Tony Bloom investment - Q&A arranged (updated)

[OTT]

On 22/11/2024 at 15:28, JimmyCant said:

Infrastructure? We have infrastructure coming out every orifice, often it’s been to the detriment of first team development IMO. But enough !  I’m in favour of Bloom taking a minor stake but the ten mill, or whatever it is, has to be fully re-invested in the football personnel side so that we can play the Jamestown boardgame to full effect.

 

As much as we’d like our own training facility and capacity increase, if he’s investing with the intention of the investment going to those pipedream projects rather than the first team, then sorry but we shouldn’t be diluting ‘our’ share to facilitate that.

 

There isn’t any point getting involved with Bloom/Jamestown if we’re not chucking every available £ at it 

 

This is precisely why we need to hear from him in fine detail before trust him with 25% of our club. He’s not getting away with ‘corporate confidentiality’ on that front. Got to be open,honest and transparent with a proposal he can be held to

 

Yeah, I've always been of a view that the we need to be investing in the club as much as possible, getting that main stand done, getting that hotel built etc. (because this allows us to become more sustainable/ creates alternative revenue streams and broadens what we already have and so forth ultimately increasing our player spend long term. 

 

But I'm somewhat worried that the club are going to be a bit biscuit tinny with how much they invest into Blooms system. I don't want us making the JA guys life extremely difficult by penny pinching on transfers if there is a sizable investment being made. But then again maybe it is to really test the bottom end of the market and this is part of the point?

 

I hope the club can arrange a sitdown interview with Bloom (in house with Robert Borthwick) - I appreciate the guy may have no interest speaking to Keith Jackson figuring a way to misspin his comments so something a big longer form that can be put out to fans would be brilliant. It doesn't need to be invasive, just an opportunity for the fans to get a feel for Tony Bloom the man, and his thoughts on football as well as his motiviations for getting involved (very much a "why Hearts?"). I think that would settle anyone down that needs it, and hopefully also clarify why he's chosen us. 

[JimmyCant]

46 minutes ago, FarmerTweedy said:

I think if Bloom himself agreed that the best way for the club to spend any (theoretical atm) investment of £10 or whatever amount would be to spend some, most, or even all of it on improved training facilities, capacity increases, or anything else really, I'd trust Bloom's judgement on that ahead of yours.  If you think you know better than Tony Bloom how to run a football club, I guess you're entitled to think that!  

I wouldn’t be voting in favour of Bloom if that’s what he wants to do with the money he’s spending/investing. Im certainly entitled to vote that way irrespective of whether he knows more than me or not. If he doesn’t prioritise improvement in the standard of player we have available to us ahead of EVERYTHING else then he’s not for me and I suspect I won’t be the only one. Our current training facility is the envy of most clubs in Britain.

 

I accept that some folk will be happier having the likes of Forrest Grant and Devlin getting a car parking space, a hot shower and a flatter pitch but hey, what do I know

Edited November 23, 2024 by JimmyCant

[Ricardo Quaresma]

23 minutes ago, FarmerTweedy said:

Sorry pal but do you never actually read a whole post, including bits that are quotes from other posts, then reply?  That way you might find that not every post is about, or directed at, you, and there was indeed no need to write anything in reply.

 

 

 

Good; you've noticed I CBA reading anything you post then

 

Ta-ra

[Forrest]

1 hour ago, Ricardo Quaresma said:

 

Same as last time, FoH donations buy them back; if that was at more than inflationary interest like the loan facility we have now

 

On the 2nd sentence, are you referring to 'frozen shares', or as h1bbie5 called them, 'froazun shayrs' 🫠

I meant that after the original sale, basically put the future FoH contributions in a separate bank account until we've got enough to buy the shares back when the time comes. That money would basically sit there until it's needed, but would be available immediately. 

[Seagull]

Regards the idea of improving infrastructure:

 

On 25/09/2024 at 13:14, Seagull said:

It’s possible it might be for improving your training complex.

