Brilliant New Burnley Podcast

[Ightenhill_Claret]

I think for me, personally, the elastic has snapped now. ALK have filled most senior club positions with people who they've known for years but none of whom have any experience of running a football club. And that's why we're seeing these constant own goals off the field.

The Fan Advisory Board is a waste of time because the club don't really care what the FAB say and run roughshod over the feelings of the fans until enough people kick up a fuss (the drummer idea being a case in point).

They built up a lot of credit last season - mainly on the back of a brilliant campaign on the pitch - but this year that credit is disappearing quick because of the decisions they're making off it.

Football clubs are all about identity and I'm not sure what ours is at the moment.

[CoolClaret]

I think for me, personally, the elastic has snapped now. ALK have filled most senior club positions with people who they've known for years but none of whom have any experience of running a football club. And that's why we're seeing these constant own goals off the field.

The Fan Advisory Board is a waste of time because the club don't really care what the FAB say and run roughshod over the feelings of the fans until enough people kick up a fuss (the drummer idea being a case in point).

They built up a lot of credit last season - mainly on the back of a brilliant campaign on the pitch - but this year that credit is disappearing quick because of the decisions they're making off it.

Football clubs are all about identity and I'm not sure what ours is at the moment.

Totally agree -

I said on here when Garlick and Banaszkiewicz completely stepped down that this was the real test now with a board packed with basically 0 experience in British football.

On identity - again I agree.

The board seem to prioritise the corporate/hospitality aspect and our 'identiy' to neutrals around the globe than one jot about the actual supporters that'll be the ones that have to pick the club back up again once again when the shine rubs off.

[Ightenhill_Claret]

The commercialisation of the club is essential to help us keep pace with the rest of the sport, I absolutely get that. I think the Turf, to those watching on TV, probably looks fantastic and the upgraded hospitality offerings do offer an experience like we've not had before.

But there's no real community heartbeat to the club any more. It's grab the cash, stack 'em high and to hell if they don't like it.

We'll all be here a long time after ALK have sold up and pushed their wheelbarrows full of cash back to the States and they'd do well to remember that.

[Goliath]

Is Chris Boden going for the record for number of 'you knows' on a podcast? Its pretty hard to listen to once you notice

[ClaretPete001]

I enjoyed the Podcast. Feel a bit sorry for the guys having to be so negative but what else can you do.

I would make the point that after the Palace game I said (above) that I thought we never really looked like touching Palace and what looked like a decent performance: wasn't...!

And Chris Boden does say 'You know' a few times but it hardly detracts from a view point that has been consistently on point.

[Ightenhill_Claret]

We try to inject a bit of humour where we can (Woody is our Director of Quips!) but we are conscious that most episodes are pretty negative. I think our hope is that we're not negative just for the sake of being so and we do try to add some reasoned analysis in there so it at least feels like we're trying to find solutions. Not sure how successful we are at times!

[Herts Clarets]

We try to inject a bit of humour where we can (Woody is our Director of Quips!) but we are conscious that most episodes are pretty negative. I think our hope is that we're not negative just for the sake of being so and we do try to add some reasoned analysis in there so it at least feels like we're trying to find solutions. Not sure how successful we are at times!

About as successful as Kompany and Pace have been this season in finding their own solutions to be fair! And i remember back in the start up of the podcast pre-season concerns raised over the number of unproven wingers we were signing and the need for a full back and a Viera type midfielder, strong, physical, athletic and gets up and down the pitch. But hey, what do mere supporters know.....

[Ightenhill_Claret]

I think that's the big issues isn't Herts? Everyone could see what we needed before a ball was even kicked yet the recruitment team either didn't know it or were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign them.

[Nori1958]

The commercialisation of the club is essential to help us keep pace with the rest of the sport, I absolutely get that. I think the Turf, to those watching on TV, probably looks fantastic and the upgraded hospitality offerings do offer an experience like we've not had before.

But there's no real community heartbeat to the club any more. It's grab the cash, stack 'em high and to hell if they don't like it.

