Alan Pace

[Conroy92]

I think we have seen positive changes from Pace over the last 6 months.

The Barnes announcement has divided a little opinion with comments such as pace doing it satisfy the fans and to make up for lack of money.

However potentially we have seen a chairman that has learned from the past. Under Kompany we dismantled the stalwart experience from the team.

After Kompany left, Gudmundsson was resigned by the chairman along with cork being added to the coaching squad and now the return of Barnes.

Perhaps the chairman has realised that it is not only about young technical quality in the group.

I haven't seen it posted anywhere but the business above is enough to make me think Pace is still learning but perhaps going in the right direction.

I wonder if 24 months on pace has more of an understanding of the set up Dyche had and realises there is a balance.

[Burnley1989]

I like Pace and im confident hes making progress, however I do feel the opposite with this Barnes signing, seems a daft signing given what we already have and what we need.
I hope im proven wrong though like i was with CJ Egan Riley.

Theyve all got my full backing.

[Jakubclaret]

He's learning more ingenious cost cutting ways which isn't necessarily a bad thing with the way things are. It's a shift from letting kompany lose control over the spending.

[CoolClaret]

I think Pace & co have probably learnt a hell of a lot over the past 12-18 months or so. Hopefully, it stands them and the club in good stead for the future.

[fatboy47]

There'll be a lot of people carping about the Barnes signing that were creaming themselves when we signed Tresor.

No harm in the "devil you know" occasionally.

[ksrclaret]

Well something needed to change after the disaster of the 2023/2024 season when we had the chairman dancing to the manager's tune and then choking up in public when he left. It won't have done him any harm to have reflected on it.

[jrgbfc]

I've been critical of Pace but fair play he seems to have realised you can't rely totally on stats/algorithms for signing players. The Tresor debacle has probably an eye opener for him.

[Stockbrokerbelt]

If it comes off it’s a master stroke if not they tried something different, Barnes will bring a presence & allow us to play in different ways & could allow players to play in natural positions.

[Milltown1882]

Think it says a lot about Kompany that JBG, Cork and Barnes have all returned to the club since he left the building.

[DCWat]

In terms of improving the first eleven, Barnes isn’t really going to address many of our attacking shortcomings.

Has Pace learned, I’m not sure, he certainly didn’t appear to be the most astute of the board members on MTB. In isolation, Barnes coming back smacks of an appeasement signing - I’m pleased to see him back, though perhaps more for what I think he will provide off the pitch than on it.

Show some intent and address our attacking shortcomings (whilst shifting on some of the deadwood) and it’ll be a step forward.

Pace’s true tests will come if we are able to get promoted again, or perhaps more so, if we fail to achieve that. He’s presided over a great season and an absolute shambles of a season - the jury is very much out, especially when looking at what the financial position might be if we can’t get up, this season or next.

[basil6345789]

He's too little

[claret wizard]

He's too little

But Luke is Littler.

[brexit]

clueless

[IanMcL]

When Aye Aye scores the winner today, we will up the Pace.

[Dark Cloud]

I also like Pace (although I've never met him). He comes across as genuine and committed and as desperate as any long standing Burnley fan for us to succeed and it never feels like that's entirely about the money. There are some awful, awful owners out there dragging clubs and supporters through the mire without caring one bit and I think we're lucky to have people who genuinely have the club's interests at heart whilst still wanting to make a buck. Course he's made mistakes and got some things wrong, but I think (could be wrong) he's a decent guy doing his best with a medium sized club trying to compete with some of the biggest hitters in world football.

[NewClaret]

Great post by Dark Cloud above. Completely agree.

In response to the OP, my only question would be whether this is Pace learning or Parkers influence?

I don’t really care what the answer is because Pace chose Parker so it’s the same thing in my book. I just feel that Parker deserves some of the credit for the recent change in approach. What is definitely true is we cannot rely on re-signing legends forever and we need to add one or two more characters and solid pro’s to the squad that can take us forwards over the next couple of years.

Laurent is a smart addition in that regard but I think we’ll need one or two others.

[Conroy92]

Great post by Dark Cloud above. Completely agree.

In response to the OP, my only question would be whether this is Pace learning or Parkers influence?

I don’t really care what the answer is because Pace chose Parker so it’s the same thing in my book. I just feel that Parker deserves some of the credit for the recent change in approach. What is definitely true is we cannot rely on re-signing legends forever and we need to add one or two more characters and solid pro’s to the squad that can take us forwards over the next couple of years.

Laurent is a smart addition in that regard but I think we’ll need one or two others.

I guess I suggested Pace as I included Gudmundsson on that list. Which was pre parker. Part of me hopes it's not Parker entirely that has brought about these changes and would like to think perhaps Alan saw the pitfalls of having a young squad lacking togetherness last season. For Pace to grow he also needs to come away from the managers shadow. He relied on Kompany and in some ways it felt like he fully bought the emporers new clothes.
To see him make the appointments of Gudmundsson and Cork pre Parker suggest he realised the value in some of these personalities. I guess the Barnes signing could be either pace or parker but I like to think for all the reasons above Pace sanctioned the deal.

[Walt]

I've met Alan and a few of the board for a brief chat before games, as I'm sure many of us have and they are nice, approachable folk.

My opinion of them is largely formed from elsewhere such as MtB and they do seem good chaps in general.

