Goggles & Flippers

Issue for me is it must of been reviewed and rubber stamped with what .... half a dozen pairs of eyes looking it over ..... and it still gets published. Had some hopes with the rejigging of the League Cup that things were starting to move (slowly) in the right direction. Today's fixtures are just a prime example of ineptitude at the top of our game. Shambles!

I'll take everyone here to Devonshire Gardens for a meal if he signs for any of them. Spin on a lesser news site to put a fire under the arse of the true target clubs. As transparent as Casper the ghost.

Question: If you seriously think the WS will be in the position to make sound strategic decisions on the direction of a business with a turnover of 3.5 million, responsible for the livelihood of 80 permanent and a further 100 part-time positions when run like a Bowling Club rules committee ... raise your hand. This is the seriousness of what we are talking about. Its the future governance and sustainability of our club, why I don't get why people are happy to shrug off the string of failings to date, is there a hope things will click into place and improve the closer we get to full fan ownership? I have no fear of the daily running, it's in good hands with Flow. But the 5 year and 10 year plans which are steered by the owners (essentially the WS board) .... gives me the fear come 2020 or whenever they are given the reigns.

The cream doesn't always rise to the top in a democratic system. Popularity or association triumphs over merit and ability.

Everyone voicing concerns I feel has legitimate reason to do so, ask what are their motives? I've not seen any trolling, just many wanting more clarity and professionalism from what will ultimately call the shots at the 7th biggest club in the country. They want to see this work but recognise it won't in it's current state. The WS could have nipped a number of criticism's in the bud with a more engaging and proactive approach. Alas things were left to fester and Chinese whispers and hearsay ensue. I know I'm moving increasingly into the "why bother" camp when a number of apologists on here keep on having selective memory and advocating the lowering of expectations as to what we as a membership should accept as satisfactory.

1. You are a regular contributor and read these boards, you can't deny a number of people have been ignored, passed over, walked or will have nothing to do with the WS. 2. The rules you cite. The articles of the WS were changed without discussion or vote. As soon as anyone has instructed a DD and any payment has been received (even £5) opposed to having full steel membership costing £300, they can vote. Therefore it makes getting 10% of adults and calling an EGM much harder. Of course this was covered around Autumn last year, maybe that has drifted from the memory. This argument rears it head all too often. Just because you are unhappy with something you are barred from voicing your displeasure unless you can shore it up with a proposal in triplicate, filed on the 5th Wednesday of the month when there's a full moon. It doesn't need someone with a Communications and Media degree to determine things are repeatedly failing and need addressing. To be able to do so we have to be furnished with reasonable disclosure to be able to formulate an adequate solution, so far the board have treated the information dissemination to the membership on a need to know basis. So even if people were inclined to follow your advice they'd be hard pressed to deliver. So now the rank and file can only raise concerns or complain if they can provide a plan B? Come on.

Close, to set the record straight and be fair to Brian, about a year ago invitations were asked from the membership to put themselves forward to be considered to be co-opted onto the board. I did so then received a call telling me that people were put on the back burner at the previous co-opting. When the new request made them asked why new applications were being sought when the were told they would be brought on at the next opportunity. The only thing the Chairman was guilty of were jumping the gun with their press release and not running it by every member of the board in advance (however I understand that wasn't the first time). It was during this call I was asked to be a "special advisor" along with Jay, so it was more an acknowledgement of that oversight, it just turned out to be a waste of time. I don't think the time is right for me just now Andy or maybe even in the future but if I'm honest, I'm both disheartened and disenfranchised from the whole thing. If I was to get involved I'd look to join and champion another 6 other people I've admired and identified who could make things happen. (4 SOL contributors for their measured and fair responses and who better represent the demographic of our club support. Plus two others with significant corporate accounting experience, one who is a Director of Corporate Tax at one of the big 4 in Glasgow and another who is a Management Accountant & CFO who has successfully been integral to major multi-million pound takeovers, both former season ticket holders but not WS members). While lawyers and accountants look impressive on a board, the issue the WS have had is communications and marketing and people with this expertise should not be overlooked. There are also a number of people involved in the past who have since distanced themselves, all with significant experience and things to offer that I hope could be persuaded to return within a more open and progressive organisation. But that isn't a mandate I could be elected on, I don't have the time or gumption for the ensuring fight to push things through. It is important a board stand by the concept of collective responsibility and project a unified front, it would be disingenuous of me to do so when I have been so critical on here. By no means do I question the good intentions and desire of the current board to make things work, even more so the most recent additions as they are hardly in the door and I've seen first hand how committed one of them is. The change of one person is not the answer though.

