Seems fair and open enough to me.Early days I know but if some of the things he hints at come to fruition then we could be in for some exciting times at the Vic.

This is hugely important and something we as fans have to make sure happens if a purchase of the ground does happen.

It wouldn't surprise me to see the stadium name sponsored in the near future either. Very surprised IOR didn't go down that route.


Also, he addresses the bankruptcy head-on.

He didn't appear to be dodging many issues, although the "why the North" one got sidestepped.
There was no "I will not be commenting on this at this time", just a few "I really can't comment on this" (if i don't want my arse sued off).

I mean, Jeezus H Christ, he said more clear-cut things on one page than KH did in 18 years. That's a result.

Get the Hart back!!!

Did anyone ask him when we will be resigning Steve Howard

Yes. He said "We're in this for the long term but perhaps not quite that long. Ask Ronnie."

Really relevant answer to the bankruptcy question too.........looks like he's got nothing to hide (apart from the caveats KH has put in place).

I thought Mr Cloughie (or AKA "Tell the truth please" Mail comments) would be all over this

Very happy with the responses at least he is talking to the fans and not hiding away from things.

Brilliant q and a. Fair play to him.

And he said wowzers! Ok in my book but best two answers are pools being at the vic in five years time and transfers ask Ronnie.

Certainly given me a bit more confidence.

Same here. It's very heartening he's addressed the questions head on.

I think it's because he sort of answered it when he said they were keen on expanding their catchment in the north east.

Good that. Although maybe it's me, but I couldn't give a shit what his favourite crisps are, and as for the kid that wants never say die on the badge? Bullet.

Kudos to Gary though, I'm impressed with that. Nice one.

Sounds like IOR might have had away with the transfer money if he isn't allowed to say anything to the contrary?

And mebbe some of the season ticket money too?

Maybe these were part of the "debt free" deal?

Maybe IOR have just got a payment off Baldwin and James before they fooked off. I would like to know but will not get to know.

The bankruptcy thing didn't overly concern me. While the FA owners test obviously will miss things from time to time the bankruptcy would have been spotted a mile off and they were satisfied.
He's making steps in the right direction, maybe Russ should do something similar if he sees his long term future at the club, he's got nothing to lose as far as his reputation goes.
Gary is either very down to earth or has gauged what the fans want to hear, given time we'll see if he's all talk or genuine.

The fact he can't talk about certain things suggest IOR have taken what they can with them, otherwise why insist on the new owners from keeping quiet. I'd of done the same if I was Ken and my other ventures were struggling, now its time to move on.

Welcome JPNG.

I hope they didn't leave us with the VAT bill though

That would be a sad ending for IOR if they have Fucked off with the season ticket money gained so far for the coming season and lot might say i wouldn't put it past them and in the end it probably does sum them up at the end of their tenure with Pools

Ken has forced him to be quiet over the Baldwin/James fee and whether JPNG have paid a fee for the club. It would probably make sense that Ken has taken the sale money and/or first 1000 season ticket sales money as the equivalent of a fee.

I'm sure confidentiality clauses are a standard thing.

Yup that thread should be bumped!

Yeah, you're right. I think he was just enjoying taking the piss out of the "parochial club" wallah (which is fine by me: piss taking where piss taking's due).

That could be one way of viewing it.

Alternatively this new mob might not have bought the gaff if we didn't sell 1000 season tickets. It might have been a sign to them that the support wasn't there and the club wasn't viable.

It certainly explains why Ken turned up and shook the 1000th ticket holders hand and then announced they were off

Probably kissed him off camera


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Wonder if Ken said something like 'Thank you for buying the 1000th ticket, I'm off now. No further comment'

Let's face it hodcroft acted like a weasel but then again there were a lot of simularities

Lets just see how we go from here with IOR they only had Paper Debt which didn't really exist simply because to Borrow money you need an Asset as Security against the Loan. So if this new group buy the ground they can then take out Loans against the Asset which would mean then that the Debt is real and re payable to the Lender so if the money is not paid back in Cash the Lender then sells the Assets to recover the loan. what would happen its called Administration to recover Losses of the Lender.
So HBC need to be very careful and on this One no way would i sell this lot the Ground going on their Previous Track Records of Business Dealings

No great commercial value in the asset if it is restricted for use only as a football ground hence you probably couldn't borrow against it or sell it to pay off a loan.