Silence is deafening

[FriethBlade]

So three days after Wilder let loose re the board situation there doesn't seem to have been a single comment from either camp in the boardroom.

I know there is no obligation for anyone to say anything but at the same time as the club is trying to persuade everyone to renew their season tickets you'd think a little bit of reassurance along the lines of 'we are trying out best to sort out a difficult situation' wouldn't go amiss. As wouldn't a bit of guidance as to a possible timeframe for a resolution...ie weeks or months. The longer the silence the implication is the longer til a resolution

I know Phipps and Sela weren't everyone's cup of tea but they did try and communicate with the fans no matter how cringe worthy at times. At the minute it feels like the gulf between the board and fans is as wide as it's ever been.

 

[Sean Thornton]

We're talking millions here. Lawyers take their time to cross the t's and dot the i's. Highly unlikely CW's comments changed whatever time table they and the owners have. And that's even if it's been decided between them.

 

[Russ]

Take the hint Sean. Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

 

[Cerberus Blade]

“If there’s nowt to say, don’t say it!”

An old Yorkshire saying but very wise imo.

I don’t know what more can be said? Saying what you’ve suggested would only prompt more questions. And who would say that anyhow? McCabe? The Prince? Both of them?

I’m afraid they have to have some news before they say owt worthwhile.

I think this could run on for a while yet.

Wilders made his dissatisfaction clear. That’s all there is for now realistically.

Hopefully it will get resolved but it will be very difficult to beat this seasons achievements if not.

 

[Keen Blade]

Sometimes no news is good news.
Temper your impatience by recognising the very real possibility that the next announcement you hear might be the purchase of the freehold by the Prince , followed soon afterwards by the piggy orientated Sheffield City Council creaming itself whilst approving plans to redevelop the Lane and then SUFC going into voluntary liquidation.
The demise of your football club is not unthinkable.
Indeed , no company losing £10m pa has an indefinite right to exist , once it's benefactor retires or dies.

Or , putting it another way , how much per annum will you yourself donate to keep it in existence ?

 

[Sheffsteel]

Freith,

What do you expect them to say?
There’s nothing they can say apart from the old classics such as

“We are currently in legal discussions but if successful we have ambitions to do the best for Sheffield United and wish to put on record our full support for Chris Wilder”

Would it make you feel better if McCabe and the Prince said the above?
However it doesn’t mean anything, of course they both want as they see it,, the best for SUFC.
It’s best for them to say nothing until there’s real news.
If our directors get involved in a slanging match then they will both look silly and unprofessional.

 

[Keen Blade]

Freith,

What do you expect them to say?
There’s nothing they can say apart from the old classics such as

“We are currently in legal discussions but if successful we have ambitions to do the best for Sheffield United and wish to put on record our full support for Chris Wilder”

Would it make you feel better if McCabe and the Prince said the above?
However it doesn’t mean anything, of course they both want as they see it,, the best for SUFC.
It’s best for them to say nothing until there’s real news.
If our directors get involved in a slanging match then they will both look silly and unprofessional.

Kevin's propaganda at the so-called "shareholders meeting" just made him look grasping for popularity , when the Prince had no right of reply , nor would the latter have chucked mud , even if he did.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Sometimes no news is good news.
Temper your impatience by recognising the very real possibility that the next announcement you hear might be the purchase of the freehold by the Prince , followed soon afterwards by the piggy orientated Sheffield City Council creaming itself whilst approving plans to redevelop the Lane and then SUFC going into voluntary liquidation.
The demise of your football club is not unthinkable.
Indeed , no company losing £10m pa has an indefinite right to exist , once it's benefactor retires or dies.

Or , putting it another way , how much per annum will you yourself donate to keep it in existence ?

Some fair points there, but your'e making the mistake of bringing a sense of realism into this debate.

It doesn't go down too well on here.

 

[DaleHillBlade]

So three days after Wilder let loose re the board situation there doesn't seem to have been a single comment from either camp in the boardroom.

I know there is no obligation for anyone to say anything but at the same time as the club is trying to persuade everyone to renew their season tickets you'd think a little bit of reassurance along the lines of 'we are trying out best to sort out a difficult situation' wouldn't go amiss. As wouldn't a bit of guidance as to a possible timeframe for a resolution...ie weeks or months. The longer the silence the implication is the longer til a resolution

I know Phipps and Sela weren't everyone's cup of tea but they did try and communicate with the fans no matter how cringe worthy at times. At the minute it feels like the gulf between the board and fans is as wide as it's ever been.

