Post by sooty on Aug 24, 2008 14:57:45 GMT
The kind words..texts...e-mails and calls from your quarter were heart warming. It was however not about my input but the outcome for Craig. I read it may have been a contributing factor towards helping a resolve for all....which is what it was about for him.
What it is part of for me I present below. I have copied it from the City Board where it was noted nearly 80 'reads' had been had to the 'Hi Craig' post...yet no replies!
I am posting it in all forums and look forward to our paths crossing soon...X
LUV
SOOTY
X
------------------------
Hi all...X All 3 clubs won yesterday...so I post the following in what should be a positive environment for all this morning!x
Hopefully this ambience will assist in divulging and reflecting on the responsibility we all have as a football Community and the impact we have on the wider Community outside of these 3 forums we all trade and perform in front of as businesses and 'families'....XXX
As pointed out by Hops...the ratio of reads/response to this thread is hugely disproportionate, Why?
Well...my recent intense involvement with your Board, Management and Fans Trust to ensure our traditional friendly was played, earned, I believe, a deep mutual respect between us.
Everything I said was proven, everything I promised was achieved. As a unit focused on this beautiful game...we won through. With that backdrop then of course my word or intentions are not easily questioned by City folk. I appreciate your only as good as your last game so to speak, but, I would not compromise my earned status for any individual, a rival club, or indeed any Chairman whose judgement may have been questionable in recent issues. I have approached Craig Popes predicament in the same manner as I did our friendly, on the facts and a principle we should all be adhering too...truth.
To be able to put forth the above findings I had to face Gareth for the first time ever, Graham Eales, their Management including possibly John Beck, ex sponsors from United and Directors now placed at Histon whose paths had crossed yours whom I have been critical of in issues involving my Club and indeed yours in the public domain. It is all available for review across our 3 forums over the past 8 years. 'So what' some may say?
Well, considering I was a party to Graham Eales, John Beck and others departure from United under acrimonious circumstances at the time...then my only motivation whilst walking up their stairs to the meeting...alone...was to search for new truth underpinned by my confidence in my truths with them all. They all could have been there...and I could have looked them all in the eye. An ego...q dos...winning favour...or lickin' ar*e as motivating factors have very little chance given these circumstances I suggest. I entered the room on a platform of integrity and sincerity. Their past judgements and opinion of me was irrelevant.
Why would I want to do so though? Because of the 'big picture'. This affair had ramifications across this County. It affected all 3 clubs and their supporters. It also had real implications in the way our Clubs are regulated and how Fans are policed by Safety Advisory Boards, the FA and 3rd party agencies, namely Cambridgeshire Constabulary. Recent scrutiny of these bodies in comparable incidents had left them all with inconsistent approaches and advice...that void potentially can be filled with conflict. I cannot sit on my doorstep and see such potential take the high ground...it needs to be filled with 'truth'. The worst thing that could happen is that I could be the fall guy for you all........a role I have become accustomed too in business and life for over 30 years. It has made me a lot of money over the years as most don’t want or couldn’t handle the responsibility and possibility that they could lose all by taking that risk. The best that could happen is that we all gained understanding as to why conflict has occurred, that we all learn from it and present a unified approach to the wider non-footballing Community that we all are looking to appeal to for future support and respect. Based on the 263 e-mails...untold texts...phone calls...and posts across 3 forums........I believe we may have begun that journey forward...X
You may notice my 'graphic' presentation and terminology has changed somewhat in this and recent posts. My interests in football Communities over the past 8 years has been approached 'casually' to some degree. I understand some of you who put your money, time and effort may have developed a resentment and bitterness towards my casual approach. Especially when I have 'networks' that respect my opinion in other circles that have in roads to your 'families'. 'Who the f*** does he think he is' must have crossed the lips of fans, officials from all 3 clubs along with peripheral agencies throughout the past 8 years! I completely and unreservedly understand your feelings. I would not like it happening to me and my interests....X
With that in mind, I sincerely apologise to those affected by such casualness and seek forgiveness from those whom I wish to have mutual respect with. I forgive those that have wronged me too. This peripheral casualness will now cease. There is a need for this locality to secure football for future generations. We all have genuine issues affecting our viability as football clubs. Not all of us will survive as we are now. Not purely because of internal undoing but because of fan expectations and business needs that are changing. We need to be looking to meet those needs. An opportunity is arising to secure football in this locality for its future generations. It will need partnerships, co-operation along with all the gathered wisdom you all have collated through your endeavours to achieve its potential. Outside business folk are also aware of this unfolding opportunity.
However their intentions may not be conducive with football fans hopes, dreams and desires.
City has survived 100 years and evolved into a super example to us all of what is possible from a Community run club when working together. An attempt was made to rob them of that heritage in front of all our noses. That 'togetherness' won the day for them and ensured their existence to celebrate their Centenary. Their fore fathers would be proud.
