How Not to Run a Football Club - Official Discussion Thread

Halifax71 said:
Page 40. Was Ollie's interview at the ground? Always thought it was at a hotel in Preston - tickle trout?
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I think it was Preston Marriott, they interviewed other candidates at Tickled Trout. Thats an error on my part. I think I was listening to an old Ollie interview with talksport where he said it was at bloomers, easy mistake he would have just been talking off the cuff obviously, but others have said it was the Marriott which I think it was.
 
Just got email from Amazon to say my copy arrives tomorrow at last! Nice weather this week to put my feet up in the garden, shickers at hand and devour this history of our war against the most vile and obnoxious family you would ever have the misfortune to enter into your life! Bastards!
 
Just finished the book in 23 hours, great read. You know most of the stories but they still make you shake your head in disbelief and wonder how we were so unlucky to be saddled with these scum bags for so long. If you didn't know any better you would think it was a piece of made up fiction
 
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I can't help but think that a couple of posters on this thread are doing their best to make sure that Nathan's book doesn't sell as many copies as what it should,considering the scrutiny that football ownership is coming under at the moment .
Utterly bizarre
 
haggertyf said:
I can't help but think that a couple of posters on this thread are doing their best to make sure that Nathan's book doesn't sell as many copies as what it should,considering the scrutiny that football ownership is coming under at the moment .
Utterly bizarre
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If you're referencing me and Phil(I can only speak for myself but) I couldn't recommend the book highly enough, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading it and as I said right at the outset, I struggled to put it down. As an entertaining and gripping read, it's about the best Blackpool F.C. related book I've read and it's written very well. The few small factual inaccuracies don't take anything away from it as a great read at all.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
If you're referencing me and Phil(I can only speak for myself but) I couldn't recommend the book highly enough, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading it and as I said right at the outset, I struggled to put it down. As an entertaining and gripping read, it's about the best Blackpool F.C. related book I've read and it's written very well. The few small factual inaccuracies don't take anything away from it as a great read at all.
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That's very very nice to read, thanks
 
Martonmosser said:
Ha ha, Raggy made another one up that night back in The Boars about Jeremy Smith going to Scouse land as well…… I just can’t remember all the words 😀😀
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It’s the same one mate from memory 😁…. cant remember all the words

actually maybe it was two separate ones now I think about it
 
Bloodtangerine said:
It’s the same one mate from memory 😁…. cant remember all the words

actually maybe it was two separate ones now I think about it
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Jeremy Smith was in a trance
The Oyston's said he had no chance
We went to scouse land to feel the pain
And Owen Oyston lost again
Na na na na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na na


To the tune of Yankey doodle;

Owen Oyston went to court he thought he was a hero,
Judge looked down and said fuck off you're getting fuckin zero

Jez Smith came and told the crowd the Oystons were defeated,
Now it's time for Belokon to go and fuckin beat him

Da da da da da da da da da dude da da da da, da da da da da da da da da da da da da da
 
Thank you, Foggy, for writing the book. It was brilliant! Every Seasider should own one to have a better understanding of our history.

Even though I was on every demo (except the coffin one), and talked to most of the main players, there was so much detail I didn't know:

- Raggy and Afroman's hilarious settlement offer to the O's demanding £35k from them to repay those they had sued! 😁 Those two were heroic leaders and were an inspiration to those of us who were mere foot soldiers in the fight;

- I knew Koko was unfit to run a football club (or anything really), but the examples of his behaviour in the book went far beyond what I'd imagined;

- finally, the O's complicated machinations of moving funds and loans between different companies was incomprehensible to me, but I'm sure any accountant looking at it would be amazed at how they thought they could get away with it.

Thank you again. 👍

PS - I spotted only one typo in my first read through which I'll tell you about in two weeks! I'll try harder in my second read, which starts today. 😉
 
Grumpy_no_more said:
Thank you, Foggy, for writing the book. It was brilliant! Every Seasider should own one to have a better understanding of our history.

Even though I was on every demo (except the coffin one), and talked to most of the main players, there was so much detail I didn't know:

- Raggy and Afroman's hilarious settlement offer to the O's demanding £35k from them to repay those they had sued! 😁 Those two were heroic leaders and were an inspiration to those of us who were mere foot soldiers in the fight;

- I knew Koko was unfit to run a football club (or anything really), but the examples of his behaviour in the book went far beyond what I'd imagined;

- finally, the O's complicated machinations of moving funds and loans between different companies was incomprehensible to me, but I'm sure any accountant looking at it would be amazed at how they thought they could get away with it.