Wilder is an employee of the owners. I'm not sure they would necessarily be feel the requirement to jump when he tells them.

 

[Bladezz]

I would imagine clarity would be.

Both sides think they are in the right legally and there are lawyers currently looking through all the ambiguous terminology saying there interpretation is right and the other sides is incorrect.

Commercial cases if goes to court will take upwards of 12 months to settle. Unless an agreement is made out of court.

So it’s a race to who gives in first. Both men are loaded and won’t want to lose millions.

There’s pretty much a statement.

 

[BladeInIreland]

Wilder is an employee of the owners. I'm not sure they would necessarily be feel the requirement to jump when he tells them.

They should do as this particular employee is the difference between them paying a relatively small amount of money compared to a huge chunk of there personal wealth in league one.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Wilder is an employee of the owners. I'm not sure they would necessarily be feel the requirement to jump when he tells them.

that's right. And what's more...employees need to be very careful what they say in such situations. He could end up pissing off both owners, and that wouldn't be good.

No, I think he's done right to express his dissatisfaction and raise the ante a bit - but now he needs to step back and let them get on with it. If it isn't sorted and funds aren't made available to Wilder to strengthen the team then he'll have every right to walk. I don't think for one minute that's the outcome Wilder wants - and I am convinced that won't be the outcome - not yet.

I think the time when we will be most vulnerable to him going is this time next season, if we haven't reached the Prem. Or, in January if he isn't backed financially in the transfer window. Right now I'm expecting that we will start the season under Wilder, whether the ownership issue is resolved or not.

 

[SwissBlade]

So three days after Wilder let loose re the board situation there doesn't seem to have been a single comment from either camp in the boardroom.

I know there is no obligation for anyone to say anything but at the same time as the club is trying to persuade everyone to renew their season tickets you'd think a little bit of reassurance along the lines of 'we are trying out best to sort out a difficult situation' wouldn't go amiss. As wouldn't a bit of guidance as to a possible timeframe for a resolution...ie weeks or months. The longer the silence the implication is the longer til a resolution

I know Phipps and Sela weren't everyone's cup of tea but they did try and communicate with the fans no matter how cringe worthy at times. At the minute it feels like the gulf between the board and fans is as wide as it's ever been.

I think you answered your own question here.

Call me old school here and as frustrating as it is, it shouldn't influence a decision on getting a season ticket on not. My own personal decision was based on
a) can i afford it
b) is it below my 'ceiling' and
c) do i still enjoy/ want to go (this one got severely tested during Adkins reign)

I also think that the gulf you talk about is imaginary. I for one feel extremely well aligned with the players, management and owners, its just that at the moment the ownership side is going through a process which needs to be sorted behind closed doors.

We haven't heard a lot from the prince, but that is his style, he doesn't talk a lot to the press, he did (as you correctly pointed out) have other people speaking out (presumably) on his behalf previously and of course that stopped, possibly for the reasons you mentioned. It was an embarrassing time for the club.

McCabe also chooses his time to speak more wisely. He spoke freely at the end of last season and I am happy with what was said then.

Neither are speaking publicly to the media about the ownership situation, possibly because they are both trying to resolve the situation.

 

[FriethBlade]

Cerberus I think you may be underestimating Wilder. I don't think he will wait until January, if he's not backed this summer I think that will be the end. He explicitly stated he'd stayed at other clubs too long and wouldn't make the same mistake again. He clearly feels he wasn't backed in January and I don't think he will tolerate a second window where he has peanuts to spend. Given the low likelihood of the ownership situation being sorted in the next couple of months the most likely solution is the 2 owners come.to some.sort of agreement to release funds for him to spend as him walking is in nobodies interest.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Better this than washing your dirty clothes in public.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Cerberus I think you may be underestimating Wilder. I don't think he will wait until January, if he's not backed this summer I think that will be the end. He explicitly stated he'd stayed at other clubs too long and wouldn't make the same mistake again. He clearly feels he wasn't backed in January and I don't think he will tolerate a second window where he has peanuts to spend. Given the low likelihood of the ownership situation being sorted in the next couple of months the most likely solution is the 2 owners come.to some.sort of agreement to release funds for him to spend as him walking is in nobodies interest.

