Stephen Bettis speaks to local Media

[ComedyClub]

He’s not mate, he’s fully complicit in all this

Find that difficult to agree with Ken. He’s not the one who’s invested in the club, he’s also not the one who’s actively trying to fuck the prince over, possibly leading to a deduction.

 

[Reverend Frank]

I think he’s being more honest and open than I’ve heard anyone from the club in as long a time as I can remember. May not like what he says, but at least he’s saying it straight as he can.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Sounds like the upper tier won't be fixed until next summer at the earliest.

 

[Fatlad666]

Personal I think he has answered all the questions. Might be in the minority ,thought he as been honest . Credit were Credit is due.

 

[Mario1889]

Repeatedly said according to legal advice received we had nothing to worry about.

Didn’t say who gave us this legal advice….

 

[Keen Blade]

The links to the live transmission don't appear to work now.
Has anyone found a link I can use to listen back to it ?

 

[Mario1889]

Also sounded like Bord had way too much influence last summer.

 

[Espania blade]

Christ, there's a lot of anti-united rubbish being posted on here.
He answered everything he could, some things have to stay in house,
Explained about the stand, work going on now to make it safe and further work in the summer that can't be done during the season, explained player sales, why's and wherefores.
Explained about Dore being the key to improving the Academy - what do people want??

 

[Sheffsteel]

So we would have sold Peck and Sekiri if their value was met. Are we going to build a team, doesn’t seem so.

Of course.

It’s the same at every club (apart from Chansiri at Sheff Wed).

If there’s going to be a big shortfall in the budget…..owners can no longer plug the gap like in the past.
The club MUST sell players to balance the books or face a large points deduction.

Don’t think people realise the last 6 years hasn’t been normal.
We’ve received massive parachute payments, been one of the richest clubs in the EFL, so when we target a player they’ve tended to come to us.
However this year our Sky money drops from £35 million down to £7 million, so we had to sell players and when we target players it’s much more tricky to get them.
We can’t decide who we want to sell because there’s got to be bids and the bids must be at our valuation.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Personal I think he has answered all the questions. Might be in the minority ,thought he as been honest . Credit were Credit is due.

Dodged the Knill question.

The questions from supporters were very much as expected and generally nothing he wouldn’t have come across before (Knill apart). Surprised though that there seemed virtually no criticism of Wilder in the questions sent to R/S, save the job for life comment. Most however, Dore for example being simply enough to answer - no money!

Couple of things, Staton showed his total lack of financial knowledge how, stupidly using the “if l bought a car” question, and continued in the same vein. He and his BBC colleagues were shot down by Bettis claiming the EFL and Regulator had never been told and El Accounto aka Tortosa Expats claim over charges being described as “categorically incorrect”. Maybe Ralph can have him on to discuss it? (He also said the owners had never given an interview then quoted one Rosen had given).

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Christ, there's a lot of anti-united rubbish being posted on here.
He answered everything he could, some things have to stay in house,
Explained about the stand, work going on now to make it safe and further work in the summer that can't be done during the season, explained player sales, why's and wherefores.
Explained about Dore being the key to improving the Academy - what do people want??

The only thing he really avoided was a timescale on Dore although he did mention some stuff which suggests we're are close to getting to the stage to officially green light it... I suspect nothing happens without promotion though

 

[Sean Thornton]

Repeatedly said according to legal advice received we had nothing to worry about.

Didn’t say who gave us this legal advice….

View attachment 245245

The owners lawyers one would expect. Would a name enable you to critique their abilities?

 

[Mario1889]

The owners lawyers one would expect. Would a name enable you to critique their abilities?

It was meant as a joke alluding to the club getting legal advice from Lionel Hutz, hence the gif of Lionel Hutz after the sentence.

 

[FH Team]

The links to the live transmission don't appear to work now.
Has anyone found a link I can use to listen back to it ?

You can listen back to the full hour here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m003216v

 

[Sean Thornton]

So we would have sold Peck and Sekiri if their value was met. Are we going to build a team, doesn’t seem so.

