| Burton 5 Col U 1 16:55 - Nov 28 with 4724 views | BlueStripes |
This is the reason why it's vital that a manager is appointed from OUTSIDE the club. The clowns in charge today are just as clueless as Humes about how to stop the rot. It sounded as if Burton didn't even play that well, it's just so easy to score against Col U these days. |  | | |  |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 23:52 - Dec 1 with 1400 views | wessex_exile |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 23:26 - Dec 1 by mfb_cufc |
If Cowling makes another internal appointment, then he should be looking to sell up, because he is going to get slaughtered by the fans. To say he couldn't care about the fans being angry, is arrogance in the extreme. He should remember the fans will still be here, when he, and his pathetic philosophy, are history. |
So, for obvious reasons I haven't read the EADT article, but if Whale's summarised transcription is accurate, he didn't say he couldn't care about fans being angry, he said he couldn't do anything about them being angry. Unless you want a Colchester United ruled by the unaccountable masses, he's right, and your post demonstrates the point. I'd like to see someone different in charge, but I'm also mindful we've tried that several times in recent years, and to be honest they've done no better than internal appointments.
You see pathetic arrogance, I see determined resolve - I don't know which is correct, or indeed if both are to one degree or another correct - what I do know that we're still in League 1, with a half-decent team, a more than decent set-up, and whomsoever is appointed Manager of Colchester United, they and the Chairman will have my full support.
We will endure - Up the U's!!! |  |
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 09:32 - Dec 2 with 1384 views | noah4x4 |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 20:33 - Nov 29 by wessex_exile |
Sorry, but I'm not hearing "stuff you" at all, in fact I think it's remarkably ungracious to even suggest it - Robbie would almost certainly prefer not to appoint an outsider, because I've no doubt he'd prefer some continuity in pursuing the objective - a Colchester United that is financially self-sufficient, operating within it's means, with a fantastic academy set-up both bringing on home-grown talent and attracting young stars of the future from the big clubs. It's not what we're used to from the Layer Rd days, when a cobbled together mismatch of journeymen sometimes achieved, but more often didn't, but I've seen enough clubs over the years go to the wall to know it is the future.
I don't know who he'll choose, and whilst I probably agree that a fresh pair of eyes wouldn't do any harm, I can also see what may come with that - demand for a transfer budget, a likely complete change of backroom staff, out of favour player contracts terminated - all of which will cost a shit load of cash we just don't have. After all, it's not as if he hasn't tried that several times over already, and been let down in one way or another (Boothroyd, Ward, Lambert etc.) every time.
You need to be careful what you wish for, because if all the abuse directed at Robbie Cowling eventually has the desired effect, and he does "consider his position and bugger off" then we really are f'cked - unless you have a long list of potential chairmen with ambition (and no small amount of cash to back it up) up your sleeve? |
Well said Wessex, exactly my sentiment. If Cowling walked away we would be stuffed. I personally think that fans have been stupid to drive Humes out at this stage of the season. It is a marathon not a sprint; and a couple of wins will see us soar up the table.
Our leaking goals problem clearly lies within the back four, but it is not for want of trying. I wonder, do people realise that in 2014-15 no fewer than EIGHTEEN defenders occupied our back four? This time last year we had only one fit contracted defender and hence three loanees against MK Dons (we lost 6-0). With so many injuries Humes had to turn to short term loans and some were good (Gorkss and Khumalo) and others awful, but when any manager has so few options amongst contracted players it isn't easy.
We had Magnus, Kent, Olefumi, O'Donahue all crocked for the season, but expected to return by August 2015. I guess that that is why we saw only Magnus replaced by Elokobi in the Summer transfer window and most squad enhancement focus therefore on midfield and attack, where Tony Humes has done a fantastic job. The fact that the defence has been slow, poor ball skills (notably at Millwall) and now lacking in confidence isn't about "tactics" it is about personnel.
