Simon, Ben and Brett

L

LA1 Seasider

Well-known member
I’ve generally supported most things they’ve done and applaud the work done off of the pitch. I’ve even defended them a number of times from fans when I felt criticism was unfair.

However - regardless of how this season ends - they have failed the club on a number of fronts this season. Most worryingly is how all the positivity and good feeling has been allowed to evaporate away without so much of a whimper from any one of them. We’re never going to compete financially but we had the advantage of being a club pulling in the right direction, completely united on all fronts. It’s something that can’t be purchased, it’s something that could have stuck around even if we were to be relegated and it would have helped to get us back to this level again - as long as that bond and unity between club and fans had been protected. It’s an asset that’s been completely ignored and wasted in the space of 12 months. And whilst it can’t be measured or quantified just yet - it will be very clear come the beginning of next season regardless of the division we find ourselves in.

And the thing is. They were warned by so many people on this forum alone.
 
I honestly can't believe Mansford is still in a job. Sadler and Brett are out of their depth as this is all completely new to them.

I get the feeling that Sadler is regretting he ever did this. Infact, the way the club has been run in this last 18 months, the evidence is there that he is regretting it.
 
The board have certainly made mistakes in the last 18 months, but under SS’s ownership it has been a lot better than under 30 plus years of Oystons.

I do agree that SS can not own OUR football club and not communicate to the people who really matter…….The BFC Fans and Fylde Coast Community.

We all need to get back to “pulling together” and SS has to “lead from the front”.

However, everyone can play their part.

I for one will support the club by buying an ST whatever division we are in.

UTMP🚌🧡
 
Well said Ash, you should always put the team first and do what the word supporter means, support the team.

As for blame I think BM has to take that on the chin I'm afraid, at the end of the day he is the one the owner entrusts to make the right calls and like anyone in a highly paid job you quite simply have to deliver, lets face it there has been some poor decisions this season hence why we're sat second bottom staring relegation in the face.

I was sat close to the directors box tonight and during the game I didn't see BM and SS utter a single word to each other all night which I find astonishing.
 
There's clearly been a massive failure at board level since Critchley left, and I'd argue even prior to that.
The worst thing is failing to strengthen the midfield. We haven't permanently signed a midfielder that's made more than 12 appearances since we signed Sonny Carey in the month after we were promoted. That's piss poor I'm afraid, and a total failure. Rotherham managed to sign Rathbone - a player who seems to be comfortable at this level, didn't cost the earth and has managed to make more appearances this season than Bridcutt, Stewart and Trybull combined. It's embarrassing that we can fail that badly.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
I’ve generally supported most things they’ve done and applaud the work done off of the pitch. I’ve even defended them a number of times from fans when I felt criticism was unfair.

However - regardless of how this season ends - they have failed the club on a number of fronts this season. Most worryingly is how all the positivity and good feeling has been allowed to evaporate away without so much of a whimper from any one of them. We’re never going to compete financially but we had the advantage of being a club pulling in the right direction, completely united on all fronts. It’s something that can’t be purchased, it’s something that could have stuck around even if we were to be relegated and it would have helped to get us back to this level again - as long as that bond and unity between club and fans had been protected. It’s an asset that’s been completely ignored and wasted in the space of 12 months. And whilst it can’t be measured or quantified just yet - it will be very clear come the beginning of next season regardless of the division we find ourselves in.

And the thing is. They were warned by so many people on this forum alone.
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Eh ? You were one on the anti Appleton brigade from the off , don’t start now with your nonsense 🙁
 
Torycorner said:
The board have certainly made mistakes in the last 18 months, but under SS’s ownership it has been a lot better than under 30 plus years of Oystons.

I do agree that SS can not own OUR football club and not communicate to the people who really matter…….The BFC Fans and Fylde Coast Community.

We all need to get back to “pulling together” and SS has to “lead from the front”.

However, everyone can play their part.

I for one will support the club by buying an ST whatever division we are in.

UTMP🚌🧡
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LA1 Seasider said:
I’ve generally supported most things they’ve done and applaud the work done off of the pitch. I’ve even defended them a number of times from fans when I felt criticism was unfair.

