Jools, I am not saying that the club should be funded ahead of other more worthy causes-far from it. BUT the money has to come from somewhere, JB will only continue to shell out if there is something in it for him (at the moment there isn't). So where will the money come from? We need a sugar daddy and the sooner the better -and am sure JB would agree with that. If no one turns up then JB needs to try and keep going and move the club forward, but he needs cash from somewhere, or the fans to stop moaning about the lack of a grandstand etc.. It is dead easy; lots of money=new grandstand + possible progression no new money= no new grandstand + possible progression
To be fair to the fans they weren't the ones clamouring for a grandstand it was Brent who promised one. It is also true to say that despite the Club needing something better than is at present the fans are more up for money being spent on the playing side first and the grandstand waiting until the club has progressed some. Brent won't do that because there is nothing in it for him unless it is bricks and mortar he can sell for a profit.
All I would say is that JB has made funds available to keep the club functioning AND to allow the manager to bring in whatever players he wants. Where those funds have come from I am not entirely sure, but the deals have all been brokered by JB. He doesn't need to be transparent, and if i were in his position I certainly wouldn't be telling anyone where/how I had financed anything from-what has is got to do with you or anyone else? The theater might be a bit steep - so on your argument we might as well close that as well?- (refer to my previous comment about plymouthians) we go about once a month. Again, the theatre doesn't owe the people of Plymouth anything. It brings a vast amount of money into the city and is probably the most respected outside the capital. Tell you what. just because wages are depressed in this area we wont bother to try and improve things? Blimey, Jannners might start using the internet soon....
Funny thing is the last time I heard the Citizens of Plymouth were subsidising the Theatre Royal and if they aren't now they certainly were to keep it going originally. I might ask improve what and for whom? You and people with your income level? If I may say so that is more than a bit self interest rather than improving the place for the majority. I can afford it and want it therefore anyone who denies me it is being backward????? Is that how it works. I don't EXPECT Brent to tell me anything regarding his financial arrangements and never have. You are right it is none of my business how he gets his money or how he spends it. What I can do though if he tells me nothing is make my own assumptions and put them up as my interpretation of facts. It invites speculation and even more so when things promised are not delivered and his known business ventures all fall over. I know for example he paid a very small amount to obtain the club. I know the ground was sold back to PCC for a lot more than Brent paid out originally. I know PCC loaned him money which is down as a Club debt rather than his personal one. Those are my know bits and as I don't have info on anything else then I speculate he hasn't spent anything of his own.
I think months ago I said I wasn't going to comment any more on the HHP scheme, JB, grandstand or finances; and then you lot go and wind me up again and off I go! We are clearly not going to agree on much in this area and sides will always cherry pick the facts they need to support their argument, so without all the facts it is a pretty futile discussion. Suffice to say my overall view is that to progress anything a large amount of cash is required . JB had a scheme that would probably work but couldn't get the money together. He made a huge mistake by going public with his ideas and has been lambasted ever since. Whether it is the football club, university,pavilions, Bretonside or the theatre, inward investment is required to drive improvements -especially with suppressed incomes in the SW. With one or two notable suggestions Plymouth doesn't seem to have the ability to self generate prosperity Without outside investment, Plymouth will continue to wither so I welcome any outside money and don't really care where it comes from (providing it is legal!). Improvements will benefit all the people of Plymouth but the investor will also need to take their slice of the profits. I really dont understand the constant carping by locals about improvements that are suggested by outside investors- ultimately the investors will bugger off and find somewhere easier to work. That is my last comment on the subject
Being an exile for nearly all my adult life....I have little appreciation for how those living in Plymouth see the situation....all my views are built on what I read....and of course that means third party views.....my only one-to -one moments is when I go to PASALB meetings....and those that visit such as Brent,Webb and Newell...they of course would be very much for the present regime.....of course there are strong views posted on another site by those that have fallen foul of that regime.....so it is hard to decide what to believe and what not to believe....but even from 200 miles away it is obvious that there are problems that need addressing.....the obvious one being the invisible Grandstand development.....and the need for an acceptable stadium for championship life....which is the least that we should be aiming for.....that is a necessity for a city of a quarter of a million surely ?
Leaving aside the specifics, I wonder how fair the division of public funds is generally. It seems vast sums get spent in the North and if you were cynical you might think that's because it's a Conservative/Labour battleground compared to the non conformist South West. Plymouth has such potential with its history and magnificent setting, its a shame the seedcorn capital isn't there to unlock it. I'm thinking mainly of leisure and transport projects of course but also whether any of the new Type 46 frigates will be based at Devonport when they eventually get built.
I think it's fair to say that as far as most things are concerned the Country ends at Bristol and the real Westcountry is an inconvenience tagged on the end of it. If it broke off and floated away then I don't think anyone, apart from the people who live here, would give much of a damn. I think it pretty much has always been that way.
I agree it is lyndhurst but then again I'm biased being a real local and not part of the Northern immigrant sector.. Having said that the comments made by our latest imported player and wing back says a lot. "I really like it here and if it was a couple of hours closer to London........"
Frankly , the further I live away from London, the better-I really don't see the attraction.. As far as your slightly dodgy comment about northerners is concerned, I had to come down here, if only to dilute the gene pool.
Does your wife know about your reasons for coming here? I got asked for by somebody who worked in the MOD with my boss telling me it was a great chance and a guaranteed promotion to Chief at the end of it. I never did get told who it was asking because I turned it down. I'm with you on the living in London bit. It was bad enough having to travel across it when I was drafted to Northwood. I would not live there by choice for any money or career promise.
Yes the reason was her. Plymouth born and bred- the gene pool dilution was very small but we have 2 boys, half northern and half janner. I have a sister in law in London- great for the occasional visit for big events etc but the traffic, pollution etc normally means that after a couple of days I cant wait to get some fresh devon air.
I've got nothing against the locals Joe it's the pace of life and the souless feel the place has. I used to have to travel across London to come home at weekends and it amazed me how so many people would litteraly run between platforms for connections for example. I used to stroll and get on the same connection as them. Recently we went to London with daughter and family for a few days. Staff at Underground station we used every day were great and helpful. People at work generally very good, friendly and helpful. People on the tube just sat there and none of them spoke to each other. You could have had no legs and been hanging from a strap without a seat and nobody would have offered you their's. Once outside of the workplace is where the souless bit comes in. I could not live there for any money.
Yes know what you mean. cockneys are becoming limited now!! not many left.. Well i enjoy going up and out in London. always plenty to do and its 24/7.. Agree about the tubes, its like that in every major city in Europe on the undergrounds..well the ones i have used.. It's all a rush and you have to go with it or get pushed about or taken in by it all.. I have lived there and would if i had the chance again.. but with the little man as he is ,. it won't happen.. Only thing we regret is if we were there when he was taken ill.. he may not be as he is today. But we will never know and just get on with it and keep him going.. I do love this place as we have all the beaches around us and its not so hectic..
That's the trouble with life Joe you have to play with the cards you are dealt even the crap ones. As you say you will never know and you can't change what is anyway.
Yep we are dealing with what was dealt.. unfortunately it was not good. But we get on with what we have.. at least its something..