This season, we have had NINE difference players occupy our back four due to injury, suspensions, and poor performances. Hence, one can't ever say that Humes wasn't trying to find a remedy. It seems obvious to me that he needed another transfer window to fix the problem. Humes only ever had two transfer windows and the first came upon him so quickly that he had little time to evaluate remedies. given that about half of the then contracted squad was injured! But what miracles he pulled off, firstly avoiding relegation; then a superb summer transfer window.
Under Tony Humes, 14 senior players made their debuts, including most of our current exciting midfield and forwards. George Moncur became a permanent signing under Humes. What will stagger many is that only three of these debutants were academy products. To pay for these NEW players he had to get 13 senior players off the wage bill. The malicious fan rumour mill was rife with fantasy stories as to why some left, but the fact is that only one is now playing in a higher division that FLD2 and the fact that we sold him to a championship club for a profit says everything to me.
The new transfer window opens in a matter of four weeks. That simply isn't time for an entirely fresh pair of eyes (too few matches, too few opportunities to try different things). So now isn't the ideal time for a new manager. That's why I say persevere with Hall and McGreal. Again, if the malicious fan rumour mill is true, they had different ideas to Humes last week; now this week they are in cohorts!
Lastly, under Financial Fair Play, Cowling can't simply open his wallet. We have to dispense with senior players to bring in new. The Academy must assist, but it is a source of talent and not experience. New experienced players evidently did want to play for Humes (e.g. 14 debutants), and there haven't been a clamour of transfer requests at the prospect of Hall and McGreal. I say ride out the storm with an internal appointment to seasons end. |  | | |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 13:15 - Dec 2 with 1363 views | Leadbelly |
Wayne Brown appointed caretaker manager with McGreal as his assistant whilst Mr Cowling and the board consider the next full time appointment.
This makes a lot of sense to me. Those appointed have a chance to prove themselves and the board members give themselves breathing space to see how they do and a chance for a thorough review of what external candidates are available and what they can bring to the club.
Not what I was expecting so I'm pleasantly surprised. | |
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 13:38 - Dec 2 with 1355 views | durham_exile |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 13:15 - Dec 2 by Leadbelly |
Wayne Brown appointed caretaker manager with McGreal as his assistant whilst Mr Cowling and the board consider the next full time appointment.
This makes a lot of sense to me. Those appointed have a chance to prove themselves and the board members give themselves breathing space to see how they do and a chance for a thorough review of what external candidates are available and what they can bring to the club.
Not what I was expecting so I'm pleasantly surprised. |
Sensible move by RC.
RH was toxic, too close to TH, who fortunately has gone and is not coming back.
Brown and McGreal for Saturday - hope the telephone line to the Doog is buzzing!!!!
Up the U's |  |
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 13:41 - Dec 2 with 1353 views | Leadbelly |
Sky Sports has Kevin Watson as a well fancied candidate.
I'm just pleased Gary Neville took the Valencia job!! | |
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 13:45 - Dec 2 with 1353 views | TheOldOakTree |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 13:15 - Dec 2 by Leadbelly |
Wayne Brown appointed caretaker manager with McGreal as his assistant whilst Mr Cowling and the board consider the next full time appointment.
This makes a lot of sense to me. Those appointed have a chance to prove themselves and the board members give themselves breathing space to see how they do and a chance for a thorough review of what external candidates are available and what they can bring to the club.
Not what I was expecting so I'm pleasantly surprised. |
Good move under the circumstances. Will be popular with the Colchester EDL branch at least.
Some of you joked about Di Canio!!!!! How much better is this?
Could be a bit strange hearing 'No Surrender' coming from the bench.
[Post edited 2 Dec 2015 13:57]
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 17:39 - Dec 2 with 1317 views | TheOldOakTree |
£10 says next years away kit will be all white.
So family club of the year. That's not the rainbow family then?
How are you going to wriggle out of this one Noah? | | | |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 17:55 - Dec 2 with 1309 views | Barsidepete |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 17:39 - Dec 2 by TheOldOakTree |
£10 says next years away kit will be all white.
So family club of the year. That's not the rainbow family then?