 

Granted I know nothing about your club infrastructure, and am only speculating.

 

But that is a big part of the Brighton secret sauce. We have quietly grown our infrastructure to have a world class, elite training centre and a category 1 academy.

 

So when we find a Mac Allister, or Trossard, or whoever, not only are they being brought into our elite surroundings, they are also always levelling up and improving as players. Which helps transform them from raw talent to a CL player for a Big6 club to buy.

 

[FarmerTweedy]

7 hours ago, JimmyCant said:

I wouldn’t be voting in favour of Bloom if that’s what he wants to do with the money he’s spending/investing. Im certainly entitled to vote that way irrespective of whether he knows more than me or not. If he doesn’t prioritise improvement in the standard of player we have available to us ahead of EVERYTHING else then he’s not for me and I suspect I won’t be the only one. Our current training facility is the envy of most clubs in Britain.

 

I accept that some folk will be happier having the likes of Forrest Grant and Devlin getting a car parking space, a hot shower and a flatter pitch but hey, what do I know

Very little, it appears. 

[Ricardo Quaresma]

18 hours ago, AllyjamboDerbyshire said:

I think you'll find Farmer Tweedie is replying to a post by Taffin, not yourself. Thought it best to point this out before it develops into another back and forward argument.

 

Well, I see that, now, but I was notified of a reply from that user, I went to the page, there was only one new reply

 

Meh

 

-

Edited November 24, 2024 by Ricardo Quaresma

[Ricardo Quaresma]

17 hours ago, OTT said:

...

 

But I'm somewhat worried that the club are going to be a bit biscuit tinny with how much they invest into Blooms system. I don't want us making the JA guys life extremely difficult by penny pinching on transfers if there is a sizable investment being made. But then again maybe it is to really test the bottom end of the market and this is part of the point?

 

...

 

Maybe that's why there's been a hoarding of cash taking place, or maybe there's been a lot of waste and some bonuses paid

 

But yes, if we don't bite down hard on the best targets, it'll be back down the snake to base camp

 

Ladders are very elevating, they do exactly what it says on the tin

 

We simply need to get on the ladder(s)

 

-

Edited November 24, 2024 by Ricardo Quaresma

[Ricardo Quaresma]

16 hours ago, Forrest said:

I meant that after the original sale, basically put the future FoH contributions in a separate bank account until we've got enough to buy the shares back when the time comes. That money would basically sit there until it's needed, but would be available immediately. 

 

If that's what you meant, that's an interesting idea, but I think others will want to spend that money, a big whole lot

[Bongo 1874]

5 minutes ago, Flogel the Right Back said:

More and more, im looking forward to the Tony Bloom/Hearts era. 

 

The right attitude 👍.

[Der Kaiser]

6 minutes ago, Flogel the Right Back said:

More and more, im looking forward to the Tony Bloom/Hearts era. 

 

 

Yeah but what do we do when we ask Starlizard to find us better players and it lists the name of every human being who has kicked a football at some time in their life.

[SecN]

8 minutes ago, Flogel the Right Back said:

More and more, im looking forward to the Tony Bloom/Hearts era. 

 

The immediate stage with a minority shareholding and a teaser for a technological algorithm that gets us players who are initially good then punted for a profit or the longer term scenario when the diluted shares of the ownership the club are all gobbled up and someone owns the club whilst still operating for profit rather than performance?

 

The current regime is aiming for maximum profit but doing so with off the pitch operations. What will change, if any change at all?

[Rick Sanchez]

I have zero faith in the voting being reduced to 75% and I have zero faith in 90% of us approving him.

 

Grim thought.

[Der Kaiser]

14 minutes ago, Flogel the Right Back said:

High five each other, 

 

Can I play RB?

[henry]

It’s perfect timing for the vote to go in favour of potential investor. Had we been sailing along nicely there’s a chance the percentage would’ve been upheld. I don’t see any chance of this not going through. There’s no sense in voting against. 

