A bad week for the Chairmen.

[BerlinWaller]

We have had conflicting interviews from two media outlets this week which have come from both of the clubs chairmen. Rod Taylor on BBC Lancs gave quite an upbeat interview which left a sense of positivity about the place but when Graham Howse joined in on the Beyond interview, it was a very different message. Derek Adams was in charge next season and then he might not be, the sale was almost done but then it wasn't and us humble fans were none the wiser.

Fast forward to Saturday and over 300 punch drunk fans travelled to watch an already relegated side at Chesterfield. Every person in that away did this football club proud. What an atmosphere, an atmosophere that has gone viral on social media. What was one Chairmans contribution? His first was to seek out a young fan who has travelled mile after mile and promote the club on his platforms to a wide audience. The lads crime was expressing his own views. His second was to appear at half time with a security guard and seek other fans out to dress them down but he did clap the fans as he made his way back to hospitality.

How did we get here? The away end is for the fans. It is where we gather, swap views and get behind our club. Unofficial social media groups are exactly that, a place to unofficially express your own view yet it is mentioned on public interviews. This is a tame fan base, people have got away with a lot more than they would at other clubs.

"Warring factions" is another new one. There are no factions and there is no war despite it being mentioned twice this week. What there is is a very very concerened fanbase being led a dance by the people in charge. The fanbase is struggling to agree on the best way to go about things but there is no war, not yet anyway and it won't be between fans if there is one.

[KenH]

Sadly I agree. Very poor form from Rod to only appear among fans at an away game to target our own fans, and thinking he needed a security guard too! He's been happy to enjoy the hospitality/suites at all other away games and showed no inclination at all to talk to fans on the concourses. Classic example of the "us and them" between the fans and those running the club. Very, very, sad that it's come to this.

[Billy bodger]

That Chairman does not like criticism, his default position is to gave a go back.

That’s great that isn’t it, he cannot see how or even why fans might have a different perspective on things. He hates the fact some fans will no longer be used as fools. They are also passionate about the Club but see it being destroyed and want to try and do something. As Berlin Waller says it’s not a war, we are all on the same side and he should respect that. Any fan who stops going because Whittingham is still the owner should be respected and when they come back once Whittingham gone!! Should be welcomed back with open arms.

He really needs some humility now and again and save all his wrath for Whittingham.

[Redalert1970]

If the circus isn't sorted out in the next couple of weeks then it won't be the national league it will be the national league north and beyond

This shambles needs to end

The fans yesterday were amazing and deserve so much better than what's going on

[redrobo]

A piece of elastic will eventually break if it is stretched enough.

Whilst not condoning what happened yesterday (i have to take the word of those who were there) I can understand that it is possible that Rod has had enough of the entire situation having done his best over the years to be as honest as he can be about the situation without divulging information that stays in the Boardroom.

He and his Co Chairman have had problem after problem to sort out to their best endeavours with very little thanks from sections of the clubs fan base.

Dealing with a toss pot of an owner would task the patience of anybody and to be honest I'm surprised that they collectively put up with the humiliation of having to defend the owners action (or lack of) BUT their love of their and our club and its very survival must eventuality take its toll on ones life outside of the football club.

It would be a very sorry day for our club if we had to say goodbye to either or even both (or all of the current Board) because the alternative is unthinkable.

[BerlinWaller]

A piece of elastic will eventually break if it is stretched enough.

Whilst not condoning what happened yesterday (i have to take the word of those who were there) I can understand that it is possible that Rod has had enough of the entire situation having done his best over the years to be as honest as he can be about the situation without divulging information that stays in the Boardroom.

He and his Co Chairman have had problem after problem to sort out to their best endeavours with very little thanks from sections of the clubs fan base.

Dealing with a toss pot of an owner would task the patience of anybody and to be honest I'm surprised that they collectively put up with the humiliation of having to defend the owners action (or lack of) BUT their love of their and our club and its very survival must eventuality take its toll on ones life outside of the football club.

It would be a very sorry day for our club if we had to say goodbye to either or even both (or all of the current Board) because the alternative is unthinkable.