How are you going to wriggle out of this one Noah? |
What an interesting decision. Didn't see that coming over the hill.
Maybe the U's reached the bottom of the barrel with TH. Now back to reality. WB. Ok. Let's see. [Post edited 2 Dec 2015 17:56]
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 18:16 - Dec 2 with 1306 views | noah4x4 |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 17:39 - Dec 2 by TheOldOakTree |
£10 says next years away kit will be all white.
So family club of the year. That's not the rainbow family then?
How are you going to wriggle out of this one Noah? |
The terraces are full of people that often start sentences with "I am not being racist but...." then make some abhorrent comment. Frankly I am fed up with some of the vile stuff that is spoken. Harrasment doesn't have to be racist to be an offence under the 2010 Equality Act. Being of eastern european descent, I suffered racism and discrimination at grammar school, until I reached 6 foot and learned how to deal with bullies and bigots. But racism is different to a political reaction to current economic issues like healthcare tourism. Maybe Wayne Brown couldn't distinguish between the two back in 2010 and has since had wiser direction?
If he did vote BNP in 2010 then that was foolhardy. The question is has he now renounced all that the BNP stood for and repented? I supported communism in my youth, socialism in my teens, and now it's just rheumatism as a Tory, so changing poitical orientation isn't abnormal (as one develops common sense). They say there is always room in heaven for a repentant sinner. Our black players would revolt if there was any current issues with Brown, and Robbie Cowling isn't that stupid. | | | |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 18:21 - Dec 2 with 1304 views | Leadbelly |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 17:39 - Dec 2 by TheOldOakTree |
£10 says next years away kit will be all white.
So family club of the year. That's not the rainbow family then?
How are you going to wriggle out of this one Noah? |
What did Brown do? I recall there was something unsavoury but don't know the details. | |
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 19:44 - Dec 2 with 1291 views | TheOldOakTree |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 18:16 - Dec 2 by noah4x4 |
The terraces are full of people that often start sentences with "I am not being racist but...." then make some abhorrent comment. Frankly I am fed up with some of the vile stuff that is spoken. Harrasment doesn't have to be racist to be an offence under the 2010 Equality Act. Being of eastern european descent, I suffered racism and discrimination at grammar school, until I reached 6 foot and learned how to deal with bullies and bigots. But racism is different to a political reaction to current economic issues like healthcare tourism. Maybe Wayne Brown couldn't distinguish between the two back in 2010 and has since had wiser direction?
If he did vote BNP in 2010 then that was foolhardy. The question is has he now renounced all that the BNP stood for and repented? I supported communism in my youth, socialism in my teens, and now it's just rheumatism as a Tory, so changing poitical orientation isn't abnormal (as one develops common sense). They say there is always room in heaven for a repentant sinner. Our black players would revolt if there was any current issues with Brown, and Robbie Cowling isn't that stupid. |
Good response. There's nothing like a few grey hairs to boost ones wisdom. If only we could be born with the sense that comes with experience.
If I was going on a stadium tour tomorrow I would still take an apple for the elephant that must be in the dressing room. | | | |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 19:50 - Dec 2 with 1286 views | TheOldOakTree |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 18:21 - Dec 2 by Leadbelly |
What did Brown do? I recall there was something unsavoury but don't know the details. |
Reports say he was shown the door at Leicester for boasting he'd voted BNP in a dressing room full of Black players, and then making some further unsavoury comments.
The Daily Mail reported it, so if they are questioning someone's racial harmony it must have been quite bad! [Post edited 2 Dec 2015 19:51]
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 20:00 - Dec 2 with 1277 views | wessex_exile |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 18:21 - Dec 2 by Leadbelly |
What did Brown do? I recall there was something unsavoury but don't know the details. |
Sparked a bit of a dressing room fracas at Leicester by not only openly declaring his support for BNP, but making it in a racially abusive language that included (allegedly) reference to ethnic minorities 'killing this country' - all in front of team mates that included many ethnic minorities. He was dropped immediately, and I'm not sure he ever played for Leicester again after that, even though he did issue a grovelling apology. Perhaps not quite at the Di Canio level of fascism, but I confess it leaves me a bit uneasy about him being in charge. I'm prepared to accept the comments were ill-thought through by a working class lad from the East End, and prepared to accept his apology was both contrite and sincere, but one wonders if he ought to issue some sort of 'clean slate' statement if the temporary appointment were to ever be made permanent. I'm also prepared to accept there are no doubt countless people involved with football who share the same (or worse views), remotely possibly even already at Colchester United, but at least they're not stupid enough to voice them.
