General The Owners - Where Are We At?

[CaptainOx]

A lot has happened in the last 6-8 months.
- Robinson sacked
- Manning appointed
- Stayed up
- Good start to season
- Stadium project steps forward
- Manning leaves
- Buckingham appointed

But when was the last time we heard from the owners?
Bakrie in particular doesn't seem to have spoken or posted about the club for a while. His last post on Instagram, where he has previously been quite 'loud' about the club, was a repost of the official club release on the stadium details being released. His last post of his own was 27th August after the Charlton game.

Thohir we know is now the Head of the Indonesian FA and as such has disappeared from the list of the directors on the website (see below). I assume this represents him stepping back from as much regular involvement but ultimately remains joint-owner.

Never really hear anything much of/from Geicke other than photos when he has attended a game. Tiger of course has taken a big step back, but is still on the board of directors.
Finance Director Tim Davies has apparently left and again is no longer listed on the website.

Grant Ferguson as chairman seems to have more of a presence in recent months, with a few interviews given with the Oxford Mail and BBC Oxford. Whilst we know Tim Williams is ultimately the day to day 'boots on the ground' individual.

This isn't a criticism or some conspiracy theory, it's more an open question of how often do we think we should hear from the actual owners (rather than the chairman/CEO)?
Given the advances in the stadium project (and the management scenarios) , I'd have thought we might have heard from the owners, but perhaps they're waiting for the stadium planning application to be submitted?

 

[Marked Ox]

They may have taken a step back so that it does go through Grant Ferguson/Tim Williams although I'm not sure that would explain the instagram point.

 

[MJB]

I'm always expecting that Bakrie will become more visible as/when planning goes in (to the wider community as much as fans) but the longer it goes on, the less likely I think that is.

Which is a shame as he's a great speaker and lots of positivity to bring to this. Do appreciate that this is why we have a CEO and Chair, but just feel like Bakrie would be a good spokesperson for the club for the big stuff, such as the case for the new stadium.

 

[Gordon]

Not a bad thing if the owners stay quiet and leave the communications to the chairman. Too many owners in football nowadays who end up sounding like prats (Darragh MacAnthony at Peterborough being an obvious example. Todd Bohely another one). Just because you own a football club, doesn't mean you know football.

I thought the Grant Ferguson has come across really well this week, when being interviewed by Jerome Sale about Des Buckingham, Manning and the interview process.

 

[OUFCwaffle]

I think the reality of it is that Mr Bakrie is an incredibly busy business man with his fingers in a heck of a lot of other pies that are arguably more important than football (sacrilege I know). So naturally we were unlikely to be hearing from him every other week.

Leave the day to day Comms to the guys on the ground as they are far more clued up on the hows of running of a football club.

 

[foghorn]

I thought the Grant Ferguson has come across really well this week, when being interviewed by Jerome Sale about Des Buckingham, Manning and the interview process.

Likewise Tim Williams in some of his recent podcast appearances (eg, What The Footie - https://whatthefootie.podbean.com/e/74-tim-williams-ceo-at-oxford-united-fc/)

 

[WokinghamYellow]

Tim can give an hour of his time to that podcast but not OUFC related media (radox, podcasts even his own iFollow channel) or a fans forum?

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

A couple of social media posts at least wouldn't go amiss. Let us know they're thinking about us. But the key people are Williams and Ferguson.

 

[Osleroad]

What little you see of Bakrie on X is as intimated-position in Indonesian elite. Didn't RadOx say that Tiger was over recently following Manning departure. But definitely think we are due a fans forum even though am personally not local for that. Perhaps we will get something post planning app.

 

[tatabanya]

Tim can give an hour of his time to that podcast but not OUFC related media (radox, podcasts even his own iFollow channel) or a fans forum?

Yes, it’s all very well to leave the comms to the CEO, unless that CEO treats communication with fans like an inconvenience, unless it’s to point out what a good job is being done.

 

[LowerSouth]

What more would you want the club to say ?
We are regularly updated regarding progress with the proposed new stadium.
They’ve swiftly hired a new manager on a long term contract.
We are enjoying our best start in over 40 years.

 

[Sarge]

What little you see of Bakrie on X is as intimated-position in Indonesian elite. Didn't RadOx say that Tiger was over recently following Manning departure. But definitely think we are due a fans forum even though am personally not local for that. Perhaps we will get something post planning app.

heres hoping, a FF is more than looooong overdue

 

[Paul Cannell]

Actions speak louder than words.

 

[Paul Cannell]

heres hoping, a FF is more than looooong overdue

Indeed it is. Ferguson & Williams should be perfectly capable of managing that.

 

[tatabanya]

What more would you want the club to say ?
We are regularly updated regarding progress with the proposed new stadium.
They’ve swiftly hired a new manager on a long term contract.
We are enjoying our best start in over 40 years.

To honour their commitment when they agree to a fans forum - it’s not that hard and would show a degree of respect for paying customers sorry fans.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

To honour their commitment when they agree to a fans forum - it’s not that hard and would show a degree of respect for paying customers sorry fans.

If they hadn’t promised it of their own free will, almost nobody would care. Such a stupid own goal.

You can bet they’ll do it at the end of the season if we get promoted, mind.

