EXCLUSIVE: The first interview with new Town chairman Sir William Patey (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

who am i wrote:
Interesting....

“There is a three-year plan at this football club. Of course if it is achievable in two years then that is fantastic but the plan is there for three years.”

The owners feel that the commercial side of the club needs to be given the right attention and that the football side of the club is aware of the commercial side.”

Well Paolo from what i can make of it you aint got no more money so you have to make do with what you got and then next season they will invest again because as he says its a three year plan.....hope im wrong....

louiscassius wrote:

who am i wrote:
Interesting....

“There is a three-year plan at this football club. Of course if it is achievable in two years then that is fantastic but the plan is there for three years.”

The owners feel that the commercial side of the club needs to be given the right attention and that the football side of the club is aware of the commercial side.”

Well Paolo from what i can make of it you aint got no more money so you have to make do with what you got and then next season they will invest again because as he says its a three year plan.....hope im wrong....

My thughts excactly!!

Just like robstfc says, i fear Paolo will be gone by weekend or next Monday..........

I knew this was coming, i blummin knew it!!

Oh my god, dark times ahead me thinks..........

Please please please may i be so so wrong......i hate this feeling, i have a bad stomach now, feel like going to the toilet..........

Why oh why does this have to happen to us all the time.......Great times, followed by nightmare!!!!

What a great week this is going to be...NOT!!!!

Louis :-(((((

Swindon1984 wrote:
Possibly, or maybe to keep up with what they know will be an expensive endeavour (as it has been for AB so far) they're looking for someone who can be more efficient in raising cash for the club. We'll have to see, trying to keep an open mind and stay positive though.

glasred wrote:
Two points to make here...JW was always "interim" chairman...and that has in the long term proved now to be the case. Also..The club voted for spending percentage that caused this current embargo. As long as transparency and straight talking from our new chairman are forthcoming,PDC wil stay here IMO,because he wants to complete the task he undertook and is a man of his word and of integrety. All is not gloom...we need avery strong man at the helm to work work with PDC...Yes?

louiscassius wrote:

who am i wrote:
Interesting....

“There is a three-year plan at this football club. Of course if it is achievable in two years then that is fantastic but the plan is there for three years.”

The owners feel that the commercial side of the club needs to be given the right attention and that the football side of the club is aware of the commercial side.”

Well Paolo from what i can make of it you aint got no more money so you have to make do with what you got and then next season they will invest again because as he says its a three year plan.....hope im wrong....

My thughts excactly!!

Just like robstfc says, i fear Paolo will be gone by weekend or next Monday..........

I knew this was coming, i blummin knew it!!

Oh my god, dark times ahead me thinks..........

Please please please may i be so so wrong......i hate this feeling, i have a bad stomach now, feel like going to the toilet..........

Why oh why does this have to happen to us all the time.......Great times, followed by nightmare!!!!

What a great week this is going to be...NOT!!!!

Louis :-(((((

the real Tosh man wrote:

louiscassius wrote:

who am i wrote: Interesting.... “There is a three-year plan at this football club. Of course if it is achievable in two years then that is fantastic but the plan is there for three years.” The owners feel that the commercial side of the club needs to be given the right attention and that the football side of the club is aware of the commercial side.” Well Paolo from what i can make of it you aint got no more money so you have to make do with what you got and then next season they will invest again because as he says its a three year plan.....hope im wrong....

