What have OxVox got to say...

[Deleted member 222]

We have the AGM sometime in April and we know that Jem and Simon are standing down, therefore there are at least two vacancies to fill. So let’s all look forward to seeing Dave, Myles and Charlie putting their names forward for election. You never know two of those 3 could be the next Chair and Vice Chair of the trust. Come on Dave you have been a great advocate of the trust, I would vote for you as you will give a balanced view.

I'd really worry about the future of the trust if Myles, Sean or Charlie were elected to represent OxVox.

I would also worry if Dave was elected as it would mean OxVox would need a full time proof reader for all press releases

 

[T’ai Chi]

I'd really worry about the future of the trust if Myles, Sean or Charlie were elected to represent OxVox.

I would also worry if Dave was elected as it would mean OxVox would need a full time proof reader for all press releases

I think they would be a breath of fresh air and would not shy away from asking the more difficult questions of the owner. I’m sure Jem and Simon asked the right questions, but they are standing down. As for Dave we would get statements every other day

 

[Manorlounger]

I think they would be a breath of fresh air and would not shy away from asking the more difficult questions of the owner. I’m sure Jem and Simon asked the right questions, but they are standing down. As for Dave we would get statements every other day

Every hour, more like!

 

[Scotchegg]

To be honest, I am very much for giving Tiger "time" before judging him. He has been found the club in a helluva mess, across all areas, and he cannot be blamed for his predecessor's failings and peccadilloes.

But I am not for giving him time before he is required to answer basic questions that the vast majority of new owners answer proudly on their way into whichever club they are buying. He was (apparently) asked these questions in November, but did not answer them then, did not answer them at his opening press conference and still has not answered them now. These are not complex matters. If he is the real deal then they are one or two line email answers jotted down in 10 minutes in the airport.

On to the role of OxVox. I do not agree with Gary Baldi that they have struck a good balance in their dealings with DE and Tiger. The club is in a far worse state, structurally and performance wise, than it was a year and indeed two years ago. This has happened as a result of a series of decisions that they knew about, and did not question.
Ah. Sorry. That is not quite true. They may have questioned them privately. But not publicly. As a result, the powers that be can simply bully onwards and do what they want, without fear of public reprimand. With big clubs, this role - public questioning of power - is mostly played by the media. But at smaller clubs, with a supine local media monopoly who rely on the club for their lifeblood, it falls to the Trust to hold lightly over the protagonists' heads the threat of a public row. The knowledge that the Trust can/ might do that is what breeds genuine respect. Cowed silence breeds disrespect (hence the disgraceful way that DE hectored OxVox over the stadium situation a year ago).
It is not the role of the Trust to be "close" to the club, but to protect the club's sustainability. If anyone can point out how OxVox's actions have achieved that then I would be grateful.
Finally, a point on the plaintive plea that because they are volunteers who give time to help the club for free then they should be above criticism. I can say, with absolute certainty, that over the last 10 years I have given more time voluntarily to the club than anyone on the OxVox committee. Odd that the committee's protectors do not seem to think that that voluntary service places me - or Myles - above criticism.... Strong organisations are happy to explain and defend their decisions. It is only weak entities that shy like a scalded cat when criticised.

As someone demanding answers to questions, maybe you could answer mine for the 8th time! You keep talking of a basketcase of a club that is ladened with debt to the previous owner, and Tiger having to raid the piggy bank to buy it. So what's in it for Tiger?

 

[T’ai Chi]

Well it would mean I have far less time to post on here and I wouldn’t want to deprive u all of that

Come on Dave stand for election it’s a win win. You will be on the top table and we will see a reduction of your posts on here. You know it makes sense.

 

[Gary Baldi]

To be honest, I am very much for giving Tiger "time" before judging him. He has been found the club in a helluva mess, across all areas, and he cannot be blamed for his predecessor's failings and peccadilloes.

But I am not for giving him time before he is required to answer basic questions that the vast majority of new owners answer proudly on their way into whichever club they are buying. He was (apparently) asked these questions in November, but did not answer them then, did not answer them at his opening press conference and still has not answered them now. These are not complex matters. If he is the real deal then they are one or two line email answers jotted down in 10 minutes in the airport.