Gareth at Histon has been a Chairman for 17 years. That in itself is a huge achievement in the football world. It has produced the phoenix, which is competing with the most successful club this locality has known. His possible motivation? He was ahead of his time, took his frustrations, and used them constructively. The addition of Graham Eales and their joint family ethos and again, they are producing an example for us all.
Cambridge United.....oh dear! Whilst there is solid financial and moral backing in place, it is 1,000s of miles away in the form of Paul Barry and Adrian Hanaeur. Their commitment and interests in CUFC are not up for question. However, the people whom they have entrusted to serve their interests here in the UK are. Phil Law I was aware of at Netherhall School. We never met after our 9 months together until he became involved in our club a couple of years ago. I knew nothing of his life to date except what was in the public domain via the City fraud and his involvement with York Construction. I had no reason to dislike him personally although I needed to understand his reasoning for his actions. As I am not in control of appointing folk then I set about understanding him once appointed. I gave him the support he deserved on the platform he presented. Over time, that platform and his character has generated into a complete inability or desire for me to see him again for another 30 years. If I was to say he in effect has become our Arthur Eastham, then hopefully you relate to my concerns. He will be removed, the will and ability is there to do so. George Rolls, again, not of the calibre required to fulfil CUFCs needs or indeed capable of contributing financially, or professionally, to a bigger picture for the U's or any wider Community aspirations. Do not despair though! If it is accepted that I have a fair grasp of those involved and available at United then I offer the following. Norman Gautrey and his wife Annette have been a tremendous 'find' for this footballing Community. The ringing endorsements and achievements by them said by Phil Law took him around 2 minutes to list at our fans forum. It was the only truth he spoke that night. They will return I believe once the rogue elements have been ejected. To back them up we have sincere and professional folk from our fan base and existing staff. With their leadership and support of around 15-20 hard core capable people whom already commit their time and effort currently to the club, then we will succeed. At present we are stagnant. I believe this week that all will unfold. I see an exciting future. John Howard is also out there. I believe with Norman and others we could repair damage and start friendships that will benefit all parties. I certainly have shown my intentions towards him and his colleagues since they departed. All those potentially involved at United have no history or negative association with either City or Histon......except for me of course!
However, as explained above, recent events have repaired damage and left us all wanting to build on all our potential, so I have no baggage I believe with those whom ultimately count. All key folk whose trust and respect I would need to develop positively further with, I have. All confirmed as recent as last week in ways and means. So I am not any liability to this potential for the U's, or any bigger picture...I reckon.
What am I saying then? My own efforts here with City folk have seen closer bonds develop between CUFC people and them. Gareth and Histon people? Read their message Boards. I certainly have the support of my U's colleagues. Through my media company I have developed national contacts within all major broadcasters as well as positive association with local media. All is at your disposal. Where do I go from here? Well, you have my phone number. I know all those named will answer a call from me anytime too. I therefore intend to focus my available immediate free time on applying my ability and effort to securing CUFC Ltd as is required to give us all the ingredients for mutual respect for each other, as independent clubs and fan bases. That is not there amongst us all at present. I offer myself as a conduit for all to help achieve better relations. If I assess your individual clubs set ups and people, then I fear others may well usurp all of your aspirations via divide and conquer techniques amongst us. This must not happen.
Football needs to be run by football people whose focus is on the people it provides for. I know of no businesses or individuals outside of our collectives who can offer a better environment for us all than ourselves. It is our potential to develop...or give away.
Cambridge is known as the seat of learning throughout the world. We are the local inhabitants of that reputation. The University has always distanced itself from us. To be perfectly honest, we haven't had anything to offer them throughout our years for them to know we are here. I would like to think we have become self taught and gathered our wisdom and experience through past failures and are investing them for tomorrows success.
We all know our truths as individual clubs today...I'm best placed to know our collective truth, I believe we can teach the football world how things can be. Simple as.
I have been called Mark...Sotty...otty...and probably tw*t this past week! Sooty is the name I prefer. The image it represents is a neutral, cheeky, cuddly and sincere one and developed over 20 years throughout the world. I have no desire for any other title or status. After 20 + years 'on the road' I have decided to make this locality my base for the next 5 years and have made business and personal commitments accordingly. This means my experience, ability and enthusiasm is available and at your service. I can take it wherever I choose, but offer it to you free of charge. Those who know me will confirm such confidence and ability is a rare commodity. Use me but don’t abuse me. Those who have experienced me as an asset will appreciate that time together. Those who choose to abuse me….don’t.
Well done too all your success yesterday. I will post this across the 3 forums. Please forgive me for not answering individual posts in this thread. I hope this overview addresses any detail you may require...or render it invalid or pointless now. Have a good Bank Holiday....and thank you for reading...X
LUV
SOOTY
X
sooty@matso.tv
07710 805360.
