Patey cool on swift return to football (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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SWINDON TOWN: Patey cool on swift return to football
6:00am Friday 15th February 2013 in Sport By Andy Warren
Sir William Patey
OUTGOING chairman Sir William Patey won’t be rushing back into football when he leaves Swindon, after comparing the stresses of the job to those he experienced working in war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan.
The former diplomat was brought in by Town’s soon-to-be ex-owner Andrew Black to help sell the club as non-executive chairman, and as soon as the consortium led by Jed McCrory complete their takeover he will step aside.
Patey has had to deal with a transfer embargo, the sale of star man Matt Ritchie and manager Paolo Di Canio considering his position during a rollercoaster four months at the County Ground, and is in no hurry to take on another position within the game.
“I won’t be rushing back into football because it’s a pretty intense engagement,” he said.
“I will never take on a part-time role in the game again, as a non-executive chairman, as it hasn’t been part-time at all. You have to be there all the time, and you are on the phone all the time. It’s not a part-time role, and if I did ever get involved in football again it would have to be a full-time job.
“In terms of its emotional intensity it is probably up there with Iraq and Afghanistan, and in terms of the energy and intensity you have to put into it, it’s up there.
“I have enjoyed it and it’s a very different experience, certainly a lot more emotional than most other jobs. There is a lot of emotion invested in football by the players, management, board and fans, so it’s a tense experience.”
Patey is now looking forward to an improved work-life balance after cutting his Town ties, although the club will continue to hold a special place in his heart.
“I haven’t had as much free time as I had planned post-Foreign Office, and I had a scheme to have a better work-life balance which has not been possible since I became chairman,” he said. “I wish them well and I enjoyed my time there, although it has been a bit of a rollercoaster and a steep learning curve, but there are some great fans out there.
“I have never pretended to be a lifelong Swindon fan, but I am a lifelong Hibernian fan and I know what the pain is like and how hard being a football fan can be.
“There will always be a place in my heart for Swindon even though my association with the club has been brief.”
The Adver understands the takeover of Town could be finalised as early as today, however it is believed that there will be no official comment on the matter until Monday at the earliest.
Comments(44)
california andy
says...
6:30am Fri 15 Feb 13
stevehalloz
says...
6:31am Fri 15 Feb 13
And on a slightly related note, I can imagine Oxford fans as a bunch of Shiites. While of course we'll be pretty Sunni when we get promoted.
Now I must go befor I slam anyone else.
stfc2012
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6:56am Fri 15 Feb 13
Exmouth_red69
says...
7:13am Fri 15 Feb 13
stfc2012 wrote:Praise for Patey and a dislike of Paolo! Swindon fan, really?
Fair play Patey. Asked to do a job and soon it will be done. Another scapegoat for disillusioned fans to moan about. He may not be the most engaging of people but he's done what what asked for the man that has paid him. Next up on STFC forums: some squabbling between Swindon and Bournemouth fans. Let's not have this all day today keyboard warriors.
Helpme234
says...
7:25am Fri 15 Feb 13
stfc2012 wrote:Unfortunately what was asked of Patey by the man that paid him was to find a buyer for the club as soon as possible - and along the way that involved selling our best player to rivals without telling the best Manager we've had in a long time.
Fair play Patey. Asked to do a job and soon it will be done. Another scapegoat for disillusioned fans to moan about. He may not be the most engaging of people but he's done what what asked for the man that has paid him. Next up on STFC forums: some squabbling between Swindon and Bournemouth fans. Let's not have this all day today keyboard warriors.
Not much of a legacy to be proud of!!
Chish and Fips
says...
7:29am Fri 15 Feb 13
No wonder we get dragged into wars and skirmishes, and 98% the people don't know why.
STFCman&boy1973
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7:36am Fri 15 Feb 13
billbst
says...
7:42am Fri 15 Feb 13
Stickshaker
says...
7:48am Fri 15 Feb 13
ot one of your strong points!
RED-MERLIN
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7:56am Fri 15 Feb 13
NEWBURYREDS
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7:58am Fri 15 Feb 13
Rebel_phish
says...
8:06am Fri 15 Feb 13
Zzzzzzzzzz
Wilesy
says...
8:06am Fri 15 Feb 13
2 aspects of the chairman role, ie internal communication between board and manager, and public communication with fans, just hasnt happened.
And comparing the stress levels to those in war zones is just unbelievable, and rather insulting to our troops out there who in contrast do such a fantastic job.
Med Red
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8:12am Fri 15 Feb 13
wantage_stfc
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8:12am Fri 15 Feb 13
Chish and Fips
says...
8:19am Fri 15 Feb 13
Wilesy wrote:Yes Wilesy - exactly my sentiments too with your last paragraph - this man has the tact and lack of feelings of a common house brick.
