Well how did you expect it to land FFS - ridiculous question and bu99er all to do with you unless you're going to make him an offer
Thanks for this. I didn't realise it was you that asked that question.I have been known to criticise Steve Gibson for his decision making since Eindhoven, the Comms from himself and the club, and the Pricing policy to non SC holders beyond EB especially Walk ups.
I went to the event last night.
Sorry am late posting this and it is a long read, but it is aimed at those who weren't there.
Earlier postings are accurate I'd say.
These are some thoughts afterwards for what little they are worth.
1. Hats off to Rob for organising the event. There was absolutely no pre-selection of questions, no vetting of questions, no preferred guests. Everybody genuinely was free to ask what they wanted. I think that is very important to highlight.
I also like the charity dimension to the evening and the way it was positioned.
2. Hats off to Steve Gibson for finally reaching out and opening himself up to be so openly questioned. It may well be long overdue, but he has done it. There was a free bar and food, but it was also good to see that this was far from abused by fans. People were there for the insight, not the freebies. I don't believe he said much that was not already in the public domain and was obviously very wary of being subsequently mis-quoted.
If you go along expecting Steve to really open up and offer culpability or contrition about anything then you would be holding your breath for a lifetime (1finny).
He showed some considerable willing to connect last night and deserves recognition and credit for that.
3. The format is extraordinarily important and so difficult to get right. In essence people asked questions, gave the mic back and Gibson then answered. Understandably, but frustratingly, his answers could not be/were not responded to. So, subjects were closed down as he wanted, they were not challenged or expanded. Steve had obviously prepared well and gave an awful lot of politician answers. With a lot of people there, it would have required very skillful compering to be able to have that interaction and for it not to descend into chaos.
4. Steve was supportive of every one of his previous managers as men, with the total exception of Garry Monk. I didn't personally buy he is as close to them as he made out. He expressed no regret at hiring or firing any of them except Monk. Things had either just not worked out, or things had run their course by the time they were released.
5. He was very much on the front foot about ticket pricing. Cheaper kids would mean even more expensive adults. He is very determined to get £10m from tickets next season, so with fewer renewals it will mean there will be hikes to walk ups. He did say that he was looking at Under 18's pricing especially in walk ups. I got the impression there will be relief here, but that it will need to be funded by adult prices.
6. He is clearly wary of predicting anything. Being competitive next season was his aim. The only reference to making the PL was in a late question of where does he see us in 5 years time. He had agreed with Scott earlier in the day the summer window targets and was understandably non commital about positions or specific players. McGree positioned but not agreed; wanting to secure Howson, age no barrier provided there is no transfer fee; no reference to any of the current loanees. He said he didn't look to sell any of the current squad, but if offers came in it is difficult to stop players wanting the PL and its money. Quite the politician.
7. He is extremely frustrated by the greed and conduct of PL clubs and the nature of the Premier League authorities. He did say he thought at least 10 clubs would get sanctioned next season. The thing he'd like to change most is the enforcement of the current rules and much stiffer penalties for breaking them. It is clear that Everton and Nottingham Forest do not have his sympathy and that their penalties should have been bigger. No sympathy for teams who "cheated" their way to promotion namely Leicester. Wants the bottom 3 to come down (Luton distracted by new stadium costs, Burnley not bothered by and Sheff U a basket case of a club)
8. He spent a long while rattling through numbers and explaining the financial reality of a Championship club attempting to be competitive, the losses made, the impact of Covid, what the fans revenue actually covers. That as owner he has to underwrite the losses made and it makes him very frustrated at fans reactions to pricing and price increases. No fans rep will ever be on the board given the financial obligations of being a Board Director. Amusing that he described the Fans Forum as a sort of secondary board. I don't think anybody remotely bought that. He quoted successive losses of £40m per season during Covid that are exaggerated - the published accounts lodged at Company House verify this - but it is clear that there were major Cash flow issues he had to address and that it was a very worrying time for him as owner. He did undoubtedly steer the club through the Covid tempest.