My thughts excactly!! Just like robstfc says, i fear Paolo will be gone by weekend or next Monday.......... I knew this was coming, i blummin knew it!! Oh my god, dark times ahead me thinks.......... Please please please may i be so so wrong......i hate this feeling, i have a bad stomach now, feel like going to the toilet.......... Why oh why does this have to happen to us all the time.......Great times, followed by nightmare!!!! What a great week this is going to be...NOT!!!! Louis :-(((((

I have no idea how you two come to this conclusion from that interview. Have you thought that they might be implying that there is more revenue to be had in the commercial sector of the club which would be a very good thing. As for friendships and trust, I think this guys cv says everything you need to know and I'm sure he and Paolo will build a bond

who am i wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote:

louiscassius wrote:

who am i wrote: Interesting.... “There is a three-year plan at this football club. Of course if it is achievable in two years then that is fantastic but the plan is there for three years.” The owners feel that the commercial side of the club needs to be given the right attention and that the football side of the club is aware of the commercial side.” Well Paolo from what i can make of it you aint got no more money so you have to make do with what you got and then next season they will invest again because as he says its a three year plan.....hope im wrong....

My thughts excactly!! Just like robstfc says, i fear Paolo will be gone by weekend or next Monday.......... I knew this was coming, i blummin knew it!! Oh my god, dark times ahead me thinks.......... Please please please may i be so so wrong......i hate this feeling, i have a bad stomach now, feel like going to the toilet.......... Why oh why does this have to happen to us all the time.......Great times, followed by nightmare!!!! What a great week this is going to be...NOT!!!! Louis :-(((((

I have no idea how you two come to this conclusion from that interview. Have you thought that they might be implying that there is more revenue to be had in the commercial sector of the club which would be a very good thing. As for friendships and trust, I think this guys cv says everything you need to know and I'm sure he and Paolo will build a bond

Heard part of interview on radio this morning and the only thing ill change from what I said is he might get funds in jan if we are pushing for promotion if not its back too the three year plan. And I'm not being doom and gloom just my opinion of what's been said so far repeat opinion lol.

London Red wrote:
I said yesterday I was not going to comment until we had more information as making wild assumptions gets you nowhere . At this point I still feel we are in the same place! . All we have learnt is that JW and AB have differing views on how to take STFC forward . AB as majority shareholder and chief investor has decidied (within his rights) to change the control of the board and club to be more in line with his vision . However, we are still missing the most vital parts - what, why and where! . We do not know what these differences are . We do not know if they are the end goal or just the means to get there . We also do not know what impact this will have to the on and off field aspects of the club . So how the hell can we say its doom and gloom or the start of a bright new era?????? . What we really need is not the adver to simply repost the comments below or tweets in a "live" article or rehash articles from yesterday but to actually try and speak to the main man (or at least a representative) to find out the questions we all want to know (or BBC to do this)

Oi Den! wrote:
LR, both JW and Sir WP have told us the "why". JW was committed to continuing to support PDC for the 3 years of the plan and he felt that Black did not have the same commitment. Sir WP hints very sstrongly that the Board believed Wray was devoting all his energies to the football side while neglecting (for want of a better word) the financial and commercial aspects. Onwards and still upwardss.

Joeyeah_right wrote:
Here are the latest tweets from Andrew Black as he responds to a question by someone called Craig Jack: Craig Jack ‏@ceej69 @bertthebold Mr Black, having read both statements from #STFC it would be useful for fans to understand why you replaced Jeremy Wray Andrew Black ‏@bertthebold @ceej69 Hi Craig. Jeremy has been near enough my best friend for 25 years; He was my best man and is godfather to my son... I put him in as chairman when I decided to carry on supporting the club on my own. He loves the club and was happy to do it. I would have done it but I have a very nervous disposition - I hate being in front of the cameras. Jeremy is also Andrew Fitton's business partner. the football side has gone well with Paolo doing such a good job, but it has been difficult at the board. ...I don't want to go into detail here. I decided at the beginning of the year that we needed an experienced chairman. I think Sir William can be an outstanding chairman. I thought Jeremy would stay on the board - he changed his mind at the last min I can promise you it wasn't a decision I took lightly - I was upset for weeks. As Jeremy said to me recently... ...perhaps mixing friends and business was not such a good idea. nothing else changes though - don't worry about that. I hope Paolo can settle with the new chairman - I don't see why he shouldn't.

