gazzathegreat

Re Terry Postle, indeed he was a nice guy and I think once he didn''t load all the kit onto the coach for an away trip. It was before Roeder''s time. But enough probably for Roeder to swing the axe. My personal favourite was the "letting go" of Neil Adams, then the re appointment. Hilarious. We are turning into a soap opera more and more every day.

It may well be what CA wants to hear Nutty, and I don''t pretend to have any answers, they are my opinions. What we really need is help - at least to encourage (or force, you choose the strength of feeling) the board to change its ways. We have to start by exploding some of the many myths which have grown up over time at NCFC. No one wants to invest. Okay, so listen to the Radio Heart interview on another post today regarding a possible investment. It may never have got beyond preliminary talks, but does expose the fact that there was an approach, something the club has denied! How does the club know who or what may be suitable if it continues with its narrow and practically impossible criteria for anyone to fit? Personally to start with I would be happy to have Delia and Michael stay on, at least in some capacity, but only if they are willing to implement real change and get in some additional help/investment to facilitate that change. Keeping Gunn on in the manager''s role is just keeping on with the same old, same old. It would be a backward step and send out the wrong message entirely that they have learnt precisely NOTHING from the last 12 years or so. The previous managers. Mike Walker, sacked in a disgraceful way and made me, yes mild mannered old me walk away from the club for over a year. To date they have done nothing as bad to make me repeat that. I hope they don''t. Why did they sack him Nutty, it wasn''t soley based on results was it. It was because he disagreed with Delia trying to implement new regimes at Colney (fitness science coaches)..... I choose to believe Mr Walker over Delia I am afraid in this instance. We can indeed all pick holes and add our own ammunition to each others posts. You say Worthy wasn''t backed, I agree, what do you think about Rioch? Similar story I think. Again Hamilton''s tenure was marked by disastrous transfers, tactics etc, yet it took too long to get rid of him. It all adds up to gross incompetence from above on a large scale. So yes, ultimately I would like Delia to go, but at the moment we probably have to concede she has to stay, but change her thinking, release control over the boardroom and appoint people who are fit for purpose.

Trouble is how long can the club go on appointing someone out of sheer hope and not looking at the situation with not only expertise, but long term stability for the club. If they really don''t possess the attributes and skills for appointing a manager who can take us forward then they need to bring in someone who can identify the most important aspects of recruiting one. First of all I suggest they take a look at the CVs and find if the applicants have ever managed a club before and have any relevant experience. Gone are the days when we had time to let anyone experiment at NCFC. We need someone to dig us out of a hole, not fall further into it.

No it''s not Buckethead, I have been on here for years and had no luck whatsoever!

Timmy, you''re not one of the five full time press officers are you? As for grammar, I have deliberately kept the job titles in lower case as befits their ability.

Same here Jim, I was just wondering if anyone can back up their claim as to seeking investment and the reasons why they have turned away whatever has been either told them first or second hand. IF anyone can find reliable proof that someone did try to invest, especially before the infamous Cullum episode surely that would be just cause to for the rest of the shareholders to hold them to task and call an EGM and place a vote of no confidence in them. I am still not satisfied with either side re the Cullum affair. We should know what happened, time for the club, and Cullum to come clean.

It may seem a bit late now, but one question they have never answered, although it has been asked is: Why didn''t you seek investment during the 2003-4 season while we were doing well, or during the summer of 2004. Ideal time to invite investment to progress. Too little too late. A board of five clueless people lurching from crisis to mistake to complete downfall. Let''s hope some positive moves are made today at the proposed board meeting, not that I am expecting much, just hoping they have seen the errors of their ways.

Yes, no doubt some of us will cancel our Season tickets Cherub, but as I have said before, it will be a long time coming before Delia and Co force me out of Carrow Road. Why should I give up supporting my club because of them? I intend to stay and support the team (as bad as it may get) and continue to press for change from that position. I admire your resolve, but we are all different. IF those of us who agree the board should go cancelled our season tickets would it drive Delia away? In all honesty do you think that would happen? Sadly there are still an awful lot of fans who go because of her and her celebrity status (believe me, I have had conversations with some of them). For the rest of us, it''s time to find solutions and create a united front to counter the board and their policies and ultimately bad decisions. You may not think much of them, but hopefully we can together mount a campaign to press for changes that will enable you, and others to want to come back.