9. He was unapologetic about Comms, said sophisticated PR of the type some clubs employ would cost up to £5m.
Safe standing too expensive to put in and can't be selectively installed in just one part of the ground.
Doesn't think Championship can afford VAR, £4m to install capability and £80k per match is what he said it cost.
Didn't appear to value any of these things anyway.
We could have these things but we would have to accept players being sold to fund it.
This was my over-riding take. He wants the club to go up and believes they can re-establish in the PL given the revenues there, but there is a limit to what he will fund, not just be permitted to fund.
He talked of the importance of the Academy producing to fund itself at nearly £4.5m plus per season.
He talked of selling and intelligent buying. Described us neither a selling or buying club. Have to be both.
He talked of preferring not to borrow players, but if the class of Archer and Ramsey are available then they will borrow again - a no brainer.
I strongly got the impression that he will fund the losses made by the club as he always has, as it is inevitable that losses will be made by Championship clubs. BUT he will not significantly invest in the squad in addition to this safeguarding. He never referenced our FFP position, headroom to invest, or his intention to step up investment in playing squad.
He did say he was the most excited he had been in recent seasons and that he was more positive than he'd been since the relegation of 2017, which he said he had found the most demoralising of all the relegations as he didn't see the easy way back he had always done before.
10. I deliberately kept my question until very late on. I asked that given the madness of football finances and the financial reality he had explained, could he describe the circumstances under which he would consider external investment, even to the point of him relinquishing control of the club.
This clearly did not land well, as his blunt response was do I know who would take it on; there was no such thing as investing in a Championship team; it was simply pouring money in for no return. He then reiterated the financial pressures at the club and how hopeless the finances are.
I'd have loved to have responded, but it was not the forum to have such interaction as I described earlier.
It seems clear to me that he is planning to be in control for the foreseeable and certainly expects to steer the club back to the PL at some point.
He is certainly willing, we'll see if he's able, its one hell of a tough gig.
He had earlier said the only approach he had ever received was from the now owners of Barnsley, back in 2017, but he didn't want the Chinese flag flying over this Yorkshireman's ground.
The political interlude was out of keeping for me - and I say that as someone who is contemptuous of the Government and what I understand of Houchen's tenure.
It's hard to say for me but I didn't find the evening uplifting.
Not because of Steve Gibson's answers, or my perception of his commitment, or my reaction to his communication style.
Just a sadness that football finances are now structured in such a horrendous way that clubs like ours seemingly have to have so many unlikely things align to squeeze into a promotional slot.
No mention of the Commercial Operation that covers Retail - other than to publicly commend the bloke who heads it up for the revenue generated, which I'm sure I wasn't alone in finding just weird.
No ticket price specifics discussed, headed off at the pass by his focus on the absurd costs faced running a club and how much he already spends holding things together.
No to stand naming, doesn't like sitting in the Sir John Hall stand. Clearly does not like NUFC or Sheff Wed owner for that matter!
Never liked the shield crest; we will choose the next one (even though we'll all have masses of disagreement) and fans will have a say in the 150th celebration elements. (I'm confident Gibson did sign the badge off, not Graham)
Ramirez inferred as the only past player he would feed to the sharks.
He deserves credit for taking part, I hope it encourages him to continue doing so and I hope he gets a good reaction from those who weren't there last night.
It was not a ridiculous question at all and has no more or less to do with me than the vast majority of questions asked.
Thanks for writing all this up. I appreciate it. Looks like what Gibson's answers can be distilled down to is the old Mowbray mantra of "it is what it is..."I have been known to criticise Steve Gibson for his decision making since Eindhoven, the Comms from himself and the club, and the Pricing policy to non SC holders beyond EB especially Walk ups.
I went to the event last night.
Sorry am late posting this and it is a long read, but it is aimed at those who weren't there.
Earlier postings are accurate I'd say.
