A Chat With Richard Batho.

[Foxy]

Of course that's what I mean, I'm hardly going to come on here expounding the virtues of folks who I have little in common with, and who seem to have a completely different set of views to my own now am I?

Except for the whole reason everyone is here is that we do all have at least one thing in common. Labelling everyone else's opinion as tripe doesn't serve to validate your own.

I'll spell it out again shall I? As Latters said, some of us don't give a shit about having a bloke in charge of painitng the bogs, widening the aisles and making the match day experience prettier. We want a better football team, we want a chairman who gives a fuck and we don't care if we get wet because the kop roof drips while we're getting it.

Perhaps not, that doesn't mean the club should ignore all the stuff you couldn't give a shit about does it?

I'd also hazard a guess that if the football was rosy, but the stuff you didn't give a shit about was diabolical, you'd be busy slating them for ignoring the bits you previously didn't give a shit about.

Sometimes think you forget we're Sheffield United "Football" Club and not just a nice day out.

I guess so, that must be why I just said it's the most important part. What are these nice days out you speak of?

 

[MunXy]

few seasons ago we went to wembley, result was abysmal but the day out was excellent.
coupla seasons after we went to cardiff, again result wasn't what we wanted but the day out was fantastic.
it isn't JUST about the football.
i've personally seen the blades win big, play great football but the ground etc was appalling, result not a great day.
experience tells me after visiting around 80 of the 92 league grounds plus a few non league even scottish grounds for the experience to be truely enjoyed the day has to be enjoyable not just the football
remember its the little things that make up the big thngs, attention to detail is important and people that say things like "i dont give a shit if aisles are widened has never either been in a wheel chair or been with someone in a wheel chair, walk (no pun intented) a mile in thier shoes before "not giving a shit"

MunXy

 

[bricktop]

Most of the best away days involve a shedload of beer, a long haul away trip and the company of like minded individuals.

Some of my best memories was a week off work in the middle of summer and spending my time with a rucksack dossing around Cornwall for a week watching the Blades on the pre-season tour.

Thats another one for Batho. Why don't we do tours like that any more. They used to great

 

[Yossarian]

i've personally seen the blades win big, play great football but the ground etc was appalling, result not a great day.
experience tells me after visiting around 80 of the 92 league grounds plus a few non league even scottish grounds for the experience to be truely enjoyed the day has to be enjoyable not just the football

This is very true. The away games that I can remember, I couldn't tell you a thing about the matches. I can barely remember a couple of the scores... but I can remember very clearly buying beer at Forest, pissing at White Hart Lane, sitting at grass level at Fulham and there being no atmosphere at Huddersfield.

 

[Jon Bon]

Not only that, Bert heard that it was Batho who vandalised the Blue Peter garden.

The bastard! Jon Bon is still scarred from that all these years later.

I've arranged a meeting with Richard at the Tunnel bar at 10am on Saturday 9th April (Boro Match).

Jon Bon is tweeting Lesley Judd and Peter Purves as we speak....

 

[Trigger Blade]

...and the beauty of it is, you can decide what he finds himself "trotting out" as you are the self appointed "establishment line" detector!

Out of interest, have you asked anything of the person you are labelling a waste of space?

Don't be ridiculous! len will do exactly what he always does, absolutely nothing, taking the easy option of flailing around impotently on a message board.

I think you knew that already though.

 

[Bladesway]

I'm wondering what all the fuss is about. Fan gets taken into the arms of the club and becomes empathetic to the daily toil of McCabe and co (its bloody hard running a club from Brussels you know).

As for all the other shit my priorities are thus:-

1) Sheffield United first team investment
2) Everything else

Its amazing how everything else just clicks into place when there is realistic investment into the team. Yes facilities have to be decent but we have made a massive mistake. We have played at being a big club while we were not. We have put in all the fancy dan infrastructure, the global brands, the global clubs. Fancy dan directors, chief executives, realignment of debts, share issues blah blah. How many millions, no tens of millions have we pissed down the drain in empty business centres, hotels, chinese/Hungarian/Australian/Brazilian/Argentinian/Belgian ventures? How much did the waste of space world cup bid cost?

