Ben Mee Leaving !

[ClaretPete001]

Keane and Gray were sold in the summer of 2017 in the PL. That allowed us to have probably our best transfer window and we ended up finishing 7th.

We absolutely needed to find some funds from somewhere during those last couple of PL years.

The club's bank account would have been a really good place to start.

[spt_claret]

You called the fans weird, not their views.

Just state you don't agree with them. It's better for the messageboard.

As I literally said in the post you quoted it's not about disagreeing- it's the specific behaviours- I think that the hatred to Dyche is weird, the gloating is weird, the clinging to something with zero evidence is weird, these are behaviours not views. For people who wanted Dyche out for X reason, or simply would rather focus on youth however unproven, fine- don't necessarily agree but fine, I don't ask or expect everyone to agree with me. Not weird. The other attitudes/behaviours/views/whatever you want to call it are weird in my view, and if you wish to talk 'better for the messageboard' - those sort of gloating, hateful trolls certainly aren't good for it.

[ksrclaret]

The club's bank account would have been a really good place to start.

Yes it would, but those funds had already been earmarked to pay for Alan Pace.

[Vegas Claret]

I guess this will come down to game time for Ben, does he walk into any other PL team ? I'm not sure either way. Deserves his pay day though imho. If he goes it'll match the feeling I had when Tripps left - gutted

[agreenwood]

Disappointing he’s leaving, but it sounds like he’s been offered a deal and thinks he might still be able to play in the Prem.

To add a bit of balance though, he turns 33 in September and he’s missed 31 PL games in the last 3 seasons, mainly through injury. The number of games missed has risen every year for the past 3 and could suggest that his brave defending style is taking its toll on his body.

If he stayed i’m guessing he’d also rightly expect to be one of the highest earners given his experience and service. Whether we want to be paying him a top wage if there are signs his body might not cope with a 46 game season is something to consider.

[ClaretPete001]

I think we have to wait and see how things transpire this summer.

The only thing is certain is there is not a shred of comfort coming out of the club for those who think we are heading for meltdown.

I guess things are never as bad as you think they are going to be so let's wait and see.

[Stayingup]

Shame. But just shows

- Bosman rule was a sh!t for clubs like us.

- Not much loyalty to fans in football, from Directors and players.

- All about money now. The psyche of the gsme is so mercenary.

We needed a replacement for Ben Mee in any case.

[ksrclaret]

In the sixties and seventies we tried the approach of selling the best players, and that didn't work either. If we're looking for a model where the smallest and least wealthy club in the PL can consistently be better than 15% of the others, we'll be looking a long time. Money always wins in the end.

Good point.

Of course the only problem is that leaves clubs like Burnley only option 3 - Let’s not bother.

[dandeclaret]

Which is why I said its all hindsight

Not refreshing the squad over a number of years is probably No 1 reason why we went down this year

(though I acknowledge that there are dangers in refreshing the squad as well)

Ah well, watching our best centre half partnership walk away on a free isn't great whichever way you look at it

What’s more valuable? Keeping your best players and squeezing out a couple of extra years of prem money? Or trading players? Ideally you’d do both, but realistically it tends to be one or the other.

[spt_claret]

Disappointing he’s leaving, but it sounds like he’s been offered a deal and thinks he might still be able to play in the Prem.

To add a bit of balance though, he turns 33 in September and he’s missed 31 PL games in the last 3 seasons, mainly through injury. The number of games missed has risen every year for the past 3 and could suggest that his brave defending style is taking its toll on his body.

If he stayed i’m guessing he’d also rightly expect to be one of the highest earners given his experience and service. Whether we want to be paying him a top wage if there are signs his body might not cope with a 46 game season is something to consider.

Fair and balanced points- I would say that given his injury was a hairline fracture of his leg and he tried to play through it, he's still pretty resilient. It's an unknown quantity and he might be on the cusp of a tipping point where the injuries start happening often, but I think it's more likely he will be able to last a full season than Gudmundsson or Vydra, who are both younger. But you're right that it's possible he might just break down now.

[agreenwood]

Fair and balanced points- I would say that given his injury was a hairline fracture of his leg and he tried to play through it, he's still pretty resilient. It's an unknown quantity and he might be on the cusp of a tipping point where the injuries start happening often, but I think it's more likely he will be able to last a full season than Gudmundsson or Vydra, who are both younger. But you're right that it's possible he might just break down now.

