Fan Forum Application: Successful Application - Wednesday 11th December 2024

[Wokingclaret]

If Pace doesn't know how to finance new stands then god help us. He is supposed to be the Wall St expert

[fidelcastro]

If Pace doesn't know how to finance new stands then god help us. He is supposed to be the Wall St expert

I think in his own way he was saying that we can't afford it just yet.

[Vegas Claret]

I thought it was fairly decent, he clearly gives a toss about a lot of it but there are a few areas of concern for sure. I'm not sure how he can tally building a brand abroad with the style of football on offer being the biggest.

[gandhisflipflop]

He did. He may still do for all I know, but at the height of the BNP electoral success in Burnley, he was their TV spokesman on several occasions.

So what?

[fidelcastro]

So what?

Sorry, I've just always had a problem with fascist parties, that's all.

[Vegas Claret]

any danger we don't turn this into a BNP argument and stick to the footy please lads?

[fidelcastro]

any danger we don't turn this into a BNP argument and stick to the footy please lads?

Gladly.

[DCWat]

Champions League winners with the foundations they are putting in place! Jees, give it a rest Alan.

Couldn’t or wouldn’t grasp the reasoning behind the question of signing ‘some experience’ should we get promoted - strangely twisting it to suggest the person posing the question was expecting us to sign a full squad of experienced Premier League players.

No real acknowledgment of what two seasons without promotion will mean for their longer term aims, aside from we will have to cut our cloth accordingly. No ****! And what about servicing the debt whilst still wanting to get promoted again!?

Disappointing, but not surprising, that there were no questions (put forward or allowed?) around the takeover and the debt / money taken out of the club.

[NewClaret]

Always thought with away demand 25K was right for us.

We do need a new CFS

My take on what Alan said was that he could see that being the attendance after developing both stands, which you’d think are 10 years off at least when you factor in needing to get back to the premier league, planning permission, the build, etc.

What would be right then may be very different to know (upward & downward) depending on what we do.

I’d expect our fanbase to grow over time though if we do well so I don’t think the 27-28k is an impossible ambition but would need a lot of success over a long period of time.

[Vegas Claret]

Champions League winners with the foundations they are putting in place! Jees, give it a rest Alan.

Couldn’t or wouldn’t grasp the reasoning behind the question of signing ‘some experience’ should we get promoted - strangely twisting it to suggest the person posing the question was expecting us to sign a full squad of experienced Premier League players.

Did he not really say that to bring in that experience would cost a boat load ? I've only listened to it once so I may have remembered it incorrectly. I think he then went on to clarify his comments with the Tella example too.

[DCWat]

Did he not really say that to bring in that experience would cost a boat load ? I've only listened to it once so I may have remembered it incorrectly. I think he then went on to clarify his comments with the Tella example too.

Yes he was saying it would cost too much to have a team full of experienced Premier League players. No ****, Alan.

I don’t think the questioner was asking for that.

I think he was suggesting that we’d have stood a far better chance last season had we supplemented the young prospects with a smattering of Premier League nouse - not breaking the bank on 11 PL players.

Alan’s response either missed the point entirely, regarding learning from last season (should we get promoted) or he still thinks bringing in all data driven signings from outside the PL is still the right approach, in which case I despair.

[NewClaret]

Yes he was saying it would cost too much to have a team full of experienced Premier League players. No ****, Alan.

I don’t think the questioner was asking for that.

I think he was suggesting that we’d have stood a far better chance last season had we supplemented the young prospects with a smattering of Premier League nouse - not breaking the bank on 11 PL players.

Alan’s response either missed the point entirely, regarding learning from last season (should we get promoted) or he still thinks bringing in all data driven signings from outside the PL is still the right approach, in which case I despair.

My recollection of it:

- he would hope future windows had far less incomings in the event of promotion, seemed to suggest it wasn’t just him that made those decisions (investors influencing things maybe?) and that is not the policy
- signing a whole squad of premier league experience on our budget is impossible (agree)
- our aim as a club is to source talent from a wide pool, which I took to mean outside of the UK
- didn’t rule out signing a player with that level of experience in the premier league if needed in one position
- nor did he rule out signing experienced players from different leagues
- underpinning it all he felt they now had a better grasp of what was needed in the premier league and had made some organisational changes to support it or something (was hard to work out what he could be meaning there)

Overall it left me feeling confident things would be different next time, but if people are expecting him to go out and buy ‘old pros’ there isn’t a cat in hells chance.

