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Elton John: 'Watford FC in danger of plummeting freefall' (From Watford Observer)
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Elton John: 'Watford FC in danger of plummeting freefall'
1:06pm Wednesday 1st October 2008
Watford FC’s most famous fan Sir Elton John has launched a stinging attack on the club’s board, warning the Hornets are “in danger of plummeting freefall” and that the directors “should go” if they do not share an optimism about the club’s future.
In a statement, the rock star said: “As a lifelong fan and former chairman of Watford FC I feel I must now express my deep dismay about what is happening at the club. First I should make it clear that the manager and the players have my full support. However, it is clear that the playing staff has been left threadbare after the sale of leading players over the last year or so, and even now I understand that there are still plans for further player sales in January.
“The chairman and leading shareholders have made it clear that they wish to sell the club, and this comes despite a profit of nearly £8m having been made last year (2007). We know from other clubs that when stability and confidence go then there is a danger of plummeting freefall. I fear we could be facing that catastrophe.
“Voices other than my own have already asked the question of what has happened to the money from the sale of some of our best players and the parachute payments. Whatever investment the directors still have in the club is likely to be devalued if stability is not brought back. More than anything else, confidence must be brought back to the playing staff and a real sense that there is a future at the club. If the directors do not have that optimism then they should go.”
The Watford Observer has contacted the Hornets for a response to Elton John’s statement. One is expected but probably not until tomorrow.
However in July Watford chairman Graham Simpson spoke of the need to attract new investment following the controversial sale of striker Darius Henderson to Sheffield United.
He said: “A club of our size cannot sustain a massive wage bill without Premier League funding or additional investment.
“It’s well documented that our parachute payments run out at the end of this season and we simply have to reduce our wage bill ahead of that. If we didn’t we wouldn’t be doing our jobs.
“Overall our football wages for the three seasons across the life of the Premiership payments will come close to £45m, despite the fact we still had the lowest wage bill in the Premier League by over £6m and we haven’t even spoken about transfer fees and the continued investment in the infrastructure at this point.
“Compare this to the miracle Aidy achieved three years ago by getting us into the Premiership on a shoestring budget of £3.5m and you get some perspective.
“We will continue to make decisions that we feel reflect the current board’s intentions to run this club on a sensible and financially solid basis.”
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Your Say YourWatford
Berks Horn, London says...
1:22pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Vicar Rage, Watford says...
1:25pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Come on happy clappers - tell Elton that he's wrong to be saying this.
And tell the rest of us why this shouldn't be the signal for the sort of change that is clearly needed at Vicarage Road.
derry pigweed, northampton says...
1:46pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Vicar Rage, Watford says...
2:33pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Take away Elton's seat in the director's box?
Remove him as an honorary life president?
Or what about sueing him? If the WO had made similar statements, the suits at the club would be beating a hasty path to their expensive legal advisors.
I can't wait to see how they spin their way out of this one.
Berks Horn, London says...
2:38pm Wed 1 Oct 08
HertsPeter, Watford says...
3:06pm Wed 1 Oct 08
NG_Watford, Watford says...
3:25pm Wed 1 Oct 08
djwatford, Hatch End says...
3:32pm Wed 1 Oct 08
A short term loan and the deferral of sales until January haven't completely clouded the facts.
Simpson and Ashton have presided over this fiasco and will end up quids in.
They are WORSE than the Vialli board.
The sooner they go the better.
VoR, Watford says...
3:37pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Vicar Rage wrote:It's just a cunning plan.....That's all! !
At last - an intelligent and informed voice asking sensible questions; the very sort of comments and questions many of us on here have been vilified for daring to ask for so long.
Come on happy clappers - tell Elton that he's wrong to be saying this.
And tell the rest of us why this shouldn't be the signal for the sort of change that is clearly needed at Vicarage Road.
real ale, Braintree says...
4:45pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
5:44pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Elton,who I believe, is pretty well informed states that there will be more player sales in January...something I and others feared was likely...presumably to clear loans/debts and avoid possible ADMINISTRATION.
But from these threads some people, who claim they know, made statements that monies would be available to be spent on players in January if Aidy proved himself. Do I get the impression that those people were either deliberately falsifying facts or being extremely economic with the truth.
In fairness to the board they did not say that, but if Elton is right the so called fans on the board have seen this club under their stewardship run into the ground and should resign en masse whether they are able to sell their shares or not, and take themselves and their prudent management elsewhere.