Wonder Strike wrote:
Welcome aboard Sir Will. At theend of the day the long term future of the club is the new or redeveloped stadium. Managers, players etc come and go. We are never going anywhere until that is sorted. I can't see PDC leaving as we still have arguably the best squad in the division.

lord nikon wrote:
I notice in one of the skits that sir william is on the board at HSBC maybe this is why he has been put in place. Access to loadsa money. Just a Thought

Oi Den! wrote:
Very interesting comments from Black, and I see no reason to doubt the sincerity of them. I was intrigued by the phrase "when I decided to carry on supporting the club on my own" - seems to imply that he's been the sole owner for some time.

madterrier wrote:
Interesting tweet from Andrew Black. Although it really only gives context and narrative over the axing of his best friend - not specifically why he did it.

The clues are there though - need to develop the commercial side of the business, and the ground. I don't think we're ever going to hear the details from Black though. He may have thought the manager was getting out of control with unreasonable financial demands, and was cross with the vast sums that have been wasted on agents, duff players, and paying-up contracts. But he's not going to come out and say that specifically, is he?

The role of a chairman is at least threefold: to chair the board (obvious); to give strategic direction to the business; and (in football) to provide a link between the board, investors and the manager. People will judge for themselves how well J Wray performed all three of these.

As to Patey's creds in Iraq and Afganhistan...these are both complete disasters, and places we should never have been in. And Sam Morshead - I doubt very much if our new chairman is "used to dealing with the Taliban".

Oi Den! wrote:

madterrier wrote:
Interesting tweet from Andrew Black. Although it really only gives context and narrative over the axing of his best friend - not specifically why he did it.

The clues are there though - need to develop the commercial side of the business, and the ground. I don't think we're ever going to hear the details from Black though. He may have thought the manager was getting out of control with unreasonable financial demands, and was cross with the vast sums that have been wasted on agents, duff players, and paying-up contracts. But he's not going to come out and say that specifically, is he?

The role of a chairman is at least threefold: to chair the board (obvious); to give strategic direction to the business; and (in football) to provide a link between the board, investors and the manager. People will judge for themselves how well J Wray performed all three of these.

As to Patey's creds in Iraq and Afganhistan...these are both complete disasters, and places we should never have been in. And Sam Morshead - I doubt very much if our new chairman is "used to dealing with the Taliban".

Terrier, I'm not sure we can blame our ambassador for the mess we've got ourselves into on those two fronts. For all we know, he might have done a sterling job in difficult circumstances. We don't know how it will work out with Patey but my feeling is that he will provide strong and effective leadership. He was at the game on Saturday. I wonder what he made of PDC's wild gesticulations in the direction of the directors' box? I agree with your assessment of a chairman's role, and I must admit that I'm a little concerned that, as Patey is to be non-exec, there will be no day-to-day link between the board and the manager. As I mentioned yesterday, I can see him appointing somebody very soon to provide that link.

the don69 wrote:
Just heard Villa have sold all their tickets for the cup game!should be a sell out now!!!!!!!!

London Red wrote:
The Transfer embargo has NOTHING to do with this - Wray has been very clear to state that - so can people please stop saying it has!
.
Old-Stager - Wray was clear as to why he couldn't do that - he doesn't want to potentially get in the way of any relationship between PdC and SWP

stfctom wrote:
If Paolo goes he goes. It would be sad but lets not kid ourselves, there are plenty of other managers who would love to have the squad we have and would be able to achieve just as much, if not more, than PDC with them. Hopefully he stays though, otherwise the doom merchants will go into overdrive and things will be very difficult for the board.

Good luck Sir William, I think your going to need it!

