Prince believes Wilder has “crossed the line” in alliance with McCabe

[Rodley]

Despite perhaps having a certain position when this all began (before it became public) I'd suggest that other than a bit of a preference... He no longer has a 'side' as such.

Thanks mate

 

[ljk]

Incorrect on almost every point.

Fair enough, I disagree though.

This isn’t an attempt at a straw man argument - but do you think it’s fair to refer to fans as customers? (I’m not saying the prince has actually done this, but as a general question).

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

If this is reliable, Prince Abdullah needs to give his head a serious wobble. If he gets sole control, we’ll end up like Hull, Coventry and Charlton within months. Guess I’m cheering for McCabe.

Prince needs to realise that SUFC fans will not accept him treating our club - and it will always be ours, never his - like a play toy. If JVW is manager in August, he’ll be under extreme pressure right out of the gate. This isn’t Fantasy Football, this needs to be done properly.

 

[Eric Cartman]

Must admit, I'm puzzled Sothall, Eric Cartman has told me that the Prince thinks the world of Wilder and that they're almost like brothers. Surely such a tried and tested poster can't be wrong.....or can he?

Another sign of him ignoring Wilder I see.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Yes. Because no one has ever done that before.

Some people do certainly.
I’ve not seen this bloke quote sources before, only give his opinions.
Let’s just hope he’s made it all up

 

[bornablade]

The 'An Audience with Kevin McCabe' at the Octagon gave McCabe the opportunity to put across his points of view and try and score some points on the PR front.

Wilder was sat on the same platform and would have been seen as a supporter of McCabe by default.

I thought at the time it didn't appear diplomatic.

 

[Pedro's Winger]

http://www.viewfromthejohnstreet.co...n-mccabe?format=amp&__twitter_impression=true

<< CHRIS WILDER has crossed the line and, if he hasn’t gone already, is likely to be shown the door should Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud wrestle full control of Sheffield United.

Shocking to hear but that is the take of a reliable source with a close ear to the Saudi royal’s camp, as told to ViewFromTheJohnStreet.com. Prince Abdullah, apparently, is furious with the Blades manager’s recent outburst in which he suggested he may quit.

United’s co-owner, engaged in a bitter power-struggle with Kevin McCabe, views it as a disguised and strategic attempt to side with the latter, in the knowledge Wilder’s standing at the club will influence public opinion against the man from the Middle East. The aim being to force him to back down and eventually relinquish his interests as other investors wait in the wings. ETC>>


I didn’t really get the feeling that Wilder was siding with McCabe against Prince Abdullah.
But if he is then I’m siding with Wilder

Likely to be true given Wilder's unhappiness with the arrivals the Prince has plonked into the club and lack of financial support.
The worry is the bitterness which is clearly running through the corridors of power may well mean a protracted pissing contest between the Prince and McCabe.
Even if Wilder stays that isn't a recipe for success.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Fair enough, I disagree though.

This isn’t an attempt at a straw man argument - but do you think it’s fair to refer to fans as customers? (I’m not saying the prince has actually done this, but as a general question).

I don't know what you mean by "fair". For it to be unfair, it has to disadvantage them in some way. What way is a fan disadvantaged if he is referred to as a customer?

 

[Esablade]

Phipps of the past yes, but it’s been really noticeable that anyone with any links to the Prince has been quiet on the issue on social media.

Phipps congratulated Princey on taking over the club and thanked McCabe I believe...

 

[Hamburg Blade]

If this is reliable, Prince Abdullah needs to give his head a serious wobble. If he gets sole control, we’ll end up like Hull, Coventry and Charlton within months. Guess I’m cheering for McCabe.

Prince needs to realise that SUFC fans will not accept him treating our club - and it will always be ours, never his - like a play toy. If JVW is manager in August, he’ll be under extreme pressure right out of the gate. This isn’t Fantasy Football, this needs to be done properly.

You start off with "if this is reliable" before saying we will end up like Hull, Coventry and Charlton, siding against him and telling him what he needs to realise. In other words, you believe it all completely.

 

[Maidenhead]

If this is reliable, Prince Abdullah needs to give his head a serious wobble. If he gets sole control, we’ll end up like Hull, Coventry and Charlton within months. Guess I’m cheering for McCabe.

Prince needs to realise that SUFC fans will not accept him treating our club - and it will always be ours, never his - like a play toy. If JVW is manager in August, he’ll be under extreme pressure right out of the gate. This isn’t Fantasy Football, this needs to be done properly.

If the Prince wins the war he will do what he wants to do irrespective of how the fans react.

As sole owner it would be his right to do so too.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Phipps congratulated Princey on taking over the club and thanked McCabe I believe...

Yes, other than that, which was responding to the official club statement (which was something the Prince had signed off on). What I meant to say is he hasn’t engaged with fans on it at all. He is, as you say, usually quite happy to – I’d have thought all the Prince’s people would have been told to keep quiet on it while the process is ongoing.