I don't think the amount of money he was given to spend in January is necessarily the issue, he knew what the budget was last season, the only surprise was how well we did early doors and maybe he's thinking now that if we had gambled in January it might have made a difference.

He made the point last week that we have exhausted the pond, I think he called it, meaning we can't improve further by buying the level of players we have so far. He's simply asking, are you happy where we are or do you want to kick on, as he does. That will, of course, mean doubling or even trebling the budget I would imagine and that may be where the differences in opinion are at top level. As I said on another thread, it's a gamble worth taking given the way we've improved in the last 2 seasons but it is exactly that, an expensive gamble and no guarantee of success.

You're right though, it's in no-one's interest to let this rumble on, Tufty has shown in the last few windows that he moves quickly and no doubt has targets lined up. Alternatively, there are several clubs who will be looking at bringing a new manager in in the next few weeks so they will have to at least let him know what's going on.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Kevin's propaganda at the so-called "shareholders meeting" just made him look grasping for popularity , when the Prince had no right of reply , nor would the latter have chucked mud , even if he did.

It was exactly that. A shareholders meeting. The shareholders of Sheffield United Ltd, which owns 50% of Blades Leisure Ltd. Why would HRH be offered a platform by a company he has nothing to do with? He could have made his own statement - that's his right of reply - but chose not to do so, as is his prerogative.

 

[Esablade]

Yup.

 

[metalblade]

I think you answered your own question here.

Call me old school here and as frustrating as it is, it shouldn't influence a decision on getting a season ticket on not. My own personal decision was based on
a) can i afford it
b) is it below my 'ceiling' and
c) do i still enjoy/ want to go (this one got severely tested during Adkins reign)

I also think that the gulf you talk about is imaginary. I for one feel extremely well aligned with the players, management and owners, its just that at the moment the ownership side is going through a process which needs to be sorted behind closed doors.

We haven't heard a lot from the prince, but that is his style, he doesn't talk a lot to the press, he did (as you correctly pointed out) have other people speaking out (presumably) on his behalf previously and of course that stopped, possibly for the reasons you mentioned. It was an embarrassing time for the club.

McCabe also chooses his time to speak more wisely. He spoke freely at the end of last season and I am happy with what was said then.

Neither are speaking publicly to the media about the ownership situation, possibly because they are both trying to resolve the situation.

Well the club got my £222 a few minutes ago. I did think long and hard about it but ................
1, Since Wilder came the football is good to watch probably the best in the last 20yr or so.
2, I can afford it (just) even if I can't get to every game it work out cheaper than paying on the day. Sky TV and SYP are a real pain in the arse changing KO times. As a carer I have to get cover for night games or miss out.
3, Even though the owners don't see eye to eye surely it is in both their interests to put some investment Wilder's way ?

That said McCabe will probably force the Prince out and we sell the family silver to make ends meet after the ST money is in as usual.
The best scenario might be McCabe forces the Prince out and has some Chinese friends who are absolutely minted waiting to invest a shit load of cash.

 

[BigBed]

Any bets going, on how many threads on the owners we can get to before anything happens, and if so, what odds have we got???.................

 

[DaleHillBlade]

They should do as this particular employee is the difference between them paying a relatively small amount of money compared to a huge chunk of there personal wealth in league one.

Just trying to see it from their perspective. Wilder is fantastic, and the owners may well slap themselves on the back for having made the choice to employ him. And subsequently (though to a lesser degree, accepted) back him with the players that gained promotion and found us at the top end of mid table in the Championship. You and I place the responsibility (obviously) at the door of the manager. But I can see that the owners may think they are the ones with the strategic oversight. (History may point to an alternative version, but just stepping away from the tactical and trying to view the strategic. Which is probably one of the reasons I'll never be destined for management)

 

[I should coco]

Kevin's propaganda at the so-called "shareholders meeting" just made him look grasping for popularity , when the Prince had no right of reply , nor would the latter have chucked mud , even if he did.

If HRH had wanted to get a reply out then our responsive local media and the Star too, would all have happily made news of it.

Kev's 'propaganda' as you call it, was his slant on events. That is his perogative, as it yours, to see ill in all he says.

We have to accept as fans we have no legal right to hear anything. The club is owned by KM/HRH and they appoint directors to run it as per UK Company Law. We may be 'morally' owed involvement, but that counts for nothing.

We just have to let this one play out and stop getting sand in our collective fannies, because there has been no news for hours/ days/ weeks.

