After last nights Q&A on twitter with Adam Virgo (see that thread for what was said), Dunford decided this morning to do his own Q&A on twitter. I will post some questions put to him and his responses.
The little I know of him I can't stand the bloke, but a photograph is just an instant in time,; and may not reflect the context. Also, I am reliably informed that he is seriously ill. Still wish he'd go, and take his son with him though!
Dunford started a comment saying this... "I am devastated and heartbroken. Mistakes made at all levels. Wish I could have done more to change things. #30yearsWasted" This lead to lots of replies such as...... "we all are Geoff. Non league now on the pitch. Been non league off it for years" Then the questions came which Dunford answered. He didnt reply to all though. Q) what next then Geoff A) "Big decisions have to be made to ensure the club can make a quick return. We cannot hold back in our first season. #GoAllOut" Q) the fans deserve to know the reasons why. What changes are going to be made? Are the board going to respond to the rumours? A) "Plenty of time for that." Q) how can you be devastated,laughing away yesterday,sort the our club out,were a laughing stock no thanks to you #****off A) "Not laughing I was replying to a remark made by a steward. One frame of a camera is not reflective of my mood #pathetic" Q) I'm sure you are as we all are, but their has been a neglect of duty and we want some of the board members out! A) "I am sure that may happen if other investors appear" Q) just because you hold an investment doesn't mean you have to sit on board. How about employing independent CEO? A) "True and a good move forward in my view" Q) I'm not saying he doesn't love the club but it's different for him it's a plaything A) "Plaything? It is like having five wives and ten mortgages and thirty children" Q) I don't doubt this hurts you Geoff and understand you are a Gashead but yours and NH chairmanship has been catastrophic! A) "I handed a promotion team to Ron Craig and brought in Lambert so not so bad." Q) we spent years before that nearly going out of the league. Deluded. A) "more keeping the club going Ian . Fact" Q) and as part of a board you failed to capitalise on that. Between you have led us out of the league. A) "I totally agree" Q) Geoff why was Ward pushed into a position to manage this season when he clearly did not want to, with his personal situation A) "he wanted to manage this season"
Q) you've got to understand as fans how much we are hurting right now. 94 years in the FL..gone! A) "I am hurting just as much as a fan" Q) Rumours of drug taking can u confirm? A) "No It is news to me" Q) parachute payment Geoff?? A) "Yes but not much" Q) Decided to re-new my season ticket ! ... Must have MUG written on my forehead .. What you think Geoff? A) "I love the club as well Jake and they will have my money whether I stay or go from the board" Q) why would u even consider leaving that's a cowardly thing to do? I think your jobs are not over till we are back in the league A) "My father and I were obligated to bring the club back to Bristol after we moved to Bath. I am sure Nick will feel the same." Q) Do the board understand the severity of this relegation? Will the stadium 100% be built? Will we throw everything at a return? A) "My view is yes to all" Q) i heard you done this for a few fans. Can you give me a refund on my season ticket? A) "I personally offered their money back. I cannot do it personally for everyone" Q) people nothing will change, the board make a killing from this club why would they give up our hard earned cash A) "firstly that statement is silly, secondly the directors have been covering losses not profits" more to come...
Q) higgs said new stadium is seperate of playing side, how much money is tied up in that deal for individuals and not rovers interests A) "None. The stadium is for Bristol Rovers" Q) wrong it's for the UWE too... A) "UWE are not paying for it." Q) but the stadium isn't just for bristol rovers as you stated. Why's it called the UWE stadium..... A) "The name is part of the package Pete, nothing to do with ownership or use." Q) why did john ward say we didn't needs to bring in player when we had a lot of player out injured? A) "I did not deal with John on players or contracts so do not know the conversations. I do know he tried to bring in players" THATS IT.
All the above questions was not from me. They are from other people. However, I have now asked questions..... ME) Sorry Geoff that I missed the Q&A with you. Can I ask what is your view on what @Adamvirgs19 disclosed last night? GEOFF) "What was disclosed?" ME) Well you follow him on twitter so you can see what he said! Things such as players not turning up to training, players not bothered about losing, a drinking culture, how are these players allowed to get away with this? GEOFF) "I have no knowledge of this. Certainly was not reported at board meetings by those involved in playing matters" ME) Doesnt strike me that there is a lot of communication between anyone! Maybe Virgo is right, worse run club he has played for. GEOFF) "If there is any truth it will come out!" ME) With what was said there should be a BIG internal investigation to GET the truth. A lot was said about the board too! GEOFF) "The truth will come out." ME) Fair enough. I aint attacking you, just wandered what you thought as it was pretty damaging stuff if true! Fans really hurt. Received no reply from Geoff from that point. But I did receive this from someone else.... "blame game not good for the club Just got to get a plan in place for next season #positive #positive #utg" I replied (adding Dunford to this so he can read this)... "No blame game, Players reporting very damaging things which the board have no knowledge of. Cant bury head in sand. Needs addressing so there can be control meaning it never happens again. Then plan ahead." I then sent a final tweet to Geoff saying... "I mean no disrespect Geoff but to make it easy for you this is what was disclosed by Virgo http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/260857-Adam-Virgo-on-twitter INVESTIGATE!" No reply.
Geoff has just replied after reading Virgo's Q&A thread on here... "Lot of generalities in there but a few points to consider and investigate" My reply... "Thats all we want. Thanks Geoff for this response which gives HOPE. Thanks for replying to my questions as well Appreciate it."
If the board are staying then they absolutely must throw everything at a swift return. They got us into this mess, so they should dig deep into their own pockets and put things right. There is no FFP in The Conference and we cannot still be there when the stadium opens. Us fans have done our bit - 6500 average gate is phenomenal for the 91st worst team in the Football League.
one of the 1st statements from Geoff today was this... "Big decisions have to be made to ensure the club can make a quick return. We cannot hold back in our first season. #GoAllOut"" He agrees with you bluebaldee.
I keep saying...it's not (just) about throwing money at it. We've been comparitively well funded in the past; and look where we are now. It's about the management of resources, including financial. Clubs with far lower crowds and less finance have done better than us. The 'Gentlemen's Club' needs to get off their arses and see what these clubs are doing right. Signing fit, hungry players on one year contracts would be a start...and if they don't like it they can bugger off!
Some really interesting stuff there. I really believe that Dunford and Higgs want the best for this club but the problem is they've made several wrong decisions.
The comment about about not throwing money into it worries me the most. In the conference, its all about money if you want to stand a chance of promotion The number is £1 million, i know that seems a crazy number for us but its **** or bust in my mind. Crawley spent about that and look where they are now. But knowing our board they will end up with free transfers and youth as usual.