 

[ljk]

I don't know what you mean by "fair". For it to be unfair, it has to disadvantage them in some way. What way is a fan disadvantaged if he is referred to as a customer?

Okay, perhaps I should have worded the question: is a fan a customer of a business (as in a consumer of the product a business sells)?

To answer your question, though...

Firstly, I don't think fans are treated particularly well throughout the sport. I really don't want to start reeling off the trite cliches about super rich individuals using clubs as their playthings, obscene transfer-fees rising in tandem with ticket prices for the people who actually watch the sport etc. I do think they're true, though (and have ended up reeling off cliches...).

Football fans (especially those dedicated to 'their' team) put so much into the club, creating bonds and creating a shared culture (this forum, for example). I don't think it's appropriate to call them customers because, in the case of most other business, customers pay their money and get their product. I would say that, in some respects, we are the product. I enjoy watching the blades with blades. Identifying as a blade, etc. If fans are just customers, it's a slipperly slope to them becoming mere consumers of tickets and merchandise. That's my worry, anyway.

I think being a football fan is more about playing a small part in creating/maintaining a sort of phenomena, and then participating in it with other people. I suppose there's an argument that that in itself is what we're buying (as customers), but I don't think that does justice to the role fans play.

 

[Ricky]

If Abdullah thinks he can just come in and sack Wilder then he can fuck right off.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

From the Feb announcement....

The Prince and Kevin McCabe want to reassure everyone connected to the club that the current negotiations and transfer of ownership will have no impact on the club's management and its staff.

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

You start off with "if this is reliable" before saying we will end up like Hull, Coventry and Charlton, siding against him and telling him what he needs to realise. In other words, you believe it all completely.

Check out the second “If” too.

 

[Sean Thornton]

If Abdullah thinks he can just come in and sack Wilder then he can fuck right off.

That's what the blog is suggesting it would seem.

 

[Maidenhead]

If Abdullah thinks he can just come in and sack Wilder then he can fuck right off.

He knows he can.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Check out the second “If” too.

Your second "if" leads to a massive assumption about how the Prince will run the club, which I can see no justification for whatsoever.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Much as I have been reading the situation since McCabe spoke to shareholders the other week, particularly the pressure on Wilder should the prince take control.

May be too late for fans to really back the manager but if he does stay put then McCabe has to take back control of the club. Considering KM said he was investing nothing more back in 2012, he has already matched the prince's investments for the past few years and would have to buy him out for him to leave. Certainly not part of the plan back in 2013 when the prince joined us.

The new words I read in the article were " other interested investors waiting in the wings". That would alter the dynamics of the situation. If Wilder goes today or in the near future then such investors are not that close by for KM to be able to re-assure our manager.

I do agree with the Prince's man that Wilder has sided with KM ( or should I say KM has used Wilder as a rallying point in his communications with the shareholders and fans) and burned his bridges with the prince, particularly after not welcoming Van Winkel a few months ago.

 

[super_pig]

http://www.viewfromthejohnstreet.co...n-mccabe?format=amp&__twitter_impression=true

<< CHRIS WILDER has crossed the line and, if he hasn’t gone already, is likely to be shown the door should Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud wrestle full control of Sheffield United.

Shocking to hear but that is the take of a reliable source with a close ear to the Saudi royal’s camp, as told to ViewFromTheJohnStreet.com. Prince Abdullah, apparently, is furious with the Blades manager’s recent outburst in which he suggested he may quit.

United’s co-owner, engaged in a bitter power-struggle with Kevin McCabe, views it as a disguised and strategic attempt to side with the latter, in the knowledge Wilder’s standing at the club will influence public opinion against the man from the Middle East. The aim being to force him to back down and eventually relinquish his interests as other investors wait in the wings. ETC>>


I didn’t really get the feeling that Wilder was siding with McCabe against Prince Abdullah.
But if he is then I’m siding with Wilder

crossed the line by doing what exactly? he simply has done what all managers do ie trying to figure out what he will be given as resources.. otherwise he can either double his wages and go to Sunderland now or get fuck all to spend here end up lower mid table with everyone screaming for his head in November and have no job by Xmas. no brainer when you put it like that.
this van winkel guy might be a perfectly decent guy but i'm uncomfortable with his appointment .. he's like a vulture sat there waiting. coincidence that results crashed when he arrived??

 

[Esablade]

Yes, other than that, which was responding to the official club statement (which was something the Prince had signed off on). What I meant to say is he hasn’t engaged with fans on it at all. He is, as you say, usually quite happy to – I’d have thought all the Prince’s people would have been told to keep quiet on it while the process is ongoing.

Yep, Phipps seemed to think it was a done deal.
What’s changed?

 

[Blade-on-Tyne]

If Van Winckle gets the job he will be coming in with even worse ill feeling towards him from than fans than Danny Wilson had.

Will being managed by Rip van Winckle put us to sleep for the next 40 years ?