[Vegas Claret]

Yes he was saying it would cost too much to have a team full of experienced Premier League players. No ****, Alan.

I don’t think the questioner was asking for that.

I think he was suggesting that we’d have stood a far better chance last season had we supplemented the young prospects with a smattering of Premier League nouse - not breaking the bank on 11 PL players.

Alan’s response either missed the point entirely, regarding learning from last season (should we get promoted) or he still thinks bringing in all data driven signings from outside the PL is still the right approach, in which case I despair.

He answered the data question differently to what you are suggesting though - he basically said they use the data to narrow the field then they get proper eyes on players. I don't think they run it like football manager and just use the stats, at least that's the impression he gave with his answer. God help us if they are though

[willsclarets]

The Tresor situation just gets all the more strange. He's fully fit and training, but we aren't willing to say publicly he's refusing to play for us. CT hints at good reasons as to why (which I fully understand he can't reveal) But that reason can't be physical.

And you'd think it was something the club have sympathy for, as he'd be fined several wages by now and probably not training with the first team. Why would Parker want him around the group if he had that attitude? I doubt he would.

[DCWat]

He answered the data question differently to what you are suggesting though - he basically said they use the data to narrow the field then they get proper eyes on players. I don't think they run it like football manager and just use the stats, at least that's the impression he gave with his answer. God help us if they are though

I wasn’t suggesting that data is the only approach, apologies if it read that way….

I was pointing out that I thought he’d misunderstood the question put to him about having some Premier League experience, inferring that the questioner expected a full squad of experience.

[DCWat]

My recollection of it:

- he would hope future windows had far less incomings in the event of promotion, seemed to suggest it wasn’t just him that made those decisions (investors influencing things maybe?) and that is not the policy
- signing a whole squad of premier league experience on our budget is impossible (agree)
- our aim as a club is to source talent from a wide pool, which I took to mean outside of the UK
- didn’t rule out signing a player with that level of experience in the premier league if needed in one position
- nor did he rule out signing experienced players from different leagues
- underpinning it all he felt they now had a better grasp of what was needed in the premier league and had made some organisational changes to support it or something (was hard to work out what he could be meaning there)

Overall it left me feeling confident things would be different next time, but if people are expecting him to go out and buy ‘old pros’ there isn’t a cat in hells chance.

I wasn’t entirely convinced that he understood what was wrong last season and they really do know what would be required next.

Hopefully we get the chance to find out!

[NewClaret]

The Tresor situation just gets all the more strange. He's fully fit and training, but we aren't willing to say publicly he's refusing to play for us. CT hints at good reasons as to why (which I fully understand he can't reveal) But that reason can't be physical.

And you'd think it was something the club have sympathy for, as he'd be fined several wages by now and probably not training with the first team. Why would Parker want him around the group if he had that attitude? I doubt he would.

It’s an absolute mystery, probably not cleared up much by Alan tonight.

-If he doesn’t want to be here, why are we letting him train with the first team?
-If he’s fit but refusing to play, why aren’t we fining him?
-Why are we getting him to model our new clothing ranges?
-Alan said he doesn’t see him going anywhere, so what the hell is the plan? Hope he changes his mind?

Quite bizarre. I thought Alan’s quip about the missing poster and that he gets asked every week was quite funny

There was some debate on here that they wouldn’t allow the tough questions but truth be told he’ll get asked them in the street every day so why should he care?

Good they ‘went rogue’ too. Totally dispelled any myths he was avoiding questions.

[NewClaret]

I wasn’t entirely convinced that he understood what was wrong last season and they really do know what would be required next.

Hopefully we get the chance to find out!

Strange as I felt quite reassured by it. My take was basically that we’re never going to be able to buy a whole new squad of experienced premier league players (understood), but that might be possible from abroad, and that they’ve analysed what went wrong (or think they know) and would be looking for different attributes next time. He was a bit cryptic on the last part and I’d have liked him to have elaborated.