Scroll through the WS thread, see repeated examples of where people have offered time and services and been left out in the cold. Spiderpig is correct, they need to transition from amateur bumblings akin to a bowling club committee to governance of a 3m turnover company with lots of media exposure and scrutiny. To give you an example, go onto the WS thread that's around 70 pages deep. Here's a brief synopsis: Post 1: Today the WS announced X, which will in turn bring Y into play and ultimately achieve Z Post 2: Hey can someone tell me about X and Y and how it affects Z, the information is a tad vague? Post 3: I think Mr ABC said at the AGM/in a tweet, that it's a work in progress and they'd come back Post 4: I'm fed up I wrote to them about X, Y and Z, no response Post 5: Hey give them time, they are volunteers and you can't please everyone all the time Post 6: Their communication is shocking Post 7: Rather than complain do something about it Post 8: OK, well ..... I just did and it was a total waste of my time Post 9: Ahh OK, that's not very good Post 10: Theres something dodgy going on, why all the secrecy Post 11: Hey just seen the Well Society are launching DEF. Post 12: Not been impressed with them so far but we should give them the benefit of the doubt. Post 13: Yeah, OK Post 12: Why not

My feelings on the whole affair are well documented in this thread. Reeks of parochial fumblings and biscuit tins used to contain the cash. Needs a revamp, a relaunch, a re-election and and re-awakening of the support. Can't help but feel I'm like a soothsayer of impending doom after seeing the comments on here about lack of information. If I was petty I'd be inclined to sift back through posts made last Spring where the apologists tried to justify the WS position and pour scorn on my demands for greater clarity and say ... told you so. But that would be petty and churlish, you know who you are and what you said. They've been offered help and blanked it or turned it down because it doesn't fit with their antiquated way of looking or doing things. Weesacs, scroll up through this thread and with saddening regularity (usually a 2 page - 40 post cycle) where people are enthusiastic, offer help and then come on here to vent. I'm one of the the 500 who purchased membership (when I was unemployed and couldn't afford it) but haven't contributed anything since. Why? Because I don't throw good money after bad, I learned that the hard way and why I've not encouraged any of the the 5 former season ticket holders I used to sit with to join the WS. I've never been contacted with respect to my subs/DD however if I had I would tell them where to go I'm sorry to say. Some people need to bite the bullet and realise it's not working and they are contributing to that failure. Sometimes it takes a lot guile to fall on your sword and let fresh blood in, that and integrity. The rules of the society have been changed without consultation making things harder to remove people. Just all very Orwellian and therefore I've switched off indefinitely.

A wise man once told me your modern footballer is essentially a mercenary, following the cash rather than having any affinity to a club. Don't be fooled, 99% of them follow that rule and if they don't, their agents drum it in and make it very clear. The Lasley's and Hammell's of this world aren't and deserve a little bit more leeway, however not a huge amount. Similar to Superward, if they move on ... thanks guys, all the best. But I genuinely expect we'd be able to find adequate replacements, only issue is gelling sufficiently with the rest of the team by August.

I think the house thing is more coincidence that a telegraph he's off, his future is still under negotiation. For a guy close to the end of his career it probably more likely he'll be moving into another place int he area. Along with THAT performance at Parkhead, silly season has started very early this year.

Keith was meant to be a bit part player this season according to many 12 months ago. Because of injury many have overlooked Pearson being in our squad in the much vaunted search for midfielders.

Eh? Deary me indeed ..... that you can't distinguish hyperbole, I'll make sure to telegraph it in future for your benefit.

Other than the 5's egos being bruised, there is a reality to this they have to face. The rest of us non footballers have an advantage over them. We go to work from school/further education and gain experience that means by the time we hit 40 we have a particular skill set that is desired by employers. Most expect to see their salary increase and value to employers as time progresses. Footballers peak physically at 27/28 and then have to mitigate injury and ensure availability for selection on a matchday through merit over their teammates. Those appearances diminish as they get closer to 40, as they work in an industry where appearances are what's it's all about. They have to realise you can't command the same salary you did when buzzing about being instrumental in 45 games a season opposed to the influence and appearances you have now in your mid-30's due to the natural ageing process. Sad reality guys I'm afraid, it's now we 9-5er's can feel smug as you did going to the bookies after playing 5's at Ravenscraig for an hour and a half back when you were in your early 20's.