Thank you again. 👍

PS - I spotted only one typo in my first read through which I'll tell you about in two weeks! I'll try harder in my second read, which starts today. 😉
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Thank you! Is the typo a misplaced comma because I was aware of that one as it went to print. I have to know now, pm me!
 
Really enjoyable read Foggy, well written, engaging, funny and lots of great stuff in there I remember, with a couple of stories I hadn't heard before. Ploughed through it in one night, thoroughly engrossed. It still amazes me how so many of the people under the cosh of the odious ones kept sane and came out of the other side. And I know one or two didn't, not fully, and they were definitely in my mind as I read through this.

And in a perverse way this thread is a reflection of sorts of how the whole thing worked - lots of groups/individuals doing their own things, jumping in and out of collaboration, sometimes agreeing and sometimes not but all moving towards the common goal of removing the cancer in the club.

Anyway, cracking read Foggy and thanks for putting down into print so much of what we all lived through.
 
I've not started reading it yet; but TSSJr3 (12) has - in fact it's the first book I've seen him read since primary school!

He was born in late April 2009, so the vast majority of his following Blackpool is covered in this book and for him it's his footballing life story. It's been great hearing him ask questions about what's written (including some of the vocabulary).

When I gave it to him, I asked him to keep the book and to make sure he reads it with his children and grand children; it's something we should never - ever - forget.

Will probably get to start reading it tonight.
 
TSSeasider said:
I've not started reading it yet; but TSSJr3 (12) has - in fact it's the first book I've seen him read since primary school!

He was born in late April 2009, so the vast majority of his following Blackpool is covered in this book and for him it's his footballing life story. It's been great hearing him ask questions about what's written (including some of the vocabulary).

When I gave it to him, I asked him to keep the book and to make sure he reads it with his children and grand children; it's something we should never - ever - forget.

Will probably get to start reading it tonight.
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It's a very nice thing to hear, Although I hope you're not about to get some awkward questions about swear words!
 
foggy said:
It's a very nice thing to hear, Although I hope you're not about to get some awkward questions about swear words!
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He's been to enough matches since he was little to understand that what is allowed in the ground isn't necessarily allowed outside of it!

Having not read the paragraph yet, he did start a conversation around the the rape conviction which was a good way to have another conversation about consent and consensual sex - it gave him a real example to talk about rather than a theoretical one.
 
There’s lots of funny lines in the book but one in particular really did crack me up on Riga’s departure.
“He [Riga] would often see Owen Oyston at the club restaurant, who didn’t promise the same help [as Belokon did],but did offer him an alternative career in modelling if it didn’t work out, and invited him to his home for a photo shoot. Riga declined.”

I can’t stop myself laughing as I type this. You just can’t make this up!😂😂😂
 
Hevster said:
Really enjoyable read Foggy, well written, engaging, funny and lots of great stuff in there I remember, with a couple of stories I hadn't heard before. Ploughed through it in one night, thoroughly engrossed. It still amazes me how so many of the people under the cosh of the odious ones kept sane and came out of the other side. And I know one or two didn't, not fully, and they were definitely in my mind as I read through this.

And in a perverse way this thread is a reflection of sorts of how the whole thing worked - lots of groups/individuals doing their own things, jumping in and out of collaboration, sometimes agreeing and sometimes not but all moving towards the common goal of removing the cancer in the club.

Anyway, cracking read Foggy and thanks for putting down into print so much of what we all lived through.
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Did he mention the hash browns Hev? 😁
 
TSSeasider said:
He's been to enough matches since he was little to understand that what is allowed in the ground isn't necessarily allowed outside of it!

