I rarely come on here, mainly because when I do, it normally messes with my head. However it appears that I am again going to have to set some records straight.
It is the nature of forums like these to read statements that are either half-truths, pure speculation or downright lies. And although no-one should ever be denied the right to express their opinions, those that are on the receiving end also have the right to reply.
It is impossible to make public everything that goes on behind the scenes in a football club, especially when it concerns employees – players included. After all, how would you like it if your boss suddenly announced to everyone in the company why you’d not won a promotion? However, with plenty being said (and typed) about recent departures, it is time for me to put some of you straight on a couple of things.
First, managers sign players. Not chairmen, directors – or supporters. When Tony Sullivan was in charge, like Sheens and Pritch before him, he decided who we signed, who we kept and who we did not. Anthony Gardner was released by the club after Sully had left us. I’m happy to show you the paperwork to prove it and the texts from Anthony acknowledging that he was now a free agent.
If we’d sacrificed Sully to re-sign Gards, we would have offered him new terms, which we were perfectly entitled to do. Fact is, we didn’t.
A fortnight or so later Scott Dundas asked me about Anthony’s football pedigree. He didn’t want to know about what had happened at the end of last season because, as he has already stated, Scott sees the summer of 2015 as a much-needed fresh start for everyone if we are to stand any chance of recovering our place in the NPL Premier Division.
However, before he offered Anthony terms, Scott spoke to each of the players still on the staff from the end of last season, accompanied by his full backroom team. During the conversations with Danny Andrews, Jon Dawson, Alex Titchiner, Tom Schofield and John Shaw, no-one expressed any reservations about Gards returning, although John Shaw did so subsequently in phone calls initially to me, and thereafter to Scott.
It is true that John Shaw asked to be released from his contract because he did not want to play in the same team as Anthony Gardner. I can understand his reasons. He was torn between being loyal to Witton Alboin and loyal to Sully, who I believe lives with John’s cousin.
Although we would have preferred John to stay, Scott did not want to keep an un-happy player and, having signed what he believes to be a replacement of at least equal quality in Darren Chadwick, we mutually agreed with John to terminate his contract.
The matter was dealt with swiftly and amicably. As John himself wrote to us, this is one of those things that happens in football.
If, as has been suggested, the club treated John badly, it is unlikely he would have sent the e-mail we have on file (which I’ll also gladly show you) wishing all at the club well for the future.
Players come and go. It’s the nature of football. Players will be rated more highly by some managers than others. We’ve seen plenty of examples of that at Witton. It’s what managers get paid for, and it’s the chairman’s job to support those managers’ decisions whilst safeguarding the financial interests of the club. Otherwise he may as well pick the team.
Inevitably when people leave a club, there are always conspiracy theories around the circumstances. Brian Pritchard and I regularly have a good laugh about the theory that I forced him out of the club. If I was that good a plotter I’d buy a Nehru suit, a white cat and start on world domination.
Away from the pitch, I also read that Carl Oates left because he could not work with me. Carl has already addressed that one in his own words. All I want to add is my congratulations to Carl on the arrival of baby Josh.
Losing any volunteer is always a blow, and never one that should be taken lightly. However the club comes first. It has endured for 128 years and I’m sure will do so for another 128. But things change, and sometimes decisions are made in the interests of the business that affect good people. They are not decisions made lightly, and they are not made unilaterally. But they are made democratically.
I am accountable to a board of directors first, the shareholders of Witton Albion FC second and the supporters third. Only history ever proves whether a decision made is right or wrong. Rarely are important decisions those that everyone agrees with. That goes with this job. And to echo one poster’s sentiments, if you think you can do better that me, come and tell me. I’ll be delighted to meet you, hear your plans and help you achieve them if I can, and you want me to.
It’s a fact that this forum provides a platform for some Wittoners to vent their spleens. Use me as target practice by all means if that gets it out of your system. We are six weeks away from the start of a new season and need everyone to leave their gripes at the door, roll their sleeves up and help Witton Albion Football Club. Whilst the band of volunteers give freely of their time, regrettably there are those who seem determined to pull in the opposite direction. I always thought Witton Albion wasn’t like that – it seems I’m misinformed too.
It will be a few weeks until our next Fans Forum so to any disgruntled supporter I say this. I’ll be in the boardroom at the club this Thursday (2nd July) from 7 – 8.30pm. Come and meet me and I’ll gladly discuss any aspect of the club with you – face to face.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.