Must admit, I find it strange that Donald is saying FPP are investing in the management team rather than the club, seemingly ignoring the fact that Methven and Davison were key parts of the management team and they have now either left (Davison) or taken a massive back seat (Methven). If that's what they invested in they must be canny pissed off. Or does he mean that they just invested in him? If he does he's deluded because I don't care how good your vision is, in the football industry he's failed at Eastleigh and, a bit of cost cutting aside, has largely failed at Sunderland so far. I can't say I'd expect billionaires blindly following him based on that record
There are plenty of wealthy, privately educated, people in the north. There are plenty of working class people in the south. Whatever type of person you want to single out, there will be more of them in the south because it's more densely populated.
Regardless though, it was a pretty daft thing to come out with! I mean, most people throughout the world are pretty uneducated in business. You won't find a single football club in the planet where most of the fan base have a great grasp of business. As a result it was just a meaningless dig, and one he made on two separate occasions. People are allowed to ask questions (especially of owners who have always made their transparency one of their key redeeming features) and as long as the answer is given clearly without a load of bullshit and bluster most are capable of grasping the basics of it, and then there's loads like GOM and others who do have a good grasp of business and finances who can also analyse it fully and inform the rest of us. I didn't mind Methven but those comments showed a very thinly veiled contempt for the fans who he tried so hard to ingratiate himself with
Agreed but London gets all the money and leaves other cities behind so draws more business. But as regards to football supporters he could of made that statement for most clubs.
Yes considering he is a supposed pr guru it was crass. I know nothing of the man so can't comment on his deep down intentions but someone of his ilk is always going to be disconnected. Bob Murray was a northern working man and did a better job of running the club.
If i was in the stands shouting "methven, yer a coont, fook off ya wánka" And he replied, "well your shìt at business and finance mate" I'd find it highly amusing , and true
The main thing is that he's said something that implies the mindset to better ourselves and be innovative about it is not here. I can tell you from personal experience of helping 60+ people looking for investment from our region, and managing to secure investment from outside of the region myself, the mindset very much is there, and that there are the same proportion of the region as anywhere else in the country who have ideas, and motivation, and the biggest hindrance is often the lack of private and public money that they can access to bring their ideas to fruition in a bigger market. I won't go into details, but the valuation of my company was more than doubled by investors in London from what it was up here, because they are used to seeing people think big and know the value of that. But it's a truly narrow-minded idiot who doesn't see beyond his own stereotype of people in any region or country.
I think most people will know that what he said is inaccurate. Anyone who believes it and therefore buys into the stereotypes hasn't got enough intelligence for the prejudices to be worth worrying about.
Whatever the ins and outs of this, one thing is clear ... ... Methven is out of order claiming it's well known in football that the supporters are the problem at Sunderland. If it's so well known why did you come here you bellend.
my sentiments exactly, so he's saying he knew this and still came onboard, looking to make a quick million or two after we were promoted? cocked that one up for sure.
The internet (and the world in general now) is full of people looking to be offended by something. Then they make sweeping generalisations to back up their case. There's no doubt that some of our fans know little about business, some of our fans needy and quick to criticise and quick to leave the stadium long before the end. If anyone mentions this the boards are full of folk claiming that we've all been branded as above but we're all the salt of the earth in fact. I guess we're just like most fans but there's more of us so more in each category.
No one is telling me we are any different to any other fans for wanting better for my club. I've sat through countless relegations, saw the likes of Colin Waldron, Doug Collins, Roy Greenwood, Roly Gregoire, Steve Berry pull on the red and white shirt and not once have I contributed to the **** served up in front of me. I think putting pressure on by suggesting a 100 point target and stating we should be challenging for top spot has more effect than me moaning cos Tom Pirlo has tried another Hollywood pass that goes into touch. Oh and the **** run out music and flag waving, that was nowt to do with me either
I must admit his comments made re this were pretty poor. I do however think that sometimes the lack of available investment can restrict entrepreneurs in this region but there are still plenty. ( I have dealt with many) The percentage of Sunderland fans who according to CM didn't know about business will be the same everywhere.
Why when people leave a club , Managers ,Players etc start making remarks about all and sundry not just SAFC but nearly all clubs instead of just leaving gracefully . Most people leaving SAFC have enjoyed their stay and talk enthusiastically about their experience , some even years later look back with fondness talking about the supporters and their passion . Mr Methven just leave !!!
