Midsblue

What does the FLG now own?  Just the north stand/OEC or do they now own all four stands, surrounding land etc?

The Clown owns just the club and pays / will pay the FLG rent?

I would have expected more news by now and uncertain why the individuals involved aren’t publicly known.  What have they got to hide?  What’s their plans?

Granted that demonstrating the OEC as profitable will entice investment and perhaps a buyout of the club from the Clown but that sounds even more slowly, slowly than Pennywise’s grand scheme.  By the time this happens, the club could be non-league, withering on the vine that even the FLG may see it sense to sell on the land again or relocate the club on a much downsized scale to then redevelop the current area.

For those who went, did you have a chance to chat to the manager and owner?

Any suggestion of other signings or is this it?  I didn’t expect for a second that we’d be signing the likes of Clough but we’re 2-3 strikers down with no #9 or #10 on the horizon.  COG is going/gone (although we needed someone better) and Vera isn’t the answer.

We have Rochdale this weekend.  Fortunately I’m away as I fear we’ll get battered by them... then again I’m fearing a bartering from any of the 23 teams in League 2 next season too.  We need at least 6 new players still.

Biggest mistake letting him go.  He’d still play the whole season for us if he was here and be the best defender on the pitch.

Fucking lunacy but nothing surprises me with those two fuckwits in charge.  Nothing has made me think otherwise in the weeks of pre-season ... in fact it’s cemented my view of their fuckwittery.

Unless we have 7 or 8 decent players lined up - 2 CBs, a playmaker, 2 strikers, a DM another fullback and a winger - then we’re fucked big style next season.  

That line up at the airport would have the opposition pissing themselves.

Other clubs around us are signing decent players in numbers.  We’ve signed two GKs, a fullback and a fucking Spanish donkey 

This’ll be a major OG for us next season.  PC had at least another season at this level - was a massive influence as captain and leading the back line.  Would have be crucial to the kids now coming through.

Uncertain what he was asking for wage-wise but if it was similar to last season then it’s a bargain.

19 minutes ago, ghostofcecere said:

In don’t see how you can be a director of a business and claim to not know what the business owns and what it doesn’t, and that you have a landlord you owe money too.

 

That’s just downright negligence in my book, that along with not submitting accounts for years in a previous organisation you were a director of. And we are supposed to trust that he’s part of another board of directors that will turn the fortunes of the club around?

This.  He actually went on record slagging off the previous owner of total incompetence, dodgy practices etc.  When it was the questioned that he was actually sitting on the board at the time, he claimed total ignorance.  This is total fuckwittery of the highest order.

I can’t be arsed to pull that recording on BBC Manchester but did he not state to Mike on that radio show that he knew it was happening but didn’t feel right to challenge Corney?  Something along the lines of...sometimes you question things in your head but keep to yourself.  Why?  It does imply that he turned a blind eye whilst still getting the trappings of a director ie seat in directors box, free food in boardroom, free tickets home/away & free travel to away games.  I’m uncertain if he got all this free though but that’s the impression I get.

I did witness him first hand once when I as invited to the boardroom and directors box for the Yeovil home game under Lee Johnson. He waltzed in like he was the owner and was just as opinionated and brash like he comes over on interviews.  He challenged me as to what I was doing there but fortunately Neil Joy (who I personally thought was excellent in his role, extremely courtesy and warmly welcomed me and my daughter) jumped in.  

Extremely odious individual who shows only contempt to fans.

21 minutes ago, TheBigDog said:

 

No you wouldn’t ...

Yes I would.  Guardiola would struggle with the squad at his disposal and no sign of strengthening.   Even more so being hamstrung by Pennywise.

Problem isn’t the manager.  Yet another sign of total contempt for our fanbase.  Supposed to be building bridges but this Clown is killing it off by the day.

The lack of any conference to welcome this new bloke speaks volumes.  Why announce it now if he’s joining July?  The Clown doesn’t give a fuck about a few comments meaning about the lack of an appointment.  This smacks of ticking a box - a patsy with control firmly sat elsewhere.

I always have that faint glimmer of hope that there’s always 2-3 teams much worse than us.  That said, I always thought that in L1 and look what happened.

I’m not even convinced that we’re “too good” anymore to avoid non-league football but this season I fear that we’ll be looking down in increasing panic over the season than looking up.  

There’s two months effectively to strengthen but we’re potless and, as per my other post, we’ll be gambling with unknowns from overseas rather than reliable domestic players.  I seriously see Lemsagam’s 3 year plan going backwards.

