Prince on Sheff United Way

[Frankie as in Howard]

Difficult to take any SUWAY 'interview' with the Prince seriously.

They're already spinning out the PR line that we did everything we can to convince Ndiaye to stay. That he wanted too much money, wouldn't meet the Prince, blah blah blah.

The club accepted the first offer they received for Ndiaye. Evidently they didn't do everything they could. They did almost nothing.

You do talk shite, first offer? do your homework ya cretin.

 

[Nah den]

I'd rather try and absorb information on this platform than the abomination that is The Star.

Also, for The Star to get the inside track again wouldn't there have to be concessions on their part in terms of how they report on it...

 

[Pedro's Winger]

I have always assumed that the Prince will not talk to local media because they were all either very close to Wilder or sided with him in 2021 when the Prince fell out with him.

Even if that's right it wouldn't mean the local media couldn't do their jobs, particularly when it came to the attempted buyouts.

 

[Houston_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.

If you’re telling me that Abdullah doesn’t pay your rent in Cyprus then that’s good enough for me

I do think Nick has portrayed that he’s ‘pals’ with the owner and in this instance it might be coming back to bite him (and you by proxy) a bit. I don’t think we’re into the realms of YouTube channels having to declare their financial ties to the clubs they report on but you can see how it comes across.

I’ve enjoyed your pods from the JNC days so it’s not a criticism of you at all, it’s a good channel and apart from not asking Blackwell directly “Kevin, why do 99% of ex-footballers interviewed refer to you using a 4 letter obscenity starting with C and ending in T?”, you ask some good questions.

Not wanting to go in on Nick but he always comes across a lot more ‘fanboyish’ and I suppose it’s hard not to when it’s people he probably admires who he’s interviewing.

I still think it’s weird that our owner chooses to put out information via a non-affiliated podcast but some fans would probably like to have their owner engage in this way.

A lot of Blades are never happy unless we’ve got something to moan about so maybe it’s just that?!

 

[Greg.]

Try to avoid going bust? Like every other football club that hasn't got a billionaire owning it.

Norwich try to run a sustainable self-financing business model and their profitability before any transfers has evolved like this:



£7m of collective operating profits across 9 years including 4 PL stints in that time. Remove the first year in the table above and there are losses.

Since running even a decent level Championship club is not profitable (in aggregate wages alone have exceeded turnover in the championship for 5+ seasons running, with average operating losses per club of £15m last year in the league), you either need a rich owner who is happy to bankroll losses for years to try and establish the team in the PL (a la Forest) or you try and make profits through net sales of players … develop youth players or find cheap talent elsewhere and sell high.

Again let's take a look at 'trying to be financially self financing' Norwich for their record signings and sales in recent years for this:

In


Out


Suspect most fans aren't very happy with the above! Unfortunately football is just a tough business financially unless you have a loaded owner. I think the Prince ultimately underestimated the financial constraints of modern football.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I have always assumed that the Prince will not talk to local media because they were all either very close to Wilder or sided with him in 2021 when the Prince fell out with him.

The story I was told by an employee of the club that all of the Wilder memorabilia and references have been removed from the club (pictures, L1 trophy etc.) makes me think that this could be true. He said that they won't be put back until the current owner leaves.

 

[YorkBlade]

The prince said he never accepted a bid for Ndiaye in January. Other reports said he did accept but ndiaye turned it down. Worth an ask YorkBlade ?

If I'm going to ask this have you got a link or source for the exact quote? If I'm armed with that I won't look (as) stupid if there's anything that he throws back?

 

[Sharp as a blade]

Tbf the prince could just do nothing and we'd not be able to do anything about it.

At least he's coming out on some sort of platform to explain the clubs decision making.

I'm not defending the decisions btw. I'm guttered iliman is leaving and worried about our future with so many players out of contract at the end of the season.

As for SU Way, what do some fans expect them to do? Scream and shout obscenities at the prince?

It might be a bit tamer than some would like, because they don't want to jeopardize their relationship / insights but that's understandable. Anyone not wanting to hear it always has the option of just... Not watching it.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

Hal, I’d like to know if United plan on taking action against Marseille for tapping up a player who is under contract?

It just showed a complete and utter disrespect for our club and as far as I can see we rolled over and let them do it.

 

[ATL Recs]

Having a go at Hal and Nick for getting info from the owner seems like people shooting the messenger to me. You can say you think they are too close to the club to be impartial and slag off their content but they're getting something no other media outlet is.

I really don't like how a fan channel and a supporter from Spain are the ones breaking this sort of information but that's not their fault. Obviously it's a 2 way street and they get the views and scoops but it seems like it's either SUW interviewing him or nobody.

