Most liked posts in thread: BCST meeting with Edin

Jay · Oct 23, 2018

dont chant edin out whilst the game is going on, stewards have been told to remove anyone chanting it.

Jay · Oct 23, 2018

Aireboro Bantam said: ↑

It certainly feels like a missed opportunity by the supporters trust but I'm not sure what they would gain by a full blown ambush of a Q&A. They've given Edin a chance to explain and now a productive process needs to lead to improvement.

Whilst there is little new to take from the statement, it confirms my two feelings towards the owners. Firstly, they want the best for the club. They aren't trying to bleed the club dry, nor are they the club destroyers that we have seen at other clubs. I am happy to take Edin's assurances on off the field investment as an example of that.

Secondly, and probably much more importantly, Edin isn't qualified to make footballing decisions and we are in desperate need of someone to be the middle man between Edin & Stefan and decisions that effect matters on the pitch. Someone who can bridge the gap between Edin's ideology and reality without impacting the role of the manager. Someone like Lennie Lawrence who's had similar roles at Cardiff, Bristol Rovers and now Newport.
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lennie lawrence can bring flynn with him

Onside · Oct 23, 2018

Jay said: ↑

dont chant edin out whilst the game is going on, stewards have been told to remove anyone chanting it.
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Have they? Well they are going to have all on with that mission. He can’t silence this protest. Nearly all the Kop were chanting on Saturday, I didn’t see any fan being removed.

trevor · Oct 23, 2018

Abbott was brought in to advise on football matters and link with the manager and look how well that has worked, The more bodies you put between the chairman and the manager the more likely of the club being dragged in to failure,
Of course if you need a scapegoat to deflect criticism and take the blame when things go wrong then it may well be a good idea to appoint a football adviser

Botswana Bantam · Oct 23, 2018

bantam2708 said: ↑

BCST Board meeting with Edin Rahic & other representatives of Bradford City

On the 16th October 2018 members of the Bradford City Supporters Trust Board met with representatives of Bradford City Football Club - Edin Rahic (Chairman and Co-Owner), Paula Watson (Head of Operations), Michael Shackleton (Commercial Manager), and Ryan Sparks (Media and PR Manager).

We (the Supporters Trust) started out outlining the role of Supporters Trusts with football clubs and the Trust's national remit (via Supporters Direct). We explained that we were representing our members. The Trust put questions from its members to the Club’s representatives.

We began by asking what had kick-started the decline from the Yeovil game last season. This led to a broader discussion about how many "small puzzles turned into a typhoon", to quote Edin. Many small things had built up, which started the decline. It was clear that Edin believes the FA Cup is a key competition for the club financially. He felt the Club had missed a key opportunity against Manchester United, an opportunity to raise revenue and strengthen its position in the transfer market. Despite large offers being made to bring proven players into the Club, this lost revenue may have impacted on the funds available for key targets. It is our understanding this coincided with the opening of the January Transfer Window. Offers were made by rivals for key Bradford City Players, which the club declined to accept. This caused issues with players which had big impacts within the dressing room, affecting moral and contributing to decline in results and loss of form, which the club have not recovered from. This ultimately led to a change of football management.

Following Stuart McCall’s departure, Edin employed a manager based on his record of a high pedigree at our level. This was widely accepted as a good appointment by the majority of Bradford City fans and the wider football community. Between the combined circumstances of bad weather and postponed matches, a tough run of fixtures, and weather related issues with the training ground, the Club never saw the immediate change of fortunes to cement themselves as serious play-off contenders. Also the effects of the adverse and prolonged bad weather during Simon Grayson's management caused a number of issues for training. The Trust Board questioned why Simon Grayson did not extend his stay beyond the end of the season; this was explained as "Simon saw himself as a Championship Manager", and a search for a new manager got underway.

While the appointment of Simon Grayson was considered correct at the time, the owners accept that the appointment of the initial coaching team of Michael Collins, Martin Drury and Greg Abbott did not work out. A continued bad run of form resulted in the owners taking action and finding a replacement - with the season still very much to play for.

The Trust questioned the Club representatives about investment over the summer months, recruitment strategy, and the emphasis on signing young playing talent. During the summer months large investments were put into the infrastructure of the Club, making it able to be more sustainable in the years to come. These included an upgrade to the drainage on the pitch, the ticket system, the customer management software, club shop, maintenance equipment, back office equipment for the club staff, and general much needed stadium maintenance. All of this was to prepare the Club for the future years, and for Championship football. There was also a significant increase in the rent for the ground and a very significant increase of electric bills, as well as a huge increase of water usage (due to better pitch drainage). In addition, Edin spoke of how the playing budget was significantly higher than last season. Despite reduced season-ticket revenue, it is a mark of the commitment to succeeding. Significant investment has also been made within the youth academy setup and performances have been very impressive, with a host of talented youngsters coming through the ranks.

On the field, recruitment centred on up and coming talent and highly regarded prospects. The Club explained that contracts were offered to existing senior players - however these players chose not to accept these contracts and moved on, while some others did not want to be Bradford City players, and some players wished to move for personal reasons.

The Trust's understanding is that the Club wanted to develop players to add value to the squad, with a view to being able to compete financially in the long term with the larger budget clubs, and eventually survive in the Championship. The Trust understands the benefits of buying already developed players for immediate results and also understands the benefits of youth development. This is a fine line to balance and current results would suggest that the Club need more investment in the January Transfer Window of proven players and players with experience at this level.