[hmfc1984]

4 minutes ago, henry said:

It’s perfect timing for the vote to go in favour of potential investor. Had we been sailing along nicely there’s a chance the percentage would’ve been upheld. I don’t see any chance of this not going through. There’s no sense in voting against. 

'Sense' could be the downfall to the vote going through!

[Penrices left boot]

9 hours ago, Der Kaiser said:

 

Yeah but what do we do when we ask Starlizard to find us better players and it lists the name of every human being who has kicked a football at some time in their life.

 

So you're saying I have a chance....

[Penrices left boot]

8 hours ago, Rick Sanchez said:

I have zero faith in the voting being reduced to 75% and I have zero faith in 90% of us approving him.

 

Grim thought.

 

Tbh, if that happens I'll likley cancel my sub.

Maybe spend a bit more In the club shop over the year, but I wouldn't continue to support a model I disagree with.

 

If we knock back Bloom and he invests in another club I'd probably need to set something on fire.

 

 

 

[Colonel Kurtz]

On 23/11/2024 at 20:00, Seagull said:

Regards the idea of improving infrastructure:

 

 

The original proposal was for investment in Riccarton

[Le Chat]

I have no confidence that our board will make the most of this opportunity, because they've shown themselves to be penny-pinching *******s time and time again.

 

For this to make the kind of difference that we know it can, we need to commit 100% to it and put everything we have into it.  I don't think they will.  Time will tell, but I'll be astonished if we actually invest much over £1M (Cochrane's fee) in transfer fees over the next 2 windows.

 

The system is only as good as the faith (pounds) that you show it. 

[Pasquale for King]

If his company can turn this awful squad around it will be his greatest achievement yet, and we will be eternally grateful for saving us from being relegated again under this regime.

[Pasquale for King]

10 minutes ago, Le Chat said:

I have no confidence that our board will make the most of this opportunity, because they've shown themselves to be penny-pinching *******s time and time again.

 

For this to make the kind of difference that we know it can, we need to commit 100% to it and put everything we have into it.  I don't think they will.  Time will tell, but I'll be astonished if we actually invest much over £1M (Cochrane's fee) in transfer fees over the next 2 windows.

 

The system is only as good as the faith (pounds) that you show it. 

Exactly, even when McKinlay was describing the process of hiring a new manager he said they would still be making the decision. 
Don’t forget they disregarded Critchley at first who was the best choice according to the analytics.

[siegementality]

Currently Brighton 1 V Southampton 0

 

As it stands Brighton move to 2nd in the English Premiership.  
 

Surely no-one is remotely doubting how good the Jamestown deal, and potential Bloom investment, can be for us.

[fabienleclerq]

I think folk need to be patient and not expect instant success. 

 

If TB thinks we need to invest in the training ground we should listen to him. Our level of spending will only go up if we successfully improve players. Initially I don't think we will be throwing money about, it'll be slow and steady imo.

 

Patience. 

[One five]

27 minutes ago, siegementality said:

Currently Brighton 1 V Southampton 0

 

As it stands Brighton move to 2nd in the English Premiership.  
 

Surely no-one is remotely doubting how good the Jamestown deal, and potential Bloom investment, can be for us.

Bloom all Blooming day for me 👍

[DesertDawg]

1 hour ago, One five said:

Bloom all Blooming day for me 👍

 

1 hour ago, siegementality said:

Currently Brighton 1 V Southampton 0

 

Finished a 1-1 draw.

[The Treasurer]

10 hours ago, DesertDawg said:

 

Finished a 1-1 draw.

Still puts Brighton, yes Brighton, second in the EPL.

That hasn't happened just by luck 

[Bill Sikes]

12 hours ago, siegementality said:

Currently Brighton 1 V Southampton 0

 

As it stands Brighton move to 2nd in the English Premiership.  
 

Surely no-one is remotely doubting how good the Jamestown deal, and potential Bloom investment, can be for us.

