How many good decisions have the Lansdowns made

[BigAl&Toby]

Asking for a friend. 

Don’t post nonsense on here about stadium developments or the academy. Or funding closes.

Thinking about it, the latter two might be valid. My friend wants to know what the Ls have done where it matters - on the green stuff. Or decisions they’ve made that directly affect that.

Is there account in credit, or overdrawn?

Me? Massively in debt. Maybe even bankrupt. I’m struggling to think of one……

Help my friend. Name some of his footballing successes…….

[Port Said Red]

They must think buying this club was the biggest mistake they made a lot of the time.

[The Fat Controller]

6 minutes ago, BigAl&Toby said:

Don’t post nonsense on here about stadium developments or the academy. Or funding closes.

"Don't post answers that prove me wrong"

[David Brent]

Tell your friend he’s an idiot 

[DT The Optimist]

Every time I attend the Gate on a match day I enjoy that brilliant stadium, it’s impossible not to enjoy the match day experience and think about where we have come from facility wise. You have to believe that when it comes ‘right’ on the pitch, the green stuff, everything is in place.  
That is the Lansdown legacy, and thanks to them we will never go bust.  The playing side and the facilities go hand in glove.  we will get it right on the pitch, I have more confidence about that now than have had for a long time…NP had a difficult hand to play. 

[RedRock]

They’ve provided the infrastructure - as good a platform for success on the pitch as one could hope for in the Championship.

If you want a ‘green stuff’ direct benefit, supporting the Academy and Tins would be one straight off the top of my head, as would a prolonged period (for us) in the Championship. 

Certainly not a faultless performance, but far rather the Bristol born and bred  Lansdown’s, than some foreign investor out to make a quick buck/yen/camel etc with zero connection to the City or our Club. 

 

 

[grifty]

26 minutes ago, BigAl&Toby said:

Asking for a friend. 

Don’t post nonsense on here about stadium developments or the academy. Or funding closes.

Thinking about it, the latter two might be valid. My friend wants to know what the Ls have done where it matters - on the green stuff. Or decisions they’ve made that directly affect that.

Is there account in credit, or overdrawn?

Me? Massively in debt. Maybe even bankrupt. I’m struggling to think of one……

Help my friend. Name some of his footballing successes…….

Why ask if you've already made up your mind?

[One Team]

To your po

30 minutes ago, BigAl&Toby said:

Asking for a friend. 

Don’t post nonsense on here about stadium developments or the academy. Or funding closes.

Thinking about it, the latter two might be valid. My friend wants to know what the Ls have done where it matters - on the green stuff. Or decisions they’ve made that directly affect that.

Is there account in credit, or overdrawn?

Me? Massively in debt. Maybe even bankrupt. I’m struggling to think of one……

Help my friend. Name some of his footballing successes…….

Taking your infrastructure point out of the answer (as the stadium redevelopment and the HPC would be two good decisions) I would say they’ve made three good decisions: 

Appointing GJ, appointing SC and supporting Tinnion and the development of the academy. 

Edited December 30, 2022 by One Team

[spudski]

FFS...you wake up from a decent hard earned point on the road, and your first thought is to post this.

[LondonBristolian]

They have been here twenty years. They have got things wrong - some managerial appointments, most of us would say appointing Ashton, most of our transfer business in January 2018 and summer 2019 - and got things right, such as investing in the academy, bringing Tinnion back after his spell as manager and the appointments of Gary Johnson, Steve Cotterill and probably Richard Gould.

Being blunt, I think your friend is an impulsive fool with no sense of perspective, who can very easily be proven wrong. Since Lansdown took over, we have remained a relatively stable club moving between the top end of one division and the lower to middle end of another, with more time spent doing a bit better than the mean than a bit worse than the mean. Had we been the disaster your friend thinks, we would be at least a division lower than we currently are.

Obviously the results to show from Lansdown’s reign are disappointing and it is hard to paint his time in charge as a huge success but it is far harder still to objectively paint it as a disaster.

I honestly don’t understand the need for the melodrama of the original post and I think nonsense like this weakens the impact of objective justified criticism of the club’s direction of travel. 

[Silvio Dante]

4 minutes ago, spudski said:

FFS...you wake up from a decent hard earned point on the road, and your first thought is to post this.

He’s got an agenda, or a theme at least.

I’ve lost count of the number of threads slagging off the Lansdowns the OP has made. I can only assume Maggie (or Steve, or Jon) turned down his romantic overtures and he’s held a grudge since. 
 

The vast majority of the fanbase acknowledges that the Lansdowns aren’t perfect and have made some iffy onfield choices. However, they also acknowledge and understand that the quickest way to make a small fortune from football is to start with a big fortune. And no, they won’t recoup their losses from a small housing development at Ashton Vale.

If it takes a lot of energy to hate, the OP must be permanently knackered. I can’t be bothered to engage with him. I just feel sorry for him.

[REDOXO]

30 minutes ago, BigAl&Toby said:

Asking for a friend. 

