Barryowen

Hi Pete. Such a small world. Did not realise who you were when posting. Remember us bumping into each other in Robinhill Park some years ago and then we popped in to see you when you were working for Thomas Cooks. Nice to see you are still a keen fan. Down on the Island in June. Take car Barry Owen

I fully respect Lagsy and the points he was making. I fully understood mainly what he was saying. I am aware that there is a view held about the ownership of the money and it is not a view held by me. The respect you gain to being a Director amongst your colleagues and everyone else is not a right and as has to be worked for. Believe me this can take a great deal of time. I would not attempt to list the work that is done on a daily basis that involves the Directors who work very closely as a team. Alan Hardy for instance very rarely does less than a 12 hour day. I agree that the question and answer format that we did recently is the best way forward but this particular subject did need some comment from myself to the members at this early stage. Regards Barry

Simon is entitled to his opinion if that is the one he holds. One thing is certain the money was raised before they came involved and was not raised for their purpose to purchase or invest privately. Had the money not been held legally in trust it might well have been that it could have been swallowed up by the administration and nobody would have seen the money at all. I get quite annoyed by suggestions that have been going on for years that the money was the "clubs" as though it belonged to other persons other than the people who raised the money "the fans". Yes the fans did raise money for the club which resulted in them seeing an interest for their money. Why do you feel that the club board are quite happy to have me with them as opposed to any new member that might be elected. I am interested in the point you make. Barry

You are usually more on the ball than this Lagsy. The money was raised by the fans, through the game as well, to use on the fans behalf in the best interests of the club. It certainly was'nt raised to assist any private investor that might come in, to effectively reduce their investment price. Whether people agree, the sum of money involved bought the fans a voice at the club. People have different opinions as to the worth of that investment as they have towards the Trust. A lot of Trust Directors have remained on board for the past five years because they have been willing to put their spare hours into working towards the Trust aims in helping the club. We are always willing to take new blood on board but in the past people have been reticent in coming forward. Yes you are right I am up for re-election shortly but I am sure the membership would not give up the three percent on that basis lololololol. If not re-elected and that is for the membership to decide, a new chairman would evolve for the Trust. As it stands I am more than happy to fulfill my promises to fans when I started the job. On the 3 percent issue I note your comments that are not dis-similiar to the many phone calls I have received from members. The initiative is with the owners to come forward with proposals that the membership can consider and to date discussions have not yet started as to what these might be. Sorry about the result today . Regards Barry

oafc0000 you are perfectly well aware that I am not remote from the fans. In the past I have been strongly persuaded not to participate in the many debates that occur on the board. Don'y ask me why but that has always been the case. In the early days I was often subjected to much abuse and perhaps I too have learned a great deal since then. I love representing the interest of the fans and that is my first and foremost responsibility. Metty hits the nail on the head with our participation in the club and why it is so important to have representation within. I have seen it mentioned that our percentage is worthless. If that is the case why does another shareholder require us to relinquish our interest. Shareholding in a football club, whatever the holding has little value. The assets are retained in the ownership of the land etc. Simon Corney has kept me well informed of this current interest and matters are a long way from being settled. I have my personal views about Trust involvement and when or if any proposals are put to the Trust these will be discussed with the Trust Board and its solicitor. Thereafter nothing will occur without full consultation with Trust members. The Trust wil always work with the best interests of Oldham Athletic in mind both at the current time and with an eye on the future. I often see the opinion expressed that Trust Oldham works too closely with the club. I make no apology for having the alternative view. We do not exist to be obstructive or difficult because we gain little respect from the ownership. We all exist to make the club better and work together with that aim in mind. That is why I believe that Trust Oldham retains respect and integrity within the game. It was great to see a lot of fans at the do in Shaw last night. I am always available to speak to any fan or group of fans on any matter. This occurs on a regular basis but is not obviously reported on. Keep the Faith and enjoy tomorrow. Barry

Not just a Director of the Trust but a very true loyal friend. Jim you will be sadly missed by us all. A fair minded man who loved the club. Our condolences to all the family. Barry Owen RIP Jim

I appreciate people had picked things up on different websites but I am merely directing people to the official site for confirmation of what Alan H has done this evening. Barry

Please see official site. Barry

To all Oldham fans wherever you are based. I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year. You have already proved to be the best away supporters in the league and lets show all the players on Saturday what Oldham AFC means to you. On every other front everything is being done to fulfill the hopes and desires of everyone !!!!!!. Regards to you all Barry

I have been asked to appear on the show. Hope you can listen in for first hour or so. A couple of jounalists have been invited along with someone from Stockport County. Barry

Thanks for all the questions you have posed. I have now finished the replies and sent them to the managers of OWTB. I am sure they will get them published on the site asap. Good luck for tomorrow. Lets hope for a good win against a side who will not be easy to beat. Regards Barry