 

[CaptainOx]

What more would you want the club to say ?
We are regularly updated regarding progress with the proposed new stadium.
They’ve swiftly hired a new manager on a long term contract.
We are enjoying our best start in over 40 years.

I don't necessarily expect them to say anything.

I was more picking up that the actual owner(s) level of comms have noticeably dropped in the last few months despite the good things going on. Bakrie, in particular, has previously been very active on his own socials in terms of OUFC.

As others have said, it may be that they're leaving it all in the hands of GF and TW.

 

[Carpy]

or a fans forum?

Tim Williams any time this is mentioned

 

[Sarge]

Tim Williams any time this is mentioned

View attachment 16895

.... seems likely

 

[LowerSouth]

For those still desperate for a FF.
Why not come up with a list of suggested discussion points, that you would like to see on the meeting agenda.

 

[OUFCGav]

I think the thing with FF is that the club likely wonder about the worth given how many people normally turn up.

 

[Whingit]

Obviously holding people to account is necessary, a fan's forum is not the way.

Maybe eventually these busy people will find a bit of time to indulge supporters who want to feel important and ask silly questions, probably once planning permission has been sorted out. In the mean time people should join oxvox and allow them to hold the club to account.

 

[LowerSouth]

If they hadn’t promised it of their own free will, almost nobody would care. Such a stupid own goal.

You can bet they’ll do it at the end of the season if we get promoted, mind.

What burning questions do you need to ask, that cannot be advanced via OUSP or OxVox ?

 

[Marked Ox]

What burning questions do you need to ask, that cannot be advanced via OUSP or OxVox ?

Something along the lines of 'Does Des have any photos similar to that one of Stephan Negru?'

 

[RyanioBirdio]

What burning questions do you need to ask, that cannot be advanced via OUSP or OxVox ?

The same OUSP that went on the radio last season and said the club was dodging them and wouldn’t arrange a meeting as promised, let alone fulfil their own suggestion of a proper forum with the wider fanbase? Excellent. As for OxVox, of which I’m a life member… yeah.

The football club said they would hold a forum - nobody forced their hand. They arrogantly assumed that things would improve and they could come back and tell everyone they were silly to moan before, but when things got worse they ran away and hid. Ferguson flew in and out of the country several times with such stealth that he wouldn’t even allow himself to be photographed, while Williams hired goons to eyeball people from the director’s box if they ever shouted in his direction.

I don’t need anybody to ask my questions for me, because I can ask them directly, and do. But many people don’t have that option and have been promised something that the club should honour. Again, they made the offer.

 

[holdsteady]

All you have to do is join Grant Fergusons golf club, find out what times he plays and “accidentally” bump into him to ask him questions, honestly, the fuss some people make when for a little bit of effort and a huge cash outlay this is an easily solvable problem.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

All you have to do is join Grant Fergusons golf club, find out what times he plays and “accidentally” bump into him to ask him questions, honestly, the fuss some people make when for a little bit of effort and a huge cash outlay this is an easily solvable problem.

I usually grab a snorkel and wait for him in the water near the 8th green. I once tried to bury myself in the bunker just off the 14th so that I could burst out at him like a mummy, but it wasn’t deep enough and I was apprehended by the course marshal. They carted me off in a buggy before I could start screaming questions regarding half-season tickets and the lack of online discounts for season ticket holders.

 

[holdsteady]

I usually grab a snorkel and wait for him in the water near the 8th green. I once tried to bury myself in the bunker just off the 14th so that I could burst out at him like a mummy, but it wasn’t deep enough and I was apprehended by the course marshal. They carted me off in a buggy before I could start screaming questions regarding half-season tickets and the lack of online discounts for season ticket holders.

Well I was going to suggest becoming a caddy if you can’t afford the green fees but whatever works for you.

 

[WokinghamYellow]

The zoom calls on the stadium they could also do with regard the running of the club. A brief update on the past few months from various departments, what they are planning to improve in the next 3, then a QandA session at the end (could be just OxVox’s collected questions so no silly ones) It doesn’t need to be face to face or too long, just do one every qtr

 

[LowerSouth]

The same OUSP that went on the radio last season and said the club was dodging them and wouldn’t arrange a meeting as promised, let alone fulfil their own suggestion of a proper forum with the wider fanbase? Excellent. As for OxVox, of which I’m a life member… yeah.

The football club said they would hold a forum - nobody forced their hand. They arrogantly assumed that things would improve and they could come back and tell everyone they were silly to moan before, but when things got worse they ran away and hid. Ferguson flew in and out of the country several times with such stealth that he wouldn’t even allow himself to be photographed, while Williams hired goons to eyeball people from the director’s box if they ever shouted in his direction.

I don’t need anybody to ask my questions for me, because I can ask them directly, and do. But many people don’t have that option and have been promised something that the club should honour. Again, they made the offer.

You and your followers come across as feeling rather bitter and appearing to harbour a strong dislike,for those currently charged with the running of our club .
You mention how things got worse last season-well again, we are in this season and I see no signs of that set of circumstances,repeating themselves.
You also mention OUSP and last season.
Again,we are now in this season and OUSP have not indicated any major issues with our owners or executives-quite the opposite.
I’m also, not hearing tales of woe from OxVox.
I and many others on here, are also life members of OxVox- it’s not an exclusive club !
I ask again,what is it you wish raise, that can only be aired at an in person fans forum ?