Like you say though, I’m not entirely convinced it’s going to be something we need to worry about. Fingers crossed it is!

[ChristheViking]

Just watched the forum and was pretty impressed by Alan Pace.

When you think of the turmoil that is currently going on at so many clubs, I am reassured that we have some stability and an owner who appears to "get" the Club.

I am pleased to hear the development of the two stands is in the plan. The CFS development has been needed ever since The Breadbin aired and I hope we can take the opportunity to develop something modern.

As for the Tresor position, we are now well past the point where Parker can maintain whatever party line they want to give us. He told us at the end of October he was selectable. Hasn't even made the bench. When you've paid the money we've paid and when you've got the lack of creativity we saw last night, there's going to be questions. This story is going to run and will run more with every 0-0 we have.

Overall, well done to the Club for connecting with the fans and being reasonably open. We're never going to get full disclosure (nor should we) but I do feel the questions/concerns were aired and answered as much as he could.

[bumba]

Just watched the forum and was pretty impressed by Alan Pace.

When you think of the turmoil that is currently going on at so many clubs, I am reassured that we have some stability and an owner who appears to "get" the Club.

I am pleased to hear the development of the two stands is in the plan. The CFS development has been needed ever since The Breadbin aired and I hope we can take the opportunity to develop something modern.

As for the Tresor position, we are now well past the point where Parker can maintain whatever party line they want to give us. He told us at the end of October he was selectable. Hasn't even made the bench. When you've paid the money we've paid and when you've got the lack of creativity we saw last night, there's going to be questions. This story is going to run and will run more with every 0-0 we have.

Overall, well done to the Club for connecting with the fans and being reasonably open. We're never going to get full disclosure (nor should we) but I do feel the questions/concerns were aired and answered as much as he could.

I don't see how the Tresor question will run and run, Parker told us he was fit because he was, Pace has told us he is fit and available because he is.....it only leaves one outcome, Mike Tresor thinks he is above playing for Burnley FC in the championship.
I hope he's been fined regular for refusing to play. I hope his career nose dives when he leaves.
They said in the documentary a players agent told the club he wouldn't play for us in the championship I'd guess now at that being Tresors agent which is strange as the championship is better than the Belgian league

[Stonehouse]

It’s an absolute mystery, probably not cleared up much by Alan tonight.

-If he doesn’t want to be here, why are we letting him train with the first team?
-If he’s fit but refusing to play, why aren’t we fining him?
-Why are we getting him to model our new clothing ranges?
-Alan said he doesn’t see him going anywhere, so what the hell is the plan? Hope he changes his mind?

Quite bizarre. I thought Alan’s quip about the missing poster and that he gets asked every week was quite funny

There was some debate on here that they wouldn’t allow the tough questions but truth be told he’ll get asked them in the street every day so why should he care?

Good Sthey ‘went rogue’ too. Totally dispelled any myths he was avoiding questions.

Surely if he’s training with the 1st there would be pictures off him but I can’t remember seeing any recently.

[bfcjg]

Surely if he’s training with the 1st there would be pictures off him but I can’t remember seeing any recently.

I spotted him

25b5d77557a3fbae3328774a3e69a839.jpg (81.91 KiB) Viewed 2178 times

[burnleymik]

That wasn't too bad to be fair. At least questions were answered as honestly as they could be, in the main and we got a little insight. We should openly encourage that.

January is going to be very important to our ambitions for this season.

[JohnMcGreal]

Did anyone ask him who our £100 million player will be?

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Tresor exemplifies absolutely everything that's wrong with the modern footballer imo, a total waste of space at Burnley who he probably had no interest in signing for in the first place

To55er and we need shut asap

[Raconteur]

I don't see how the Tresor question will run and run, Parker told us he was fit because he was, Pace has told us he is fit and available because he is.....it only leaves one outcome, Mike Tresor thinks he is above playing for Burnley FC in the championship.
I hope he's been fined regular for refusing to play. I hope his career nose dives when he leaves.
They said in the documentary a players agent told the club he wouldn't play for us in the championship I'd guess now at that being Tresors agent which is strange as the championship is better than the Belgian league

Unfortunately it will run on and on until the club announces he is refusing to play.
I just find this bizarre ( not your post, this whole situation). He is refusing to play but Pace says he is going nowhere. Why would you want to keep someone at the club when they refuse to play.

