General Radox 5 minute Forum

[Fourthstand]

What a waste of time. Last evening was a master class from Neil McWilliams in political skullduggery by not answering the question. Instead we were treated to bland statements that he wanted to get across. I’m also surprised Jerome allowed it to happen. Sample: how much do we still owe Eales? Answer: our payment plan Is up to date.

 

[Anthomic]

What a waste of time. Last evening was a master class from Neil McWilliams in political skullduggery by not answering the question. Instead we were treated to bland statements that he wanted to get across. I’m also surprised Jerome allowed it to happen. Sample: how much do we still owe Eales? Answer: our payment plan Is up to date.

The correct answer is that we don't owe Eales anything. Tiger owes Eales for the purchase of the club..

 

[Foley]

He definitely does not want to answer that question does he.
He was asked how much was owed to DE and when will the loan be paid off.
I really cant see why he didnt say that all payments are on schedule and the loan should be paid off in August 20 or whatever the payment plan says?
He is far less upfront and straightforward that Eales was in most of his tenure.
Jerome cant really challenge as it is 5 minutes only and there are only what 5 to questions asked in that time anyway.
It should really be 15 minutes minimum with Jerome able to challenge in my view.

 

[Foley]

The correct answer is that we don't owe Eales anything. Tiger owes Eales for the purchase of the club..

Well you might be right but on the basis that oufc transfer fees received are going towards this loan, then supporters not surprisingly want to know when the loan will be paid off.

 

[ljs]

Maybe he can answer the question on here... Scotchers?

 

[ZeroTheHero]

There is no point in listening to these slots when NMcW is on. He will ramble on about his 'five pillars' (or whatever they are) while avoiding answering absolutely anything of substance. I think sometimes that he means a very different thing by 'communication' than the supporters do.

 

[Junior_1]

Maybe we can have Zaki on next ...

 

[Manorlounger]

The correct answer is that we don't owe Eales anything. Tiger owes Eales for the purchase of the club..

Well you might be right but on the basis that oufc transfer fees received are going towards this loan, then supporters not surprisingly want to know when the loan will be paid off.

The correct answer is that Oxford United Football Club Limited owe money to Eales (and have quite a few other debts - see latest accounts - widely available)

The club is owned entirely by this Limited Company set up by Tiger for that specific purpose. Should Tiger, or his financial backers, decide to walk away, they can without any personal liability. They would lose whatever they had invested but, any debts would be liable to that company i.e. Oxford United.

Here is a link which explains the set up in fairly basic, clear English which should enlighten even the most die hard of the head in sand brigade.
What does it mean to be a "limited company"

As to what Mr McWilliams said, or didn't, I cannot be arsed to waste any more time over his avoidance of any clear answers. As @Fourthstand so succinctly put it: a master class from Neil McWilliams in political skullduggery.

Mind you, he did seem to be very excited about putting a steward in control of the zebra crossing by the Bowlplex. About his level, I guess.

 

[Andy Stroud]

He did hint that we are likely to see another signing, although did say that was KR/TS's decision.
The fact that he was allowed to duck the question about the money owed to Eales was really frustrating - poor journalism tbh.

 

[Oxymoron]

If we are going to steward the open end car park, it would do more good to stop people parking on the bit of road which forms the entry/exit to the car park on the corner of the cinema. Cars parked there make it a single track road and yes, people do want to enter the car park at 4:55 on a Saturday which log-jams the junction and is one of the main reasons why it can take an hour to get out of the overflow car park!

 

[Andy Stroud]

If we are going to steward the open end car park, it would do more good to stop people parking on the bit of road which forms the entry/exit to the car park on the corner of the cinema. Cars parked there make it a single track road and yes, people do want to enter the car park at 4:55 on a Saturday which log-jams the junction and is one of the main reasons why it can take an hour to get out of the overflow car park!

This was another question that was misinterpreted, as it was suggesting that crossing by the cinema should be patrolled BEFORE the game to prevent traffic backing-up towards the Science Park. For some reason they started talking about traffic getting out of the car park AFTER the game (which is equally poor).

