I've been reading lots of stuff tonight across various internet forums and have seen certain stuff via twitter. None of which I can repeat because I have no clear proof of the accuracy. However, I understand it is relating to stuff via today's match day notes (which i am boycotting) and a certain media outlet. Can someone who has read either of these articles please let us know what has been said, especially if you have read the notes yourself or have a copy at hand. I hasten to add this is a genuine request for insight not a witch hunt against our Chairman, I have my supporter issues with some things at Priestfield (ST's and catering) but generally I support him. Please be careful what you say.
I was quite surprised by his programme notes to be honest BRB, I think he has a point however. The main point was PS having a go at what I call 'keyboard warriors' , essentially those that slate him on forums and question his motives, how he runs the club and his integrity, insinuating that some people have claimed he uses the clubs money for his own purposes. He stated that these people were not man enough to speak with him face to face etc and that he tries his best to reply to all direct emails he receives (I thought of you when I read that!) Other than that, he stated he is now starting to look for 'further investment' in the club, which I got the impression it meant he was open to selling. Now I'm no Paul Scally lover, but the facts are quite simple, let's consider where we were in 94 as a club and business and compare that to now. Quite simply there is no comparison, we have come a million miles even if we are only 1 league above, the ground, playing staff, hospitality, sponsorship etc is that of a professional outfit. Although at times we all may be disappointed in his decisions, I think people need to be careful what they wish for, because Scally does to be fair deserve ample praise for what he has done for our club and I hope that continues for some time, how many other clubs have had the same continuity of a chairman for 18 years?
brb I think he wants to 'proof read' the camel threads. but to be serious for a minute I am grateful that in 1995 Mr.Scally took a gamble with a £1. Instead of buying a lottery ticket, he 'purchased' GFC. His business acumen allowed him to obtain investment and sufficient funding to reach our current position - which I will admit is a damned sight better than it could have been. I am pragmatic enough to accept that, in the absence of substantial investment, the Club is unlikely to attain further major improvement in terms of league status. I have always said that I do not have a problem with this situation. It's not that I am ambitious for our Club - but that I am realistic. My main issue is that the players - who are the real reason why we, as fans, come to Priestfields, give 100% ( even if they fail to win the game ). I understand that Mr. Scally has a difficult task to attract investment in football - you'd be throwing away money with nearly all football clubs. The trouble for Mr.Scally is that he leads with his chin. Sometimes I can applaud him for taking the 'heat'. That is his responsibility. Sometimes it is unfair of fans when they cannot understand Mr.Scally as he tries to tell us that there is no 'real' money to improve the squad ( without fearing that more fans will not believe him .) I, for one, find the clubs finances an enigma. I cannot believe that the ( £10-£12million ) debt has 'vanished' and is NOT able to ever return to be accountable ( I'm not sure if those precise words have been used to reassure us ). At the same time, ( if we have NO debt ), what has happened to the money from the sale & sell-on of Jarvis, Bertrand, Payne & Gazza ?? - certainly not being invested to improve the squad. A lack of transparency doesn't instil confidence. There are times when Mr.Scally doesn't endear himself to the fans - such as the Season Ticket Holder fiasco this season - and he continues to throw away free tickets ! ( I also accept the restraints financial or geographical of all fans, and those restraints do not necessarily make them any less of a supporter of the Club ). I'd be very interested to know what Martin Allen thinks of Mr.Scally's integrity. Was it a coincidence that Peter Taylor was at Gills matches just before Allen was sacked ? And talking of honesty - does Mr.Scally really expect us to believe him when he claims in an interview that he hasn't spoken to Peter Taylor -and a couple of hours later Taylor is already kitted up with monogrammed tracksuit. It makes it very difficult to trust the word of Mr.Scally. I could say a lot more ( & usually do ), but have decided to limit the 'damage' that my thoughts could cause - not for Mr.Scally -but Gillingham Football Club. I thank Mr.Scally for what he has done - apart from when he treats people like idiots - and then is surprised when they decide not to disappoint his expectations. Gills -man-ant-Dog I have given a hint of my thoughts of 1. Integrity of Mr.Scally 2. I know that Dubai is not a cheap place in which to live 3. I'm not the only person who has been 'man' enough to send ( sensibly worded ) correspondence to the Club - without reply.