There is a reason communication at other clubs isn't done this way but I don't think you can blame a fan channel for getting information and interviews from the owner when nobody else gets them. If you want to have a go at anyone then surely it's The Prince for refusing to work with more traditional outlets.

If you'd like to ask any question please pop them on this thread on twitter (or X) and I'll collate them into a list, there might be some repetition and we want the interview to be around 30 mins so if your question doesn't get asked it might be because someone else has already covered the same topic.

Might have been better guys if you'd have refused to do the interview and told him to do it through the appropriate channels at the club - mind, you might not get invited into the boxes or a seat with the prince at Wembley then

 

[Eric_Brooks]

If I'm going to ask this have you got a link or source for the exact quote? If I'm armed with that I won't look (as) stupid if there's anything that he throws back?

Not sure why you need that Hal. You may simply ask, did you receive/accept bids for Illy in January? Just accept him at his word? I think there would be a lot of people just interested in his response

 

[Come from away]

Folk are hurt and angry so they compensate by hitting out. Best to let them swing and miss.

 

[GrunkyPeep]

We’re a Premier League club solely releasing information sporadically via the owner talking to a fan YouTube channel. It’s bonkers. Whatever you think of the local and regional press, they are going to apply more rigour and push the Prince harder.

One of the articles we saw from the local journo's was just a clickbait headline and a rehash of a Carl Asaba quote. Not sure I'd class the local journo's with having much rogour.

 

[Addison]

If I'm going to ask this have you got a link or source for the exact quote? If I'm armed with that I won't look (as) stupid if there's anything that he throws back?

Everton submitted a £25 million bid to sign Iliman Ndiaye

Everton were keen on improving their attacking options in January and they failed with a bid to sign the Sheffield United attacker Iliman Ndiaye.

www.caughtoffside.com

Rob Dorsett from Sky Sports a credible source is accredited with the reference in the attached.

 

[HD8 Blades]

Might have been better guys if you'd have refused to do the interview and told him to do it through the appropriate channels at the club - mind, you might not get invited into the boxes or a seat with the prince at Wembley then

A fan news channel that refuses to engage with the club?

 

[Yogi]

YorkBlade can you please ask him what credentials he saw from Dozy and Mauriss to assure him they were serious investors prior to engaging in talks with them to sell the club. What his process is for conducting due diligence on new potential investors or owners and if they provided him with any proof of funds before he entered into negotiations?

Can you also please ask him how the club is structured on a day to day basis which members of staff have responsibility for which areas of the clubs operation or are all matters left to Hecky and Bettis to muddle through. Might be worth asking what the role of Carl Schieber is and whether he is employed by the football club on a full time basis or just as needed.

What are the plans for the club regarding securing playing assets for the medium term given we have hardly any players contracted beyond next summer and if players cannot be induced to sign new deals here what the club plans to do about that.

What role United World has in the ongoing operations at United and what we receive in return for our payments to United World.

How to we go about identifying potential signings is this done through in house personnel employed directly by the club like Paul Mitchell or do we outsource that process now to data analytics companies if so what services to do we receive from them.

What are his plans for the club in the medium term if he is unsuccessful in selling the club should we be relegated as we have seen he is unable to financially sustain the club at Championship level without getting into serious difficulties during the previous 2 years.

What is his relationship with Darren Smith and why is inside information regarding the clubs workings from everything from the clubs finances to transfer targets and contract dealing being communicated to the fan base on Twitter by an accountant that is at least formally not affiliated to Sheffield United football club nor has he attainted that information through interviews with members of the clubs staff.

Apologies i know all that is stream of consciousness and will need tidying up into proper questions but those are things I’d like to know.

 

[Roygbiv]

[

Might have been better guys if you'd have refused to do the interview and told him to do it through the appropriate channels at the club - mind, you might not get invited into the boxes or a seat with the prince at Wembley then

Not sure if you've accidentally quoted me in this but I'm not part of SUW despite the fact I absolutely look like a small version of Nick. Hal hasn't been invited into boxes either as far as I know. He was definitely sat with the plebs against Man City anyway.

 

[YorkBlade]

YorkBlade can you please ask him what credentials he saw from Dozy and Mauriss to assure him they were serious investors prior to engaging in talks with them to sell the club. What his process is for conducting due diligence on new potential investors or owners and if they provided him with any proof of funds before he entered into negotiations?

Can you also please ask him how the club is structured on a day to day basis which members of staff have responsibility for which areas of the clubs operation or are all matters left to Hecky and Bettis to muddle through. Might be worth asking what the role of Carl Schieber is and whether he is employed by the football club on a full time basis or just as needed.

