It's all your fault

[PurpleCanary 6,390]

That Smith and Jones are still in place. The loudest sound here over the last week or so has been that of posters demanding a change of ownership but refusing to do anything about it. It is all the fault of all you such posters.

There was one of several similar threads recently in which just on the first page the number of posters who wanted S&J out but expressed not the slightest intention of doing anything to achieve that was in double figures. The commonest reason for such lassitude, and said with no hint of the self-accusation it clearly was? That Norwich City fans are apathetic…

Back to the beginning, with the various excuses and why they are total b*ll*cks. Does S&J’s 52 per cent share holding mean they cannot be ousted? This being a common ‘excuse’ for doing sod all. No. It is harder to mount a hostile takeover of an unlisted company like NCFC plc than one that is listed, but not by no means impossible.

And particularly not impossible in this case, because S&J have more than once outlined the kind of offer they would have no choice but to accept. One that was financially sound, of course, but which just as importantly preserved the heritage - the soul, even - of the club and its deep links to the community.

In doing so they have actually set a trap for themselves, because that is in effect the Nephew Plan but ideally with added millions. Provided there were rock-solid guarantees for all the would-be owner’s promises then public opinion would be such that S&J could not resist it.

Does S&J’s apparent – perhaps more apparent than actual – unwillingness to attract new investment, or at least majority investment, mean would-be buyers are put off? For starters it is a fact that twice they have hired advisers to look for investment, and the second time they did that it was hard-nosed Bowkett no less who said none had satisfied him – emphasis on him – that they were financially viable.

Secondly, it would be difficult to take seriously a potential buyer so lily-livered they were put off right at the outset by such a surmountable obstacle. Pretty much by definition such lack of entrepreneurial gumption would rightly rule them out. No true supporter would want the club owned by such a wuss.

Can S&J be put under pressure? Yes. As nutty pointed out on another thread the open letter from Bowkett and Bertram calling for fresh executive blood certainly did that. How decisive it was in the overhaul that came very soon afterwards, with Bowkett and McNally replacing Munby and Doncaster, is a question. The relegation to League One that prompted the letter may already have convinced S&J some blood-letting was necessary.

OK, but we angry fans lack the connections and the expertise to drum up support. Really? There are plainly posters here who either run businesses or know those who do, and/or know what loosely could be called the great and the good of Norfolk society. Plenty of supposed inside knowledge. For a recent example, apparently debunking the notion widely-held across the world of football that the club is well run.

As to expertise, you cannot move on this forum for posts going into intricate detail not only of Norwich City’s self-sufficiency model but the finances of any number of other clubs, to compare and more particularly contrast.

As for getting organised, cyberspace has made it easier than ever before in the history of humanity to create and successfully run protest movements. I gather there is an extant Delia Out Twitter or Facebook group with more than 100 members or followers.

It may not have achieved much, if anything, so far, perhaps because of a lack of focus and energy, but its very existence indicates just how effective something similar, well-organised and with a focus on a clear aim, could be. If only the anger could trump the self-confessed apathy.

Edited January 9, 2022 by PurpleCanary

[shefcanary 2,956]

Excellent post Purps, and completely summarises my current view, as you are aware.  Several times I have raised a challenge to those clamouring for change but strangely, as you have said, no-one seems to be interested.  It is difficult for us exiles to have the connections needed to effect a change.  Surely there are some on here who do?

[Branston Pickle 4,152]

You’d have certainly thought these things were easier to try to get off the ground than in years gone by - my main thought is that perhaps people aren’t as fussed as some would like us to believe.

[wcorkcanary 4,786]

They need to target support from regulars at CR, have they thought of a plane, towing a banner to raise awareness, flown over on matchdays.

Edited January 8, 2022 by wcorkcanary

[Danke bitte 1,155]

11 minutes ago, Branston Pickle said:

You’d have certainly thought these things were easier to try to get off the ground than in years gone by - my main thought is that perhaps people aren’t as fussed as some would like us to believe.