 

Only Bloom himself will doubt his investment in Hearts when he takes notice of the moronic supporters that infest social media and are slowly but surely edging their way back to the stands.

[gwd1957]

13 hours ago, fabienleclerq said:

I think folk need to be patient and not expect instant success. 

 

If TB thinks we need to invest in the training ground we should listen to him. Our level of spending will only go up if we successfully improve players. Initially I don't think we will be throwing money about, it'll be slow and steady imo.

 

Patience. 

You can polish a turd ,but in the end it is still a shit.

[siegementality]

6 hours ago, Bull's-eye said:

 

Only Bloom himself will doubt his investment in Hearts when he takes notice of the moronic supporters that infest social media and are slowly but surely edging their way back to the stands.

You’ve gotta love irony!

[Rods]

Will Bloom still be interested if we are in the championship.

 

Mind you we might get an award for the first team to appoint a women in a coaching role.I am buzzing for the parade.

[tiger Rudi]

On 28/11/2024 at 23:31, Der Kaiser said:

 

Can I play RB?

What size boots does Shanks wear? If its 9's I could fill them. I wouldn't hit water falling out a boat but that doesn't seem to matter currently.

Pace would be similar to Boyce with his ankles strapped together so chances of keeping my place are 50/50.

[jamboinglasgow]

Something I found interesting yesterday is that I was listening to a bit of the Superscore board The Big Football podcast (dont normally listen to it, just saw something flag up about a bit where data analyst John Walker was getting interviewed on it. I have posted his tweets before as he seems really positive about our future with the link up of Jamestown and what the future of it is. So it was interesting to actually hear him discuss why (he is a Rangers fan but approaching it purely from his data analyst background.)

 

Its episode 111 from 67:45

https://hellorayo.co.uk/podcasts/the-big-scottish-football-podcast/id-2241917/play/

 

There were a few good takeaways from it (worth hearing the full interview.

 

- One thing of interest is that he feels Hearts and Aberdeen are going for a data led approach, and feels that these clubs have a big advantage doing this as its something the Old Firm dont do. Celtic succeed by hiring really good coaches (like Rodgers and Ange) but it can fall apart when they dont (see Lennon) and if all else fails, throw money at players and as long as you get into the Champions League your fine. Rangers do this but without the top coaches that Celtic have so its why they are in danger of a smart team like Hearts or Aberdeen recruiting and building a squad through data and getting above them.

- He thinks that it will take 3-5 years before we hit our stride for what we want to do (i.e. push 2nd place.)

- That clubs in the kind of data led model we want to implement like to sign younger managers on lower salaries and they spend the difference on the data team, so manager is not the main figure we are used to but part of a team.

- Talks about Kenneth Vargas from a data point of view, where one of the things he scores highly is getting into positions with high xG, obviously his finishing lets him down but he says that is something that can be worked on (as getting into position is harder to coach than finishing.)

- Data can be used to show attackers where best to take a shot, or position to be as an example.

 

I just found it interesting, as I think we dont realise how deep this use of data is going to go and how revolutionary it is for Scottish football. I had never really thought of how the Old Firm dont do this (at least to this extent) and how it opens up the opportunity for a club like Hearts to get in.

 

[SandyClark]

5 minutes ago, jamboinglasgow said:

Something I found interesting yesterday is that I was listening to a bit of the Superscore board The Big Football podcast (dont normally listen to it, just saw something flag up about a bit where data analyst John Walker was getting interviewed on it. I have posted his tweets before as he seems really positive about our future with the link up of Jamestown and what the future of it is. So it was interesting to actually hear him discuss why (he is a Rangers fan but approaching it purely from his data analyst background.)

 

Its episode 111 from 67:45

https://hellorayo.co.uk/podcasts/the-big-scottish-football-podcast/id-2241917/play/

 

There were a few good takeaways from it (worth hearing the full interview.