Who has given very little thanks? What part of the fanbase? Would a Leeds United or any other club put up with what our fans have put up whilst being fed tripe by the Board? The support given to the Board as a collective and as individuals has been very good in general. It has been that good that anybody who has knocked them has been able to be singled out and confronted.

A line was crossed on saturday.

[Billy bodger]

It was interesting what Graham had to say about the sale. That although we are relegated the EFL are still dealing with ratification of the sale of the Club to Panjab Warriors. The process goes on while we are still in the EFL which will still be for a few more weeks.

Now I alluded to this a few weeks ago in another post, that if it is not finalised (they are still hopeful it will be!!!) will Panjab Warriors have to start going through the whole process with the League we end up in and how long will that take, because Whittingham will still be our owner.

It is also now clear that the budget for next year, according to Rod & Graham, will not be finalised till after the end of the playing season, be it Whittingham or any new owner.

So we know why Derek has nothing to work with ( or any manager our Club might have). No wonder Derek was incredulous about what is and isn’t the situation.

As for the fans I think in the main we have been loyal and boy has that been tested, that loyalty is being continuously stretched, even to some who have supported this for the 24-30 odd years the Co-Chairmen have been associated with the Club, they are struggling with the situation.

I know I’m a new comer, but I have been going 6-10 times a year for about 10 yrs. (my loyalty was watching live football at another North West Club). I always enjoyed going to watch Morecambe FC and four years ago with the friendships I have made decided to become a season ticket holder including going to the lounge for a pre match meal on Tuesday night games. (I still go now and again to watch the other Club). I find it so sad how quickly Morecambe have fallen in the four years since Whittingham put us up for sale and with a heavy heart after next Saturday I will be supporting the NAPM campaign till Whittingham is gone.

I’m hoping that before next season we are sold and if we aren’t and I miss the early bird season tickets I am more than happy to pay more once it happens and carry on watching all our home games. If Whittingham is still here at the start of next season, with a heavy heart it’s NAPM for me.

Now if that upsets the Chairmen, I hope they see it’s nothing to do with them and don’t take it personally, but I hope to God they are more understanding. I really do understand they are unswerving in what you do for the Club, they go above and beyond and yes without them we might not have been here, but if I see things differently as in not wanting Whittingham here to the point of not turning up on match days ( which I love),. What I would say is be a bit more gracious in what you say to ward’s anyone’s who does the same as me. I’m not at war with Morecambe, I’m not letting Morecambe down, I firmly believe I’m not letting the BoD’s down, I’m doing something that really needs to be done and that stop supporting Whittingham ownership.

[mrpotatohead]

A strange state of affairs , sadly none of the different groups have a solution , fan groups, or board members , Jason obviously will be glad theres internal bickering , as it detracts attention off him.

For what its worth , I think he wants the club to fail and fold so he can flog off everything apart from the football pitch.

[Billy bodger]

A strange state of affairs , sadly none of the different groups have a solution , fan groups, or board members , Jason obviously will be glad theres internal bickering , as it detracts attention off him.

For what its worth , I think he wants the club to fail and fold so he can flog off everything apart from the football pitch.

What deflects the attention off Whittingham is the BOD’s continually saying they hope the sale process is progressing. I think the NAPM campaign firmly and rightly puts everything on him. The people upstairs not being happy with those who are contemplating joining the NAPM campaign also detracts attention off Whittingham by claiming there are ‘WARRING FRACTIONS’. If what is being said happened at Chesterfield with a confrontation by a Co-Chairman and a fan taking place it’s the BOD’s who are being out of order. James Wakefield came out and said things a bit different than Rod & Graham in an interview, it will be Groundhog Day and a mess if Whittingham stays.

In the end if we go into administration it’s the appointed administration accountants who will sell of the Club not Whittingham, though I firmly believe he will not lose out on the money front.

[CityShrimp]

I’m amazed that anyone believes our chairmen/board of directors are the problem here.

What would you have liked them to do differently and what difference would that have made to our situation?

[Hodgie1978]

I don't think anyone thinks the board are the problem but it doesn't mean they are free from criticism.
It makes my blood boil when they use the term warring fractions....
You clearly don't get our amazing fans

[KenH]

I’m amazed that anyone believes our chairmen/board of directors are the problem here.