Yes its the same old people like Len etc shaking their heads in utter disbelief but if this isn't a case of dereliction of duty by McCabe and pals I really don't know what is. Don't forget it was 5 years ago when we got promoted that we were the very template of a well run club.

What shocks me is that some people can continue to stick their heads in the sand and pretend like none of this is really happening. I have even read a couple of "Relegation will be good for us" type posts. This is the most obvious equation there ever was. First team drained of resources because of other ventures = slide into oblivion. But I suppose you can stick your fingers in your ears and sing the GCB song to take the pain away.

They have even managed to alienate fans with their impressive "Real Blades are at the Lane". Seeing as the vast majority of fans aren't there does that mean that most Blades aren't real fans then? A lot of us want proper football. We didn't want 0870 "wait 1 1/2 hours and contribute to the new fish tank in the board room via your phone bill". We didn't want computerised turnstiles at a cost of christ knows what. We didn't want to be "monitored" by a client number every time we did or didn't buy a ticket. None of us asked for a club in Oz etc. None of us asked for a fancy dan hotel. What we did ask for however is solid and honest investment into our football team. Thats what we paid into and thats what we want. We have been fleeced.

 

[lenners]

Don't be ridiculous! len will do exactly what he always does, absolutely nothing, taking the easy option of flailing around impotently on a message board.

I think you knew that already though.

And remarkably having more impact than our paid-for fans rep.
It's a funny old world, Trig.

 

[Kopped]

I'm wondering what all the fuss is about. Fan gets taken into the arms of the club and becomes empathetic to the daily toil of McCabe and co (its bloody hard running a club from Brussels you know).

As for all the other shit my priorities are thus:-

1) Sheffield United first team investment
2) Everything else

Its amazing how everything else just clicks into place when there is realistic investment into the team. Yes facilities have to be decent but we have made a massive mistake. We have played at being a big club while we were not. We have put in all the fancy dan infrastructure, the global brands, the global clubs. Fancy dan directors, chief executives, realignment of debts, share issues blah blah. How many millions, no tens of millions have we pissed down the drain in empty business centres, hotels, chinese/Hungarian/Australian/Brazilian/Argentinian/Belgian ventures? How much did the waste of space world cup bid cost?

Yes its the same old people like Len etc shaking their heads in utter disbelief but if this isn't a case of dereliction of duty by McCabe and pals I really don't know what is. Don't forget it was 5 years ago when we got promoted that we were the very template of a well run club.

What shocks me is that some people can continue to stick their heads in the sand and pretend like none of this is really happening. I have even read a couple of "Relegation will be good for us" type posts. This is the most obvious equation there ever was. First team drained of resources because of other ventures = slide into oblivion. But I suppose you can stick your fingers in your ears and sing the GCB song to take the pain away.

They have even managed to alienate fans with their impressive "Real Blades are at the Lane". Seeing as the vast majority of fans aren't there does that mean that most Blades aren't real fans then? A lot of us want proper football. We didn't want 0870 "wait 1 1/2 hours and contribute to the new fish tank in the board room via your phone bill". We didn't want computerised turnstiles at a cost of christ knows what. We didn't want to be "monitored" by a client number every time we did or didn't buy a ticket. None of us asked for a club in Oz etc. None of us asked for a fancy dan hotel. What we did ask for however is solid and honest investment into our football team. Thats what we paid into and thats what we want. We have been fleeced.

That is Bang on!!

Nice one Bladesway.

 

[silverfox]

Seeing as the vast majority of fans aren't there

Eh?

So the vast majority are not going any more?

I may agree with some of your rant but lets keep it real.

 

[Bladesway]

Thats as real as it gets. The majority of the people who call themselves Sheffield United fans don't actually go.

 

[shorehamview]

And remarkably having more impact than our paid-for fans rep.
It's a funny old world, Trig.