London Red wrote:
Den - SWP getting his feet under doesn't really change the viewpoint of the main man - Black
.
AB is the main player and as the Adver have said they are looking for an inteview so he can "tell his side of the story"
.
As you say this move may not be a bad thing at all - but why it has occurred and what his view of where STFC is heading would be nice to hear
.
Wiz the comment wasn't really aimed at you - but the post which say Wray had to go due to the Embargo fiasco - When JW has clearly stated it has nothing to do with it and AB has pretty much said the same thing - i.e. it has been a decision he has been contemplating for some time

Oi Den! wrote:
I really think this middle east thing is a red herring. Can't imagine Black appointing a new chairman simply for the purpose of attracting Arab investors. If he wanted to do that, I'm sure it would have been done with no public fanfare.
.
As somebody said, Wray was interim chairman for a long time and probably never Black's first choice for the job, so maybe this move should not have been the big surprise it was to many of us.

London Red wrote:
Den - SWP getting his feet under doesn't really change the viewpoint of the main man - Black
.
AB is the main player and as the Adver have said they are looking for an inteview so he can "tell his side of the story"
.
As you say this move may not be a bad thing at all - but why it has occurred and what his view of where STFC is heading would be nice to hear
.
Wiz the comment wasn't really aimed at you - but the post which say Wray had to go due to the Embargo fiasco - When JW has clearly stated it has nothing to do with it and AB has pretty much said the same thing - i.e. it has been a decision he has been contemplating for some time

London Red wrote:
Wasn't suggesting SWP is going to be a lackey
.
Like PdC who was sold on the "project" laid out to him by JW and RB - SWP must have been sold a "project" by AB
.
I just think effectively sacking a very popular chairman as you have a different vision of how to move the club forward that it would be a good idea to tell the fans (who ate vital to the success) what this is
.
I get he doesn't like being I the spot light but a statement can alway be posted on the OS by him saying this is my vision, this is why I felt the change was needed now and this is how I think SWP will aid this
.
Then more importantly - tell us how it will alter the on field side - if at all
.
JW looked like he was going for back to back - if we are now going for consolidation before a push - wouldn't you want to know? Otherwise it will look like a disappointment if we miss out after all the hype so far

old town robin wrote:
What's Nick Watkins role at the club, I thought he was looking at ground development funding.

This move by Black to replace JW as chairman was always a likelihood so why are some only seeing the negative side of this move. JW wasn't first choice chairman when the board started out, he stepped up when Fitton quit and agreed he did a comendable job on the football side. The only disappointment for me is he has decided not to remain on the board. I find that strange as surely he could have continued with what he does best and interface with Paolo and his team.

Have said it for a while now our Sales and Marketing has not shown a lot of ambition. Personally I welcome a move that will see a well connected person come in and get the WHOLE of the organisation focused and not just the football side.

mancrobin wrote:

old town robin wrote:
What's Nick Watkins role at the club, I thought he was looking at ground development funding.

This move by Black to replace JW as chairman was always a likelihood so why are some only seeing the negative side of this move. JW wasn't first choice chairman when the board started out, he stepped up when Fitton quit and agreed he did a comendable job on the football side. The only disappointment for me is he has decided not to remain on the board. I find that strange as surely he could have continued with what he does best and interface with Paolo and his team.

Have said it for a while now our Sales and Marketing has not shown a lot of ambition. Personally I welcome a move that will see a well connected person come in and get the WHOLE of the organisation focused and not just the football side.

I agree that the commercial side needs developing. I can't even buy a STFC 'onesey' for my 10 year old daughter's birthday!

inspiron wrote:
All this talk and fear that PDC will walk is not for us to worry about. The most important things at our club are the board as they control the money and the fans as we are the support.Players and managers come and go,and we always believe at times that we cannot afford to lose players or managers. The club is bigger than everything else and if the people in charge who after all have put in millions to put us on the right footing,make certain decisions we find strange,then we must trust them,even if PDC goes.It will be who replaces him that will be key not when he goes,because he will go,that is for sure. Lets make sure we are united with the board and the fans.We will still be here in 10 years time PDC will not

bongiaz wrote:
Blimey can we keep some of these posts to less than 500 words!