Wish him well but unfortunately his time as chairman will be remembered by me as fondly as I remember Paul Hart's time as manager.
2 aspects of the chairman role, ie internal communication between board and manager, and public communication with fans, just hasnt happened.
And comparing the stress levels to those in war zones is just unbelievable, and rather insulting to our troops out there who in contrast do such a fantastic job.
Pewsham Red
says...
8:20am Fri 15 Feb 13
stfc2012 wrote:That's rich mate. You have got to be the most negative poster on here. All you do is come on and complain about all the other posts and say nothing constructive. What's the point?
Fair play Patey. Asked to do a job and soon it will be done. Another scapegoat for disillusioned fans to moan about. He may not be the most engaging of people but he's done what what asked for the man that has paid him. Next up on STFC forums: some squabbling between Swindon and Bournemouth fans. Let's not have this all day today keyboard warriors.
louiscassius
says...
8:36am Fri 15 Feb 13
Pewsham Red wrote:Yeahhhhhhhh
stfc2012 wrote: Fair play Patey. Asked to do a job and soon it will be done. Another scapegoat for disillusioned fans to moan about. He may not be the most engaging of people but he's done what what asked for the man that has paid him. Next up on STFC forums: some squabbling between Swindon and Bournemouth fans. Let's not have this all day today keyboard warriors.That's rich mate. You have got to be the most negative poster on here. All you do is come on and complain about all the other posts and say nothing constructive. What's the point?
Lets get him!!!!
Hahahahahaha........
F8%£ this crap.......
lets be mates today......for Monday is just 72 hours away.......and all our lives will be changed forever.....
Luv u guys........
Luger!!!!
Last step
says...
8:36am Fri 15 Feb 13
stfc2012 wrote:Yeah, Patey was top notch, wasn't he! Great stuff.
Fair play Patey. Asked to do a job and soon it will be done. Another scapegoat for disillusioned fans to moan about. He may not be the most engaging of people but he's done what what asked for the man that has paid him. Next up on STFC forums: some squabbling between Swindon and Bournemouth fans. Let's not have this all day today keyboard warriors.
You're talking rubbish as usual, just to get a rise out of people.
Oxon-Red
says...
8:54am Fri 15 Feb 13
He hasn't communicated well but there may be good reason. We all want to hear good news, maybe there wasn't any.
Maybe we were deeper in the brown stuff than we thought. If this was the case it is better to limit what you say rather than create mass hysteria by releasing the facts.
In his time here he has had to deal with the manager's demands, the demands of the fans and find help find a buyer for the club. At the end of the day, Paolo is still here, the fans are restless but still behind the club and we have found a buyer. His actions may have been correct in a difficult situation and he will never have been able to satify everyone but has found a compromise, it is called diplomacy !
It may turn out that he has been unfairly judged by some and until we know more it is not right to insult the man.
COYMR
mgstfc
says...
9:05am Fri 15 Feb 13
What I believe is most important is there is a resolution to this fiasco and that we can positively move forward to achieve our original aim which is Championship Football.
I want to see the ground nearly full most weeks and I want to continue to see good football played as often as is possible. I think I would also like a very long period of stability for the club - am I being unreasonable...?
the wizard
says...
9:09am Fri 15 Feb 13
Frustrated and angry as many of us are I don't know how accurate the context of this interview is. SWP has never gone out of his way to endear himself, and its strange that he can compere being at CG to some of the more fractious parts of the world. Wray seemed to have no problem being chairman, and did a good job up to a point. Fitton was full time but hardly ever at CG and that was why things went so sour for him. As a few of us have said before its a full time job, so perhaps he feels he was hood winked into this position, it seems that way, but during his tenure he has not made much effort to communicate with the supporters, and has come across as non caring and devoid of much emotion, especially after last weeks show of support for the manager. had he done more on PR with the supporters he too could have enjoyed more support. He will not be remembered fondly for sure. I've berated him enough, we'll see what next week brings.
A shame tomorrow hasn't been used in some way by the club, charity event, friendly game or what ever, open day ??
SAPFanSTFC
says...
9:16am Fri 15 Feb 13
Exmouth_red69 wrote:He's consistent in the nature of his posts.
stfc2012 wrote:Praise for Patey and a dislike of Paolo! Swindon fan, really?
Fair play Patey. Asked to do a job and soon it will be done. Another scapegoat for disillusioned fans to moan about. He may not be the most engaging of people but he's done what what asked for the man that has paid him. Next up on STFC forums: some squabbling between Swindon and Bournemouth fans. Let's not have this all day today keyboard warriors.
.
There is no suggestion that Patey was even partially involved in finding this buyer so no idea if he really did 'ANY' job other than to look after Black and take the front end flack....in which case he certainly let them know where to direct the missiles!
