Barryowen

Someone has mentioned that you have a representative on the board to take all such ideas forward. You should be assured that I do this for every fan, be it those who post on OWTB or who make their feeling known elsewhare. I am glad the Chronicle got involved because I think letters emerged from all quarters and not just from a select audience.I believe that more should be shared with the newspaper media because we get a better cross representation of views and ideas. Alan Hardy , as spokesman for the Board has responded in an amicable manner and this should not be read as thought other board members are not involved, certainly in my case as your representative on the board. Some good ideas have emerged and are already under discussion. Other ideas are just not financially feasible and I hope that people understand this. I have just returned from a trust meeting and we have again discussed the low gates and the lack of the matchday experience. Rick Attwood is working with the Community Trust on a number of ideas and we have got a number of other initiatives that we are looking at. Keep the Faith Barry

In fairness I think most of the expenditure was considered before Simon B. left but a whole range of expenses fall upon you as the weeks move on. Sometimes your wage bill fluctuates accordingly and players do not move on as you might expect. Whilst trying to provide the manager with a good team you also try and move people on which you know has been difficult. Customs and excise matters are a hinderance but you have to pay the bills. Some clubs let them mount up to a ridiculous level. That is not happening so much these days becuase the authorities are tightening up with football and rightly so. As you might imagine it would not be proper for me to reveal the finances that Simon B. involved himself with but suffice to say things are a lot harder when cash flow springs to mind. You also try to budget for your gate receipts which again fluctuate. Barry

Some good posts again on the subject. Prozac raises important issues and I know if he could afford it at the present time he would contribute to the scheme. As I have said before nobody is to be judged on their financial circumstances and people must make their minds up as to whether they want to contribute or not. Having said that the succcess of the scheme depends on large numbers being involved. There is nothing sinister about Playershare and it is not driven by the club. It is a Trust initiative and something I looked into some years ago after seeing the effects at Bournemouth and Exeter. I just want to touch on the issue raised by some about the finances of the club and the assumption that the incoming transfer fees are likely to make a lot of difference. They merely reduce our deficit over the season. People will remind me that it was made public that we had set our budget for the year and would work within it. We have, but it must be remembered that in the meantime Simon Blitz resigned and certain financial issues that he would have dealt with now need to be paid for by the club. These are the times you realise what a good chairman we had and the finances he fielded from his own pocket. We now have to find some of that money. I hope this clarifies this one issue once and for all. I am often criticised for painting a bleak picture about the future of the club. That is not the case. I am merely being truthful and realistic. I know we will survive but a lot of hard work will be undertaken to ensure this. In the real world I do not believe I should have to appeal to fans to find money for schemes such as playershare and I am sometimes embarassed by doing so. Like other clubs it just seems that apart from paying for entry the true fans want to see the club survive and will help in whatever way they can. Thanks to all who are positive and helping out. Barry

Just returned from tonight's game and read the entire thread. Thank you to all the new members who have signed up in the last 24 hours. It is really appreciated. A lot of excellent points have been made regarding the scheme and it really is an individual choice and opinion as to what people think and do about the scheme. At a few clubs it has been a lifeline these past few seasons, Bournemouth being an example. Some misunderstanding is clearly evident. My reference in the past to the transfer window was merely an example as to how funds would build towards such a period at a crucial time when managers are seeking out key positions in a drive for promotion or to save relegation. It is not the case that playershare is retricted for transfer window signings only. Membership to playershare is not based on moral or judgemental issues and everyone has to make a choice on the principles they hold on the matter.For me it is a simple decision. If extra funds can enhance the squad I would like to think that my small donation has gone some way to helping the club.Others might feel.that they contribute in other ways. Unfortunately there are a rare few who have advocated strongly against this scheme in an effort to put people off, who do not fit into either category. Strangely these are the same people who thought it their right to avail themselves of complimentary tickets or believe they have a right to free entry home or away. Their beliefs in this respect are an insult to the paying supporter and those who help this effort. Be under no illusion ,the manager is very thankful for our effort to date in trying to help and he is aware that on this occasion the request has come very quickly upon us. The player is operating on a non-contract basis at the moment and we do not know at this stage what is in the pipeline now the window has closed. I apologise if anyone thought I was being unreasonable on this occasion but I cannot promise the club money that is not there. At least if enough members commit I know what the weekly cashflow will be for future wage commitments. My appeal was meant to accelerate membership to see how viable this or other signings might be.I hope this explains my thoughts behind the appeal. Once again thank you to all who are helping. Barry

