I'm adding people to the list: Ridsdale for getting reckless, Prof McKensie for sheer incompetence and lack of bottle, Krasner for getting involved with Bates, Bates for everything he touched, GFH for the lack of investment and not admitting they are looking to sell.
I wasn't pointing that comment at anyone, I agree Bates was a total waste of space but it is time to move on. GFH knew what they were buying into, the DD took long enough. They announced we have zero debts so I assume loans were paid off and still we find ourselves struggling to compete - I find it hard to believe BMD would have blown his entire transfer budget on one player had he known further funds would not be forthcoming. His comments today prove to me that Byram getting injured and currently unsaleable is the major hold-up
Last season our crown jewels were Snodgrass and Becchio - I can't remember which plod along midfielder we purchased with the Snoddy money, wasn't it Varney and Kenny?
Guys, in all seriousness I think we all need to carry some of the blame. Firstly, when Bates came many of us were jubilant as he was seen as a saviour and put himself over as being so. Secondly those of us who smelled a rat were a minority and kept quiet for too long. Thirdly it took a good 6-years of him being in charge, before the fence sitters starting jumping onto the hate Bates side. Lastly I blame the media, especially the YEP who could have and should have exposed the bastard instead of having a love-in with him. David Conn at the Guardian tried many times and has still not really laid a glove on him. Harry Harris just gave up and even though there have been and still are police investigations into the dealings of Bates, nobody has stopped him.
