Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Reading through the comments of the past few days, I feel awkward at times when people have mentioned Eric Whalley in the context of the Club's current problems.

I have had to think hard about whether to post this message - but in the spirit of transparency and open-ness that this forum seems to encourage, and also in the hope that my email is not misunderstood, I would like to speak up for Mr Whalley, or at least say something that might explain his position. I certainly dont wish to defend or vindicate him, but given my rather unique perspective over many many years as a co-shareholder and Stanley fan, I do think I can add some balance to the debate.

Let me say first off that when ASFC was sold by John Alty, we (that is all true fans) should be thankful that Eric Whalley (EW) stepped up to the plate when I was not able to do so. I often think back to that pivotal time and wonder if I could have achieved the success that Mr Whalley was to attain, and in all fairness, I have to say that I believe Eric was better positioned, and in the end achieved exactly what we all craved - a return to the football league.

We all clearly owe a huge debt of gratitude to EW for getting us there.

At this point I have to make an admission. I was very negative about the way in which Eric ran the club at that point (by which I mean the time of the promotion to the conference). He made no allowances to other stake holders, he ignored shareholders, and in my view, did not differentiate between the club's money and his own pockets. I made these feelings clear, and in fact had a public spat with EW. However, equally, very shortly thereafter, I made a very conscious decision to move on and accept that despite EW's faults, he had delivered the holy grail, and therefore deserved some respect.

In the years that followed I was an active contributor in financial terms to the club. These donations were made entirely gratis. I never made them as a loan, and I never asked EW if the cash was used in the way that the club had committed. In fact you are all aware (or at least those with a good memory will be aware) of the time when the cash for the sophia khan stand and renovations and roof somehow got mislaid. Even then I kept quiet, and never challenged EW - despite being told that my money ended up at times in his pocket. I could never prove that allegation, nor do I wish to make it, but I use the episode to explain that I felt that EW on balance was doing more good than harm to the club, and to be perfectly honest, I just loved the way our club was being taken seriously in football terms. I remember with great joy that FA Cup game against Huddersfield that seemed to mark the apex of that time.

The worm turned, as they say, about two years ago when I became, shall we say, disenchanted with EW's continuing lack of accountability, and my growing suspicions about his true ability and willingness to support the club in its new environment. When it became clear that EW was actually trying to sell his shares, and cared more about the cash he would pocket, I stopped making donations. I would also say that a contributing factor was my experiences at the club, when EW was, in all honesty, a less than welcoming host. I started to feel as if I was being taken advantage of. And that is not a pleasant feeling, even if it might be untrue.

So, turning to the present, what do I make of the man and how should we, in my view, treat him ? I actually feel quite sorry for him as I believe he is acting (or trying to act) in his own best interests, and that sadly, for him, these interests have slowly but surely become different from the interests of the club. However, I do urge all of us to try and remember that its very easy to criticise someone from the outside. I do believe EW tried very hard to walk away from the club by selling his shares, and that a confluence of unfortunate circumstances conspired against him. In this regard he is the victim of an awful business situation, and in my honest opinion, I believe he truly loves and adores the club.

Notwithstanding the above, it is clear that some of you will be wondering just what the hell I am trying to say here by defending, or appearing to defend EW. I myself wonder if this message is worth the effort - but the fact you are reading it means that I decided to go ahead. And the reason, as best I can articulate, is that in my view Eric was right for the job, and was equipped (financially and in other ways) when ASFC was a different proposition. Even though at times I question EW's good faith, I still think the club should thank him for his efforts. For the past year or two, however, EW is clearly, in my view, not equipped to take the club forward. His way of dealing with and recognising this situation, was to try and sell his shares, and when I refused to buy them at the price he offered, he scrambled and found someone else (Mr O neil). The rest, as they say, is history, and not worth repeating.

Going forward therefore, I hope that we can avoid personalising the situation against Mr Whalley. I believe he is simply trying to protect his interests, and its just sad that those interests now work against the club. As noted above, in his own way EW has actually realised this truth.

