Crouch on New Board?

[sotonjoe]

I sincerely hope this is not true.

 

Crouch has many qualities that mean he is not cut out to be a football chairman and would be an unsettling presence on the board. He opens his mouth much too quickly for my liking and reveals himself to be far from astute in the relevant matters. He would be hot headed and would be the source of much disruption.

 

The money argument carries little credence. As others have said, you shouldn't be able to buy a place on the board. Passion is not the key ingredient when it comes to making an effective board member. For his sums of money we are grateful, but they don't counteract the negative qualities he has that I've already outlined.

[tulip]

no probs with leon

[ART]

If Crouch is going to be on the board I am soon going to lose any enthousiasm I've recently had. A clean sweep is what's required and otherwise we're only going to go through the same scenario all over again. I'm grateful to what he's done but like the likes of Lawrie Mac, Lowe, Wilde and all the others should be kept well away.

[Thedelldays]

If Crouch is going to be on the board I am soon going to lose any enthousiasm I've recently had. A clean sweep is what's required and otherwise we're only going to go through the same scenario all over again. I'm grateful to what he's done but like the likes of Lawrie Mac, Lowe, Wilde and all the others should be kept well away.

agreed 100 percent

[4737_carlin]

Well i think whoever pinnacle want on their boardroom is down to them at the end of the day. Crouch is just the sort of person you want on the boardroom who has the clubs best interests at heart. Many so called fans have had their views mislead by utter rubbish on this forum and in the Daily Echo.

[Channon's Sideburns]

If Crouch is going to be on the board I am soon going to lose any enthousiasm I've recently had. A clean sweep is what's required and otherwise we're only going to go through the same scenario all over again. I'm grateful to what he's done but like the likes of Lawrie Mac, Lowe, Wilde and all the others should be kept well away.

 

Agreed in part....but the one thing that Crouch has done that the others haven't - is put his money where his mouth is.

 

Yes, he may well have spoken out too promptly in the past when criticising others, but aren't they all as bad as each other?

 

My point is this - Crouch has good Business Acumen - if he is willing to act as a Non-Exec what is the problem?

 

Shares will no longer be an issue, therefore the power struggles should not occur - let's not forget that Crouch was sitting on the fence at the beginning of all this....yes he eventually supported Wilde, but only Leon knows why.

 

We are where we are - but out of all of the old pratagonists - he would be the one I wouldn't have a problem with seeing at SMS.

 

If he hadn't have bankrolled things a few months ago...we may not have a club to support anyway.

[OldNick]

Well i think whoever pinnacle want on their boardroom is down to them at the end of the day. Crouch is just the sort of person you want on the boardroom who has the clubs best interests at heart. Many so called fans have had their views mislead by utter rubbish on this forum and in the Daily Echo.

to be fair we have also seen him in the press.His radio interview after we went into admin was poor and adds ammunition to our -10 penalty. So it is not all from the Echo etc.

[Window Cleaner]

Agreed in part....but the one thing that Crouch has done that the others haven't - is put his money where his mouth is.

 

 

 

If he hadn't have bankrolled things a few months ago...we may not have a club to support anyway.

 

 

And would those monies be tax deductable??

 

Crouch probably pays nigh on a million a year in tax,so if he gives some to Saints rather than the taxman it's no skin off his nose is it?

[INFLUENCED.COM]

And would those monies be tax deductable?

 

Can a loan be tax deductable ?

[Mr Nice]

The so called 'in fighting' was in fact Saints fans on the board wanting to do what was best for the club. They could not do much because Wilde had given too much power to a load of strangers. So Crouch outed Wilde has been a two faced liar with no investment and his execs as a load of wrong uns. Got rid of them all and had six months in power and inherited all the mess they had done. Got in Pearson and had the banking of the banks unlike Lowe and Wilde.

Edited 8 June, 2009 by Mr Nice

[Window Cleaner]

Can a loan be tax deductable ?

 

No idea about UK tax law,you can be certain Mr Crouch has though.

[Channon's Sideburns]

And would those monies be tax deductable??

 

Crouch probably pays nigh on a million a year in tax,so if he gives some to Saints rather than the taxman it's no skin off his nose is it?