What are the plans for the club regarding securing playing assets for the medium term given we have hardly any players contracted beyond next summer and if players cannot be induced to sign new deals here what the club plans to do about that.

What role United World has in the ongoing operations at United and what we receive in return for our payments to United World.

How to we go about identifying potential signings is this done through in house personnel employed directly by the club like Paul Mitchell or do we outsource that process now to data analytics companies if so what services to do we receive from them.

What are his plans for the club in the medium term if he is unsuccessful in selling the club should we be relegated as we have seen he is unable to financially sustain the club at Championship level without getting into serious difficulties during the previous 2 years.

What is his relationship with Darren Smith and why is inside information regarding the clubs workings from everything from the clubs finances to transfer targets and contract dealing being communicated to the fan base on Twitter by an accountant that is at least formally not affiliated to Sheffield United football club nor has he attainted that information through interviews with members of the clubs staff.

Apologies i know all that is stream of consciousness and will need tidying up into proper questions but those are things I’d like to know.

That's enough for the whole interview.

 

[Yogi]

That's enough for the whole interview.

Appreciate you wont get to cover it all but that would be my input on your request for fan queries.

 

[YorkBlade]

Everton submitted a £25 million bid to sign Iliman Ndiaye

Everton were keen on improving their attacking options in January and they failed with a bid to sign the Sheffield United attacker Iliman Ndiaye.

www.caughtoffside.com

Rob Dorsett from Sky Sports a credible source is accredited with the reference in the attached.

Thanks. Best to be armed properly for these sort of things.

 

[Roygbiv]

I'd like to know what The Prince is expecting from Heckingbottom given what he's likely to be left with. Staying up seems unrealistic right now so what is he considering as acceptable?

 

[cooperblade]

I'd love to hear the Prince explain how allowing the contracts of our assets to run down unchecked helps with any of - achieving his stated aim of selling the club, the club becoming self-sustainable, profitable or even just one that minimises its losses, or staying up this season or going up next.

 

[YorkBlade]

I'd like to know what The Prince is expecting from Heckingbottom given what he's likely to be left with. Staying up seems unrealistic right now so what is he considering as acceptable?

Well aren't you a negative Nancy?

Transfer window hasn't slammed shut yet.
Let's see how the squad reacts to this loss. Could go one of two ways.

 

[Roygbiv]

Well aren't you a negative Nancy?

Transfer window hasn't slammed shut yet.
Let's see how the squad reacts to this loss. Could go one of two ways.

 

[Champagneblade]

My main questions are;

1. Why are so many players out of contract next season and how many have extensions that we can trigger?

2. Why have we got such a pitiful amount to spend on player recruitment in our most important summer since 2019/20? Where has the supposed cash windfall for promotion to the Premier League gone?

3. I'd like to become involved in the everyday running of Sheffield United. Would a degree in clowning help my chances?

4. Many of our fans have £2 in their wallets. Will you sell the club to them for that? After all, you'd have gotten your money back and an extra 50% on top. Many then this club might be run by someone who ACTUALLY cares about it.

(You can keep United World by the way, as no one cares about Who Gives A Toss Rovers in Belgium, Tin Pot FC in India and Who The Hell Are These Anyway City in Turkmenistan.)

Re Point 1

You can’t run a football club as if you are perpetually expecting to sell the club in the next month and forego all long term planning.

Even if we have one year options, as I mention a few weeks back, the Prince has become an expert in kicking the can down the road.

It has to stop. There has to be some long term planning.

 

[Addison]

Thanks. Best to be armed properly for these sort of things.

No worries having managed strategic communications in the past I've learnt the importance of having credible sources/references available to hand when pursuing or answering a particular line of questioning. Good luck in your interview with the Prince. Having seen the plethora of questions raised so far you'll need it.

 

[YorkBlade]

Might have been better guys if you'd have refused to do the interview and told him to do it through the appropriate channels at the club - mind, you might not get invited into the boxes or a seat with the prince at Wembley then

I invited him to speak to Sheff United Way. He's the owner of the club. I'm not happy and I want answers.

I could ask him my own questions. On my own. From my own brain. That's easy. OR I could take the harder route, as we did before, and get the questions from you, our fellow fans.

Who else is doing that? Has the club's own channel offered you that avenue?

If you've got a question please post it on twitter rather thanks here and I'll do my best to ask it.

 

[Argentinemanager]

Sorry if ive missed it but when is the interview with our owner taking place, cant see it on here and i dont use twitter, thanks

 

[TJB.]

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...

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

I can see Nick doing that sort of shit, Hal seems a top bloke though.

As an ITK'er, he is. I've met him a few times to know and communicated with him via his radio show. Great guy.

I don't know Nick at all.

Don't forget Ollie. I bet he'd take some free corporate