These are some thoughts afterwards for what little they are worth.
1. Hats off to Rob for organising the event. There was absolutely no pre-selection of questions, no vetting of questions, no preferred guests. Everybody genuinely was free to ask what they wanted. I think that is very important to highlight.
I also like the charity dimension to the evening and the way it was positioned.
2. Hats off to Steve Gibson for finally reaching out and opening himself up to be so openly questioned. It may well be long overdue, but he has done it. There was a free bar and food, but it was also good to see that this was far from abused by fans. People were there for the insight, not the freebies. I don't believe he said much that was not already in the public domain and was obviously very wary of being subsequently mis-quoted.
If you go along expecting Steve to really open up and offer culpability or contrition about anything then you would be holding your breath for a lifetime (1finny).
He showed some considerable willing to connect last night and deserves recognition and credit for that.
3. The format is extraordinarily important and so difficult to get right. In essence people asked questions, gave the mic back and Gibson then answered. Understandably, but frustratingly, his answers could not be/were not responded to. So, subjects were closed down as he wanted, they were not challenged or expanded. Steve had obviously prepared well and gave an awful lot of politician answers. With a lot of people there, it would have required very skillful compering to be able to have that interaction and for it not to descend into chaos.
4. Steve was supportive of every one of his previous managers as men, with the total exception of Garry Monk. I didn't personally buy he is as close to them as he made out. He expressed no regret at hiring or firing any of them except Monk. Things had either just not worked out, or things had run their course by the time they were released.
5. He was very much on the front foot about ticket pricing. Cheaper kids would mean even more expensive adults. He is very determined to get £10m from tickets next season, so with fewer renewals it will mean there will be hikes to walk ups. He did say that he was looking at Under 18's pricing especially in walk ups. I got the impression there will be relief here, but that it will need to be funded by adult prices.
6. He is clearly wary of predicting anything. Being competitive next season was his aim. The only reference to making the PL was in a late question of where does he see us in 5 years time. He had agreed with Scott earlier in the day the summer window targets and was understandably non commital about positions or specific players. McGree positioned but not agreed; wanting to secure Howson, age no barrier provided there is no transfer fee; no reference to any of the current loanees. He said he didn't look to sell any of the current squad, but if offers came in it is difficult to stop players wanting the PL and its money. Quite the politician.
7. He is extremely frustrated by the greed and conduct of PL clubs and the nature of the Premier League authorities. He did say he thought at least 10 clubs would get sanctioned next season. The thing he'd like to change most is the enforcement of the current rules and much stiffer penalties for breaking them. It is clear that Everton and Nottingham Forest do not have his sympathy and that their penalties should have been bigger. No sympathy for teams who "cheated" their way to promotion namely Leicester. Wants the bottom 3 to come down (Luton distracted by new stadium costs, Burnley not bothered by and Sheff U a basket case of a club)
8. He spent a long while rattling through numbers and explaining the financial reality of a Championship club attempting to be competitive, the losses made, the impact of Covid, what the fans revenue actually covers. That as owner he has to underwrite the losses made and it makes him very frustrated at fans reactions to pricing and price increases. No fans rep will ever be on the board given the financial obligations of being a Board Director. Amusing that he described the Fans Forum as a sort of secondary board. I don't think anybody remotely bought that. He quoted successive losses of £40m per season during Covid that are exaggerated - the published accounts lodged at Company House verify this - but it is clear that there were major Cash flow issues he had to address and that it was a very worrying time for him as owner. He did undoubtedly steer the club through the Covid tempest.
9. He was unapologetic about Comms, said sophisticated PR of the type some clubs employ would cost up to £5m.
Safe standing too expensive to put in and can't be selectively installed in just one part of the ground.
Doesn't think Championship can afford VAR, £4m to install capability and £80k per match is what he said it cost.
Didn't appear to value any of these things anyway.
We could have these things but we would have to accept players being sold to fund it.