Don’t post nonsense on here about stadium developments or the academy. Or funding closes.

Thinking about it, the latter two might be valid. My friend wants to know what the Ls have done where it matters - on the green stuff. Or decisions they’ve made that directly affect that.

Is there account in credit, or overdrawn?

Me? Massively in debt. Maybe even bankrupt. I’m struggling to think of one……

Help my friend. Name some of his footballing successes…….

 

21 minutes ago, sinenomine said:

"Don't post answers that prove me wrong"

 

17 minutes ago, David Brent said:

Tell your friend he’s an idiot 

 

8 minutes ago, DT The Optimist said:

Every time I attend the Gate on a match day I enjoy that brilliant stadium, it’s impossible not to enjoy the match day experience and think about where we have come from facility wise. You have to believe that when it comes ‘right’ on the pitch, the green stuff, everything is in place.  
That is the Lansdown legacy, and thanks to them we will never go bust.  The playing side and the facilities go hand in glove.  we will get it right on the pitch, I have more confidence about that now than have had for a long time…NP had a difficult hand to play. 

 

6 minutes ago, RedRock said:

They’ve provided the infrastructure - as good a platform for success on the pitch as one could hope for in the Championship.

If you want a ‘green stuff’ direct benefit, supporting the Academy and Tins would be one straight off the top of my head, as would a prolonged period (for us) in the Championship. 

Certainly not a faultless performance, but far rather the Bristol born and bred  Lansdown’s, than some foreign investor out to make a quick buck/yen/camel etc with zero connection to the City or our Club. 

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, grifty said:

Why ask if you've already made up your mind?

The answers Pretty much cover the original post. 
 

We have spent four years out of the last 112 in the top flight which makes Mr Lansdown the second most successful Head of Bristol City of the entire period. 
 

The constant aggression toward the Lansdown’s is completely out of order. The infrastructure at the club and the ability to bring events to south Bristol is enormous!

The only criticism I level at him and still do is throwing the clubs money down the toilet on Lee Bloody Johnson, leading us to the crappy hand we have. The fact he oversaw Ashton and Johnson dismantle the entire policy he put in place is super annoying particularly when he said my money my choice, which was only partially true!

However, what we are currently is an established Chapionship club. Something we yearned for after 82. 
 

Thus tell your mate the above and ask him to stop getting you to post undisguised drivel for him!

[spudski]

13 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

He’s got an agenda, or a theme at least.

I’ve lost count of the number of threads slagging off the Lansdowns the OP has made. I can only assume Maggie (or Steve, or Jon) turned down his romantic overtures and he’s held a grudge since. 
 

The vast majority of the fanbase acknowledges that the Lansdowns aren’t perfect and have made some iffy onfield choices. However, they also acknowledge and understand that the quickest way to make a small fortune from football is to start with a big fortune. And no, they won’t recoup their losses from a small housing development at Ashton Vale.

If it takes a lot of energy to hate, the OP must be permanently knackered. I can’t be bothered to engage with him. I just feel sorry for him.

Like you say...it's tiresome. I'm all for debate on any subject. 

The timing just irks and speaks a thousand words. 

 

[The Bard]

1 hour ago, BigAl&Toby said:

Asking for a friend. 

Don’t post nonsense on here about stadium developments or the academy. Or funding closes.

Thinking about it, the latter two might be valid. My friend wants to know what the Ls have done where it matters - on the green stuff. Or decisions they’ve made that directly affect that.

Is there account in credit, or overdrawn?

Me? Massively in debt. Maybe even bankrupt. I’m struggling to think of one……

Help my friend. Name some of his footballing successes…….

How often do you speak to 'your friend'?  

Maybe you need to talk to someone who can help with that.  Make things seem a little calmer.  Best to start with your GP.

[Bris Red]

37 minutes ago, spudski said:

FFS...you wake up from a decent hard earned point on the road, and your first thought is to post this.

That’s OTIB for you mate!

I must say i have woken up fairly positive this morning after last nights hard earned point.
 

In regards to the OP, i have been as critical of any of Steve Lansdown on this forum over the years. There have been some absolutely shocking on field decisions and i think backing LJ and Ashton with the money that he did was arguably one of the worst if not the worst one of them all.

Im certain SL is kicking himself privately for that now as he will know that had that money been entrusted to proper footballing people we would have at LEAST of had a shot at the play-offs again by now and possibly more. 
 

At least when all is said and done though and Steve does finally sell the club we have without a doubt been left in a better place off the field than we were in 2002. A superb 27,000 seater stadium still with scope to expand (if the new owners really wanted too) and a fantastic training facility. For that i think he should be applauded.

 

[1960maaan]

If you think back over your last 20 years how many of your decisions that turned out not to be great, did you know before hand would poor ones ?

If you think SL has spent hundreds of millions of his own money, deliberately  trying not to be successful, then I think you need to seek help. 
 

[W-S-M Seagull]

Well they've turned us into an established Championship club with great facilities. 