 

- One thing of interest is that he feels Hearts and Aberdeen are going for a data led approach, and feels that these clubs have a big advantage doing this as its something the Old Firm dont do. Celtic succeed by hiring really good coaches (like Rodgers and Ange) but it can fall apart when they dont (see Lennon) and if all else fails, throw money at players and as long as you get into the Champions League your fine. Rangers do this but without the top coaches that Celtic have so its why they are in danger of a smart team like Hearts or Aberdeen recruiting and building a squad through data and getting above them.

- He thinks that it will take 3-5 years before we hit our stride for what we want to do (i.e. push 2nd place.)

- That clubs in the kind of data led model we want to implement like to sign younger managers on lower salaries and they spend the difference on the data team, so manager is not the main figure we are used to but part of a team.

- Talks about Kenneth Vargas from a data point of view, where one of the things he scores highly is getting into positions with high xG, obviously his finishing lets him down but he says that is something that can be worked on (as getting into position is harder to coach than finishing.)

- Data can be used to show attackers where best to take a shot, or position to be as an example.

 

I just found it interesting, as I think we dont realise how deep this use of data is going to go and how revolutionary it is for Scottish football. I had never really thought of how the Old Firm dont do this (at least to this extent) and how it opens up the opportunity for a club like Hearts to get in.

 

That's really interesting, thanks for sharing. The only thing I may disagree with is Celtic seem to do quite well with making money on their ins and outs. Hopefully we can do the same, albeit on a smaller scale of course.

[Bongo 1874]

Upfront is an issue,we are playing Shankland because we don't have anyone else that is better,if rumours are correct my Christmas wish for the board and Bloom? Loan us Ferguson until the end of season in January allowing us to have a chance of securing 4th place.

 

 

 

 

 

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

18 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

Upfront is an issue,we are playing Shankland because we don't have anyone else that is better,if rumours are correct my Christmas wish for the board and Bloom? Loan us Ferguson until the end of season in January allowing us to have a chance of securing 4th place.

 

 

 

 

 

Surely loaned to another PL club or abroad, no value at all loaning a player of that quality to a lesser league, as unpalatable as that is, its reality

[Hømme]

5 minutes ago, Lord Beni of Gorgie said:

Surely loaned to another PL club or abroad, no value at all loaning a player of that quality to a lesser league, as unpalatable as that is, its reality

 

I'd imagine his stock is way too high for us now. Great player.

[The Old Tolbooth]

On 28/11/2024 at 23:10, SecN said:

The immediate stage with a minority shareholding and a teaser for a technological algorithm that gets us players who are initially good then punted for a profit or the longer term scenario when the diluted shares of the ownership the club are all gobbled up and someone owns the club whilst still operating for profit rather than performance?

 

The current regime is aiming for maximum profit but doing so with off the pitch operations. What will change, if any change at all?

Take a look at Brighton and their story to see how they’ve grown, it might give you a starting point 👍

[McNelly15]

28 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

Upfront is an issue,we are playing Shankland because we don't have anyone else that is better,if rumours are correct my Christmas wish for the board and Bloom? Loan us Ferguson until the end of season in January allowing us to have a chance of securing 4th place.

 

 

 

 

 

He's not going anywhere and plus he's a 50 million pound striker 😅

[Dazo]

32 minutes ago, Bongo 1874 said:

Upfront is an issue,we are playing Shankland because we don't have anyone else that is better,if rumours are correct my Christmas wish for the board and Bloom? Loan us Ferguson until the end of season in January allowing us to have a chance of securing 4th place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ffs he isn’t coming to us. 

[jamboinglasgow]

18 minutes ago, The Old Tolbooth said:

Take a look at Brighton and their story to see how they’ve grown, it might give you a starting point 👍

 

Yeah, if you look at any club who use Jamestown, the common thing among them is that they use it to punch above their weight. Selling players on comes as part of that as if you are doing well finding players that you have improve then it makes them more attractive to other teams, so you can find more. But its still finding the best players your budget can afford to get you going higher than your budget should normally get you.