I take on board all the points you have raised. On choices of players to bring in I must trust the management team. He will not be the highest player in the club but any wages are substancial enough to find if they are coming out of a pocket or the funds of the fans. In lots of ways we believed it may have been easier to get one of our transfer listed players out but every club at the moment are carrying a surplus of players.Hence they only ask for the best you have and those are not available anyway. Every player training with us, or on a short term contract eventually knocks on the managers door for a more permanent deal, even if only for one year as in this case. I apologise for the lateness of this request but I have only been faced with the dilemma in the past few days and developments over the weekend were a consideration. If this transfer is not possible because of the late requests then we will move forward. Like everything else in football you just do not give up until the final minute before the deadline. I just hope you can all help on this or other occasions. Thankyou Barry

Nice to see you on board again Lags. This has come very quickly upon us as far as the playershare scheme is concerned. I have thanked people for joining and I know in the long term the scheme can help, but we need more people on board to make a real difference. Rick's mail is very genuine and comes about after my talks with the management and Simon C. We know that our squad needs trimming but as I sit here there does not seem any real prospect of players moving from the club before the deadline. Believe me this is not a marketing stunt. If we cannot sign the player on a permanent deal than that will be it. The clubs finances are stretched and cannot continue in that manner. This players however will add to the squad and those that have already seen him will know why. Simon C is aware that this publicity is going out because a decision has to be made in the next 24 hours. I know he will not mind me telling you that YET AGAIN he is prepared to pay a substancial amount of the players wage from his own pocket. I am aware that this request will cause comment to be made, good and bad, but we are trying to accomodate the manager with the best squad that we believe could do us proud. At the same time we are very much aware that the squad needs cutting. Barry

Whatever reasons apply I was very disappointed with the gate yesterday. Some excellent points made on this thread that make a lot of sense. The public will ultimately determine the level of football played at Oldham in the future. We have a changing population and the previous traditional football fan is literally dying off. The rugby are finding the same problem. We are mindful of making inroads into this problem but it is not easy. On a more senstive nature some very strict measures have been taken with regards to complimentary tickets and free car park entry.This has affected many people, some of who post on this site who were receiving free tickets wrongly. The club is working hard to eradicate these wasted revenue streams and at least we are trying to get a level playing field for everyone. The abuses have been recognises and I still find it annoying that those who were getting free entry present a case that they feel justified their actions. The indviduals concerned fail to see that it is a nail in the coffin of the clubs existence when they seek such indulgence. I am sure that those involved will not be posting a response. I hope I am supported by all those fans who pay their way. Barry

Maddog. Great idea . Thanks. I will get Rick to drop some with you. Thanks. Barry

Royle do you think people who live near you will join. Barry

Plenty of bodies really make the task easier and gives the scheme a higher profile. It would help if you could only take some leaflets in with you and distribute them on the row of seats near to you. We have discussed leaving on the seats but that can also be wasteful and lots of bodies are needed for that task anyway. The personal touch allows you to ask people if they will take a leaflet and possibly join. Nothing better than the personal touch. I really hope you can help. Thank you Barry

I If the posts are gebuine then it does worry me. I would urge those involved to make contact with me and I will arrange accordingly. Barry

BB80. Not to patronise. You Know I always follow your comments with a lot of interest, I think the lack of sponsorship also highlights some of the very difficult times everyone is feeling. It is not through a lack of effort at the club that sponsorship is still sought. Everyone can help is this respect and I know that the Trust tries to encourage people to sponsor. Inddeedc Rick A. has found someone this week. We know we need to mamimise the effort but when we are in the position that OAFC Prozac highlights, ot makes it more evident that we need to do well on the field for all the reasons we know about. Hope you are well BaRRY

Like it or not, the simple reality is that we need money from every source. The JPT can bring good revenue to the club, ask Carlisle.We need to go for everything we can. The billa still roll in. !!!!!!!!! Barry