We'll all be here a long time after ALK have sold up and pushed their wheelbarrows full of cash back to the States and they'd do well to remember that.

What would you do to have a " community heartbeat"

[Ightenhill_Claret]

I think simply engaging more with supporters would be a start. I think the treatment of the supporters club's efforts to collect food for the foodbank sums up the attitude perfectly.

[jdrobbo]

I think simply engaging more with supporters would be a start. I think the treatment of the supporters club's efforts to collect food for the foodbank sums up the attitude perfectly.

You’re not kidding. We’ve kept very quiet about it but it’s been a complete mess. J

[CoolClaret]

Perfectly happy enough to broadcast their own attempt like*

* sponsored by Vertu motors

[Nori1958]

I think simply engaging more with supporters would be a start. I think the treatment of the supporters club's efforts to collect food for the foodbank sums up the attitude perfectly.

Agree with the food bank, but I do wonder at what level that decision was made
I've received more news about the club, and asked for my opinion far more recently, than at any other time, so they are engaging

[Ightenhill_Claret]

I think there's a difference between asking the question and then acting on it IMO. We do get asked to fill in surveys, questionnaires etc but I never see much done on the back of it.

[Nori1958]

I think there's a difference between asking the question and then acting on it IMO. We do get asked to fill in surveys, questionnaires etc but I never see much done on the back of it.

So they are engaging?... But the problem lies after the engagement?

[forzagranata]

There is a lot of experience and knowledge in supporters clubs with people who have been watching the club home and away for decades. A new ownership would have been wise to have taken time to get to know those supporters and listen a little to them. That doesn't mean they should always follow their advice but at least listen and take on board ideas and perspectives.

They don't seem to have done that which seems strange.

[Ightenhill_Claret]

Yeah to a degree. But it also depends on the type of engagement - sending an email asking for opinions is one type of engagement. But meaningful engagement would be open meetings which fans could go to.

It's quite easy for them to face the Fan Advisory Board because they've made it pretty toothless in the grand scheme of things (and that's absolutely not a dig at the members of the FAB - it's just clear that it's merely an attempt at a PR exercise for the club and they'll do whatever they want regardless)

[dandeclaret]

It's listening, vs Active listening..... they surely must have heard about plenty of the things mentioned above - the food experience on the turf has been a problem for 5 months - it's being spoken about everywhere, but there's no meaningful action plans in place to improve things, or comms on what they're actually doing - just a vanilla "Internal investigation" style holding note.

As for the fan advisory boards, it looks like a box tick exercise to me, to be able to say "We engaged".... but they're not really... they went to the FAB AFTER the drum idea - not before, similar I believe with the flags etc..... they want an atmosphere, make the turf hell, but with only approaved club made flags, and no standing.... they don't go together.

[forzagranata]

And surely a Fan Advisory Board should be chosen by the fans - not handpicked by the club, which I believe is what happened?

[Jakubs Tash]

Good pod again this week on the “depressing” debrief.

A question which could be up for debate is whether the money being spent these days is relative to the steep increases in player wages and transfer fees we have seen in the PL over the last 12-24 months.

For example, it’s ok to say Beyer cost £15m and Amdouni similar but is this really like spending say £5m 3 years ago?

There’s no doubt that VK has been backed and that the recruitment seems to have been completely unbalanced in the summer window but i also don’t think it’s fair to point out the amount spent comparing it with what SD had to spend.

Things have moved on immeasurably in football - particularly the English Premier League - and to buy a good player these days you need to be spending around £40-£50m.

[CoolClaret]

Good pod again this week on the “depressing” debrief.

A question which could be up for debate is whether the money being spent these days is relative to the steep increases in player wages and transfer fees we have seen in the PL over the last 12-24 months.

For example, it’s ok to say Beyer cost £15m and Amdouni similar but is this really like spending say £5m 3 years ago?

There’s no doubt that VK has been backed and that the recruitment seems to have been completely unbalanced in the summer window but i also don’t think it’s fair to point out the amount spent comparing it with what SD had to spend.