On to the role of OxVox. I do not agree with Gary Baldi that they have struck a good balance in their dealings with DE and Tiger. The club is in a far worse state, structurally and performance wise, than it was a year and indeed two years ago. This has happened as a result of a series of decisions that they knew about, and did not question.
Ah. Sorry. That is not quite true. They may have questioned them privately. But not publicly. As a result, the powers that be can simply bully onwards and do what they want, without fear of public reprimand. With big clubs, this role - public questioning of power - is mostly played by the media. But at smaller clubs, with a supine local media monopoly who rely on the club for their lifeblood, it falls to the Trust to hold lightly over the protagonists' heads the threat of a public row. The knowledge that the Trust can/ might do that is what breeds genuine respect. Cowed silence breeds disrespect (hence the disgraceful way that DE hectored OxVox over the stadium situation a year ago).
It is not the role of the Trust to be "close" to the club, but to protect the club's sustainability. If anyone can point out how OxVox's actions have achieved that then I would be grateful.
Finally, a point on the plaintive plea that because they are volunteers who give time to help the club for free then they should be above criticism. I can say, with absolute certainty, that over the last 10 years I have given more time voluntarily to the club than anyone on the OxVox committee. Odd that the committee's protectors do not seem to think that that voluntary service places me - or Myles - above criticism.... Strong organisations are happy to explain and defend their decisions. It is only weak entities that shy like a scalded cat when criticised.

As you will know, dealing with people's egos in public is a tricky thing. Ultimately, DE and Tiger don't need to meet with OxVox do they? So what value add can OxVox as an entity bring to the table so that they can inform and serve their members, and help the club? It would be easy for them to pontificate from the outside and issue press releases ad nauseum, but harder to become a trusted partner to bring a different point of view. The notes from meetings clearly show they are asking the hard questions, but choosing to do it in an appropriate environment.

If enough members think that is inappropriate, then they need to raise the issue at meeting and AGMs and ultimately stand to be a member of the committee by running on that issue. I can only encourage you to stand for the committee and be that agent of change that you desire.

 

[makv]

We have the AGM sometime in April and we know that Jem and Simon are standing down, therefore there are at least two vacancies to fill. So let’s all look forward to seeing Dave, Myles and Charlie putting their names forward for election. You never know two of those 3 could be the next Chair and Vice Chair of the trust. Come on Dave you have been a great advocate of the trust, I would vote for you as you will give a balanced view.

I'd really worry about the future of the trust if Myles, Sean or Charlie were elected to represent OxVox.

I would also worry if Dave was elected as it would mean OxVox would need a full time proof reader for all press releases

Or Bazzer [emoji47]

 

[LondonRoader]

We have the AGM sometime in April and we know that Jem and Simon are standing down, therefore there are at least two vacancies to fill. So let’s all look forward to seeing Dave, Myles and Charlie putting their names forward for election. You never know two of those 3 could be the next Chair and Vice Chair of the trust. Come on Dave you have been a great advocate of the trust, I would vote for you as you will give a balanced view.

Just like Sennate used to asked the hard questions. That didn’t end well did it ?
The local media still are wary of chas and his group from those days.

 

[Neville60]

Several issues.

I realise in this modern era everyone expects instant gratification, but perhaps a little patience is needed too? 'OxVox' is not an individual, but a group of people who don't meet or hold discussions on a daily or even weekly basis. Maybe the 'putting things straight' statement is being worked on and will be released in timely fashion?

The OxVox committee meeting was on Friday. Not unreasonable that minutes may not be finalised and distributed until later this week, or perhaps next week. (EDIT - Apparently there was no meeting, nor was one ever planned. Happy to put that right. Makes criticism even more difficult to comprehend ....)

Then we get to your more contentious and unnecessarily accusatory comments. OxVox are not 'meant to be a supporters' trust', they ARE the only OUFC supporters' trust who work hard as volunteers, have to take negativity such as yours on the chin but get little appreciation in return.

You say the 'general ethos of the board is that they have neglected fans.' Absolute rubbish. A few posters have offered criticism. A whole bunch more have offered support. The vast majority have not commented one way or the other. Don't extrapolate your own frustrations to the general fan base. You have an unreasonable sense of entitlement.[/QUOTE

Very well put Pete.

 

[Lundinsponytail]

As someone demanding answers to questions, maybe you could answer mine for the 8th time! You keep talking of a basketcase of a club that is ladened with debt to the previous owner, and Tiger having to raid the piggy bank to buy it. So what's in it for Tiger?