...or did you mean the missing CUSA Player of the Season trophy? | |
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 20:12 - Dec 2 with 1279 views | Leadbelly |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 20:00 - Dec 2 by wessex_exile |
Sparked a bit of a dressing room fracas at Leicester by not only openly declaring his support for BNP, but making it in a racially abusive language that included (allegedly) reference to ethnic minorities 'killing this country' - all in front of team mates that included many ethnic minorities. He was dropped immediately, and I'm not sure he ever played for Leicester again after that, even though he did issue a grovelling apology. Perhaps not quite at the Di Canio level of fascism, but I confess it leaves me a bit uneasy about him being in charge. I'm prepared to accept the comments were ill-thought through by a working class lad from the East End, and prepared to accept his apology was both contrite and sincere, but one wonders if he ought to issue some sort of 'clean slate' statement if the temporary appointment were to ever be made permanent. I'm also prepared to accept there are no doubt countless people involved with football who share the same (or worse views), remotely possibly even already at Colchester United, but at least they're not stupid enough to voice them.
...or did you mean the missing CUSA Player of the Season trophy? |
Not the CUSA trophy incident.
I would agree that it would be good to hear from Brown that he has learned the error of his ways. We shall see whether that is forthcoming as I suspect the media and Leicester City fans won't have forgotten. | |
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 10:44 - Dec 3 with 1251 views | noah4x4 |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 13:53 - Nov 30 by TheOldOakTree |
Indeed, even if you are unhappy with Mr C, it's a case of better the devil you know.
I don't expect there's a queue of people looking to take over the club and if there were, we don't need some of the type of clowns out there who have ruined good clubs.
I don't agree that the academy is the way forward and I don't see how it secures our future at all. It doesn't look like producing significant numbers of players good enough for league 1. It could prove to be more of a burden than an asset. Anyone taking over the club in the future is just as likely to sell the land for development and piss the money away trying to buy promotion. So all this suffering isn't securing anything long-term.
In my opinion a fan base of 6000 would secure our future much better, but that is not going to happen by serving up dross and staying on a course that is heading only one way. All this talk of continuity is bollox if you are heading the wrong way, as it will just seal our fate. We have a new ground, an expanding town, the Farmers are shite as usual, so there is every chance of getting bums on seats at the moment, but another Humes clone off the production line isn't going to do that. We are wasting a golden opportunity.
The few of you that think having the 'Colchester Way' for all levels at the club is a good idea, irrespective of having the players to make it work, are in my opinion, being naïve in the extreme. Fair enough if you are Barcelona and can afford the best. We need to make the best of what we have got NOW, move up the table and forget any ideals. To do that we need a new face that is allowed to think for himself.
I think Cowling is wrong, but it's piss easy knowing the answers, siting at a computer when it's not your money and in fairness, if I had a vision and spent a fortune on it, I wouldn't be in a hurry to admit I was wrong.
It's not fair to doubt the bloke's intentions and I hope he proves the many thousands of disillusioned fans wrong, but to me he is looking more and more like the orchestra on the Titanic. |
Sorry to pick on your comments Toots. Whilst I agree that it may make the U's a sustainable side in FLD1 why do you think a 6,000 average crowd is achievable? This isn't the 1960's where Saturday afternoon preferences were different.
Through most of the 1990’s U’s gates typically chugged along at an average of about 3,200. Our best AVERAGE since the Millennium whilst at Layer Road was just 3,843 and that (unsurprisingly) was achieved in our promotion year of 2005-6.
