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I have read the posts on this site that have bemoaned the quality, determination, care and respect for the club shown by the current crop of players et al OR on the flip side the perceived level of devotion to the club shown by the management and players et al.

Having given the opposing views lengthy consideration I have come to the conclusion that there are only 2 elements in any football club that TRULY care.

1) The Chairperson (and possibly some of the Board of Directors).....why???....because they have willingly INVESTED their own money into the club.

2) The Fan Base.........why???..........because they have willingly PAID their own money into the club.

ALL the other people involved in the infrastructure of the club TAKE money out.

Oh, there are many protestations of how much they "love the club" "have respect for the club" etc. - some players even symbolising their love and devotion by kissing the badge - how ridiculous that looks 6 months later when they’re at another club!!! These people do not stay, they will move on taking with them elsewhere the money earned, the care and devotion expressed.

My view is that we should not waste our energies vilifying those who we consider do not show the right level of commitment or praising those who we consider do. They do not really care.

We should use our energies to applaud those who do care .........Thea (and maybe some of the Board) and The Fans - be proud of your contribution and realise it will always be greater than that of any wage taker.

Gloomy Gull wrote:I have read the posts on this site that have bemoaned the quality, determination, care and respect for the club shown by the current crop of players et al OR on the flip side the perceived level of devotion to the club shown by the management and players et al.

Having given the opposing views lengthy consideration I have come to the conclusion that there are only 2 elements in any football club that TRULY care.

1) The Chairperson (and possibly some of the Board of Directors).....why???....because they have willingly INVESTED their own money into the club.

2) The Fan Base.........why???..........because they have willingly PAID their own money into the club.

ALL the other people involved in the infrastructure of the club TAKE money out.

Oh, there are many protestations of how much they "love the club" "have respect for the club" etc. - some players even symbolising their love and devotion by kissing the badge - how ridiculous that looks 6 months later when they’re at another club!!! These people do not stay, they will move on taking with them elsewhere the money earned, the care and devotion expressed.

My view is that we should not waste our energies vilifying those who we consider do not show the right level of commitment or praising those who we consider do. They do not really care.

We should use our energies to applaud those who do care .........Thea (and maybe some of the Board) and The Fans - be proud of your contribution and realise it will always be greater than that of any wage taker.

With respect to the Chairlady and Directors they have no idea about the football side of running a proffesional football club. I think they would have saved money by employing a general manager ex-pro like Colin Lee who obviously did a good job but was paid to much,' but who's fault is that'. This would stop rash decisions that Knill took signing a few players that we know are not up to it.

arcadia wrote: With respect to the Chairlady and Directors they have no idea about the football side of running a proffesional football club. I think they would have saved money by employing a general manager ex-pro like Colin Lee who obviously did a good job but was paid to much,' but who's fault is that'. This would stop rash decisions that Knill took signing a few players that we know are not up to it.

Don't ever mention Colin Lee and Mo Camara in the same breath then!

How many years was Colin here and you can on ly remember one. Perhaps Matt will come on and tell me another.

arcadia wrote:How many years was Colin here and you can on ly remember one. Perhaps Matt will come on and tell me another.

Weird! I only mentioned one. That does not imply I could not remember any more. Strangely despite my aging brain cells I have an excellent memory of the last 52 years of following Torquay United. But I won't bore you with it!

Eyesdown Christie.

Regardless of how many it was, it's the nature of the deal and Lee's part in it which makes him unsuitable.

If I could only name one kid my neighbour has nonced up, I bet you wouldn't let him babysit.

Matt.

stefano wrote: Weird! I only mentioned one. That does not imply I could not remember any more. Strangely despite my aging brain cells I have an excellent memory of the last 52 years of following Torquay United. But I won't bore you with it!

I would not question your experience but what i am trying to get across is a Martyn Ling above the manager as his track record at this club is excellent in getting young players and improving them.
I am only using names as a guide line not an appointment. I think I might be as old as you and respect that. I've only got 5 years experience here and it's tearing my hair out as the directors need directing in the right direction if that sounds right.
The club got rid of the wrong players at the end of last season.

arcadia wrote:I think they would have saved money by employing a general manager ex-pro like Colin Lee who obviously did a good job but was paid to much,' but who's fault is that'. This would stop rash decisions that Knill took signing a few players that we know are not up to it.

He wasnt actually paid that much in the grand scheme of things, though the expense allowance was pretty generous.

However, under his "chief executiveship" as a football specialist, the debt rocketed in three years...Makes the money Knill spent on signings look like small change down the back of the sofa...

Sunnysideup wrote: He wasnt actually paid that much in the grand scheme of things, though the expense allowance was pretty generous.

However, under his "chief executiveship" as a football specialist, the debt rocketed in three years...Makes the money Knill spent on signings look like small change down the back of the sofa...

I did say the directors don't know how to run the club.

arcadia wrote: I did say the directors don't know how to run the club.

Neither did Colin Lee either who clearly didnt do a "good job" judging by the financial records.

arcadia wrote:what i am trying to get across is a Martyn Ling above the manager as his track record at this club is excellent in getting young players and improving them.

Certainly did a cracking job with the likes of Cruise/Leadbitter/Bodin etc

EVERY manager signs some shit - even Alex Ferguson made mistakes like Bebe, Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson.

Ling's positive signings far out weighed the dross.

DevonYellow wrote:EVERY manager signs some sh*t - even Alex Ferguson made mistakes like Bebe, Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson.
Ling's positive signings far out weighed the dross.

Whats that got to do with developing young players?

The point made was regarding Ling's record in "getting young players and developing them" so it has everything to do with it.

DevonYellow wrote:The point made was regarding Ling's record in "getting young players and developing them" so it has everything to do with it.

So which ones would that be then?
I used Leadbitter/Cruise/Bodin as I couldnt think of any others that fitted the criteria of "getting young players and developing them".