Whilst there may have been a lot of bad decisions that's prevented us moving beyond that, it's taken a lot of good decisions to get us to where we are, a place we once yearned to be. 

As for the money, well its his money.

[Bar BS3]

4 hours ago, BigAl&Toby said:

Asking for a friend. 

Don’t post nonsense on here about stadium developments or the academy. Or funding closes.

Thinking about it, the latter two might be valid. My friend wants to know what the Ls have done where it matters - on the green stuff. Or decisions they’ve made that directly affect that.

Is there account in credit, or overdrawn?

Me? Massively in debt. Maybe even bankrupt. I’m struggling to think of one……

Help my friend. Name some of his footballing successes…….

If you don't count the trophies that he's won at Man City, then you'd have to say that Pep has generally been a bit of a failure and failed to win any trophies there..!

4 hours ago, BigAl&Toby said:

 

 

Edited December 30, 2022 by Bar BS3

[Bristol Oil Services]

3 hours ago, spudski said:

FFS...you wake up from a decent hard earned point on the road, and your first thought is to post this.

How d'you know what time Big Al and Toby wake up, mate?

[Sir Geoff]

The aqueducts, sanitation, peace, education, the roads, irrigation.

[Spike]

I mean we came one one win away from promotion to the Premier League under his ownership, god forbid we mention turning Ashton Gate into a modern Stadium or developing the training facilities that has produced LLoyd Kelly, Bobby Reid, Joe Bryan or more recently Cameron Pring, Tommy Conway, Alex Scott etc

Essentially what you're asking is "What has Lansdown done other than all the good things he's done so I can feel justified in wanting him out?". Lansdown may not be perfect but compare him to some owners and what we do have is someone who supports the club both as a fan and in funding, I don't know many other owners who would sell off shares in their company and inject it into a club so they could modernise their stadium. Maybe we need to sell up, Mike Ashley would probably buy us, that'd be an improvement right..... /s

[Bedred31]

Aqueducts and a modern road network?

[!james]

4 hours ago, spudski said:

FFS...you wake up from a decent hard earned point on the road, and your first thought is to post this.

Yeah last 3 new topics have been weird anti Lansdown agenda ones. Proper weirdo 

[Port Said Red]

1 minute ago, Bedred31 said:

Aqueducts and a modern road network?

He didn't buy into the Rovers, something his much vilified son should get credit for.

[glynriley]

7 minutes ago, !james said:

Yeah last 3 new topics have been weird anti Lansdown agenda ones. Proper weirdo 

Weird Al..?

 

[milo1111]

They’ve done so many great things for this club.
 

The Achilles heel has been over backing of Johnson snr and Jnr in excessive transfer spending, and then paying for it in the years that followed as  more experienced managers have been asked to cut their cloth accordingly. 
 

the most recent incarnation of this scenario was the worst as it was orchestrated by the utter turd known as mark Ashton who clearly wasn’t half as clever as he or the lansdowns thought he was.

that is why Nigel Pearson should be supported now by us all. Careful what you wish for as another yes man with no credentials is probably next on the rank.

[bcfc01]

Well, that went well..

[adamski]

27 minutes ago, milo1111 said:

They’ve done so many great things for this club.
 

The Achilles heel has been over backing of Johnson snr and Jnr in excessive transfer spending, and then paying for it in the years that followed as  more experienced managers have been asked to cut their cloth accordingly. 
 

the most recent incarnation of this scenario was the worst as it was orchestrated by the utter turd known as mark Ashton who clearly wasn’t half as clever as he or the lansdowns thought he was.

that is why Nigel Pearson should be supported now by us all. Careful what you wish for as another yes man with no credentials is probably next on the rank.

Exactly, the nepotistic Gary and his idiot son (who kept far more talented players out of the play-off side) have been the biggest mistakes made by SL, regardless we are a championship club with great facilities, hope, stability and potential - it's a package, not individual elements. I'm getting cheesed off by the Landsdown haters, a bunch of entitled dimwits with no right to expect and no brain to debate! 

[CHIPLEY RED]

I think Steve Lansdown has been a fantastic owner.

Yes he's made some appointments that haven't worked out but which owner hasn't. He's always backed the manager, yes we are now in trouble for that with FFP but he has put his money where his mouth is.

Being an older supporter who remembers the old Div 1 days he almost got us to the promised land.

People say the Johnsons were a mistake - really Gary took us to within 90 mins of the Prem and Lee's record is pretty good too. Other than Alan Dicks who has actually finished higher in the last 50 years.

I want SL to stay as owner, he is stable and won't run away when the going gets tough. We could end up like Derby or the gas who thought they were going to be the next Chelsea.

I just say be careful what you wish for.

[TedsHeadIs Red]

Your “friend” isn’t very clever is he?

Before the Lansdowns (1980s onwards) we were broadly a third tier club with an awkward stadium (however much affection people felt for it).

Since the Lansdowns we are an established second tier club with a superb stadium and facilities.

