Blades should give thanks to the McCabes

[1066blade]

In general I agree with the OP, but it's not true to say "not many complained" when Kev appointed Robson. Many did complain, in fact most did. It was a disaster waiting to happen and the fans could see it, but the chairman couldn't or wouldn't.

Far more complained about the appointment of Wilson than Robson. We had a vital mealtdown on his appointment, and who was the better manager by a mile? Shows how much the expert fans know.

 

[Houston_Blade]

bought me a beer in Spain , did Kev , so thumbs up

You should have mentioned that before.

 

[TTMeysh]

He seems like a decent chap. Not particularly rich, not particularly competent, but compared with Venkys, Oystons etc or even some of the grotesques who were his immediate predecessors at our club, not a bad chap.

 

[Kev Gee]

Thanks for your efforts Kev.


However he isnt going anywhere is he?

He still owns the shares and 50%

 

[The Bohemian]

He got involved when the soul of the club was being ripped out by some deeply unpleasant characters who saw our beloved club as nothing more than a vehicle for personal enrichment. Once the flotation cash had been spent (or 'taken,' depending on your perspective) the 'project' became much less interesting.

Only the most deluded cynic doubts that McCabe's involvement with The Blades has cost him a hefty chunk of his family's fortune. The fact that much of it has arguably been wasted by incompetent execs and managers (of his choosing) is similarly difficult to deny but enormous credit is due for trying.

As others have noted, our biggest concern is who follows him.

I may have missed it elsewhere, but has anyone gave a vote of thanks to the McCabes for keeping our United financially afloat for all these years yet? Their financial contribution, claimed to be around £100 Million and their careful custodianship of the Club & Ground should not be overlooked and taken for granted. When you contrast that with the recent state of affairs at S6:
rust bucket stadium
spending silly money on duff players
ridiculous ticket prices to pay for them

Some of the Dolphin Killer's predecessors weren't anywhere as good as that having to regularly get their begging bowl out to the Banks for years and years.

There has been some decisions made at earlier stages that were less than perfect but not many complained at the time when Robson, Adams, Clough & Atkins were appointed, indeed most of those topped our opinion polls on who should be appointed. With hindsight, a lot of people got those wrong too.
If anyone thinks that they could have done better, they were in hiding for a long time while George was looking for new investors.

Be thankful and grateful to the McCabes for what they have already done & hope that their involvement doesn't come to a total end soon.

Maybe a chant at our next home game of "They are some of our own, some of our own,McCabes are some of our own" Wouldn't go amiss.

 

[pommpey]

My purpose in bringing up was by way of responding to Tyler Durden post that praising McCabe would result in a huge thread. As would comments about Desso. Based on experience of previous threads.

It was not an actual comment about Desso, nor anyone who has made an argument for or against. I could have equally chosen the subject of whether Leon would fit into the team or should we have signed Ched.

On reflection, I probably picked Desso because I've quite enjoyed the debates over it.

Okay. Explain the first season on Desso and why we were turned over by Bury, Millwall, Colchester, Shrewsbury, Peterborough, Wigan, Burton and Scunthorpe on it yet last season only Southend, Walsall and Fleetwood managed it? On the same surface. We also won away on countless non Desso surfaces.

I know I bang on about this, but no-one ... and I mean no-one ... has explained it. Which only points toward the assumption that although the Desso must be nice to play on and looks dead super, it's just window dressing, and a convenient distraction. My point is and always will be that that money could have been better spent on our back four during the 2015-16 season.

pommpey

 

[HillmortonBlade]

Okay. Explain the first season on Desso and why we were turned over by Bury, Millwall, Colchester, Shrewsbury, Peterborough, Wigan, Burton and Scunthorpe on it yet last season only Southend, Walsall and Fleetwood managed it? On the same surface. We also won away on countless non Desso surfaces.

I know I bang on about this, but no-one ... and I mean no-one ... has explained it. Which only points toward the assumption that although the Desso must be nice to play on and looks dead super, it's just window dressing, and a convenient distraction. My point is and always will be that that money could have been better spent on our back four during the 2015-16 season.

pommpey

Tried to PM you. Its not my intention to argue over the Desso, please don't think that I had some ulterior motive.. I only used the subject to illustrate an example of long threads (as I said elsewhere, I could have used Ched threads as easily). I can't answer your questions, and believe your points have strong validity.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

Okay. Explain the first season on Desso and why we were turned over by Bury, Millwall, Colchester, Shrewsbury, Peterborough, Wigan, Burton and Scunthorpe on it yet last season only Southend, Walsall and Fleetwood managed it? On the same surface. We also won away on countless non Desso surfaces.

