Interesting quote in this article, apparently he was involved in the Phillips decison as a ‘representative of the fans’. Funny I thought he was selected by the chairman not put forward by the fans, I wonder which fans he consulted before coming forward with the fans decision to let him go (he shockingly backs the chairman’s view)

Maybe I am making too big a deal of it but its not how I would think a fans ‘representative’ should be appointed, and I believe he was originally called a director in charge of fan liaisons which would be more accurate

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/fo ... es-4610272

In all honesty I don’t give a flying fuck about these sort of appointments because no matter how they are there either by election or invitation, they’re just window dressing and the naivety of anyone dumb enough to think they can make a difference to anything is laughable.

The Pools pundits had plenty to say about this on BBC Tees last night.
Mainly saying 2 choosen not elected fans do not repre
sent the 99.9% of other Pools fans.

In that article above JP fans rep clearly says and sounds very proud that he played a major part in the appointment of the new manager.

We just got to hope it works out.
I will leave it at that.

He doesn't represent me.
If he got the job as a result of a fair and open fans ballot where there was a choice of candidates that might be different. I still wouldn't like it.
I agree with Snowy's remarks.

The thing that is most baffling is a fans rep was involved in the recruitment of football manager without any experience of recruitment, football or football recruitment…

We certainly do things differently at Pools.
But if it comes off he's Gunna have a head bigger than Humpty Dumpty.

unless he is a real puppet i doubt he,ll be allowed to attend anything where finance comes into it. cannot remember which club it was at, but they had a fans rep on their board who it was up to other board members on what he could join the board on depending the subjects they,d discuss,

Just out of interest who/how would a poll be administered?. Who would be eligible to vote?

Of course he's a representative of the fans isn't he the founder of fans group Hart of Our Club? That doesn't mean he represents every fan and let's face it how could he? For that to work it would mean every board decision being held up until he'd conducted a poll of every fan - impossible. Nothing would ever get done.

If any of us ordinary fans want a voice in the boardroom then the only way to achieve that is investing money to buy a seat at the table.

I may be wrong but I think when Raj was at Darlo they had meaningful board representation for the fans and mostly they didn't see eye to eye and it didn't well. I'm sure Loan Star will correct me if I'm wrong.

And isn't that what HUST continually say, that you need to put money in to get meaningful representation? Obviously that bridge is burnt with Raj now though.

We've got like a hundred different groups at Pools, rightly or wrongly but that's just how it is. Each group can have a rep and John represents HOOC, which is fine. I don't think he's claiming to represent all fans is he? The fan panel that used to meet regularly is surely the place where representative of every group come together?

If people pay into a group, it's up to each group how they nominate or elect a representative. There's obviously no system in place for the entire fanbase to democratically elect a representative, so a fans panel seems the best way forward, in my very humble opinion.

If someone is elected to a board though, they should have the authority to report back and make decisions. If fans disagree with the direction of travel, vote someone else in. Having someone appointed by the owner is very compromised.

But that's the crux of the issue, he's an owner appointed director, we're not a community owned or even part owned club. Basically we're regular customers and let's face it if you don't like the beer in your local pub you don't have a say in which brewery supplies them so why should a privately owned football club be any different.

Wouldn't argue with the fact Raj can appoint who he likes, to whatever position he likes.

Having said that though, are they actually company directors? Doesn't appear so on companies house, so only 'directors' in name.

we would have a bigger turnover of them than we have for managers. they,d be lucky to last more than a month if there was regular monthly votes. put up any topic on here and you just have to read all the different comments on it. football clubs haven,t a split fanbase of two opposing factions there will be probably hundreds of different ones at pools.

No issue with Raj appointing who he wants but don't title them as a 'fan representative'.
I don't know John Walter Mitty Shithead and think he's done a lot of good with HOOC e.g. the youth alliance and charity work around christmas and easter (one small gripe is that maybe the club should be doing this instead?). Was also interested to learn they funded the club app but didn't get any credit at the time. I've also seen a lot of people saying he is very against the trust therefore is he the best person to be representing the fans if he's very against ~700+ people?
Another thing I'm confused about this new board is Lennie Lawrence being head of football/whatever when we already have Joe Monks (no matter your thoughts on the job he's doing) and Andy Steele for Commercial when we have Rose Stoker already in that role. Would it not have been better to give those 2 positions on the board rather than bring in 2 new people?
For ref about the Trust getting on the board, the offered to buy a small stake a while ago and were told by Raj to keep their money as they may need it in the future.

But his title isn't fan representative is it?

If HUST want a seat on the board I'm sure if they offer the right money they'll get one. Everything has a price.

Apologies his title is Director for Supporter Engagement according to the press release.
Either way should he be involved in Managerial decisions with that title?

One thing that's clear is that Raj is serious about keeping a low profile. KP used to talk about "the chairman'" a lot; with Sarll it's all been "the board" up to now.

It'll be interesting to see how long the new set-up lasts, but one obvious advantage is it puts some distance between Raj and unpopular decisions. Make that "apparent distance."

Don't disagree mate.

i don't like how he refers to himself as the 'fans rep'--thats a self given title and untrue

You can see it now--he's the fig leaf the chairman will fall behind when the going gets tough----well the fans agreed with the decision as per their rep.
Another one of those--say it often enough and it will become true attempts if you let it.

Dont apologize--read the article--he CALLED HIMSELF the fans rep unless we are saying he was misquoted...see extract below--bold is mine

Following Phillips’ statement, Hart of Our Club 1908 fan group figure and recently-appointed board member John Walter Mitty Shithead said: “I can add a bit more substance to this most recent managerial change because I was involved in it as part of the newly formed board and as a representative of the fans.

Well that's news because at the time of his appointment he was not given the title of fans rep and in Raj's statement his remit did not read as fans rep.

exactly--but if you let people say it often enough without challenging it becomes the truth

Well done Loyal point well and truly proven

Isn’t that a self proclaimed fan’s rep?…. Not quite the same thing as a fan’s rep.

Looks that way. Raj statement on his appoint.ent was to provide a platform for fans to engage with the club. I'd therefore expect he'd be organising forums for representatives of the various fans groups (ie fans reps) to discuss issues for him to then decide which he should take to the board for discussion.
He's a director of the club and therefore first and foremost he's a club rep.

It’s a Director’s casual remark, not the a fans rep.
There is no sole fans rep, such a post does not exist.
We’re looking for a unicorn in a Pool’s shirt…..it’s a myth.

Spot on Snowy

Agreed, spot on. Think it’s just how he sees himself, which is a bit presumptuous.

Speaking from experience "Member of the Board" in this circumstance Means Zilch.
It means you can have input during meetings, BUT not decision making.

Agree Gray

Aye We know

a box ticking exercise from the club to give the impression that they really care about us all and fully value all the input from us especially if its in cash or card.

Exactly, he’s the human shield of things go wrong

If things go terribly wrong he needs to get on the back of Rajs electric scooter and leave town with his newest bestie.

A bit like a big fat chicken on the board of ‘Billy’s Chicken Burgers’…your input is welcome but we ain’t changing what we do.

Masterstroke this by raj, appointing a fan.

Knee

Class

Exactly

When the say ‘member’…it sounds rather appropriate actually..