I am away from these forums for the next few days. The time for talking has
stopped...action is required our end...X
What it is part of for me I present below. I have copied it from the City Board where it was noted nearly 80 'reads' had been had to the 'Hi Craig' post...yet no replies!
I am posting it in all forums and look forward to our paths crossing soon...X
LUV
SOOTY
X
------------------------
Hi all...X All 3 clubs won yesterday...so I post the following in what should be a positive environment for all this morning!x
Hopefully this ambience will assist in divulging and reflecting on the responsibility we all have as a football Community and the impact we have on the wider Community outside of these 3 forums we all trade and perform in front of as businesses and 'families'....XXX
As pointed out by Hops...the ratio of reads/response to this thread is hugely disproportionate, Why?
Well...my recent intense involvement with your Board, Management and Fans Trust to ensure our traditional friendly was played, earned, I believe, a deep mutual respect between us.
Everything I said was proven, everything I promised was achieved. As a unit focused on this beautiful game...we won through. With that backdrop then of course my word or intentions are not easily questioned by City folk. I appreciate your only as good as your last game so to speak, but, I would not compromise my earned status for any individual, a rival club, or indeed any Chairman whose judgement may have been questionable in recent issues. I have approached Craig Popes predicament in the same manner as I did our friendly, on the facts and a principle we should all be adhering too...truth.
To be able to put forth the above findings I had to face Gareth for the first time ever, Graham Eales, their Management including possibly John Beck, ex sponsors from United and Directors now placed at Histon whose paths had crossed yours whom I have been critical of in issues involving my Club and indeed yours in the public domain. It is all available for review across our 3 forums over the past 8 years. 'So what' some may say?
Well, considering I was a party to Graham Eales, John Beck and others departure from United under acrimonious circumstances at the time...then my only motivation whilst walking up their stairs to the meeting...alone...was to search for new truth underpinned by my confidence in my truths with them all. They all could have been there...and I could have looked them all in the eye. An ego...q dos...winning favour...or lickin' ar*e as motivating factors have very little chance given these circumstances I suggest. I entered the room on a platform of integrity and sincerity. Their past judgements and opinion of me was irrelevant.
Why would I want to do so though? Because of the 'big picture'. This affair had ramifications across this County. It affected all 3 clubs and their supporters. It also had real implications in the way our Clubs are regulated and how Fans are policed by Safety Advisory Boards, the FA and 3rd party agencies, namely Cambridgeshire Constabulary. Recent scrutiny of these bodies in comparable incidents had left them all with inconsistent approaches and advice...that void potentially can be filled with conflict. I cannot sit on my doorstep and see such potential take the high ground...it needs to be filled with 'truth'. The worst thing that could happen is that I could be the fall guy for you all........a role I have become accustomed too in business and life for over 30 years. It has made me a lot of money over the years as most don’t want or couldn’t handle the responsibility and possibility that they could lose all by taking that risk. The best that could happen is that we all gained understanding as to why conflict has occurred, that we all learn from it and present a unified approach to the wider non-footballing Community that we all are looking to appeal to for future support and respect. Based on the 263 e-mails...untold texts...phone calls...and posts across 3 forums........I believe we may have begun that journey forward...X
You may notice my 'graphic' presentation and terminology has changed somewhat in this and recent posts. My interests in football Communities over the past 8 years has been approached 'casually' to some degree. I understand some of you who put your money, time and effort may have developed a resentment and bitterness towards my casual approach. Especially when I have 'networks' that respect my opinion in other circles that have in roads to your 'families'. 'Who the f*** does he think he is' must have crossed the lips of fans, officials from all 3 clubs along with peripheral agencies throughout the past 8 years! I completely and unreservedly understand your feelings. I would not like it happening to me and my interests....X
With that in mind, I sincerely apologise to those affected by such casualness and seek forgiveness from those whom I wish to have mutual respect with. I forgive those that have wronged me too. This peripheral casualness will now cease. There is a need for this locality to secure football for future generations. We all have genuine issues affecting our viability as football clubs. Not all of us will survive as we are now. Not purely because of internal undoing but because of fan expectations and business needs that are changing. We need to be looking to meet those needs. An opportunity is arising to secure football in this locality for its future generations. It will need partnerships, co-operation along with all the gathered wisdom you all have collated through your endeavours to achieve its potential. Outside business folk are also aware of this unfolding opportunity.
However their intentions may not be conducive with football fans hopes, dreams and desires.
City has survived 100 years and evolved into a super example to us all of what is possible from a Community run club when working together. An attempt was made to rob them of that heritage in front of all our noses. That 'togetherness' won the day for them and ensured their existence to celebrate their Centenary. Their fore fathers would be proud.