I know I bang on about this, but no-one ... and I mean no-one ... has explained it. Which only points toward the assumption that although the Desso must be nice to play on and looks dead super, it's just window dressing, and a convenient distraction. My point is and always will be that that money could have been better spent on our back four during the 2015-16 season.

pommpey

I had a walk on the Desso after the Beamback last season. It is, indeed, a lovely surface. But it did not make me any better a footballer.

If that means anything?

 

[blade too long]

Could we do better
Well if some philanthropic billionaire came in yes
Could we do worse

Oh yes much much worse
At least he's a fan

 

[Pedro's Winger]

Done his best, maybe, but generally poor stewardship of the club.
One season in the sun and rest of the other 20 or whatever it is largely in the shade is poor whichever way you cut it.
Hasn't put that much money in, remains very wealthy and still owns a valuable asset.
Could have been worse but not by much.

 

[Rob86]

Okay. Explain the first season on Desso and why we were turned over by Bury, Millwall, Colchester, Shrewsbury, Peterborough, Wigan, Burton and Scunthorpe on it yet last season only Southend, Walsall and Fleetwood managed it? On the same surface. We also won away on countless non Desso surfaces.

I know I bang on about this, but no-one ... and I mean no-one ... has explained it. Which only points toward the assumption that although the Desso must be nice to play on and looks dead super, it's just window dressing, and a convenient distraction. My point is and always will be that that money could have been better spent on our back four during the 2015-16 season.

pommpey

Yes but players want a good surface to play on now. They spend half the season playing on it and if they enjoy it then it can only benefit us. We've won on some shit pitches safe i the knowledge we only have to play on it once ! Our problem in the first season was that the Desso was more for the visitor. Not anymore though !

 

[pommpey]

Tried to PM you. Its not my intention to argue over the Desso, please don't think that I had some ulterior motive.. I only used the subject to illustrate an example of long threads (as I said elsewhere, I could have used Ched threads as easily). I can't answer your questions, and believe your points have strong validity.

And whilst others might see my issue with Desso as a focal point of my problems with McCabe, it isn't. It's a factor. I have said before on here and will always maintain - he and his family are not crooked, bent or on the make. There is no evidence of this and I don't believe anyone who says they are. He is a Blade and has always wanted the best for the club. It is his disingenuousness and sometimes believable incompetence I question, coupled with some at times stunningly silly manoeuvres which I hope many will agree, have cost the club. So for all this 'he's put squillions in', yeah, maybe he has. But he's also cost the club squillions in lost income with our loss of status in the upper leagues and split the fanbase right down the middle.

Thankfully, the hurricane seems to have passed. Let's hope the club can rebuild.

pommpey

 

[pommpey]

Our problem in the first season was that the Desso was more for the visitor.

Hmmm. So much wrong with that rather weak excuse, Rob.

Our problem in the first season was that we had a shit team, and a shit manager.

pommpey

 

[Blade56]

One thing for sure he stayed at the helm as the ship went down until we started our comeback. Under big money its success or chaos based on some of the big money families we've seen.

Got a feeling BRP is cautious like McCabe and will hopefully plan and have a bit of resolve to succeed over time.

 

[pommpey]

One thing for sure he stayed at the helm as the ship went down until we started our comeback.

Nothing to do with remaining with his invested money? If he's ploughed £100m in (as people assure us) walking away from a failing business venture would certainly be a bad business move, no? All he had to do was wait until the right formula arrived, rely on the fanbase to keep buying STs and rotate the turnstiles and come out with periodic soundbites to spike the inflating criticism and disillusionment.

pommpey

 

[Top Cat]

Hmmm. So much wrong with that rather weak excuse, Rob.

Our problem in the first season was that we had a shit team, and a shit manager.

pommpey

Maybe, and this just my crazy theory, Wilder based his ethos on signing players that he considered were comfortable with playing football on the floor on a true state of the art surface.