Just seen this. Have actually answered it before but here goes again.
What is in it for Tiger is that he wants to own a football club. My contact at Reading told me that, unlike his partner'

 

[Lundinsponytail]

Sorry. Fat finger. Unlike his partners there he really enjoyed himself - kid in a sweatshop, was the expression. When the rest of them had done their asset strip and wanted out, he wanted to stay in, but couldn't afford it. So the fixers who arranged the Reading deal (And whom we need to keep a close eye on) found him a little club/train set he could supposedly sort of afford.
Apparently, he then set out to look for partners but could not find any. So he decided -having paid a deposit to DE- to take the plunge alone and try to find the money later.
The problem is that at Reading he did not have to do anything. There was a full executive set-up in place. Cat 1 academy, great stadium (Which he and his chums promptly asset stripped), proper chief exec and commercial department.
All he wanted to do, apparently, was run up and down the touchline at the training ground, telling Jaap Stam who to pick (apparently, Tiger genuinely thinks that he is a football genius).
My contact did not think him a bad man, but a difficult one to deal with professionally ( unpaid bills featured in that assessment) and misguided in his theories about how to run a football club.
My contact knows very well the issues surrounding OUFC. And his words were: 'I strongly suspect that with the best intentions Tiger has bitten off more than he can chew.'

 

[LondonRoader]

Sorry. Fat finger. Unlike his partners there he really enjoyed himself - kid in a sweatshop, was the expression. When the rest of them had done their asset strip and wanted out, he wanted to stay in, but couldn't afford it. So the fixers who arranged the Reading deal (And whom we need to keep a close eye on) found him a little club/train set he could supposedly sort of afford.
Apparently, he then set out to look for partners but could not find any. So he decided -having paid a deposit to DE- to take the plunge alone and try to find the money later.
The problem is that at Reading he did not have to do anything. There was a full executive set-up in place. Cat 1 academy, great stadium (Which he and his chums promptly asset stripped), proper chief exec and commercial department.
All he wanted to do, apparently, was run up and down the touchline at the training ground, telling Jaap Stam who to pick (apparently, Tiger genuinely thinks that he is a football genius).
My contact did not think him a bad man, but a difficult one to deal with professionally ( unpaid bills featured in that assessment) and misguided in his theories about how to run a football club.
My contact knows very well the issues surrounding OUFC. And his words were: 'I strongly suspect that with the best intentions Tiger has bitten off more than he can chew.'

See that’s better, it’s all 3rd hand washerwoman stuff but it’s far more acceptable than a lot of the bile you put out in your “statements”
As you seem a little bit more leanient on this owner where do we go from here?
Do we as fans try and encourage and help the new owner in the way forward for the best of the club?
Do we keep an eye on the situation and hopefully he gets there in the end?
Do we criticise his every move and be obstructive in the way forward but for the good of the club?

 

[T’ai Chi]

See that’s better, it’s all 3rd hand washerwoman stuff but it’s far more acceptable than a lot of the bile you put out in your “statements”
As you seem a little bit more leanient on this owner where do we go from here?
Do we as fans try and encourage and help the new owner in the way forward for the best of the club?
Do we keep an eye on the situation and hopefully he gets there in the end?
Do we criticise his every move and be obstructive in the way forward but for the good of the club?

I’ll tell you where we go from here, we go and pray that Charlie’s 3rd hand washerwoman stuff has no credibility because if he is just 50% right we have a problem for the future of our club. The fact that Tiger will not be at today’s game is a concern and beggars the question who is running the club? When will we see a manager appointed, time is running out.

Your spats with Myles and Charlie do not overshaddow the fact that many of us are very concerned about the future of our club in this mans hands.

 

[LondonRoader]

I’ll tell you where we go from here, we go and pray that Charlie’s 3rd hand washerwoman stuff has no credibility because if he is just 50% right we have a problem for the future of our club. The fact that Tiger will not be at today’s game is a concern and beggars the question who is running the club? When will we see a manager appointed, time is running out.

I’ll tell you where we go from here, we go and pray that Charlie’s 3rd hand washerwoman stuff has no credibility because if he is just 50% right we have a problem for the future of our club. The fact that Tiger will not be at today’s game is a concern and beggars the question who is running the club? When will we see a manager appointed, time is running out.