As Elton rightly states the players and manager this year are entitled to our full support, others including their acolytes should push off.
pete, Hoonose says...
5:44pm Wed 1 Oct 08
"First I should make it clear that the manager and the players have my full support. However, it is clear that the playing staff has been left threadbare after the sale of leading players over the last year or so, and even now I understand that there are still plans for further player sales in January. "
The wage bill is too high for a club that is no longer getting the gate receipts and TV money enjoyed by premiership outfits. I wonder how many of the players who have or will move on would have stayed and taken a pay cut in keeping with lower league status? Businesses all over the country are folding or laying people off but in the fairyland of football such practical measures always provoke storms of outrage.
Get real!
Feff, Rickmansworth says...
6:41pm Wed 1 Oct 08
VoR, Watford says...
7:02pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Ok, own up, you the hell knows Elton and have told him all is not well?
Well..unless this is a prelude for an investment, it's wide of the mark, yes we need re-investment and yes we'll have to sell in Jan with all high earners, we are starting all again, from scratch..It worked before and it'll work again.
Now regarding sir Elton, wasn't he the one that made sure V***** became manager then cut and run when thing's didn't work out, I was infact fairly unhappy with him over that, don't forget it was him that sold out to GS believing it was for the best, double standards there and wouldn't surprise me if there is a hidden agenda, stoking the fires as it were.
It's just come to me.....It's Colin, he's trying to get into his underpants!!!
Eagerly awaiting a response from the Club regarding this, as I said I remain highly sceptical, but we need a response and quick this time!
mkhorn, milton keynes says...
7:22pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Grigg, Lincoln says...
8:08pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Vicar Rage, Watford says...
8:46pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Elton is doing the very same - and he is in a privileged position as I think there is little doubt he knows more than us.
Yes, he was involved in the appointment of Vialli. Yes, he made mistakes as chairman. But I defy anyone to tell me he is not massively in credit when it comes to Watford. And never, even allowing for inflation, during his reign were Watford able to benefit from the sums of money that have come through the club of late.
And yes, Grigg, you're right in what you say: 'make sure the present board are suitably scrutinised in their dealings'.
That is exactly what should happen. Trouble is, anyone who questions them harshly gets the heavy mob treatment.
They don't want scrutiny, questioning, debate or a counter viewpoint.
They want us all to accept everything they say. If Watford say everything is alright, it must be. Why? Because Watford said so.
So far, they have managed to head off all challengers - but can they, dare they, ignore the former chairman?
I am with you in supporting the club. I don't want them to be relegated. I want them to have a secure future.
But a lot of time has passed since the announcement was that the club was up for sale. Even allowing for the legal intricacies of such matters, we've been told little or nothing.
On the field we're struggling, as we all feared.
Off it, are we really comfortable that financially things won't get worse? Here we have a perfectly legitimate source (for all those WO critics who claim they never back up their stories) suggesting that further player sales are planned.
So, even if Elton doesn't say another word, if this statement forces the club to comment or, better still, hurries the departure of certain individuals from the club, then once again I think he'll have done all true WFC fans a massive favour.
VoR, Watford says...
8:58pm Wed 1 Oct 08
As much as I love SEJ and what he has done for us I feel, by going public, is the wrong way of going about it, it's unfair that he's gone global with this without a repost at the same time, again he's talking as a fan instead of a businessman without knowing all the facts.
this has got Kevin Affleck's name tag planted all over this.
Unstabling the club at this time IMO where we are clearly struggling is wrong.
No all is not well we all know that but this doesn't help.
I'm getting fed up in more ways than one and i could well do without you telling me to eff off....Ok?
colni zip, Controversey says...
9:26pm Wed 1 Oct 08
It is time for Cashton, Cashcroft and Gimpson to go!
Grigg, Lincoln says...
9:30pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Vicar Rage, Watford says...
9:35pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Care to go to Elton's official website (www.eltonjohn.com).
Then let's see an apology.
Say what you like about Elton's comments but don't start blaming the WO and its staff.
How do you know Elton doesn't know the facts, by the way? If he's so wide of the mark, why don't the club sue him? hey weren't slow to threaten (and I say threaten, as we've hweard no more) the WO a few weeks ago.
I agree with you, VoR, being abusive towards other posters is wrong and you are right to feel aggrieved.
But throwing criticism at KA on this one is just as wrong.
MKHorn - when Elton arrived at Watford we were playing in the lowest division in what was essentially a non-league stadium with a dog track. During his tenure we went to the top flight, a Cup Final and Europe. We produced England internationals and homegrown players of the highest calibre. We developed the stadium and became widely regarded and respected both inside and outside and football.