12/1 to be relegated is tempting but I’ve promised myself never to bet against my team.  Bottom half obscurity by March seems more likely.

Saw the announcement yesterday and normally I’d be rushing on here to post comment.  I guess it reflects just how much I’m disillusioned and disinterested in our club at the moment.  

To be honest, if we announced Guardiola yesterday I’d still be shrugging my shoulders.  Key here is recruitment rather than whoever’s coaching.  Granted tactics are crucial but if we’re going to trot out O’Grady up front then - no disrespect to Chris - we’re fucked even before we kick a ball in anger.  I’m anticipating an influx of more foreign unknowns now and with an open mind, they could all come good but FFS we’re in L2 and need players who know this league because our new head coach certainly doesn’t.  

Again its an own goal for Lemsagam - an opportunity to engage with the dwindling fanbase and excite prospective ST purchasers goes missing.  I wasn’t expecting Danny Cowley but there’s hundreds of domestic managers/coaches out there but our club is now too toxic for 95% of them.  Even an OAFC diehard in PW walked away from his dream job because of this cancer in charge.

I took more interest in a fans post that languishing in L1 with David Eyres in the autumn of his career is like Champions League football to where we are now.  That’s how far we’ve fallen.  Very sad times and whilst I’m expecting the worst this coming season, my heart is hoping that the unknown factor shocks L2 and we’re back in L1 come May 2020 with a crop of promising acquisitions from across the channel.

Listened to both the Owen & Lemsagam interviews.

I still don’t know what Owen adds to the club.  He’s quick to distance himself from Corney though, isn’t he?  Stated that he wasn’t happy with how Corney did things and admittedly didn't question them.  How the fuck can he sit on this current board having admitted that?!  

Also the knives are out for this FLG, their intentions on buying the ground and how close the Trust is to this FLG.  Lemsagam states club is 95% debt free but there’s suggestions rent to Blitz remains unpaid.  Is this the 5% or, as Owen implied, Corney got away with not paying rent but Lemsagam was made to pay rent ... and possibly refusing to pay because of this?

Frustrating thing is that we’re no nearer the truth because it’s sitting behind legal NDAs as if Lemsagam is suing Corney possibly Blitz for undisclosed debts that Lemsagam is claiming he’s had to pay out.  If this is indeed true and the Trust have seen sight of this at their meeting then why can’t they, Lemsagam and this FLG get together for the sake of our clubs future?

I’m just sick of it all now and just want to see progress on the pitch ahead of next season.  I don’t know who to trust (excuse the pun) now and I strongly believe this is the same for the other 1000-2000 fans yet to renew.  If Lemsagam does have funds then get that head coach in, sign some quality and demonstrate irrefutably his commitment for promotion.  The fans will renew then hopefully if he is indeed the fall guy, he can legally get compensation.

1 hour ago, kowenicki said:

 

 Not happening. 

Starting question -  ”who’s your favourite spice girl?”

3 hours ago, TheBigDog said:

 

A football club is unique in that way - although it is a business in many respects, it is also a passion and life for many, it is part of the fabric and structure of the town and community, and which team you follow is part of what defines you. This loyalty is present to varying degrees in all fans of a club.

 

You are correct in your statement for the most part. Whether the club is ‘wholly’ reliant on blind loyalty is a moot point. It is the core support that shows this loyalty, the occasional punter also has his/her part to play as does the financial backing of the owner.

But that core support has reduced over the years so the rot has to stop (remember that campaign?) and turn the tide of fans leaving.  Only way to do that is success on the pitch starting with a major shot in the arm.  Hopefully the Edmundson sale gives Lemsagam the opportunity to convince the stayaways to come back.

Mike; I hope you asked BO what he is adding to the club in his role?  

Genuine question as I haven’t a clue.  This bloke was part of the last regime that Lemsagam is criticising (and apparently going legal against) so what is he bringing to the table?  

Bloke is toxic - the only thing I recall his involvement on is the Ched Evan debacle and prior to that Lee Hughes?

19 minutes ago, deyres42 said:

He could probably say with good reason the fans haven't stepped up so why should I...?

How many STs sold last season?  I think we did then we were royally mugged off before the events towards end of season into close season have added to the misery.

Besides; were punters.  It’s down to the owner to produce a team that grabs the fans interest to buy STs, not the other way around.  Doesn’t happen anywhere else in commerce when the existence of a company is wholly reliant in blind loyalty of the punter.