Gareth at Histon has been a Chairman for 17 years. That in itself is a huge achievement in the football world. It has produced the phoenix, which is competing with the most successful club this locality has known. His possible motivation? He was ahead of his time, took his frustrations, and used them constructively. The addition of Graham Eales and their joint family ethos and again, they are producing an example for us all.
Cambridge United.....oh dear! Whilst there is solid financial and moral backing in place, it is 1,000s of miles away in the form of Paul Barry and Adrian Hanaeur. Their commitment and interests in CUFC are not up for question. However, the people whom they have entrusted to serve their interests here in the UK are. Phil Law I was aware of at Netherhall School. We never met after our 9 months together until he became involved in our club a couple of years ago. I knew nothing of his life to date except what was in the public domain via the City fraud and his involvement with York Construction. I had no reason to dislike him personally although I needed to understand his reasoning for his actions. As I am not in control of appointing folk then I set about understanding him once appointed. I gave him the support he deserved on the platform he presented. Over time, that platform and his character has generated into a complete inability or desire for me to see him again for another 30 years. If I was to say he in effect has become our Arthur Eastham, then hopefully you relate to my concerns. He will be removed, the will and ability is there to do so. George Rolls, again, not of the calibre required to fulfil CUFCs needs or indeed capable of contributing financially, or professionally, to a bigger picture for the U's or any wider Community aspirations. Do not despair though! If it is accepted that I have a fair grasp of those involved and available at United then I offer the following. Norman Gautrey and his wife Annette have been a tremendous 'find' for this footballing Community. The ringing endorsements and achievements by them said by Phil Law took him around 2 minutes to list at our fans forum. It was the only truth he spoke that night. They will return I believe once the rogue elements have been ejected. To back them up we have sincere and professional folk from our fan base and existing staff. With their leadership and support of around 15-20 hard core capable people whom already commit their time and effort currently to the club, then we will succeed. At present we are stagnant. I believe this week that all will unfold. I see an exciting future. John Howard is also out there. I believe with Norman and others we could repair damage and start friendships that will benefit all parties. I certainly have shown my intentions towards him and his colleagues since they departed. All those potentially involved at United have no history or negative association with either City or Histon......except for me of course!
However, as explained above, recent events have repaired damage and left us all wanting to build on all our potential, so I have no baggage I believe with those whom ultimately count. All key folk whose trust and respect I would need to develop positively further with, I have. All confirmed as recent as last week in ways and means. So I am not any liability to this potential for the U's, or any bigger picture...I reckon.
What am I saying then? My own efforts here with City folk have seen closer bonds develop between CUFC people and them. Gareth and Histon people? Read their message Boards. I certainly have the support of my U's colleagues. Through my media company I have developed national contacts within all major broadcasters as well as positive association with local media. All is at your disposal. Where do I go from here? Well, you have my phone number. I know all those named will answer a call from me anytime too. I therefore intend to focus my available immediate free time on applying my ability and effort to securing CUFC Ltd as is required to give us all the ingredients for mutual respect for each other, as independent clubs and fan bases. That is not there amongst us all at present. I offer myself as a conduit for all to help achieve better relations. If I assess your individual clubs set ups and people, then I fear others may well usurp all of your aspirations via divide and conquer techniques amongst us. This must not happen.
Football needs to be run by football people whose focus is on the people it provides for. I know of no businesses or individuals outside of our collectives who can offer a better environment for us all than ourselves. It is our potential to develop...or give away.
Cambridge is known as the seat of learning throughout the world. We are the local inhabitants of that reputation. The University has always distanced itself from us. To be perfectly honest, we haven't had anything to offer them throughout our years for them to know we are here. I would like to think we have become self taught and gathered our wisdom and experience through past failures and are investing them for tomorrows success.
We all know our truths as individual clubs today...I'm best placed to know our collective truth, I believe we can teach the football world how things can be. Simple as.
I have been called Mark...Sotty...otty...and probably tw*t this past week! Sooty is the name I prefer. The image it represents is a neutral, cheeky, cuddly and sincere one and developed over 20 years throughout the world. I have no desire for any other title or status. After 20 + years 'on the road' I have decided to make this locality my base for the next 5 years and have made business and personal commitments accordingly. This means my experience, ability and enthusiasm is available and at your service. I can take it wherever I choose, but offer it to you free of charge. Those who know me will confirm such confidence and ability is a rare commodity. Use me but don’t abuse me. Those who have experienced me as an asset will appreciate that time together. Those who choose to abuse me….don’t.
Well done too all your success yesterday. I will post this across the 3 forums. Please forgive me for not answering individual posts in this thread. I hope this overview addresses any detail you may require...or render it invalid or pointless now. Have a good Bank Holiday....and thank you for reading...X
LUV
SOOTY
X
sooty@matso.tv
07710 805360.
I am away from these forums for the next few days. The time for talking has
stopped...action is required our end...X
