Barryowen

Can I say a massive thank you to all those who gave me messages of support and good luck prior to my surgery last week. Apart from OWTB I got message via other comunication channels and all your thoughts helped me at a very difficultt time for me. I am told the prostate cancer surgery went well and for those who might be interested my operation took place at Stepping Hill Hospital (no jokes) who have an excellent urology dept. The surgeon there Neil Oakley was on TV recently using a new 3 D robotic arm procedure that makes recovery that liitle bit easier. That is the option I chose. I am home now but somewhat slowly down with a few tubes in sensitive places. Too much information I think !!!!!!!!! Can I also offer a little advice. My Dad had this condition and I was screened for that reason. That is probably the one good thing that everything seems to have been caught early. If you get the chance to get screened insist on that happening. A simple PSA test at the doctors will help the process. Anyhow sorry to do my usual lecturing bit but hoping to help anyone out there who might thinks they need to be checked.. This is not a cancer that always has early warning symptoms. Anyone want to speak or chat let me know. !!!!!!!!! Once again thank you to everyone who helped me and I mean everyone. I am proud to be part of the Latics family. !!! As we all know familes squabble at regular intervals but when the chips are down pull together.. That is one valuable lesson I have learned these past two weeks. Thanks Barry

The forum had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Whilst I need to check I seem to remember that Rick Attwood initimated this on either this site or the official site. However I apologise if fans are offended by a lack of information. I am sure that something will be arranged in the future. On the topic of posting on this site. People will no doubt remember that I have been requested on numerous occasions to cease or limit my imput. I am avaIlable to assist any individual or group and have never refused to do this. Only today did I send my e mail address to a fan to invite involvement in a problem being encountered. Barry

FLAGMAN Please e mail me at Bowen97758@aol.com with your mobile or home number and I will speak to you. I have not receive e mails from you on this topic before. Barry

Sorry to post so late but got a lot of work on. Paul Dickov has always been keen to maintain a good relationship with fans whether we are going through good or bad times. After the Charlton game he requested that we held a forum sooner rather than later. We have arranged for a forum to be held at the Milan Bar and Restuarant, Lees on Wednesday 18 April 2012, 7.30pn for 8.00pm. The whole coaching team will be in attendance with other guests if available. Admission will be £5 and a raffle will be held. All proceeds will go to the club. Rick Attwoood will announce ticket sale information in due course. It is hoped that a second forum will be held before the end of the season for our younger supporters aged 16 to 21 years. We have noticed that at previous forums our younger supporters are not present and we aim to rectify this. Barry

Sorry for posting late but only just arrived back home. Great to go to the Reebok with so many young players travelling. It served as a reminder what misfortunes can occur in football. Great display of tributes with shirts from all over the country and other nations. A great win and well done to those that travelled. Good experience for the young boys in the team and on the bench. Not a game for the purists but this was our first win that I can remember at Hartlepool for a long time. I am sure Prozac will give us the details. M Voto and Brown were massive for us at the back and I think that the young United player is best in this position. We have played better lately and lost but this does not detract from a tremendous 3 points and a great night for the players who grafted from start to finish. Hartlepool were not the finished article and we road our luck at times but they had very few chances. Hope the win cheers fans up at a time when things have looked pretty hopeless. KTF. Barry

Please don't read me wrong. Pitch inspection at 2.00pm Tuesday will decide if fit enough to play that night. Apologising in advance in case match goes to Wednesday. Barry

Can I first of all apologise to all fans who may be affected by any different arrangements that may need to occur. I have spoken to Chris Turner the Chief Executive at Chesterfield who assures me that the frost covers have been on since last Friday. Currently half the ground is affected by bad frost. My experience to date is that these covers do not always provide adequate results. After discussions with the Football League and our the manager, together with the Chesterfield administration, it was felt that Wednesday was the ideal time for both clubs to play the tie. Many facts come into consideration, not least the pile up of games that could occur over the next few weeks. It is fully appreciated that this arrangement, if necessary, will not suit everyone and that people will have taken time off and made travel arrangement for Tuesday night. We regret any difficulties this may cause people. The squad is fit to play this game and are raring to go, perhaps another factor in the managers mind. !!!!! Hope everyone understands. Regards Barry

Owdhead. I don't mind being blamed for things I might have done or not done but this is the first thing I have heard about any e mail. I simply have not received anything from you. I am sorry if you think you have being ignored. I do not work like that. Please contact me if I can help you at :- Bowen97758@aol.com Barry

