Barryowen

Sorry I am late coming back to you. Take your point Lags but orginally it was going to be a dinner at £30-35. We wanted to try and be a little more up market than the £7 Playhouse night and thought a good compromise was a decent buffet and entertainment at the £15 tag. I appreciate it aint easy for many and if it does not prove to be succcessful we will have to go back to the Playhouse type of function. Hope you can still make it though all of you. Barry

At one stage I thought it best not to get involved in this debate. Many members of OWTB will recall the times in the past when I have been requested to keep off the site and not post. That had nothing to do with my attitude but people pointed to the fact that the intrigue of the debate was being spoiled because I was actually giving truthful and accurate answers based on my knowledge of the club and the job I was doing. I think Metty makes some good points,although I feel he is a little bit dogmatic as to my role and his sympathy towards posters. It is many years since he was a director of the trust and many things have changed. The demise of the Supporters Asssociation has seen the Trust take on ALL roles which has not been easy. I can take personal criticism but when it comes to my colleagues on the trust being maligned that rattles my cage (sorry). They work vrey hard and are "doers" as opposed to "talkers" I , like Metty do not agree with Prozac's position. I have no personal gripe with Paul but my impression is that he wants to do a lot of talking and representation without putting any real work into a task. We have encouraged him to join the Trust from where he can make a difference but he choosed to use the excuse that because he does not believe in the Trust he will not join. In the first place, the Trust many years ago was elected by the fans and those successful joined the Board. The election dictated the Chair position in those early days. Trust members complete an awful lot of work that goes unnoticed. Meetings, commitments and assisting the club takes many hours and I suspect that many "talkers" on this site are put off by the commitment. I am fortunate that I am retired and can put a great deal of time and work into the club. My effort and interest in the fans, with respect, is no less that other persons who boast of their popularity and role within the eyes of the chairman. I have offered on numerous occasions to meet fans. I have had personal correspondence with numerous fans to help them but I don't publish every bit of work I do. The advantage of the fans having a representative on the board is that the Trust has a working knowledge of how a football club is run on a daily basis. There is no doubt that the Trust website needs updating and this will be done. I would hope then that better communication can be attempted. We have some new members taking interest in working with the Trust and I would encourage anyone else to come along and commit yourself. To attempt further representation with a splinter group is just plain ridiculous. And before anyone attacks me, I have no personal issues with any individual but I am entltled to defend myself. If you want to ask a question please do so. If I can answer you I will. Unfrotunately I cannot always commit myself to the same amount of time that other posters have on OWTB because I have other active tasks and commitments for the Trust and Club.

Just a reminder about the above function at the Village Hotel on 24 July 2013. I know the manager is really keen on the event which gives the players and fans the chance to mingle and chat. Having spoken to a few of the new players they have not experienced such an event in the past and they are really looking forward to the night. We have arranged a good buffet and a "Motown Group" will provide entertainment. We need a good turn out on the night and I am sure that this will encourage the boys when they venture to the league games. Get your tickets and enjoy a good night out. Barry

Keeping an eye on you lolololololo Barry

Anyone in the ground when we played West Ham in the Cup when Harry Redknapp and John Bond played. John Bollands our goalie that day. Which game was it when the crowd surged forward in the Chaddy End and those at the front nearly got crushed to death. In excess of 42.000 in the ground. Sorry another rolling stone.!!!!!!!!!!!! Barry

I always engaged. I just happen to be on holiday in the I.O.W. Latics fans on the island please get in touch again . Will meet up. Festival great. Killers tonight were fantastic. Contrary to opinions of some,still life in the old dog. No seriously, if you ain't been to the I .O.W festival try and fit it in. Great for the kids as well. Will answer your queries on return.

As many of you will appreciate the last 24 hours have been somewhat hectic to say the least. I have had numerous messages, telephone call, e mails and texts from fans who have been concerned about recent events. This just illustrates the support and feeling that people have for our club and I just want to thank you all for showing so much interest and taking the time to contact me. I hope that my statements and interview have gone some way to alleviating fans fears and anxieties. Please feel free to make contact at any time. An announcement will be made shortly about an event in July at the Village Hotel, Ashton-u-Lyne. Details will appear on the official site when arrangements have been finalised. Suffice to say that the manager Lee Johnson is keen to give fans an opportunity to meet the playing staff before the season starts. The night will include a buffet and entertainment. This should be a great night with some new faces around. !!!!!!!!!! Regards Barry

I am meeting with Simon when he returns from abroad regarding the Supporters Bar in the new stand. I am hoping that a fans sub-committee can be set up to discuss the furnishing and running of the bar. This was discussed at last nights Trusar Meeting. Barry