However - regardless of how this season ends - they have failed the club on a number of fronts this season. Most worryingly is how all the positivity and good feeling has been allowed to evaporate away without so much of a whimper from any one of them. We’re never going to compete financially but we had the advantage of being a club pulling in the right direction, completely united on all fronts. It’s something that can’t be purchased, it’s something that could have stuck around even if we were to be relegated and it would have helped to get us back to this level again - as long as that bond and unity between club and fans had been protected. It’s an asset that’s been completely ignored and wasted in the space of 12 months. And whilst it can’t be measured or quantified just yet - it will be very clear come the beginning of next season regardless of the division we find ourselves in.

And the thing is. They were warned by so many people on this forum alone.
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Can't disagree, can only add my thoughts. The Championship isn't a league where you can get away with being cheapskates for too long. Maybe ride your luck for one season, or two. Alternatively find and keep a genius manager. Appointment of manager is critical and my feeling is we lost the plot big time appointing Appleton. We went steady. The manager sets the tone. I'll leave that there eh?! Transfer wise, we couldn't secure Brannagan from Oxford or Colby Bishop from Accrington. Huge danger signs. Something wrong with funding or our package. We maybe end up back where our owners deserve us to be. I think us fans deserve a miracle but it's very unlikely. Night all
 
Simon Sadler is a few years younger than me.

He's vastly more successful and wealthier than me.

He loves the same football team as me...

And for that I am eternally grateful!

He won us promotion at the first time of asking.

Ok, he's made mistakes but he has my full backing for as long as he wants to be at the helm of our beloved club.

If we are Lg1 next season then so be it; I will still be there in Block C, cheering on the boys in Tangerine.

UTMP 🍊🍊🍊👍
 
Satriale's Pork Store said:
Simon Sadler is a few years younger than me.

He's vastly more successful and wealthier than me.

He loves the same football team as me...

And for that I am eternally grateful!

He won us promotion at the first time of asking.

Ok, he's made mistakes but he has my full backing for as long as he wants to be at the helm of our beloved club.

If we are Lg1 next season then so be it; I will still be there in Block C, cheering on the boys in Tangerine.

UTMP 🍊🍊🍊👍
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Well said SPS.

I too will be renewing my ST in Block C & I Moretti Lounge.

That said SS needs to be a bit more “visionary & dynamic” in his approach to BFC.

Fans need more communication from the top.

They find a significant portion of “the butchers bill” after all. 🚌🧡
 
SS is a supporter at heart. He has that same level of football knowledge. He depends on other people who are football professionals to give him sound advice and look after the nuts and bolts of running the club. This has some similarities with his hedge fund activities. He is not an expert on every company they invest in. He depends on good advice from his professional research team and then his investment committee will make the final calls. I am amazed that he has let the situation at BFC go on for so long when it is patently obvious he is not getting the advice and support he needs. No way he would have tolerated the same level of incompetence in the Hong Kong company.
 
Someone needs to be made accountable for the mistakes made at the top as the stark reality is we’ve won 9 games out of the last 43 league matches across 3 managers and that’s evidenced in our league position, the table never lies. SS and the Board need to reflect on this and decide where our future lies L1 or the Championship, and if it’s the latter then we need to spend to compete!
 
LA1 Seasider said:
I’ve generally supported most things they’ve done and applaud the work done off of the pitch. I’ve even defended them a number of times from fans when I felt criticism was unfair.

However - regardless of how this season ends - they have failed the club on a number of fronts this season. Most worryingly is how all the positivity and good feeling has been allowed to evaporate away without so much of a whimper from any one of them. We’re never going to compete financially but we had the advantage of being a club pulling in the right direction, completely united on all fronts. It’s something that can’t be purchased, it’s something that could have stuck around even if we were to be relegated and it would have helped to get us back to this level again - as long as that bond and unity between club and fans had been protected. It’s an asset that’s been completely ignored and wasted in the space of 12 months. And whilst it can’t be measured or quantified just yet - it will be very clear come the beginning of next season regardless of the division we find ourselves in.

And the thing is. They were warned by so many people on this forum alone.
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You were warned 😔

Everyone has sleepwalked in to this embarrassment... its an awful feeling.

Hang your heads in shame BFC Board 🤬
 
Even the Stains communicated with the fans on a regular basis yes I know it was always BSA but Bowl head always turned up and said what was going on at the club.

We’ve had one fans meeting this season with Bullshit Ben at the Armfield club and he got off lightly from questions that should have been asked.

