On the other hand, we have a hell of a lot of points to play for in August and some very difficult games.
Not having key positions addressed sufficiently and waiting until the end of the window is very risky.
Time will tell.
Time for action - An open letter to Preston North End FC (Meeting & responses added).
Not having key positions addressed sufficiently and waiting until the end of the window is very risky.
Time will tell.
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2020
- Messages
- 1,643
The results on the pitch will determine if there is a fan revolt. At the moment any demonstration is premature.
As per my previous post, I’m all for the banners inside the ground. It needs to be done. I haven’t a clue how to make or get them but I’m happy to put my hand in my pocket for this. The clowns ruining this club need to be shown just how much they are despised.
Relegation would have been and would be a complete disaster,it would be no blessing in disguise.
We would lose a huge source of income by losing our Championship status, the IOM would reduce the budget massively and we would be forced into the league 1 and 2 bargain basement for players.
Our season ticket sales would drop to similar lowes as the Wesley era as would walk on fans, the home attendance would plummet dramatically.
We would be fighting league 1 survival rather than a return to the Championship and any fan protests, dissent or pressure would fall on deaf ears.🥴😡🙁
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2021
- Messages
- 6,599
Absolutely right, but we’re only one part of the deal. The player’s agent, the selling club, and the player himself hold the cards.
If the club doesn’t want to sell or the player isn’t yet fully convinced, there’s only so much we can do.
Like I said, I’ll be judging at the end of the window, like I do every window. I’m not optimistic.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2022
- Messages
- 6,274
‘The attendance would plummet dramatically.’ So?
All that is happening now is delaying the inevitable.
Whether this season or next we will be going down.
The only way fans would protest would be if we did go down.
At the minute there is no blessing. Just boredom and another season of fighting to stay up.
Nothing will ever change. Relegation IMO will be the biggest change to start forcing their hand.
I think we will need to agree to disagree, relegation would be disastrous and rather than protest, fans in huge numbers would just vote with their feet and stay away.
You say force their hand.in to what,you realistically think we would attract a 3rd party to take over and pay the IOM asking price,whatever that maybe if we are languishing in league 1 ?
Like I said we will just have to agree to disagree.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2024
- Messages
- 674
Fair comment and very true. Ideally we'd be able to sign the players we wanted when we wanted them. But it doesn't work like that, especially with a club like us on a relatively small budget.
What irritates the most is that we have owners who are billionaires in terms of assets. They could turn some of those assets into cash to finance a proper promotion push at PNE. But you come to the conclusion that even if there was a desire from certain people to finance this, in house politics means there will never be a sufficient number of yea's v nay's to allow it to happen.
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2004
- Messages
- 645
This is a great question. When Hemmings sells the club, how will their tenure be remembered?
We know that beforehand we had a very exciting progressive spell under Baxi, then a dip when they lost interest, then pretty much no progress for nearly 15 years.
We have the Ingol land and Euxton, and fans bar I guess. We are struggling in the same division as when they took over, no improvement to the Academy. Yes, we have gone nowhere. Thanks for putting in 1% of your 1000 million pounds (I know it’s in asset before anyone says) each year, although I’m being sarcastic I still appreciate that to an extent. It really could’ve been used so much better, the evidence is staring us in the face.
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
- 6,617
The ‘Bastard’ years.
The bastard robbed the club from the fans and appointed Ridsdale.
Thracia
Club Owner, or wingback, depending on your view
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2011
- Messages
- 30,692
They had the wealth to have left a lasting legacy that would serve the club well for many years to come.
They chose not to bother with that.
They duped the shareholders to take over the club, then duped the entire city of Preston when they reneged on their Ingol promises.
When they eventually leave, there'll be no legacy, just a club in need of repair.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2012
- Messages
- 30,594
Why would there be a demonstration? We were very VERY close to being relegated last year but could barely muster a single "Ridsdale out!" chant.
We've actually INCREASED our season ticket sales off the back of that utterly shit season. That'll show 'em.
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2020
- Messages
- 1,643
I’ll be very surprised if there’s no demonstration if we start this season like the end of last season. Surely even the happy clappers wouldn’t accept it.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2012
- Messages
- 30,594
Don't underestimate them.
It won't change until crucial people retire or leave.
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2004
- Messages
- 6,789
Spot on. 👍
Attendances would drop overall due to smaller away followings.
But if we were fighting at the top of L1 (a big IF, I know) we'd be more attractive to watch than the eight-at-the-back-hoof-ball we've offered for the past few seasons.
Therefore, we'd get more home fans in - and attract a new generation of youngsters (after all, everyone can remember their first promotion season).
The alternative is to circle the plughole every year in the Champ, making up the numbers (at best), boring the arse off everyone who turns up and doing long term damage to the club.
The longer we survive, the longer Ridsdale and Hemmings stick around and the hole we've got to eventually climb out of just gets deeper.
I'm not saying I want us to go down - far from it - but realistically (as @RibbletonWhite2.0 says) it's going to take a seismic event like that to bring about the change that's desperately needed.
Or new owners.
And, sadly, we all know which one is more likely. 🙃
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2016
- Messages
- 14,785
I personally really really enjoyed the promotion season in league 1, mainly for some reason we started to accumulate a decent team of very likeable players, gally, garner, DJ, hunts, Clarke, Beckford
It regenerated us which then led into the Neil period and a few further good signings Robinson Pearson Alan Browne coming through
Were now in a similar decline to when we went under brown, the regeneration from relegation is an opportunity but the ownership loose absolutely fucking millions
Watching us at home to Gillingham on a Tuesday night conceding a late equaliser and dropping out of automatic spots was a great experience 😂
But Mk Dons way wow memories
But yeah I agree with your post
maybe, but this can have a negative effect on both the players and staff - even fans who may not share the same view on a matchday - I am not sure how much effect this would have in comparison to the formal routes such as direct contact with fan groups, but then there are fans who don't believe that route offers any positive outcome
I think @Staffordwhite words it perfectly - "seismic event" needed for real change
All great memories and fantastic looking back,yes the promotion season was a good season.
After relegation though,the Westley era and Saga.well that is a different time all together.
TH allowed SG some extra £s to build that promotion winning team,granted not huge amounts but enough.
Unfortunately if we are relegated with the present ownership you will not witness the likes of the SG promotion season with Beckford,Garner,Gally,Clarke and Hunts.
You will witness a fire sale,the lowest budget for years,huge decrease in attendances and even less revenue,,bargain basement and lower division cast offs,you will witness a GW type era.
Thanks but no thanks from me.🙁🙁