Potential New Owners

[leon]

ban this Bolton twat

[morganb]

When we do eventually get new owners, what changes (positive or negative) do we expect them to make?

Are ticket prices likely to rocket?
Will they provide free travel to away games?
Will there be sweeping changes through our remaining staff (Bowen, Selles, etc.)?
Are the Academy's days numbered?
Etc...

[Snowflake Royal]

When we do eventually get new owners, what changes (positive or negative) do we expect them to make?

Are ticket prices likely to rocket?
Will they provide free travel to away games?
Will there be sweeping changes through our remaining staff (Bowen, Selles, etc.)?
Are the Academy's days numbered?
Etc...

Firstly, paying people's wages on time.
Secondly, streamlining our costs
Thirdly, helping to fund the shortfall in income that is inevitable to running the club through sales of a player or two a season at good value.

How far they have to cut back will depend on what division we're in. L2 and the Academy will pretty definitely have to be downgraded.

Either way, if they're not awful, and they can put together a solid team so we are at least midtable, then attendances should be up at about 14k - 16k to start off just through the positive buzz it will bring in their first full season. Which would help a lot.

Prices can't really go up if we go down, but maybe a little if we stay up.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

When we do eventually get new owners, what changes (positive or negative) do we expect them to make?

Are ticket prices likely to rocket?
Will they provide free travel to away games?
Will there be sweeping changes through our remaining staff (Bowen, Selles, etc.)?
Are the Academy's days numbered?
Etc...

No
No
Yes
No

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Surely ten quids worth is a parody account of an existing nobber

[Hendo]

When we do eventually get new owners, what changes (positive or negative) do we expect them to make?

Are ticket prices likely to rocket?
Will they provide free travel to away games?
Will there be sweeping changes through our remaining staff (Bowen, Selles, etc.)?
Are the Academy's days numbered?
Etc...

No
No
Yes
No

Would agree with that.

[WestYorksRoyal]

When we do eventually get new owners, what changes (positive or negative) do we expect them to make?

Are ticket prices likely to rocket?
Will they provide free travel to away games?
Will there be sweeping changes through our remaining staff (Bowen, Selles, etc.)?
Are the Academy's days numbered?
Etc...

No
No
Yes
No

Would agree with that.

I'd be happy to see continuity on the footballing side. Selles is doing a decent job, but also youth production and recruitment have given us a competitive squad in impossible circumstances. I'd like to see Bowen, Selles et. al given a chance with stability and proper backing.

[Hendo]

No
No
Yes
No

Would agree with that.

I'd be happy to see continuity on the footballing side. Selles is doing a decent job, but also youth production and recruitment have given us a competitive squad in impossible circumstances. I'd like to see Bowen, Selles et. al given a chance with stability and proper backing.

I would as well and I don't think it'll be immediate.

[Snowflake Royal]

Surely ten quids worth is a parody account of an existing nobber

Not given he's posted for years on other team's forums and they all hate him too.

[Snowflake Royal]

Would agree with that.

I'd be happy to see continuity on the footballing side. Selles is doing a decent job, but also youth production and recruitment have given us a competitive squad in impossible circumstances. I'd like to see Bowen, Selles et. al given a chance with stability and proper backing.

I would as well and I don't think it'll be immediate.

I think Bowen should definitely stay. Be nice to see what the only guy with any real credit from Dai's era (unfair on Tevreden but he's long gone) could do without being hamstrung.

[tmesis]

When we do eventually get new owners, what changes (positive or negative) do we expect them to make?

Are ticket prices likely to rocket?
Will they provide free travel to away games?
Will there be sweeping changes through our remaining staff (Bowen, Selles, etc.)?
Are the Academy's days numbered?
Etc...

They will have to come in and work out why we are haemorrhaging money despite a wage bill that's not vast by League One standards.

The acedemy must be a prime suspect.

[WestYorksRoyal]

When we do eventually get new owners, what changes (positive or negative) do we expect them to make?

Are ticket prices likely to rocket?
Will they provide free travel to away games?
Will there be sweeping changes through our remaining staff (Bowen, Selles, etc.)?
Are the Academy's days numbered?
Etc...

They will have to come in and work out why we are haemorrhaging money despite a wage bill that's not vast by League One standards.

The acedemy must be a prime suspect.