Tom I take it you have recently graduated from the Neil Doncaster College of Spin. The board have backed managers with as much money as possible, and then some. So why, after actually making profits, just a few years ago, after having two years'' parachute payments, having sell out crowds and associated sponsorship, corporate funding etc, have we gone from players such as Ashton to loan players upfront? Why have we not got a team of permanently contracted players, a decent squad? Answer, the money invested in the team (not as much as possible) has gone on agent fees, loan player fees (in some instances paying for players who didn''t even get on the pitch) and contracting very average players (Cureton) on a long contract. Most of the club''s income goes on servicing the debts (which the board have built up to incredible levels), investing on crazy property investment schemes, a huge non-playing staff budget, including FIVE full time press officers, and then there''s Mr Doncaster on £180,00 a year, plus £12,000 pension contributions. We have had considerable money in, but not enough spent on the team, and the managers..... Paying off all those managers eh? Just bad luck, or bad judgement. We can decide, but the facts speak for themselves. We are now in the third division of football. Some achievement for a board who has built their entire policy on the slogan of prudence with ambition and of course the current one, following the Charlton model. Paying too much on players'' wages - just because we pay a player a ridiculous sum of money doesn''t mean to say he''s going to be any good. It just points to bad judgement - and who is responsible for that, well the manager and the Chief Executive for negotiating the deals in the first place. Managers spending their budget wisely - okay, but is the manager wise in the first place? And if he is what constraints is he working under. Our last half decent manager Nigel Worthington fought for a decent budget with the board, and even he told the press that no one did business in the summer, while all around us were recruiting we were merely issuing sound bites to the local press (or excuses if you are being harsh). Potential - this is huge, but sadly unrealised. We have a huge catchment area and few clubs within 100 miles. We are not situated in London or the Midlands where there are many clubs, we are in rural Norfolk. Added to that the city is growing, and it''s a largely young population moving in. We have the ground already, where other clubs have had to rebuild to their cost (Southampton). We have a very loyal season ticket base, far greater than most clubs outside the Premiership, and bigger than some in it. The one thing holding us back is the policy of the board. Small time thinking, again and again missing opportunities and not doing enough to attract investment and therefore building the club, not only in stature, but size too. For too long Delia and co have stuck to their mantra of community club instead of winning club. This has deterred potential investment, and the investment she has attracted (Turners, Cullum) she has managed to alienate with policy decisions and farcical share prices. Drive Delia out? No, but change her thinking yes. Her and her board are totally responsible for where we are today, they appointed the managers who have taken us to this point. They have sought investment (where is it?), they have appointed the staff at the top who are wholly incompetent and not up to the job, they have built up massive debt while building up their own share portfolio, they have taken a once proud and successful club and turned it into a shambles, a sorry shadow of what it once was. Guilty, guilty and guilty again as charged. All of them out and the sooner the better. And yes, there will be people willing to take over the reins, but you don''t find if you don''t look.

I don''t necessarily think they should select anyone, but in the circumstances as they are at the moment we have no choice. I know it will be a big ask, but something has to change, and first it has to be their thinking. I am hoping that there will be new people appointed to the board - for me that''s absolutely essential. They should, if they truly have the club''s best interests at heart, look at themselves and realise it''s a lot more than two mistakes they have made, either collectively, or more likely as a result of Delia''s whims and that majority shareholding hanging round all our necks like a noose. There are several things we, fans and shareholders can do: Immediately call an EGM - and press a vote of no confidence in the board, the upshot of this being someone with relevance and more importantly, someone to act independently, can be appointed to sort out the mess. Crucially this has to start at the top. The board have for too long relied on the fact that those that have control can''t be moved aside. We, as responsible shareholders and fans have to press them, come up with solutions and make them change their ways. Not saying it will be easy, but a hell of a lot easier if we do it, then leave them to carry on taking the team to even greater depths - and with their track record who wouldn''t bet against further relegation fights. Fans to get together and put on a sustained campaign to change the thinking at the top of the club, call for those culpable to resign and for the rest to (as before) appoint some real skill at board level. Also to get interested parties to invest, there have already been some sound ideas echoed on this very forum. Advertising for investment in the national press, and Blah''s excellent idea re the letter to Rick Parry. What must happen is a sustained campaign against further small mind (closed) thinking, and that includes keeping Bryan Gunn as manager. There are already plans in action to call another public meeting where all fans who can get there can have their say, show the club we, as fans, have solutions and are not prepared to be fobbed off with any more spin, flabby excuses or non action. It won''t happen overnight Nutty, but we all have to start somewhere. It''s not good just going home and hoping for the best, that the current board will turn things around, because they won''t. IF they are allowed to carry on unopposed, we will be as guilty as them for allowing our great club to die. We are strong in number and strong in our love for the club.

