5 weeks. Massive hints were given to the likelihood of getting away from the Kassam but also the intent to stay within the city (or thereabouts). I would guess that there would be more details about revenue shares in the short term, possible ground sharing options and plans to build elsewhere.

The Kassam has never felt like home and KR is right to point out the affect this has on the players. Managers, players and fans have come and gone yet our form at the Kassam has always been poor, often worse than our away from. It might be seen as an excuse but it is a soulless, windswept dump that we would all probably avoid if it wasn't our ground.

As for dealing with Kassam, Tiger would have heard from DE but may have felt that a new approach would work differently. However it is clear that a number of businessmen have all struggled to deal with the man and time to move on. I would put the blame for this squarely at Kassams door, even if others have been a little too naive or optimistic.

Finally, not sure Tiger is in over his head. He has involved the likes of Singha and Thai Airlines, and looking to build a pretty impressive board including Inter Milans Erick Thohir. This doesn't happen by accident or off the back of someone only interested in a train set.

Of course the immediate issue is on the pitch and that is where we need to focus. But I think we have to give credit where it is due for what is happening behind the scenes.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

I take it you were of the invited few that went to the training ground/building site thstvwe don’t OWN, if so, Joe seemed fairly convinced that things were positive at the club and there was a plan!

So much of a plan that when I said “what ground would we play at?” I didn’t get an answer.

That’s the black and white fact I am focusing on. There is not an alternative in place, agreed and ready to take forward.

 

[yellowbow]

Regarding the 5 options, we were told that nothing could be said now but we should know more in 4 or 5 weeks. Massive hints were given to the likelihood of getting away from the Kassam but also the intent to stay within the city (or thereabouts). I would guess that there would be more details about revenue shares in the short term, possible ground sharing options and plans to build elsewhere.

The Kassam has never felt like home and KR is right to point out the affect this has on the players. Managers, players and fans have come and gone yet our form at the Kassam has always been poor, often worse than our away from. It might be seen as an excuse but it is a soulless, windswept dump that we would all probably avoid if it wasn't our ground.

As for dealing with Kassam, Tiger would have heard from DE but may have felt that a new approach would work differently. However it is clear that a number of businessmen have all struggled to deal with the man and time to move on. I would put the blame for this squarely at Kassams door, even if others have been a little too naive or optimistic.

Finally, not sure Tiger is in over his head. He has involved the likes of Singha and Thai Airlines, and looking to build a pretty impressive board including Inter Milans Erick Thohir. This doesn't happen by accident or off the back of someone only interested in a train set.

Of course the immediate issue is on the pitch and that is where we need to focus. But I think we have to give credit where it is due for what is happening behind the scenes.

What’s your view on the license agreement? Do you think reaching an agreement to terminate it is realistic?

 

[LondonRoader]

What’s your view on the license agreement? Do you think reaching an agreement to terminate it is realistic?

Did I not hear on the radio some chap who should know say it will cost £30m to buy out of the licence contract ?

 

[LondonRoader]

My view on the forum, Tiger is being poorly advised.

 

[Northstandboy]

People can speak about us walking out of the stadium but it ain't going to happen.
There may not be a plan but it sounds like a lot more detail will be released shortly. So let's see what comes out then?

Unless the club folded!

 

[yellowbow]

Did I not hear on the radio some chap who should know say it will cost £30m to buy out of the licence contract ?

If that’s true then today’s forum made little sense other than to let KR throw a little tantrum about how horrible the place is.. We all know it is and we’ve been putting up with it a fair bit longer than he has

 

[holdsteady]

I would agree with whoever it was that said that Kassam is trying to force the club out, it’s a no lose situation for him, he either gets a high rent, pushes the club out or sends us bankrupt, none of those situations are bad for him so it’s a no brainier to turn the screw.

Hard to see a good solution for us though, we have to hope tiger is a genius basically and can make something good out of this bad situation.

 

[makv]

Did I not hear on the radio some chap who should know say it will cost £30m to buy out of the licence contract ?

No. Simply that we can’t get out of the agreement, which is now £1m for each of the 7 years we have left. Whether we play there or not.

 

[LondonRoader]

If that’s true then today’s forum made little sense other than to let KR throw a little tantrum about how horrible the place is.. We all know it is and we’ve been putting up with it a fair bit longer than he has

Mmm yes I did wonder why there was a FF and why some club officials are driving for a move away from the stadium, is the shadow of DE still hanging over the place.

 

[LondonRoader]

No. Simply that we can’t get out of the agreement, which is now £1m for each of the 7 years we have left. Whether we play there or not.

He stated had worked for the club and had seen the agreement in person

 

[Scotchegg]

What’s your view on the license agreement? Do you think reaching an agreement to terminate it is realistic?

I would imagine a deal is done to terminate the licence in exchange for immediate access to the site for housing. Alternatively we would pay basic rent for a further 7 years but with the site unusable.

 

[makv]

He stated had worked for the club and had seen the agreement in person

Indeed. And that’s what he said. Nathan mentioned the £30M number, not him.

 

[Manorlounger]

Indeed. And that’s what he said. Nathan mentioned the £30M number, not him.

He "stated" a number of things and seemed intent on a rant until Jerome cut him off. I remain unconvinced that he knew what he was talking about.

 

[Scotchegg]

Indeed. And that’s what he said. Nathan mentioned the £30M number, not him.

I'd be amazed if it was £30m. We could just keep making the agreed payments and letting our under 23's play there to P**s off Kassam and stop him touching the land for another 7 years.