You can’t separate the infrastructure from the football as easily as you suggest. They come as a package e.g. attracting players to sign for us. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

GJ overall did quite well IMO. It wasn't huge expenditure albeit a rising wage bill relative to the time. Got us up, kept us here for a while with 4th, 10th and no true danger of the drop in year 3 when he left. Sorted the drinking culture too.

LJ did fine up to a point, but he seemed to struggle to get the best out of players signed from a higher level/starting point, seemed better with players developing or younger ones at times. He also underpinned his spending and MA must take a large chunk of the blame, with the idea of £x in transfer profit, perhaps even rising transfer profit to offset rising fees (amortisation) and wages. That was a huge mistake- eventually you can run out of players to sell, yet are left with a major cost base and additionally, the number in and out under him must have also contributed to the spiralling costs.

Edited December 30, 2022 by Mr Popodopolous

[Davefevs]

My view is that they’ve done great things infrastructure-wise, but spent / wasted a lot of money in football by thinking they know football like the pros do.

Hopefully the appointment of Alexander as CEO and Tinnion into his new role (much needed - I’ve cried out for this for ages) is a start of that recognition.  And that’s not to diminish Gould’s role / performance since he’s been here too…think he set the ball rolling (with Nige) in terms of creating the visibility of the issues at AG.

The recruitment of Alexander has been very professionally run according to someone very ITK.

[Red_Alligator]

Whilst I'm disappointed that we haven't yet reached the Premier League over what feels like an eternity since SL took the reins, and that the focus on success for the football club has become the much broader project that is Bristol Sport, I dread to think where we might be without the considerable investment that SL has made in our club.

What most disappoints me at the moment though, is the length of my previous sentence. Shocker.

[BrizzleRed]

6 hours ago, BigAl&Toby said:

Asking for a friend. 

Don’t post nonsense on here about stadium developments or the academy. Or funding closes.

Thinking about it, the latter two might be valid. My friend wants to know what the Ls have done where it matters - on the green stuff. Or decisions they’ve made that directly affect that.

Is there account in credit, or overdrawn?

Me? Massively in debt. Maybe even bankrupt. I’m struggling to think of one……

Help my friend. Name some of his footballing successes…….

Christ, has someone in the Lansdown family really done something so horrendous to you in the past, to justify the bitter hatred you clearly have for them?

Nobody is going to claim SL’s reign has been a roaring success, and he could certainly have done a hell of a lot better.  On the other hand, it’s been far from the total disaster you keep banging on about.  

The timing of the post is interesting, given the decent result last night.  Could you be one of the ‘fans’ expecting and hoping we’d get a dicking from the ‘wall last night to help NP on his way out the door?

Whatever, you’ve had a bit of a mare with this one and this continued blinkered vendetta against the Lansdowns is doing nothing for your credibility tbh.
 

[Son of Fred]

2 hours ago, !james said:

Yeah last 3 new topics have been weird anti Lansdown agenda ones. Proper weirdo 

If it's weird to believe this club will never gain promotion to the premier League whilst the Lansdown's are still here,, then I'm weird.

[1960maaan]

35 minutes ago, Son of Fred said:

If it's weird to believe this club will never gain promotion to the premier League whilst the Lansdown's are still here,, then I'm weird.

Nope, not weird. Absolutely normal to have doubts after all this time. However ...

Believing that someone is pumping Millions and Millions into a Club with the sole purpose of not getting success ?

That would be truly Weird.

[TV Tom]

Haven’t read any of the replies but I’d imagine the majority on here would say appointing Pearson and still having him in post have been his best decisions, personally my position has always been the same, I never wanted Pearson and would sack him tomorrow other than that I’m 100% behind him

[W-S-M Seagull]

2 hours ago, CHIPLEY RED said:

I think Steve Lansdown has been a fantastic owner.

Yes he's made some appointments that haven't worked out but which owner hasn't. He's always backed the manager, yes we are now in trouble for that with FFP but he has put his money where his mouth is.

Being an older supporter who remembers the old Div 1 days he almost got us to the promised land.

People say the Johnsons were a mistake - really Gary took us to within 90 mins of the Prem and Lee's record is pretty good too. Other than Alan Dicks who has actually finished higher in the last 50 years.

I want SL to stay as owner, he is stable and won't run away when the going gets tough. We could end up like Derby or the gas who thought they were going to be the next Chelsea.

I just say be careful what you wish for.

I think people probably don't really understand FFP and the financial position it has put us in and that leads to frustration with out owners.

Lansdown has always backed his managers, without a doubt. If FFP didn't exist then I'm 100% certain he would have given Nigel funds to spend in the past few windows. 

Because of FFP Lansdown can't just hand Pearson 5 million for a CB like he may of done in the past. 

[ChippenhamRed]

8 hours ago, BigAl&Toby said:

Asking for a friend. 

Don’t post nonsense on here about stadium developments or the academy. Or funding closes.

Thinking about it, the latter two might be valid. My friend wants to know what the Ls have done where it matters - on the green stuff. Or decisions they’ve made that directly affect that.