Much the same as Brian Clough used O'Hare, Mackay and McFarland to win two league titles on the quagmire.

Make sense to you Popeye?

 

[Davalon]

In general I agree with the OP, but it's not true to say "not many complained" when Kev appointed Robson. Many did complain, in fact most did. It was a disaster waiting to happen and the fans could see it, but the chairman couldn't or wouldn't.

You deserve a likety like cheque book and pen.

I'm confident in saying the majority of our fans were anything from baffled to apoplectic.

 

[Davalon]

Cheeky little disco minx*. Twenty seven years ago.

Oh, yes.

*drifts off*

Hang on ... McCabe! McCABE!

pommpey

*she was lovely until Hutchence got his dirty hands on her

Never forgiven that perverted dirty cunt for ruining her

 

[Pierre's PC]

bought me a beer in Spain , did Kev , so thumbs up

That's pretty impressive, don't think you've mentioned that before.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Nothing to do with remaining with his invested money? If he's ploughed £100m in (as people assure us) walking away from a failing business venture would certainly be a bad business move, no? All he had to do was wait until the right formula arrived, rely on the fanbase to keep buying STs and rotate the turnstiles and come out with periodic soundbites to spike the inflating criticism and disillusionment.

pommpey

The other thing he's had to do is keep putting money in to keep the doors open/try to protect his investment. Over the last two seasons the owners have put in more in than the season tickets and match day sales than the fans - us - have. Conveniently left out of your summation above. Odd that.

 

[pommpey]

Never forgiven that perverted dirty cunt for ruining her

And how he must have ruined her.

Lucky (dead) twat.

pommpey

 

[pommpey]

Maybe, and this just my crazy theory, Wilder based his ethos on signing players that he considered were comfortable with playing football on the floor on a true state of the art surface.

Much the same as Brian Clough used O'Hare, Mackay and McFarland to win two league titles on the quagmire.

Make sense to you Popeye?

Oh, you're back geeetarman? After everyone rounded on you last time and exposed you for the Aldi-lite Bladesmad chimp you always were and you kinda slunk off back under your rock. Bless.

Let's just recap:

We did actually win away during the 2015-16 season (Scunthorpe, Colchester and Shrewsbury IIRC, but I think there were a couple more)

Not exactly on surfaces you'd equate with 'fast attacking football' and 'playing it on the deck' (especially Scunthorpe, which in December is like a fucking cowfield) Think we also beat Morecambe in the League Cup, too)

So, clever lad, equate what the correlation is with Wilder and his players playing on Desso and losing (last season) and Adkins and winning away (the previous season), wontcha? It kinda blows your pissed-up, sat in your vest-and-pants theory out of the water. Mind you, we have your vast experience as a semi-pro to fall back on and your shitloads of money, Walter Mitty yawn-fest you tried once to fifteen-two me on, don't we?

Bottom line is: last season we had the right manager who sorted the team out (and fucked off the makeweights and cheapo options stealing a wage) and we won, at home and away, on Desso and cowfield, and ran away with it. Its the quality of players and manager which is the key issue here. Thankfully, McCabe left both well alone.

Hope that helps.

pommpey

ps: explain how many extra-football activities the Desso has enabled SUFC to stage and how much cash the club has made from it - as promised - please. I think, one circus and a boxing match wasn't it? And the boxing had the pitch covered, so it could have been held on the old mudbath for all its worth

 

[JohnDenver]

It is, indeed, a lovely surface. But it did not make me any better a footballer.

Typical spoon-fed modern footballer!

 

[pommpey]

The other thing he's had to do is keep putting money in to keep the doors open/try to protect his investment. Over the last two seasons the owners have put in more in than the season tickets and match day sales than the fans - us - have. Conveniently left out of your summation above. Odd that.