 

[LeftSideBoy]

Compare Naill's communication to Zaki's and its worryingly chalk and cheese. If Niall was my boss, I wouldnt trust a word he says! Evasive, vague, cryptic and defensive. All things you shouldnt be when tasked with openness. I think these PR exercises are great in some ways but when you have Niall answering questions like its a police interview, it undoes the good work the other board members have done recently.

 

[DannyW]

Don't think Rad Ox can be bothered with him either theres not even it a link up on their twitter. I saw him at the oxvox fan forum last year and before it even started I was thinking that's a man who does not want to be here from his body language. He went on to confirm my opinion, I did not bother to listen last night, the format is poor and it's it's worst when he's on.

 

[MarkG]

The correct answer is that we don't owe Eales anything. Tiger owes Eales for the purchase of the club..

No - the correct answer is that Eales (via the holding company Ensco) didn't sell any of his shares in OUFC. Eales is being repaid by the club repaying debt owed to Ensco. Some of that is funded by Tiger's holding company putting money into the club, some by the known transfer instalments on players sold before Tiger took over, and some perhaps by transfer fees on player sales / sell ons after Tiger took over, and also any other repayment agreed.

 

[MarkG]

The more important question is how much is or was owed to Ensco, and has it all been agreed to be repaid? Which also needs people to understand where that debt comes from.

 

[outsidethebox]

Compare Naill's communication to Zaki's and its worryingly chalk and cheese. If Niall was my boss, I wouldnt trust a word he says! Evasive, vague, cryptic and defensive. All things you shouldnt be when tasked with openness. I think these PR exercises are great in some ways but when you have Niall answering questions like its a police interview, it undoes the good work the other board members have done recently.

All the skills you need to deal effectively with Ofsted ?

 

[Sarge]

As to what Mr McWilliams said, or didn't, I cannot be arsed to waste any more time over his avoidance of any clear answers. As @Fourthstand so succinctly put it: a master class from Neil McWilliams in political skullduggery.

Mind you, he did seem to be very excited about putting a steward in control of the zebra crossing by the Bowlplex. About his level, I guess.

said 'Steward' may be given a Head Prefect badge ?

 

[Navegante]

Ultimately, McW is a paid employee of the club. Let's hear more from the organ grinder(s) rather than the monkey.

 

[Junior_1]

The fans forum at Ox City before the youth game v Bournemouth. Where was he, he was hid in the Ox City boardroom away from the crowds and forum.. whys that?

I’ve the upmost respect for him for all he’s done in his life for many thousands of kids in his school(s) role not his role at Ox is very concerning and needs questioning imo

 

[Manorlounger]

The fans forum at Ox City before the youth game v Bournemouth. Where was he, he was hid in the Ox City boardroom away from the crowds and forum.. whys that?

I’ve the upmost respect for him for all he’s done in his life for many thousands of kids in his school(s) role not his role at Ox is very concerning and needs questioning imo

Have to agree with the concerns. He may well do more than we see and if so, fair play but, the image we get to see and hear, is not working.
He may well have been a good "headmaster" but that role became more political in nature many years ago and I fear, that is how he sees his role with OUFC. The sound bites and non commited answers in a fans forum, especially one of only 5 minutes duration, are counter productive. KR talks from his heart (not connected to brain on many a time) Tiger enthuses over his "toy" and Zaki talks as a financial whizz kid and sells the product. We want to hear stuff that makes us feel good not the circumnavigating and repetitive political/management speak that we get from N McW. He's in the wrong job.

 

[MarkG]

Have to agree with the concerns. He may well do more than we see and if so, fair play but, the image we get to see and hear, is not working.
He may well have been a good "headmaster" but that role became more political in nature many years ago and I fear, that is how he sees his role with OUFC. The sound bites and non commited answers in a fans forum, especially one of only 5 minutes duration, are counter productive. KR talks from his heart (not connected to brain on many a time) Tiger enthuses over his "toy" and Zaki talks as a financial whizz kid and sells the product. We want to hear stuff that makes us feel good not the circumnavigating and repetitive political/management speak that we get from N McW. He's in the wrong job.

Are people expecting him to be more of a PR guy, giving out lovely soundbites like our friends in the North? I suspect N McW sees his role as managing the club on a day-to-day basis, making sure the safety team are in place, matches are organised, away travel sorted, the ticket office is running. Obviously not doing all that stuff himself, but keeping track that these are being done.