Is there account in credit, or overdrawn?

Me? Massively in debt. Maybe even bankrupt. I’m struggling to think of one……

Help my friend. Name some of his footballing successes…….

If you can’t see how stadium development, the academy (or indeed the training ground) can only have a positive impact on what happens on “the green stuff”, and want answers that don’t acknowledge those obvious, massive positives as good decisions…then you clearly aren’t looking for an objective and fair answer.

[Guest]

[Bat Fastard]

It should be pointed out that he is still the owner and may still reap the rewards for his great investments.  In the 56 years that I have followed City, I have never seen anything like the stability given to us by SL and his family.  Once the temporary financial issues have receded, there may well be a good platform to push on to the promised land.  SL is still in the game!

[RedRock]

I just hope the Lansdown’s read this and understand that they are appreciated for what they have contributed to our Club by the vast majority of supporters.

[sh1t_ref_again]

Good to read some of the positive replies, always seems to be the same few individuals who can't wait for a poor spell to try and gain support for their anti SL rhetoric agenda. The problem with forums and social media, when a small number of people posting negative views have a few jumping on the bandwagon as they are frustrated it can look very negative towards our owners.

I have always argued as like many, are very grateful they continue to financially back BCFC, although I will accept they have not always got it right, its very easy to criticise with hindsight. 

I also get frustrated with the number of times posters will try to portray statements as facts to belittle them without any real basis, e.g they will get all the money back with all the house building etc or SL has gone off football and prefers Rugby, also the attacks on Bristol Sport which I do not understand.

I believe the majority of fans recognise and appreciate how lucky we are to have SL, and hope he stays for a long time to come. If and when he decides to sell the club, I have absolute faith it will be to someone he trusts to carry on the work he has started.

[Fammyfan]

I remember the days of being buzzing when Bristol City’s Leroy Lita had made it into the England u21 squad and thinking of it as a big thing for Bristol City.

Not so long ago, we signed Jay DaSilva from Chelsea after he captained England U21’s. Now we’ve got Semenyo who’s just played at the World Cup. Recent former players Diedhiou and Morrell also played in Qatar.

The standard of football at our level is constantly improving and it’s arguably success in itself to have evolved with it, as we have.

We’ve got a stadium to be proud of and the infrastructure to attract and develop top youth players, giving us the foundation to achieve long term success.

Edited December 30, 2022 by Fammyfan

[CHIPLEY RED]

1 hour ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I think people probably don't really understand FFP and the financial position it has put us in and that leads to frustration with out owners.

Lansdown has always backed his managers, without a doubt. If FFP didn't exist then I'm 100% certain he would have given Nigel funds to spend in the past few windows. 

Because of FFP Lansdown can't just hand Pearson 5 million for a CB like he may of done in the past. 

FFP will be a problem for any owner of BCFC - we just don't get the crowds/revenue to compete financially.

I don't agree that SL or Mark Ashton are responsible for poor signings - yes they may have overpaid but I'm sure they only bought the players the manager (and fans) wanted. Take Kalas I remember fans call the board to "sign him up" Palmer was the same they both have been a waste of money but we all wanted to sign them and SL did. Pearson has signed players but mostly they have disappointed or don't play - you can't blame SL for that.

There are too many who forget that for years we were a crap Div 3 / Div 4 team and that the gas were actually above us in the league.

I'm not a happy clapper and the last few seasons have been awful but I don't know what SL could have done differently.

All the names seriously linked with us when NP was appointed have failed and I would suggest 90% of fans thought NP was a good appointment. Now a minority are moaning that SL decisions are crap and he should go.

[Mr Popodopolous]

I have tried to meet the OP halfway in the past but some of their recent posts do seem unnecessarily harsh. When SL writes off debt to equity for example, that is loans the club no longer owes him albeit could it be included in a sale/stake price.

It could be a lot worse I am sure of it- and even some of those much worse owners aren't necessarily malign in intent, just a poor grasp of finances and chasing the dream leading to ruin or FFP breaches.

Birmingham, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday owners all messed up financially but fund the clubs more or less. Moshiri at Everton too, however I don't think SL will put us in a position where our solvency is at risk.

Look at WBA, what a gamble they are taking. £20m in secured high interest loans- in this the final year of their Parachute Payments. What would be to stop SL deciding he won't fully fund us but instead will secure loans against assets to someone like MSD (perfectly legit business practice btw).

Chansiri appears to have borrowed against Hillsborough which he now owns though he has comfortably enough to cover it.

Could go on- have read Cardiff have been externally borrowing e.g. at quite high interest rates not just to Tan.

Yeah these are examples of questionable ownership but there are a lot out there.

Edited December 30, 2022 by Mr Popodopolous

[BrizzleRed]

47 minutes ago, CHIPLEY RED said:

FFP will be a problem for any owner of BCFC - we just don't get the crowds/revenue to compete financially.