We then had our two Championship years that have created a fan expectation that isn't realistic now we are back in FLD1, but even then we didn't average over 6,000 (and the capacity at Layer Road did exceed that). When in the Championship; our average gate did leap to 5,466.
Then, once relegated back into FLD1 we perhaps surprisingly averaged 5,076 in 2008-09 and 5,437 in 2009-10. To some extent this might be attributed to Lambert & Boothroyd, but my perception is that the most credible reason for enhanced gates over that short period was instead the profile of FLD1 which was every current travelling U’s fan’s dream. For example; in 2009-10 we entertained Norwich City (record gate exceeding 10,000); Leeds United (previous record gate); Millwall; Charlton; Brentford; Southampton; Brighton; Southend; Leyton Orient and a host of other (mostly) southern based teams where the away support would comfortably add 500 to 2,500 + to the routine home gate. Add these 1,000 missing away fans to our current gates and we are back at such levels.
Now consider today’s FLD1 profile that is almost entirely northern centric. Whilst a run of poor form must inevitably have some adverse impact, the absence of these significant numbers of away fans must surely be the principle factor why our average gates have settled back at levels not dissimilar to our promotion year in FD1 at Layer Road (3,700 - 3,900). So nobody will convince me that ‘success’ (other than actual promotion) is the panacea that will guarantee the higher gates that we will need to sustain a continued presence in FL1. Our home base of fans has remained almost static for two decades.
So why do some fans now have an expectation that 5,000 + at WHCS should be normal? Historic and demographic data shows that is patently ridiculous other than in exceptional years, and everybody concerned with the club, and here I mean both fans and management alike, must temper ambition with reality.
I suspect that Colchester United is the ONLY club in the football league that has sustained a presence in any division for a decade on gates that are half of the divisions average. The average FLD1 gate today is 6,947 led by the Blades with 19,582 and Bradford at 18,011. Intriguingly, these represent 3.5% and 3.4% of the local population. If you apply similar factors to the local population of Colchester, Burton, Fleetwood, Scunthorpe, Bury and the others that have gates around HALF of the divisional average, it is not surprising that the ratios range between 2% and 4%. The fact is that these clubs simply don't have the local demographics to support a regular 6,000 + unless they reach out beyond the Borough, and that probably requires promotion; where even higher numbers will be required to sustain a presence in the Championship.
This is why Financial Fair Play is so disadvantageous to clubs like us. Whilst inevitably there are exceptions (like Burton or the U's in 2005-6) , the league table does seems to roughly correlate with average gates, so is it any surprise we are consistently in 20th position on the 20th lowest gate? That was always a predicted consequence of FFP and that reality is now dawning. the Academy might be a source of talent and not experience, but it's arguably our best hope in the new financial regime where an owner cannot simply buy success..
To compare average gates with average league position visit http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/eng-league-one-2015-2016/1/ and any tables. Whilst there are exceptions (Burton at the top, Barnsley at the bottom), the correlation between league position and money to spend (e.g. gates) isn't remarkable. The club has long invested in off the field activity (tribute nights) and now we welcome Lionel Ritchie. To my mind, this is the ONLY way we are going to raise the EXTRA revenue that we need. This is where Cowling's broad business leadership and vision might count most.
[Post edited 3 Dec 2015 11:11]
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 17:17 - Dec 3 with 1127 views | Barsidepete |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 10:44 - Dec 3 by noah4x4 |
Sorry to pick on your comments Toots. Whilst I agree that it may make the U's a sustainable side in FLD1 why do you think a 6,000 average crowd is achievable? This isn't the 1960's where Saturday afternoon preferences were different.
Through most of the 1990’s U’s gates typically chugged along at an average of about 3,200. Our best AVERAGE since the Millennium whilst at Layer Road was just 3,843 and that (unsurprisingly) was achieved in our promotion year of 2005-6.
We then had our two Championship years that have created a fan expectation that isn't realistic now we are back in FLD1, but even then we didn't average over 6,000 (and the capacity at Layer Road did exceed that). When in the Championship; our average gate did leap to 5,466.