Why would Parker have someone like that around the team every day in training especially after the noise around the issues the club was going through before the Sunderland game.

Alo would all the other players be laughing and joking with someone (seen on training pics) who is refusing to be a team member.

[clarets1978]

Did anyone ask him who our £100 million player will be?

No and it'd be unfair to batter him with that when it wasnt him that said that in the first place

[clarets1978]

I dont think we'd ever announce that Tresor is refusing to play, would seem a silly thing to do, especially when we dont know the circumstances around what has happened. We are just assuming things or guessing because we dont know. If he doesnt play it isnt going to get him a move anytime soon in the January window. Who is really going to pay money (or even waste a loan for that matter) on a guy that hasnt kicked a ball all season? In that respect there has to be motivation for him to play somewhere down the line. For the record I dont think he would make a massive difference to the team anyway. Its only because of the transfer fee that we all bothered. We've had other players missing for just as long and not anywhere near as much as been said.

[Ric_C]

Serious question...Is Tresor an actual idiot?

Boggles my mind he thinks just bumming round the training ground rather than playing first team football and putting himself in the shop window is a good idea.

Still trousering his hefty wage I see though.

He is everything wrong with modern football.

[CrosspoolClarets]

The Tresor thing, lets remember he has a lower pedigree than Jaydon Anthony - same age, one come through youths at Anderlecht and the other Arsenal, one didn’t even get his move to Genk till he was 22, at that time Anthony was playing a 1,300 minute season in the Premier League (far more than Tresor last season) and got 3 goals.

Then we compare mentality, health and fitness - the rumoured malaria, if it was that, can have a lot of risk to internal organs afterwards so recovery time isn’t just that it is a mental hurdle too. It is also widely rumoured that BFC tried to pull out of the deal last summer but couldn’t. That isn’t likely to endear the club to the player. As for Anthony, Parker praises his diligence and attitude.

So all in all, we cannot really expect Tresor to suddenly come in and outshine Anthony in this league. He is likely to finish his career in a pub league, somewhere like Ajax, Antwerp,Benfica etc, getting a few good Champion’s League games but a lot of lower tempo nothing games in the league. BFC are likely knowing this and are trying to get maximum value from a sale, which will happen next month.

Sometimes a club buys a player who for attitude, fitness or tactical reasons is a disappointment, it happens,

I think we need to move on.

(If this take isn’t true, the player, who speaks good English, could easily do a social media video to explain it, but the silence is deafening).

[GetIntoEm]

The bloke asking about the facial recognition came across as a bit of a pillock. Proper tin foil hat sort.

[NewClaret]

Tresor exemplifies absolutely everything that's wrong with the modern footballer imo, a total waste of space at Burnley who he probably had no interest in signing for in the first place

To55er and we need shut asap

I agree he probably had no interest in signing for us and in some way thought he was above us or bigger than us after one good season in Belgium. He most definitely isn’t and proved himself to be below the required standard for the premier league.

I welcomed Alan’s comments on him. I thought they were honest and open to the extent he could be. I think he wants to see him back motivated and playing for us.

I disagree we need shut ASAP. Alan seemed to say he wasn’t going anywhere too, which I think is the right thing to say (even if he does end up going).

What I’d have also said if I were Alan is that we only sign players we can afford (despite a post above saying he’s on £50k the only data I can find says £20k - he’s mid table on last seasons earnings table, plus we know they have relegation clauses to half them) and that while we’d like to find a solution that works for all we will not be dictated to by players or agents.

This is really Tresors agents problem, not ours. And Tresors, of course. He signed the papers and his agent clearly didn’t find him a better offer then so there’s little hope he will do now. His agent will have to work overtime to find a deal that works for us and his player and him now. Let him sort it.

