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Watford Supporters Trust reveal disappointment in Ashton era (From Watford Observer)
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Watford Supporters Trust reveal disappointment in Ashton era
11:36am Wednesday 17th December 2008
Watford Supporters Trust have expressed their disappointment at Mark Ashton's tenure after the former chief executive left last week.
In a statement released by the trust, they highlighted the failure to develop the East Stand as their greatest concern during Ashton's reign at Watford.
The Trust said: "We are concerned that the club has failed to find the funds to develop the Main Stand. This is particularly disappointing given that Mark gave verbal assurances on several occasions that there was a robust business case for the development that stood up regardless of the division in which the team was playing.
"Despite repeated requests, we were never shown the business case and told that we simply had to 'trust him'. Whilst we accept that the current economic climate has not helped matters, we have had an unexpected journey to the Premiership and some of the revenue gained should have been put aside for the Main Stand development. A phenomenal opportunity has been lost.
"In addition his reign has been littered with relationship breakdowns, repeatedly with the Watford Observer and frequently with former employees.
"The turnover of staff in senior positions was not indicative of a well-run organisation. There was also a lack of transparency in communication with the fans that has led to an atmosphere of mistrust.
"This has been extremely disappointing and we believe it should not be the Watford way. We sincerely hope that the new era will herald a return to the family ways that we have historically been famous for and have rejoiced in."
But he was praised for introducing Aidy Boothroyd to the club and for a number of commercial and player deals.
The statement added: "On the plus side, he has successfully negotiated some excellent deals for the club, in particular with regards to the Ashley Young sale to Aston Villa and with commercial sponsorship deals such as with Beko.
"He also introduced Adrian Boothroyd to Watford FC, which resulted in the club’s unexpected promotion to the Premiership."
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Your Say YourWatford
Winston, Bushey says...
12:04pm Wed 17 Dec 08
ab11uk, watford says...
12:09pm Wed 17 Dec 08
I'm sorry but these guys are worse than him at least he had the guts to continue his story these gutless wasters jus run for cover under anyone
Watford_Writer, Watford says...
12:39pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
12:57pm Wed 17 Dec 08
They should look back at their performance and comments made over the last two years.
Do they think they have served the club and supporters well over the last two years. If the answer is yes fair enough but if no then certain individuals know what they should do.
Public statements made both to support recently resigned directore and comments re the accounts and statements of support indicate certain people within the trust have not carried out their duties as well as we should expect. Yet more resignations needed from those that like to think they are important but fail to deliver.
Billie, Kings Langley says...
1:07pm Wed 17 Dec 08
There is no doubt that WST are decent well meaning people. However, after so many warning signs, and indeed the WO and their own member and club former FD raising the alarm, they were taken in. Why oh why in that environment could they not have said that they were shown no evidence of the business plan, despite there own recognition of a climate of mistrust and lack of communication. What was also amazing was them congratulating GS on prudent leadership a week BEFORE the accounts were released. They must feel betrayed...well they ought to.
Sorry Graham and Frances...you were had. Final comment, I cannot acknowledge Ashton any credit at all with the AY transfer. The guy who deserves credit was Chris Cummins. How did Ashton treat him? He screwed him whilst grabbing as much loot as possible for himself. He has betrayed everything that, to quote the Trust statement, we have trqaditionally 'rejoiced in'. It would be nice if they could have acknowledged KA and the former FD tried to head some of this off at the pass. I do welcome this statement however. As a return to family ways I will not even take a pop at my new buddy vOt...oops...VoR. Sorry VoR 'old friend'. Habits die hard EO.
srfc, watford says...
1:13pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Watford_Writer wrote:Yes...yes...yes.
Four words: horse, stable door, bolted.
Would the 'supporters' trust please make their minds up as to what stance to take with regards to MA and other recent club matters (GS,The Russo's EGM the accounts etc etc etc). I suggest you have a long hard think before you make any more statements....you do not represent the majaority of supporters if you did you should of been demanding answers a long time ago not patting them on the back now!!!!!!!
Vicar Rage, Watford says...
1:35pm Wed 17 Dec 08
"Has he gone? Definitely? Good, now we can say what we really think of him."
Coming soon - the Trust voice their concerns over the Titantic's ability to withstand an iceberg.
Watford_Writer, Watford says...
1:40pm Wed 17 Dec 08
No doubt the squandered millions were discussed, where has all the money gone, etc? Whatever was said, Simpson and Ashton both resigned pretty sharpish. The question is - what was it the Russos said/did/had in their possession, that prompted this massive u-turn?
Watford Observer - over to you...
UZZY, LONDON COLNEY says...
1:49pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Watford_Writer wrote:I fully agree i can think of 4 more words to describe the "Trust" but i wont...talk about hanging onto Simpsons & Ashtons coat tales while they were around & squealing once their backs are turned...take the word "Trust" from the title of your committee its not in keeping with what you are supposed to stand for.