Much easier to sit on your laptop or phone and post into the echo chamber of the internet than to stand outside Carrow Road on match day handing out flyers that provides a high level detail their manifesto to look for new investment, generating interest / support to then pull together a working group which moves onto larger demonstrations. It all snowballs, but people don’t like criticism and fear backlash, so they’ll carry on posting from the safety of their screen. 

[Inch High aka Inchy.. 417]

Over to Dean Coney's boots for the answer. His passion is whinging about Delia and Michael.

[Canary Jedi 611]

Perhaps a reflection of real life. We have morally corrupt politicians running the government, we know they lie yet other than a few twitter rants most people do nothing. 

By the way I’m not against Smith and Jones, however Purple’s post does make me wonder how much effort have they really gone to in order to find a potential investor?

I’d love the self funded thing to work but with the wealth of ownership in the lower leagues let alone the premier league it’s hard to see it succeeding.  

[PurpleCanary 6,390]

9 hours ago, Canary Jedi said:

Perhaps a reflection of real life. We have morally corrupt politicians running the government, we know they lie yet other than a few twitter rants most people do nothing. 

By the way I’m not against Smith and Jones, however Purple’s post does make me wonder how much effort have they really gone to in order to find a potential investor?

I’d love the self funded thing to work but with the wealth of ownership in the lower leagues let alone the premier league it’s hard to see it succeeding.  

The last public effort was overseen by Bowkett, who was the director with serious ties to the City, and he was highly dismissive of all the supposed proposals he examined, saying he liked to see the colour of someone's money and they all failed that test. But that was about 10 years ago. If there have been more recent attempts they haven't been publicised in the way that one was.

[Herman 11,136]

11 hours ago, Inch High aka Inchy.. said:

Over to Dean Coney's boots for the answer. His passion is whinging.

Slight tweak for you.😀

[TeemuVanBasten 3,328]

You seen how many daily covid cases there are Purple, and you are suggesting we gather in numbers for a protest? Sounds like a potential super spreader event to me. 

Besides, it took death threats and a brick through a restaurant to get the last one out and most have too much to lose by gaining a criminal record. 

[Indy 3,477]

2 minutes ago, TeemuVanBasten said:

You seen how many daily covid cases there are Purple, and you are suggesting we gather in numbers for a protest? Sounds like a potential super spreader event to me. 

Besides, it took death threats and a brick through a restaurant to get the last one out and most have too much to lose by gaining a criminal record. 

Those days have long gone! No social media at that time, now it’s all done online! Christ even meetings are now on teams! 
 

Purple might be correct, but reality is there’s no way of displacing any owners with majority shareholding of this type of company unless they want to sell.

The reality is we’re going through a bad phase again, but the structure is strange, there’s no one on the board to really challenge the owners, they’ve put in charge a couple who basically to run all aspects of the club again without much resistance in the upper structure. At 80 years plus do the majority share holders really have the energy to steer the club, probably not, so why not hand it over to Tom like the plan and take a back seat to enjoy the twilight years?

I don’t give a hoot to be honest all I want to see is this club taken to as high as it possibly can, I couldn’t really care if that was under Mike Ashley who did a fantastic job at Newcastle given the expectations or the current owners. If yo-yo is the best we can achieve so be it! But whatever we talk about on here, this season has been a disaster thus far whatever way you view the current ownership. So it’s right to discuss and talk about views, some are very OTT but that’s from both sides, the rest just want to see the highest level football we can achieve and the best players we can hope for, maybe a cup run to a final? Too much?

[Indy 3,477]

19 minutes ago, PurpleCanary said:

The last public effort was overseen by Bowkett, who was the director with serious ties to the City, and he was highly dismissive of all the supposed proposals he examined, saying he liked to see the colour of someone's money and they all failed that test. But that was about 10 years ago. If there have been more recent attempts they haven't been publicised in the way that one was.