TheDukeOfBanbury
says...
9:19am Fri 15 Feb 13
We as Town fans have had more than our fair share of off field issues over recent years to put up with.
Administration, Embargo's, Failed ground attempts, players not paid, takeovers etc....just to name a few.
But if you are reading this just stop for a few seconds and in your mind picture a great crowd scene, for example Leicester away last season.
We may disagree with each other, fall out and have some right ding dongs.
But for a minute just remember we are the Supporters. We will be here longer than any player, Manager and Board.
This is what we do......support STFC and we are in this together, til we die as the saying goes.
Lads & lasses we are STFC.
Loud, Proud now and always.
Come On.............
hertz
says...
9:39am Fri 15 Feb 13
Wonder Strike
says...
9:57am Fri 15 Feb 13
Cookie43
says...
10:07am Fri 15 Feb 13
wantage_stfc wrote:Here here
whinge whinge moan moan **** **** nice one swindon fans!!!!!! i'd rather it Drags and we come out of this Safe and in Knowledge that we won't end up like pompey. while it seems to be dragging cause of the likes of Pompey and others and our past the football league are doing the right thing by making sure the Consortium can afford whats needed and trying to keep us out of Future Administration. Ergo a club that will be here for future generations
Well said that man!!!
As frustrating as it is I would rather be a liitle messed about now with the league checking these guys out than be in admin in the future with the new owners cocking it up and we end up like Pompey !!!
madterrier
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10:28am Fri 15 Feb 13
Last step
says...
10:42am Fri 15 Feb 13
madterrier wrote:Well, this is it, really.
Quite frankly, who cares?
At this stage Patey would probably be much better off staying out of the press and just leaving Swindon at the earliest opportunity.
Since 1950
says...
12:05pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Wonder Strike wrote:You took the words right out of my mouth Wonder Strike.
He was on a hiding to nothing really. Clearly here just to help sell the club. Now if our new owners turn out to be good then he'll have done his job well.
He was brought in by Black to do a job - sell the Club. That he has done. Cold as that.
Whether or not he has sold to the right consortium or not we probably will never know as we don't know who the other prospective purchasers were.
He wasn't given time to be choosy. A bit like selling your house in a rush. Let it go to the first buyer and never mind if the new occupiers will fit in.
The only thing you can criticis him for is his astounding lack of tact and diplomacy in his comments to the media about our club whether he was a Town Fan or not.
While he has not endeared himself to the fans, and JW was always going to be a tough act to follow, I am not sure he deserves all the harsh words.
I will always be thankful to Black, Fitton, Wray et al for saving our club, however, you have to put a fair amount of the blame on Black for the way he has gone about divesting himself of the Club.
MITTED
says...
12:37pm Fri 15 Feb 13
COYR
tifosi
says...
12:56pm Fri 15 Feb 13
MITTED wrote:Nicely put.
It's not what he was asked to do, it was how he went about it and that was done poorly to say the least. Don't worry, Sir William about having another job in football, based on your few months with Swindon, you won't be offered the chance.
COYR
Is that you Lovesey
says...
1:29pm Fri 15 Feb 13
I for one think we should get behind he club keep doing what we do and show another set of "owners" that we have an amazing club.
I think people see this club as a potential, lets be honest, who went to readings old ground with 6k in it, or the Vetch with 4k in it, I knw I did, now look at those clubs, the future of this club is in the hands of the council, redevelopment of a new ground would attract new support week in week out, whc means we would be a sustainable club like Reading or Swansea, Lets not kid ourselves, that was shy black and the consortium were here.
If the rumours about players wages and agent fees are true then we are spending too much, is any player in our squad worth 8-10k per week, I think not.
MITTED
says...
1:44pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Is that you Lovesey wrote:but you also have to take into account that Reading's and Swansea's debt is mind boggling - in excess of £100m combined. Where does it all end?
Bleuuurgh..... Come on Duke sumed it up we are Swindon Town, people like Andrew Black, Fitton, Jed and his consortium ad the Wills family have enabled us to be Swindon Town without them putting money in we would go out of business.
I for one think we should get behind he club keep doing what we do and show another set of "owners" that we have an amazing club.
I think people see this club as a potential, lets be honest, who went to readings old ground with 6k in it, or the Vetch with 4k in it, I knw I did, now look at those clubs, the future of this club is in the hands of the council, redevelopment of a new ground would attract new support week in week out, whc means we would be a sustainable club like Reading or Swansea, Lets not kid ourselves, that was shy black and the consortium were here.
If the rumours about players wages and agent fees are true then we are spending too much, is any player in our squad worth 8-10k per week, I think not.
COYR
Pewsham Red
says...