Show us the impact you've personally made then please. And I'd like actual evidence, rather than the old "it's true because I said so." Wil you go and talk to Richard Batho so he can hear your opinion? Or are you boycotting it because it's in a bar, and you're Muslim that weekend?

If you think you can offer anything constructive here's your opportunity. My ten quid is on you going nowhere near it, because you've already judged something that's yet to happen.

Either shit or get off the pot.

 

[Trigger Blade]

Show us the impact you've personally made then please. And I'd like actual evidence, rather than the old "it's true because I said so." Wil you go and talk to Richard Batho so he can hear your opinion? Or are you boycotting it because it's in a bar, and you're Muslim that weekend?

If you think you can offer anything constructive here's your opportunity. My ten quid is on you going nowhere near it, because you've already judged something that's yet to happen.

Either shit or get off the pot.

Oof, you're being a bit harsh there SV, len's been instrumental in many positive initiatives. Fact. He's a legend in his own mind.

I doubt he'll be immodest enough to come on here blowing his own trumpet mind, but I'm sure we all remember the stroke of marketing genius of selling STs through an advert in The Star, though the dimwits at the club didn't grasp it and look where we are now?

 

[shorehamview]

Oof, you're being a bit harsh there SV.....

No I'm not. Lenners wants us to boycott season ticket purchases yet will still be buying one himself. Lenners has had plenty of chances to tell the club EXACTLY how he feels in person, face-to-face, yet refuses to do so, preferring to dispense judgement aided by 20-20 hindsight through the internet. I'm wondering what crappy excuse he'll have for giving this a swerver. Some kind of PMT related stress? Tammy huff? Blob strop? Paper round extremely busy? Bob-A-Job Week?

 

[lenners]

Oh Trig and Shoreham, poor lambs.
One fan highlights the failure to market the Youth Cup tie properly and the situation quickly improves.
Another, the alleged fans' rep, does nowt but dolefully trots out the fact that prices are going up next season when we're going to be in division 3.
One fan's constructive and inspires action, the other's Richard Batho.
Funny old world.

 

[raul]

Hahaha @ Len. As we sit here, comfortably mid-table in the Prem, proud of our status as UK division of our global sporting and property money-printing enterprises, we can all grow beards whilst we list a series of his gaffes over the past few ye.....

oh.

 

[shorehamview]

Oh Trig and Shoreham, poor lambs.
One fan highlights the failure to market the Youth Cup tie properly and the situation quickly improves.
Another, the alleged fans' rep, does nowt but dolefully trots out the fact that prices are going up next season when we're going to be in division 3.
One fan's constructive and inspires action, the other's Richard Batho.
Funny old world.

Who is the bloke that's constructive and inspiring action? It's certainly not you, wanting us to do as you say and not as you do.

I don't think that the appointment of Richard Batho is the answer to all our problems - it just about answers the problem of not having had anyone with the surname "Batho" at the club til he came, but that's about it.

What he is however is a conduit between the fans and the club, albeit in a very small way. You on the other hand are just gobbing off, eager to tell us all what to do while you do the opposite, not wanting to ever raise your head and have your say when you can, merely content to patronise and pontificate.

You can't seriously tell us that Sheffield United take any notice of what you have to say, given your track record in not communicating with the club when given the chance. They're more likely to take notice of a sheep's entrails.

One fan does his best within the club remit, and one talks what can only be described as "patronising bollocks" while asking us to do that which he is not prrepared to do himself.

Funny old world? Not really. Unless of course you actually believe that the club has changed anything based on your anonymous internet forum posturing, in which case yes, it's fucking hilarious.

 

[lenners]

Poor Shoreham, still can't accept the self-evident.
Too hard to take, ain't it.

 

[shorehamview]

Poor Shoreham, still can't accept the self-evident.
Too hard to take, ain't it.

What am I not accepting? You really are deranged if you think that United take any notice of you. AGM boycott, remember? You didn't go, remember? You won't talk to the club at any time, remember? Boycott, remember? Unless you think that all the club do is sit and read this forum waiting for the next lenners pearl of wisdom? (Pearl - piece of crap surrounded by the diseased secretions of a dying mollusc.)