[MattyK82]

2 hours ago, Bongo 1874 said:

Upfront is an issue,we are playing Shankland because we don't have anyone else that is better,if rumours are correct my Christmas wish for the board and Bloom? Loan us Ferguson until the end of season in January allowing us to have a chance of securing 4th place.

 

 

 

 

 

Haha. Come on.

 

Absolutely zero chance they would loan him here.

 

 

[pettigrewsstylist]

Do the JA mob not do free agent strikers?

[Carter]

19 hours ago, jamboinglasgow said:

Something I found interesting yesterday is that I was listening to a bit of the Superscore board The Big Football podcast (dont normally listen to it, just saw something flag up about a bit where data analyst John Walker was getting interviewed on it. I have posted his tweets before as he seems really positive about our future with the link up of Jamestown and what the future of it is. So it was interesting to actually hear him discuss why (he is a Rangers fan but approaching it purely from his data analyst background.)

 

Its episode 111 from 67:45

https://hellorayo.co.uk/podcasts/the-big-scottish-football-podcast/id-2241917/play/

 

There were a few good takeaways from it (worth hearing the full interview.

 

- One thing of interest is that he feels Hearts and Aberdeen are going for a data led approach, and feels that these clubs have a big advantage doing this as its something the Old Firm dont do. Celtic succeed by hiring really good coaches (like Rodgers and Ange) but it can fall apart when they dont (see Lennon) and if all else fails, throw money at players and as long as you get into the Champions League your fine. Rangers do this but without the top coaches that Celtic have so its why they are in danger of a smart team like Hearts or Aberdeen recruiting and building a squad through data and getting above them.

- He thinks that it will take 3-5 years before we hit our stride for what we want to do (i.e. push 2nd place.)

- That clubs in the kind of data led model we want to implement like to sign younger managers on lower salaries and they spend the difference on the data team, so manager is not the main figure we are used to but part of a team.

- Talks about Kenneth Vargas from a data point of view, where one of the things he scores highly is getting into positions with high xG, obviously his finishing lets him down but he says that is something that can be worked on (as getting into position is harder to coach than finishing.)

- Data can be used to show attackers where best to take a shot, or position to be as an example.

 

I just found it interesting, as I think we dont realise how deep this use of data is going to go and how revolutionary it is for Scottish football. I had never really thought of how the Old Firm dont do this (at least to this extent) and how it opens up the opportunity for a club like Hearts to get in.

 

That'll be music to the ears of Budge and McKinlay. Will also help the quest to ultimately install Liam Fox as HC.

 

The points about Vargas are interesting actually. There have been times where his finishing has been excellent besides the well documented erratic stuff. Getting into the positions and evading his marker to do so shouldn't be under estimated. 

[Bongo 1874]

2 hours ago, Lord Beni of Gorgie said:

Surely loaned to another PL club or abroad, no value at all loaning a player of that quality to a lesser league, as unpalatable as that is, its reality

Contracted to 2029

 

1 hour ago, McNelly15 said:

He's not going anywhere and plus he's a 50 million pound striker 😅

He's rumoured to be available for loan.

 

1 hour ago, Dazo said:

 

 

Ffs he isn’t coming to us. 

Probably not but can only ask.

 

16 minutes ago, MattyK82 said:

Haha. Come on.

 

Absolutely zero chance they would loan him here.

 

 

Why not didn't mitoma get loaned to USG?

[Carter]

1 hour ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

Yeah, if you look at any club who use Jamestown, the common thing among them is that they use it to punch above their weight. Selling players on comes as part of that as if you are doing well finding players that you have improve then it makes them more attractive to other teams, so you can find more. But its still finding the best players your budget can afford to get you going higher than your budget should normally get you.

Sorry to quote you again in quick succession - not stalking you, honestly!

