I've said quite a lot that, no doubt, sounded far fetched and made up to a lot of people ... ... that's fair enough, I'm a stranger on the Internet where fantasists flourish. TBH some of what I was told sounded incredible but I totally trusted the people so chose to believe it. I posted that the Americans wanted Methven out of the club before any takeover could happen. At the time I said this Methven's stock was still high and he was being widely credited with 'bringing FPP to the table' so the suggestion of him being elbowed out seemed ridiculous. I also said FPP wanted local people involved in the club from top to bottom. Now, with 2 Sunderland fans on the board and Methven peddled, both of these 'wild' predictions have come to pass. I also said that there was no way FPP would make the 'loan' so expensive for themselves. I'm told they've, so far, spent over £1 million which they can never recover. This has gone on solicitors, feasibility reports, flights, etc. If it was just a loan it could've been arranged very quickly without the need to register a company at the SOL or isolating Donald. The loan is actually a gold braided noose FPP have given Donald with which to hang himself. The loan, which I'll call it for simplicity, is like a man trap and secured on various thing including the Madrox shares in the club. Donald cant sell those shares without the American's say so which means FPP are already controlling Donald and the club. His one and only way out is to find the amount of the loan, plus interest & charges, to buy off FPP. He can't borrow it because he needs FPP's permission which he won't get. Sartori isn't interested in putting his own money into the club so Donald looks ducked. As I said months ago these billionaires aren't just a great bunch of lads having a laugh and hoying money around ... ... they count the dollars and want blood for every one. Donald and Methven thought they were smarter than the American lads but they're been left looking daft. The hope is that Donald accepts he's blown his big chance before he takes us down with him. l said that FPP would go through the club 'like a tsunami' and that seems to be happening. It's now just a mad scramble for the lifeboats ....
You know, he’s totally done himself here. Forget the financial aspect, had he got the managerial appointment right he’d have looked like a proper leader, ruthless. Sack a gaffer sitting 3rd and replace him right and you’ve nailed it. He chose ma lottery gamble, a cheap option on a whim based on a solid season with a Bradford side who should never have been in the 4th tier at the time, and more damningly, he completely ignored the very clear and public fans feeling about who to appoint, and who not to. There was no support for Parkinson for a reason. We NE lads, both clubs, we may be a bit over the line from time to time, we call call it passion, we will probably all admit it’s sometimes a bit much, but I tel on you what, we know our football, we live for it. If there’s thousands of North East fans saying ‘no not him’ you should probably listen. If there’s thousands more screaming the same 3 names (Pearson, Phillips, Stendel), you should probably listen. All ties in with Donald being like that **** Methven, thinks he knows better than us, maybe, like Methven, believes he’s better that us. It’s our club and always will be though. You can’t ignore the weight o f your own building blocks, if you do the whole thing comes down on the foundations.
It's just what I was told in conversation, nothing in writing mate. I can't see him coming in now that the supporters have turned tbh. He has no good reason to suddenly get involved, would've been different if we'd gone up.
What we need most of all is a massive upgrade of the squad in January. If this statement helps to secure that, well done to those involved.
Riv, I'm trying to get me head round this,so bear with me please. Are you saying FPP are in control to the point where Methven has gone and two fans have been appointed as non-exec Directors because they have insisted on it, and are now backing Donald into a corner so that they can take full control? If so, our on field performance so far is playing right into their hands,but it's a dangerous game in letting it go too far. Or,have I completely misunderstood all of this?
That sounds about right mate. I know the 'loan' has such caveats attached that Donald can no longer choose to raise a secured loan or sell to another buyer without permission from FPP. I don't know, for sure, if FPP insisted on the two new directors though, that's speculation based on what they'd said they wanted. I know, for sure, they weren't impressed with Methven, couldn't see the point of him and wanted him gone. In all honesty I can't say if he jumped or was pushed.
I don't mind Don like. Took us on when we were financially ****ed and got us someway sorted to being ok. He needed someone in to make football decisions though. Ross was canny imo but Parky has been a disaster. If for any reason he does default on the loan and the Yanks get a bargain I'll still think fair play to him for giving it a go.
You give it whether you are right or not. Every game I have been to, the fans have started off supporting the team. It isn't until abject performances that they turn and that has only been the last few games. You can say it as many times as you want, and you do nothing else, but this isn't the fans fault
I'm glad our next game is away tbh. Hopefully win it and settle some of the edgy home supporters down for the next game against Lincoln.
