Blimey - a few days away and...this!
So where do we start. Well after months of silence on the scandals surrounding PPP and dubbing Town fans 'saddos' Biggs has finally admitted it's been 'controversial' and 'troubled'. Progress, I suppose, but a bit like describing the BHS saga as 'a little problematic'.
Next I see Ashley Carson has re-emerged appearing to confirm no charge will be levelled for the indirect subsidy that use of the Club's name, brand, badge and facilities must surely represent. In what might be termed an 'it's our story and we're sticking to it' kinda response he tells us, via our friend 'Zorro', that an enterprise running at a huge loss (to correct Turners' statement) waived tens of thousands of pounds to the point of Sutcliffe joining many other staff in going unpaid - though presumably by choice in his case. Infact the figure looks to've risen from forty to sixty grand since his last comment - has the Village suddenly become the Ritz? Oh, and someone reportedly 'propping up' PPP with personal loans had no idea of FBT's interest? As 'Moondog' quite rightly points out that's contradicted by not only common sense (a supposed major investor being kept in the dark about significant developments?), but Turners' own words. Again.
Then there's 'itsc' talking of 'moving on', 'finding something else to moan about' and suggesting this thread's about debt? I guess the fact his company's name featured on the PPP website should be taken into account, meanwhile there're countless pages on here and elsewhere - the national media, for example - proving it's a long, long way from being mere 'moaning' about a few losses. I wonder if he'd be so glib if his firm were owed cash.
Les Ashmore? Fast becoming our new pantomime villain. I dunno if there was genuine deception or plain and simple stupidity behind his claims surrounding Darwikwa; yet to deny making them even when reproduced verbatim? To continue twisting and turning regardless? To resort to schoolboy standard 'It's a wind-up/I'll post what I want when I want' style taunts? It's cringeworthy, it really is, and I can only wonder what the good people of North Derbyshire would make of his attitude towards Club Taxis' customers should they be publicised in the DT...
All of which is witless waffle revolving around a central issue, though: PPP being rescued by a Far Eastern sportswear manufacturer. That's pretty much what it boils down to in my eyes. Sure they boast a Knight of the Realm on their books; but has he personally overseen this deal or is his name quoted primarily for gravitas? Could this have more to do with promoting FBT's brand than offering young men the best possible prospects? Were the group of Far Eastern visitors greeted by Sutcliffe then hosted at the Proact some months ago his new associates - raising yet more concerns over the use of CFC facilities? Indeed will we still witness him strutting the stadium with what some might dub an 'access all areas' licence? Will the CFC logo continue to be bandied for others' benefit? Will any part of the old development school business be quietly wound up? Will we ever have any real confirmation no money crossed Sheffield Road?
As has so often been the case there're more questions than answers.
Maybe this will finally draw a line under a series of self-inflicted embarrassments that've seen CFC on the wrong pages of the Press when it should've been celebrating it's landmark one hundred and fiftieth birthday. However despite the CEO recently speaking of a 'zero tolerance' policy on Sheffield Road I see not one word of apology, not one hint of contrition, not one attempt at true transparency. Meanwhile those responsible continue to occupy key positions.
Once more long suffering supporters can't be blame for being suspicious.
This post has been edited by MDCCCLXVI: 26 September 2016 - 09:20 PM