Then, once relegated back into FLD1 we perhaps surprisingly averaged 5,076 in 2008-09 and 5,437 in 2009-10. To some extent this might be attributed to Lambert & Boothroyd, but my perception is that the most credible reason for enhanced gates over that short period was instead the profile of FLD1 which was every current travelling U’s fan’s dream. For example; in 2009-10 we entertained Norwich City (record gate exceeding 10,000); Leeds United (previous record gate); Millwall; Charlton; Brentford; Southampton; Brighton; Southend; Leyton Orient and a host of other (mostly) southern based teams where the away support would comfortably add 500 to 2,500 + to the routine home gate. Add these 1,000 missing away fans to our current gates and we are back at such levels.
Now consider today’s FLD1 profile that is almost entirely northern centric. Whilst a run of poor form must inevitably have some adverse impact, the absence of these significant numbers of away fans must surely be the principle factor why our average gates have settled back at levels not dissimilar to our promotion year in FD1 at Layer Road (3,700 - 3,900). So nobody will convince me that ‘success’ (other than actual promotion) is the panacea that will guarantee the higher gates that we will need to sustain a continued presence in FL1. Our home base of fans has remained almost static for two decades.
So why do some fans now have an expectation that 5,000 + at WHCS should be normal? Historic and demographic data shows that is patently ridiculous other than in exceptional years, and everybody concerned with the club, and here I mean both fans and management alike, must temper ambition with reality.
I suspect that Colchester United is the ONLY club in the football league that has sustained a presence in any division for a decade on gates that are half of the divisions average. The average FLD1 gate today is 6,947 led by the Blades with 19,582 and Bradford at 18,011. Intriguingly, these represent 3.5% and 3.4% of the local population. If you apply similar factors to the local population of Colchester, Burton, Fleetwood, Scunthorpe, Bury and the others that have gates around HALF of the divisional average, it is not surprising that the ratios range between 2% and 4%. The fact is that these clubs simply don't have the local demographics to support a regular 6,000 + unless they reach out beyond the Borough, and that probably requires promotion; where even higher numbers will be required to sustain a presence in the Championship.
This is why Financial Fair Play is so disadvantageous to clubs like us. Whilst inevitably there are exceptions (like Burton or the U's in 2005-6) , the league table does seems to roughly correlate with average gates, so is it any surprise we are consistently in 20th position on the 20th lowest gate? That was always a predicted consequence of FFP and that reality is now dawning. the Academy might be a source of talent and not experience, but it's arguably our best hope in the new financial regime where an owner cannot simply buy success..
To compare average gates with average league position visit http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/eng-league-one-2015-2016/1/ and any tables. Whilst there are exceptions (Burton at the top, Barnsley at the bottom), the correlation between league position and money to spend (e.g. gates) isn't remarkable. The club has long invested in off the field activity (tribute nights) and now we welcome Lionel Ritchie. To my mind, this is the ONLY way we are going to raise the EXTRA revenue that we need. This is where Cowling's broad business leadership and vision might count most.
[Post edited 3 Dec 2015 11:11]
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Geez, Noah. Are you writing a book?
*and if you need a good editor, I come cheap 
if you want to work with me, 4-time best American awards for my writers -- happy to do it ... but I need credit with the front sleeve fine print .. You know; byline you, and in 90 percent smaller type font: "with Peter Drizhal" lol. [Post edited 3 Dec 2015 17:20]
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 20:59 - Dec 3 with 1098 views | TheOldOakTree |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 20:18 - Dec 3 by noah4x4 |
Should I Pete?
At least it would be factual unlike the fantasies of many U's fans. I share their dreams, but can't get angry at the disappointments. On gates so low it isn't feasible to be anything other than an often struggling Division One club except in rare seasons when a couple of exceptional players make the difference. I can't understand the levels of animosity fired at Cowling and our managers. We have to be more realistic else the terraces will simply become truly unpleasant. |
Sadly I don't have time to give a full response, at the moment, but I am convinced that 5500-6000 could/would be easily achievable. We get 3500 at present, I guess 1000 at least have been turned off by MrC's style of management (as I was for about 3-4 years). Concentrating on the first team instead of pipe dreams could in my opinion attract another 1500 if we troubled the play-offs.