I doubt very much we’ll be having another fans meeting anytime soon as things will end up turning septic.

The silence if deafening from the board/owner while the club slide into league one at an alarming rate.
 
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I did warn everyone from the start. Sadler is not the man to take the club forward, just because he's a supporter doesn’t mean he’s going to be any good. I’m a supporter and I’d fuck it up too.

The sooner he sells up the better. And how BB is in a job is beyond me.
 
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Jaffa_The_Hut said:
Even the Stains communicated with the fans on a regular basis yes I know it was always BSA but Bowl head always turned up and said what was going on at the club.

We’ve had one fans meeting this season with Bullshit Ben at the Armfield club and he got off lightly from questions that should have been asked.

I doubt very much we’ll be having another fans meeting anytime soon as things will end up turning septic.

The silence if defending from the board/owner while the club slide into league one at an alarming rate.
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SS was quick enough to make a statement lecturing us on the appointment of Appleton. Telling us, in no uncertain terms, how he was the best man for the job, most impressive candidate etc. and we should keep our noses out and accept their decision. Well, were are you now Simon, were is the apology, or acceptance that we were right an you were wrong, what I beg your pardon, I didn’t quite hear you. Oh that’s right, I didn’t hear you because you didn’t say anything. The silence is deafening.
 
Albert Ross said:
SS was quick enough to make a statement lecturing us on the appointment of Appleton. Telling us, in no uncertain terms, how he was the best man for the job, most impressive candidate etc. and we should keep our noses out and accept their decision. Well, were are you now Simon, were is the apology, or acceptance that we were right an you were wrong, what I beg your pardon, I didn’t quite hear you. Oh that’s right, I didn’t hear you because you didn’t say anything. The silence is deafening.
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You will not get an apology.

To coin a phrase...

Never complain - Never explain

Although he has complained about a few things now I think back 🤣
 
Jaffa_The_Hut said:
Even the Stains communicated with the fans on a regular basis yes I know it was always BSA but Bowl head always turned up and said what was going on at the club.

We’ve had one fans meeting this season with Bullshit Ben at the Armfield club and he got off lightly from questions that should have been asked.

I doubt very much we’ll be having another fans meeting anytime soon as things will end up turning septic.

The silence if defending from the board/owner while the club slide into league one at an alarming rate.
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What are you on about??
There is a “Structured Dialogue Meeting” planned for 1/3/23!!!!
 
TangerineBayern said:
Someone needs to be made accountable for the mistakes made at the top as the stark reality is we’ve won 9 games out of the last 43 league matches across 3 managers and that’s evidenced in our league position, the table never lies. SS and the Board need to reflect on this and decide where our future lies L1 or the Championship, and if it’s the latter then we need to spend to compete!
Click to expand...
Whilst I 100 % agree with you sentiment TB, I don’t want a witch-hunt, there are many “external reasons” that have “influenced” the dire situation we are in :

Critchley deserting the Club without warning, Support too small to finance Championship football, tough economic times so people can’t afford to go, injuries, players back words on transfer market, late selling in summer window of Bowler, bad Refs, excessive sending offs compared to other clubs.

However, there have been mistakes made “internally” eg Match Day Pricing, appointment of managers that are not young & dynamic, total silence From SS, no “apparent” progress on either Training Ground or East Stand.

But……..we are ALL in this dire situation we are ALL in……“together”, EVERYONE has the Clubs long-term interest at heart so instead of “playing the blame game” let’s all pull together and respectively play a “positive-role” in getting OUR Beloved Club out of this dire position, irrespective of what division we may be in next season.

Ashley. 🚌🧡
 
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Torycorner said:
Whilst I 100 agree with you sentiment TB, I don’t want a witch-hunt, there are many “external reasons” that have “influenced” the dire situation we are in :

Critchley deserting the Club without warning, Support too small to finance Championship football, tough economic times so people can’t afford to go, injuries, players back words on transfer market, late selling in summer window of Bowler, bad Refs, excessive sending offs compared to other clubs.

However, there have been mistakes made “internally” eg Match Day Pricing, appointment of managers that are not young & dynamic, total silence From SS, no “apparent” progress on either Training Ground or East Stand.