It's up to their vision and ambition. If you want us to punch above our weight and have Premier League aspirations, the academy is the asset to achieve that. In the Championship, the best players fetch £20m now so you only need to produce a couple. So a new owner could cover those costs for a few years while we're outside the Championship.

But if their priority is to get us sustainable in the short term, it'll be first on the block.

Obviously I'd prefer the former, but only with a strategy to go with it. We've seen what happens with a mindless "buy success" model.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

When we do eventually get new owners, what changes (positive or negative) do we expect them to make?

Are ticket prices likely to rocket?
Will they provide free travel to away games?
Will there be sweeping changes through our remaining staff (Bowen, Selles, etc.)?
Are the Academy's days numbered?
Etc...

They will have to come in and work out why we are haemorrhaging money despite a wage bill that's not vast by League One standards.

The acedemy must be a prime suspect.

It's up to their vision and ambition. If you want us to punch above our weight and have Premier League aspirations, the academy is the asset to achieve that. In the Championship, the best players fetch £20m now so you only need to produce a couple. So a new owner could cover those costs for a few years while we're outside the Championship.

But if their priority is to get us sustainable in the short term, it'll be first on the block.

Obviously I'd prefer the former, but only with a strategy to go with it. We've seen what happens with a mindless "buy success" model.

I know these players do still technically "come through the academy" at clubs, but would you also say it's who you pick up from other academies as well? Olise for example didn't run through our academy from a young age to his breakthrough into the first team, he ended up at Chelsea for most of his youth career, then Man City before we picked him up. The obvious exception there is Bellingham but his breakthrough came at a very young age typically as well.

I don't know how much influence your academy has in terms of picking up players who don't make the grade elsewhere. I know the Cat One academies have more protection over their players alongside other benefits, but could a Cat Two academy pick up a 16 year old "Olise" for instance, if they were deemed good enough, offer them a pro contract for when they turn 17 and then jobs a good one?

[WestYorksRoyal]

They will have to come in and work out why we are haemorrhaging money despite a wage bill that's not vast by League One standards.

The acedemy must be a prime suspect.

It's up to their vision and ambition. If you want us to punch above our weight and have Premier League aspirations, the academy is the asset to achieve that. In the Championship, the best players fetch £20m now so you only need to produce a couple. So a new owner could cover those costs for a few years while we're outside the Championship.

But if their priority is to get us sustainable in the short term, it'll be first on the block.

Obviously I'd prefer the former, but only with a strategy to go with it. We've seen what happens with a mindless "buy success" model.

I know these players do still technically "come through the academy" at clubs, but would you also say it's who you pick up from other academies as well? Olise for example didn't run through our academy from a young age to his breakthrough into the first team, he ended up at Chelsea for most of his youth career, then Man City before we picked him up. The obvious exception there is Bellingham but his breakthrough came at a very young age typically as well.

I don't know how much influence your academy has in terms of picking up players who don't make the grade elsewhere. I know the Cat One academies have more protection over their players alongside other benefits, but could a Cat Two academy pick up a 16 year old "Olise" for instance, if they were deemed good enough, offer them a pro contract for when they turn 17 and then jobs a good one?

Not a clue. Let's hope any new owners appoint people who actually know this stuff to run the club.

[Forbury Lion]

Tl;dr.

What does it say, Bob, and why does it lead us to the pretty obvious conclusion that Ken and friends are the ideal leaders to bring the glory days back to Reading Football Club?

Also does it mention that Mcateer is a cheating little prick?

er... Ten Bob seems to have reported the post with this as the reason.... Looks like he accidentally reported it and thought he was replying to the post, so here's his reply

You could try clicking on the link and reading it. The first sentence isn't the best of English but it tells me there is someone connected to the Reading Supporters Trust that his thinking head on. I'm not going much further than that except to say that its miles better than the Bolton Supporters Trust have ever come up with.

Anyway, Ken Anderson as he has been linked with someone's alleged interest in Reading, I thought I'd treat you to Chairman Ken's thoughts on FGR owner Dale Vince after Vince threatened to liquidate Bolton Wanderers, one of the founder members of the Football League:

KEN ANDERSON FULL STATEMENT

Despite what the media and Dale Vince, the chairman of Forest Green Rovers, has said about us being unable to sign players as we are in an embargo, I can confirm that we have had directions from the EFL on how we can sign players.