the wizard wrote:

London Red wrote:
Wasn't suggesting SWP is going to be a lackey
.
Like PdC who was sold on the "project" laid out to him by JW and RB - SWP must have been sold a "project" by AB
.
I just think effectively sacking a very popular chairman as you have a different vision of how to move the club forward that it would be a good idea to tell the fans (who ate vital to the success) what this is
.
I get he doesn't like being I the spot light but a statement can alway be posted on the OS by him saying this is my vision, this is why I felt the change was needed now and this is how I think SWP will aid this
.
Then more importantly - tell us how it will alter the on field side - if at all
.
JW looked like he was going for back to back - if we are now going for consolidation before a push - wouldn't you want to know? Otherwise it will look like a disappointment if we miss out after all the hype so far

Not to mention the input of supporters who bought S/T's on the promise of back-to-back promotion efforts as well.

To withdraw that now is going back on a promise. That will not go down nicely with most one bit.

bongiaz wrote:

the wizard wrote:

London Red wrote:
Wasn't suggesting SWP is going to be a lackey
.
Like PdC who was sold on the "project" laid out to him by JW and RB - SWP must have been sold a "project" by AB
.
I just think effectively sacking a very popular chairman as you have a different vision of how to move the club forward that it would be a good idea to tell the fans (who ate vital to the success) what this is
.
I get he doesn't like being I the spot light but a statement can alway be posted on the OS by him saying this is my vision, this is why I felt the change was needed now and this is how I think SWP will aid this
.
Then more importantly - tell us how it will alter the on field side - if at all
.
JW looked like he was going for back to back - if we are now going for consolidation before a push - wouldn't you want to know? Otherwise it will look like a disappointment if we miss out after all the hype so far

Not to mention the input of supporters who bought S/T's on the promise of back-to-back promotion efforts as well.

To withdraw that now is going back on a promise. That will not go down nicely with most one bit.

I purchase my season Ticket every season because I love the club not because of a promise of back to back promotions. Don't you?

Steve. Brentford wrote:

mancrobin wrote:

old town robin wrote:
What's Nick Watkins role at the club, I thought he was looking at ground development funding.

This move by Black to replace JW as chairman was always a likelihood so why are some only seeing the negative side of this move. JW wasn't first choice chairman when the board started out, he stepped up when Fitton quit and agreed he did a comendable job on the football side. The only disappointment for me is he has decided not to remain on the board. I find that strange as surely he could have continued with what he does best and interface with Paolo and his team.

Have said it for a while now our Sales and Marketing has not shown a lot of ambition. Personally I welcome a move that will see a well connected person come in and get the WHOLE of the organisation focused and not just the football side.

I agree that the commercial side needs developing. I can't even buy a STFC 'onesey' for my 10 year old daughter's birthday!

Haha,disgusting eh? that needs to get flipping sorted and fast.I may get one for myself,i hope they do them to a fit 6ft 4in man :O)

London Red wrote:
Going for promotion doesn't mean bottomless spending - I don't think I said it did either
.
However - it does mean giving the manager the tools to finish the task
.
All managers build a squad and come Jan have highlighted areas they think are needed to finish the job
.
Last year that was securing Wes and adding Rooney and Benson - if they hadn't of come we would not have won the league!
.
Today Bournemouth have said more will be spent in Jan to aid Howe
.
I doubt Sheff U, MK, Coventry, Notts etc will all remain static
.
So if our tap is frozen shut or we don't get the embargo lifted we could fall behind them and miss out
.
We could get a large fee for Caddis and that could free up a nice slice to invest in a push for glory
.
Or we could simply use it to balance the books
.
That is the difference between gunning for back to back or settling for consolidation
.
We clearly need a striker so I guess the reassurance PdC (and possibly us fans too) want is will we see a repeat of last year where money was spent wisely to push us on or not