Sorry purple although it was overseen the disrespectful way the owners talked about they joke in the boardroom about camels coming down Carrow road and their very negative comments in the media regarding foreigners in ownership I can see why there was never any serious investment looked at! Not a great advert for the club when we’re all campaigning to kick out racism!

[TeemuVanBasten 3,328]

1 minute ago, Indy said:

Sorry purple although it was overseen the disrespectful way the owners talked about they joke in the boardroom about camels coming down Carrow road and their very negative comments in the media regarding foreigners in ownership I can see why there was never any serious investment looked at! Not a great advert for the club when we’re all campaigning to kick out racism!

Yep, I was going to say, the only seriously wealthy people I know are "foreigners" and I wouldn't want them subjected to simple minded stereotypes based on their ethnic heritage. The 

[komakino 282]

55 minutes ago, PurpleCanary said:

The last public effort was overseen by Bowkett, who was the director with serious ties to the City, and he was highly dismissive of all the supposed proposals he examined, saying he liked to see the colour of someone's money and they all failed that test. But that was about 10 years ago. If there have been more recent attempts they haven't been publicised in the way that one was.

The infamous Times article in 2016 quoted Delia as 'We no longer listen to offers', so the club have not be interested in investment for quite some time. Even if you don't want to sell, you never rule out opening your ears, but such is the ignorance of the Stowmarket Two. 

Delia & Michael do not like the EPL, which is bizarre for a club they have a controlling stake in that occupies one of those places. Therefore my hunch is that they view relegation as somewhat of a relief. 

[hogesar 10,773]

Because people like to whinge on the Internet but they don't have the balls or gumption to do anything about it. Thats the reality. I dont even think they REALLY want Delia out at this stage 

[Indy 3,477]

5 minutes ago, hogesar said:

Because people like to whinge on the Internet but they don't have the balls or gumption to do anything about it. Thats the reality. I dont even think they REALLY want Delia out at this stage 

I don’t think people care that deeply anymore! Like football, the supporters have changed too!

Edited January 9, 2022 by Indy

[Indy 3,477]

7 minutes ago, hogesar said:

Because people like to whinge on the Internet but they don't have the balls or gumption to do anything about it. Thats the reality. I dont even think they REALLY want Delia out at this stage 

Can you imagine if we had the same social media back in 1994/95 ? I don’t think it would have been much different, there would have been those on both sides and the same level of whinging!😂💛💚

Edited January 9, 2022 by Indy

[Nora's Ghost 157]

14 hours ago, shefcanary said:

Excellent post Purps, and completely summarises my current view, as you are aware.  Several times I have raised a challenge to those clamouring for change but strangely, as you have said, no-one seems to be interested.  It is difficult for us exiles to have the connections needed to effect a change.  Surely there are some on here who do?

Not a case of being 'disinterested'. Sadly Smith has become bigger than the club locally and any dissent would be shut down by those who still somehow believe that NCFC owes it very existence to her.

 

Why waste energy fighting a lost cause?

Edited January 9, 2022 by Nora's Ghost

[Mello Yello 2,573]

Well the rest of the NCFC board aren't going to agree to seek a new owner or majority shareholder.....Too much to lose, that continuing gravy train and them social get together's an' perks and whatever league we're in.....All without affecting their personal finances....It'd be like them Turkeys voting for Christmas.....

Anyway, it's always down to the fan's as it's our fault....whatever predicament the club finds itself in....

[hogesar 10,773]

45 minutes ago, Indy said:

Can you imagine if we had the same social media back in 1994/95 ? I don’t think it would have been much different, there would have been those on both sides and the same level of whinging!😂💛💚

Maybe, whilst social media would make it easier to organise something - the reality is whining and having some people agree with you online is satisfying enough so no one feels the need to try and do something about it?

[hogesar 10,773]

2 hours ago, TeemuVanBasten said:

You seen how many daily covid cases there are Purple, and you are suggesting we gather in numbers for a protest? Sounds like a potential super spreader event to me. 