As regards Dale l can only say that during my several telephone discussions with him, l have found him to probably be one of the strangest people that l have ever come across in football - and in my 20 plus years in the game, l have met hundreds of players, managers , directors and club owners, so that's saying something!

I have read and heard his recollection of our telephone conversations and have given them the credit they deserve and promptly dispatched them into the bin.

What l can say is that he knows what he agreed in August 2018 and l have made it clear that we are still prepared to make the first payment, as always agreed from the outset, being next week when we receive the EFL distribution monies. If this is not now acceptable, then so be it, but don't go blaming me for disappointing Christian as we have made it absolutely clear that he is welcome here.

I understand that the only reason he won't be here is because of Dale and that's a shame as he is unable to play at any other clubs this season apart from FGR or us. As regards the breach of contract claims, well that will be for the courts to determine, if it gets that far, as we intend to adhere to the agreement next week and if he rejects the payment, then as I said, it will be for the courts to determine which party is in breach of contract.

Furthermore, Dale's allegations about me negotiating a deal with Christian before l even spoke to him is total nonsense and vigorously denied. I never met or spoke to Christian before he signed with us.

The truth of the matter is that it's probably sour grapes as he knows he negotiated a poor deal in August 2018 and he foolishly tried to renegotiate the terms last Friday and bring an additional £250,000 forward to August/January this year and next. As l have previously said this was flatly refused and remains the position now.

Everything else he has said is totally irrelevant as far as l am concerned and l won't lower myself to respond to his disrespectful and misleading comments.

I have to say that I found the t-shirts FGR are selling quite humorous and I'm sure the Supporters Trust will greatly [sic] receive the funds they generate. We are thinking about printing our own which will say, 'Yes We Ken' and we will donate all proceeds to those employees of Ecotricity who were made redundant.

That said, I am not sure where his offer of a free pint of beer fits in with his green philosophy.

l can only imagine it's his way of getting his 15 minutes of fame and as much free publicity as possible. The same probably applies to his business if the following link is anything to go by:

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/n ... ce-1680779

He's probably achieved more air time and press coverage over the last few days than ever before. Good luck with that and well done.

It seems that I'm not the only football chairman he has taken an exception to. When the chairman of Carlisle United, Andrew Jenkins, refused to try some vegan food on offer at FGR's New Lawn in January last year, Vince responded by making the following bizarre statement:

'How many years will it be before we all look at families that made their living or fortune in the meat trade - in the same way that we now look at families that did the same in the slave trade. Not long [in my opinion].'

The articles relating to this can be found here and you can make your own minds up.

What was that all about?

I have also seen the latest articles about the Baronesses and also the planned mass protest, and if these people think this is beneficial to the club then so be it. Unfortunately, people seem to be coming to their own conclusions without knowing the full facts and believing everything they read. I would have thought that the two seasoned and respected politicians would have known better when it comes to the media and perhaps they should have taken the time to contact me to get the facts?

In fact, Baroness Taylor used to be a frequent guest to the Chairman's Suite on match days but hasn't been for a while. Perhaps if she'd have still attended she would have been able raise her questions to me directly?

As the English poet John Lydgate wrote: 'You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time'

This is never truer than when you are working with football clubs as it seems that for a very small minority whatever l do or say is wrong irrespective of all the good things that have happened in the last two years or so.

Maybe they just have a short memory and don't recall those dark days in March 2016 or the highs of May 2017 and May 2018, the concerts and the rugby league matches.

Again, there have been some reported inaccuracies regarding the payments due to Norwich City for the loan signings. There is an agreement in place to pay what is owed from the EFL money.

Despite all of this the staff continue to do a great job and the businesses and results have improved drastically over the last two years. Well done and a big thank you to each and every one of you.

Over the last couple of days I've received a lot of well wishes from supporters and people within the game and for that I am extremely grateful.

I will always continue to do my best for the club.

Fortunately, l get inspiration from some of the quotes of Winston Churchill and hopefully the following will help us all get through these difficult times:

'If you're going through hell, keep going.'

I believe I have said everything I need to on the FGR matter and I won't be making any more comments. My focus will now be on the Bristol City match at the weekend and to ensure that we retain our Championship status.

Ken

Message to Ken.

If you've been though hell, don't go through it again.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Tl;dr.

What does it say, Bob, and why does it lead us to the pretty obvious conclusion that Ken and friends are the ideal leaders to bring the glory days back to Reading Football Club?