 

What about Wilde and Lowe then? How much did they put in...or take out (that speeded up Admin eh???).....

[Channon's Sideburns]

No idea about UK tax law,you can be certain Mr Crouch has though.

 

I sense some resentment towards Leon...what's he done to you then?

[Gorgiesaint]

Would have preferred a clean sweep but never mind. If Crouch is on the board then as long as a)he's not chairman & b)he's not a spokesman then fair enough.

 

Maybe Pinnacle needed Crouch on board to replace the three that dropped out, so in that case would you prefer Pinnacle/Crouch or the MJ/Green bid?

 

Final point, many have argued for some 'fan' involvement with the board. If this is true, then at least Crouch will provide that - after all, it's much better than having Illingsworth or Chorley on the board!!!!

[Frank's cousin]

Depends if you know the history of Lymington Precision Engineering though Frank and how he turned that into a world player.....

 

The man knows what he is doing, has achieved more that RL and MW combined - just 'cause he's from the Forest and doesn't have PR and TV coaching...doesn't make him the wrong candidate...

 

Good on you if true Leon, from one Lymo bod to another !! :-)

 

No one is doubting or questioning his abilty in his area of expertise such as the firms he has built up - but as we saw with Lowe, previous success in another industry does not necessarily mean skills are transferable... and financial and passionate support is appreciated and welcomed, but that is no substitute for ghettig the best we can get. It was an argumnet made by many that we should not be judging on the 'best of a bad bunch' when some were advocating Lowe or Rouch, but about the best we can get..

[L1Minus10]

No problem at all for me. He's a good man... just don't let him talk to the press.

 

In fact, the only minor problem is that it will give some of the whining shiits on here something to moan about but then again, they'd moan no matter what.

[Window Cleaner]

I sense some resentment towards Leon...what's he done to you then?

 

He's been a constant applecart upsetter since he got involved with the club at board level;

I just want and end to all of them,Lowe,Wilde,Crouch,and all the others, that none of them ever darken the club's boardroom doors again.Because if they do they'll all be a scheming to take control again,no matter what the club's situation or who owns it.Crouch may be a good guy but he has unmasked his driving desire to rule the roost at SFC a few times.l

[emerson massey]

Crouch as chairman...not for me

 

On the board...i'm fine with that

 

Would rather have a passionate fan (with an obviously good business accumen (sp)) than someone who may be a good businessman but has no real love for the club other than hoping that it becomes a viable business.

 

At this moment i'm mainly hoping we are in a position to need a board, so anyone will do

 

Well, maybe not anyone......

 

imho

[Frank's cousin]

So presumaby by your argument you would not expect MLT to be on the Board

 

I would be shocked if leon were not on the Board. But I would also be shocked if he was Chairman or anything like. We do need good SUCCESSFUL business people on the board, and leon is certainly that (as opposed to the other jokers we have seen involved in recent times).

 

In the end it is up to the people who take over who they appoint, as long as neither Lowe nor Wilde are involved I will be completely OK with their choices.

 

1. MLT has no 'baggage' and no board history and will most likely be in a role designed to maximise his skills - or in a non exec capacity and he has no experience of boardroom level FC management - so is a nEW face in that respect and a unifying one at that.

 

As to successful business people - when this was debated previously many said that LOwes previous retirement home success etc was irrelevent as it was NOT the same as managing a football club which needed different buisness as well as communication skills - so your point here is not really valid - Leon has been successful in his chosen field - this does not mean he WILL be succesful inffotball, and to date his communications and actions have not filled all with confidence other than the fact he is NOT lowe or Wilde...

 

PS like you I would be equally unhappy with Lowe or Wilde back in the frame so its nothing to do with that...

Edited 8 June, 2009 by Frank's cousin

[Window Cleaner]

What about Wilde and Lowe then? How much did they put in...or take out (that speeded up Admin eh???).....

 

Share losses are certainly tax deductable,well they are everywhere else,and no doubt the UK is fairly conformist as well.Al 3 wil have or will be claiming their share losses against IT for the next 2 years, I certainly shall be.