 

[SwissBlade]

Well the club got my £222 a few minutes ago. I did think long and hard about it but ................
1, Since Wilder came the football is good to watch probably the best in the last 20yr or so.
2, I can afford it (just) even if I can't get to every game it work out cheaper than paying on the day. Sky TV and SYP are a real pain in the arse changing KO times. As a carer I have to get cover for night games or miss out.
3, Even though the owners don't see eye to eye surely it is in both their interests to put some investment Wilder's way ?

That said McCabe will probably force the Prince out and we sell the family silver to make ends meet after the ST money is in as usual.
The best scenario might be McCabe forces the Prince out and has some Chinese friends who are absolutely minted waiting to invest a shit load of cash.

I am confident that we will reach the best scenario, whatever that is. I am really not going to second guess. However, your item 3 is the way i see it. Both owners are business men and both want the best for the club, both thinking they are better placed for this

 

[SB_90]

As others have said i dont know what they can say as seasons all but over. I say i wouldn't expect much until around world cup time at least

 

[Woodwardfan]

Freith,

What do you expect them to say?
There’s nothing they can say apart from the old classics such as

“We are currently in legal discussions but if successful we have ambitions to do the best for Sheffield United and wish to put on record our full support for Chris Wilder”

Would it make you feel better if McCabe and the Prince said the above?
However it doesn’t mean anything, of course they both want as they see it,, the best for SUFC.
It’s best for them to say nothing until there’s real news.
If our directors get involved in a slanging match then they will both look silly and unprofessional.

Maybe:

"We would like to re-assure fans that our negotiations will take their course with no effect on cash flow within the club. In the meantime we have provided a strong budget for our manager to continue to improve the squad in line with both current owners' determination to reach the Premier League sooner rather than later. Of course we realised that there was a danger that the negotiations, though amicable, could have hampered positive and early squad improvement by our manager if provision had not been made."

That is what should be happening if the value of the club and retention of the manager is to be preserved, regardless of which owner takes overall control.

Manager should back up the statement - if he agrees with it.

Then we would sell more season tickets.

 

[The Crab]

If HRH had wanted to get a reply out then our responsive local media and the Star too, would all have happily made news of it.

Kev's 'propaganda' as you call it, was his slant on events. That is his perogative, as it yours, to see ill in all he says.

We have to accept as fans we have no legal right to hear anything. The club is owned by KM/HRH and they appoint directors to run it as per UK Company Law. We may be 'morally' owed involvement, but that counts for nothing.

We just have to let this one play out and stop getting sand in our collective fannies, because there has been no news for hours/ days/ weeks.

Whilst you are correct in what you say, I'd see Season Ticket buyers as being in a way, investors in a company. Perhaps a little information to help these investors make their mind up might be useful, given that it's the time of year when season tickets might be expected to peak?

 

[LJBlade]

They should do as this particular employee is the difference between them paying a relatively small amount of money compared to a huge chunk of there personal wealth in league one.

Really? I like Wilder, and want him to stay, just as much as anyone else on here but he isn't the only manager who could have some success with Sheffield United. Neil Harris has spent less than Wilder this season and started off in a worse position (in terms of where they left off last season) and yet they will finish this season above us.

 

[I should coco]

Whilst you are correct in what you say, I'd see Season Ticket buyers as being in a way, investors in a company. Perhaps a little information to help these investors make their mind up might be useful, given that it's the time of year when season tickets might be expected to peak?

In a strict legal sense, the only 'investors' are the shareholders. Season ticket holders are just customers who buy more of the 'product'.

You are right that information might help, but it would have to be definitive and accurate. Vague plattitudes would help nobody.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Really? I like Wilder, and want him to stay, just as much as anyone else on here but he isn't the only manager who could have some success with Sheffield United. Neil Harris has spent less than Wilder this season and started off in a worse position (in terms of where they left off last season) and yet they will finish this season above us.

Neil Harris has 'Millwall written right through him like Wilder has SUFC. Thing is Wilder has 800 games experience and has success elsewhere.

 

[The Crab]

In a strict legal sense, the only 'investors' are the shareholders. Season ticket holders are just customers who buy more of the 'product'.

You are right that information might help, but it would have to be definitive and accurate. Vague plattitudes would help nobody.

I'd say that's fair comment. All you'd get at this stage would be vague platitiudes.