Firstly, please forgive the somewhat long winded nature of this post
In light of recent events and rumours, once again this word rears its head. We were promised that the club would be much more open and accountable, but today's L.E.T. article and the comments on the other thread with regard to the funding issue / application (or apparent lack of!!) may just be the final straw that's breaking my camel's back, so to speak.
Whilst we all know Rome wasn't built in a day; and in light of last season's close shave with the taxman which threatened the very existence of the club, we all expected a little more clarity / enlightenment. Despite Ilyas' apparent trust in Mr. O'Neill, it seems that not much has changed. Worryingly, Ilyas placed faith in him by stating he was stepping down this summer and leaving O'Neill in overall charge.
By my last statement, I mean that, my own personal opinion, probably shared by others, put simply..... Mr. O'Neill cannot be trusted. I appreciate that whilst the financial mess that nearly cost the club dearly last year may take time to sort out, certain pressing matters still remain unresolved, namely....
1) Coley & Bell's contracts. Apparently we are told these are nearly finalised, three year deals have been talked of, however still neither have had a contract to sign ??? Nigh on
six months to draw up a contract to keep hold of what are now recognised as envied assets. What's the hold up ???
2) Player's contracts and wages. We have lost some of last years better performers, some may say inevitably due to their raised profile due to their performances, however we all know that we have missed out on another because the of the wage budget. We've been told that the club would have to become self sufficient and operate on lower budgets, given the amount of revenue generated by our low gates, this was always a situation likely to be on the cards.
We're now hearing rumours that players haven't been paid or have been paid late.
Whilst knowing that the summer is probably a very testing time financially for the club and the obvious reason why (i.e. lack of income) If you add the sitaution with Coley & Bell's contract fiasco, suddenly things become more worrying. Whilst not wishing to knock signing players like Lindfield (who may or may not turn out to be an un-polished gem), what sort of message does this send out to potential new blood??? Not a very good one I'd say!!!
3) Ground redevelopments.....or lack of. I'm sure the Football League amongst others, would like to know whether the Crown will be up to scratch by early August. We've now got statements along the lines of the club hasn't applied for funding to help with ground redevelopment, wether they be LEGi grants or football trust money?
New structures to be built, whether they're the temporary stand from Blackpool or an alternative, show no signs of appearing any time soon. The clock is ticking towards August; and in a little matter of eight weeks, the new season will be upon the club. The club seems to highlight that they're spending a small fortune on the long needed drainage problem, however talk of building work has gone quiet.
Anyone see a very worrying pattern emerging here???
4) Ownership. The takeover that is taking an eternity. More twists than a latin dance class. The cardboard millionaire's spectre still lurks around the Crown. The more facts come to light, the more it seems E.W. is still holding out for his money. Whilst I personally haven't been on Company House's website, the transfer of ownership still rumbles on with no sign of it being resolved.
It came straight from the horses mouth, that the man ( O'Neill )didn't have the financial clout to massively improve the club, however the more the saga drags on, the more it seems to suggest that he hasn't got the necessary to stump up for E.W's shares?? So
WHO really is in charge???
Miss Lazarus has long disappeared of the radar, so this situation (and you'll have to forgive the pun) raises talk of a comeback.....or did E.W. ever leave???
These four points beg the question, which demands a clear and precise answer.
What is the financial position at the club?? Are we treading water, sinking slowly or are we slowly swimming towards a bright new dawn ???
It would be nice to have answers, but for me and a few others it's
TRANSPARENTLY CLEAR that Mr O'Neill needs to come clean and pretty quickly, otherwise we risk deja vu and lurching from one financial calamity towards another. This current shroud of mystery that surrounds the goings on at our beloved club does nothing for fan confidence, nor does anything for increasing it's stature within the town / borough. What hope of attracting new players or new fans for that matter when all these questions remain???