Pennock Gone

[BTC]

Club want to take over the next game board. They can't even take the fuc*ing Chester sign down !!!!!!

I don’t know what the end game is for the Casson’s. They talk about self sustainability and generating revenues which is absolutely the right way to go, but they don’t seem to have a plan on how to deliver it. Where is the plan?!

I think his plan is now pretty clear. He's bitten off far more than he could chew, both financially and in football management terms, and now is looking for a way to get out - whilst trying to save as much face as he can, bearing in mind his Barrow connection. If he runs his business like he has the football club it's pretty impressive that he's made any money.

[Pedro]

I don’t know what the end game is for the Casson’s. They talk about self sustainability and generating revenues which is absolutely the right way to go, but they don’t seem to have a plan on how to deliver it. Where is the plan?!?

I have a yellowed piece of paper, Paul Casson’s vision for the club- this was from the old members club meeting at Chetwynde, It is what was presented to the membership. It mentions opening a shop in town, (revenue stream), doing things to the ground (revenue streams), a business plan within two years and then opening out to new investment (revenue) within two years, share option schemes for fan groups to buy back into the club etc (revenue, ownership) Everything pitched was all about the things that the membership model wasn’t doing, (or couldn’t do). His business nous would start growing the club and kick start the move for self sustainability and the Casson “legacy” for the town. Why then was all this key focus on that side of things lost? It’s gut wrenching to think how much has been ploughed into the playing side, when if the things spoken about had been seen through then we’d be well on the way into that original vision.
The bit I dont understand is how he is going to move towards self sustainability when’s he’s said that ground development funding is dead in the water. How then is he going to generate revenue outside of match day gate money if he’s not going to set up the business and infrastructure to do so? I just cannot see how he can start moving the club towards self sufficiency with no income streams outside match day? Or should I really be saying I cannot see self sufficiency at this level or higher! I’m holding on to the hope that even though next season’s budget won’t be anywhere near that of last season, that we can be competitive with the right players and grow off field in this league.

Good post Jonty you have put it all out there for all to see and I guess the summary is 'talk is cheap'.

Papa Cass hasn't shown his face in town for some time now and I wouldn't either in his fancy boots. The guy has no credibility left whatsoever and it looks like things are going to get a lot worse.

Yes good post.
Like I say I think Barrow have some of the best supporters in the league and have a core who have worked hard.I am not one of them.
I am a doubting Thomas as to Paul Cassons ability or interest in the club ,it has been more about ego.
I am not a rugby supporter but Willy Horn did alot for local people where there children wanted to play sport.
They went to his shop with insufficient funds to buy boots and Willy would take what they had and I am sure he lost alot of money.
The family tried to ban him from his own shop to stop loosing money.
It was not about ego.
I have never met Andrew Cassons till he turned up upstairs in Preston Street with a few staff from the bar at Holler at .
One girl said do you know who this is? The person looked perplexed!

Paul Cassons has now gone public about watching the spending a thing he should have done from the start.
It's now come out that Ady new around the Chester match what was going to happen.
So we have lost a good Manager which is understandable considering the distance and to be honest he deserves better.
Now it's out in the open.
Cassons should have been searching for a Manager before the Chester game.
I would expect within 7 days a Manager will be named and some new players brought in I mean the owner decided on a new direction .

A Commercial Plan should be announced on what strategy the Cassons have in place.
Maybe Paul and Andrew Cassons could hold a public meeting.
Its been a case of when the going gets tough,the tough get going.

[pjdaly]

According to rumour it was overheard in the M & S ladies underwear department that Arsene Wenger had shown an interest. (Just trying to lighten up the dark situation we are in).

Yes, Touchstone, I too heard of these stories emanating from said lingerie department (I wasn't hanging around in there you understand, just heard about these stories). However, the bit about Wenger is, I believe, well wide of the mark. Apparently Father Dougal wants to team up with Mrs Doyle in a takeover bid. If nothing else, the catering side will pick up with quality cups of tea at half-time (never mind what the score is, just savour the quality of the tea).

Seriously though, a big thank you to Ady Pennock. We know things didn't go well at home but it should be recognised that his record away from home after he took over was little short of miraculous. Our away record under his tenure must have been about third or fourth best in the League I would guess (7 wins, four draws, only three defeats). As others have said, the man deserves so much better.

[Sonofsam]

Deserves a medal for what he did for us with his hands tied thanks ady and good luck for the future who knows we might see you back some day under different circumstances

[spirit of 1990]

I’m not entirely certain if Ady meant for this to be posted, but I’m doing it anyway.
I texted him yesterday to wish him all the best etc and his reply (or part of) was this -

“I’m telling you, I bloody loved that club & it will always hold a special place in my heart. The fans were top, top drawer.
I hope to be back one day & give a proper thank you to all”

I asked him not to take all six points if he does return!
Made a bit of an impression in six months and I really think he could’ve made us a decent outfit once he got rid of the shit he was left. Really good bloke.

[Kieran]

I’m not entirely certain if Ady meant for this to be posted, but I’m doing it anyway.
I texted him yesterday to wish him all the best etc and his reply (or part of) was this -

“I’m telling you, I bloody loved that club & it will always hold a special place in my heart. The fans were top, top drawer.
I hope to be back one day & give a proper thank you to all”

Great to hear but for me it only emphasises further what a big big mistake it is to allow him to walk away. I have every confidence he'd have sorted us out, and as I said on another thread he really got us as a club.

[McMark]

Just shows what a top bloke Ady is to leave a lasting impression in such a short period of time. Wearing his heart on his sleeve with credibility and utmost dignity until the very end!!

[barrowfan]

To be fair he was probably told that the budget was going to be slashed and probably said he needed more to do the job they wanted him to do.

[HenneysKnee]

Why does Skelton get on well with the Cassons? How’s that link up occurred?

[Nigel Bamford]

Why does Skelton get on well with the Cassons? How’s that link up occurred?

Wood never elaborated but he asserted it a couple of times, at least. Sounded to me like he, Wood, was setting himself up for an "I told you so" moment in the future.

[barrowfan]

Why does Skelton get on well with the Cassons? How’s that link up occurred?

Wood never elaborated but he asserted it a couple of times, at least. Sounded to me like he, Wood, was setting himself up for an "I told you so" moment in the future.

Agreed.

I think Wood is friends with Skelton.

[tictactoe]

Holt for manager?

Could be good, but could be a disaster. The last thing we want at this point is to gamble on an inexperienced manager. If some ex-Premier big shot came in in January and was appointed manager in May what would we think? We are ruled by sentiment too often.

He wouldn’t be my first choice but if he stays as a player the cheaper option

[walney rock]

Just shows what a top bloke Ady is to leave a lasting impression in such a short period of time. Wearing his heart on his sleeve with credibility and utmost dignity until the very end!!

Credibility & dignity 2 qualities the Casson's will never have!