Details on tonights meeting

[SteveB]

Just got in and once I have had a coffee I will relay the notes I took bit by bit.

Please be warned that my note-taking is not up to secretarial standards so I may have missed bits!

Steve

[SteveB]

Questions directed at Keith Piper

Any news on the ground?

It is fair to say that we have arrived at the point, for the third time in three years, that we are about to sign terms to go ahead.

The main operator is ready to accept terms and there should be some news in two to three weeks.

 

Any new directors?

Not yet. Malcolm Rowlett has been asked to return and Alan Bown has been asked to take up a position as honorary president. There has been no answer from either.

 

Are council ok with the ground plans?

We do have planning consent but the funds had stopped (I think he said from the main operator). Now the main operator is ready.

 

Are we getting a commercial manager?

Hopefully the new management would get word around. The club have had a dismal record with commercial managers since Cliff Egan and they have cost more than the revenue that they have brought in. The stadium development should bring more interest.

 

Are there new sponsors?

Yes with a local firm. We are speaking to them at the moment. Active's three year deal ended and they turned down the offer of extending there deal.

 

Is Kim Marsden staying on as a director?

Kim was never a full director but an associate director. He will remain to help the club with legal matters.

 

Where is the money coming from to pay for the new management structure?

The club has got to rebuild its foundation and that starts with a good management structure to get in youth instead of experienced has-beens who are just here for the money.

Maybe some of the money that could have been used for players has been used on this management set-up but we feel that is the right way to go. It is no secret that the club has been losing

[SteveB]

I have also got some pics but the card reader in my pc is not working! If anyone can tell me why it is permanantly showing a light as if there is a card in there and not reading a card when I put one in I would be greatful!

Steve

[Cookie]

That pretty much covered everything I think Steve. You say you don't do shorthand which surprises me somewhat as you managed to remember practically everything in detail.Am very impressed. Well done & thank you.

The lack of questions was a concern,but after hearing Keiths answer to the first question there wasn't much point in asking more about the stadium really.His answer practically covered that side of things.

What I did get out of Keith after the meeting was that there will definately not be a temporary stand erected down the coffin end this season.The erection of a "permanent" stand will continue as planned but I got no mention of a timescale.

Overall my thoughts about last nights meeting was that information wise,it was another disappointment.

Everything we heard was yet again very vague including Yoraths reply to what his position was to cover.A surprising answer I thought from him considering he has now been taken on for a particular role.

Having said that it was disappointing, it was good to see the manager & Terry there & both talking a good talk about getting this club back on track. Very encouraging indeed.

Also,other snippets I was told after the meeting bode well for the club,better than ever before I feel,but those things are still in negotiation stages & yet to be finalised, though it has to be added that those finalised stages are very very close to being sealed now,so I'm led to believe.(I know,we've heard it all before).

Without mentioning these things,for which I was requested not to(said in confidence)I can see all things coming together in one big way soon.

Seems we will just have to continue to be patient & pray that this club DOES get those red green lights soon..... & some players too of course!!

My summing up of last night,disappointment in the main,with once again a lack of solid information but excited about the immediate future of the club by what WAS mentioned.

The feelgood factor is definately back,with me at least, despite the continued frustrations ( & believe me I am one of those that are very hard to please & to be convinced normally).

I really DO believe THIS TIME that we are on our way back in a big big way. We just have to hang on in there for just a little while longer.

 

[michael]

The clock is ticking a bit now.

 

Was'nt original planning granted nearly 4 years ago ?

 

You have 5 years to make a start-realistically-even if one end is started-is the funding and planning variations all sorted for all 3/4 sides.

 

Thus clock ticking.

 

However, as Planning granted originally, i suspect that if it needs to be applied for again after the 5 year limit, it should go through ok-but nothing is certain-and more cost of yet another application

[michael]

Where KP said that they have arrived at the stage where they are about to 'go ahead'- GO AHEAD with PRECISELY WHAT ?

 

Is the first 'go ahead to build at 'coffin end-and if so-build what-a terrace-how deep/high.

 

where do dressing rooms feature?

what is planned for the side where the temporary dressing rooms are

 

 

what is the first stage of the 'go ahead'

 

anyone know ? (yes-i know i should have been there but not practical so simply hoping someone may know )

 

UP the 'GATE

[Hornet]

Well done and thanks Steve although it sounds like the same b()llsh!t rhetoric. Was there a clear cut answer to anything? Can't believe a businessman of KP's stature (ahem) can't use a computer.

[MargateFan]

Just seems more of the same to me.

I may be more encouraged if any action occurs.

[buzzgate]

Find it very strange that Yorath has been appointed yet role not discussed.Not sure at this level all these managers are required,but hopefully it will soon become clear.

[Hornet]

Some news on the mythical stadium in three weeks (where've we heard that one before) will take us into July which will leave us a month to get it built. Oh dear!

[Cookie]

An understandable comment to make Hornet but...............

.............hold on in there!!

 

Moreso at this time than any other.

[Hornet]

I still am holding on but it seems like I've been holding on for years now-oh that's because I have. Just want something concrete (literally) that's all.

[margateshot]

So building will start soon, but we can't say when.

 

The club have new sponsors, but we can't announce who.

 

We have a new kit but we can't say what its like.

 

We don't want to raise prices, but we can't say we won't.

 

We've got a new Director of Football but HE can't say what his role is. (despite having to live locally to perform it)

 

Well how informative was that then?

[BlueGate Alan]

Keith did say if any more news then Nicky Canham would put it on the web site as Vicki on holiday.

[Margate Don]

Personally I though Terry Yorath's answer about his role made a lot of sense. Given all the comments people have made about the lack of experience in the new management team that is where Terry can add value - you can't say he doesn't have that experience. If he can work effectively alongside BA then he should be able to point out things that an inexperienced manager might miss or just not be aware of. Also sounded like his relocation to Thanet may be as much to get away from his divorce! On the basis of what was said it didn't sound like a long term role but given our recent history I'm sure things will continue to evolve. All in all I feel more positive going into next season, just be good to get more info on the player front!

[BlueGate Alan]

Terry's brother Dai (who was also there last night) lives this way of course. Plus I did ask Terry after meeting (am sure I wasn't the only one) if Gabby would be down for any games and he said for sure.

 

On the player front the guy who says he is keen to join but not back from OZ til July is, I believe, Roberto Corbishley.

[Ian_Sanderson]

Well good to see Terry back in football 18 months after his ill health made him step down from his job at Huddersfield.

Welcome to Thanet

[BlueGate Alan]

Was good to chat to him Ian, a very nice bloke I thought, but then I am biased being Welsh and a Leeds supporter

[Frankie100]

Originally Posted By: Cookie

.....Seems we will just have to continue to be patient & pray that this club DOES get those red lights soon..... [

Do you mean GREEN lights Cookie so was something else said to state red

[Cookie]

Well done Frankie.I've found someone who has the stamina to read through a complete post of mine. Error was there just to to find that out.

 

Seriously I don't know why I said that although I expect some might give an answer to it.A complete error on my part of course.Have amended now,thank you.