I do not comment on the site very often because I was asked by fans not to. However I frequently visit to grasp the feeling of fans and take very careful note of what is said. On this occasion I need to rationalise the situation. My first and foremost duty as Chairman of the Trust at the present time is to represent the fans interests. Whilst some disagree I do my utmost to fulfill this duty. Since the unfortunate and very quick retirement of Alan Hardy someone has had to do much of the day to day work associated with the responsibilities that a Chief Executive post carries. All of my colleagues on the Board have other jobs to consider whilst I am retired. My wife would disagree that I have sufficient time to do the work I am doing and many private sacrifices have been made to help the club. I have neither the desire or intention to seek the role on a full time basis and my activities are merely to help until a successor to Alan is found. The post has recently been reviewed and applicants sought.I am not one of them. I am happy with my lot and what I do voluntarily for the club. During Alan's retirement I have not been compromised in any way and indeed as in all cases the best interests of the club always come first whatever task I do. Whilst I do not have to justify myself with my past experiences, I can assure everyone that after serving as a Director for 7 years and after drawing on my administrative and man-management experience in my previous work, I have found little difficulty in assisting the club in a temporary capacity. Other Board Members are equally qualified. With hindsight it may have been better to merely sign off as " Director" as opposed to "Acting Chief Executive" in the few documents that the statement appears,but given that I pay little attention to titles, I did not believe that anything would be read into it. I hope this clarifies any confusion in the matter Barry

Jenny has done a great job getting a firm to get some scarves made. Even though times are bad not a lot of companies want orders with a short time scale certainly over the Christmas period. We have made an initial order but people can make a pre-order at the shop on payment. You can then pick them up when they arrive or if you are travelling from the club on the day the shop will be open for you to collect. Obviously we are working to a tight schedule so order now to be sure of one from the order we have placed. If there is a bigger demand than we expect, we will do our best to accommodate everyone. Sorry if you don't like the design but again to get the orders underway we had to keep it fairly simple. I do like the design but more importantly it will be good to see a sea of blue with fans waving above their heads. Barry

Janet I am so sorry to hear about your loss. The clubs thoughts are with you. If there is anything I can do please contact me by PM. I am sure that if you want any recognition through a club that your brother clearly loved you would feel just a little better. Barry Owen

Yes the prices will be published shortly Barry

The Lads played really well last night. The JPT, like it or not, can bring much needed revenue into the club. Yes we are taking the competition very seriously because if we get to Wembley this helps to ease the ever increasing daily pressures at the club. We need the fans to boost our chances and follow us along the way. Barry

Thanks to all the new members. You really do help all of you. Barry

Please join if you can. The big man was impressed when he knew that some of the fans money was helping to pay him. Barry

Not been home long from the club after a long evening. The signing of Kuqi in my opinion is a fantastic move and one the manager has been chasing for some time. He was in demand but has chosen to play for an ambitious management team. Again tremendous support from the Chairman who goes out of his way to accommodate the ambitions of the club. Whilst the club is paying the majority of the wages, Playershare has had an input in helping. A big thank you to all of you who support the scheme. get more info about the scheme here www.laticsplayershare.co.uk it's never to late to join and ever £1 really does help This arrangement will wipe the funds dry over the coming months and we need to increase membership and income to help in transfers such as this. Please join if you can. Once again thank you for the support you give. I am sure the manager has made a good choice with this signing. My the way I was very impressed with the Norwich boy when I met him. Another good aquisition. Regards Barry

Lags Can you bring our two to the dinner on 21st. Thanks Barry

Can I say a huge thank you on behalf of Playershare to all those who organised the Race Night at the Rifle Range on Saturday Night. In particular Glynn Roberts who has spent long hours on the event. Also a thank you to Mark the licensee for his efforts and letting us use the pub for the meeting last week. First time we have met and it was nice to exchange ideas and views from people who are clearly true Latics fans. I am sorry I could not make the event but I am told it was a great night. Well done and lets hope this is the start to a wider membership and effort towards Playershare. Barry

Just a reminder to snap up your tickets for this "do". Great menu with entertainment. Paulo Dickov and his wife Jan will be present and looking forward to meeting new friends. Gerry Taggart, Paul Butler anf his girlfried will also be there. Joe Royle and his wife will also be present. Criag at the Milan Bar want to make this a night for everyone to remember and at the price, tickets are a real steal. Hope to see you there. Paul will also address the guests. Barry

Thanks Lags. Food will be usual excellent standard and Craig has done us proud with a great menu. Hope you can encourage others to attend. Need to balance the Trust books on this occasion and as you know we will be raising more money for Playershare in due course. Thanks for your ongoing efforts. I have been in touch with Glynn Roberts to do my little bit re race night. A great night in propect. !!!!!! Barry PS In the I.O.W, will speak on return

Lee Please contact me re some spnosorship. If you want to come eo a Playershare Meeting just give me a shout. Barry

Great Lee. Thanks for your support. If you need any help just shout up. Barry

This night at the Milan will go towards Trust Funds for reasons I will not bore you with. We have other irons in the fire to raise futher money for Playershare. Barry

If you are going Rummy do you want me to see if something else can be put on. Barry

This will be a great night. Food excellent at this venue and you have a choice. Get your tickets early. Limited number Barry