17 hours ago, Lee Sinnott said:

Well done Aston #Villa on resetting their 'seasons without first team honours' clock to zero. Their 18 year wait was the 4th longest in English pro football. #avfc

 

The only longer ones?

3rd: Ipswich - 19 seasons #itfc

2nd: Everton - 24 seasons #efc

1st: Oldham - 28 seasons #oafc

Should nail that to the Clown’s office door ... or his fucking forehead 

Forget statements with no substance and promised talks with the Trust.  Talk is cheap.  

For the love of our loyal fan base - and your potential ST audience - show your commitment with some decent signings in the next fortnight.  Prove me wrong and get Lang signed up for next season and perhaps Surridge.  Decent GK & a flair midfielder.   Release a video statement “there you go, I’ve stepped up to the challenge .... now it’s the fans turn”.   Get a decent catch in who can motivate and deliver your “fast paced and technically good football” promise that’s prolific up top and watertight at the back.

That’s the only way you’ll secure anywhere near 3k STs again 

Obviously support Oldham & have done so for over 30 years now even though I had no connection to the club nor the town.  Mixture of a bet, which resulted in me following Oldham’s matches, and seeing them as the away team when attending matches with by older siblings etc.

I love watching football regardless of who’s playing but I do kind of follow the scores of -

Derby - lived there for 4 years and attended most of their home games 

Villa - most of my in-laws support so only follow to wind them up when they lose.  Needless to say I want Derby to win  

Huddersfield - work a lot there and our office was right near the stadium so cannot avoid taking about this club 

Tamworth - my hometown club albeit non-league.   Like Oldham, they flirted with success and was close to league football but been relegated a number of times since

From what I listened to Campbell’s interview, his tenure would have been much shorter than Scholes had he come here.

Campbell was complaining over the lack of money at Macclesfield and was dictating what the owner should do.  On one hand he was moaning he wasn’t being paid (then happened to mention the players weren’t being paid either) then he was demanding that Macclesfield paid for warm weather training in close season somewhere abroad.  Came over a spoilt brat totally out of tune with the finances at our level and priorities.

Jordan ripped him a new one claiming Campbell always plays the victim, hasn’t proved anything and avoiding relegation by skin of their teeth isn’t something to crow about.  Said that if he was owner of Macclesfield he would have sacked him immediately because of the interview.

6 minutes ago, Lukers1 said:

It was hilarious 

And true....

Andries Jonker... where’s the rumour come from?  Ineffective at Wolfsburg, right time/right place at Bayern under Van Gaal and a very , very patchy managerial record. 

He lasted two seasons headed Arsenal’s academy but majority saw this as a failure too.  Quite an abrasive character, falling out why Wenger and this led to his departure.  Spent quite a fortune there too.

Granted it could be £5 placed but where’s the name come from in the first place?

Fucking bonkers, our club.

Firstly thanks to the Trust members who attended this meeting.  FTAO of Trust members who attended.  

When Lemsagam confirmed that budget would be 100% better than last season, did you ask him to clarify what this meant as in actual increase?  It would be a valid and fair question and wouldn’t compromise any confidential information but just give us fans assurances of whether we get two COGs up front next season or another Surridge and hopefully Lang

Two things did make me chuckle from the minutes -

BO (club) asked what The Trust wants from this meeting.

I can imagine him actually saying this to open the meeting and in that tone 

BO (club) explained Mr Lemsagam has invested millions to stabilise the Club after it was left in a terrible state by the previous owner. It was explained that the Club was sold with undisclosed claims, debts and liabilities totalling millions of pounds.

Wasn’t he on that board alongside SC and involved in those decisions in running the club?

Genuine question - was BO’s arms firmly folded when he spoke?  Body language speaks a million words.....

I guess we all must be bullies for asking a genuine question as to why the minutes are taking so long to issue.  I’ll park it there but that accusation is not only laughable but divisive.

Anyway ..... Whilst these minutes are approved, the debacle rumbles on further....

Club states PW left due to personal reasons.  PW states he’s left because his direction differs to that of the owners.  Knowing PW is an OAFC fan and would only want the best for our club, this does again emphasise that the Clown’s plan will highly likely be different to 95% of the fans.  It also demonstrates that the Clown is fucking lying again.

If it’s going to take a further 4 days - sorry 2 working days - to produce, I hope they’re worth it and the Trust’s optimism is justified.  I’m afraid at moment every day brings even more concern from the mouth or actions of this fuckwit currently owning our club.  I emphasise currently because I hope he fucks off soon.... sad that I’m now preferring administration with him gone than the slow decline we’re experiencing with little or no reassurance from the owner.