 

[itsinyerblood]

That's what the blog is suggesting it would seem.

Don't tell Eric Cartman , he's got it bad for the Prince and thinks HRH is the answer to all United's woes.

 

[Deleted member 875]

Much as I have been reading the situation since McCabe spoke to shareholders the other week, particularly the pressure on Wilder should the prince take control.

May be too late for fans to really back the manager but if he does stay put then McCabe has to take back control of the club. Considering KM said he was investing nothing more back in 2012, he has already matched the prince's investments for the past few years and would have to buy him out for him to leave. Certainly not part of the plan back in 2013 when the prince joined us.

The new words I read in the article were " other interested investors waiting in the wings". That would alter the dynamics of the situation. If Wilder goes today or in the near future then such investors are not that close by for KM to be able to re-assure our manager.

I do agree with the Prince's man that Wilder has sided with KM ( or should I say KM has used Wilder as a rallying point in his communications with the shareholders and fans) and burned his bridges with the prince, particularly after not welcoming Van Winkel a few months ago.

To my mind, the fans had the chance to make a statement to the board by pledging our loyalty to CW, and through letters as well, but seeing as you and I were the only ones to take it upon ourselves to make a statement, it seem to get bogged down by others not really having the interest, caring about United or even in extreme cases, sharking the notion of doing so.

 

[Sean Thornton]

#onlymecares

 

[Bill puntin]

No one is bigger than the club , if cw doesn't want to be here any more then thanks and good bye. We must move on and get the boys from Lincoln who are heading for good things by all accounts.

 

[Sheffsteel]

If Van Winckle gets the job he will be coming in with even worse ill feeling towards him from than fans than Danny Wilson had.

Van Winckle getting the United would instantly be dead man walking

So does that make him

.......R.I.P. Van Winckle?

 

[Harry's Game]

Van Winckle getting the United would instantly be dead man walking

So does that make him

.......R.I.P. Van Winckle?

Very good...

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Okay, perhaps I should have worded the question: is a fan a customer of a business (as in a consumer of the product a business sells)?

To answer your question, though...

Firstly, I don't think fans are treated particularly well throughout the sport. I really don't want to start reeling off the trite cliches about super rich individuals using clubs as their playthings, obscene transfer-fees rising in tandem with ticket prices for the people who actually watch the sport etc. I do think they're true, though (and have ended up reeling off cliches...).

Football fans (especially those dedicated to 'their' team) put so much into the club, creating bonds and creating a shared culture (this forum, for example). I don't think it's appropriate to call them customers because, in the case of most other business, customers pay their money and get their product. I would say that, in some respects, we are the product. I enjoy watching the blades with blades. Identifying as a blade, etc. If fans are just customers, it's a slipperly slope to them becoming mere consumers of tickets and merchandise. That's my worry, anyway.

I think being a football fan is more about playing a small part in creating/maintaining a sort of phenomena, and then participating in it with other people. I suppose there's an argument that that in itself is what we're buying (as customers), but I don't think that does justice to the role fans play.

I identify with a lot of what you are saying, but I'm afraid a lot of it is wishful thinking. I don't like the words "customer" and "business" being used in a football context, but the truth is it's not really wrong. I think a lot of McCabe's early mistakes were because he treated SUFC as a business and failed to take account of the special aspects of a football club, nevertheless there are some uncomfortable truths that point to things many fans don't want to admit.

For example, most people on here want to see someone come in with substantial investment. Some unknown, possibly non-existant, Chineses investors have already been welcomed on board by some - "better than the Saudis" has already been said more than once. How can anyone then turn to them and say "we are not your play thing"? That is exactly what we WANT them for, so that they can chuck money into a bottomless pit for the sake of pride and kudos in front of their rich mates. We WANT them to spend some obscene sums on some wanker pre-madonnas because, apparently, that's the only way into the PL.

To say to them "you do not own the club, you can't do what you want with it" is simply ridiculous. Some of the more extreme moves can be thwarted through concerted fan action, but even then it relies on the owners giving ground of their own free will.

And a lot of what you say is the romanticising of football, which isn't supported by reality, however good it sounds. For example, the better a club performs, the more supporters come and watch. That tells us that the deciding factor for many in paying through the turnstiles is not the bonds, the shared culture, the creating a phenomena, it's about watching a good standard of football against good opposition. In 5 years we've increased by something like 9000, that's a third! Those that stick through thick and thin complain about the dross they are served up - we pay our money and we expect a return for it, that's being a customer.

The reality is that the owner will, more or less, do what he wants. I don't believe they deliberately piss their fans off, but if they have ideas different to the fans, they will consider that they're the ones putting the money in. That's the way it is and I don't like the hypocrisy of fans demanding owners stump up huge amounts of cash whilst telling them to shut up and keep their noses out. A good owner will get the fans on side, of course, but unfortunately fans will only ever be happy with their owner if the club is doing well at the top of the division, not because the camaraderie is heart-warming.