Also does it mention that Mcateer is a cheating little prick?

er... Ten Bob seems to have reported the post with this as the reason.... Looks like he accidentally reported it and thought he was replying to the post, so here's his reply

You could try clicking on the link and reading it. The first sentence isn't the best of English but it tells me there is someone connected to the Reading Supporters Trust that his thinking head on. I'm not going much further than that except to say that its miles better than the Bolton Supporters Trust have ever come up with.

Anyway, Ken Anderson as he has been linked with someone's alleged interest in Reading, I thought I'd treat you to Chairman Ken's thoughts on FGR owner Dale Vince after Vince threatened to liquidate Bolton Wanderers, one of the founder members of the Football League:

KEN ANDERSON FULL STATEMENT

Despite what the media and Dale Vince, the chairman of Forest Green Rovers, has said about us being unable to sign players as we are in an embargo, I can confirm that we have had directions from the EFL on how we can sign players.

As regards Dale l can only say that during my several telephone discussions with him, l have found him to probably be one of the strangest people that l have ever come across in football - and in my 20 plus years in the game, l have met hundreds of players, managers , directors and club owners, so that's saying something!

I have read and heard his recollection of our telephone conversations and have given them the credit they deserve and promptly dispatched them into the bin.

What l can say is that he knows what he agreed in August 2018 and l have made it clear that we are still prepared to make the first payment, as always agreed from the outset, being next week when we receive the EFL distribution monies. If this is not now acceptable, then so be it, but don't go blaming me for disappointing Christian as we have made it absolutely clear that he is welcome here.

I understand that the only reason he won't be here is because of Dale and that's a shame as he is unable to play at any other clubs this season apart from FGR or us. As regards the breach of contract claims, well that will be for the courts to determine, if it gets that far, as we intend to adhere to the agreement next week and if he rejects the payment, then as I said, it will be for the courts to determine which party is in breach of contract.

Furthermore, Dale's allegations about me negotiating a deal with Christian before l even spoke to him is total nonsense and vigorously denied. I never met or spoke to Christian before he signed with us.

The truth of the matter is that it's probably sour grapes as he knows he negotiated a poor deal in August 2018 and he foolishly tried to renegotiate the terms last Friday and bring an additional £250,000 forward to August/January this year and next. As l have previously said this was flatly refused and remains the position now.

Everything else he has said is totally irrelevant as far as l am concerned and l won't lower myself to respond to his disrespectful and misleading comments.

I have to say that I found the t-shirts FGR are selling quite humorous and I'm sure the Supporters Trust will greatly [sic] receive the funds they generate. We are thinking about printing our own which will say, 'Yes We Ken' and we will donate all proceeds to those employees of Ecotricity who were made redundant.

That said, I am not sure where his offer of a free pint of beer fits in with his green philosophy.

l can only imagine it's his way of getting his 15 minutes of fame and as much free publicity as possible. The same probably applies to his business if the following link is anything to go by:

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/n ... ce-1680779

He's probably achieved more air time and press coverage over the last few days than ever before. Good luck with that and well done.

It seems that I'm not the only football chairman he has taken an exception to. When the chairman of Carlisle United, Andrew Jenkins, refused to try some vegan food on offer at FGR's New Lawn in January last year, Vince responded by making the following bizarre statement:

'How many years will it be before we all look at families that made their living or fortune in the meat trade - in the same way that we now look at families that did the same in the slave trade. Not long [in my opinion].'

The articles relating to this can be found here and you can make your own minds up.

What was that all about?

I have also seen the latest articles about the Baronesses and also the planned mass protest, and if these people think this is beneficial to the club then so be it. Unfortunately, people seem to be coming to their own conclusions without knowing the full facts and believing everything they read. I would have thought that the two seasoned and respected politicians would have known better when it comes to the media and perhaps they should have taken the time to contact me to get the facts?

In fact, Baroness Taylor used to be a frequent guest to the Chairman's Suite on match days but hasn't been for a while. Perhaps if she'd have still attended she would have been able raise her questions to me directly?

As the English poet John Lydgate wrote: 'You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time'

This is never truer than when you are working with football clubs as it seems that for a very small minority whatever l do or say is wrong irrespective of all the good things that have happened in the last two years or so.

