madowl
28-09-2007, 14:11
I think every wednesdayite should read this....
What I think of Wednesday. By Dave Allen sheff star 28/09/07
Straight talking: Dave Allen
The media has been full of stories saying you're taking Wednesday supporters to court - that has been very unsettling for thousands of fans. What's it all about?
A: "Let me tell you straight - SWFC wouldn't exist without its army of fans and this matter has been taken completely out of context.
"We are incredibly lucky to have such an amazing set of people that care so passionately about the club. They turn up week in, week out and cheer the club on through thick and thin. Most other clubs would kill for such support and I'd never do anything to damage the relationship.
"Calling the 13 people I have issues with 'fans' is doing a disservice to 22,000 Hillsborough fans. The people in question aren't fans, they're people that want to hide behind the anonymity of the Internet to make libellous and defamatory comments about myself and other members of the board and damage SWFC.
"I take massive exception to this and already know that in addition to the 13 people in question there is also a leading head of the Sheffield business community engaged in activities that threaten the future of my own personal businesses - these are a tiny minority fouling the pitch for the decent majority.
"I wouldn't tolerate this behaviour in my personal businesses, I won't let it happen at SWFC. The matter is in the hands of my lawyers who will expose the people that are trying to destabilise the club with their actions."
Q: You blame Wednesdayite for the collapse of two multi-million-pound takeover bids for the club that would have meant the end of the club's debt and a new era for SWFC. Does that mean the club will never move forward?
A: "I've always said that SWFC need a Roman Abramovich-style investor to ensure its future.
"Unfortunately these people are never going to invest in something they've not got majority control over - they won't give it the time of day. They need 51% of the shares or more.
"We've had two approaches by people that could have been the multi-million pound SWFC saviour - they both dropped out because they couldn't see an easy way to acquire a majority shareholding.
"I've told Wednesdayite I'll give the club £500,000 for new players in return for their shares.
"If we get the shares, SWFC has a bright future - it's as simple as that."
Q: Your conduct has been called into question by the FA. What do you say to that?
A: "Having people swear and hurl abuse at you is awful enough, when you're out with your grandkids it's unforgivable.
"I took my nine-year-old grandchildren to a recent SWFC game and a group of 'fans' started chanting "f**k off Allen".
"I took massive exception to this as would anyone - whether they were chairman of SWFC or anything else.
"I referred to this tiny minority of people as "scum" and "cretins". It wasn't me using the foul and abusive language. I stand by these comments and look forward to speaking to the FA in due course.
What's your proudest moment at SWFC?
"Getting promotion to the Championship was an amazing feeling. I was absolutely elated and it really felt like all the hard work had been worthwhile.
"It's also been very satisfying to start to get operating costs under control and reduce the massive debt."
Q: Balancing the running of your multi-million pound leisure empire with your SWFC role and having time for your family must be a massive undertaking - how do you fit it all in?
A: "I have a very supportive wife (Dianne), two great kids and wonderful grandkids - I spend as much time with them as possible. My family - together with my pigeons - keep my feet on the ground and help me get away from the pressure of my A&S Leisure business and SWFC.
Q: What's been your lowest point at SWFC?
A: "Definitely the Ken Bates takeover bid. It was a hard fight but it proved to people that I meant business and was in for the long haul. I don't think there are many people that regret he didn't get in. It was a shame that Wednesdayite chairman Darryl Keys sided with Bates."
What's the hardest decision you've ever had to make at SWFC?
A: "The decision to replace Sturrock caused ructions amongst the fans but was a move that had to be made and was one that soon gathered support once we started winning again.
"While Leeds and SUFC were relegated last season and many other teams in our region floundered, SWFC went on to enjoy one of their best in recent years under Brian Laws, which saw them narrowly miss out on the play-offs. I think that speaks volumes about my decisions.
"But no one hurts after a Wednesday defeat more than me and the past few weeks have been hell.
"But teams do suffer bad starts and I hope Saturday's win is the start of an improvement in our fortunes."