1 minute ago, Andy b said:

You are being unrealistic and demands to act quicker won’t be well received I am afraid. We won’t be bullied into doing things that we are not comfortable with or moving at a pace which is unreasonable. In fact, it’s likely to have the opposite effect. 

 

Fans will have to live with that. 

 

 

Bullied?  FFS.  It’s just an observation.  

53 minutes ago, Andy b said:

You posted on a Wednesday complaining about the absence of minutes from a meeting which happened 2 working days ago. 

 

Dont know what line of work you are in but minutes from my meetings aren’t typically produced, signed off and issued in that timeframe.

Depends upon the sensitivity of those minutes and gauging the audience willing to read those minutes.  This wasn’t a regular, standard review but a meeting that’s been chased for months.

This isn’t a criticism of Darren because he’s taken on a role that the majority of us fans wouldn’t want.  I just ‘thought’ that as we’ve waited so long for this meeting then the minutes would have been issued sooner.

Onto your second paragraph -

Wasn’t it more than just one Trust member present - therefore content can be agreed and signed off pretty quickly?

The Trust role operates outside of working hours and not typical 9-5 so what’s working days got to do with it?  Yes it’s unpaid but I do unpaid work too alongside my job and often produce stuff over weekends etc to compensate if I know the content is in demand.  I guess we all operate differently - not a good nor a bad thing.

1 hour ago, Andy b said:

Thumb pressed firmly down, I assure you. We’ve met and our presence has been felt. That will remain the case. That’s the start but it’s only that.

 

The owner knows our stance and expectations. We will monitor his next steps against those expectations

and follow up. There is still no substance or detail behind his aspirations and so we will keep a watching brief on that. We are really not in a position to make wild demands however. 

 

Its a process folks. You won’t get the earth shattering news many want overnight. I hesitate to say be patient but the trust is not the principal owner of the club, is not the decision maker and is not in control of the resources needed to make the changes everyone wants to see. 

 

I’m admittedly impatient to read these minutes and still question why they cannot be released sooner, which implies that they need Mr Lemsagam’s clearance and this further implies censorship.  Hopefully I’m wrong on this.

However, some of the accusations levelled at the Trust members tonight and what was or wasn’t discussed at this meeting is downright insulting.  We’re all fans here and we all want the same result - a successful football club with a long-term future.   

I do though, have to challenge the last paragraph of Andy B’s post above.  We are very much in control of the resources - if we boycott ST purchases, shirt purchases and any other form of income then we can influence our future.  Some may say this is the wrong approach but I fear that the days of mediation are behind us and regardless of our requests face-to-face, they will be ignored or met with lip service.  Furthermore; what is the latest on the fan-led purchase of the ground?  Surely this has a much larger influence on matters?

Take the retained list issued today.  Did it have to be released this week or next and before we’ve appointed a new manager?  This obviously indicates that Mr Lemsagam will be responsible for player recruitment regardless of who comes in.  Releasing Clarke without the decency of a contract negotiation is a major own goal.  This is a player who was ever present this season and scored 3 goals - 2 more than Benteke who’s receiving a contract extension.  Surely this should be the new managers decision but I fear that their appointment will not happen until deep into the transfer window and not until Lemsagam has blown most of the budget in his players.

Im still trusting the Trust to improve our position and influence the future direction of the club but again I question why can the minutes be issued sooner and what is causing the Trust optimism following this meeting?  Losing PW and dictating who stays and goes before a manager is appointed doesn’t fill me with much optimism.

Ive tried to remain civil in this post by referring to our owner as Mr Lemsagam.  However, I’m certain this will not last long as I anticipate yet another act of contempt to surface in the coming days.

If only the fans stuck to a blanket boycott.  However, a fair number opt to remain oblivious to it all and blindly buy STs regardless.

The Clown would then realise that he needs to commit or declare that he’s potless and place the club up for sale.

Im anticipating a summer lacking any ambition regarding acquisitions, a season of struggle and battling our league status.  Would you buy a ST on the basis of that?  I’m definitely not.  

Appreciate it’s a Catch 22 and he needs ticket money from us to fund the team but you trust him to deliver or waste the money on his own agenda....whatever that may be

10 minutes ago, daniel said:

20/1 on Skybet

That’ll be 1/33 come tomorrow once Paul’s betted £50 on himself