[up and away]

Radio Solent are reporting this morning that they "understand" that Leon Crouch will be invited onto the Board when the Pinnacle take-over is confirmed. They said that this could be controversial PR-wise with fans due to the in-fighting that occured when he was preiously Chairman.

 

I can't see a problem with Crouch being on the board, as I can't see him deciding anything. Without doubt he is a total idiot that cannot keep his mouth shut, but if the new owner wants to put him on the board, I really don't see an issue in that per se. I would be pretty confident that if things are not going his way, he will revert to type but in this case it will have little effect and he will be on his bike.

 

The one thing that I am starting to consider, is just how solid this bid from Pinnacle is? The requirement to have Crouch on the board? The need for Tony Lynham to come on here and explain matters after the renegotiation rumour? The reluctance of the main man to want to show his face?

 

Still confident the deal will go through and will be overjoyed for the club to still be in existence with just -10 points next season and no investment in the team. The one thing that appears at odds is the statement that the banker is worth several £M100's and we are looking at a 5 year plan to return to the Premier, whereas every other indication / rumour gives the impression we are running on a shoe string? Maybe the bankers main money is tied up else where at the present moment and we will have to wait for that to be released?

[emerson massey]

He's been a constant applecart upsetter since he got involved with the club at board level;

I just want and end to all of them,Lowe,Wilde,Crouch,and all the others, that none of them ever darken the club's boardroom doors again.Because if they do they'll all be a scheming to take control again,no matter what the club's situation or who owns it.Crouch may be a good guy but he has unmasked his driving desire to rule the roost at SFC a few times.l

 

Is it possible to take control of a privately owned club without buying it from the owner (I cant imagine crouch has the readies or surely he would have done already? )

 

Genuine question as you seem to suggest that it would be possible, and i know little about how these things work.

[saintjay77]

Agreed in part....but the one thing that Crouch has done that the others haven't - is put his money where his mouth is.

 

Yes, he may well have spoken out too promptly in the past when criticising others, but aren't they all as bad as each other?

 

My point is this - Crouch has good Business Acumen - if he is willing to act as a Non-Exec what is the problem?

 

Shares will no longer be an issue, therefore the power struggles should not occur - let's not forget that Crouch was sitting on the fence at the beginning of all this....yes he eventually supported Wilde, but only Leon knows why.

 

We are where we are - but out of all of the old pratagonists - he would be the one I wouldn't have a problem with seeing at SMS.

 

If he hadn't have bankrolled things a few months ago...we may not have a club to support anyway.

 

Not disagreeing with you but IF Wilde or Lowe had stumped up some money to bank role the club the last few months (like they bloody well should have!) would they then get the same treatment?

 

I know Lowe has made more mistakes than the others but since the merry go round started they have all had there fair share of mistakes and if they are going to be judged purly on the wedge they put in then is buying a place on the board the way forward?

 

Crouch IMO has shown the other toss pots what they should have been doing as Shareholders of a club thats going down the toilet. That doesnt make Crouch the Uber Shareholder that some make out but it shows how the other 2 have skulked off washing there hands of the club.

 

Well done Crouch for doing what I think all the shareholders should have done but I dont see how doing that will help us move forward if he is still on the board. Please go back to being a fan and remebered fondly for doing the right thing in the end.

[Window Cleaner]

Is it possible to take control of a privately owned club without buying it from the owner (I cant imagine crouch has the readies or surely he would have done already? )

 

Genuine question as you seem to suggest that it would be possible, and i know little about how these things work.

 

In theory it isn't possible but I suspect that our new owner might not be a young man and the fact that Lynam,who is a young man,seems favourite to be CEO might give certain persons,with football experience, the idea of a sort of

slow mutiny from within.Personnely, and that's why I'm posting this, because it is just my uneducated opinion, I don't like the sound of any of it, not Crouch, not MLT not Lynam. I'd rather the new owner appointed his own men to do the job and call upon these others as paid advisers for certain situations.I fear a lapse back into chaos if it's any other way.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

How many will refuse to to go to matches if he's on the board?

 

Not a lot I suspect.

 

Would rather there was a complete sweep but like most others just happy we've probably still got a club.