3:02pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Since 1950 wrote:Fair point Since 1950, although from another perspective one might say that the club has not yet been sold (if we're being nitpicky) and the Jed consortium have only been involved in talks for the past 5 weeks or so, which begs the question as to what he has been doing since Wray left.
Wonder Strike wrote:You took the words right out of my mouth Wonder Strike.
He was on a hiding to nothing really. Clearly here just to help sell the club. Now if our new owners turn out to be good then he'll have done his job well.
He was brought in by Black to do a job - sell the Club. That he has done. Cold as that.
Whether or not he has sold to the right consortium or not we probably will never know as we don't know who the other prospective purchasers were.
He wasn't given time to be choosy. A bit like selling your house in a rush. Let it go to the first buyer and never mind if the new occupiers will fit in.
The only thing you can criticis him for is his astounding lack of tact and diplomacy in his comments to the media about our club whether he was a Town Fan or not.
While he has not endeared himself to the fans, and JW was always going to be a tough act to follow, I am not sure he deserves all the harsh words.
I will always be thankful to Black, Fitton, Wray et al for saving our club, however, you have to put a fair amount of the blame on Black for the way he has gone about divesting himself of the Club.
It might be harsh on him and we don't know the full facts but had he done his job to the best of his ability, the deal would be complete, we'd have a happy manager, Ritchie would still be with us and we'd have a few loan signings to boot.
Only a thought.
redrobin-69
says...
3:03pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Oi Den!
says...
3:12pm Fri 15 Feb 13
.
I'm not sure it's fair to compare Patey with Wray though, given the entirely different circumstances of their tenures. Wray had our full support because he always had time for the fans and because he always seemed to say the right things. We were also happy because he appeared to be providing the manager with a good playing budget. However, it seems he wasn't acting entirely in accordance with Black's instructions, otherwise why was he sacked?
.
Whatever happens over the next few days, there is a football club to run. The Di Canio-Bodin feud was brushed under the carpet by Patey. I imagine that's where it remains. The new owners, assuming they do come in, have to sort that one out for a start.
SimonPrice351
says...
4:37pm Fri 15 Feb 13
We don't know when/if they will be taking over. The longer it goes on, the more I have my doubts.
Unfortunately, it looks like they are the only players in town (well, for now at least) but even if they do take over I can't see them staying.
Swindon Town will be sold on again soon after - I am pretty sure of it.
Doctor red
says...
6:04pm Fri 15 Feb 13
TheDukeOfBanbury wrote:Top Draw Duke!
I for one will be glad when all this Boardroom "stuff" becomes secondary news and football gets prime spot once again.
We as Town fans have had more than our fair share of off field issues over recent years to put up with.
Administration, Embargo's, Failed ground attempts, players not paid, takeovers etc....just to name a few.
But if you are reading this just stop for a few seconds and in your mind picture a great crowd scene, for example Leicester away last season.
We may disagree with each other, fall out and have some right ding dongs.
But for a minute just remember we are the Supporters. We will be here longer than any player, Manager and Board.
This is what we do......support STFC and we are in this together, til we die as the saying goes.
Lads & lasses we are STFC.
Loud, Proud now and always.
Come On.............
The doc
super reds
says...
7:23pm Fri 15 Feb 13
mancrobin
says...
7:27pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Oi Den! wrote:As ever, a very balanced and educated post Den and one which sums it up well.
I always thought appointing a non-executive chairman was a very odd move, as it meant such a sudden and major change in the way communication within the club was conducted. I don't doubt that it was difficult for Patey. The problem was that he never gave the impression of being part of the club. Indeed, if his sole purpose was to sell the club, should he really have been Chairman at all? Should we not have had someone at the helm who was actually looking after the club, while he got on with the job of being selling agent for Mr Black?
.
I'm not sure it's fair to compare Patey with Wray though, given the entirely different circumstances of their tenures. Wray had our full support because he always had time for the fans and because he always seemed to say the right things. We were also happy because he appeared to be providing the manager with a good playing budget. However, it seems he wasn't acting entirely in accordance with Black's instructions, otherwise why was he sacked?
.
Whatever happens over the next few days, there is a football club to run. The Di Canio-Bodin feud was brushed under the carpet by Patey. I imagine that's where it remains. The new owners, assuming they do come in, have to sort that one out for a start.
However, I cannot warm to Patey, he seems like a very cold fish to me.
My only sympathy for him is that they've kept using that picture of him reading the programme. The expression on his face reminds me of that I saw on the kids faces when they were younger and had filled their nappy.
Chish and Fips
says...
7:56pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Rogersforengland
says...
12:10pm Sat 16 Feb 13
robstfc says...
6:28am Fri 15 Feb 13
So thats no new players before Tranmere then.... Just what we didnt need