But……..we are ALL in this dire situation we are ALL in……“together”, EVERYONE has the Clubs long-term interest at heart so instead of “playing the blame game” let’s all pull together and respectively play a “positive-role” in getting OUR Beloved Club out of this dire position, irrespective of what division we may be in next season.

Ashley. 🚌🧡
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Nobody should be looking for a witch hunt, it’s more of a recognition that mistakes have been made that need to be learned from to ensure that they are not made again.
 
hertfordseasider said:
I did warn everyone from the start. Sadler is not the man to take the club forward, just because he's a supporter doesn’t mean he’s going to be any good. I’m a supporter and I’d fuck it up too.

The sooner he sells up the better. And how BB is in a job is beyond me.
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From the start? The start of what?! 😆
 
TangerineBayern said:
Someone needs to be made accountable for the mistakes made at the top as the stark reality is we’ve won 9 games out of the last 43 league matches across 3 managers and that’s evidenced in our league position, the table never lies. SS and the Board need
Click to expand...

Critchley deserting the Club without warning, Support too small to finance Championship football, tough economic times so people can’t afford to go, injuries, players backward on transfer market, late selling in summer window of Bowler, bad Refs, excessive sending offs compared to other clubs.

However, there have been mistakes made “internally” eg Match Day Pricing, appointment of managers that are not young & dynamic, total silence From SS, no “apparent” progress on either Training Ground or East Stand.

But……..we are ALL in the dire situation we are ALL in “together”, EVERYONE has the club at heart so instead of playing the blame game let’s all pull together and respectively play a “positive-role” in getting out of it, irrespective of what division we are in next season.

Ashley. 🚌
Jaffa_The_Hut said:
Really on a Wednesday?

I wouldn’t be surprised for one minute if it’s cancelled due to what could well happen.
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Your right but still wrong it’s been moved to Friday 3/3/23
 
See attached,
Doesn’t sound like an “irresponsible owner” (like you supported JTH) “running scared” to me!!

More one that is 100% aware of the problems and wants to sort them out!!!! 🚌🧡
 
hertfordseasider said:
I did warn everyone from the start. Sadler is not the man to take the club forward, just because he's a supporter doesn’t mean he’s going to be any good. I’m a supporter and I’d fuck it up too.

The sooner he sells up the better. And how BB is in a job is beyond me.
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How on earth would you know from the start he wasn’t the man to take the club forward?

Wanting him to sell up on the back of one (admittedly shite) season is ridiculous.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
I’ve generally supported most things they’ve done and applaud the work done off of the pitch. I’ve even defended them a number of times from fans when I felt criticism was unfair.

However - regardless of how this season ends - they have failed the club on a number of fronts this season. Most worryingly is how all the positivity and good feeling has been allowed to evaporate away without so much of a whimper from any one of them. We’re never going to compete financially but we had the advantage of being a club pulling in the right direction, completely united on all fronts. It’s something that can’t be purchased, it’s something that could have stuck around even if we were to be relegated and it would have helped to get us back to this level again - as long as that bond and unity between club and fans had been protected. It’s an asset that’s been completely ignored and wasted in the space of 12 months. And whilst it can’t be measured or quantified just yet - it will be very clear come the beginning of next season regardless of the division we find ourselves in.

And the thing is. They were warned by so many people on this forum alone.
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As long as the bond and unity between club and fans had been protected.

Great statement.

Unfortunately, for Mr Sadler and the board, I think they've taken that bond for granted.

For the supporters who buy season tickets whatever division we're in, there are more who will call it a day unless Blackpool stay in the Championship.
Couple that with the possibility of an increase in pricing next season and league 1 football and we're firmly in the shit.

People complaining we can't compete financially with the Dingles, Boro, Blades, West Brom etc we'll still struggle against the likes of Derby, the Massive, Ipswich, Pompy, Plymouth. Remember only a couple get promoted.
 
Torycorner said:
The board have certainly made mistakes in the last 18 months, but under SS’s ownership it has been a lot better than under 30 plus years of Oystons.

I do agree that SS can not own OUR football club and not communicate to the people who really matter…….The BFC Fans and Fylde Coast Community.

We all need to get back to “pulling together” and SS has to “lead from the front”.

However, everyone can play their part.

I for one will support the club by buying an ST whatever division we are in.

UTMP🚌🧡
Click to expand...
Inverted Commas rule
 
Trimm-Trab said:
How on earth would you know from the start he wasn’t the man to take the club forward?