Your spats with Myles and Charlie do not overshaddow the fact that many of us are very concerned about the future of our club in this mans hands.

Ah I see, it’s a tag team you and chas, he answers your posts and you answer his, you don’t know him do you ???
I do not have “spats” with Myles, I pick upon posts from you and chas, we all have concerns and can make up our own minds without the monotonous daily posts from your group for seeing the end is just around the corner, it is also the glee that comes across in your posts when you try and portray such a gloomy future.

 

[T’ai Chi]

We were told « Jack » was not involved, yet although Tiger was absent from the game yesterday, guess who was there, correct, Jack. Maybe he has become a director or just a lifelong fan of the Us. Fear the future.

 

[Jem]

We were told « Jack » was not involved, yet although Tiger was absent from the game yesterday, guess who was there, correct, Jack. Maybe he has become a director or just a lifelong fan of the Us. Fear the future.

No. We informed people that Jack was an advisor to Tiger. He still is.

 

[m]

We were told « Jack » was not involved, yet although Tiger was absent from the game yesterday, guess who was there, correct, Jack.

Another outright lie to 'strengthen' an agenda.

Makes a change from fawning sycophancy I suppose.

 

[T’ai Chi]

No. We informed people that Jack was an advisor to Tiger. He still is.

Yes nearly 4 months after your meeting. Let’s be honest you have no clue what is really happening.

 

[T’ai Chi]

Another outright lie to 'strengthen' an agenda.

Makes a change from fawning sycophancy I suppose.

Please read the post again. There is no lie written as he was at the game and then questioning his reasons for being there. If he is only an advisor then who was he advising?

 

[Jem]

Yes nearly 4 months after your meeting. Let’s be honest you have no clue what is really happening.

Whatever you say.

Have a lovely Sunday.

 

[m]

Please read the post again. There is no lie written as he was at the game and then questioning his reasons for being there. If he is only an advisor then who was he advising?

"We were told « Jack » was not involved".

There's the lie, right there, opening line.

There is the lie written.

 

[Paul Cannell]

he really enjoyed himself - kid in a sweatshop

I think you meant "sweetshop"?

 

[Paul Cannell]

"We were told « Jack » was not involved".

There's the lie, right there, opening line.

There is the lie written.

A bare-faced lie at that, by jove.

 

[carefreeoufc]

OxVox Minutes (available on their website)

The minutes/notes from the meeting on 10th November are as follows:

At the outset of the meeting, Jack made it clear that a deal had not been concluded (although it was hoped it could be in the fullness of time) and also apologised for not responding to 2 separate emails that had been sent to him by OxVox, requesting information, back on the 3rd October and the 18th October. Jack was acting as an advisor to Tiger.
*********************************************************

I think there are questions to be asked of OxVox but it looks like you’re wrong on this one.

There definitely needs to be more scrutiny however on Jack and his Advisor role as he seems to be much more involved than he is letting on imo.

 

[Oxymoron]

Jack and Niall McWilliams were briefly in the Quad Bar before the game - looked like he was getting an informal tour of the stadium. "Jack" took several pictures on his phone and then they moved on.

Thought it strange - surely he has had ample time to savour the delights of the Kassam interior prior to yesterday?

 

[Scotchegg]

We were told « Jack » was not involved, yet although Tiger was absent from the game yesterday, guess who was there, correct, Jack. Maybe he has become a director or just a lifelong fan of the Us. Fear the future.

This is all getting a little tiresome.

 

[Scotchegg]

Friend of owner goes to game shocker!

Someone call Charlie!!!

 

[Yellowoptimist]

Friend of owner goes to game shocker!

Someone call Charlie!!!

http://theempireasia.com/Jack.html
And after all who would want somebody with this track record involved with their club. Guy is obviously a complete clown...?

 

[Scotchegg]

http://theempireasia.com/Jack.html
And after all who would want somebody with this track record involved with their club. Guy is obviously a complete clown...?

But he doesn't look like us and goes by a different name - he must be dodgy!!!

 

[T’ai Chi]

But he doesn't look like us and goes by a different name - he must be dodgy!!!

What are you suggesting by that remark? I certainly hope you are not suggesting people who question and challenge are racist, because if you are you are well out of order.