I thought he said they’d done their business on sales after raising £20m+ which was where they needed to be.

 

[Sean Thornton]

It was meant as a joke alluding to the club getting legal advice from Lionel Hutz, hence the gif of Lionel Hutz after the sentence.

D’oh!

 

[MosboroughBlade]

Christ, there's a lot of anti-united rubbish being posted on here.
He answered everything he could, some things have to stay in house,
Explained about the stand, work going on now to make it safe and further work in the summer that can't be done during the season, explained player sales, why's and wherefores.
Explained about Dore being the key to improving the Academy - what do people want??

Dore - not started. Stand, "could be open now" - not and won't be started until next summer. Rebuild as promised - not started. Nothing has been delivered at all. Nothing to do with anti United, you seem easily pleased.

 

[Fatlad666]

Dodged the Knill question.

The questions from supporters were very much as expected and generally nothing he wouldn’t have come across before (Knill apart). Surprised though that there seemed virtually no criticism of Wilder in the questions sent to R/S, save the job for life comment. Most however, Dore for example being simply enough to answer - no money!

Couple of things, Staton showed his total lack of financial knowledge how, stupidly using the “if l bought a car” question, and continued in the same vein. He and his BBC colleagues were shot down by Bettis claiming the EFL and Regulator had never been told and El Accounto aka Tortosa Expats claim over charges being described as “categorically incorrect”. Maybe Ralph can have him on to discuss it? (He also said the owners had never given an interview then quoted one Rosen had given).

Great summary

 

[Bladesman]

Dodged the Knill question.

The questions from supporters were very much as expected and generally nothing he wouldn’t have come across before (Knill apart). Surprised though that there seemed virtually no criticism of Wilder in the questions sent to R/S, save the job for life comment. Most however, Dore for example being simply enough to answer - no money!

Couple of things, Staton showed his total lack of financial knowledge how, stupidly using the “if l bought a car” question, and continued in the same vein. He and his BBC colleagues were shot down by Bettis claiming the EFL and Regulator had never been told and El Accounto aka Tortosa Expats claim over charges being described as “categorically incorrect”. Maybe Ralph can have him on to discuss it? (He also said the owners had never given an interview then quoted one Rosen had given).

Yep what comes across as Rob "Pressing Bettis well" is a line of questioning from the likes of Darren Smith. I refuse to believe not one fan sent any questions in about Wilder. No bias at all at Radio Sheffield.

Rob knows full well it's all legal but thinks Bettis is going to throw out the details of what the dispute in the contract is about.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Dore - not started. Stand, "could be open now" - not and won't be started until next summer. Rebuild as promised - not started. Nothing has been delivered at all. Nothing to do with anti United, you seem easily pleased.

Spent a million quid on professional fees.BL stand only partially closed. Safety concerns and an expensive business for where we are now. He suggested it would cost millions. There has been some rebuild, tired old unfit men who won’t be cheap. I suspect Bettis and the owners signed them of but he made it clear who wanted them.

 

[Espania blade]

The only thing he really avoided was a timescale on Dore although he did mention some stuff which suggests we're are close to getting to the stage to officially green light it... I suspect nothing happens without promotion though

Or new investment!

 

[FTPE]

I thought he said they’d done their business on sales after raising £20m+ which was where they needed to be.

I think Gus wanted out, but if we'd got £20mil for Peck I think we would have kept hold of Cal and Brooks.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Yep what comes across as Rob "Pressing Bettis well" is a line of questioning from the likes of Darren Smith. I refuse to believe not one fan sent any questions in about Wilder. No bias at all at Radio Sheffield.

Rob knows full well it's all legal but thinks Bettis is going to throw out the details of what the dispute in the contract is about.

I thought the interview was pretty good, some new information came out based on the major issue, there’s not a great deal he can say about incomings because that’s Wilders job & he was honest about why we sold players.

I do agree with you though, is Wilder untouchable? What’s the plan for after Wilder.

If we keep declining it sounds like our best hope is that Wilder resigns again (something he said he wouldn’t do….again)

 

[Sean Thornton]

I think Gus wanted out, but if we'd got £20mil for Peck I think we would have kept hold of Cal and Brooks.

