Watford expect to complete the signing of Carlisle United defender Tom Aldred tomorrow (From Watford Observer)

Wow I can hardly wait!!! Im trying to keep the faith and he may yet turn out to be a great player but the first signing of the season is supposed to galvernise the supporters and give us a bit of hope for the season ahead and send out our intent and Im sorry Ben Aldred who only played 4 games for Carlisle isnt what i had hoped for, I know we have limited funds so this is the sort of player we're going to be signing for the forseable future and we've got to get used to it unfortunatly.

There are probably loads of 'better' players available on a 'free' but the issue will be a) their age, b) their wage demands c) length of contract they want. D) if they were still good enough their current club would attempt to keep them (that's a bit vague since I know we are getting rid of some players we'd probably prefer to hang on to)

What a disgrace of a signing. So bad for Carlisle he was shipped off to the non league!!!! Do you really think Carlisle value him? Of course they dn't, but now they are in a position where they can claim some form of compensation. Great business on their part, terrible on ours.

Is this really the best our "first class recruitment" system can offer? For all the money the club are foolishly paying Stephenson, they could recruit the services of a proper defender, not some kid!

This club is heading into oblivion under the current leadership and management. The board is a disgrace - continually hiding behind the excesses of the previous board to justify this enforced austerity.

Like it or not, the Simpson era will be forever associated with promotion to the premier league; this lot will be tarnished with sending the club back to the lower divisions.

And given what a pathetic signing this is, they thoroughly deserve it.

What has happened to the Elton John money? What about the extra 2 million due as a result of the two relegated teams bouncing straight back?

Rick Almighty wrote:
What a disgrace of a signing. So bad for Carlisle he was shipped off to the non league!!!! Do you really think Carlisle value him? Of course they dn't, but now they are in a position where they can claim some form of compensation. Great business on their part, terrible on ours. Is this really the best our "first class recruitment" system can offer? For all the money the club are foolishly paying Stephenson, they could recruit the services of a proper defender, not some kid! This club is heading into oblivion under the current leadership and management. The board is a disgrace - continually hiding behind the excesses of the previous board to justify this enforced austerity. Like it or not, the Simpson era will be forever associated with promotion to the premier league; this lot will be tarnished with sending the club back to the lower divisions. And given what a pathetic signing this is, they thoroughly deserve it. What has happened to the Elton John money? What about the extra 2 million due as a result of the two relegated teams bouncing straight back?

Oh dear Ricks got a touch of the sun I see.

Good luck to the lad, he seems a decent realistic signing in line with the clubs stated recruitment policy.

The EJ money is just 600k and has gone into the playing budget. It won't necessarily be used as transfer fees, but it will be spent on the playing staff.

I really do love the morons who carp on about money, with no idea at all about the costs of running a football club. Especially on the costs of running a club during the semmer when there is no income being generated through the turnstiles.

So Dicky boy, please shut up and if you don't like how things are being run (ie sensibly to a tight budget), then just go away. You certainly won't be missed.

Now everyone please ditch the ill-informed xenophobic whining and try supporting your club for a change.

We clearly are not in a position to make signings that are 'ready goods' and Im quite happy if we recruit young upcoming players but what does concern me is if this guy is so rated why did Carlisle only offer him a one year deal to stay? That says to me we are not really bothered whether you stay or not...

Mackay clearly has too much power if the club are prepared to gamble on yet another young Scot. With the current limp board - and the part time pro Mackay chairman - it seems he will be allowed to continue his "Scottish revolution".

I feel sorry for the fools who parted with their hard earned money to pay for a more expensive season ticket to follow this cheaply assembled youth team.

Its no coincidence that Mackay has succeeded in getting rid of anyone who dared to question his authority - Demerrit, Hoskins and Harley. He has surrounded himself instead with kids and fellow Scotsman.

There is something genuinely rotten in the set up of the club and things will only continue to get worse whilst we have such a weak chairman. Mackay, Winter and Stephenson are becoming a small self perpetuating elite exactly in the mould of Simpson, Boothroyd and Cashton.

The clubs needs firm and robust leadership, not a part time chairman rooted firmly 30 years in the past. And we need a board capable of attracting the necessary investment - rather than one happy to impose the financial hadicaps that have become the hallmark of this regime.

Rick Almighty wrote:
Mackay clearly has too much power if the club are prepared to gamble on yet another young Scot. With the current limp board - and the part time pro Mackay chairman - it seems he will be allowed to continue his "Scottish revolution". I feel sorry for the fools who parted with their hard earned money to pay for a more expensive season ticket to follow this cheaply assembled youth team. Its no coincidence that Mackay has succeeded in getting rid of anyone who dared to question his authority - Demerrit, Hoskins and Harley. He has surrounded himself instead with kids and fellow Scotsman. There is something genuinely rotten in the set up of the club and things will only continue to get worse whilst we have such a weak chairman. Mackay, Winter and Stephenson are becoming a small self perpetuating elite exactly in the mould of Simpson, Boothroyd and Cashton. The clubs needs firm and robust leadership, not a part time chairman rooted firmly 30 years in the past. And we need a board capable of attracting the necessary investment - rather than one happy to impose the financial hadicaps that have become the hallmark of this regime.

Yawns loudly.

That the best you got Dicky, your standards are slipping son.

Rick - I assume the Elton John money is being held in reserve in case - given the paper thin squad - we are forced to give Sadler another run-out and thereby trigger the substantial payment that would be due to Birmingham

Scottwfc said "I really do love the morons who carp on about money, with no idea at all about the costs of running a football club. Especially on the costs of running a club during the semmer when there is no income being generated through the turnstiles".
Do not call every one on here morons Scotty. There are over 8000 fans who have just paid a whole year in advance. Is that not better than the "turnstiles" you mention, which bring in precious little except for the away fans?

(Rolls eyes ...)

Programmes, burgers, pies, pasties, kiosk drinks, beer at the bars, corporate hospitality, lottery, franchise income from betting shops, hornet shop sales ... etc, etc, etc.

Far be it from me to call anyone anything derogatory, but the cap would seem to fit rather well in some instances ...

I like Rick's idea of needing solid investment..

Has anyone found a friend with a few bob yet though?

Simpson era will be remembered for getting promoted ofcourse...then how we managed to blow away 60 odd million.

Maybe decent players don't want to join us ofcourse...

I like Rick's idea of needing solid investment..

Has anyone found a friend with a few bob yet though?

Simpson era will be remembered for getting promoted ofcourse...then how we managed to blow away 60 odd million.

Maybe decent players don't want to join us ofcourse...

fairwater wrote:
Scottwfc said "I really do love the morons who carp on about money, with no idea at all about the costs of running a football club. Especially on the costs of running a club during the semmer when there is no income being generated through the turnstiles". Do not call every one on here morons Scotty. There are over 8000 fans who have just paid a whole year in advance. Is that not better than the "turnstiles" you mention, which bring in precious little except for the away fans?

Thanks for proving my point so eloquantly. Reply again when you've looked up economics and how calenders work.