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My First Day

Ashton speaks of departure

10:46am Friday 12th December 2008


Mark Ashton has issued the following statement after his resignation today.

Speaking to the club's website Ashton said: “I’m very sad to be leaving Watford Football Club and have nothing but respect for the staff that I leave behind.

“They have made this club very special for me over the last four years or so and for that I thank each and every one of them.

“I believe we have made so many significant strides here at Watford during my time, much of which again goes to the hard work of those people I leave at the club.

“I hope I am able to look back and see a club with a bright future and a very, very exciting young manager at the helm."

Ashton wished the club every success for the future.


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Your Say YourWatford

hogweed, elstree says...
11:33am Fri 12 Dec 08

Good riddance!

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Graham Gimpson, Ricky says...
12:27pm Fri 12 Dec 08

And take the rest of the Baggies with you.

What a wonderful legacy you have left Mark. The stadium is a real credit to you - I'm sure David Gill will be really impressed with that and will be kicking himself that you 'turned down' the chance to join Manchester United.

Let's hope all the good members of staff you got rid of and then got to sign a gagging agreement can now tell everybody what you are really like.

I'm sure Winning Retails Services will be there to comfort you when you return by taxi to your £1m home in Bewdley.

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ab11uk, watford says...
12:36pm Fri 12 Dec 08

I think Mark Ashton's ability in the job is sumed up in the east stand.

they should rename it the ashton stand until it is rebuilt then name it something else.

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hurlsburls, kingston says...
1:11pm Fri 12 Dec 08

His departure must surely be a major cost saving as well. I feel in the mood to celebrate, wonder if this now frees up enough cash to pay Tommy's wages for the rest of the season?! Fingers crossed Mr Winter is not earning top dollar for his services, that is unless he actually delivers some noticeable benefits to the club.

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Watford_Writer, Watford says...
1:14pm Fri 12 Dec 08

Mark Ashton's next job - it's obvious. New Chief Exec at Woolworth's.

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razor, harrow says...
6:07pm Fri 12 Dec 08

i don't think it's going to be cost saving.
he'll have a payoff, and cummins is reportedly receiving a six figure settlement (not that it isn't deserved, i would argue that it is long overdue)...
pretty expensive friday really...

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Vicar Rage, Watford says...
6:30pm Fri 12 Dec 08

I hope Ashton's last few days were miserable. I hope he felt threatened by his bosses, undermined by those above him and was made to feel very small, unwanted and vulnerable.

Then, he might just understand what sort of effect he had on the vast majority of staff who left during his tenure.

I'm not one of them, I might add, but I know plenty of them.

The sad thing is that his spectre will hang around as people with more passion, respect and desire for Watford FC now have to come in and try to undo the mess he has created.

You may be "very sad" to be leaving Ashton, but you're in a minority of one mate.

Don't hurry back.

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Yellowfever, Borehamwood says...
6:54pm Fri 12 Dec 08

Well xmas has once again come early for us, is there now light at the end of the tunnel? lets hope so now we can offer out of contract players new deals etc.

As for you aston, i would of done a better job on 300 a week with more passion and less balls ups than you made flush the chain as you leave you waste of space.

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VoR, Watford says...
7:22pm Fri 12 Dec 08

I had been hoodwinked by this Geezer, I hold my hands up on that one, having said that anybody would have been as he sure talks a good game, face to face!

If anyone now goes on to mention likewise with G.S....You'll get short shrift off me, that's for sure!

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enlightened one, Watford says...
7:32pm Fri 12 Dec 08

Bugger me VoR admits he was wrong.

Respect mate.

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Billie, Kings Langley says...
8:25pm Fri 12 Dec 08

Oh vOt.
A new start.
VoR. Please accept this electronic handshake. I agree totally. I think GS was likewise hoodwinked...but as he appointed Make A Hashton...was in denial. GS has however been too weak with this guy, and he allowed him to act as he did. However I do agree they are very different.
Shall we stop our confrontation, or is it fun. Either way, your call. What has he done with the pictures?...ebay may be worth a look.

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VoR, Watford says...
9:19pm Fri 12 Dec 08

a) Thanx for olive branch although unliked, esp on greek salad!
b) Yes has been fun and also quite intelligent at times.
c) I feel the need to personally drive (unlike him) up to his home and rip them from the walls, he's undeserving of them.
d) I shall carry on if you don't mind.
Cheers E.O

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Roger68, St Albans says...
9:44pm Fri 12 Dec 08

In the past when Ashton was criticised on this board, I did not exactly defend him but I did list his achievements (there were some) and ask for a more specific indictment of charges against him. These were never really forthcoming--people seemed to dislike him for his salary and lifestyle and the fact that he is a West Brom supporter. Now I can see that along with Simpson he must carry the responsibilty for the failed punt on the Prem and the subsequent financial crisis. Perhaps he carries a special responsibility for some failings, e.g. for negogiating over-generous contracts with certain players, for not enforcing the agreed 30% wage reduction on relegation and for not excercising more restraint on our ambitious ex-manager. He also seems to have failed to cut a deal with Wray over ground development, if recent rumours are true. Even so, the vitriol poured on him on his departure does seem a bit excessive. Of course, unlike some posters I do not have the advantage of first hand or even second hand aquaintance with him. Is it really the case (as in the words of the old pop song) that "to know, know, know him is to hate, hate, hate him"? It seems personal animosity as much as reasoned judgements colour our assesment of his Watford career. Well, we won't have him around to criticise any longer, but I am sure we will soon find someone else.

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Vicar Rage, Watford says...
10:17pm Fri 12 Dec 08

Roger - your equal doses of reason and magnanimity do you tremendous credit.

I'd love to give you the full details of just some of the reasons I loathe Ashton. But I would not want to break trusts or promises, nor relate events or instances that would involve me personally.