There's 26,000 of us going to a football stadium anyway, so assuming any protests was outdoors I'm not entirely sure how relevant it is when we would be talking a couple hundred turning up on a good day to protest.

Also, it doesn't really explain the past 10 years of the same people complaining about ownership but never doing anything about it...

[Mello Yello 2,573]

Whingers whining about the whingers.....

[yellowrider120 920]

58 minutes ago, Nora's Ghost said:

Not a case of being 'disinterested'. Sadly Smith has become bigger than the club locally and any dissent would be shut down by those who still somehow believe that NCFC owes it very existence to her.

 

Why waste energy fighting a lost cause?

Totally correct. It's an absolute embarrassment 'for sure' and severely limits the capabilities of any genuine Smith Out movement. I honestly believe that if we woke up one day to find the club closed down and the land that FCR and Colney stands on had been sold for housing development, there would still be thousands of numpty Yellows simply shrugging their depressed shoulders and muttering that .........'it must be in our best interests'!!     

[shefcanary 2,956]

I'm struggling with the latest posts on here which strikes me as being very negative and a cop out really.  

We're not talking about mobilising 26,000 here, just a handful of people with influence and a good public reputation. 

Come on guys, I'd be happy to get involved but would need some local contacts.

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

3 hours ago, Indy said:

Sorry purple although it was overseen the disrespectful way the owners talked about they joke in the boardroom about camels coming down Carrow road and their very negative comments in the media regarding foreigners in ownership I can see why there was never any serious investment looked at! Not a great advert for the club when we’re all campaigning to kick out racism!

About one per cent on here have ever been offended or spoke about those racist comments from dear Micky. 

Edited January 9, 2022 by Midlands Yellow

[Badger 2,745]

13 hours ago, Canary Jedi said:

how much effort have they really gone to in order to find a potential investor?

It can't be that hard to find someone to just give us tens of millions of pounds, surely?

[komakino 282]

21 minutes ago, yellowrider120 said:

Totally correct. It's an absolute embarrassment 'for sure' and severely limits the capabilities of any genuine Smith Out movement. I honestly believe that if we woke up one day to find the club closed down and the land that FCR and Colney stands on had been sold for housing development, there would still be thousands of numpty Yellows simply shrugging their depressed shoulders and muttering that .........'it must be in our best interests'!!     

Certainly there has been a small proportion of the fans that have been conditioned, almost institutionalised, by Delia's views and beliefs. I cannot remember meeting any fans in '95 who wanted us to get relegated. When that happened they all wanted to get back up asap and Chase was correctly fought against to achieve that aim. However that view is not held by all Norwich fans now and it is desperately sad to meet fans who either didn't want us to go up and/or wanted us to down (again). I hold Smith & Jones to blame by their distain of the EPL and general criticism of modern football. If they don't like it, then why are they still involved in it? 

I am still staggered by those who believe that they are acting in the clubs best interests, by falling to invest or attract investment. 

I don't believe there will ever be enough protests from fans to put pressure on the The Stowmarket Two to sell their shares as they are simply happy enough with how the club is at any given time. 

How times change. 

 

 

[The Great Mass Debater 1,202]

It's all my fault? Are you my wife?

[Canary Jedi 611]

36 minutes ago, Badger said:

It can't be that hard to find someone to just give us tens of millions of pounds, surely?

Tens isn’t enough, we need a few hundred to compete!

[Big Vince 427]

2 hours ago, hogesar said:

Because people like to whinge on the Internet but they don't have the balls or gumption to do anything about it. Thats the reality. I dont even think they REALLY want Delia out at this stage 

I would really like Delia to be out. She's never had the right attributes for the role that she's in. Her attributes are culinary and she should have stuck to what she knows. In football she knows nothing and has never learnt a thing either. The fact she now needs a Webber in each ear after 25 years just proves it.