[expatriate]

OK, carrying on now. with apologies for spelling mistakes and bad syntax.

What next ?

I am very conscious that this is something that you all want to ask, but for different reasons have not done so. In many cases i think its because the place we came from was so dark, that simply surviving and getting the basics right was a priority. DOnt get me wrong, I am not criticising the team and FG Coley. I am talking about the way in which the club seemed to have alienated so many aspects of the community, and also wracked up huge debts whilst selling players etc etc.

As you all know, Accrington is my HOME. lets say it again ACCRINGTON IS MY HOME, which means I care not just about the club, but my neighbours, my friends and all who live in this area. My thoughts, since the Salisbury game have been focused on much more than survival. The challenge I put to myself is this - having done business all over the world, could I turn the problems of stanley into an opportunity for the town ? I am sure you have all heard about the chinese character for danger being the same as opportunity. Need i say more ?

Since then, I have been thinking carefully, and learning a lot about the dynamics of the club and the commercial hub it should represent. What i mean here is that I am proof positive that "brand accy stanley" means a lot. The number of people who are not from here but want to be associated with the name and the brand is not just a figment of someone's overactive imagination.

So, what is next ?

I think we should think big. I dont mean getting to the premiership in 5 or 6 years, but I mean BIG relative to where we are. Why are we stuck in a pokey old cow shed ? what will it take to replicate some of the great success stories when club and community meet to mutual advantage.

These questions led, not unaturally also to thinking about LEGI. Its my view that the council authorities have been more than fair to asfc. In fact we owe them a huge thanks. But are our aims for development compatible with LEGI, and is it fair to try and squeeze a round peg into a triangular hole ?

Sorry to be so long winded, but I really want to try and take my time to help you see things the way i see them.

My thoughts therefore have turned in the past few months to the idea of building a really top class development in accrington, perhaps even developing a state of the art sports centre combined with a beautiful new home for the club. i dont mean a huge monstrosity, but a neat, fit for purpose, easy to access stadium that sits in the heart of a community that is proud to come along, and where, in the process, we bring jobs, economic activity and prosperity to our town and our area.

(pausing for breath here....will be back. bear with me please)