We therefore questioned whether the Club believed the recruitment strategy was the correct one in the short term. The owners acknowledged the short-term requirement for a balanced squad. However it was emphasised that the current discontent from the stands – which is not helped by the run of results and current league position - is having a detrimental effect on the confidence and form of the existing squad. Edin told the Trust that the next few months are "vital" to Bradford City; it is vital that everyone makes Valley Parade as attractive a prospect as possible, as this will help determine the attractiveness of the Club to potential players ahead of the January Transfer Window.

The Trust feels that any action at this time which would be detrimental to recruitment and to results, and potentially to the clubs League One status, would not be in the interests of the Club or the fans in the short term or long term.

After Simon Grayson’s comments about the training facility when he left the Club in the summer, the Trust questioned what David Hopkin thought of the training ground and facilities. No such concerns have been expressed by David Hopkin. Paula Watson told the Trust that the bad weather in the early part of the year did cause issues for Simon Grayson but this was unavoidable.

The Trust Board concluded by asking Edin about the lessons he had learnt during his tenure. Edin admitted that the business and culture in England was very different from that in Germany. However he expressed his commitment to the Club and to efforts to rectify the current on-pitch situation The Trust picked up on the fact that Edin is in regular dialogue with Julian Rhodes and possibly takes advice.

While Edin expressed commitment to the Club and the importance of ongoing dialogue with supporters groups, he expressed concern that this was being undermined by a minority of individuals who have been xenophobic towards not only him but also his family. The Supporters Trust want Bradford City to be inclusive of everybody and to be a family friendly club. Therefore we condemn this kind of behaviour. Instead we welcome constructive ideas which we can discuss through ongoing and regular dialogue with the Club. We have agreed a further meeting in a month's time to discuss further concerns from fans, who can email their thoughts to us.

We would like to say, that this was a very productive first meeting, and we didn’t expect answers to every question supporters have, and we are sure there are many, however, to ensure that discussions continue, trust is a key element for cementing relations. It is also important to underline the fact that we are an independent organisation, and as we have said before, there will be an opportunity for members and supporters to attend a meeting that we will organise and where we can discuss and debate the way forward.

We hope that our next meeting with the Club will be after a run of positive results, and we ask for all supporters to get fully behind the team between now and January and hopefully be the 12th Man. Every point really could matter this season.

Yours sincerely

Manny Dominguez

BCST Chair
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Thank you for sharing.

How · Oct 23, 2018

trevor said: ↑

Abbott was brought in to advise on football matters and link with the manager and look how well that has worked, The more bodies you put between the chairman and the manager the more likely of the club being dragged in to failure,
Of course if you need a scapegoat to deflect criticism and take the blame when things go wrong then it may well be a good idea to appoint a football adviser
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Abbott is now a coach. Can’t do it all

Jay · Oct 23, 2018

supporters trust love rahic

loz · Oct 23, 2018

Bantamsteve said: ↑

So it's the beast from the east fault we are in such a mess
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No, its the fans

Jay · Oct 23, 2018

BCAFC LEE said: ↑

But there isn't enough srewards. And most are incapable
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theyve got bodycams, there recording people shouting it

Jay · Oct 23, 2018

Look Rahic paid £200k of his own money which he has now had back at £11k a month since 2006

There in this for £££

It’s all smoke and mirrors and anyone who disagrees can f*jsjs off as well

Jay · Oct 23, 2018

Disillusioned of Bingley said: ↑

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That’s racist and xenophobic

heavensentcitygent · Oct 24, 2018

Jay said: ↑

theyve got bodycams, there recording people shouting it
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For what purpose ?

HUDDERSSBANTAM · Oct 25, 2018

TRB101 said: ↑

The cheap tickets idea came from the Rhodes though, well before Lawn was involved. They were afraid no-one would come back after City were relegated to the fourth division.
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By 'well before' do you mean a few months?

Lawn joined in June 2007. Cheap season tickets were on sale a couple of months before.

Do you think Lawn & Rhodes might have discussed it?

TRB101 · Oct 25, 2018

HUDDERSSBANTAM said: ↑

By 'well before' do you mean a few months?

Lawn joined in June 2007. Cheap season tickets were on sale a couple of months before.

Do you think Lawn & Rhodes might have discussed it?
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No

HUDDERSSBANTAM · Oct 25, 2018

Idlebantam said: ↑

Mark had been in discussions with the Rhodes family for months prior to investing. Julian was reluctant to even show Mark the books for many weeks, no idea why. Mark was indeed involved in the talks about the cheap season ticket deal, and although their relationship became strained later, it was Marks idea to approach Stuart McCall.
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That's what I was eluding to!

Aleman · Oct 25, 2018

There is no evidence that the club is paying interest on any loan.

Long-term commercial leases typically have 5 year escalators.

25 year ticket holders did not really vote for a new pitch. I reckon most abstained.

Bronco · Oct 25, 2018

Aleman said: ↑

There is no evidence that the club is paying interest on any loan.

Long-term commercial leases typically have 5 year escalators.

25 year ticket holders did not really vote for a new pitch. I reckon most abstained.
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It really didn't matter at the end of the day the Football League got involved.

vladimir · Oct 26, 2018

StaffordBantam said: ↑

The Trust's role should be to represent its members and the supporters in general.

They need to urgently reconsider their position. I think they have seriously misjudged the mood of most supporters and, if they don't change tack, they will quickly find themselves becoming an irrelevance.
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