Four words: horse, stable door, bolted.
Berks Horn, London says...
1:50pm Wed 17 Dec 08
What a ridiculous statement to release. Did they not think about how it would make them look? Next they'll be telling us they thought Petchey's tenure was a bit below par in their opinion.
cliff46, watford says...
2:01pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Surely every supporter is already dismayed that we have a three sided ground in spite of our being subjected to Simpson and ashton's bulls****year after year. Do we really need you to remind us?
Do you include the Red Lion as one of his better deals.
With his contacts at WBA he should have known that Ellington was worth £1.5 tops and that is probably being over generous!!!
Yes he got a good price for Ashley and then proceeded to totally waste it all.
khvb2, Ruislip says...
2:19pm Wed 17 Dec 08
I paid to be a member of the trust in 2002 and also subsequent renewals.
Never again.
JonBoy, Watford says...
2:23pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Yellowfever, Borehamwood says...
2:29pm Wed 17 Dec 08
As for praiseing aidy please give it a rest!
But they were right about the stand though!
HertsPeter, Watford says...
2:50pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Surely someone from the Trust reads this board? If so, I would like to suggest the Trust disbands. They certainly don't represent what everyone on here thinks.
pfwhornets, Tring says...
2:55pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Watford_Writer wrote:We can only speculate what was said because I doubt if we will know for sure.
I would love to have been a fly-on-the-wall when the Russos has their little "chat" with Mr Simpson prior to the EGM (which Graham had been so bullish about beforehand). No doubt the squandered millions were discussed, where has all the money gone, etc? Whatever was said, Simpson and Ashton both resigned pretty sharpish. The question is - what was it the Russos said/did/had in their possession, that prompted this massive u-turn? Watford Observer - over to you...
One speculation could be that the Russo's threatened to call in their loan that was used to buy the ground back if GS didn't resign. I think (but am not sure) that the loan to buy back the Vic was £6.7M. I don't know what the "conditions" of this loan were but if it was called in it could not have been repayed thus putting the club into administration or the sale of a lot of our players.
So, perhaps GS had only two choices and he chose the option less damaging to the club.
IF this were true then it suggests that the Russos were seeking revenge for being removed from the board 18 months ago.
This is all purely speculation but please if anyone has the facts on the loan (what conditions applied etc)and its value we might be able to put this bit of speculation to bed.
Prof Plum, Rickmansworth says...
3:17pm Wed 17 Dec 08
What amazes me is that the WO continues to give the two dozen or so imbeciles that make up the Trust a platform.
Billie, Kings Langley says...
4:42pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Great posting.
Their next comment will be on the credit crunch. 'We feel the banks were imprudent'.
thegift, Watford says...
4:42pm Wed 17 Dec 08
ab11uk wrote:can 'proper' watford fans actually vote against a supporters trust - they are jokers
isnt this the same supporters trust who said they were fully behind the man? I'm sorry but these guys are worse than him at least he had the guts to continue his story these gutless wasters jus run for cover under anyone
Vicar Rage, Watford says...
4:51pm Wed 17 Dec 08
I'm told the Trust are still working on a press release with their views on Henry Grover's role in forming Watford Rovers, and whether Ralph Thorpe got it right when he appointed the club's first manager.
oxheypaul, oxhey says...
4:57pm Wed 17 Dec 08
They are also planning to reveal that cigarettes are bad for your helath, the moon isn't made of blue cheese and Santa doesn't exist.
HOOF, England says...
5:21pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Billie, Kings Langley says...
5:23pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Well said. I thought the same myself. Harry also said that Ashton was 'top drawer' some time ago. WRONGGGGG
Vicar Rage, you've got Oli et al's books on WFC history too. Good on you...a genuine 'orn. Mind you, we all need to get out more!
Hexham Hornet, HEXHAM says...
5:26pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Mick Jones, Uxbridge says...
5:26pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Well done the trust...
UZZY, LONDON COLNEY says...
5:36pm Wed 17 Dec 08
UZZY wrote:The 4 words re the "Trust".... NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE !
Watford_Writer wrote:I fully agree i can think of 4 more words to describe the "Trust" but i wont...talk about hanging onto Simpsons & Ashtons coat tales while they were around & squealing once their backs are turned...take the word "Trust" from the title of your committee its not in keeping with what you are supposed to stand for.
Four words: horse, stable door, bolted.
THE CAT, bushey says...
5:49pm Wed 17 Dec 08
VoR, Watford says...
6:12pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Billie wrote:Is there anywhere to go in Kings Langley? Obviously have wifi at the Langleys!
khvb2,
Well said. I thought the same myself. Harry also said that Ashton was 'top drawer' some time ago. WRONGGGGG
Vicar Rage, you've got Oli et al's books on WFC history too. Good on you...a genuine 'orn. Mind you, we all need to get out more!