I will close by repeating that I am an optimist, and by nature a very positive person. I believe that the current situation will be sorted out, and we will all end up with a smile on our face. Our club will survive. and this episode too will be history. Please come along on Friday to Stanhill Hall if you want to continue the discussion about how to constructively move forward. I look forward to seeing as many fans as possible.

with my good wishes, and my hope that I did not end up confusing you !!

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Wow:eek:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Frank, forthright and honest post, we could do with more of this at the moment, from club, director's chairman Etc. :)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I think you've accurately summarised my own views here Ilyas, and the views of many long time supporters. As you say, it is very easy to criticise individuals from afar, especially on an internet forum.
It is a shame Eric didn't manage to sell his shares 2 years ago, as I believe that if he had, then he'd have always been seen as a true heroic figure. As it stands, his legacy is crumbling and I truly feel sad about that.

Thanks for your forthright and insightful post.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I echo TM's view that it is unfortunate that for many Eric will be remembered for things other than what he has acheivedboth as a manager for the club (saved us from relegation twice) and as a chairman (promoted us three times)

The ideal situation for all would be that enough money can be acquired to buy his shares and solve the debt problem. Some people have intimated that Eric is out to line his own pockets but he has quite clearly put in hundreds of thousands of his own money over the years and DESERVES to recoup at least some of it. But the club is not worth the reputed numbers that have been quoted.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Ilyas, thanks for taking the time to post, it's certainly a change from the usual polarised posts; "It's all Eric's fault" vs "How can you blame Eric, after all he's done for the club". It certainly fits with my views over the last few years.

Thanks, too, for the optimistic ending, hope the meeting goes well on Friday.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I think many of us agree with the last three posts. Mr. Khan I have no doubt that you have the best interests of the Club at heart and those who support it without seeking undue reward. I really hope that you can spearhead a new age at Accrington Stanley. I won't be able to attend on Friday, although I would much prefer to be there, perhaps there will be chance again. In respect of Mr. Whalley, I hope that a resolution can be found that meets all our aims and leaves no one wanting, I fear only working together can achieve that.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

An amazingly open and honest post from a Man that genuinley has ASFC's best interest at heart.

I will admit to being one of the people on here that has been very anti EW, and I will remain so untill He eventually steps down, however I will not take away from the man the hard work and dedication He has shown to the club, but that is PAST history, the club has to move forward and EW HAS to accept that graciously (SP) and do the right thing for ASFC. Yes Eric does deserve to get 'something' out of this,but it has to be realistic surely?

Finally, Ilyas, I would dearly love to be able to make it to 'yours' to both meet you and talk over ideas for our beloved club, however as most people on here know I am somewhat disposed at the moment! I do hope that fans from here can and do make it because change can only happen if enough people are singing from the same hymn sheet.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Absolutely, Eric always said if we got back in the FL he would go because he didn't have the clout (cash) needed, why didn't he keep his word, all the missed opportunities do annoy me and I would love to enjoy the Stanley experience once again, cheers for the memories Eric but please step aside.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

It's all been said in the replies above. Thanks for the post Ilyas.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

great post Ilyas

I am unsure of whether |I can make friday as I don't finish my day job till after 5 and I will then be working again Friday evening. But I will def try

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

"We can survive without anybody's money" is the quote attributed to Eric in the Telegraph tonight. Twaddle, wake up and smell the coffee Eric !:eek:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Very strange, he was desperate enough to get his hands on a few pounds from David Lloyd but he won't even look at a wad from Ilyas Khan, the difference is Lloyds money would have gone in Whalleys pocket, Khans would go to the club.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Been reading all the threads for a while now but not posted. The thing I feel is so important is that without Ilyas and some alternative view just where would the club end up ? I'm sure Ilyas has a busy life already without actually having to get involved with a football club which to me proves he must certainly care a great deal about Accrington Stanley.