Rod's actions at Chesterfield were completely out of order and unnecessary.

[redrobo]

I’m amazed that anyone believes our chairmen/board of directors are the problem here.

What would you have liked them to do differently and what difference would that have made to our situation?

Answers to that question would be interesting As would that be to my question about Who provides finance to pay for wages etc if at the end of the month there is no money in the Bank

[black morse]

I’m amazed that anyone believes our chairmen/board of directors are the problem here.

What would you have liked them to do differently and what difference would that have made to our situation?

Answers to that question would be interesting As would that be to my question about Who provides finance to pay for wages etc if at the end of the month there is no money in the Bank

As far as I am concerned the only query that should be answered by the Board is what really happened re the VAT bill that resulted in the embargo last year. The answer given by the Board was pretty ambiguous and the embargo certainly had a bearing on this year's budget. Otherwise I appreciate the unpaid Board have done their best in a very difficult situation.

Relating to redrobbo's question the answer is obvious as well he knows. The owner will have to find the money to pay and if he can't/won't the wages don't get paid.

[CityShrimp]

I’m amazed that anyone believes our chairmen/board of directors are the problem here.

Rod's actions at Chesterfield were completely out of order and unnecessary.

What did he do? There don’t seem to be any first hand accounts of what exactly was said, just vague secondhand reports that he gave someone a ‘dressing down’.

[Hodgie1978]

This is from Stuart Rae
I think Rod was coming over to say thank you to the supporters that had travelled; shaking hands and conversing with people. Presumably the security guard had accompanied him from the directors seating in the stand on the opposite side of the ground. I wouldn’t say that this is a typical thing for a football chairman to do… but Rod isn’t your typical chairman; he’s always been approachable and visible to the fanbase… and is respected because of this; certainly by myself.

I did have a chat with Rod at halftime; it was lighthearted in nature but it’s clear we have different opinions about things at the club…. which is fine, it’s nothing personal, and I didn’t take it as such. He did say that some of my opinions and the things I write online are factually incorrect, and that they could be pulled apart piece by piece… which I thought was odd, though I’m unsure what he was referring to specifically. Something I have been critical of is that the lack of effective and meaningful communication… based on Dereks post match interview, I’d say I that I wasn’t alone in that assertion.

[al1]

In response to red robbo / cc why didn't the board see the writing on the wall when the Worcester Warriors fiasco started?

[Wild Bill]

Feel for Rod. Passionate guy who believes he's doing his best for the club. He's trying to play both camps and keep the club going. With everything though going on its proving impossible.

[Billy bodger]

Obviously I see things different from others and I’m not proud of the fact that it may be unfavourable or is upsetting to fellow fans or some of the board of Directors, it’s not something I come to terms with easily, but for me it the right thing to do, even though I’m certain Whittingham won’t give a toss.

I posted this earlier and I stand by the post:-

I’m hoping that before next season we are sold and if we aren’t and I miss the early bird season tickets I am more than happy to pay more once it happens and carry on watching all our home games. If Whittingham is still here at the start of next season, with a heavy heart it’s NAPM for me.

Now if that upsets the Chairmen, I hope they see it’s nothing to do with them and don’t take it personally, but I hope to God they are more understanding. I really do understand they are unswerving in what you do for the Club, they go above and beyond and yes without them we might not have been here, but if I see things differently, as in not wanting Whittingham here to the point of not turning up on match days ( which I love). What I would say is be a bit more gracious in what you say to ward’s anyone’s who does the same as me. I’m not at war with Morecambe, I’m not letting Morecambe down, I firmly believe I’m not letting the BoD’s down, I’m doing something that really needs to be done and that stop supporting Whittingham ownership.

Well That’s it, and I’m ok that for me, that is the right decision for me. Then as soon as Whittingham’s gone I will be back watching the team, cheering them on, hoping for better days and I hope everyone connected to Morecambe FC can then finally put all this uncertainty and ridiculous situation of the sale of the Club behind them and finally move forward as one.