For those whop are interested, some will be and some won't. I spoke to Lee Hughes this afternoon and we had a pleasant chat about the start of the season. He acknowledged our excellent win at Tranmere and asked what our crowd attendance was. He again remarked how good the support was when at Oldham. He was injured for tonights game and was rested with Saturday in mind. Being a true professional he knows what to expect on his return although he is hopeful that he receives a reasonable reception in the first instance. He remarked how some of the Notts County boys will need to get used to the division but their form should not be determined from last Saturday. He said that Huddersfield played exceptionally well and he thinks they will get promoted this time around. Anyway I wished him well for the remainder of the season after 5.00pm on Saturday.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I told him that any lapse of form should occur when we visit Notts. Barry

Thank for your comments Sheff. I will copy your mail and show him. Barry

Further to my previous mail Derek. You tread on very dangerous ground with you mention of offences Hughes was never charged with. Barry

I thought I knew you well enough for you not to get so upset Derek. It seems strange to me that you along with others feel qualified to pass moral judgement on people. That is different from expressing an opinion. Yes I am a fan and therefore I will express my opinion as others do. It is no secret that Lee Hughes is a friend of mine and do not condone what he was responsible for. Unfortunately he is not around to defend himself regarding you rude and offensive comments. Its people such as you that draw attention and inflame this matter. Why on earth would you want to insight argument about a player who no longer plays for us. This thread was about whether fans should boo or applaud him on Saturday. Barry

You can always rely on Derek Wilson to add class comments on the site. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Its a pity that your loyalty to the club was clouded by one signing. I suspect that you had other reasons also but you chose to use the signing as a scapegoat. It a pity that you, of all people, feel able to pass moral judgement on an individual. Barry

There does not need to be any arguments on these issues. Everyone makes choices whatever they think of the Trust. Thank you to those who support and stick up for us. After all we are only trying to do a job that will help the club. What I cannot take on the chin is any suggestion that might impinge on our honesty and integrity. The Playershare Scheme has been set up with Trust Directors and fans on its Sub=Committee. It has a totally independent account for the purpose it was intended. On the Scoreboard issue I understand that was a project undertaken by Sean Jarvis and not Trust related in any way. To be perfectly blunt our work on the Trust takes us from behind our computer keyboards and we would welcome fans to help us in our marketing work in the next few months. Barry

I echo the statement of Rick. It is for one purpose only. The honesty and integrity of the scheme replies on the objectives we have set. I am still encouraging people to join us and other methods of marketing will occur next week. If you are stuck with the on line method please shout up and we will guide you to other methods of payment. Thanks to all those who have joined to date and for donations received. Barry

I really do agree with you. It makes all the difference to the players, certainly the younger ones. Barry

Believe me he not the sort of person to be removed from the fans. He is a "grounded" sort of guy and think highly of our fans. Barry

This was a really enjoyable day out today. As with all first games everyone was nervous and in the early stages the game reflected that. Not going to patronise you all but the noise from our fans was different class. When the players were coming out they must have felt really lifted by the reception they got. They showed fighting spirit throughout the game and were quick to anything that Tranmere got. You can see the team spirit throughout. Even the management team were hugging each other at each goal and at the end. Spoke to the manager tonight and he was over the moon.He knows the team can play better but felt they they fought to a man. He was keen for the players to take the accolades and it was nice for the players to show appreciation that was meant. Whilst it is early days and no doubt we will have our rocky patches like everyone else the spirit is second to none. I know our fans are spread about at Boundary Park but it would be nice for the same noise to be made next week. I also hope we can improve our gate because today was value for money for those that could attend. The wine tastes good tonight.!!!!!! Barry

It was humbling to take Jack to the club yesterday to meet the management team and pass his donation over. Great guy with some good tales to tell. Latics is a big part of his life and he gave his donation Because that is WHAT HE WANTED TO DO. I will not belittle his efforts with discussions on the worth of his gesture but like me he believes that the fans input can make a diffference. At least we are trying to get something off the ground that could make a difference no matter how small. Anyway we continue to ask people to join and I hope you can see your way in helping us. Barry

Roger believe me any donations are welcome. Just contavct Rick A. and he will arrange. Thank you Barry