Wanting him to sell up on the back of one (admittedly shite) season is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

Total Lunacy !

Unfortunately that’s football in 2023….

Quite who’s going to take us on is another matter entirely, but hey… We can worry about that when we’ve hounded Sadler out and facing administration 👍👍
 
Torycorner said:
Critchley deserting the Club without warning, Support too small to finance Championship football, tough economic times so people can’t afford to go, injuries, players backward on transfer market, late selling in summer window of Bowler, bad Refs, excessive sending offs compared to other clubs.

However, there have been mistakes made “internally” eg Match Day Pricing, appointment of managers that are not young & dynamic, total silence From SS, no “apparent” progress on either Training Ground or East Stand.

But……..we are ALL in the dire situation we are ALL in “together”, EVERYONE has the club at heart so instead of playing the blame game let’s all pull together and respectively play a “positive-role” in getting out of it, irrespective of what division we are in next season.

Ashley. 🚌

Your right but still wrong it’s been moved to Friday 3/3/23
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Who’s playing the blame game? As l said earlier there’s no need for a witch hunt but questions about why we’ve got ourselves in this situation need to be answered and hopefully the SDM with SS in attendance will do that. Fans are also Customers and if they don’t like the product they are paying for then they will take their custom elsewhere, so if we get relegated STs and merchandise sales will / could fall by 50% and that should be a major concern, won’t stop me buying though 👍
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Of course and I’m sure the extra incentive of a supportive fanbase, who’ll be on their backs the minute they fail to deliver to expectations, will swell the numbers👍
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Or from the very start like Herts 🤣
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Total Lunacy !

Unfortunately that’s football in 2023….

Quite who’s going to take us on is another matter entirely, but hey… We can worry about that when we’ve hounded Sadler out and facing administration 👍👍
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Exactly.

Who would people want instead? Some Far Eastern conglomerate who want to change our name to Blackpool Fighting Warrior Dragons and the kit to purple coz it’s their lucky colour. Or how about a shady company based in Panama where nobody has any idea who is actually behind it.
Or maybe we go for an instagram millionaire, who when asked to provide proof of funds actually has as much in their bank account as me a week before payday.
 
Don’t you know there’s a queue around the stadium of ethical billionaires just waiting to spunk their wealth on overpriced bang average footballers?
And then invest in the communities of Grange Park, Mereside and South Shore.
Some people really need to have a look in the mirror
 
FY5_Seasider said:
Yet Luton, Rotherham, Millwall, Preston etc seem to be managing
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So what exactly is Sadler and the board doing so wrong?

Understand your Luton and Rotherham analogy but Nob End and Millwall are both established championship clubs.
However I would imagine both of those are only a bad season from falling into the abyss.
With the amount of money clubs pump into them trying for success it's unsustainable, have you seen Nob Ends accounts recently? £13.7 million just to stand still!!!
 
Wizzerboy said:
So what exactly is Sadler and the board doing so wrong?

Understand your Luton and Rotherham analogy but Nob End and Millwall are both established championship clubs.
However I would imagine both of those are only a bad season from falling into the abyss.
With the amount of money clubs pump into them trying for success it's unsustainable, have you seen Nob Ends accounts recently? £13.7 million just to stand still!!!
Click to expand...

The main thing they've done, and I've no idea why, is deviate away from the plan they put in place when Critchley came. That is to employ a great coach and give him some very promising young players from the leagues below who can be developed. Critchley left, and we suddenly decided to employ a deeply unpopular guy as manager and started signing random injury prone 30+ year olds on shorter term contracts as we panicked that we'd be left short. It was actually quite bizarre how much and how quickly the board changed philosophy.

We have made a start to remedy that by bringing the two recruitment guys from Coventry. What we need now is to do our homework on our next boss this summer - no more lazy appointments - and bring someone in who can develop players like Lyons and Carey, and return to signing promising young players like we were doing.

I do still fully support his custodianship. Progress is never linear and there are ups and downs, long term I think we'll get it right. There does need to be plenty of things learned from this season though.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
Most worryingly is how all the positivity and good feeling has been allowed to evaporate away without so much of a whimper from any one of them.
Click to expand...
Results are everything in football - the Stoke game proved it.
Under fund the football side and the support will go.
I doubt they'll get 4000 ST in League One next season.
 
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