Having not read the paragraph yet, he did start a conversation around the the rape conviction which was a good way to have another conversation about consent and consensual sex - it gave him a real example to talk about rather than a theoretical one.
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That's interesting, I put a lot of time and effort into writing that section, I obviously had to be incredible careful and considerate, and consulted guidance from sexual assault victim charities on how such incidents should be reported on. It wasn't particularly fun to write and it isn't read, but it happened and it's validating to know you and your boy were able to have a conversation about it
 
Waiting to go down to theatre for an op. Just had an email to say book being delivered today. Looking forward to starting it tonight, assuming I don’t expire 😬
 
Hevster said:
No he didn't! That was the turning point for many as we both know, watching a big man take on a full plate of fried, chopped potato with a look of determination that meant the Oystons had already lost.
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They knew the game was up
Sooty59 said:
Waiting to go down to theatre for an op. Just had an email to say book being delivered today. Looking forward to starting it tonight, assuming I don’t expire 😬
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good health mate
 
MartonBornandBred said:
There’s lots of funny lines in the book but one in particular really did crack me up on Riga’s departure.
“He [Riga] would often see Owen Oyston at the club restaurant, who didn’t promise the same help [as Belokon did],but did offer him an alternative career in modelling if it didn’t work out, and invited him to his home for a photo shoot. Riga declined.”

I can’t stop myself laughing as I type this. You just can’t make this up!😂😂😂
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I've just got to that page and was just about to quote but fortunately checked back to see you have beaten me to it. 😂
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
To describe BST as the driving force, when NAPM was an organic movement led initially by others is wholly inaccurate mate, particularly given the way BST distanced themselves at the outset.

Whatever the reasons, it was my view at the time and remains so today, that BST should have been much more actively supportive of NAPM. If it wasn’t for the strength of feeling within the rank and file BST’s reticence actually risked undermining the campaign.
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The fact Dobber Smith is even mentioned in the book riles me, the big barrel of useless thieving monkey spunk **.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
It’s not splitting hairs at all, it’s a complete misrepresentation of the facts. It completely disregards the input of others and falsely represents BST as a driving force in a campaign that they jumped on late in the day.

I’m sure you do think Nathan’s terminology is fine because a) it gives you personal recognition for something that someone else did and b) gives an organisation you led credit for a campaign you played no role in establishing whatsoever…😂😂😂

I can tell you for a fact though, if anyone had misrepresented BST in the negative that you and others would be all over it like a rash. Why should this be any different?
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I was co opted onto the BST committee in February 2015 when I became the spokesperson for the Trust. I banged the NAPM drum from the very start, which can hardly be described as late in the day!
We were advised to be very careful how we approached the whole boycotting issue for all the legal reasons suggested previously and yes, we called it an "ethical boycott" for a while. We were all learning as we went along and if there was even the slightest chance that the Trust could have faced legal action by officially calling for people not to spend any money in any Oyston businesses, that would have been irresponsible on our part.
Every time I spoke about the financial strategy that was NAPM/ethical boycott, I was speaking for the Trust. There is no way anyone who was paying attention could have thought we didn't support it!
We did not ask members to vote against it, we simply made the facts known and made it clear that they must make up their own minds (which is the right thing to do)
As time went on and it became clear that we were not at risk, we dropped the ethical boycott bit and went full NAPM.
Again, many of my later interviews stressed how some people had started NAPM much earlier than the majority of us but how it had grown wings and taken off. BST have never claimed it as our idea but we drove it for all it was worth, along with every other supporter group that backed it, especially once the two year season ticket deal had ended.
It's one of the most unique and courageous things a football community has ever done. Let's not fall out, eh?
 
@foggy.
I've just read the Court Case chapter and can I compliment you on an excellent piece of descriptive and informative writing which at the same time makes me smile and captures the mood and camaraderie of the fans in the Courtroom. I was lucky enough to be there on the days when the Oystons and their team were giving evidence and reading it again today sends a little shiver down my spine (to go with grit in my eye at Brett's testimonial, which I'm pleased you didn't mention 😉) because that was the day I knew that "football was coming home.
Not much more to read know before I'm NAPM again. (Not A Page More)
Well done that man. 👍 👍 👍
 
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Insider said:
@foggy.
I've just read the Court Case chapter and can I compliment you on an excellent piece of descriptive and informative writing wwhichat the same time makes me smile captures the mood and camaraderie of the fans in the Courtroom. I was lucky enough to be there on the days when the Oystons and their team were giving evidence and reading it again today sends a little shiver down my spine (to go with grit in my eye at Brett's testimonial, which h I'm pleased you didn't mention 😉) because that was the day I knew that "football was coming home.
Not much more to read know before I'm NAPM again. (Not A Page More)
Well done that man. 👍 👍 👍
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I'd love to see that dramatised.
 