I’d love him to stay. He’s been a great player for us and no doubt still has a lot to offer on and off the pitch. Just throwing his injury record in to the discussion.

[Quickenthetempo]

What’s more valuable? Keeping your best players and squeezing out a couple of extra years of prem money? Or trading players? Ideally you’d do both, but realistically it tends to be one or the other.

The only trouble with keeping star players for a small club like ours, is they get pay rises with new contracts.

Tarky could have started on 15k a week and left on 60k a week (only a guesstimate)

The wage bill went up from 28m to 100m in just a short few years.

It's not easy and if you're not guaranteed premier league millions you need a conveyor belt of talent that Howe set up.

[CombatClaret]

Will be greatly missed but foolish to expect a Mark Noble like commitment to us.
Mee needs to do what's best for him.

Negatives: We lose a hugely influential leader in the dressing room and on the pitch. Having Premier League quality in the Championship would have been a real advantage.
Positives: We probably got his best years out of him, whoever signs him is getting a very 'Burnley' signing, tons of experience but past the peak of his powers with very little resale value. Free up wages at a time when money is an enormous factor.

[Vegas Claret]

I've loved him as a player but even more so with how he has represented the club off the pitch. If he goes I hope he gets a good move and not as a bench warmer somewhere

[Stproc]

The only common denominator in football is money. The pursuit of it is relentless

[Steddyman]

It is also possible he is leaving because he has been given an indication he is not in the new managers plans. Kompany believes in youth over anything else.

[ClaretPete001]

Shame. But just shows

- Bosman rule was a sh!t for clubs like us.

- Not much loyalty to fans in football, from Directors and players.

- All about money now. The psyche of the gsme is so mercenary.

We needed a replacement for Ben Mee in any case.

If you read this site you'll also admit there is not much loyalty the other way either.

[ClaretPete001]

Agree entirely that the refusal to sell our players at the peak of their value and reinvest is a huge reason for the position we now find ourselves in.

The time to sell Tarkowski was in the summer of 2019 when there was serious interest from a couple of clubs, most notably Leicester. We didn’t and had a shocking transfer window. The other thing with that is we had Gibson who we’d bought the season before ready to step in, and that probably resulted in him being hacked off as well.

Whatever the future holds, Burnley FC simply must get back to the model of buying youngish players and selling them when the time is right. It’s the only we a club like ours has successes.

I don't think the facts back that up. The simple fact is that between 18/19 and 20/21 - 3 seasons only Josh Brownhill has proven to have significant impact on the squad.

3 seasons - one impactful signing. No team in the Premiership can stand poor performance like that....!

Even so, the squad managed 35 points this season and were 1 win away from avoiding relegation.

Since the takeover the new owners have spent well over £40 million purchasing shares.

The reasons for failure are evident and it has nothing to do with money per se, Sean Dyche or making money from older players.

It has everything to do with a lack of investment and from 18/19 an inability to sign impactful players.

Rank poor management of the club's assets and performance from leaders at the club.

[DCWat]

It is also possible he is leaving because he has been given an indication he is not in the new managers plans. Kompany believes in youth over anything else.

That’s a strong statement. Quite how true that is, I don’t know, but I’ll take your word on it.

[Woodleyclaret]

Ben's got two young kids and nearing the end of his career is probably looking for one Las big pay day and a 2 to 3 Yr wage rise.

[fatboy47]

But we could (and should) have sold him when he had that amazing season when we finished 7th

Its all hindsight I know, but that is how clubs our size generate income for players purchases at this level

Hmmm.. Not sure.. In hindsight that may have simply meant even more wonga for crafty Mike's back sack.

[Stayingup]

If you read this site you'll also admit there is not much loyalty the other way either.

12500 season tickets sold after a poor season could make me dispute that.

[ksrclaret]

I don't think the facts back that up. The simple fact is that between 18/19 and 20/21 - 3 seasons only Josh Brownhill has proven to have significant impact on the squad.

3 seasons - one impactful signing. No team in the Premiership can stand poor performance like that....!

Even so, the squad managed 35 points this season and were 1 win away from avoiding relegation.