 

If the new powers want LC involved, for whatever reason, I suspect the majority of supporters will not be too bothered.

 

I doubt that people who don't like Crouch will be pathetic enough not to go to a mtach because of a board member...

[emerson massey]

In theory it isn't possible but I suspect that our new owner might not be a young man and the fact that Lynam,who is a young man,seems favourite to be CEO might give certain persons,with football experience, the idea of a sort of

slow mutiny from within.Personnely, and that's why I'm posting this, because it is just my uneducated opinion, I don't like the sound of any of it, not Crouch, not MLT not Lynam. I'd rather the new owner appointed his own men to do the job and call upon these others as paid advisers for certain situations.I fear a lapse back into chaos if it's any other way.

 

OK many thanks for the reply

 

While i agree a clean sweep is best, if he does end up in a non exec role i wont shed too many tears, mainly because i think a passionate fan on the board is a good thing - a shame that it may be someone with links to previous failed regimes, but there may be a positive side as imo he has already proved may times over that he has our best interests at heart - i guess we will just have to hope it works out and we dont have to be put through this again in a few years

[SET]

I'm sorry but this man should be as far away from the football board as lowe/wilde

 

the clubs needs a total clean sweep.

 

Lets not forget Crouch was in charge during the period, that the club over spent and ran up the overdraft that put us in this mess.

[Frank's cousin]

OK - I am going to suggest a compromise as as fans we should be looking for things that UNITE us rather than divide us.

 

IF crouch is given some non-exec role, despite my own misgivings, I am prepared to still get fully behind the new board in FULL - and I suggest we ALL do the same - If he then has further bad gaff moments or starts to encourage overspend etc we can judge him on that if and when, but above all, lets look to things that UNITE rather than divide - us naysayers re CRouch can then say 'I told you so' when he makes a gaff ;-)

[Window Cleaner]

OK many thanks for the reply

 

While i agree a clean sweep is best, if he does end up in a non exec role i wont shed too many tears, mainly because i think a passionate fan on the board is a good thing - a shame that it may be someone with links to previous failed regimes, but there may be a positive side as imo he has already proved may times over that he has our best interests at heart - i guess we will just have to hope it works out and we dont have to be put through this again in a few years

 

 

But why is there "a board" at all in that case. Why can't Mr X just front up ,say who he is, pay up and appoint a team to run the business for him. Why had he got to hide behind all these people for god's sake.Gaydamak might not be everybody's slice of cake but at least it was clear down there.Storrie ran the club and we must presume Gaydamak told him what he wanted. End of .

[Saint Richard of Woolston]

This is a strange decision if true - and one the new owner may come soon to regret.

 

I hope it is not true but if so, I hope he thinks again.

[Window Cleaner]

This is a strange decision if true - and one the new owner may come soon to regret.

 

I hope it is not true but if so, I hope he thinks again.

 

 

Perhaps Crouch is chipping in 2 million eh. Perhaps Mr X just wanted to pay 13 million but Fry wanted 15,so to avoid any further squabbling,Crouch out o' the kindness of his heart chipped in 2,a seat on the "board being his reward.

[Frank's cousin]

But why is there "a board" at all in that case. Why can't Mr X just front up ,say who he is, pay up and appoint a team to run the business for him. Why had he got to hide behind all these people for god's sake.Gaydamak might not be everybody's slice of cake but at least it was clear down there.Storrie ran the club and we must presume Gaydamak told him what he wanted. End of .

 

Why hide to date? specultation....

 

1. He may not want to involved at all - but has been convinced of the importance of the club to the community and has agreed to fund if someone else agrees to run and leaves him out of it.

 

2. Its a controvercial figure

 

3. Its a decent man who wants to ensure he is not ripped to shreds by an over zealous fan base if it falls through through no fault of his own

 

4. Its a well recognised name who just wants top stay anonymous to prevent a media circus distracting from completing the deal.

[Master Bates]

All I care about is whether or not the new board will be wooden with a texture design.

[Window Cleaner]

Why hide to date? specultation....

 

1. He may not want to involved at all - but has been convinced of the importance of the club to the community and has agreed to fund if someone else agrees to run and leaves him out of it.