Suffice to say, you are spot on in your assessment that you really had to meet the man, and see him in action, to understand the vitriole being dished out today.

I'm not talking about the perma-grin, spin-spouting, glad-handing man who many had cause to meet during his time with the club.

Nope, you had to work with him, deal with him, and worst of all, disagree with him, to see why he will surely go down as the most unpopular man to work for the club.

He certainly sucked Simpson in - and Ashton must take much of the blame for the criticism which the former Chairman had endured.

Simpson wasn't perfect - far from it - but he'd have had a much better chance if he'd not had Ashton around the place.

As a fan of more than 30 years, I can honestly say his departure will enable me to actually enjoy Watford winning 100%. While he was at the club, there was always 5 or 10% of my pleasure taken away, knowing that victories papered over his failings and bought him more time.

Such was my desire to see him go that - painful though it has been - this season has actually served some purpose as it has meant he cannot hide from reality any longer.

With Ashton gone, let's all unite behind the new manager and his players.

Come on you Horns.

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Roger68, St Albans says...
10:25pm Fri 12 Dec 08

Vicar--thanks for your enlightening frankness. A most comprehensive epitaph on Mr Ashton and his era. I was surprised actually to be reminded how young he still is. Doubtless he has the confidence to bounce back, but personally I would not invest in any enterprise of which he has sole charge.

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derry pigweed, northampton says...
11:01pm Fri 12 Dec 08

Ashton actually dragged Homer down from saviour to Fallguy and possibbly the same with Hoofroyd! when the cash came in from the promotion season he was like a kid in a sweet shop .
If this Joker ever works at another football club i pity that club!
Maybe Watford should call the Police in now

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EJGlasses, says...
12:39am Sat 13 Dec 08

Respect Vicar Rage/ Pigweed.

Ashton was poison, cruel and never cared about our family club or its employees which makes his statement an absolute joke. Apparently all he ever talked about was WBA and wanted WFC to operate the same. He enjoyed manipulating Homer to increase his own power, removing committed, successful and accomplished Directors and staff, (if the whispers are true good on ya Cummins by the way) obtain loadsa money and bolster Winning enterprises.
Why was he in such a hurry and keen to leave his beloved Prem'ship WBA and drop a league in the first place? Any interesting or amusing thoughts?

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Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
10:23am Sat 13 Dec 08

VoR respect!!

I think the smooth talking Boy Blunder eventually did the right thing and now I dont need to attend the AGM to take him appart.

I also agree GS was a different kettle of fish and his problems over the last couple of years were balanced out by the good he helped do in earlier years.

Now we can turn the heat up on the non-executive chairman!

Who has sat on the board being remunerated for failing to carry out his duties. A non-exec is there to ensure the directors do not overpay themselves, ensure that a plc is run properly, with prudent management, and is using its reasonable (if not best) endeavours to be run with a degree of transparency.

Can Andrew Wilson genuinely claim to have achieved the above? If not thank goodness he is there on an interim basis as I cant recall him whistle blowing on anything. So when the ownership issue is finalised I would expect him to resign both as Chairman and from the board.

In meantime can all supporters go this afternoon to support our winning team...they need your backing and the club needs your money.


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Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
10:37am Sat 13 Dec 08

Roger as said many times before..Mark Ashton was responsible for contract negotiations, and virtually all other matters at WFC that went wrong subject to the ownership issues and the Russos dispute.What didnt you understand about the earlier criticism and alarms being sounded?

If the current comments are to be believed it is allegedly possible he was also a bully and like most bullies a coward. Which could also explain his greed in hanging onto his job until the last working day before he had to face the AGM. and note my earlier criticism of Andrew Wilson and reasons in support of that criticism.

I trust that Mr Winter will have learnt from the mistakes of his predecessor and work in a more open and prudent manner. I wish him well along with Buck as they represent the start of a new era. Whether my trust in Winter is correct is something that VoR may or may not be able to comment on.

In the meantime Roger I can only say
IF IT LOOKS LIKE A DUCK, SOUNDS LIKE A DUCK the there is a fair chance it is a DUCK and Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous new year to you and our team and all contributors and especially BUCK.

If comments now are to be believed

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Roger68, St Albans says...
12:50pm Sat 13 Dec 08

Chris--It seems that some people are now making a distinction between Ashton ( always very bad) and Simpson (used to be good, now quite bad, but never as bad as Ashton). This may be fair enough if you know both men, though I never felt I had enough insider knowledge to make this distinction , nor was it possible to make it on the basis of how they presented themselves in public. I always felt Ashton was criticised on this board in more personal terms than was Simpson and now I know why. I do accept that Ashton was co-responsible with Simpson for the judgements that led us into the current financial crisis, so it is reasonable for him to share the fate of Simpson-- indeed inevitable once Simpson himself went. Ashton does now come over as a bit like one of the crasser kind of contestants on "The Apprentice", less clever than they think, and mistaking arrogance for leadership. I hope our new CEO is a more mature person, and someone who understands football as well as business. We need someone who will maintain financial prudence in between a star struck chairman and an ambitious manager--not an unusual combination in football .

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Ian Brown, Sandhurst says...
9:04pm Sat 13 Dec 08

Good riddance. Only disappointment is I was looking forward to embarassing the fraud for what he is at the AGM! This out of his depth failed goalkeeper who was entrusted to hold the purse strings at a multi-million pound company unfortunately fooled the board (inc our new acting chairman). He will be ever remembered for his ingeniously constructed famous plan B (good on any CV!!)when we didn't get back to Prem at fist time of asking- namely blind panic with no coherent strategy that protected the business of the company! Sad matter is the obscene renumeration this b*****d screwed the club for.

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