Well spotted Alex as I blush. Sorry folks. Reads bad. Should obviously n ot have the word "not". Barry with a blush !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can assure all our fans that the reality of the situation regarding a 100% fans take over is unrealisitc if you want to preserve league status over a prolonged period. If you are faced with no other option, even then, you would need the support of business and finance alike. Portsmouth Football Club is not wholly being run by the fans group. There are about 6 other business men assisting the running of the club. It is not about expertise but is reliant on cash flow and input. Quite simply you can only spend what comes in and the revenue stfreams at Oldham are such that the wage bill for players would be very low. I am not being totally honest with fans in this respect. Barry

You8 can PM me

I did an interview for Latics Player at 3.30 pm this afternoon. Unmfortunately, as many of you will be aware there are problems with the server and the club staff have been unable to place the interview on the site. In the meantime I have released a statement prior to the interview appearing. I hope this helps. I have never moved my position that the interests of Oldham Atheltic Club and its fans are paramount and fans should be a\ware that whatever challenges fall before me I will never fail to recognise my responsibilities. Barry

In my role as the Chairman of the Trust I feel obliged to clarify a number of issues brought about by prevous rumours and a release apparently by Greater Manchester Radio. I am aware , like many other fans that the Chairman has never hidden the fact that the club has always been for sale If it is in the interests of the club for him to do so. He has always remained adamant that any buyer (or buyers) would have to show that the long term interest of the club were safeguarded. As touched on a few weeks ago by a poster the trust would also have similiar interests. I am unaware as to why the Vaughan consortium would wish any interest they may have to be public knowledge and why they would think that might be helpful in their quest. I am not aware of any formal offer that has been made for the club and I am sure that if such accasion did arise the Chairman would bring that to the notice of the Directors. Whilst I do not wish to discuss the Trusts 3% of shares of course that may or may not be of interest to any buyers. Thatr would be the case whether it was the Vaughan's or any other bidder. It is also the case that any buyers or those connected to a consortium are subject to scrutiny by the Authorities and a test applies asa to whther they are fit and proper people. You can be assured that I have full confidence in the Chairman in looking after the cluibs interests and in all circumstances I would continue to act in the interests of the fans with vigour. I cannot add anything further on the matter but if anyone is concerned please pop down to our meeting tonight. Regards Barry

The manager has other players in mind when he is setting his stall out for signings. Unfortunately deadlines have to be set and in this case they were. We have a manager who will not be held to ransom. He wants to formulate his team and will not wait around missing out of possible signings because he is waiting to hear from someone who has had an offer. Havinmg said that the game is so flexiible that you sometimes miss out of a signing and a player comes back to you after the deadline date. There are so many players wanting a club at the moment and many are trying to play different clubs off. The secret is that you have to try and get your main signings in the bag and after that many players become cheaper as time passes. Barry

Sorry re the mistakes, pressed the button before I corrected.

Paul I promised I would get back to you. as I said I do agree with many points you make. I really do beleive in the principle that any organisation benefits from differenmt outlooks and views and indeed varying age group. I think you do yourself a bit of a dis-servfice because I know weher your heart is and I would encourage you to re-think your views on the Trust. Whatever the model is, it is there to be moulded and developed and you have the ability to be part of that. The issue of being a Director and Fan Representative can be very difficult and there are clashes, but overall the knowledge of how a football club works cannot be understated.. The Trust Directors are volunteers at the end of the day and have a limited time available. I have never liked or been a "yes" man and respect those with different views to myself. Thanks for enquiring how I am. Great. !!!!!!!!!. Just lookig forward to a new season and getting some new faces into the place. We need to have a long chat sometime. Barry

I don't know if you were around at the time that fans had the opportunity to vote for people they wanted to make up the Trust. We were all required to put a past history together on which people could vote. It was on that basis that the orginial 12 people were democratically elected by the fans. I doubt you know me properly and I also doubt if we have met. Perhaps those that have met me will have formed different views for good or for bad. I get on with most people and have little time to decide if a person is my type. On the basis of the kids you seem to have made judgement out of ignorance. I have worked hard for the Matchday Club and always support the Boundary Blues, although I am bound to say perhaps more could be done. The decisions made after the encroachment were made by the Board of Directors and not me personally, so why make a personal assessment. I mention the word ignorance because you seem not to want to understand the consquences for the club of not doing anything. The FA and Football League, like it or not place stringent rules on clubs regarding their fans conduct. Heavy fines and sanctions can be imposed whether we agree or not . It matters not whether we think they are being kill-joys or small minded, we have to show we are prepared to act positively.. Talk of more stewarding or polcinig mean money and its money we aint got believe me The kids that have been identified will not be banned. They will be advised accordingly regarding conduct overall within the ground. The adults concerned because of their history are a different matter and suitable sanction will occur.. These are the sanctions we have promised the FA with the likelihood of a big fine if we had not treated the matter seriously. Call me what you want, but I would rather take proper action and have some money to spend on players rather than fines. OAFC, it you would like to meet up for a pint before a game sometime give me a shout. It would be a pleasure to exchange views. Barry

oafc. You make a lot of valid points other than your reference to an ageing ex- copper. To be perfectly frank with you that is damn right rude. Nothing shocks me and I get on with all age groups surprising as it might seem to you. When the stick comes out and I can't hack it I will let you know. Barry