I don't care what mistakes he made, Elton John took Watford from nothing to something - and gave us a club that Watford fans had every right to be proud of.
The current regime have not achieved anything in comparison.
VoR, Watford says...
9:49pm Wed 1 Oct 08
By what I mean with reference to KA, not that he's been in cahoots but on what foundation, give us some foundation for christ sake then we as fans can stop bickering amongst ourselves, surely you're with me on that, we need a rsponse straight away from the board.
Just on a personal note,,,,,
I'm getting totally board and fed up with all things football, the fun's going out of the game IMHO.
Maybe it's time for me to look elsewhere!
Vicar Rage, Watford says...
9:56pm Wed 1 Oct 08
I agree totally - but even if the club say something, can you truly believe anything they tell you anymore?
The trouble with spin is, once you start, people don't know when you've stopped. The club has spun and spun and spun - then they wonder why people doubt them.
Let's see what they have to say, if anything. But I'll be pleasantly surprised if it isn't the usual mixture of fudge and bluster, with the requisite 'everything is fine beacuse we say it is'.
VoR, Watford says...
10:04pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Interesting stuff and intimated whether AB had been talking to SEJ.
AS expected, vehemently denied all allegations, read into that as you may!
Vicar Rage, Watford says...
10:11pm Wed 1 Oct 08
However, current chairman Graham Simpson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm really sorry that Elton felt he couldn't pick up the phone and have a chat with me because I've got no idea where he's got this information from. He certainly hasn't got it from anybody in our club.
"The only person I know he speaks to sometimes is our manager Aidy and I'll have to ask if he's had a chat with him. As far as we're concerned it's not the case."
Of course it's not the case as far as you're concerned Graham!
And if the manager has been talking to Elton, then perhaps what Elton has said may be painfully close to the truth regarding the efefct on the squad and the threat of more player sales.
And if the manager has spoken to himl what does say about his current state of mind and relationship with the other senior managers?
It's typical of what happens when you are economical with the truth and don't communicate openly - somehow, somewhere, things start leaking out because you can't suppress everyone for ever.
VoR, Watford says...
10:30pm Wed 1 Oct 08
I think we now have a bit of a problem, If I read into this right there are allegations within the club itself, I don't think it'll be too long until some of you get your wish, the Camel's back is now at breaking point...
You know, things are not always greener on the other side, we all want answers but to what extent and to what cost?? please do not forget GS has supported this club since he was a Boy and AB after all's said and done has been good for WFC.
As long as there's not too many regrets after all this.
I feel sad and now going to bed to sleep..... uneasily!!!!!!!!!!!!
rogeruk, Weybridge says...
10:52pm Wed 1 Oct 08
There are some serious questions about the finances at Watford and Simpson’s role in them! A season in the premier league, gate receipts etc, season tickets etc.the sky money, sponsorship money, parachute payments and at least £25 million in transfer fees if not more!
The Watford Observer should not fear anything in litigation from the pygmy! To win his case in the high court there will need to be an independent audit of Watford’s finances for the three years to prove his case done by independent auditors appointed by the football league. This is never going to happen as Simpson will not let it, therefore it will never reach court.
Simpson will also have to explain his statements:
1. Watford will be a top 10 premiership club in 5 years!
2. Watford will have a 25 to 30 thousand capacity stadium good enough for the premiership!
3. Nobody need worry Money for the stadium development is “ring fenced”!
4. Watford will never be again be in financial dire straits as happened during the Vialli era when Simpson became chairman!
5.Watford’s financial future is secure!
After Simpson, the most culpable are the happy clappers who gave their undying support to the Simpson regime, the same people who no doubt have kept New Labour and Brown in power for 11 years. To call these people sheep is an insult to sheep! Verdict on Simpson – Aims for mediocrity and fails to achieve it!
derry pigweed, northampton says...