WTF! !
Not content with getting on the back of G.S (WFC supporter) Now I see everyone having a go at the supporters trust, I bet most of you lot were the ones that booed some of the players last season!
WST are only a go between, they carry little weight, caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, If you want answers the Watford Observer should be doing their duty, not much in the way of that - under the new regime - is there?
Also the Russos being tight lipped worries me greatly, why should that be?
Back off the Trust unless you're prepared to take up the mantle.
Do you live in Toms Lane? would probably be apt, or more like the flats at the end of Abbots Road!
eltonsarmy, vegas says...
6:31pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Billie, Kings Langley says...
7:50pm Wed 17 Dec 08
The canal...but even that is locked.
There was I trying to be civil. You spurned my advances yet again.
You are correct about the WO new regime, which is much diminished without Kevin.
As to where I live, having bought shares in WFC, and the rights issue, I now live in a paper bag in a septic tank. Luxury. No Greek villas or £1m barns for me...but I am happy, my paper bag is a result of my own legitimate efforts. Am I right that you lodged in Buckinghamshire for a while?
straight red, watford says...
8:13pm Wed 17 Dec 08
VoR, Watford says...
8:15pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Bucks covers quite an area, could you narrowboat that down a bit for me?
Blinkered... in a K.A kind of way!
Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
8:21pm Wed 17 Dec 08
In reality they for various reasons either were not prepared to stand against the previous regime and yet have at times confirmed statements by that regime including backing them on the basis that they were best for watford.
If they were employees of WFC they could either go or bow down to Ashton, but as independents they needed to be counted. In their statement now he has gone for the first time publicly they have made revealing statements regarding the regime.
If they were that unhappy they should have said so and been prepared to stand up to the tyrant.
They didnt...by not stating the facts they endorsed ashton. I think volunteers like the Trust can do a marvellous job but like others have said they were not fit for purpose or put another way they were/are out of their depth and victims of spin or whatever. They would have done much better to follow their previous record of saying little...they have now dug a hole which appears to me to be the grave for the trust. Not clever.
johnny b, bushey says...
8:33pm Wed 17 Dec 08
oxheypaul wrote:VoR,
Apparently the Trust have also condemned Saddam Hussein as 'a very nasty man'.
They are also planning to reveal that cigarettes are bad for your helath, the moon isn't made of blue cheese and Santa doesn't exist.
I,m sure oxhey paul is only joking about Santa,so no sleepless nights for you.
Don,t let the bed bugs bite !
VoR, Watford says...
8:36pm Wed 17 Dec 08
As with this statement, which clearly shouldn't have been issued but, in reality there is a massive difference between sounding off and being diplomatic, there is a fine line, unlike ourselves who are solely in charge of our actions.
There was a split but as in most bodies, the majority won out.
Please note that I am not disagreeing with you regarding this.
WFC4ever, Watford says...
9:04pm Wed 17 Dec 08
However if people don't want the WST to continue then they need to set their own one up otherwise they will just carry on thinking their views are valid...
EJGlasses, says...
10:13pm Wed 17 Dec 08
One dost believe you give the perma tan CASHTON far too much credit. Anyone who knew an inkling of what went on under his regime could see that the Club employees did the work and he took the riches. He didn't secure the BEKO deal.... an extremely skilled and experienced Head of Dept. who surprise surprise 'left' the Club not that long after did. As for AB didn't MA and KB both work at WBA for a time? I think KB should be given more credit for introducing AB to football management and using his tremendous influence and networking rather than HASHTON. KB is pure class and was quick to sniff the danger signs but was ignored by a pair of youngsters who became too big for their own boots. The film 'The Man who would be King' springs to mind.
Even if WO know the truth would they ever tell us for fear of legal action? Given their estranged relationship with WFC Directors they must have lawyers who surely must check things and warn them to tread cautiously.
If so, they wouldn't have given the green light to publish KA's now famous article unless they knew it was water tight. Some of you should wake up and smell the coffee. KA may have been 'played' but he doesn't deserve some of the vitriole some of you lot dole out. He's an 'orn according to Ollie - show him some respect.
Billie, Kings Langley says...
10:58pm Wed 17 Dec 08
VoR, how about me sticking a pin in the Beaconsfield area?
I may stretch to a postcode soon. Narrowboat? Are you referring to the grand union you and Asston shared.
derry pigweed, northampton says...
11:14pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Aidy Boothroyd=One trick pony who got lucky one season
Graham Simpson=Incompetent old chap who did well in the early days but got conned by Ca$hton and Boothroyd
Mark Ashton=Failed goalkeeper ,WBA lover even they hated him,Ruled by fear but ultimately his fear was that he would be found out as a Bobby Bullshat and he was!