I don't agree that SL or Mark Ashton are responsible for poor signings - yes they may have overpaid but I'm sure they only bought the players the manager (and fans) wanted. Take Kalas I remember fans call the board to "sign him up" Palmer was the same they both have been a waste of money but we all wanted to sign them and SL did. Pearson has signed players but mostly they have disappointed or don't play - you can't blame SL for that.

There are too many who forget that for years we were a crap Div 3 / Div 4 team and that the gas were actually above us in the league.

I'm not a happy clapper and the last few seasons have been awful but I don't know what SL could have done differently.

All the names seriously linked with us when NP was appointed have failed and I would suggest 90% of fans thought NP was a good appointment. Now a minority are moaning that SL decisions are crap and he should go.

Great post and your mention of the sags reminded me of something.  

I remember a spell when we had an 8 match run where we couldn’t manage to beat them and they were a constant irritation.  Anyone too young to remember that, if you think they’re nauseating now, that’s nothing compared to back then.

Considering the ever-growing length of ‘The Gap’, I reckon it must have been somewhere around the time SL took over that we started pulling away from those *****rs, and snuffed out their relevance.

For that alone, he’s due our thanks and appreciation, without even considering the amount of time we’ve managed in the Championship during his ownership.

[downendcity]

Not read the whole thread so this might already have been mentioned.

Surely his very best decision was choosing the right one of Bristol's 2 clubs in which to invest.

Without that decision would we have seen us at Wembley and within 90 minutes of the Prem?

Would we have seen the great season under SC?

Would we have seen us beat Man U at one of AG's most epic nights and to on  do ourselves proud in the next round against their Manchester rivals?

Would we now boast a stadium to be proud of rather the old one which, while held in affection by older fans, had become a embarrassing relic of a bygone age when judged against many championship rivals' stadia?

Would we now boast a HPC befitting a club at our level and containing an academy that is actually delivering players able to compete for first team places?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr Popodopolous]

17 minutes ago, BrizzleRed said:

Great post and your mention of the sags reminded me of something.  

I remember a spell when we had an 8 match run where we couldn’t manage to beat them and they were a constant irritation.  Anyone too young to remember that, if you think they’re nauseating now, that’s nothing compared to back then.

Considering the ever-growing length of ‘The Gap’, I reckon it must have been somewhere around the time SL took over that we started pulling away from those *****rs, and snuffed out their relevance.

For that alone, he’s due our thanks and appreciation, without even considering the amount of time we’ve managed in the Championship during his ownership.

Yes, as recently as 1999-2000, okay not really that recent but not generations ago either they finished above us.

Playoffs, they dropped out last day- we finished midtable! Same division, they bottled top 6 all told and it was excellent. They sold some key strikers that summer, we bumbled about in 1999-2000 under Pulls and then the 3 wise men- Fawthrop, Burnside and Rosenior.

[BrizzleRed]

22 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Yes, as recently as 1999-2000, okay not really that recent but not generations ago either they finished above us.

Playoffs, they dropped out last day- we finished midtable! Same division, they bottled top 6 all told and it was excellent. They sold some key strikers that summer, we bumbled about in 1999-2000 under Pulls and then the 3 wise men- Fawthrop, Burnside and Rosenior.

Yes, those were pretty bleak times Mr Pop  and it certainly wasn’t pleasant having them lording it over us.  They get off very lightly these days, considering the shit we had to take from them back then and I certainly don’t forget that.

Anyone who can’t see we’ve progressed a long way since those days is either too young to know, or needs to give their head a very big wobble!

[Mr Popodopolous]

55 minutes ago, BrizzleRed said:

Yes, those were pretty bleak times Mr Pop  and it certainly wasn’t pleasant having them lording it over us.  They get off very lightly these days, considering the shit we had to take from them back then and I certainly don’t forget that.

Anyone who can’t see we’ve progressed a long way since those days is either too young to know, or needs to give their head a very big wobble!

Was actually my first full season BR. I was young, didn't know much better however I loosely followed from afar Autumn 1998, then first game was the 3 Little Pigs fight.

Then the season I described post Benny (and let's be fair after a terrible start he was also not the luckiest of managers and we had a strong rally in April 1999- 10 pts 4 games, resilience etc). Screwed pber by officials at West Brom, Sunderland at home the following week then vs Birmingham in late April. Some things never change eh!

I digress, there is a lot of discontent but objectively speaking for me personally at least the 2nd decade or my City time has been more successful than the 1st and a lot of these 24-25 years coincide with SL's tenure.

[BrizzleRed]

19 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Was actually my first full season BR. I was young, didn't know much better however I loosely followed from afar Autumn 1998, then first game was the 3 Little Pigs fight.

Then the season I described post Benny (and let's be fair after a terrible start he was also not the luckiest of managers and we had a strong rally in April 1999- 10 pts 4 games, resilience etc). Screwed pber by officials at West Brom, Sunderland at home the following week then vs Birmingham in late April. Some things never change eh!

I digress, there is a lot of discontent but objectively speaking for me personally at least the 2nd decade or my City time has been more successful than the 1st and a lot of these 24-25 years coincide with SL's tenure.