This was my over-riding take. He wants the club to go up and believes they can re-establish in the PL given the revenues there, but there is a limit to what he will fund, not just be permitted to fund.
He talked of the importance of the Academy producing to fund itself at nearly £4.5m plus per season.
He talked of selling and intelligent buying. Described us neither a selling or buying club. Have to be both.
He talked of preferring not to borrow players, but if the class of Archer and Ramsey are available then they will borrow again - a no brainer.
I strongly got the impression that he will fund the losses made by the club as he always has, as it is inevitable that losses will be made by Championship clubs. BUT he will not significantly invest in the squad in addition to this safeguarding. He never referenced our FFP position, headroom to invest, or his intention to step up investment in playing squad.
He did say he was the most excited he had been in recent seasons and that he was more positive than he'd been since the relegation of 2017, which he said he had found the most demoralising of all the relegations as he didn't see the easy way back he had always done before.
10. I deliberately kept my question until very late on. I asked that given the madness of football finances and the financial reality he had explained, could he describe the circumstances under which he would consider external investment, even to the point of him relinquishing control of the club.
This clearly did not land well, as his blunt response was do I know who would take it on; there was no such thing as investing in a Championship team; it was simply pouring money in for no return. He then reiterated the financial pressures at the club and how hopeless the finances are.
I'd have loved to have responded, but it was not the forum to have such interaction as I described earlier.
It seems clear to me that he is planning to be in control for the foreseeable and certainly expects to steer the club back to the PL at some point.
He is certainly willing, we'll see if he's able, its one hell of a tough gig.
He had earlier said the only approach he had ever received was from the now owners of Barnsley, back in 2017, but he didn't want the Chinese flag flying over this Yorkshireman's ground.
The political interlude was out of keeping for me - and I say that as someone who is contemptuous of the Government and what I understand of Houchen's tenure.
It's hard to say for me but I didn't find the evening uplifting.
Not because of Steve Gibson's answers, or my perception of his commitment, or my reaction to his communication style.
Just a sadness that football finances are now structured in such a horrendous way that clubs like ours seemingly have to have so many unlikely things align to squeeze into a promotional slot.
No mention of the Commercial Operation that covers Retail - other than to publicly commend the bloke who heads it up for the revenue generated, which I'm sure I wasn't alone in finding just weird.
No ticket price specifics discussed, headed off at the pass by his focus on the absurd costs faced running a club and how much he already spends holding things together.
No to stand naming, doesn't like sitting in the Sir John Hall stand. Clearly does not like NUFC or Sheff Wed owner for that matter!
Never liked the shield crest; we will choose the next one (even though we'll all have masses of disagreement) and fans will have a say in the 150th celebration elements. (I'm confident Gibson did sign the badge off, not Graham)
Ramirez inferred as the only past player he would feed to the sharks.
He deserves credit for taking part, I hope it encourages him to continue doing so and I hope he gets a good reaction from those who weren't there last night.
I think it’s an interesting question, and well framed. You’re not asking him to sell the club, “can you describe the circumstances” is a perfect way to put it - an owner can perhaps suck up losing £20m a year but would baulk at £100m, £200m whatever.
In retrospect Harry Redknapp and Brendan Rodgers were the closest two homegrown managers to breaking through. Redknapp had Spurs purring and Rodgers nearly won the league.
I don't see this a a ridiculous question at all.
When I initially commented I was specifically talking about English managers, not British. We don’t have a British league and I don’t think anyone would be especially keen on having a British (rather than English) manager leading England.
The actual bid wasn't substantial enough in any case not so much for Gibson but in terms of what we might expect..
He'd rather see the championship flag flying with him at the helm than a horrible foreigner in charge in the PL. All of the answers about foreigners are bizarre at best and very xenophobic.
You can't deny that Gibson is a complete control freak, for better or worse
Really good point that - I’m old enough to remember French, Portuguese, German, Danish, Spanish and now Dutch managers being dead trendy. English managers have never been “in fashion”.