 

[Manorlounger]

Are people expecting him to be more of a PR guy, giving out lovely soundbites like our friends in the North? I suspect N McW sees his role as managing the club on a day-to-day basis, making sure the safety team are in place, matches are organised, away travel sorted, the ticket office is running. Obviously not doing all that stuff himself, but keeping track that these are being done.

I don't mind how he sees his role, what I mind is that he isn't good at being the voice of the club. Reportedly, he is good at doing those things that you mention, I have no way of proving or disproving. I just don't want to listen to him not answering questions.

 

[Upthecowboys]

I understand the criticism N McW gets as he does seem to not be able to give straight answers.

But I think it is in the fans interests for him to be involved behind the scenes with the club.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he is frustrated with the answers he gives, he might want to be more open.

 

[WokinghamYellow]

Compare Naill's communication to Zaki's and its worryingly chalk and cheese. If Niall was my boss, I wouldnt trust a word he says! Evasive, vague, cryptic and defensive. All things you shouldnt be when tasked with openness. I think these PR exercises are great in some ways but when you have Niall answering questions like its a police interview, it undoes the good work the other board members have done recently.

Haha he should have just done a "No Comment" Interview like they all do on 24 hours in Poloce custody

 

[ZeroTheHero]

I guess the vast majority of us don't know what he does day to day or how well he does it. Hopefully he is bloody brilliant. Or cheap. Or both.

But putting him up as club spokesman is simply a bad idea as he sounds as evasive and uninformative as KR and Zaki sound open and enthusiastic.

 

[Left Wing Cross]

Are people expecting him to be more of a PR guy, giving out lovely soundbites like our friends in the North? I suspect N McW sees his role as managing the club on a day-to-day basis, making sure the safety team are in place, matches are organised, away travel sorted, the ticket office is running. Obviously not doing all that stuff himself, but keeping track that these are being done.

If it is not his strength, perhaps he should delegate participating in forums to someone else?

 

[Junior_1]

I guess the vast majority of us don't know what he does day to day or how well he does it. Hopefully he is bloody brilliant. Or cheap. Or both.

But putting him up as club spokesman is simply a bad idea as he sounds as evasive and uninformative as KR and Zaki sound open and enthusiastic.

Well then the club should provide us with a little bit on insight into the role that he plays. We may all be doing him and the club a massive disservice. But personally, and from what I’ve heard, we are not..

 

[DannyW]

Although I don't think he's very comfortable doing the media or public thing, I think if you ask any board member about the debt to D Eales the answer will be exactly the same as the MD gave

 

[MarkG]

Also just speculation, but does anyone think the Eales repayments may have been restructured? The takeover was Feb 2018, the loan note repayments were due April and September 2018 and presumably a balance at some time in 2019 (as the notes are called 2019 notes). The OUFC accounts at June 2018 show £1.1M due as after one year (so after June 2019), and £2.4M within one year. Trade debtors were £2.2M (transfer fee instalments?). So the transfer fee instalments were only enough to pay the within one year part. The charge is still showing as owing at Companies House. Trade creditors had jumped significantly to £1.9M from some 400K two years before. Part is presumably the service charge, perhaps some is pay-ons due from player sales? But this was a time when we were getting winding up petitions.

My thinking is that it does Eales no favours to call in the debt if there is no money to pay it, but allowing the club more time to pay means at least he gets something rather than nothing.

So this might tie in with N McW being unable to talk about the debt in any detail.

 

[ThatSlopesATwelfthMan]

Are people expecting him to be more of a PR guy, giving out lovely soundbites like our friends in the North? I suspect N McW sees his role as managing the club on a day-to-day basis, making sure the safety team are in place, matches are organised, away travel sorted, the ticket office is running. Obviously not doing all that stuff himself, but keeping track that these are being done.

Fair point. You might be right. In which case he could just say that himself and talk about all those important things instead of spouting management bollox. The evasiveness, failure to deal with specifics, always 'principles', the jargon and patronising tone does my head in. There's lots of encouraging stuff happening at the club but most of it seems to be happening despite not because of him.