Ryan Sparks (New Poll As At 28 March 2024)

Before people vote, I suggest they research what a CEO’s role in a company actually is as I suspect a lot of people don’t know.

 

And is different in a football club setting than any other business in the world?

 

With his CV he wouldn't have got the gig anywhere else but that's not how Bradford City operates.

 

No

Lazy, cheap appointment, barely out of nappies.

feck this club.

Has got a clue on how the run a football club.

Note... I didn't say ''professional''

 

I'd like to know of vision, plans and what structures he plans to put in place to get there. he seems to have done a decent job in his other roles within the club but this is a whole new ball game for him. all I can say is good luck, but he's clearly under pressure from day one.

 

People get promoted if they have talent

 

We could have made Churchill the nodding dog CEO and you'd have been happy.

 

All I will say is good luck to him. If no one else is brought in then this is a very very tough job as your first. If he proves himself then he can go higher no doubt. But a hell of a lot of work to do. Massive challenge and cannot blame him for taking it

 

A 29 year old rookie. You just couldn’t make it up. But at the same time, you wouldn’t expect any more from this joke of a club.

Complete mockery of the club, it’s fans, and its history. Now is the time for experience and proper direction not a cheap gamble.

 

No need at all for that first line is there? I am not happy with the appointment but come on

 

It was obvious from Rhodes statement last month when he said he’d identified a replacement but not naming him yet, he was training him up. I predicted Sparks on the original CEO thread. He’s going to get a lot of flak but he seems bright, personable, he may do a great job, it just worries me when he states how close he is working with McCall, he’s not going to have the balls to sack him when the time inevitably comes.

 

You’re right. Just a heat of the moment comment in anger at the appointment. Apologies.

 

Or, in the "Bradford Way" if their phone number happens to already be in the contact list of the person making the appointment.

 

I’ve took it out of my reply. Nothing to see here

 

There’s obviously lots happening behind the scenes that we’re not privy to. He could be doing a fantastic job under the circumstances, but we don’t know.
In a settled environment where he can concentrate on his own job, he might do well. I think it’s too hard to call without knowing the facts.

 

I've worked with Ryan and can testify that he is an excellent operator.

He knows the ins and outs of running the club and has been pretty much operating as acting CEO for most of this year - He's done incredible work with new commercial tie-ins in the most challenging climate. Major sponsors added include Bradford College and Blinds Direct.

I've discussed with him his vision for the club and what's needed and I can only say it chimes with everything that the Bradford City fans on this board want.

People will question his youth - Remember Baldwin and Mason came here with zero experience. I back attitude, and he has it in buckets and he's already proven himself behind the scenes.

Time to get behind him, back the club and get through this season and look forward to happier times.

 

“he’s pretty much been acting as the CEO the last year” - that is not an endorsement while this club sleep walks to non league and probably oblivion after 3 years of pure and utter failure. I’m great at my job as an analyst, I care, I work hard. Doesn’t make me a candidate for a CEO position.