Maybe they just have a short memory and don't recall those dark days in March 2016 or the highs of May 2017 and May 2018, the concerts and the rugby league matches.

Again, there have been some reported inaccuracies regarding the payments due to Norwich City for the loan signings. There is an agreement in place to pay what is owed from the EFL money.

Despite all of this the staff continue to do a great job and the businesses and results have improved drastically over the last two years. Well done and a big thank you to each and every one of you.

Over the last couple of days I've received a lot of well wishes from supporters and people within the game and for that I am extremely grateful.

I will always continue to do my best for the club.

Fortunately, l get inspiration from some of the quotes of Winston Churchill and hopefully the following will help us all get through these difficult times:

'If you're going through hell, keep going.'

I believe I have said everything I need to on the FGR matter and I won't be making any more comments. My focus will now be on the Bristol City match at the weekend and to ensure that we retain our Championship status.

Ken

Message to Ken.

If you've been though hell, don't go through it again.

Thanks Forbes

[Orion1871]

Tl;dr.

What does it say, Bob, and why does it lead us to the pretty obvious conclusion that Ken and friends are the ideal leaders to bring the glory days back to Reading Football Club?

Also does it mention that Mcateer is a cheating little prick?

er... Ten Bob seems to have reported the post with this as the reason.... Looks like he accidentally reported it and thought he was replying to the post, so here's his reply

You could try clicking on the link and reading it. The first sentence isn't the best of English but it tells me there is someone connected to the Reading Supporters Trust that his thinking head on. I'm not going much further than that except to say that its miles better than the Bolton Supporters Trust have ever come up with.

Anyway, Ken Anderson as he has been linked with someone's alleged interest in Reading, I thought I'd treat you to Chairman Ken's thoughts on FGR owner Dale Vince after Vince threatened to liquidate Bolton Wanderers, one of the founder members of the Football League:

KEN ANDERSON FULL STATEMENT

Despite what the media and Dale Vince, the chairman of Forest Green Rovers, has said about us being unable to sign players as we are in an embargo, I can confirm that we have had directions from the EFL on how we can sign players.

As regards Dale l can only say that during my several telephone discussions with him, l have found him to probably be one of the strangest people that l have ever come across in football - and in my 20 plus years in the game, l have met hundreds of players, managers , directors and club owners, so that's saying something!

I have read and heard his recollection of our telephone conversations and have given them the credit they deserve and promptly dispatched them into the bin.

What l can say is that he knows what he agreed in August 2018 and l have made it clear that we are still prepared to make the first payment, as always agreed from the outset, being next week when we receive the EFL distribution monies. If this is not now acceptable, then so be it, but don't go blaming me for disappointing Christian as we have made it absolutely clear that he is welcome here.

I understand that the only reason he won't be here is because of Dale and that's a shame as he is unable to play at any other clubs this season apart from FGR or us. As regards the breach of contract claims, well that will be for the courts to determine, if it gets that far, as we intend to adhere to the agreement next week and if he rejects the payment, then as I said, it will be for the courts to determine which party is in breach of contract.

Furthermore, Dale's allegations about me negotiating a deal with Christian before l even spoke to him is total nonsense and vigorously denied. I never met or spoke to Christian before he signed with us.

The truth of the matter is that it's probably sour grapes as he knows he negotiated a poor deal in August 2018 and he foolishly tried to renegotiate the terms last Friday and bring an additional £250,000 forward to August/January this year and next. As l have previously said this was flatly refused and remains the position now.

Everything else he has said is totally irrelevant as far as l am concerned and l won't lower myself to respond to his disrespectful and misleading comments.

I have to say that I found the t-shirts FGR are selling quite humorous and I'm sure the Supporters Trust will greatly [sic] receive the funds they generate. We are thinking about printing our own which will say, 'Yes We Ken' and we will donate all proceeds to those employees of Ecotricity who were made redundant.

That said, I am not sure where his offer of a free pint of beer fits in with his green philosophy.

l can only imagine it's his way of getting his 15 minutes of fame and as much free publicity as possible. The same probably applies to his business if the following link is anything to go by:

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/n ... ce-1680779

He's probably achieved more air time and press coverage over the last few days than ever before. Good luck with that and well done.