Good luck to him and others trying to sort the situation.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Been a few days since any of the Ultras have posted (come on Willie Miller you were quick enough to slag me off when the story broke) defending Eric Whalley maybe even they have now realised he may not be the way forward for the club. I'd like to know what their views are but I suspect they've had a meeting in a pub and decided not to post as we are far too negative on accyweb.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Be fair Baggy, they're right in the middle of their GCSEs. :)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

PMSL, What a brilliant post :D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I am confused by one thing in particular, it is said that EW would step aside if Stanley got into the league, because he didnt have the financial clout to go forward, that sounds like a love of ASFC, to then not step aside sounds like either glory hunting, or finances have improved, this is dissipated by the debt, so the reason for staying seems to me to be, infamy (shutting the club down), or to see how much can be made from the sale, either way, it certainly seems that the love of the club is a distant memory! :confused:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Top post - you and the faithful 800+

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Eric Whalley would have stepped aside when we entered the league (or at least 1 year after that), but he can't sell the club. He's been trying for 2 years, but can't get the price he wants. He's put his money into the business, so it's only fair that he gets back the value that he thinks he deserves. If that's more than people are will to pay, then that's his problem. I don't see where the confusion arises from that. It's been explained countless times on various threads.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

To use one of our favourite words - EXACTLY!

To talk about "lining pockets" is less than fair. Replacing them would be more like it.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I agree with some of that, but, the club CAN be sold, but you have to sell at value, not necessarily at what you have put into it, the confusion is about why the price is above what anyone will pay for it, so, did EW throw money into it for the love of the club? Or, in an attempt to make the club more valuable? If it was for the love of the club, (surplus cash), then you would expect to sell for less than you put in, if it was for profit on your investment, then that is a gamble, and as such, gamblers lose sometimes, so you should expect losses in any event, I am not saying Eric isnt entitled to get some of his hard earned back, I am saying that the expected amount has to be realistic, if it was, the club would have surely been sold.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

The last balance sheet lodged with Companies House is for the year ended 31st May 2007 and shows the net assets of the Club being £256,820 and the profit for the year 1st June 2006 to 31st May 2007 being £102,215. It is now two years later and if we owe around £400,000 the net assets of the Club will probably be nothing, so anybody buying Eric's shares will be buying 56% of nothing. How much does anybody think someone will pay for getting 56% of nothing.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

no wonder they never publish the accounts!

thanks Jeff.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

It doesn't matter what people say the club is worth, it's what Eric wants to ask for it. What right has anyone to dictate to the owner of a company how much they should sell it for? No right at all. Eric has put money into the club and therefore has the right to set the sale price. If the sale price at the moment is in excess of what it's valued at, then it is entirely his prerogative if he decides not to sell at this moment in time.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Eric said that he wanted to sell and now he says that he is staying. I don't think that it is his decision to stay it's probably the fact that nobody will buy 56% of nothing for the price that he is asking. I don't know who is dictating to Eric how much he should sell it for, perhaps you could let us know and perhaps you could also let us know how much Eric has put into the club.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Obviously I have no idea how much Eric has put in to the club, but common sense would dictate that we've not been running the club purely on gate receipts for the last few years. I realise that we've had additional money coming in from transfers, etc.

I'm not going to get into an argument over this. I'll just leave it up to the assassins to do their work.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Having been closely involved with the club over many years ( but not now) I am saddened by what as happened recently.
The TV Programme was in my opinion a disaster
Fraser Eagle going into Adminisration (or whatever) leaving a hole in the budget.
Dropping crowds, reasons open to debate.
Gambling accusations leaving a bad taste in the mouth of anyone who as either put money into the club, supported the club or volunteered their time.
Protracted investigation by FA.
Eric is not the easiest of people to get to know, but unlike you out there who are trying to second guess him, let me tell you that he as put a tremendous amount of money into getting the club to its present position. On more than one occasion he paid the tranfers fees for incoming players
that Coleman wanted to buy because he felt that the asking price was too much and he could not "waste " the clubs money, and to back the Manager he would rather waste his own.
Never have I been up to the club without him being there or him being out on club business. A shrewd businessman for 15 years. Expected cost 15 x £50,000 work it out for yourselves.
Yes it does seem that the club as robbed Peter to pay Paul as someone said earier but in todays enviroment they are not on there own.
Does he deserve to get his money back or will he, I don't know but he sure as hell doesn't not deserve some a the smart ar-e comments on here.
Without him ASFC would be looking forward to playing in the Unibond next year