I think the current way the club have dealt with it is very good; not cancelled him as far as I can tell (although I’d have been tempted) but also not giving him chances in the team that his attitude or circumstances don’t deserve. I think that will send a very, very clear message to all players across the first team & academy that BFC take no messing whoever you are. I see that as a positive.

Frankly Massengo’s attitude by contrast is exceptional. I wish we could see more of him.

[Bowclaret]

I was there last night and my view is that Mr Pace came across extremely well. You can clearly see his passion and he did say it’s in his “blood” now.

However, I did not want to know about women’s football, I did not want to know about facial recognition - that bit bored me to tears !

Like most, I wanted to know about the plan for this season, investment in the team in Jan and the situation with Tresor and our other fringe or injured players like Beyer etc - did not really get that.

Great that we are looking to invest in new stands - well overdue. Great that season tickets are not going up next season.

I would have liked more time for more open, non rehearsed questions.

But overall a good, well informed evening.

Well done BFC

[NewClaret]

Sometimes a club buys a player who for attitude, fitness or tactical reasons is a disappointment, it happens,

I think we need to move on.

I didn’t sense from what Alan said last night (something like: “I don’t see him going anywhere right now, so…”) that a Jan move is particularly likely. Or maybe he just meant for the remainder of December.

By all accounts two loans fell through in summer. Whether that was on financial or injuries at the time would be interesting to know.

I agree as fans we should move on now we’ve had some proper communication about it. It happens at every football club, has happened to us before and will again in future.

[bumba]

Unfortunately it will run on and on until the club announces he is refusing to play.
I just find this bizarre ( not your post, this whole situation). He is refusing to play but Pace says he is going nowhere. Why would you want to keep someone at the club when they refuse to play.

Why would Parker have someone like that around the team every day in training especially after the noise around the issues the club was going through before the Sunderland game.

Alo would all the other players be laughing and joking with someone (seen on training pics) who is refusing to be a team member.

The only thing I can think is that Pace and Parker are hoping by having him around the team and him seeing the team bond which has improved ten fold since last season that at some point he'll change his mind and decide to give it a go and play a game.
It's gone on that long now though and is so close to January that I'd be fining him two weeks wages and saying staying away you can go 1st January if we get the money we want.... If not you'll rot training on your own until the summer.

[Stalbansclaret]

I’m trying not to think about how much money Tresor is taking out of the club and enriching himself with. Abhorrent.

[NewClaret]

I was there last night and my view is that Mr Pace came across extremely well. You can clearly see his passion and he did say it’s in his “blood” now.

However, I did not want to know about women’s football, I did not want to know about facial recognition - that bit bored me to tears !

Like most, I wanted to know about the plan for this season, investment in the team in Jan and the situation with Tresor and our other fringe or injured players like Beyer etc - did not really get that.

Great that we are looking to invest in new stands - well overdue. Great that season tickets are not going up next season.

I would have liked more time for more open, non rehearsed questions.

But overall a good, well informed evening.

Well done BFC

There’s a few posts congratulating BFC on this and I’d like to add mine to that list. I hope they keep these up.

Everyone talks about “connection” - I find this a tad odd to be honest, because as Alan said I think the leadership have made themselves very accessible, we have more SM content than ever before about the club and BFCitC seem to become more fantastic every year (so I can only imagine it’s used by people who really just don’t like any change whatsoever), but one thing Alan seems very keen on is the fans to be behind Scott, the club and the team.

If he does, he could and should be doing these regularly - every quarter. One before a transfer window to set expectations, one after, a couple mid season. They’d go a huge way to getting fans right behind them and feeling all “connected” again.

To your other points:

- the facial recognition question was bizarre. Fair enough if he feels passionately about it, I don’t. The question was longer than Alan’s answer I think.

- women’s team I personally am interested in and thought it was great to hear that he’s basically taking an organic approach to professionalising them and also doesn’t do it for ROI else I doubt we ever would. Would love to see the women in the WSL so glad to hear that’s his goal.

Agree a longer period of Q&A from the room would’ve been good. Hopefully a build for next time.

[jdrobbo]

There’s a few posts congratulating BFC on this and I’d like to add mine to that list. I hope they keep these up.