Since the takeover the new owners have spent well over £40 million purchasing shares.

The reasons for failure are evident and it has nothing to do with money per se, Sean Dyche or making money from older players.

It has everything to do with a lack of investment and from 18/19 an inability to sign impactful players.

Rank poor management of the club's assets and performance from leaders at the club.

I think what you’ve argued in your post and what I’ve said in mine are intrinsically linked.

[Lancasterclaret]

12500 season tickets sold after a poor season could make me dispute that.

Around us we were talking about this before the Villa game

General consensus (including the two lads behind us who used to support Bury and just got fed up of not supporting a football team anymore) was that "what else are we all going to do?"

[Jamesy]

It is also possible he is leaving because he has been given an indication he is not in the new managers plans. Kompany believes in youth over anything else.

Aah, Kompany again. He is coming then? Perhaps you need to remember Kompany was or probably is still linked in to the Wilmslow set. It could be possible that our Ben has told him not to touch the Burnley job with a large barge pole?

[pushpinpussy]

good luck Ben. you have been an absolute star and given all for our club, i wish you and your family all the best in the future as you deserve it. if you ever appear at the Turf again you will get an amazing reception.

[Jamesy]

good luck Ben. you have been an absolute star and given all for our club, i wish you and your family all the best in the future as you deserve it. if you ever appear at the Turf again you will get an amazing reception.

Can’t argue with this. Fantastic servant of our club. Top player, top guy.

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

Is there any evidence to back-up the claim that Mee is leaving?

[ClaretPete001]

I think what you’ve argued in your post and what I’ve said in mine are intrinsically linked.

Yes, apologies it wasn't a well worded post.

[ClaretPete001]

12500 season tickets sold after a poor season could make me dispute that.

You've missed the point.

You said "Not much loyalty to fans in football, from Directors and players"

Equally, Chris Wood, Sean Dyche etc. and, rightly or wrongly, Mike Garlick may argue that there hasn't been much loyalty from some fans towards them.

I wasn't suggesting that the fans aren't loyal to the club but they are often not loyal to players, managers and owners who aren't performing or are seen to not be doing as some would wish.

[Stayingup]

You've missed the point.

You said "Not much loyalty to fans in football, from Directors and players"

Equally, Chris Wood, Sean Dyche etc. and, rightly or wrongly, Mike Garlick may argue that there hasn't been much loyalty from some fans towards them.

I wasn't suggesting that the fans aren't loyal to the club but they are often not loyal to players, managers and owners who aren't performing or are seen to not be doing as some would wish.

Had you said what the point was I wouldn't have missed it. But fans pay to watch and are therefore allowed to critisize. Be it Directors, .management or players. But criticism and disloyalty are not necessarily the same thing.

[boatshed bill]

You've missed the point.

You said "Not much loyalty to fans in football, from Directors and players"

Equally, Chris Wood, Sean Dyche etc. and, rightly or wrongly, Mike Garlick may argue that there hasn't been much loyalty from some fans towards them.

I wasn't suggesting that the fans aren't loyal to the club but they are often not loyal to players, managers and owners who aren't performing or are seen to not be doing as some would wish.

Staff get paid (handsomely) fans pay for the priviledge of watching.
The idea that fans should show loyalty to individuals on the staff is at a minimum whimsical.

[ClaretAL]

Players, managers, directors almost always move on, only fans and history stay. However there are exceptions to the rule in Noble, Gerrard, Le' Tissier, but to expect a player to do it is wrong, only a small percentage actually do it.

[Steddyman]

Is there any evidence to back-up the claim that Mee is leaving?

Story in the Athletic by Andy Jones. He is the most trustworthy source for Burnley news.

[NewClaret]

We don't let players walk away for nothing, they choose to walk away and the Club can't do anything about it.

Some say 'then sell them before' but again, if the players does not want to move, he won't.

Agree. My complaint wander that we’re not receiving a fee for them, it was that their contract end dates weren’t staggered.