[Little Shrimp]

I actually thought it was a fairly decent week for the chairmen until Saturday evening! Graham in the Beyond interview gave a lot more information than we've had previously - dropping a line about the group including various members of the UK Sikh community, and giving much more detail about where Panjab are with the EFL and the timeline of that whole process. Given the level of detail Graham provided, I'm inclined to think that the sale really is a lot closer than it ever has been. I think them previously giving vague 'oh yeah there's been progress' answers has been driven by them having very little to share, whereas now they can actually say something more substantial so feel happier going into more detail.

On Derek's interview - I think it will partly be about the general strategy rather than just the budget, but I do think it's also a bit of a warning shot about making sure the budget is 100% set after the board meeting this week. We simply can't go into next season like we did this season. Even if it's a more modest budget, it needs to be rubber stamped so Derek can crack on and plan.

[Billy bodger]

I actually thought it was a fairly decent week for the chairmen until Saturday evening! Graham in the Beyond interview gave a lot more information than we've had previously - dropping a line about the group including various members of the UK Sikh community, and giving much more detail about where Panjab are with the EFL and the timeline of that whole process. Given the level of detail Graham provided, I'm inclined to think that the sale really is a lot closer than it ever has been. I think them previously giving vague 'oh yeah there's been progress' answers has been driven by them having very little to share, whereas now they can actually say something more substantial so feel happier going into more detail.

On Derek's interview - I think it will partly be about the general strategy rather than just the budget, but I do think it's also a bit of a warning shot about making sure the budget is 100% set after the board meeting this week. We simply can't go into next season like we did this season. Even if it's a more modest budget, it needs to be rubber stamped so Derek can crack on and plan.

Have you factored in Whittingham?
And if your right and they believe it’s close to the sale going through why get upset with the NAPM campaign that isn’t going to happen?

[Keith]

I don't know exactly what was said, or how it was said, but perhaps it was simply frustration and quite possibly, exhaustion with the whole thing? Rod will be as upset as any of us with the relegation, but on top, he's got the additional pressure of trying to hold everything together?

If the confrontation was about the NaPM campaign, then that's a good thing, because if they are concerned about it, they'll have made sure Whittingham is too.

[redrobo]

I don't know exactly what was said, or how it was said, but perhaps it was simply frustration and quite possibly, exhaustion with the whole thing? Rod will be as upset as any of us with the relegation, but on top, he's got the additional pressure of trying to hold everything together?

If the confrontation was about the NaPM campaign, then that's a good thing, because if they are concerned about it, they'll have made sure Whittingham is too.

It's also possible that a lot of the posts on the Forum incorrectly report certain facts that are simply untrue or are so far off the reality that he needed to get the frustration off his chest.

Rod and I have had 'words' before but at the end of the day we have shaken hands and moved on. Maybe time that this unfortunate episode was put to bed.

However I am confused about reports in the Lancaster Guardian of last week and of today.

Last week it said that DA was actively working alongside his recruitment professional and that he was busy organizing pre season and arranging friendlies and more importantly that he was committed to ensuring that we hit the ground running for our short return to the National League.

In today's Guardian Derek Quinn wrote about DA being concerned that no plans had been put together by the BoDs and the owner and that he was unable to make any plans for next season as he was unaware of budgets etc. The article was based on his post match comments at Chesterfield.

Hopefully following Thursday's Board Meeting everything will be clear and that DA will be given the budget to formulate his action plan for next season. That's assuming that the owner or new owners will provide that much needed assurance for DA and the BoDs to move forward TOGETHER.

[Little Shrimp]

Have you factored in Whittingham?
And if your right and they believe it’s close to the sale going through why get upset with the NAPM campaign that isn’t going to happen?

My line of thinking is that Whittingham is blatantly self interested and will do whatever it takes to get the best deal for him (in his eyes). This has resulted in him spending far too long chasing a deal with a party that has struggled to complete it, on the promise of a higher sale price, all while the club has suffered as a result. I think he's wanted to get the sale done, but basically only to Panjab, which in itself has been a problem.

The board thinking the sale might be close and also being upset with NAPM aren't mutually exclusive things. I'm sure that they, like the rest of us, won't be truly convinced until everything is fully completed, and even then will probably be cautious about the new ownership. I don't think it's contradictory of them to think that the sale might be happening soon, but also still be worried about NAPM.