It seems that I'm not the only football chairman he has taken an exception to. When the chairman of Carlisle United, Andrew Jenkins, refused to try some vegan food on offer at FGR's New Lawn in January last year, Vince responded by making the following bizarre statement:

'How many years will it be before we all look at families that made their living or fortune in the meat trade - in the same way that we now look at families that did the same in the slave trade. Not long [in my opinion].'

The articles relating to this can be found here and you can make your own minds up.

What was that all about?

I have also seen the latest articles about the Baronesses and also the planned mass protest, and if these people think this is beneficial to the club then so be it. Unfortunately, people seem to be coming to their own conclusions without knowing the full facts and believing everything they read. I would have thought that the two seasoned and respected politicians would have known better when it comes to the media and perhaps they should have taken the time to contact me to get the facts?

In fact, Baroness Taylor used to be a frequent guest to the Chairman's Suite on match days but hasn't been for a while. Perhaps if she'd have still attended she would have been able raise her questions to me directly?

As the English poet John Lydgate wrote: 'You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time'

This is never truer than when you are working with football clubs as it seems that for a very small minority whatever l do or say is wrong irrespective of all the good things that have happened in the last two years or so.

Maybe they just have a short memory and don't recall those dark days in March 2016 or the highs of May 2017 and May 2018, the concerts and the rugby league matches.

Again, there have been some reported inaccuracies regarding the payments due to Norwich City for the loan signings. There is an agreement in place to pay what is owed from the EFL money.

Despite all of this the staff continue to do a great job and the businesses and results have improved drastically over the last two years. Well done and a big thank you to each and every one of you.

Over the last couple of days I've received a lot of well wishes from supporters and people within the game and for that I am extremely grateful.

I will always continue to do my best for the club.

Fortunately, l get inspiration from some of the quotes of Winston Churchill and hopefully the following will help us all get through these difficult times:

'If you're going through hell, keep going.'

I believe I have said everything I need to on the FGR matter and I won't be making any more comments. My focus will now be on the Bristol City match at the weekend and to ensure that we retain our Championship status.

Ken

Message to Ken.

If you've been though hell, don't go through it again.

I ain't reading all that either.

[From Despair To Where?]

So that's why he joined the Cheltenham forum to whinge about Dale Vince.

[windermereROYAL]

Tl;dr.

What does it say, Bob, and why does it lead us to the pretty obvious conclusion that Ken and friends are the ideal leaders to bring the glory days back to Reading Football Club?

Also does it mention that Mcateer is a cheating little prick?

er... Ten Bob seems to have reported the post with this as the reason.... Looks like he accidentally reported it and thought he was replying to the post, so here's his reply

You could try clicking on the link and reading it. The first sentence isn't the best of English but it tells me there is someone connected to the Reading Supporters Trust that his thinking head on. I'm not going much further than that except to say that its miles better than the Bolton Supporters Trust have ever come up with.

Anyway, Ken Anderson as he has been linked with someone's alleged interest in Reading, I thought I'd treat you to Chairman Ken's thoughts on FGR owner Dale Vince after Vince threatened to liquidate Bolton Wanderers, one of the founder members of the Football League:

KEN ANDERSON FULL STATEMENT

Despite what the media and Dale Vince, the chairman of Forest Green Rovers, has said about us being unable to sign players as we are in an embargo, I can confirm that we have had directions from the EFL on how we can sign players.

As regards Dale l can only say that during my several telephone discussions with him, l have found him to probably be one of the strangest people that l have ever come across in football - and in my 20 plus years in the game, l have met hundreds of players, managers , directors and club owners, so that's saying something!

I have read and heard his recollection of our telephone conversations and have given them the credit they deserve and promptly dispatched them into the bin.

What l can say is that he knows what he agreed in August 2018 and l have made it clear that we are still prepared to make the first payment, as always agreed from the outset, being next week when we receive the EFL distribution monies. If this is not now acceptable, then so be it, but don't go blaming me for disappointing Christian as we have made it absolutely clear that he is welcome here.

I understand that the only reason he won't be here is because of Dale and that's a shame as he is unable to play at any other clubs this season apart from FGR or us. As regards the breach of contract claims, well that will be for the courts to determine, if it gets that far, as we intend to adhere to the agreement next week and if he rejects the payment, then as I said, it will be for the courts to determine which party is in breach of contract.

Furthermore, Dale's allegations about me negotiating a deal with Christian before l even spoke to him is total nonsense and vigorously denied. I never met or spoke to Christian before he signed with us.