Agree, he basically said they needed x amount of sales although two of the highest earners were off the books.

 

[Espania blade]

Dore - not started. Stand, "could be open now" - not and won't be started until next summer. Rebuild as promised - not started. Nothing has been delivered at all. Nothing to do with anti United, you seem easily pleased.

Dore has been started, at the architect stage plus involving the public before going to the next stage - finance,
The repairs to the stand are happening now but some can't be done during the season

 

[FH Team]

The full interview is now available on the Sheffield United BBC Sounds page (no news bulletin etc, as in the previous link):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0pf9qkz

 

[Bladesman]

I thought the interview was pretty good, some new information came out based on the major issue, there’s not a great deal he can say about incomings because that’s Wilders job & he was honest about why we sold players.

I do agree with you though, is Wilder untouchable? What’s the plan for after Wilder.

If we keep declining it sounds like our best hope is that Wilder resigns again (something he said he wouldn’t do….again)

Not one question on Wilder, don't be fooled by Rob's pressing. You can see Radio Sheffield agenda from the outset.

This is why I don't rate the local press, not that we didn't get some answers from Bettis but they are all most likely similar ones he had just given Danny Hall.

 

[Addison]

Summary,

Best moment when SB said Tortosa Ex Pats (aka El Accounto)s question about charges being levied against the Club by PA was a load of bollocks.

Legal/ EFL/IFR issues

IFR stated they did not feel it necessary to be informed of change to structure i.e 1919 share transfer provided owners remained in situ at top of family tree.

EFL were told 24 hours after 1919 share transfer occurred. They take the opposite view to IFR feel they should have been allowed to sign it off. They have stopped asking questions. They have known about this for 4 months. SB view if regulations have been breached charges would have been made by now. Legal advice remains confident no case to answer but still a risk of sanctions until EFL finally respond.

SB rightly dismissed the Southampton scenario where 10 points were deducted. COH was not insolvent whilst part of SUFC group. Saints holding company was hence the sanction. Owners will fight hard any sanction imposed.

Tim Ryan passed the EFL O and D Test again refuting media misinformation. Another fact the media got wrong is that the EFL are not concerned about Rosen and his previous company being liquidated.

The contractual dispute between United World and Rosen and co is a contractual dispute. Monies are owed. Owners feel it should be a lesser sum than the £35m quoted as outstanding. Parties continue to talk. SB has met with PA in the last 10 days.

Unfortunately no questions were raised about Tom Page action.

Club revenue/ recruitment

Club aim was to bring in £20m from player sales to meet SCR and bring down wage bill by £7m. That has been achieved. No need for player sales in JTW unless silly offers come in.

Talks with players/agents ongoing about contract extensions.

1 Loan available if team doing well owners would consider providing funds for new players otherwise its frees and loans.

Owners are discussing with 2 parties potential for new investment.

Dore

£1 million spent last 12 months. High level costings for planning application and public consultations ongoing. Land secured its now the cost of buildings. Designs completed.

Academy has been staffed up to CAT 1 standard.

BL Stand

Structural issues. Spent £500k so far to make it structurally safe. Will require extensive alterations next Summer.

Decision not to reopen for the moment in view of current attendances.

Alan Knill

It was a collective decision. SB and CW discussed it. Desire to provide a pathway for younger new coaches hence Mcsheffery and Collins being promoted.

Overseas in pre season

Bochum was a success. Looking to do similar trip next season but probably not in Europe.

Owners not looking to sell

No plans for this. Talking to potential investors. Value of club will have diminshed no reason to want to sell at moment.

 

[AdamSufc1997]

Sounds like points deduction is a real possibility from what people are saying online

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Not one question on Wilder, don't be fooled by Rob's pressing. You can see Radio Sheffield agenda from the outset.

This is why I don't rate the local press, not that we didn't get some answers from Bettis but they are all most likely similar ones he had just given Danny Hall.

There was one.

The questions were 1000 times better than the embarrassing podcast ones...