Things have moved on immeasurably in football - particularly the English Premier League - and to buy a good player these days you need to be spending around £40-£50m.

https://football-observatory.com/Inflat ... fer-market

[CrosspoolClarets]

Enjoyed listening to this for an hour while working today but couldn’t shake the idea that all 5 guys were sitting there with heads in hands throughout

I also can’t shake the idea that the wealthy who can afford shiny corporate packages can receive a nice “experience” whereas the ordinary folk (over 15,000 of them) are taken for granted because there isn’t a lot more dosh to come from them. All we have to look forward to is a punch up with our kids and the away fans in our own premium seating area while burning our mouths on a rubbish pie (I jest of course). What pees me off about that mentality is that the corporate bunch aren’t in any way “special”, often they are just lucky to have a big employer buying the tickets as a tax thing.

I really hope the above isn’t true because if it is it undermines the whole ethos, the community spirit of the investors, the attraction JJ and co see in the town, the whole “feel” of the club. If that’s the case it will turn toxic as with so many other clubs, the owners will be driven out and they’ll sell to some useless glory hunter, probably from the Middle East, and the decline will set in. We’ve seen it so many times before.

Hope that isn’t the case but there are 3 essential ways to prove it - VASTLY improve the catering within 1 month including a far better menu, get rid of ALL away fans in home areas, spend substantial money on “non corporate” infrastructure (spend on the areas I inhabit appears minimal at best for 20 years and hasn’t changed under this ownership).

[Nori1958]

Enjoyed listening to this for an hour while working today but couldn’t shake the idea that all 5 guys were sitting there with heads in hands throughout

I also can’t shake the idea that the wealthy who can afford shiny corporate packages can receive a nice “experience” whereas the ordinary folk (over 15,000 of them) are taken for granted because there isn’t a lot more dosh to come from them. All we have to look forward to is a punch up with our kids and the away fans in our own premium seating area while burning our mouths on a rubbish pie (I jest of course). What pees me off about that mentality is that the corporate bunch aren’t in any way “special”, often they are just lucky to have a big employer buying the tickets as a tax thing.

I really hope the above isn’t true because if it is it undermines the whole ethos, the community spirit of the investors, the attraction JJ and co see in the town, the whole “feel” of the club. If that’s the case it will turn toxic as with so many other clubs, the owners will be driven out and they’ll sell to some useless glory hunter, probably from the Middle East, and the decline will set in. We’ve seen it so many times before.

Hope that isn’t the case but there are 3 essential ways to prove it - VASTLY improve the catering within 1 month including a far better menu, get rid of ALL away fans in home areas, spend substantial money on “non corporate” infrastructure (spend on the areas I inhabit appears minimal at best for 20 years and hasn’t changed under this ownership).

I agree with getting rid of the away fans and improving the infrastructure
However catering isn't a biggie for me, and I sense the owners. Nobody will decide to attend a football game based on how good the food or drink is. There is no need to use it really, there's plenty of places to get fed and watered away from the ground

[Vegas Claret]

just listened to the latest one, **** me, you couldn't be more depressing. Talking absolute ******** for the most part

[Inchy]

Enjoyed it as per usual

I think the negatively of the podcast is spot on. It’s the reality of the situation. Be more annoying and mental if they were all chirpy after the shite we have watched

[Vegas Claret]

Enjoyed it as per usual

I think the negatively of the podcast is spot on. It’s the reality of the situation. Be more annoying and mental if they were all chirpy after the shite we have watched

completely unbalanced for the most part. Nobody is expecting chirpy, I just prefer a balanced opinion. Each to their own

[Ightenhill_Claret]

Sorry it’s not up your street Vegas. We’d like to class it as realist rather than depressing but there you go. Perhaps next week’s will be more chipper.

[ksrclaret]

just listened to the latest one, **** me, you couldn't be more depressing. Talking absolute ******** for the most part

What a charmer you are

[northeastclaret]

What a charmer you are

Obviously another bad day in the casino

[Vegas Claret]

Sorry it’s not up your street Vegas. We’d like to class it as realist rather than depressing but there you go. Perhaps next week’s will be more chipper.