Good bye Ca$hton
Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
7:57am Thu 18 Dec 08
Changing the subject, I note your words of support for GS and whilst I suspect it will not happen this season, if we eventually do get bought out I could think of far worse men than GS to join the board as a non-exec director.His experience in the Boardroom and the fact that he is a supporter could prove invaluable to a new Chairman and chief executive.
He got a lot right before he appointed Boy Blunder and got taken in, and most people in business will have fallen foul of such a person at least once, and sometimes it does take a long time to discover the true person.
It is my one hope with the exception of a team bottom of Div 2 that no football club suffers the pain of employing BB, the more you find out about his character the less pleasant he seems.
Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
7:57am Thu 18 Dec 08
Changing the subject, I note your words of support for GS and whilst I suspect it will not happen this season, if we eventually do get bought out I could think of far worse men than GS to join the board as a non-exec director.His experience in the Boardroom and the fact that he is a supporter could prove invaluable to a new Chairman and chief executive.
He got a lot right before he appointed Boy Blunder and got taken in, and most people in business will have fallen foul of such a person at least once, and sometimes it does take a long time to discover the true person.
It is my one hope with the exception of a team bottom of Div 2 that no football club suffers the pain of employing BB, the more you find out about his character the less pleasant he seems.
arthur horsefield, radlett says...
9:29am Thu 18 Dec 08
Paradise Watford, says...
9:39am Thu 18 Dec 08
As other posters have said these comments should have been made during the reign not once he left. If the club didn't like what the WST was saying and started to remove their privelages (whatever they were) then that would have said a lot more about the club than the Trust. What is the point of representation if it is just going to be used to tow the line....
I hope the Supporters Trust gets a bit more back bone and suck up less in the future otherwise I say a counter trust should be formed that voices the real opinions of the majority of the fans
Chris the Vic, The Vic says...
12:51pm Thu 18 Dec 08
Your point about WST and no power is way off. If because they had no power and got no cooperation there was a time to say something..after all their incomes would not have been at risk. But to my mind they tacitly supported bad management.
As for our support of the team, that has never been in doubt so if you wish to have a pop look at people who have such a low regard for their grannies and have a go at them.
PS you will need a mirror.
Billie, Kings Langley says...
1:12pm Thu 18 Dec 08
I wonder if BB did beat up his Granny. Perhaps she got a letter from his lawyers when she forgot his Xmas pressie.
straight red, watford says...
2:42pm Thu 18 Dec 08
Larrythe Loafer 'Orn, Fulmer says...
4:12pm Thu 18 Dec 08
EJGlasses, says...
7:42pm Thu 18 Dec 08
"The WST talk about a return to the 'Watford Way' now that the incompetent Ashton has departed but I am still concerned for our club. Why? You just need to look at your last programme and note some of the the individuals under club staff who have been strategically 'hand picked' by Ashton from the brum area and other far flung places totaly disconnected with the local watford community."
Winter was Smashtons 'Right hand' hatchet man and does not care about Watford. We are not out of the woods yet. I reckon things are not going to begin to calm down until February/March at the earliest. Fasten your seat belts folks!
cliff46, watford says...
8:57pm Thu 18 Dec 08
The items from EJ Glasses and straight red are two good examples and there are plenty of others.
Hexham Hornet, HEXHAM says...
9:14pm Thu 18 Dec 08
If they had a strong character at the top who was not frightened of the threats that are thrown at him from the board when he has to speak out then that would suffice.
johnny b, bushey says...
1:36am Fri 19 Dec 08
Hexham Hornet wrote:Easy to say,but i fear they have just been puppets of the theatre that has been wfc over last few years..
It is not powers the WST lack, but balls. You don't need powers to keep the board aware of your concerns, and also to keep the fans and community informed.
If they had a strong character at the top who was not frightened of the threats that are thrown at him from the board when he has to speak out then that would suffice.
Its like thev,e had a wicked step father,they are petrified of and only dare speak of now he,s gone..
Maybe now they can freely speak up without fear of retribution,once we get back,to as evryone says..
"THE OLD WATFORD"
Going to derby early,as there,s an old chef friend of mine who needs a few tips...
Happy xmas to all!!!! Even VoR and a prosperous new year.
Oh,and its bu**shi* without the E and proud of it VoR you quite funny man.
arthur horsefield, radlett says...
8:40am Fri 19 Dec 08
T Smith, Watford says...
11:17am Fri 19 Dec 08
Really just popped in to read the utter garbage that VoR writes, and as per normal our resident buffoon has come good again! Keep it up, you make us all laugh!
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Big Tone, Watford says...
12:01pm Wed 17 Dec 08
That would also have been the 'Watford way' you speak of.