The truth of the matter is that it's probably sour grapes as he knows he negotiated a poor deal in August 2018 and he foolishly tried to renegotiate the terms last Friday and bring an additional £250,000 forward to August/January this year and next. As l have previously said this was flatly refused and remains the position now.

Everything else he has said is totally irrelevant as far as l am concerned and l won't lower myself to respond to his disrespectful and misleading comments.

I have to say that I found the t-shirts FGR are selling quite humorous and I'm sure the Supporters Trust will greatly [sic] receive the funds they generate. We are thinking about printing our own which will say, 'Yes We Ken' and we will donate all proceeds to those employees of Ecotricity who were made redundant.

That said, I am not sure where his offer of a free pint of beer fits in with his green philosophy.

l can only imagine it's his way of getting his 15 minutes of fame and as much free publicity as possible. The same probably applies to his business if the following link is anything to go by:

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/n ... ce-1680779

He's probably achieved more air time and press coverage over the last few days than ever before. Good luck with that and well done.

It seems that I'm not the only football chairman he has taken an exception to. When the chairman of Carlisle United, Andrew Jenkins, refused to try some vegan food on offer at FGR's New Lawn in January last year, Vince responded by making the following bizarre statement:

'How many years will it be before we all look at families that made their living or fortune in the meat trade - in the same way that we now look at families that did the same in the slave trade. Not long [in my opinion].'

The articles relating to this can be found here and you can make your own minds up.

What was that all about?

I have also seen the latest articles about the Baronesses and also the planned mass protest, and if these people think this is beneficial to the club then so be it. Unfortunately, people seem to be coming to their own conclusions without knowing the full facts and believing everything they read. I would have thought that the two seasoned and respected politicians would have known better when it comes to the media and perhaps they should have taken the time to contact me to get the facts?

In fact, Baroness Taylor used to be a frequent guest to the Chairman's Suite on match days but hasn't been for a while. Perhaps if she'd have still attended she would have been able raise her questions to me directly?

As the English poet John Lydgate wrote: 'You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time'

This is never truer than when you are working with football clubs as it seems that for a very small minority whatever l do or say is wrong irrespective of all the good things that have happened in the last two years or so.

Maybe they just have a short memory and don't recall those dark days in March 2016 or the highs of May 2017 and May 2018, the concerts and the rugby league matches.

Again, there have been some reported inaccuracies regarding the payments due to Norwich City for the loan signings. There is an agreement in place to pay what is owed from the EFL money.

Despite all of this the staff continue to do a great job and the businesses and results have improved drastically over the last two years. Well done and a big thank you to each and every one of you.

Over the last couple of days I've received a lot of well wishes from supporters and people within the game and for that I am extremely grateful.

I will always continue to do my best for the club.

Fortunately, l get inspiration from some of the quotes of Winston Churchill and hopefully the following will help us all get through these difficult times:

'If you're going through hell, keep going.'

I believe I have said everything I need to on the FGR matter and I won't be making any more comments. My focus will now be on the Bristol City match at the weekend and to ensure that we retain our Championship status.

Ken

Message to Ken.

If you've been though hell, don't go through it again.

I ain't reading all that either.

Sod that, me neither.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Tl;dr.

What does it say, Bob, and why does it lead us to the pretty obvious conclusion that Ken and friends are the ideal leaders to bring the glory days back to Reading Football Club?

Also does it mention that Mcateer is a cheating little prick?

er... Ten Bob seems to have reported the post with this as the reason.... Looks like he accidentally reported it and thought he was replying to the post, so here's his reply

You could try clicking on the link and reading it. The first sentence isn't the best of English but it tells me there is someone connected to the Reading Supporters Trust that his thinking head on. I'm not going much further than that except to say that its miles better than the Bolton Supporters Trust have ever come up with.

Anyway, Ken Anderson as he has been linked with someone's alleged interest in Reading, I thought I'd treat you to Chairman Ken's thoughts on FGR owner Dale Vince after Vince threatened to liquidate Bolton Wanderers, one of the founder members of the Football League:

KEN ANDERSON FULL STATEMENT

Despite what the media and Dale Vince, the chairman of Forest Green Rovers, has said about us being unable to sign players as we are in an embargo, I can confirm that we have had directions from the EFL on how we can sign players.

