Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
The resignation that sadly never was ....
Sunday, 28th Sep 2014 20:06 by Editor

If the Tardis really did exist and Blackpool fans could go back in time then they'd probably head back to 18th August 2010. It was that day that Blackpool announced that Karl Oyston had resigned as chairman and a director of the club with immediate effect. In an article in the MailOnline it was speculated that "Blackpool fan Andy Pilley, owner of non-League Fleetwood Town, is favourite to replace the 43-year-old." If only ....

Oyston had taken the decision because of his opinion of agents which had been largely ignored by the rest of the football world. Indeed, message boards (not Blackpool ones we'd hasten to add) roundly applauded the words and action of the Seasiders man in charge with one poster writing "Karl Oyston's stance is admirable but these days money has taken over and those with the money also have the power and will not give it up". The irony therefore that just four seasons on it was Karl Oyston with the power, the money and an unwillingness to give up hasn't gone unnoticed.

If Oyston had fallen on his sword you do wonder what sort of a club Blackpool would be today. The January 2011 transfer window may have provided more than Beattie, Reid and Kornilenko. The proposals for the training ground may have gone ahead. The East Stand may now be a permanent structure in a finished stadium. Ian Holloway may not have felt his only legacy at Bloomfield Road was a sprinkler system. The Premier League parachute money might have been spent on players rather than sitting in a bank account (or spread elsewhere). Whilst Oyston may have overseen one of the club's most successful spells, very few of his own football philosophies and practises have helped the club to achieve this.

It won't surprise anyone to hear that Oyston's somewhat hollow resignation was announced against another Blackpool summer of turmoil with Ian Holloway overseeing a threadbare squad, reports of disharmony between Chairman and Manager and players not being paid wages or bonuses. Summer after summer the same scenario has unfolded and somehow we've managed to get away with it when the season started (indeed last season threw up the ridiculous scenario of us enjoying our best start for seasons and Oyston proclaiming "I'm not blowing our own trumpet here, but they all wish they (other clubs) could be like us").

Well now there would be very few fans from other clubs who would want to swap places with ours let alone their Chairman. If we could go back to August 2010 then Karl Oyston could have resigned, walked away with head held high and arguably held the moral high ground. As it is his reputation, his working practises and his way of dealing with people and money has been left sadly lacking. There again, you know what they say, it's never too late to change your mind Karl.

Register now to let us know your opinions on this story and to join AVFTT http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/blackpool/login/register

Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.


You need to login in order to post your comments

Manchester City Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024