My point exactly. People pull out their hankies as if McCabe is our (the fans) saviour. He has had to put money in to protect money already invested. Imagine if he suddenly decided to flog the club? His own personal stock would be down several tens of millions. He knows he has a loss making lodestone round his neck. Like many businesses, he has had to measure what he has to put in to keep the business running until better times, or flog at a huge loss. He's not stupid. The money already invested however is the moot point. Where is it, with regard the football club?

pommpey

 

[blade too long]

And whilst others might see my issue with Desso as a focal point of my problems with McCabe, it isn't. It's a factor. I have said before on here and will always maintain - he and his family are not crooked, bent or on the make. There is no evidence of this and I don't believe anyone who says they are. He is a Blade and has always wanted the best for the club. It is his disingenuousness and sometimes believable incompetence I question, coupled with some at times stunningly silly manoeuvres which I hope many will agree, have cost the club. So for all this 'he's put squillions in', yeah, maybe he has. But he's also cost the club squillions in lost income with our loss of status in the upper leagues and split the fanbase right down the middle.

Thankfully, the hurricane seems to have passed. Let's hope the club can rebuild.

pommpey

you cant say hes a true blade and motivated by that and then say hes disingenuous
he comes across a bit smarmy at times but most people in charge do

hes not lost the club millions as we are stable and owe nothing
like all football clubs our on field shenanigans have fluctuated wildly
theres been some attempts to raise income on seperate occasions , but most clubs have to try and increase income
we are not the only club with a hotel
we are not the only club whos invested in oveerseas ventures
we are not the only former great club thats been in league one and even div 4
more than half the current prem teams have been in league one, burnley nearly became non league

does mccabe make errors hell yes , but hes not alone

 

[Jan Age]

Hey! There's no bigger blade than me.

Europe in 5 years.

Game changing.

Think Liverpool.

In The Championship the investment will really kick in.

Cheers for the sound bytes Kev.

 

[Sean Thornton]

My point exactly. People pull out their hankies as if McCabe is our (the fans) saviour. He has had to put money in to protect money already invested. Imagine if he suddenly decided to flog the club? His own personal stock would be down several tens of millions. He knows he has a loss making lodestone round his neck. Like many businesses, he has had to measure what he has to put in to keep the business running until better times, or flog at a huge loss. He's not stupid. The money already invested however is the moot point. Where is it, with regard the football club?

pommpey

But somehow you forgot to mention it?




The debt was converted to shares and a share premium account, as explained before. Look in the group accounts for Blades Leisure Ltd at 2016, there's £41m of it right there.

You're no pudding, you're an intelligent man and can understand those transactions but can't bring yourself to quote them as it undermines your point about the amount of investment. You query what's said but come up with nothing save your Nixonesque "McCabe is not a crook" comments.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Hey! There's no bigger blade than me.

Europe in 5 years.

Game changing.

Think Liverpool.

In The Championship the investment will really kick in.

Cheers for the sound bytes Kev.

4/5.

Better

 

[pommpey]

does mccabe make errors hell yes , but hes not alone

Yep. Look at Palace. Look at Leeds. Villa. Bolton.

But I don't support any of them, and don't give a fat fuck about them or their players, fans or management either.

McCabe can be a Blade and make mistakes. But his mistakes haven't just been marginal ones. We laboured for almost four seasons too long in a lower division with a raft of gash managers, shipping teams who were full of optimistic acquisitions bought for 'undiscloseds' and (I hope you'll agree) vastly underachieving compared with clubs with less corporate, structural and supporter muscle than us. Watford? Bournemouth? Swansea City? Even, as you say, Burnley? All are shipping full internationals and playing football which, even as we are right now under Wilder, would make our heads spin. Because the right decisions have been made and the investment has been focussed on the squad, rather than fripperies and chattels.

Like I say, McCabe isn't satan, and he isn't as much a hopeless shit as many on here say he is. I do believe he has meant well, but has used some schonky outpourings to ameliorate the evangelical when even they have become questioning at where he is going with the club.

Thank fuck for Wilder, is all I can say. He has saved his, and our ... um ... bacon. Did I just say 'bacon'? I meant 'sausages', then.

pommpey

 

[blade too long]

his problem is hes not as wealthy as wed like in reality
hes worth 150 m and if you go on the 10 per cent rule can go to 10 15 m a year to gift to us, if he can still make money

like all fans we want more , some want him to give us 50 m a year but its not viable
he has to keep it at the level he can sustain

as is the case since year dot weve never had any considerable investment

We could have used another 20m in the prem , might have stayed up then but no one in sheffield was prepared to chuck in
until a serious investor comes in we have to balance our finite resourses
we cant have people blaming mccabe for the lack of other investors