What I think of Wednesday. By Dave Allen sheff star 28/09/07
Straight talking: Dave Allen
The media has been full of stories saying you're taking Wednesday supporters to court - that has been very unsettling for thousands of fans. What's it all about?
A: "Let me tell you straight - SWFC wouldn't exist without its army of fans and this matter has been taken completely out of context.
"We are incredibly lucky to have such an amazing set of people that care so passionately about the club. They turn up week in, week out and cheer the club on through thick and thin. Most other clubs would kill for such support and I'd never do anything to damage the relationship.
"Calling the 13 people I have issues with 'fans' is doing a disservice to 22,000 Hillsborough fans. The people in question aren't fans, they're people that want to hide behind the anonymity of the Internet to make libellous and defamatory comments about myself and other members of the board and damage SWFC.
"I take massive exception to this and already know that in addition to the 13 people in question there is also a leading head of the Sheffield business community engaged in activities that threaten the future of my own personal businesses - these are a tiny minority fouling the pitch for the decent majority.
"I wouldn't tolerate this behaviour in my personal businesses, I won't let it happen at SWFC. The matter is in the hands of my lawyers who will expose the people that are trying to destabilise the club with their actions."
Q: You blame Wednesdayite for the collapse of two multi-million-pound takeover bids for the club that would have meant the end of the club's debt and a new era for SWFC. Does that mean the club will never move forward?
A: "I've always said that SWFC need a Roman Abramovich-style investor to ensure its future.
"Unfortunately these people are never going to invest in something they've not got majority control over - they won't give it the time of day. They need 51% of the shares or more.
"We've had two approaches by people that could have been the multi-million pound SWFC saviour - they both dropped out because they couldn't see an easy way to acquire a majority shareholding.
"I've told Wednesdayite I'll give the club £500,000 for new players in return for their shares.
"If we get the shares, SWFC has a bright future - it's as simple as that."
Q: Your conduct has been called into question by the FA. What do you say to that?
A: "Having people swear and hurl abuse at you is awful enough, when you're out with your grandkids it's unforgivable.
"I took my nine-year-old grandchildren to a recent SWFC game and a group of 'fans' started chanting "f**k off Allen".
"I took massive exception to this as would anyone - whether they were chairman of SWFC or anything else.
"I referred to this tiny minority of people as "scum" and "cretins". It wasn't me using the foul and abusive language. I stand by these comments and look forward to speaking to the FA in due course.
What's your proudest moment at SWFC?
"Getting promotion to the Championship was an amazing feeling. I was absolutely elated and it really felt like all the hard work had been worthwhile.
"It's also been very satisfying to start to get operating costs under control and reduce the massive debt."
Q: Balancing the running of your multi-million pound leisure empire with your SWFC role and having time for your family must be a massive undertaking - how do you fit it all in?
A: "I have a very supportive wife (Dianne), two great kids and wonderful grandkids - I spend as much time with them as possible. My family - together with my pigeons - keep my feet on the ground and help me get away from the pressure of my A&S Leisure business and SWFC.
Q: What's been your lowest point at SWFC?
A: "Definitely the Ken Bates takeover bid. It was a hard fight but it proved to people that I meant business and was in for the long haul. I don't think there are many people that regret he didn't get in. It was a shame that Wednesdayite chairman Darryl Keys sided with Bates."
What's the hardest decision you've ever had to make at SWFC?
A: "The decision to replace Sturrock caused ructions amongst the fans but was a move that had to be made and was one that soon gathered support once we started winning again.
"While Leeds and SUFC were relegated last season and many other teams in our region floundered, SWFC went on to enjoy one of their best in recent years under Brian Laws, which saw them narrowly miss out on the play-offs. I think that speaks volumes about my decisions.
"But no one hurts after a Wednesday defeat more than me and the past few weeks have been hell.
"But teams do suffer bad starts and I hope Saturday's win is the start of an improvement in our fortunes."