Have a word with yourself laddie. If you believe your own press then you're one step away from one of those coats that let you cuddle yourself as you bounce off the walls of your rubber room.

Once again I will state that I am well aware that all at Sheffield United is far from rosy. the difference between you and I is that I don't believe that everything the club does that's remotely right is down to them nicking all their ideas from this forum. Still, if you believe that you're Napoleon then who are we to argue?

 

[Trigger Blade]

Poor Shoreham, still can't accept the self-evident.
Too hard to take, ain't it.

I'm convinced len, you were asked for evidence and you've come up with the goods, albeit a very, very short list of your decisive contributions. As I understand it, you were struggling to navigate the official site and asked for a bit of help to establish how to get a free ticket and, er, that's it......

I'm starting a campaign to get you the freedom of the city, we need to recognise your kind of self-sacrifice and vision.

 

[lenners]

Bless, you're like Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
Hard to take boys I know but you should both try actually posting constructively instead of, well, instead of what you post.
Let go of your negativity, come up with ideas, constructive criticism. Trying to cover up your own dearth of ideas and insight by attacking someone who has both will only ever end up making you look inadequate.

 

[Big Mart]

More like Tweedletwee and Tweedledumb, no doubt they'll be there buying "Richard" pints and slapping him on the back, praising him on what a great job he's doing.

Be careful though Lenners, one of these is a cyber stalker, and the other the funniest man ever to post on message boards, you do know you'll never win in a battle against wit the like of these two conjure up don't you?

 

[shorehamview]

Bless, you're like Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
Hard to take boys I know but you should both try actually posting constructively instead of, well, instead of what you post.
Let go of your negativity, come up with ideas, constructive criticism. Trying to cover up your own dearth of ideas and insight by attacking someone who has both will only ever end up making you look inadequate.

Wow, insulted and patronised at the same time. As far as being constructive, well, just because you've recently discovered it doesn't mean you invented it. Like spotty teenagers who discover the delights of shagging. Someone did it before you. Lots of them. You'll be taking credit for the discovery of penicillin and Australia next.

People who were constructive were in the past derided as "clappers" and "seals". Please don't tell me you've become one of them. And just because someone doesn't agree with everything you say doesn't automatically make them wrong. Some of your more recent ideas have been good ones, but they come after a great deal of negative comments, so don't get carried away with yourself just yet.

More like Tweedletwee and Tweedledumb, no doubt they'll be there buying "Richard" pints and slapping him on the back, praising him on what a great job he's doing.

Be careful though Lenners, one of these is a cyber stalker, and the other the funniest man ever to post on message boards, you do know you'll never win in a battle against wit the like of these two conjure up don't you?

I've no desire to buy Richard Batho a pint. I don't think he's really doing a great deal, regardless of how much spin there is on it. Still, I've been patronised by lenners on more than one occasion and I'm damn sure I'm not the only one. You carry on kissing ass though Horace, from what I've seen you appear to be very good at it.

Funniest man ever to post on message boards? Not sure about that, but at least funnier than you. Tweedletwee? That won't win any prizes at Edinburgh. It just about makes it as a typo, and that's only by one letter.

 

[Micalijo]

Wow, insulted and patronised at the same time. As far as being constructive, well, just because you've recently discovered it doesn't mean you invented it. Like spotty teenagers who discover the delights of shagging. Someone did it before you. Lots of them. You'll be taking credit for the discovery of penicillin and Australia next.

People who were constructive were in the past derided as "clappers" and "seals". Please don't tell me you've become one of them. And just because someone doesn't agree with everything you say doesn't automatically make them wrong. Some of your more recent ideas have been good ones, but they come after a great deal of negative comments, so don't get carried away with yourself just yet.


I've no desire to buy Richard Batho a pint. I don't think he's really doing a great deal, regardless of how much spin there is on it. Still, I've been patronised by lenners on more than one occasion and I'm damn sure I'm not the only one. You carry on kissing ass though Horace, from what I've seen you appear to be very good at it.