London Red wrote:
Going for promotion doesn't mean bottomless spending - I don't think I said it did either
.
However - it does mean giving the manager the tools to finish the task
.
All managers build a squad and come Jan have highlighted areas they think are needed to finish the job
.
Last year that was securing Wes and adding Rooney and Benson - if they hadn't of come we would not have won the league!
.
Today Bournemouth have said more will be spent in Jan to aid Howe
.
I doubt Sheff U, MK, Coventry, Notts etc will all remain static
.
So if our tap is frozen shut or we don't get the embargo lifted we could fall behind them and miss out
.
We could get a large fee for Caddis and that could free up a nice slice to invest in a push for glory
.
Or we could simply use it to balance the books
.
That is the difference between gunning for back to back or settling for consolidation
.
We clearly need a striker so I guess the reassurance PdC (and possibly us fans too) want is will we see a repeat of last year where money was spent wisely to push us on or not

London Red wrote:
Why? Because we don't put the ball I the net enough - that's why!
.
We should have buried Coventry and would have if we had someone who puts the ball in the net regularly
.
That's not the first time either this year and won't be the last
.
Being recognised doesn't mean being good enough - we had recognised strikers lest year but still needed Benson
.
Also I never said give into every demand - just sit down establish what is vital and work towards that
.
They can easily say you can sign 1 or 2 and say what/who do you want
.
A striker would probably be on the top of most peoples lost of what we need

the wizard wrote:
Don,

Yep, you are right about Clarke. Never mind what went on before, he will be seeking vengeance, and old boys do come back to haunt us, Rose for one recently. I was thinking of other players over the weekend and I think somebody here mentioned Cassidy then. He seems a good bet, but would he come and more to the point, even with the embargo lifted, could we afford or have the budget for him ?

Oi Den! wrote:
Well, perhaps we are getting to the nitty gritty. Is PDC saying he bought the wrong players? As it happens I have a lot more faith in both Williams and Collins than PDC appears to have. It's often the service that's the problem. It's no good complaining that the ball was in the opposition box 30 odd times with no end product when 20 odd of those balls were hopeful punts. Anyway, I've said too much - again - so I'll see how things develop for a few days before commenting on here again.

the wizard wrote:
Den,

I honestly think despite his experience as a player our manager under estimated the strength in L1 this season, and the strikers we have are just not cutting the ice the way he wants. In fairness I think he will have to let either Collins or Williams go, so as to generate some income at least towards the next one. Although we don't have a massive squad, by any means, I remember him saying when he first arrived a smaller squad but of a higher quality. I don't think we have been able to the nth degree achieve that just yet, but with the new chairman, I think we may well walk in that direction. I think we will push this season, but a more concerted push next season with some classier players.

the wizard wrote:

bongiaz wrote:

the wizard wrote:

London Red wrote:
Wasn't suggesting SWP is going to be a lackey
.
Like PdC who was sold on the "project" laid out to him by JW and RB - SWP must have been sold a "project" by AB
.
I just think effectively sacking a very popular chairman as you have a different vision of how to move the club forward that it would be a good idea to tell the fans (who ate vital to the success) what this is
.
I get he doesn't like being I the spot light but a statement can alway be posted on the OS by him saying this is my vision, this is why I felt the change was needed now and this is how I think SWP will aid this
.
Then more importantly - tell us how it will alter the on field side - if at all
.
JW looked like he was going for back to back - if we are now going for consolidation before a push - wouldn't you want to know? Otherwise it will look like a disappointment if we miss out after all the hype so far

Not to mention the input of supporters who bought S/T's on the promise of back-to-back promotion efforts as well.

To withdraw that now is going back on a promise. That will not go down nicely with most one bit.

I purchase my season Ticket every season because I love the club not because of a promise of back to back promotions. Don't you?

Yes I do, but with an additional 1k sold many would not take that view..

I hope we do get back to back, then at least another 1k may take our view. I would hope so, wouldn't you ?