Looks like you found City at the right time then Mr Pop.  

Us old ‘uns have seen some very bleak times over the previous decades, granted with some highlights (courtesy of messrs Dicks, Cooper and Jordan in particular)

The Gate used to be a right dump and the only upgrades used to be the occasional lick of paint.  Still got fond memories of the atmosphere, but football has changed massively and we won’t see that again, as people wouldn’t put up with those ramshackle conditions now.

Bottom line is, AG is an absolute palace compared to that old ground and although there had been plenty of talk about ground improvements over many years, very little of note actually happened until SL threw his millions at it.

Amazing how short or selective memories some fans have!

[Mr Popodopolous]

18 hours ago, BrizzleRed said:

Looks like you found City at the right time then Mr Pop.  

Us old ‘uns have seen some very bleak times over the previous decades, granted with some highlights (courtesy of messrs Dicks, Cooper and Jordan in particular)

The Gate used to be a right dump and the only upgrades used to be the occasional lick of paint.  Still got fond memories of the atmosphere, but football has changed massively and we won’t see that again, as people wouldn’t put up with those ramshackle conditions now.

Bottom line is, AG is an absolute palace compared to that old ground and although there had been plenty of talk about ground improvements over many years, very little of note actually happened until SL threw his millions at it.

Amazing how short or selective memories some fans have!

I think so BR.

I remember it sort of partially modern but not fully. For example Dolman still had wooden seats and SL funded it as you say, I recall the mooted Hengrove Park move e.g.

A dump in some ways although did quite like the ground then. East End even in its modern less old school form, Williams- as mentioned Dolman had wooden seats, and on Williams a bit of it there was a bit that faced the away end. Went in there a few times in late 2000s, went in East End overspill once in 2008, wish had got a season ticket in there tbh.

Would say so. By any objective measure, the last two decades have been at a higher average level (which division etc) than the prior 2. Whether it's a positive ROI or whether the investment has been well enough spent on the pitch well that's another debate.

[steveybadger]

Spent last night with a Charlton supporting mate, who took me through the latest of their basket case owners.

There is a phrase about grass and how green it is somewhere else….

[Redtucks]

On 30/12/2022 at 08:36, grifty said:

Why ask if you've already made up your mind?

He says don't post nonsense, but says he's asking for a friend!

I don't think we've all fallen off the Christmas tree!!!

 

[chinapig]

10 minutes ago, steveybadger said:

Spent last night with a Charlton supporting mate, who took me through the latest of their basket case owners.

There is a phrase about grass and how green it is somewhere else….

A West Brom fan was telling me their owner turned down a £50m bid for the club because he wants £175m!

He has just borrowed £20m from the rather notorious Macquarry bank to cover day to day costs, the club having already loaned £5m to his Chinese business.

With parachute payments ending this season Albion fans fear big trouble if they don't go up this season.

I have been highly critical of Steve's strategic and football decisions but at least he isn't dodgy.

[joe jordans teeth]

1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

I think so BR.

I remember it sort of partially modern but not fully. For example Dolman still had wooden seats and SL funded it as you say, I recall the mooted Hengrove Park move e.g.

A dump in some ways although did quite like the ground then. East End even in its modern less old school form, Williams- as mentioned Dolman had wooden seats, and on Williams a bit of it there was a bit that faced the away end. Went in there a few times in late 2000s, went in East End overspill once in 2008, wish had got a season ticket in there tbh.

Would say so. By any objective measure, the last two decades have been at a higher average level (which division etc) than the prior 2. Whether it's a positive ROI or whether the investment has been well enough spent on the pitch well that's another debate.

Look at what we have to watch the City in,it’s bloody magnificent,granted we are skint now but have a manager who will guide as through these tough times.OTIB is not the real feeling of city fans.

[Merrick's Marvels]

1 hour ago, steveybadger said:

Spent last night with a Charlton supporting mate, who took me through the latest of their basket case owners.

There is a phrase about grass and how green it is somewhere else….

Yep, we all know how this usually ends.

Don't know the actual stats but would guess that 8, or even 9, out of 10 times an owner sells up to someone wealthier in an attempt to move a club forward...

...it goes tits up.

Whatever the actual stats, the odds are still that SL will pass the baton to someone who fails, quite possibly disastrously, rather than someone who turns out to be a roaring success. 

Given he chose so many unsuitable managers, at the very least I'm praying he's asked someone else to find us a suitable new owner rather than do it himself. Or ask Jonboy. 

It's going to be a massive roll of the dice either way. 

Edited December 31, 2022 by Merrick's Marvels

[Bristol Oil Services]

1 hour ago, steveybadger said:

Spent last night with a Charlton supporting mate, who took me through the latest of their basket case owners.

There is a phrase about grass and how green it is somewhere else….

Yeah? Spent last night with a Brentford supporting mate, and a Brighton supporting mate. Got loads of mates, me. Tomorrow, I'm spending the night with a Leicester supporting mate. And a Plymuff supporting mate. 