Funniest man ever to post on message boards? Not sure about that, but at least funnier than you. Tweedletwee? That won't win any prizes at Edinburgh. It just about makes it as a typo, and that's only by one letter.

Some proper snappage there Shoreham. Lovin it.

Adams, Birch, McCabe OUT

 

[Big Mart]

I've no desire to buy Richard Batho a pint. I don't think he's really doing a great deal, regardless of how much spin there is on it. Still, I've been patronised by lenners on more than one occasion and I'm damn sure I'm not the only one. You carry on kissing ass though Horace, from what I've seen you appear to be very good at it.

Funniest man ever to post on message boards? Not sure about that, but at least funnier than you. Tweedletwee? That won't win any prizes at Edinburgh. It just about makes it as a typo, and that's only by one letter.

PMSL, now that's funny :hello:

 

[boo radley]

Thing is the openning poster expressed the fact that the club had listened at least and will speak to individuals. I know for a fact that this message board is viewed by people like Mick Rooker and Richard Batho amoungst others. I'm sure like SV says if you provide evidence then the club will explore possibilities for a change to certain situations if an indication of improving 'Fan experience' is there.(cannot wait for the cynical replies).
Len so far you have offered little in the way of evidence and you criticise youth cup ticketing publicity. If you'd have cared to check this site for evidence you'd have found the answer a lot ealier.( now were going to have an whole statement of if you haven't got access).

 

[Trigger Blade]

Bless, you're like Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
Hard to take boys I know but you should both try actually posting constructively instead of, well, instead of what you post.
Let go of your negativity, come up with ideas, constructive criticism. Trying to cover up your own dearth of ideas and insight by attacking someone who has both will only ever end up making you look inadequate.

You're getting personal len, that's what you do when you're desperate and it's very naughty.

I may have said this before, I have no ideas, I really don't have the time or inclination to think deeply about such things and it isn't compulsory, I have just enough time to give a realsitic view. But if I did have ideas, I'd want them to be taken seriously. As my Tweedle partner has said (we didn't confer and I still want the rattle), you have ideas, you have insight too sometimes and if you're as clever as you think you are and as right as you believe, you sell yourself very short by allowing them into the ether only via a minority message board, so they may or may not be seen and coming up with any number of spurious reasons for not getting involved.

It's laughable for you then to claim credit for anything positive that happens with the most tenuous of links. I'm thrilled for you that the pinnacle of your achievement is getting the Youth Cup ticket arrangements moved from the Ticket section to the main page, well done. Against that kind of intellectual heavyweight thinking, I'll always be inadequate, so it's as well to leave it to you.

 

[lenners]

Trig, I know you've presented yourself as someone with few ideas but it's a little odd for someone to claim they don't have time to engage their brain constructively about the club when you apparently do have time for seeking out my posts to respond.
I'm sure you're intelligent enough to grasp that you look a little daft in that context.
As for personal posting, it's something I rarely do other than to make a point. In this case, it was to point out that posters who were making personal comments had actually nothing constructive to say about the issues at our club and were, a bit strangely, more focussed on an individual poster instead.
For what it's worth, I think both you and Shoreham do have the intelligence to offer a lot more constructive criticism and comment about the club and should use some of the time you both spend on here to do so.
The club does see what's on here and for all their faults they are not beyond realising there are ideas here they should pick up on.

 

[Kopped]

So just to Bump this up a bit:

Who wants to come next Saturday to have a meeting with Richard at BDTBL at 10am?

Also, if you have any questions you would want to ask in advance, please send them to [email protected]

Please let me know as I will need to give him projected numbers for attendance

 

[Bladesway]

So just to Bump this up a bit:

Who wants to come next Saturday to have a meeting with Richard at BDTBL at 10am?

Also, if you have any questions you would want to ask in advance, please send them to [email protected]

Please let me know as I will need to give him projected numbers for attendance

I'd go with about 60,000 Kopped because all the real blades will be there won't they?

Out of interest SV, how do you know you weren't the internet stalker rather than the funnyman. I know I was struggling to think who was who.