[Burnley1989]

As I literally said in the post you quoted it's not about disagreeing- it's the specific behaviours- I think that the hatred to Dyche is weird, the gloating is weird, the clinging to something with zero evidence is weird, these are behaviours not views. For people who wanted Dyche out for X reason, or simply would rather focus on youth however unproven, fine- don't necessarily agree but fine, I don't ask or expect everyone to agree with me. Not weird. The other attitudes/behaviours/views/whatever you want to call it are weird in my view, and if you wish to talk 'better for the messageboard' - those sort of gloating, hateful trolls certainly aren't good for it.

Probably just become my favourite poster, almost sounds like me

[Quickenthetempo]

He's been linked with Villa and Everton on twitter. Everton fans are going nuts about it.

They think Keane is slow, Ben wouldn't have a chance with them.

[clarethomer]

If you want a model of developing youth and selling at a profit then you need some real planning and forethought.

I always thought we were mad for not selling our players at their peak or when there was good value to be had; but accepted that the club never had the ability to have a large enough squad or money to accommodate this approach successfully whilst trying to maintain premier league status.

We need a model where if the player isn’t committed by the time they come into their last 12 months- they are sold and we reinvest the money.

I think it’s really poor to have seen so many players just walk on a free.

We can argue that they kept us up and therefore their value was in doing that but as we have seen this year- it only works if you stay up.

[dougcollins]

Problem is that most PL sides can afford to have Mee sat on the bench for an entire season -and he'll be handsomely rewarded.

It's up to him if that's what he wants.

[joey13]

Wasn’t he leaving the last time his contract was up and we brought in Gibson as his replacement, he didn’t get an acceptable offer and ended up signing his new improved offer for us , only difference this time he hasn’t been offered a new improved contract.

[chorleyhere]

Will the last man out please switch off the lights as the electricity is costing a fortune !!

[ClaretAndJew]

Will the last man out please switch off the lights as the electricity is costing a fortune !!

2 year fixed tariff with Octopus.

[Targetman]

Had you said what the point was I wouldn't have missed it. But fans pay to watch and are therefore allowed to critisize. Be it Directors, .management or players. But criticism and disloyalty are not necessarily the same thing.

From what I read on here it seems only a small percentage of posters actually pay to watch the Clarets.

[boatshed bill]

From what I read on here it seems only a small percentage of posters actually pay to watch the Clarets.

Anyone who subscribes to Sky, BT or whatever channel we are on is a paying customer these days.

[Stayingup]

From what I read on here it seems only a small percentage of posters actually pay to watch the Clarets.

Maybe. I have a season ticket personally.

[Targetman]

Anyone who subscribes to Sky, BT or whatever channel we are on is a paying customer these days.

What about the many posters who openly admit to watching the Clarets on illegal streams?
Are they paying customers?

I think you might be a little confused about what being a Burnley fan really means.

[northeastclaret]

Wasn’t he leaving the last time his contract was up and we brought in Gibson as his replacement, he didn’t get an acceptable offer and ended up signing his new improved offer for us , only difference this time he hasn’t been offered a new improved contract.

Yes Ben had lined up a move to WBA, Tony Pulis wanted him to sign and he would have got the wage he wanted which was higher than Burnley’s pay structure at the time.

However Pulis got sacked and therefore the move didn’t happen and it ended up buggering Gibson move to us with Ben then not getting a better other option than what we subsequently offered.

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Disappointing he’s leaving, but it sounds like he’s been offered a deal and thinks he might still be able to play in the Prem.

To add a bit of balance though, he turns 33 in September and he’s missed 31 PL games in the last 3 seasons, mainly through injury. The number of games missed has risen every year for the past 3 and could suggest that his brave defending style is taking its toll on his body.

If he stayed i’m guessing he’d also rightly expect to be one of the highest earners given his experience and service. Whether we want to be paying him a top wage if there are signs his body might not cope with a 46 game season is something to consider.

Stop talking sense!!!

[Oshkoshclaret]

Is there any evidence to back-up the claim that Mee is leaving?

There’s an article in The Athletic, which to be fair has been a fairly reliable source. But I have been told by another fairly reliable source that he is not definitely leaving.

[Newcastleclaret93]

What about the many posters who openly admit to watching the Clarets on illegal streams?
Are they paying customers?

I think you might be a little confused about what being a Burnley fan really means.

Depends how far you want to go. If people put a bet on there are inevitably contributing to football. People buying products from sponsors. Anyone can be a paying customer to some extent