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

We all know we wouldn't be were we are today without him and yes in a perfect world he should get his money back but it isn't perfect and although we thank him for what he has done the club has to look forward and my view is without him.
Are you saying the club should die because of one man, should we close the doors and make sure Eric gets some money back, no no no.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I don’t want to be pushy but with the exception of an unqualified interview on Radio Lancs. by three attendees we’ve heard now’t. Yes I know it’s early and yes I know somebody is plodding away drafting a statement but; can someone come back with some feedback as regards the attendance, mood and views of tonight’s meeting.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I was there and if Bagpuss is feeling very positive then I'm either ill or the meeting went very well, I don't know if I'm allowed to post any details so I'm sorry about that but I liked what I heard and the future is looking ok if ideas made tonight are allowed to happen.:)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Jeepers if thats what you call speaking up for a bloke I wouldn't like you to slag me off.

I'd like to call it a thin disguised attack but I've seen better disguises in a Carry on Film. The quality of man that comes on a public forum and use phrases like lining pockets without evidence is a very poor man indeed.

I'm in doubt that EW has put plenty of his own money in over the years and if he got half back he would be delighted.

It is very very very easy to have a pop from outside and even easier when its not your money.

PS
Anyone else fail to spot a line of people outside the Crown Ground waiting to buy EWs shares? No - I didn't think so as there are not many around daft enough to prop up an ailing football club that not enough people are ineterested in.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

If the club was in credit there would be buyers but it's in debt so then you have ask why it's ailing?:rolleyes:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

If we look at the club's situation in harsh light of day it isn't a pretty picture, there is no room to expand, no room to grow the facilities and the ground is in the wrong place anyway. The ticket prices are extortionate for the poor facilities available, you can watch premiership football for less. We have a very restricted budget and most of our quality players are gone. Anyone who wants to rescue the club is doing it for the best intentions, there is no way anyone is gonna make a profit out of it in the foreseeable future. Ilyas is our very best option.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Thanks Baggy, I’m told that the three gentleman who were interviewed by the BBC tonight where indeed qualified to speak of tonight meeting, in view of that and another respected gentleman who spoke to me earlier does lead me to believe that you are not indeed ill, in fact I'd say your looking quite well….

I look forward to Mr. Khan posting and should the opportunity arise contributing to the Fighting Fund. I understand the future bright, the futures RED…..

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Just got back from meeting (145 miles after work).

The idea is that a support company controlled by supporters have the means to ensure significant investment into the club

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Glad you got back safely Haggis, and it was a pleasure to meet you :D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

And to meet you as well.

This evening was one of those occasions that is worth all the trouble of attending even from here because it will always stick in the memory.

We had Ilyas to meet.

Back in 1962 they only had Bob Lord. :eek::eek:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Liverpool are ailing - why on Earth are you asking why in the days of credit crunch are you asking why liddle ole Accrington Stanley are ailing surely its obvious why.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Ok, it's past your bedtime, now **** off.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

For those of us who use this forum regularly,and for those of us who attended the meeting this evening, the reason that OUR club is 'ailing' has ****** all to do with the credit crunch :rolleyes:

Sorry mate, but Im with Doug on this one...............bedtime:D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Liverpool and Man Utd if you are using LFC as an example are ailing due to interest payments for money borrowed when they were taken over by new owners (both clubs actually made a profit without this borrowing debt), Stanley didn't borrow any cash so if you look elsewhere you will find the credit crunch is not the main reason why Stanley are ailiing (don't like that word).