Nothing whatsoever to apologize for, they are your opinions and you are completely entitled to them. Nothing to do with chipper, it's to do with balance and there was very little imho which was a shame. To say things like 'we've spent 100 million' but then to not acknowledge that that is absolutely negligible in the PL is poor. It might well be a lot for us and an historical high but in relation to the league it's truly not. To me the whole thing sounded like a club bashing exercise. Sure, they are getting things wrong on and off the pitch, but they have also got plenty right over the last year. Nobody gets everything right. Someone even said something along the lines of 'nobody knows how to run a football club' - I mean, we just had the best season we've ever had in the Championship and have signed some really talented players. I can't dress that up as anything other than bashing the club with no balance.

[Vegas Claret]

Obviously another bad day in the casino

never dropped at penny at any casino, I'd say try being original but it's obviously beyond you

[Ightenhill_Claret]

Nothing whatsoever to apologize for, they are your opinions and you are completely entitled to them. Nothing to do with chipper, it's to do with balance and there was very little imho which was a shame. To say things like 'we've spent 100 million' but then to not acknowledge that that is absolutely negligible in the PL is poor. It might well be a lot for us and an historical high but in relation to the league it's truly not. To me the whole thing sounded like a club bashing exercise. Sure, they are getting things wrong on and off the pitch, but they have also got plenty right over the last year. Nobody gets everything right. Someone even said something along the lines of 'nobody knows how to run a football club' - I mean, we just had the best season we've ever had in the Championship and have signed some really talented players. I can't dress that up as anything other than bashing the club with no balance.

Get the spend in PL terms but we were in the top ten summer spends worldwide and didn’t address the major issues that a blind man on a galloping horse could see.
And the comment about no one who knows how to run a football club is valid when you take into account the constant mistakes that are being made across catering, ticketing etc. they’ve shipped out a lot of people with vast experience in their departments and filled them with friends of the board members who have no experience or prior competence in those areas which are now proving problematic. I say things how I see them - and with a little knowledge build up over a couple of decades covering and knowing the inner workings of the club.
As I said earlier in the thread, the ownership built up a lot of credit last year - and rightly so - but that credit is draining away mainly because they’re making decisions that aren’t providing the best experience for fans.

[Vegas Claret]

Get the spend in PL terms but we were in the top ten summer spends worldwide and didn’t address the major issues that a blind man on a galloping horse could see.
And the comment about no one who knows how to run a football club is valid when you take into account the constant mistakes that are being made across catering, ticketing etc. they’ve shipped out a lot of people with vast experience in their departments and filled them with friends of the board members who have no experience or prior competence in those areas which are now proving problematic. I say things how I see them - and with a little knowledge build up over a couple of decades covering and knowing the inner workings of the club.
As I said earlier in the thread, the ownership built up a lot of credit last year - and rightly so - but that credit is draining away mainly because they’re making decisions that aren’t providing the best experience for fans.

fair enough mate, like I said you are absolutely entitled to your opinions. I've listened to most of them and haven't particularly got that level of negativity before from you all. I just found it a tad depressing and unnecessary, I'll no doubt listen to the next one though !

[helmclaret]

Another good episode lads - thanks

[aggi]

I found the complaints about the player values all dropping quite entertaining. I'm pretty sure that in the summer episodes there was a lot of raving about how some of the transfers were going to shoot up in value (Trafford being one where I think the comment was something along the lines of he's already doubled in value when we signed him).

Also I'm not so sure about the Pace idolising Kompany and not being able to sack him. It didn't really stop them with Dyche in the past.

[Wokingclaret]

completely unbalanced for the most part. Nobody is expecting chirpy, I just prefer a balanced opinion. Each to their own

You can't polish a T**D

[John Johnson 1605]

A very enjoyable podcast. Thanks lads.