Unleash your demons

The more significant thing for me with this announcement is that we actually made it in the first place. When was the last time the club went public over a target? We normally keep our cards very close to our chest so to change tac like this is a wee eyebrow raiser. Sadly I think the subtext of this is the Louis has attracted attention himself and is off. However if you want to be Machiavellian about things you could suggest by us showing interest in what would be a primary striker, it means there's interest (or an offer) in our current one. This alerts anyone in football that they need to move quick if they want to be involved .... bidding war ..... jackpot.

We've got safe standing, you go to an area of the stadium that doesn't affect those who wish to sit, you stand up for 90 minutes and you go home and it doesn't cost the club anything. Sorry, if you want/need a rail at belly button height to lean on.

So to clarify .... we need start the search for a ball winning, box to box midfielder with leadership qualities, not too young, not too old (26-28 ideally), not too young to be immature and overwhelmed and not too old that he's by his best and lacking in pace/stamina, good enough that he wins the acclaim of the fans but preferably no ambition that he wants to move on, kisses the badge and has never played for the Old Firm, wears black boots over multicoloured ones and it would be nice if he was a looker too, we've got to keep the ladies happy ..... Some on here play too much Football Manager

Loyalty vs Money ...... in football ....... only one winner there apart from maybe 1% of players.

If we want to be sustainable, Ripley shouldn't be back in the team next season.

125th strip the writing round the badge was upside down and not considered adequately .... and not noticed on the proofs Current away strip as ubh confirms looks cheap but he outside scroll is completely wrong. Current training gear, have a look next time you're near the shop, elongated/stretched badges, ironed on adhesive, glitches in the process resulting in missing lines. I doubt Arsenal, Man Utd, Sevco or Unwashed have any issues with their trademarks. Fixed and non negotiable design, not open to interpretation.

All by the by, unless they manage to get the club badge right, (125th, current away strip) not a penny will be parted from my hippy.

Whatever we get, it would be nice for the parents out there if it lasted 2 seasons at least, we're facing our 3rd kit in as many seasons

What they said, cheers for saving me from early onset arthritis. Targeting is one thing, projecting is another. At the start of the season they would have probably drawn up a number of projections from best case through to disaster with a few in-between. After the past few years I think its safe to say the club have decided to err on the side of caution. The club probably projected for SPFL status within the regular season (so 10th) with a couple more games in both cups at least. The target couldn't be far off what we've achieved (with possible SPFL prize money replacing lost cup revenues). The club will also project an extra 250k from the currants visiting next season however in a much more competitive league than this year. Hibs or Falkirk will be around the 5th-7th mark on momentum and Queen's XI to be top 3 due to their spending power. Happy to be wrong on both counts however. I suspect the ability to release Baraclough wasn't too much of a burden, emphasised by nobody acknowledging any detail on the length of his contract. I think to protect the club while offering a young manager the exposure and a significant jump for the Irish league, it would have been very much in our favour, with few penalties. McGhee will be determined to ensure that he is entitled a bit of the rewards for finishing higher up the table to bolster his squad. Better quality players enhance his chances of success and consequently reputation. Man Utd and Barca will probably get a new managers in the next 12 months, he no doubt he'll want to be in the mix .......

Yeah a tad "mehhhh" the Champions of Scotland couldn't tuck away a wee new team from the Championship but that's the beauty of the cup. We're probably 250k better off than we projected with potential for another 200k. After paying back loans and additional costs associated with the success you'd hope there would be enough money to bring in 2/3 decent first team starters (based on approx 70k salary). Hopefully McGhee's national team role and his gravitas maybe means we don't miss out on the likes of the Jackson Irvine's of this world this close season. I'm all for blooding youngsters but there's approx 15% of our annual player budget still to secure, I'd also hope the youths we'd introduce would be more than capable of holding their own. A nice result of this season that they've mostly all managed it. Interesting to see if Ainsworth gets offered anything (or wants to stay). Looking forward to see who all returns as lithe panthers of footballing muscle with a McGhee pre-season under their belts, the three German starlets and Steve Robinson doing his best Basil "Don't mention the War" Fawlty impression.