Prince on Sheff United Way

[Foxy]

Hal, ask HRH who is Foxy s high up source at BL.

It was chip shop style curry sauce.

 

[thehet]

N'Diaye leaving is compounded by the following issues, all of which give the impression the club isn't being run in a manner that is anywhere near that of a reputable, functional, newly promoted (to the Premiership!) club.

• The manner in which he left.
• The revelation that we can be so amateurish that we produce a 'signing' video for someone who hasn't actually signed anything.
• Knowing the uncertainty we release a proven goalscorer, find our number 9 injured and look increasingly likely to start the season with 2 completely unproven kids up front.
• Left with a weaker side than the one that got promoted.
• On the signing front, only 3 new players brought in so far, only 1 of which looks like starting and another who can't even get a visa yet.
• Above not helped by a scouting/recruitment team not fit for a League 2 club.
• No shirt sponsor or away kit with 2 weeks to go until the new season.
• The never ending chase to find a LCB that isn't going to rupture an ACL or give away 3 goals a season, but alas we'll probably loan one again.
• More players in a final year of their contract than i can care to count
• Cant sell the club, probably cant even give it away now.

some extras for what they are worth

• Never ending training ground debacle
• Never ending Kop debacle
• Never ending PR debacle

FAO SUWAY - I'd like to know what the Prince's plan is? Selling the club can't be the plan, it might be in it, but it can't be it.

 

[Roygbiv]

I'm on the same page but I don't think it shields him from criticism. I think it instead shields him from vitriol and unjustified abuse some throw at him.

Hence doing a video interview but not a live stream. Although apparently he wanted to do it live so if there's any shielding it's a by-product and not deliberate.

That's a fair comment. I'm not saying it's a deliberate thing by The Prince but the anger being aimed at SUW and Darren Smith is realistically being aimed at The Prince which is what I meant by the shield comment. Those 3 are just the closest people the fans can get to.

 

[Bl4desutd]

I'll just say this and then I'm going to leave it and ask that you post questions on twitter please.

If having a pop at me helps you to deal with Ndiaye going to France then go for it. I get it. I feel the same way because I'm one of you, I've always been one of you and I understand.

Don’t think you have to justify yourself to everyone pal, it’s only the bed wetters that are slagging you and Nick off. On behalf of the majority of reasonable Blades….KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

 

[Melbourne Blade]

Yeah keep up the good work on the channel fellas. I find Hal very funny, intelligent and charming but Nick would definitely give Bettis a reacharound for free stuff

 

[prescotblade]

How much is it going to cost the club this season in wages etc. We have been told there isn’t the finances to support this club, the Prince has acknowledged this. Seemingly getting promoted had saved us from real financial difficulties. The cost of tickets are far cheaper this season than for many other clubs.in the premier league.
Football is an expensive game and I’m not sure I would wanting to be paying £60- 70 per game or a thousand pound plus for a season ticket. Fans in other clubs are moaning about there situations who have far more money than we do or debt.
In business you have to cut your costs to survive and this is something we have to live with in the love for our club.
Has was said on another post recently these high debts are not maintainable in a lot of the top clubs and FFP is leading to a lot of these clubs having to sale players.
with the potential drain to Saudi clubs like us with a strategy may just find themselves leading a revolution in football.
No matter what happens many of us will stay loyal no matter what division we are in

 

[Houston_Blade]

I just find this all a bit irksome, frankly.

I'm sure the creators of the channel will do their best with the interview and I don't envy them having to whittle through 1000 questions before finalising what they'll ask. My gripe isn't with them.

I do however find it extremely irritating that our main channels of (one way) communication with our owner/chairman are through an accountant on Twitter and a YouTube channel. We were told it would be thus, of course, but that doesn't make it any more palatable.

Regardless of how tough Hal's line of questioning may or may not be, only having to respond to questions via one medium makes it easier to control narratives and shape the discussion in their favour, because they're not being grilled by professional journalists or by fans directly. For fans, it's a case of 'Well it's the only way...better get a question in" when really we should be demanding a lot more, especially in times such as these.

Even Chansiri did a fucking fan forum...

I reckon the last line will be “if you want to fly to my house in LA you can all stay and we’ll talk about it”.

Hopefully someone calls his bluff this time.

 

[Champagneblade]

N'Diaye leaving is compounded by the following issues, all of which give the impression the club isn't being run in a manner that is anywhere near that of a reputable, functional, newly promoted (to the Premiership!) club.

• The manner in which he left.
• The revelation that we can be so amateurish that we produce a 'signing' video for someone who hasn't actually signed anything.
• Knowing the uncertainty we release a proven goalscorer, find our number 9 injured and look increasingly likely to start the season with 2 completely unproven kids up front.
• Left with a weaker side than the one that got promoted.
• On the signing front, only 3 new players brought in so far, only 1 of which looks like starting and another who can't even get a visa yet.
• Above not helped by a scouting/recruitment team not fit for a League 2 club.
• No shirt sponsor or away kit with 2 weeks to go until the new season.
• The never ending chase to find a LCB that isn't going to rupture an ACL or give away 3 goals a season, but alas we'll probably loan one again.
• More players in a final year of their contract than i can care to count
• Cant sell the club, probably cant even give it away now.

some extras for what they are worth

• Never ending training ground debacle
• Never ending Kop debacle
• Never ending PR debacle

FAO SUWAY - I'd like to know what the Prince's plan is? Selling the club can't be the plan, it might be in it, but it can't be it.