 

I'm not sure our issues are about punching above our weight. It's about pressing home the rather obvious financial advantages that we hold over the other 9 clubs in the league. I'd say that's where the issue lies primarily as a starting point. Doing what the likes of Bodo Glimt have done on European stage is a leap away when you struggle to perform at a level similar to St Johnstone despite having 5 x the income stream. 

 

We've struggled to sign players and make them better. That's aside from the inability to bring through young players via Academy system and make them first team regulars. The paucity of transfer income during the Budge years is staggeringly bad. I'm not sure of the exact numbers but it's certainly < £7M cumulatively across what is now the 11th years. That's just simply ridiculous and trails clubs like Motherwell at an alarming level. 

 

Bloom will have the upper hand in these negotiations because he knows we just have simply been unable to do the player trading thing. That comes down to poor recruitment and poor coaching fundamentally. There may be great days ahead for the club under any arrangement with TB. We have to hope there will be as he's going to get a chunk of equity that we never envisaged we'd have to give away. Primarily because we've failed so badly at the one thing that clubs need to be competent at in order to augment income streams to grow and progress. 

[MoncurMacdonaldMercer]

1 hour ago, Carter said:

That'll be music to the ears of Budge and McKinlay. Will also help the quest to ultimately install Liam Fox as HC.

 

The points about Vargas are interesting actually. There have been times where his finishing has been excellent besides the well documented erratic stuff. Getting into the positions and evading his marker to do so shouldn't be under estimated. 

 

vargas could become a player well above our level if he can somehow improve on his final ball / goal scoring - that’s very possible

 

also very possible is that many players with pace like him never or only marginally improve on their final ball - guys like Ivan sproule the diving wig and at a slightly higher level Mikey Johnston formerly at Celtic - all very dangerous players until  the bit that really matters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bad Religion]

3 hours ago, Bongo 1874 said:

Upfront is an issue,we are playing Shankland because we don't have anyone else that is better,if rumours are correct my Christmas wish for the board and Bloom? Loan us Ferguson until the end of season in January allowing us to have a chance of securing 4th place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure he'd see a move to Hearts at the bottom of the SPL as great career progression.

 

You sure you're not Tony Bloom?

[Kidd’s Boots]

I think there’s one key element in this which is being underestimated and that’s Graeme Jones, our new Sporting Director. I also think that there was a missing skill set in Joe Savages’ CV that brought about his untimely exit to clear the path for other moves to happen to get this done. Boiling this down, I think Jones has 2 key areas of expertise to make this work.

 

1. Interpreter- the guy who talks to the Board in a language they understand about a subject we feel that they don’t have a clue about. The analytics are completely new to our game in Scotland and our club, meaning Jamestown, as market leaders in what they do won’t want to tarnish their reputation with amateurs making a guess over what the data means they provide us with.

 

2. NC’s salesman- again the guy who talks to the board and gets the funds released for the targets we can afford and can improve us on the park with an eye to a future profit.

 

I feel that the interpretation skill set was the one that Joe Savage was missing to keep him in that role. If this thought process of mine is even half way right, I’d like to think that our Board have had a long hard look at themselves, and the past few years since demotion and made some very astute manoeuvres to even get us to this point. 
 

Jones will have a huge job to do if this comes off, and will need as much support as we’ve given Critchley in the past 7-8 weeks.  Foresight is key and nothing is guaranteed, but neither was survival after administration, demotion and everything else that’s happen to HMFC, but we’re here, we’re having discussions and talking about the future.

Edited December 2, 2024 by Kidd’s Boots

[The Old Tolbooth]

4 hours ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

Yeah, if you look at any club who use Jamestown, the common thing among them is that they use it to punch above their weight. Selling players on comes as part of that as if you are doing well finding players that you have improve then it makes them more attractive to other teams, so you can find more. But its still finding the best players your budget can afford to get you going higher than your budget should normally get you.

Exactly this, I still can’t believe some fans are against this, it’s almost like they want to keep on sleepwalking from one disaster to another with the odd good season thrown in.