Forget history, taking off the rose tinted glasses Layer Road was a dump. For 101 reasons the running of the club has been a disaster for most of the last 40 years, but it doesn't have to be in the future. We gave up the right to be a little club when we moved.
Colchester has nearly doubled in size in my time. If we had been in the Championship when we arrived at WHCS, if our fans hadn't been treated like cattle, while away fans got away with standing etc, if there wasn't such negativity as a result of RC not being a people person, if the council hadn't been such a pain with parking in the early days, if Marcus Evans hadn't come along....
A lot of ifs, but I'm sure we would have many, many more regulars. Just because it's gone so wrong doesn't mean it cannot be turned around. If MrC's grand plan does eventually work, it may well be turned around.
If you believe we will always be a little cub then we shouldn't have moved to the WHCS.
On a separate point, I'm not sure you're correct with the FFP, as in the two bottom leagues I believe the owner can put money in as long as it is a gift and not a loan (I'm not saying he should). I believe MrC has said he will not continue to do that. I believe Mr Heard financed our enjoyment year after year, which makes the man even more of a legend if we are looking to build statues! | | | |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 22:00 - Dec 3 with 1088 views | Leadbelly |
I'm sure we all remember the trouble caused by the season ticket prices announced before our first season at WHCS. Reductions were eventually made but not before a lot of fans decided against renewing. I was told at the time, by someone in the know, that Cowling was told by other senior people at the club that a lot of long standing fans either couldn't or wouldn't pay the proposed prices. Apparently his response was "they're not the sort of fans we need"
For all the good Cowling may have done his public statements leave a lot to be desired as far as I'm concerned. Perhaps that is part of reason some fans question what is going on at the club. If you want your customer base to buy into your philosophy when you make wholesale changes to your product you have to engage with them, explain why you're doing what you're doing and address their queries and concerns.
Cowling has said repeatedly that Humes is the best man for the job. Perhaps if he'd explained why he thought that I may have agreed with him. It's no use telling me that something is the case just because you tell me it's the case. I've never followed instructions without querying them if i thought necessary nor have I had blind faith. Probably explains why military service and the church were never career options.
With such a small fanbase why risk alienating any of them? | |
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| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 22:14 - Dec 3 with 1083 views | TheOldOakTree |
It was being turfed out of my season ticket seat and being told I had to sit behind the goal to accommodate Leeds fans that did it for me. Total lack of understanding on the part of Mr C and I vowed not to come back ( like a lot of others) until he'd 'buggered off'. He didn't, I got invited to hospitality and realised what I'd been missing, hense my return, otherwise I'd still be one of the missing thousands. If he went out of his way to piss fans off he couldn't do much worse, but I guess that's just his way. As said before you can't fault his intentions but it's a shame he's lost the majority of fans. | | | |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 22:57 - Dec 3 with 1078 views | Leadbelly |
| Burton 5 Col U 1 on 22:14 - Dec 3 by TheOldOakTree |
It was being turfed out of my season ticket seat and being told I had to sit behind the goal to accommodate Leeds fans that did it for me. Total lack of understanding on the part of Mr C and I vowed not to come back ( like a lot of others) until he'd 'buggered off'. He didn't, I got invited to hospitality and realised what I'd been missing, hense my return, otherwise I'd still be one of the missing thousands. If he went out of his way to piss fans off he couldn't do much worse, but I guess that's just his way. As said before you can't fault his intentions but it's a shame he's lost the majority of fans. |
Even though I'm a Leeds fan first being turfed out of my seat for that game was one of the many reasons I didn't renew my ticket the following season. I went to two homes games that season using a mate's ticket when he was away.
However good your intentions may be you run the risk of losing support if the perception of some fans is that you don't care. | |
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