But apart from that, what did the Romans ever do for us?

You raise some very valid points. Be nice if the club actually took note, made plans to address them and regularly communicated on the progress of reaching these goals. Let's call it something fancy like having a strategy. Or even just a plan.

 

[1889]

The Prince is lucky he isn't in Sheffield because he would certainly get a piece of the fans mind.

I’m not sure about that, from what I’ve read recently, I don’t think there’s many have got any to spare

 

[dazzlingblade]

I can't watch these guys anymore, nick can't see any point of view other than his own, and hal unfortunately has let it all go to his head a bit, bit like a parody of his old self now, it's a shame really (only my opinion of course)

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

My question.

Simple one really. 'Has promotion to the Premier league allowed the club to clear its debts so going forward the financial security of the club is secure?'

 

[Bladesman]

My question.

Simple one really. 'Has promotion to the Premier league allowed the club to clear its debts so going forward the financial security of the club is secure?'

"Or will we have to do a Kevin McCabe and start selling anything that isn't nailed down in 12 months time."

 

[metalblade]

One for YorkBlade
Is the Prince asking too much for the club really? Leeds United now a Championship club are reported to be worth £170m or £400m if they had stayed in the Premier League, the take over there went off fairly smoothly as the 49ers already owned 44% of the shareholding.
Back to little old Sheffield United is the Prince the only significant shareholder of the club and if so why is he looking for a complete sale when someone could possibly be interested in investing in say a 44% stake of the club like the 49ers had at Leeds?
What is wrong with Sheffield United McCabe couldn't find a buyer despite looking for years now the Prince can't find a buyer either all this despite being able to attract 30,000 fans for home games. Clubs a lot less attractive seem to have little difficulty attracting new owners or investors

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

I can't watch these guys anymore, nick can't see any point of view other than his own, and hal unfortunately has let it all go to his head a bit, bit like a parody of his old self now, it's a shame really (only my opinion of course)

Take it you won't be watching the Prince video then? Everyone moaning about SUW will 100% watch it

Keep it up Hal

 

[Keen Blade]

When does this Prince video get streamed ?
Will it have ‘Cream’ & ‘Little Red Corvette’ , my favorite tracks ?

 

[Maurice Maurice]

You can pass on my thanks after the McCabe wilderness years. Thank him for having a business plan that changed us from a club selling players on the cheap, to one that kept the skeleton of the squad together, and splashed the cash on signings like Brewster, McBurnie and Berge.

He backed us through two promotions to the Premier League and despite the club being for sale, he's still adding young, hungry players to the squad who could prove vital to the club's future. Maybe there's a reason so many are getting towards the end of their contracts but I'm sure if he's asked, he'll give an honest answer. I know the usual suspects won't care what he says, they'll accuse him of lying, but they're the silly cunts thinking we could have stopped Illi fucking off, even though it was obvious he was walking.

I just wish he had more cash because I could see us becoming a very successful club being run the way he did.

 

[Revolution]

You could put so many people in that category. Me included. For the work they put in I understand them getting a complimentary ticket here & there. If that’s what you’re referring to anyway.

That’s up to them. But if you accept such things and you run a media channel like SUW, people are inevitably going to say that you’ll give the club an easy ride because you want more of them.

There’s actual bias, and there’s also the perception of bias.

 

[Tom Bott]

 

[Pollingtonblade]

One for YorkBlade
Is the Prince asking too much for the club really? Leeds United now a Championship club are reported to be worth £170m or £400m if they had stayed in the Premier League, the take over there went off fairly smoothly as the 49ers already owned 44% of the shareholding.
Back to little old Sheffield United is the Prince the only significant shareholder of the club and if so why is he looking for a complete sale when someone could possibly be interested in investing in say a 44% stake of the club like the 49ers had at Leeds?
What is wrong with Sheffield United McCabe couldn't find a buyer despite looking for years now the Prince can't find a buyer either all this despite being able to attract 30,000 fans for home games. Clubs a lot less attractive seem to have little difficulty attracting new owners or investors

The answer is on here somewhere it's cos the Moor is a shit hole and Sheffield is not a place anyone with money wants to invest in, or something like that.

 

[dazzlingblade]

Take it you won't be watching the Prince video then? Everyone moaning about SUW will 100% watch it

Keep it up Hal

Nope, it will be soft questions with no real answers, as always

 

[PrestwichBlade]

The answer is on here somewhere it's cos the Moor is a shit hole and Sheffield is not a place anyone with money wants to invest in, or something like that.

Don't forget no th'airport

 

[Champagneblade]

That's a very funny point.

The return on Iliman is something obscene.

If we get 20m and we'd paid 10m you'd have a 100% profit.

We must be looking at a 100,000% profit!