Don't have a Few supporting mate, though. Wouldn't spend the night with him/her if I did, mind.

[ScottishRed]

1 hour ago, chinapig said:

A West Brom fan was telling me their owner turned down a £50m bid for the club because he wants £175m!

He has just borrowed £20m from the rather notorious Macquarry bank to cover day to day costs, the club having already loaned £5m to his Chinese business.

With parachute payments ending this season Albion fans fear big trouble if they don't go up this season.

I have been highly critical of Steve's strategic and football decisions but at least he isn't dodgy.

And according to the BBC he has failed to pay the £5m back today, which was the extended deadline date......

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 hour ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Yep, we all know how this usually ends.

Don't know the actual stats but would guess that 8, or even 9, out of 10 times an owner sells up to someone wealthier in an attempt to move a club forward...

...it goes tits up.

Whatever the actual stats, the odds are still that SL will pass the baton to someone who fails, quite possibly disastrously, rather than someone who turns out to be a roaring success. 

Given he chose so many unsuitable managers, at the very least I'm praying he's asked someone else to find us a suitable new owner rather than do it himself. Or ask Jonboy. 

It's going to be a massive roll of the dice either way. 

Certainly can do, outside of top levels it often will do.

West Brom, Charlton are two- Burnley seem to have managed it well so far but went from debt free and exceedingly well run to a leveraged buyout! Could you imagine if we were subject to a leveraged buyout at this level- we would be screwed!

Or he could sell to a fantasist or at best someone who will chase the dream and we fail FFP as has happened to a few of late.

If he sells up in a very good financial and FFP position then that will leave a stronger margin for error but time will tell as to how these will look at the time of sale.

Or even a new owner could be light on ready cash let's say and fund our inevitable shortfalls in cash flow via high interest loans, from MSD for example. Loans that would be secured against club assets etc.

Edited December 31, 2022 by Mr Popodopolous

[sh1t_ref_again]

3 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Certainly can do, outside of top levels it often will do.

West Brom, Charlton are two- Burnley seem to have managed it well so far but went from debt free and exceedingly well run to a leveraged buyout! Could you imagine if we were subject to a leveraged buyout at this level- we would be screwed!

Or he could sell to a fantasist or at best someone who will chase the dream and we fail FFP as has happened to a few of late.

If he sells up in a very good financial and FFP position then that will leave a stronger margin for error but time will tell as to how these will look at the time of sale.

Or even a new owner could be light on ready cash let's say and fund our inevitable shortfalls in cash flow via high interest loans, from MSD for example. Loans that would be secured against club assets etc.

This is what I don't understand with the want SL out brigade, what they want? It can't be extra money as far as I understand you can't just put extra money into the club over what SL is doing due to FFP, without perhaps being creative, bending the rules and running the risk of doing a Derby. 

So you could have a new board and different people, but run the risk of who these people are and how they finance the club just to have someone different at the helm.

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

This is what I don't understand with the want SL out brigade, what they want? It can't be extra money as far as I understand you can't just put extra money into the club over what SL is doing due to FFP, without perhaps being creative, bending the rules and running the risk of doing a Derby. 

So you could have a new board and different people, but run the risk of who these people are and how they finance the club just to have someone different at the helm.

I don’t want him out.  I just wish, as per my earlier post, he’d got in more professional football help.

[sh1t_ref_again]

9 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I don’t want him out.  I just wish, as per my earlier post, he’d got in more professional football help.

My post was aimed at the few who coninually pop up on the back of a couple of defeats, trying to create a groundswell against SL and wanting him out and what that could achieve.

Also take your point which would seem to havve been addressed, we have a manager in NP, who is not afraid to tell SL where its going wrong, Tinman now running recruitment and a new CEO who could not be more experienced it would seem SL now has the football people in place, just need an upturn in results.

[ScottishRed]

1 minute ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

My post was aimed at the few who coninually pop up on the back of a couple of defeats, trying to create a groundswell against SL and wanting him out and what that could achieve.

Also take your point which would seem to havve been addressed, we have a manager in NP, who is not afraid to tell SL where its going wrong, Tinman now running recruitment and a new CEO who could not be more experienced it would seem SL now has the football people in place, just need an upturn in results.

I would agree with that. Those three utterly key roles are now filled with experienced football people finally.

Results do need to improve and quickly, but I am optimistic that will happen and we can start to progress forward.

The very last thing we need is to end up in the bottom three in the next few weeks and for SL to pull the trigger on NP. In that scenario I would understand why he would as relegation would be a disaster,  but a new manager / head coach would want to do things differently, which I get, but it is not something that we need right now.

I don’t believe - currently - that we will be in trouble but we need to start picking up points very soon.

[Keepers Ball]

On 30/12/2022 at 08:42, spudski said:

FFS...you wake up from a decent hard earned point on the road, and your first thought is to post this.

who's to say he didn't aim to post it before the result? Not that its relevant.

Some of you have to realise and accept this forum is for ALL  opinions without being shouted down by the usual clique