[Vegas Claret]

You can't polish a T**D

ain't that the truth

[CrosspoolClarets]

I agree with getting rid of the away fans and improving the infrastructure
However catering isn't a biggie for me, and I sense the owners. Nobody will decide to attend a football game based on how good the food or drink is. There is no need to use it really, there's plenty of places to get fed and watered away from the ground

Fine, but for me I want a nice day out for my (expensive) leisure activity and that includes a nice bit of food and a quality drink inside the venue, after a long drive to get there. There isn’t the time to stop off in town first on many occasions. We are all different. It’s being marketed as a premium leisure activity, Premier League football, attractive worldwide. Contrast to US sports venues, Tottenham or even Hull City, the food is fabulous at those on the whole.

So my point is, not delivering that to “ordinary” fans here makes it seem like those fans aren’t valued, it is a choice. I refuse to believe there is no interest from the fans in buying quality food and drink. So this is a test for me to see if fans are being valued, a bit like sorting the away fans in home areas (which I bet stays unchanged or maybe a token steward sat nearby). That’s what came to mind when I listened to the guys discuss the fracas.

[Ightenhill_Claret]

We've broken into the top 50 football podcasts in the Apple UK charts this week so a huge thanks from me and the lads for all your support, feedback, downloads etc over the last few months.

What a ride it's been eh?!

[John Johnson 1605]

Interesting point made by (I think) Ightenhill Claret.

He likened ALK’s policy to “Ground Zero.” I think he actually meant Year Zero. I said the same to my son at the start of last season that it felt like we were in the grip of a Khmer Rouge takeover, associated propaganda and the sweeping away of all that came before.

It’s a real “Holiday in Cambodia.”

[Nori1958]

Fine, but for me I want a nice day out for my (expensive) leisure activity and that includes a nice bit of food and a quality drink inside the venue, after a long drive to get there. There isn’t the time to stop off in town first on many occasions. We are all different. It’s being marketed as a premium leisure activity, Premier League football, attractive worldwide. Contrast to US sports venues, Tottenham or even Hull City, the food is fabulous at those on the whole.

So my point is, not delivering that to “ordinary” fans here makes it seem like those fans aren’t valued, it is a choice. I refuse to believe there is no interest from the fans in buying quality food and drink. So this is a test for me to see if fans are being valued, a bit like sorting the away fans in home areas (which I bet stays unchanged or maybe a token steward sat nearby). That’s what came to mind when I listened to the guys discuss the fracas.

If they closed all the food counters down, would you still go to the games?
You don't have to stop off in town.... I can think of 4 outlets within 100 yds of the main entrance

[Herts Clarets]

Is Chris Boden going for the record for number of 'you knows' on a podcast? Its pretty hard to listen to once you notice

I think, you know, he, you know, breaks that, you know, record, you know, quite early, you know, in, you know, the podcast.

[StayingDown4Ever]

just listened to the latest one, **** me, you couldn't be more depressing. Talking absolute ******** for the most part

What a vicious attack.

[Vegas Claret]

What a vicious attack.

it's a truthful synopsis of what I heard which I've discussed above with one of the participants who handled the conversation superbly. It's not remotely vicious.

[ClaretTony]

I’ve listened to the Everton debrief this evening and have to say there is very little I could disagree with both in terms of the football currently and all the off field stuff.

[Bordeauxclaret]

I enjoyed the part about us controlling the second half.

We just forgot the score.

[Kilson810]

Just listened to the latest From the Bee Hole End podcast and really enjoyed the favourite ever Burnley XI segment. Thought I would add my own below. For those who didn't listen, it's 4-4-2 and our favourite players (not necessarily the best players).

Jensen
Trippier Duff Mee Ward
Elliot Marney Defour Little
Blake Barnes

[forzagranata]

Just listened to the latest From the Bee Hole End podcast and really enjoyed the favourite ever Burnley XI segment. Thought I would add my own below. For those who didn't listen, it's 4-4-2 and our favourite players (not necessarily the best players).

Jensen
Trippier Duff Mee Ward
Elliot Marney Defour Little
Blake Barnes

It all depends on how far back you can go of course, but for your generation, Duff and Marney are good shouts.

[jdrobbo]

I’ve gone…


Heaton

Trippier
Tarkowski
Caldwell
Ward

Little
Cork (naturally)
Defour
Eyres

Blake
Conroy