 

2. Its a controvercial figure

 

3. Its a decent man who wants to ensure he is not ripped to shreds by an over zealous fan base if it falls through through no fault of his own

 

4. Its a well recognised name who just wants top stay anonymous to prevent a media circus distracting from completing the deal.

 

Would certainly be a unique figure in football then.No other club has an owner that fits those criteria.What's the point of buying a circus if your name isn't plastered all over the big top??. If you want to hide from the public gaze there's no doubt more money to be made out of a sardine canning factory somewhere down in West Africa.

[MarkSFC]

I sincerely hope that Leon Crouch is nothing to do with the new board(s). This is not because of his inability to communicate effectively in the media, nor is it anything to do with his previous boardroom scufffles (for want of a better word/phrase). And not discounting his obvious love and passion for Saints, or his "bankrolling" of the club for a while. He certainly put money in and full credit must go to him for that, but, unless I've missed something in the press or on here etc. it was quoted that he would be servicing the May payroll for the club, but then they weren't paid until the Pinnacle bid paid their deposit.

 

So, overall, and I base my opinion on everything I have heard him say in the media, and from the few times I have spoken with him, I hope that he has nothing to do with the club other than being a supporter in the truest sense of the word, by buying his season ticket or Corporate Box.

 

The ONLY people (at boardroom level) should be the new owner and HIS people who have never served on any of our boards before. This is a chance for a new beginning in every sense of the word.

 

I do hope that MLT IS our new football club chairman. He is probably the only talisman capale of uniting an increasingly fractious fanbase and he is extremely media savvy. He will restore some of the missing pride in our club. It will be refreshing to support my club with renewed faith that we have a good mix of people who all want the same things.

 

I would also welcome someone like Nick Holmes into the club. Undisputedly a loyal person who in tandem with MLT could help to install that trait from top to bottom. Sure, players will come and go in this era, more so than in theirs perhaps, but something this club needs, possiblbly even more than immediate success is stability.

 

Lets hope that the new owner is definitely in it for the medium to long haul and creates a club we can ALL be proud to support again!!!

[70's Mike]

will be glad when we can argue about players , tactics etc rather than "Radio Solent Understand" at least i can watch the games, form an opinion and then express it.

Hopefully there is only 14 more days of rumours left

[Window Cleaner]

will be glad when we can argue about players , tactics etc rather than "Radio Solent Understand" at least i can watch the games, form an opinion and then express it.

Hopefully there is only 14 more days of rumours left

 

 

11 and counting no?

Didn't the 21 days start on Friday 29th May?Anyway it's taking too long for my liking and needs to be given a swift kick up the arse, the "legal process" that is.

I'm beginning to think it may not happen as we imagine it and a lot of cooks are beginning to surround the cauldron,stirring at will and hoping to take out a juicy chunk of venison or something.New guy needs to kick Pinnacle's collective butt

and tell them to get a move on.

[Chez]

Is it possible to take control of a privately owned club without buying it from the owner (I cant imagine crouch has the readies or surely he would have done already? )

 

Genuine question as you seem to suggest that it would be possible, and i know little about how these things work.

 

following on from your question does a private owner actually need a board at all? Could he/she not run the club themself making all decisions (perhaps with a CEO) and doing all the work as well if he/she wants to. I guess if a limited company uis created then a secetary and chairman are minimum requirements for a board.

[Frank's cousin]

will be glad when we can argue about players , tactics etc rather than "Radio Solent Understand" at least i can watch the games, form an opinion and then express it.

Hopefully there is only 14 more days of rumours left

 

To be fair Mike, this is a unique thread in that dispite the differences of opinion, from what I can see EVERYONE is respecting each others opinions and having a rather adult debate ...for a refreshing change ;-)

[Neil]

We'll need local people involved, and local fans, even if it's just for non-exec 'checks and balances' type roles.

 

From this point of view, we'll have Lynam, Matty and Leon for starters. This is a good thing. I think Leon may be well advised to keep his head below the parapet for a little while, but I'd welcome his involvement.