Insider said:
@foggy.
I've just read the Court Case chapter and can I compliment you on an excellent piece of descriptive and informative writing wwhichat the same time makes me smile captures the mood and camaraderie of the fans in the Courtroom. I was lucky enough to be there on the days when the Oystons and their team were giving evidence and reading it again today sends a little shiver down my spine (to go with grit in my eye at Brett's testimonial, which h I'm pleased you didn't mention 😉) because that was the day I knew that "football was coming home.
Not much more to read know before I'm NAPM again. (Not A Page More)
Well done that man. 👍 👍 👍
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i think the chapter on the court case is the best - superbly written
 
Thornton_Pool said:
Excellent read well done Foggy did I miss any mention of Karl declaring himself bankrupt on the eve of the 2010/2011 and then making a comeback similar to Lazurus
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Ha I remember that a pathetic attempt not to pay his ex missis if memory server me right.
 
foggy said:
Finally (finally finally) it seems like some people are getting their copies, so I thought I'd make a thread here for your comments, questions etc, general chat. Looks like WH Smith had their copies ready to pick up yesterday and Blackpool Waterstones have most of the orders placed with them ready to pick up today (general stock for sale in shop not quite ready yet though) and have deliveries out in the post. Amazon has told people April which was in error and are now updating estimated delivery to next week.

Looking forward to all your thoughts. If you spot a typo, don't tell me for a few weeks, the amount of times I proofread it I don't think I could take it just yet!

Book signing/q+a has been postponed from this week as stock hasn't arrived at the Armfield Club and many won't have gotten their orders yet, but will sort out a new date soon.

Happy reading all. Thank you so much for buying, I hope it lives up to expectations. My twitter is @nathanjfogg, send me all your photos please!
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Books were due today but now put back until next Monday. Just gone to see when the delivery is for another book and it's Saturday lol. Any idea when you can just pick up a copy from Waterstones? Might just cancel and read the spoilers on here 😉
 
CSSeasider said:
I was co opted onto the BST committee in February 2015 when I became the spokesperson for the Trust. I banged the NAPM drum from the very start, which can hardly be described as late in the day!
We were advised to be very careful how we approached the whole boycotting issue for all the legal reasons suggested previously and yes, we called it an "ethical boycott" for a while. We were all learning as we went along and if there was even the slightest chance that the Trust could have faced legal action by officially calling for people not to spend any money in any Oyston businesses, that would have been irresponsible on our part.
Every time I spoke about the financial strategy that was NAPM/ethical boycott, I was speaking for the Trust. There is no way anyone who was paying attention could have thought we didn't support it!
We did not ask members to vote against it, we simply made the facts known and made it clear that they must make up their own minds (which is the right thing to do)
As time went on and it became clear that we were not at risk, we dropped the ethical boycott bit and went full NAPM.
Again, many of my later interviews stressed how some people had started NAPM much earlier than the majority of us but how it had grown wings and taken off. BST have never claimed it as our idea but we drove it for all it was worth, along with every other supporter group that backed it, especially once the two year season ticket deal had ended.
It's one of the most unique and courageous things a football community has ever done. Let's not fall out, eh?
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I really don't want to go there again to be honest Christine I've typed a couple of responses and then deleted, but I'll leave it at this. I agree with some of what you have said, but not in it's entirety.

I agree we shouldn't fall out, but I do wonder if the reference to NAPM could have been handled more sensitively. It's possible I expected too much, but I would have expected Tim in particular to have had some understanding of how the references to BST having been a driving force in the context of the book (especially in the absence of any other references) might have been received on the ground as it were. I don't mind admitting, that my comments on this thread come from a place of utmost respect for certain unmentioned individuals, who (whilst remaining nameless) deserved better IMHO.

It was always clear that there was no risk form an Ethical Boycott... As a pointed out at the time, legitimate protest is a protected right in the UK and there was Case Law (albeit from Canada) to support. Now like then, there were even a range of Ethical Boycott platforms online specifically designed to support that type of approach. The whole legal nonsense was just that.... A complete red herring.

As I said last night, the book is an entertaining read and serves as a decent reference to some of the campaign. In this case, what really was intended by me as a bit of personal feedback has turned into a much bigger discussion than I had anticipated.
 
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Mexboroseasider said:
Yes. That is missing I think but I didn’t want to nitpick. 😉

Edit to add. I think he withdrew the petition when someone pointed out he couldn’t then be a director of a football club under the EFL rules. 😂
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Correct. I’m looking forward to reminding myself what a horrible bunch the Oystons were. No doubt they’ll be a few new revelations (well for me anyway).
 
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