Everyone talks about “connection” - I find this a tad odd to be honest, because as Alan said I think the leadership have made themselves very accessible, we have more SM content than ever before about the club and BFCitC seem to become more fantastic every year (so I can only imagine it’s used by people who really just don’t like any change whatsoever), but one thing Alan seems very keen on is the fans to be behind Scott, the club and the team.

If he does, he could and should be doing these regularly - every quarter. One before a transfer window to set expectations, one after, a couple mid season. They’d go a huge way to getting fans right behind them and feeling all “connected” again.

To your other points:

- the facial recognition question was bizarre. Fair enough if he feels passionately about it, I don’t. The question was longer than Alan’s answer I think.

- women’s team I personally am interested in and thought it was great to hear that he’s basically taking an organic approach to professionalising them and also doesn’t do it for ROI else I doubt we ever would. Would love to see the women in the WSL so glad to hear that’s his goal.

Agree a longer period of Q&A from the room would’ve been good. Hopefully a build for next time.

Agree with this and most of what you’ve said, but can we just be clear on something:

This is NOT Alan Pace’s idea or the idea of Burnley Football Club. Last night happened because it is now a REQUIREMENT for club’s to host a fans forum. Without such a requirement, I’m pretty confident that last night’s ‘managed’ forum would not have taken place; certainly not in that guise anyway. Pleased that people got something out of it though.

[Rick_Muller]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE-ZpdLLqvs

who else got Ronnie Corbett vibes from that video...? or is it just me...?

[Pickles]

One guy suggested that he wouldn’t be able to fully support the idea of introducing facial recognition if the club decided to implement it

Maybe he could just use half his face

[ClaretTony]

The bloke asking about the facial recognition came across as a bit of a pillock. Proper tin foil hat sort.

Burnley’s former BNP man

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Burnley’s former BNP man

Probably concerned all his mates won't be able to get in the ground then. Not even sure he asked a question, it was more of a bizarre rant.

[Owdsyker]

Burnley’s former BNP man
Is he not allowed to be a supporter then?

[gandhisflipflop]

Sorry, I've just always had a problem with fascist parties, that's all.

Because you don’t agree with them, why should that mean they do not get to ask a question irrelevant to the topic you take issue with? Isn’t that what fascists do? Want people who don’t agree with them shutting down?

[Rileybobs]

Spot the BNP sympathisers...

[Bordeauxclaret]

Well done to BFC for getting this organised.

Great to see.

[gandhisflipflop]

Spot the BNP sympathisers...

You see it’s that type of rhetoric that get people frustrated. Because I can see hypocrisy in the posters logic that automatically makes me a ‘BNP Sympathiser’.

Him being ex bnp or not bares no relevance to the football forum evening and it’s really weird that it has even been brought up.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Maybe it's his BNP tendencies that make him fear facial recognition.

Sounded a bright fella

[Rileybobs]

You see it’s that type of rhetoric that get people frustrated. Because I can see hypocrisy in the posters logic that automatically makes me a ‘BNP Sympathiser’.

Him being ex bnp or not bares no relevance to the football forum evening and it’s really weird that it has even been brought up.

Why does it bother you that someone has mentioned he is the former BNP spokesman? Nobody has said that he shouldn't be allowed to attend the event or ask a question so why are you suggesting people are trying to shut him down?

If Alastair Campbell was at the event and asked a question would you have taken an issue with someone mentioning it? PS, if the answer is no, then that makes you the hypocrite.

[Steddyman]

Agree with this and most of what you’ve said, but can we just be clear on something:

This is NOT Alan Pace’s idea or the idea of Burnley Football Club. Last night happened because it is now a REQUIREMENT for club’s to host a fans forum. Without such a requirement, I’m pretty confident that last night’s ‘managed’ forum would not have taken place; certainly not in that guise anyway. Pleased that people got something out of it though.

I don't think this is the case at all. There is a fans advisory board already, and this was not it. This was an evening with Alan Pace and he didn't need to do it.

I was there and I thought he came across extremely passionate about Burnley as a club, a place and its people. He's also financially astutue and made it clear that what happened at the start of the season was forced on him (the leaked WhatsApp?). We are lucky to have Alan and his team running our football club.