Ignoring the negative comments. Just a quick note. Lee does have an agent. Barry

I have read the many posts on the question of Lee going to Doncaster for £400.000 and the position the club has been left in since this became public knowledge for whatever reason. There have been a massive amount of hits also on the topic which has persuaded me to post on the matter. Please forgive me for opening another thread on this. Let me first of all comment on the excellent number of points that have been made and in many cases you have all answered the several number of ways that matters regarding Lee could be dealt with. A great deal of work went into the signing of Lee Hughes in the first instance and for my part I was working on it for over six months. Other Director worked equally as keen to secure the move. I for one would not want to throw all that away. Lee is a great player for us and that is recognised in every quarter. The owners are committed to trying to keep him at the club and do not always announce in public any negotiations that are taking place. We think about our players and our fans and nobody wants to see our best players leave the club. Having said all that nobody can deny a footballers right to seek a better living for himself. That goes for Lee and every footballer I have met to date. He likes Oldham, he is settled and would like to stay. The rights written into his contract are no different to those of some other footballers. It is just unfortunate that these have been released in the press. As many of you have expressed, the owners have to look at the price of any contract as it relates to the clubs finances at a given time. Believe me we are fortunate to have owners who want promotion and progress and do not automatically think of their losses along the way. I fully appreciate the many diverse opinions on the matter but the general feeling seems to be that people want Lee to stay. Lets hope it all works out that way. It will not be a matter of people not trying. Barry PS Thanks for all the other questions which I will work on and get back to you asap.

If my memory serves me correctly was he not responsible for keeping us in Div One Barry

Lags nice to hear from you. Hope you are well. I would be typing for hours if I went into all the specific detail. There is a lot of uncertainty on what really occurred and there is a lot of confusion arisen. The lad himself cannot say they were Leeds fans involved and officials are convinced that their fans could not have got into the area involved. I am satisfied that I have done everything I can and I am just glad that the lad has not got any serious injuries. The fan was also involved with altercations outside the ground and by his own admission had plenty to drink prior to the game. I think he is a bit surprised the incident has received so much comment and I don't think I am doing him any favours by going into further detail. Barry

Hi folks. Just to add my thanks to all who helped and those who have shown concern. Spoke to fan personally tonight and he is also thankful of concern shown. Barry

The club is not aware of any official approaches in respect of Lee. My own opinion is that he wants to stay at Oldham and is looking forward to the new season. This again looks like some mischief making probably by agents. I intend to put money on him being our top scorer next season !!!!!!!. Barry

Sorry missed the spell check Barry

For your information boys Lee is doing really well and gaining full fitness. He is rarin to go and is for eager. I for one will be putting monmey on at the bookies for top scorter in this division. He is really focused believe me. Barry

Sorry folks only just got ther chance to come back onto the site. Did not throw a one liner in to get at anyone at all. I am sorry if anyone has been offended by what I considered was a mere observation and not a criticism This was a joint venture by the two organisations and I thank those that organised it for their efforts. I believed that the event had been publicised sufficiently through the press, tannoy and other means but clearly we have failed you on this occasion. Perhaps more should have been done closer to the date and that observation will be taken on board. Please be assured of my best intentions in this matter. Barry

Disappointing turnout tonight. Thought a lot more fans would have been interested. Barry

Just a point of interest for you. In the past seven games Mr. Kettle has refereed us we have won seven. !!!!!!!!!!!! Barry quote name='BESASTIAN11' date='Mar 30 2008, 10:25 AM' post='117067'] Referees name yesterday lol Thought he wasnt the best ref never a pen never a booking for goal celebration lots of throws and corners the wrong way. let him of as it was bad conditions. Who cares tho. as we played nearly as good as we did against carlisle

Lets all stay positive. In a lot of ways we have been very unlucky this season. In my opinion we are not far off being a good team when you look at the number of 1-0 defeats we have had and the games that would have been saved and won with our more experienced players around. Think what you like but the experience of Gregan and Liddell has been missed tremendously. Liddell's assists have never been replaced. Hughes being missing recently has not been helped and with a good pre-season of training I think you will see him bag a lot next year. It won't be the first or last disappointing season we have had at Boundary Park but I believe we have foundations to build upon. The younger players will be all that much better for the experience and with some of those senior players I have mentioned being around on the pitch with them I think we will see them progress much quicker. Some interesting posts and opinions as to who should be retained. For what it is worth my own opinion is that any team needs different personalities and characters around. Gary6 McDonald is a good club man and a good squad member. I have made the case out for Liddell. The presence of Gregan speaks for itself despite the many comments about his performances before he got injured. I just wish he had been around lately because I think we would certainly be a lot higher in the league than we are. The play off now looked doomed but I will not write them off yet until the figures don't add up. Not like you to be so despondent Derek and I would have thought that you would have seen hope for the future. No doubt players will be brought in to improve the squad. The Club is not resigned to having an average team and continues to strive to improve things all the time. We have an ambitious board!!!!!!!!!!! Barry

Hi Lags . Hope you are well. Not seen you around for a while. In my opinion it goes further than football matters. Rising costs in football and the fans ability to pay for his or her enjoyment is a key issue. As with Oldham you have to look at the infrastructure and what has happened over recent years with a failing economy. I believe we are a much poorer town now than we have been for years. With Walsall we also have a Midland club in an area blighted with massive industrial redundancies and I am sure they have also felt the strain. Regards Barry

Sorry Im late getting back Midsblue. Hughes should not be out too long and I know we made extra efforts to get strikers these past few days. Efforts I know are continuing. Barry