Maybe this thread isn''t the appropriate place for this Nutty, but anyway. Sure we need a football manager. We can agree on that , but who''s going to appoint one? How many is it now that Delia and her crew have appointed? Many successes there? Shall we just say not many. Those who did have some success (Worthington) were undermined, underfunded and then when it went off the rails they left him there too long, due in part to the ridiculous contract clauses they constructed in the first place. So, don''t have much faith in them getting it right there. Doncaster to go, be a start, but that''s really only part of the problem. In essence they are out of their depth, have been failing for years and won''t seek new advice/investment. They say there''s none out there, yet other clubs have found investment, including most of those who finished above us. A football man on the board for me is a number one priority. Why would a footballing man on the board interfere with the manager''s decisions anymore than the present board members? Second is someone from a financial background, who will appoint a team to report to him/her. We don''t need another Doncaster thank you very much. Most of all we need someone with real ideas/business background to set us on a proper strategy. Above all the new board members (and any that stay) MUST BE FULLY ACCOUNTABLE to the shareholders first, and secondly to supporters. No one person (or couple) must hold the majority interest, therefore preventing democratic decision making. As at present. It''s not easy, Nutty, but it''s easier than carrying on with this hapless bunch who have all but destroyed our club. IF we, as fans let them carry on regardless we will be as guilty as them, and also I fear not have a club to support in a few years'' time.

Well I am willing to put my season ticket rebate into this scheme if anyone can make it happen. Over the last week the only bit of positivity for me has been the multitudes of goodwill messages from fans of other clubs. I tend to think also that the press/media in general hold us in high regard, though some of these seem to view us as Delia''s NCFC.

Fantastic post Shuck, the bit about the traffic lights was pure comedy genius, you have made me laugh and for that I will consider you in the poster of the year finals! Thank you very much.....

Just a guess at the answers Jas Re Cullum. They feared more points raised by either that questioner or Andy Larkin, and they were not up to defending their stance on either. Money for Gunn. There''s always money, it''s just earmarked for other purposes, like servicing the mounting debt (mountain). As Doncaster said, money for infrastructure and the money for players is separate, guess which the bigger pile goes. In all honesty I think you will find a lot of it has gone on agent fees and the oh so successful loan policy that Mr Doncaster intends repeating next season. Caught them out? Correct, well up to a point, and long may it continue. Time for the press to start, well pressing! Can''t agree on your final point re Gunn. We need a manager with a record of getting a club from the lower leagues promoted, who knows what players would work at our new level and who won''t take any rubbish from them. I don''t expect miracles (indeed if they are all still there to make those sort of decisions) but I do hope we are not fobbed off with anymore of this bleeding green and yellow stuff. Look where that got us. By the way, I don''t know if you have read the report in the EDP re the fans'' forum. Good stuff!

I have to admit I took the week off, lucky that really, but luckily there are no scummers where I work, those interested in football are all city fans, and to be honest that would have been worse, trying not to cry while concerned colleagues feel sorry for me. I do feeling angry far better than feeling sorry for myself. A week off to reflect on what''s happened is strangely therapeutic.

Blimey Nutty, Hamilton was rubbish, in fact he''s gone better than any other city manager in my long time following NCFC, he actually made me fall asleep while watching his terminally dull and rubbish side try to play football. Can''t remember the game, thank goodness. But no one before or since has managed to be as bad. I think the only good thing we can say about him is he''s long gone.