As regards Dale l can only say that during my several telephone discussions with him, l have found him to probably be one of the strangest people that l have ever come across in football - and in my 20 plus years in the game, l have met hundreds of players, managers , directors and club owners, so that's saying something!

I have read and heard his recollection of our telephone conversations and have given them the credit they deserve and promptly dispatched them into the bin.

What l can say is that he knows what he agreed in August 2018 and l have made it clear that we are still prepared to make the first payment, as always agreed from the outset, being next week when we receive the EFL distribution monies. If this is not now acceptable, then so be it, but don't go blaming me for disappointing Christian as we have made it absolutely clear that he is welcome here.

I understand that the only reason he won't be here is because of Dale and that's a shame as he is unable to play at any other clubs this season apart from FGR or us. As regards the breach of contract claims, well that will be for the courts to determine, if it gets that far, as we intend to adhere to the agreement next week and if he rejects the payment, then as I said, it will be for the courts to determine which party is in breach of contract.

Furthermore, Dale's allegations about me negotiating a deal with Christian before l even spoke to him is total nonsense and vigorously denied. I never met or spoke to Christian before he signed with us.

The truth of the matter is that it's probably sour grapes as he knows he negotiated a poor deal in August 2018 and he foolishly tried to renegotiate the terms last Friday and bring an additional £250,000 forward to August/January this year and next. As l have previously said this was flatly refused and remains the position now.

Everything else he has said is totally irrelevant as far as l am concerned and l won't lower myself to respond to his disrespectful and misleading comments.

I have to say that I found the t-shirts FGR are selling quite humorous and I'm sure the Supporters Trust will greatly [sic] receive the funds they generate. We are thinking about printing our own which will say, 'Yes We Ken' and we will donate all proceeds to those employees of Ecotricity who were made redundant.

That said, I am not sure where his offer of a free pint of beer fits in with his green philosophy.

l can only imagine it's his way of getting his 15 minutes of fame and as much free publicity as possible. The same probably applies to his business if the following link is anything to go by:

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/n ... ce-1680779

He's probably achieved more air time and press coverage over the last few days than ever before. Good luck with that and well done.

It seems that I'm not the only football chairman he has taken an exception to. When the chairman of Carlisle United, Andrew Jenkins, refused to try some vegan food on offer at FGR's New Lawn in January last year, Vince responded by making the following bizarre statement:

'How many years will it be before we all look at families that made their living or fortune in the meat trade - in the same way that we now look at families that did the same in the slave trade. Not long [in my opinion].'

The articles relating to this can be found here and you can make your own minds up.

What was that all about?

I have also seen the latest articles about the Baronesses and also the planned mass protest, and if these people think this is beneficial to the club then so be it. Unfortunately, people seem to be coming to their own conclusions without knowing the full facts and believing everything they read. I would have thought that the two seasoned and respected politicians would have known better when it comes to the media and perhaps they should have taken the time to contact me to get the facts?

In fact, Baroness Taylor used to be a frequent guest to the Chairman's Suite on match days but hasn't been for a while. Perhaps if she'd have still attended she would have been able raise her questions to me directly?

As the English poet John Lydgate wrote: 'You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time'

This is never truer than when you are working with football clubs as it seems that for a very small minority whatever l do or say is wrong irrespective of all the good things that have happened in the last two years or so.

Maybe they just have a short memory and don't recall those dark days in March 2016 or the highs of May 2017 and May 2018, the concerts and the rugby league matches.

Again, there have been some reported inaccuracies regarding the payments due to Norwich City for the loan signings. There is an agreement in place to pay what is owed from the EFL money.

Despite all of this the staff continue to do a great job and the businesses and results have improved drastically over the last two years. Well done and a big thank you to each and every one of you.

Over the last couple of days I've received a lot of well wishes from supporters and people within the game and for that I am extremely grateful.

I will always continue to do my best for the club.

Fortunately, l get inspiration from some of the quotes of Winston Churchill and hopefully the following will help us all get through these difficult times:

'If you're going through hell, keep going.'

I believe I have said everything I need to on the FGR matter and I won't be making any more comments. My focus will now be on the Bristol City match at the weekend and to ensure that we retain our Championship status.

Ken

Message to Ken.

If you've been though hell, don't go through it again.

I ain't reading all that either.

Imagine being sad enough to a) type all that and b) on a Reading forum where you know no one cares

Baffles me