Nice posts Doug and Pete:D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

So the loss of Fraser Eagle and crowd numbers down in their hundreds is not due to the credit crunch?

PS

Stunning response Doug - you should have been an MP with those debating skills.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Liddle Ole was not meant as a put down more to make the point than many bigger clubs than Accrington have found themselves in a bigger mess.

Running a league club on such low gates and the loss of a major sponsor is nothing short of a minor miracle. To lay the blame at the one bloke who has put his hand up and invested his time and money is well out of order.

Be careful in what you wish for in case you just might get it.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

You're spot on widnes viking. There are some real idiots on here and it's just another nail in the coffin as far as I'm concerned.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I think the disparaging remarks made by Widnes Viking where meant in the manner they where written and that was the reason for my stunning response. It was dismissive and was meant to be.

People will have differing views as to what went wrong at the club and people are entitled to express their individual feelings in respect of those key individuals responsible for running Accrington Stanley. The Club put its hand up and accepted responsibility for the current financial crisis and so they should. What I want from the likes of Eric Whalley is a categorical statement as to how he is going to move the club forward and what the fan base can offer in support of the club over the next few months.

If in my view we don’t get a categorical response the club will lose the possible support of the playing staff, managers and the public, and if that isn’t bad enough the possibility of potential sponsors coming forward offering financial support is going decreasing the longer this goes on.

In my opinion Eric Whalley gave Accrington Stanley its life and its pride back, he gave us something to be proud of and we all owe him for that; but I have worked someone very much like Eric and when things start to turn nasty and you start shutting doors in order to bulldoze your way though a crises, then you only end up the worse.

There have been inappropriate comments made and that’s a matter for the parties concerned and I would hope that somewhere along the line people start working together to resolve this matter. I for one have no problem with Eric Whalley getting a fair and reflective price for Accrington Stanley, if it not been for his money, there wouldn’t have been a club to worry about. But he won’t get anything like what he wants and deserves this way.

He can still retain control by working with those willing to do what he’s done in the past, talk with their pockets.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

To be fair I went to half the games last season and threw in a bit of sponsorship so why would I wish to be disparaging.


Other than that the post you have just made is balanced and constructive unlike the opening post of this thread which I thought was a long way off being either hence my motivation for entering the debate.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Here we go again, it WAS a miracle, but the miracle ended two years ago, I believe that was before your excuse of the credit crunch. Eric got us into the FL which we all thank him for but now we need to go forward and look to the future, IMHO that has to be without Eric in charge.

TM you can be a prat at times.:)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Got to say Baggy, the pink rabbit has made you much more of a "Fluffy bunny" There will not be any accusation of "Negativaty" aimed at you now...:):)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Last night's meeting was excellent, big thanks to Ilyas for staging it. :mosher:

I found it quite humbling to stand in the corner and see the concern and passion of all that attended, thought there was a true consensus on the way forward and hope it is met in the spirit that was intended.

I think that the brinkmanship towards the revenue was a true wake up call.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Oggy you are right it was a very very constructive evening...........I do wish you had said hello tho,it would have been nice to meet ya!........Or perhaps I already know you...........err,oh I give up :D:confused::D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Likewise.

May be we should all wear badges with our Accy Web names and avatars on.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Do you really think I'm going to wear a badge with Bagpuss on it, no no no:)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Aww, go on Baggy, or would it ruin your 'hard man' image?:D:):D

Ill get me coat shall I?

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

No but the pink bunny would suit you :D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Could always wear a printed t-shirt (Lancsdave will get you one at a good price), with 'Baggy' across the front! :p

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

We do up to 3Xl and can order up to 5XL, is that Baggy enough.

In view of who the t-shirt is for I'll dig out a picture of a wooden spoon :D:D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Hard man image, pink bunny, baggy t-shirt, woodern spoon it's good to see accyweb has a team of jokers.
I was concentrating on what was being said at the meeting that I forgot there might be accywebbers there. It was good to see some Ultras there and I even got a handshake off Willie Miller to show no hard feeling. Lancsdave I don't need the woodern spoon because I'm not in the same league when it comes to winding people up like say Kipax (where is he?) what I say is what I believe.