Strange as it might sound Paul I agree with a lot you are saying (not everything). I am going out to a meeting and will come back to you later. Barry

I have started a new thread because the main topic now contain many diverse topics. I have little doubt that I will be rebuked for rising to the bait but at times I really do need to come back at some posters to put matters into context. I notice from the thread a number of comments from Prozac and let me say from the outset that my replies are not meant to be personal. Indeed without partronising him I have to say that I admire his forthright and intelligent arguments. I respect his views although on many occasion they conflict with mine. I am partuclarly interested Prozac in your comments that "club officals" have encouraged you in the past to have a more hands on approach. I am interested to learn more from you because as you know you have been invited on numerous occasions to be a part of the Trust and/or Playershare. As with others, this invitation has been extended to any form of help that can be given without individuals commiting to a formal position on these bodies. It is very easy for people to say that will not work with the organisation because the, "do not agree with the model". In that case why not join to change or influence change. Whilst inflating ones own importance it is far too easy to criticise the Trust and its workers. They do a fine job and in the past ten years they have done more than do a odd couple of "do's". In their period of existence the Trust has been responsible for "aiding" the club with finance in excess of £100.000. The seat on the Board has allowed us to have an indepth working knowledge of football and who knows when that knowledge may be called upon. Rather than people crticise, any of you join us and help the cause. The question of Playershare was my idea and I submitted a report to the Trust some 8 years ago to form such an organisation. Over a period of time it became obvious that the scheme was too insular and needed greater representation from fans who were willing to give some time to this kind of work. Believe me I was delighted for this to occur and I am both proud of the scheme and those who work with us. In respect of my own role I have offered on numerous occasions to meet fans, attend meetings and address anyone who want to know of the working of the Trust or my position as a Director. People like to talk but never attend the meetings. Whilst due publcity has not been given yet, in the near future the constitution regarding membership of the Trust is to change. Membership will become open to fans who register their membership via e mail and only donations will be sought. Voting rights will not rely on payment. I am hopeful that this will encourage a wider membership and a greater willingness to work with the Trust. Yes, the Trust can be cricitised for many things and has learnt along the way but I would merely point out that its Directors and helpers are voulnteeers and do not get paid for their work. I would also like to add that the whole perception of the Trust differs from one fan to another. In a technical sense we are what it says on the label. We are Trustees who main task should be to overlook the interests of the club. It is not really within their remit to take over the responsiblities of the "Supporters Association" who should be fullfuling tasks in ther own role whilst raising money. By default these tasks have fallen on the Trust. I hope this help to clarfiy a few points. Before finishing I would also like to point out that at no stage duting my tenure as a Director have I receive money for any work I have done even when helping to fill the gap after Alan Hardy left. Those who fancy a crack at the job, become a Trust Director and stake your claim against the rest. Just one warning , make sure you have enough time to do the job properly. Regards Barry

I think a couple of things need clarifying. The authorities are not humoured by pitch invasions for whatever reasons. It is also the case that safety and policing comes into the equation and can be very costly for the club. A great deal of time and trouble was taken in preparing a full report to the FA that had to outline the measures that the club would take to prevent such occurences. These are not false promises and the FA often follow up on action promised. Had the encroachment occured at the final whistle I suspect a blind eye may well have been taken. During playing time you are under scrutiny, like it or not. We took the trouble as I say, to submit a full and proper report and I believe that assisted in no action being taken along with the measures we are taking with supervision issues. This is not about being miserable ot taking a Victor Meldrew approach but more to do with upholding our standards and good name. It is also the case that we have a responsibility to ensure that other fans get to see the game in a pleasant atmosphere. That did not occur for many last year due to the conduct of many kids. Barry

The club will not be fined on this occasion Barry

Great scheme. Thanks Barry

Simon was on business abroad. Ticket prices out next week. Barry

At the moment I suspect that the usual £50 ticket will be an option and that may be the premium that unsupervised young fans may have to pay.It was the case many years ago that with such tickets, youngsters became members of the Junior Blues.