If we are being open and honest. I have no problem with our Chairman. However, I have sent two sensibly worded emails, one to Paulo and a completely separate one addressed for the attention of our Chairman, regarding ST's. I have not received a response to either. Yet according to the wording above kindly posted by GmAD, it states he tries (Chairman) his best to reply to all direct emails. So I can only ask what we mean by 'direct'. Yes, he's a busy man and i cannot honestly expect the Chairman to give me a reply but what about Paulo? What about the customer Charter? Do I fall into the role as keyboard warrior for raising queries? A supporter that has attended every game this season home/away accept one. I have not just posted my comments by hiding on an internet forum but have been forthright in sending my views directly into the club. I could more or less guarantee that if I sent a email to any other business I would get a response, specific to my wording. But hey what do i know as a mere football supporter.
BRB - I think he was getting more at people on forums as opposed to direct emails, I doubt he comes on this one as well given that pretty much all the views and notes left on here are fair and balanced. Some of the other forums are certainly not that, and I assume those are the one's Scally is referring too. Always right - to pick up on one of your points, something is discuss every week with those I go to games with is the finances, if Scally can make debts of £13m disappear than why is he not running one of our top banks, or the country at that! I can't understand it and it constantly concerns me, which is part of the reason I wouldn't want him to walk away, as it's unlikely someone would pick that up. I remember nearly going out of business before only to well and going back to that is worst than 10 relegations.
The Chairman needs to grow up. It is a position of honour to Chair a local league club but this is football and the Chairman has to be big enough and thickskinned enough to deal with flak. This is not North Korea and he cannot expect expressions of devotion life just aint like that. A Chairman has to take criticism just the same as referees and players. Much of the criticism is spur of the moment disappointment from fans who spend a lot of money following their team. That said, there is a clear line that has to be drawn between expressions of frustration or disappointment and personal insults or intrusions into private life which is unacceptable at any time. Chairman Scally does a decent job and is well intentioned. We all know he does not invest in the club and we know he is not a zillionaire. Nobody seems to object to him taking a reasonable fee for his efforts and most thinking fans are well aware that it is better to have the devil you know. It would help no end if supporters were treated like friends and customers rather than a nuisance needing discipline. A bit of common sense with season tickets and id cards would win back a couple of thousand fans who feel let down.
I don't think this is about being thick-skinned enough just to take 'flak', Bristol. Some of the stuff being spouted online is plainly defamatory, calling into question Scally's financial probity amongst other things. The trouble with that is that if people say it often enough, others start to believe it. I just do not understand some of the vitriol shown when it comes to the chairman. Yes, he's made mistakes (who doesn't) and he may not conduct business as I like to do, but some fans clearly genuinely think he is out to screw us all. Until I see evidence, I can't believe it and will challenge anyone who says it.
An article i remember from March 2011... http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/8882060.Ex_Hornets_chairman_in__High_Court_victory/
..And that's what I mean by Scally not doing things the way I would. But it's a hell of a leap from that to some of the wild allegations about how GFC is his personal piggy bank - which apart from anything else, shows a real ignorance of company accounting.
just seen this published article this morning...http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/sport/scally-steps-up-investment-hunt-8346/?
Yes, interesting, isn't it? I'm not hold my breath, though, because GFC is not a great investment. I think that may partly have been motivated by Scally's desire to try and convince people he's not as wealthy as they think he is. He's probably got a couple of million, but who in their right mind would fritter that away on GFC when they have the future of their family to consider? By the standards of most football chairmen, I suspect Scally's pretty hard up!
I have just read this article again having read it a couple of years ago when it first came out, I still think the judge was talking out of his rear-end. The judge felt that Mr Russo was telling the truth and that Mr Scally and Mr Russo were not close friends. How many business men do you know that would make a loan of hundreds of thousand to a "not close friend" with no written agreement detailing terms of interest and repayment. For me this shows that the judge was an idiot, not that Scally did anything wrong.