[70's Mike]

To be fair Mike' date=' this is a unique thread in that dispite the differences of opinion, from what I can see EVERYONE is respecting each others opinions and having a rather adult debate ...for a refreshing change ;-)[/quote']

 

19NC not about yet but agree with what you are saying Frank,

[Toomer]

To be fair Mike' date=' this is a unique thread in that dispite the differences of opinion, from what I can see EVERYONE is respecting each others opinions and having a rather adult debate ...for a refreshing change ;-)[/quote']

A little early in the day to make that comment, nudge-nudge, wink-wink.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Would prefer clean sweep, but cheaper than paying him back!!!

 

LOL! Nonetheless it may prove to be a false economy. Prefer to wait until the exact details are clear before making any further comment but would echo Frank's previous post that although Crouch did help in our hour of need he also put his foot squarely in his mouth at the same time when it clearly wasn't needed. IMO it would be reasonable to question why his donations had to be quite so visible and his motives as it seemed that money was being poured into a black hole which, he recognised but assured us at the time it wasn't the case.

 

If true, this news does appear to be a retrograde step by the new consortium and I sincerely hope its their last. If Leon Crouch represents the calibre of support that will be afforded MLT then I am seriously concerned as IMO Crouch is as culpable as Lowe for what I consider to be his poor decision making and dreadful public relations.

 

We shall wait and see but perhaps he is going to be the long awaited fan on the board? That would be workable.

 

Not exactly great news but interested to see how it pans out.

[doggface]

LC made some good decisions & some bad ones. He had a tough job with the mess left behind by wilde's involvement & he left us with some promise for the future (which was soon shattered by Judas & Lowe and led to our demise). I am not surprised at this news & suspected he would invited back.

Whilst some want a clean sweep & I do understand that, LC has some valuable experience, is a true fan of this football club & has put his money where his mouth is.

As long as his mouth goes nowhere near a microphone in future then I will welcome his involvement.

Edited 8 June, 2009 by doggface
correction

[Fan The Flames]

Very good news if true, the club should say thank you to Crouch.

[ribbo]

great news, a fan on the board.. what a nice and calm thread too.. whats this board coming to?

[Frank's cousin]

A little early in the day to make that comment, nudge-nudge, wink-wink.

 

You starting summit you **** ;-)

 

Seriously, it suggests that those who are conspicuous by their abscence do sem tohave the greater wind up effect and in some cases is probably teh reason for joining in ;-)

[Frank's cousin]

Very good news if true, the club should say thank you to Crouch.

 

NO probs with saying thank you....... and goodbye... ;-) Seiously though on the main the issues seems to be about finding a role to which he is suited and questions about whether its right to reward his donations/loans etc with a seat on the board. Should it not be purely about teh best candidates for eachrole rather than a decsions based on sentiment?

[SaintRichmond]

This is a strange decision if true - and one the new owner may come soon to regret.

 

I hope it is not true but if so, I hope he thinks again.

 

 

IMHO, IF it is true, then it does show that after all the upheaval of Admion and Relegation etc, in reality, precious little will change at Boardroom level .....

 

 

.... THAT WOULD NOT BODE WELL ....... we need a Clean Sweep, and a completely fresh start with NEW Personnel at the helm.

[Nineteen Canteen]

If Crouch is going to be on the board I am soon going to lose any enthousiasm I've recently had. A clean sweep is what's required and otherwise we're only going to go through the same scenario all over again. I'm grateful to what he's done but like the likes of Lawrie Mac, Lowe, Wilde and all the others should be kept well away.

 

Agreed. Crouch could become a catalyst for the return of some old faces and I for once appear to be in complete agreement with some of my biggest detractors and that is a good feeling tbh and to be sincere about it. 100% clean sweep is THE ONLY GUARANTEE to a united fan base and should Crouch replicate some previous PR faux pas all the old divisions will resurface.

 

We await confirmation but I fail to see what good can come of this apart from financial benefit to the new structure in perhaps reducing their start up costs. Could prove a false economy if fans feel short changed that out of the horror of the past 3 months they don't deliver a brave new world for all of us to welcome unconditionally. As evidenced by this thread Crouch will not achieve unconditional or universal support for the club even with MLT at the helm.