11:36pm Wed 1 Oct 08
comment_6870164_full wrote:Rogeruk
Elton John is a giant compared to the pygmy Simpson! Elton’s contribution to Watford is unquestionable. In a decade I can only remember his one major mistake (appointing Basset to replace Graham Taylor). Elton is human, he has guts and passion and most of all he does what he says, and he never let Watford down!There are some serious questions about the finances at Watford and Simpson’s role in them! A season in the premier league, gate receipts etc, season tickets etc.the sky money, sponsorship money, parachute payments and at least £25 million in transfer fees if not more!The Watford Observer should not fear anything in litigation from the pygmy! To win his case in the high court there will need to be an independent audit of Watford’s finances for the three years to prove his case done by independent auditors appointed by the football league. This is never going to happen as Simpson will not let it, therefore it will never reach court.Simpson will also have to explain his statements:1. Watford will be a top 10 premiership club in 5 years!2. Watford will have a 25 to 30 thousand capacity stadium good enough for the premiership!3. Nobody need worry Money for the stadium development is “ring fenced”!4. Watford will never be again be in financial dire straits as happened during the Vialli era when Simpson became chairman! 5.Watford’s financial future is secure!After Simpson, the most culpable are the happy clappers who gave their undying support to the Simpson regime, the same people who no doubt have kept New Labour and Brown in power for 11 years. To call these people sheep is an insult to sheep! Verdict on Simpson – Aims for mediocrity and fails to achieve it!
Respect i agree with your points i would just like to know where the 70 million generated from prem money ,player sales,cup runs and parachute payments has been mislaid....!!!
WFC4ever, Watford says...
6:40am Thu 2 Oct 08
In all fairness they are trying to get out...just no-one wants to buy a business with a poor team/3 sided ground and great debts.
I think they had "ambitions"...way above waht was realistic and the board let Aidy waste so much money on so much tosh its unture!
mkhorn, milton keynes says...
7:49am Thu 2 Oct 08
JonBoy, Watford says...
8:14am Thu 2 Oct 08
Vicar Rage, Watford says...
8:24am Thu 2 Oct 08
Other clubs were in similar situations at the same time. ITV Digital crippled many clubs for a long period of time.
Simpson deal with it, fair play - but he didn't do it alone, and in the aftermath the likes of the Russos played a massive part.
Why should Elton phone Simpson first? Elton has read Simpson's answers and explanations the same as the rest of us, and quite clearly doesn't understand or like them.
If Simpson is alluding that by ringing him he could have told Elton things that he isn't telling everyone else, that is only another indication of the fans being kept in the dark.
No, what Elton has done is digest what the club have said, given them time to put their house in order and then, when things appear to be continuing in a downward spiral, has used his status as a public figure to make a statement that echoes what many fans are also thinking. The difference is, when Elton says it, it gets mass coverage. When fans say it, no-one hears.
And while the club might be able to gag the local paper, former employees and even the fans, they can't gag Elton.
Ask yourself this - if the manager did speak to Elton, why did he do it? Why didn't HE speak to Simpson?
As I have said before, if Elton doesn't say or do another thing, by making this statement he has forced the club to step back into the spotlight on this.
Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
9:16am Thu 2 Oct 08
Secondly AB is intimating WFC doesnt figure in his long term ambitions as it is the wrong vehicle.Given the assumed current state of the club I can understand his views.
So lets assume the leak may be identified and GS our chairman says all SEJ had to do was pick up a phone.
I tried that and Homer the communicator...didnt communicate...In fact his communications are rare and sporadic...albeit better than M Ashton. The weekly program notes are pretty uninformative and matched only by the website.
We were told about January money availability in these threads now the same authority tells us its player sales. This is another example of prudent management getting it wrong.
We need a man to lead the club at the top who will get the fans onside so that we can mitigate the would be sales and the present board should do the honourable thing.Whilst new money would be great it is unlikely but with effective prudent management and with or without Aidy, we can get it right.
If we do nothing and homer & co insist on staying colin's crystal ball may well be correct. Whilst they are not always appreciated I wonder whether Colin and Afflek have really done us the harm that the clappers have done with their misguided support of the fans who occupy our boardroom and continue to fail to bottom out our financial plight.
HertsPeter, Watford says...
9:46am Thu 2 Oct 08
Grigg, Lincoln says...
11:37am Thu 2 Oct 08
HertsPeter, Watford says...
11:40am Thu 2 Oct 08
texmex, LB says...
12:58pm Thu 2 Oct 08
VoR, Watford says...
1:13pm Thu 2 Oct 08
dolly33, Poole says...
5:18pm Thu 2 Oct 08
it has taken eltons comments to get noticed the predicament the club is in,we are watching the slow downfall.simpson is happy for the club to be relegated,so sad.
WFC4ever, Watford says...
5:35pm Thu 2 Oct 08
The main thing he did wrong is let Boothroyd WASTE so much money on Ellington and co over the past 18 months.
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enlightened one, Watford says...
1:18pm Wed 1 Oct 08