Chairmans Forum
I took in the Chairmans Forum last night in The Premier Club at HR.
The usual people were there, namely MM, Macca, Graham Hover, John Reason etc. The evening was hosted by Stuart Linnell who kicked off the evening with a City quiz which I got 15 on. Not knowing how many goals Clinton Morrison scored last season really cost me! (?)
After that banter, MM and Macca took to the stage and answered everything thrown at them. Macca was first asked about the 2 Hondurnas and why they hadn't been getting a sniff recently. Macca said that when he picks a squad of 18 to take to a game, its the best 18 in training during the week. Martinez and Guerrero hadn't been doing enough to warrant getting picked. A fan praised Macca for dropping players who clearly weren't on top of their form and for not having favourites, unlike previous managers.
The question of not converting our chances was asked to Macca and he said that after Hughes left, the only experienced striker City had left was Lee Mills. He constantly reminds Bothroyd and McSheffers that if they want to get on in the game that they must convert their chances in order to make the step up. Macaa said that Lee Mills was playing well had had pushed himself into Macca.s thinking. On that subject, MM was asked whether there was any money for Macca should he need more players. MM said that there was none but if Macca came to him with a name that was on a Bosman or a free then he would do everything possible to get the player. That is something that Macca has known since the start when he was interviewed for the job at MM's house.
With the subject on Citys lack of finances, MM was asked whether City would consider some sort of rights issue to Supporters in the future. MM said that Naaarich had already tried this in the hope of raising £10 million and they raised only £300 000. The cost involved in setting up such a scheme is enormous. He went on to say that the average wage bill in Div 1 is £4/5 million but ours last season was £15 million, that on its own was more than our income. The collapse of ****V Digital cost the club £5 million this season and next. MM said that he can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel after not even being able to see the tunnel. The last 6 months have been the worst of his business life and if things had not improved by Christmas he may well have been forced to quit. Lineel asked Macca if he was disappointed with the low gates and he said he was but if City put a run together he was sure they would come back.
Youngsters were next on the agenda and MM said that the club were spending £4000 a day on the academy at the moment. This, he said, was the way to go and City were not unique in this. Everyone is thinking that way and Macca agreed saying that its so much better if you get players to play for the shirt rather than the money. The audience agreed and the point was raised than the commitment from the players is better this year. MM put this down to Macca and said that whilst Roland Nilsson was a gentleman he was not strong enough with the players and Jim Smith was not the guiding hand he was supposed to be. He also said that he went to the training ground earlier in the week, which he doesn't do often as its not his place, unlike his predecessor. When he was there the atmosphere amongst the players was better than he had ever known.
Macca was next asked about formation and he said he knew Citys best formation but was keeping it to himself! He said it also depends on the personnel available, for instance when Big Mo and Davenport were unavailable, he played 5-3-2 as that was what Gary Caldwell was more comfotable with at the back.
A potential testimonial for Micky gynn was raised and caused some debate. MM said that the allegation that the club was doing nothing were wrong. Gynn has been offered 2 dates but neither he or his agent, David Speedie(!) could find suitable opposition. Most clubs who would draw a crowd wanted paying. Celtic were a possibility but they wanted £100 000 just to turn up.
Concerns were raised over the low attendance for the Worthless Cup game against Colchester and why City had not made more concessions for kids. Graham Hover pointed out that the club does do kids for a quid games and they could not give away tickets as prices had to be agreed by the opposition and League rules prevented them giving away loads of freebies. Ric Allison, Citys commercial director, said that the club were in a partnership with the Education Authority where tickets were used as incentives for kids to achieve, rather than given away for nothing.
The Arena was next up and MM firmly believed that City would play their first game there in August 2004. he said that in the very first instance City were to finance the new stadium but his predecessor managed to get the project to cost £179 million. The new stadium would be jointly owned with the council, all profits made from non-footballing activities would be split but all proits from football would come straight back into the club. MM said that the conferencing facilities would be a big boost for the City as the nearest such facilities of this size were in Birmingham. the club would pay rent to the joint venture company but would get a 150 year lease. Questions were raised on the size of the stadium, whether it was too big or too small. MM said that when people were able to park at the new stadium rather than in dimly lit side streets, crowds would increase. Some people thought the stadium was too small but both MM and Macca agreed that it was the right size as they could feasibly fill it for most games, rather than a 40000 seater occasionally. Macca said that he now preferred the new stadiums as the facilities were so much better. Every 1000 supporters gives the club £15000 so increasing gates with a new stadium was essential.
Macca was asked if was glad to be back and that if he had stayed the club wouldn't have gone down. he said he didn't know about that but if the club ahd come to him sooner, he would have stayed. City stalled, he heard rumours about other clubs and that was that. He said that things went well at Liverpool but he thought he had played equally well at City in his last year, scoring 13 goals. He kept his house in the Midlands and was eyeing up possible clubs he could move to when Citys offer came in, such as West Brom. The deal to bring him to City was "brokered" by a high flying sports presenter, who opened the KEY to the door. Think we can assume that was Richard keys then!
The Forum swung back to finances and why BR had been allowed to do what he did with the club. MM said that BR was the majority shareholder at the club and made that clear at every opportunity. he then gave some examples of BR's dealings. When City bought Robbie Keane, BR rang MM and said "Ive just bought Robbie Keane". MM said "Oh, thats nice! What does Gordon think" to which BR replied "Don't know, I haven't told him yet." MM asked him where the £6 million was coming from BR said "Don't worry, well find it." MM said that the club were still finding it at the moment. When Jim Smith was appointed, MM was on holiday in Dubai. Big Rons daughter came up to him and said that we'd got Jim Smith. MM said he was amazed and rang BR up. he asked how much City were paying him and BR said £150000 a year. that was the final straw for BR as all deals over £50000 were supposed to go before the board.
MM was asked what the debt was at the moment. he said that when the next set of figures come out, it will definately not be worse than the £30 million from the last set. Of that, £15 million was directors loans, some of which are due to be repaid, but the directors or MM's family had not asked for a penny back.
With that Linnell wrapped things up. It was an interesting Forum and people should make every effort to go to the next one. There were only 50 people there last night which was a shame. Perhaps if City had advertised it better, more people may have gone. Gary Mac spoke very well and said he was loving every minute of being City's boss which is good to hear.
Personally, I think that the club is finally going in the right direction.
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