 

[Revolution]

That's a very funny point.

The return on Iliman is something obscene.

If we get 20m and we'd paid 10m you'd have a 100% profit.

We must be looking at a 100,000% profit!

We made a 6,750% profit on Brian Deane.

We also spent twelve years out of the PL after we did it. We even managed to sell him again at a loss in the interim.

 

[Paisley Blade]

That wasn't clear and I have to defend myself.

Nick actually paid for his tickets for Wembley I recall him telling me.
Anyway it shouldn't impact his impartiality any of the opportunities that he's accepted, I also believe that the award ceremony was through a sponsor he's pals with, nothing to do with the ownership. Nick is a Blade who wants the best for the club first and foremost.

I'm happy to confirm that Hal was sat in the shite seats close to me at Wembley, about 5 rows from the back, roughly 2 postcodes away from the prawn sandwich section .

 

[Charlieblade]

What are you expecting from an interview with a football club owner? Something like a scene from a A Few Good Men where Tom Cruise pressures Jack Nicholson into shouting “You can’t handle the truth!”?

Owners of football clubs don’t get to where they are in life without being excellent communicators. They’re similar to MPs. It’s doesn’t matter what the question, how much pressure is seemingly applied, the Prince won’t get flustered. If it’s a subject he doesn’t like, he’ll remain calm and give an answer that isn’t really much of an answer.

Surely the correct procedure for news of this magnitude, is for it to be announced on the club website, so that all supporters have the same basic information to begin with. The owner and Chairman are responsible for making sure this happens.
Instead we are faced with a free for all in social media, sports channels and newsprint rumours!

If anyone wishes to clarify points arising from this official statement, and clearly plenty of fans do, then the Prince has made himself available to Sheffield United Way, to do just that.

His job is made so much harder, because no official statement has been made by anyone at SUFC.
Very poor form in my humble opinion.

 

[I should coco]

That's a fair comment. I'm not saying it's a deliberate thing by The Prince but the anger being aimed at SUW and Darren Smith is realistically being aimed at The Prince which is what I meant by the shield comment. Those 3 are just the closest people the fans can get to.

It'll be you up against the wall next.

Don't you go pretending you're a real fan with a grumpy dad, just doing gentle tele podcasts and some grumbling with Ben.

We've seen Bentleys, the Buggattis on your drive and Crystal delivered by the lorry load.

Think on!

 

[Charlieblade]

As a normal fan, following the Blades from a distance, I enjoy SUW, the Beans and Roy’s bladespod, and Jimmy’s Ramble.

All a bit different, but the thing they all have in common is that they are fellow Blade’s fans, each with there own perspective on our club.
On a point of order, all these lads do it freely and we are lucky they do it. For anyone to suggest that Hal is not a professional, is very poor form. He earns his living as a presenter for BFBS radio. The British Forces Broadcasting Service has been operating as a full service broadcaster since 1943.

The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides radio and television programmes for His Majesty's Armed Forces, and their dependents worldwide. Editorial control is independent of the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces themselves.[1] It was established by the British War Office (now the Ministry of Defence) in 1943. In 1944, it was managed by Gale Pedrick.[2]


It operates independent of the UK Ministry of Defence in particular, and the armed forces themselves.
I have been indebted to their function and availability, as a veteran with over 22 tears service worldwide.

Hal is a pro. Anyone with doubts is free to listen to BFBS Cyprus, and despite being out for longer than I served, I caught his morning show on said radio show the other day.
He is polite, knowledgeable and erudite. To remove any doubt could anyone imagine making such a successful career with such a hard nosed audience?

Nick is the owner operator of SUW. Having formed the channel off his own back, he has kept it going, despite the abuse, (even some from me) and is constantly trying to improve it. Nick brought on Hal for his professional expertise and presentation skills, and Oli because he shares the workload and presents another different face and opinion of the regular Blades fan.

We should all be grateful for their voluntary efforts in producing a channel with growing reputation and support. I personally think it’s great that they have earned the owners trust, and any minor incidental benefits they mIght come across are well deserved. I also realise there is a danger that some people might utilize their status for PR purposes, and that is just one thing they will be wary of.

A huge Thank you to all presenters who give their own time and effort to enable these brilliant facilities just for fans of the club. It’s a community service we are all duty bound to respect, even if you disagree with them, do it in a kind way. (I include Deadbat and all the others who provide Blades related content).

“Always do the right thing, even when no one is looking”

 

[metalblade]

The answer is on here somewhere it's cos the Moor is a shit hole and Sheffield is not a place anyone with money wants to invest in, or something like that.

Yeah and we have a crap road network in Sheffield, the trains are the oldest crappest stock in the UK and we no longer have an Airport nearby, Yup Sheffield is a shit tip.

 

[Houston_Blade]

That's a very funny point.

The return on Iliman is something obscene.

If we get 20m and we'd paid 10m you'd have a 100% profit.

We must be looking at a 100,000% profit!

Boreham Wood had a 75% sell on clause so we're only getting £5m

 

[metalblade]

Boreham Wood had a 75% sell on clause so we're only getting £5m

Knowing us that might be close to the truth