I have not infested my computer with Mr Waghorn and his friends, and I doubt now is the time to start, I am more than angry and don''t think my blood pressure would take anymore of the sycophantic drivel I feel all you poor lot have tasted. Enough of this crap - I await Man in the Stands to reply.

Thank you for ruining our club. For taking it over and simply stripping all we once loved. For replacing hope with despair and passion with apathy. And for what? The whim of a fading celebrity and her entourage? Delia didn’t save the club, the fans did. One of our greatest fans, the much missed Mr Watling saved us in our darkest hour, and all Delia and co have done since taking over those shares is build an empire - we have the finest dining in Norwich, but what about the team? You are all a joke, but no one is laughing. Your so called “togetherness” is nothing more than fancy words and quite simply a myth. None of you have ever faced the reality of where the club was going, yet continued to plough the same old furrows, use the same tired old excuses while the club, the team we once had pride in has collapsed around us. You are clueless, without any long term planning and five people who will not appoint fit for purpose people to the board to change this club for the better. What did we have when you came in Delia? A debt, and a bunch of fans, divided over the demise of the previous inhabitant, and what do we have now? A much larger debt and fans still divided, only difference being we no longer have a team. It make me weep to think of the great players we once had. Now, we have a team full of misfits, don’t cares and not good enoughs. Own goals as top scorer says it all. You are all a complete disgrace and should be ashamed. At least admit you got it wrong, but no. Instead you continue to counter fans’ questions with the usual spin, bluff and retorts. Half the fans resent every one of you, the other half are brainwashed into supporting Delia FC. Frankly you five have done a marvellous job of ruining the great club who once stood for something in the world of football.

I am on the committee and hold my hands up as not being a professional press release writer or hold any particular qualifications which might help us in our cause except tons of passion and a very strong ethic regarding fighting the cause for fans who feel shut out in the cold from those who determine policy at NCFC. I have said on another thread that I joined the committee to see if I could help bring change to what''s going on at the club. Maybe I can help in that effort, maybe not. If anyone does want to help then they are welcome to join NCISA and contribute ideas. Astrodyne, there will be a public meeting and the Chairman, John Tilson is working towards planning that very event where you will be able to join and have your say about what''s happening at NCFC. I do hope that as concerned fans we can work together to the common cause and just accept we all have much to give and that we can all, despite differences in opinions, agree to find solutions and ways to work to halt the slide of our once great club.

Ha ha Canary02, yes they may well delay announcing it, but deep down I think their decision is made. IF they think an instant return to the Championship is feasible they will do nothing and carry on as before. We have to convince them that under the current regime and staff, we are staying where we are, for a long time to come.

Beau, that would be great, do you mean we could actually get a proper journalist into CR to ask some real questions? I pray for the day.....

Two for me and it was hard finding them. One the achievement of the youth team finishing second in their league, plus their great run in the cup. First team, has to be watching Wes Hoolahan, who in the right team at the right time would go on to be a great for us. Shame it isn''t going to happen, but thanks Wes, it was nice seeing some cultured football amongst the dross and no shows this season.

I don''t think they will draw any comfort from it Spartan to be honest. The board have presided over our club for many years, most of those completely unopposed by any group, or fans with strength of number. They were still coming out with the same old stuff yesterday and in public anyway, put up a front suggesting they are invincible and this then leads to people thinking they can''t be removed, or at least be made to see their decisions are "not in the best interests" of our club. No one, least of all NCISA are suggesting the whole shambles is going to be solved in a couple of days, but there are the signs of a few first steps being made.

Spot on Bigfeller, absolutely spot on. What a shame it will take a year after the Turners'' departure to get anything done re the way money is filtered through the club. Football and infrastructure monies kept separate Neil, do me a favour!

Yellow Rider, I suspect they have added that bit in as, for now, there is no alternative to the majority shareholders. Perhaps with new bods in boardroom there might be more pressure on Delia and Michael to revise their thinking over many issues, not least a complete rethink about the price they might wish for their shares. It''s a start on a very long road to the club''s recovery. Fans, shareholders and anyone with any feeling for NCFC must be encouraged with this statement from a group with influence and power. No, it''s not perfect, but it''s a start.