Off to change my avatar now, pink cat, pink bunny ha ha.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

This forum wouldnt be the same without ya mate!!

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Not meant to be an insult Mr B, I think you know me better than that. Nowt wrong with saying what you think ;)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

" Here here" or ("Hear ,hear".Never known which one it is.:confused:)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Now I like that idea.:D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Bloody typical!!!:D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I have no objections Bagpuss.... If you use your current one! :D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

What the **** are you doing with a picture my wife. :eek: :D:D:D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

now I find out she's a bigamist!!!

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I know my avatar is very interesting in fact more interesting than speaking up for Mr Whalley, keep to the thread or I will remove her.;):rolleyes:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

If you do remove her, can I have her please?

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

I've got to say it but after me she wouldn't want anyone else.:thumbsup:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Here's your t-shirt ;)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Come on Lancsdave, bagpuss is never gonna get his head through that hole! :D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

It's not my head I'd like to get through her hole:eek:, t-shirt is fine Dave just my size.:)

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

a question for Ilyas, now that kenny is on his way n probably more of the better players, do you think the club would be in such a perilous position, if Mr Whalley had entered into discussions with you?or would the exodus have been inevitable? i ask you cos theres more chance of a straight answer.:confused:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Haven't we had enough specualtion? Because that's all you're asking for. What if......

The club are doing what they can to balance the books and keep afloat. Good players will leave and they always have done.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

as the guy knows a damn site more about money matters than you or i, i do not regard it as speculation, but if you want to kiss E.W.s ass carry on.:D

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

So asking Ilyas to comment on a 'what if' situation isn't speculation?

As soon as somebody says something against the status-quo, they are immediately labelled as wrong. This situation isn't all black and white and although scape-goating people may simplify the situation for many people, it doesn't always mean that's right.
I've been saying for years that the club hasn't handled itself very well in lots of ways and it was me that coined the phrase "League team, Unibond club". Therefore I'm under no illusions at all, even though I was one of a few dissenting voices for quite some time.
We all know that things haven't been right for a long time, but as long as we kept going forwards, people were happy to roll with it and laugh along with Eric and his ' special ways'. Maybe it was a case of ignorance being bliss, but whatever it was, it annoys me now that people have turned on individuals because the truth has come out.

And finally, I didn't even know that Eric had a donkey.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

the question was would good players leave under those circumstances or not,as i genuinly have no idea if the money the guy was gonna put in would have made any differance, that to me is not scapegoating, unless by implication of a certain answer.n you can never accuse me of turning on that certain individual, cos i have never liked him in the first place.:rolleyes:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Kenny Arthur in todays Telegraph says that the uncertainty surrounding the club and the tax bill was the reason he went.

so, again I say that if only the club had been more transparent when it wasn't such a great deal we would be in a better position. :mad:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

good sense, kenny cannot be blamed in any way fer his choice.sadly i fear it could have possibly been avoided if they had.:(

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Kenny Arthur in todays Telegraph says that the uncertainty surrounding the club and the tax bill was the reason he went.

so, again I say that if only the club had been more transparent when it wasn't such a great deal we would be in a better position. :mad:

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

Tin Monkey IMHO Eric built up the club using his "special ways" but now he is using the same "special ways" to knock it down.

If Whalley had worked with Ilyas, Kenny would still be a Stanley player.

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

It goes without saying that the two statements above are what most of us feared, but now the club must sit up and listen to the fans/supporters and Ilyas. We cannot afford to lose players like Edwards, Ryan, Turner Etc. It has to be sorted now...

Re: Speaking up for Mr Eric Whalley
 

From Fishy site -
Accrington Stanley chairman Eric Whalley has today stepped down from his position, passing on the reigns to David O'Neill.