Let's not kid ourselves though, they are here for the sole reason of making money. On that basis of course they want/need us to do well. I'm sure over time they have grown some levels of attachment, football is a very emotive sport and when you attend most games like they do then that's bound to happen.

Has he learned anything, I'm not sure yet. The Tresor fiasco will have certainly opened his eyes and our transfer business seems to show he learned from Tella with loans/obligations. Plus the way the agent allegedly played him allowing Leverkusen to sneak in and line said agents pockets.

I've always thought and now I do even more so he needs an experienced football person on the board. One who can guide him and tell him straight, when required. Up to now he's largely filled the board and other roles with friends and business associates.

You would also hope he has learnt from the Kompany era not to form too deep attachments People move around a lot in football and the way he was swooning wasn't a good look in the end. Little in the way of loyalty, or trust in the game now so best to remain guarded and sceptical to help make clearer decisions.

[daveisaclaret]

I think Barnes is a good signing at this point, little risk with a lot of potential upside. It is clear though that Pace is not above doing thing to appease the fans whether or not they make sense on the pitch, I think both Rodriguez contract extensions since Pace took over are evidence of this. The first being announced literally an hour before they released the accounts.

The club is in a worse place than it was when Pace took over, and likely will be in a worse place when he sells to someone equally unscrupulous too. That's how football works now unfortunately. Those with faith that Pace is anything other than a chancer are happier than the rest of us and won't be any unhappier than us when it's all over.

[NewClaret]

I've met Alan and a few of the board for a brief chat before games, as I'm sure many of us have and they are nice, approachable folk.

My opinion of them is largely formed from elsewhere such as MtB and they do seem good chaps in general.

Let's not kid ourselves though, they are here for the sole reason of making money. On that basis of course they want/need us to do well. I'm sure over time they have grown some levels of attachment, football is a very emotive sport and when you attend most games like they do then that's bound to happen.

Has he learned anything, I'm not sure yet. The Tresor fiasco will have certainly opened his eyes and our transfer business seems to show he learned from Tella with loans/obligations. Plus the way the agent allegedly played him allowing Leverkusen to sneak in and line said agents pockets.

I've always thought and now I do even more so he needs an experienced football person on the board. One who can guide him and tell him straight, when required. Up to now he's largely filled the board and other roles with friends and business associates.

You would also hope he has learnt from the Kompany era not to form too deep attachments People move around a lot in football and the way he was swooning wasn't a good look in the end. Little in the way of loyalty, or trust in the game now so best to remain guarded and sceptical to help make clearer decisions.

You make some great points here Walt.

I think overall there’s a lot of evidence to suggest he is learning, some of which you point out. This is nothing more than you’d expect. He’s clearly a very intelligent man and you’d therefore expect him to learn from his mistakes.

On Tresor, it’s happened before to previous managers and chairman and it will definitely happen in future. I doubt Pace will care too much and whilst he’ll want to avoid the same happening again, a man that’s traded securities for a career will know there’s downside risks to every deal and not all will come off. Not every horse wins. He’ll have that factored in to his plan.

Is he perfect now? No. Will he ever be? Probably not.

Fans will always pick flaws with their chairman, their decisions and actions. Usually without the full knowledge of why they were made.

But I think you have to look externally to ask yourself are they doing a better job than many of their counterparts and the answer in Pace’s case is unequivocally yes. I can’t think of too many I’d swap him for.

[HurstGrangeClaret]

I think Barnes is a good signing at this point, little risk with a lot of potential upside. It is clear though that Pace is not above doing thing to appease the fans whether or not they make sense on the pitch, I think both Rodriguez contract extensions since Pace took over are evidence of this. The first being announced literally an hour before they released the accounts.

The club is in a worse place than it was when Pace took over, and likely will be in a worse place when he sells to someone equally unscrupulous too. That's how football works now unfortunately. Those with faith that Pace is anything other than a chancer are happier than the rest of us and won't be any unhappier than us when it's all over.

Think this is incredibly harsh on AP. He clearly is learning and undoubtedly has taken advice from Parker over Ash’s signing.
Yes he has a financial stake but no one can doubt his genuine love of the club.

[Chester Perry]

I think we have seen positive changes from Pace over the last 6 months.

The Barnes announcement has divided a little opinion with comments such as pace doing it satisfy the fans and to make up for lack of money.

However potentially we have seen a chairman that has learned from the past. Under Kompany we dismantled the stalwart experience from the team.

After Kompany left, Gudmundsson was resigned by the chairman along with cork being added to the coaching squad and now the return of Barnes.

Perhaps the chairman has realised that it is not only about young technical quality in the mgroup.

I haven't seen it posted anywhere but the business above is enough to make me think Pace is still learning but perhaps going in the right direction.

I wonder if 24 months on pace has more of an understanding of the set up Dyche had and realises there is a balance.

Under Company Law Alan Pace is technically a criminal though neither he, Companies House, the football authorities, the media and the vast majority of the fans of the club appear to care.

He has been in charge of the club for four years and at no time in that period has any of the entities that he controls and legally hold the majority shareholding in the club filed accounts. Yet one of them has had £98m of share capital put into it from overseas (whilst borrowing a further £124m+ from the club - that company is now in the process of being liquidated with it being replaced another company that is now holding the majority shareholding and the debt to the club while itself receiving £80m of share capital that appears to have originated from overseas.

For the first time ever the club has been late filing its Confirmation Statement and has had to restate last years Confirmation Statement - that refiling shows that the admission statement at Asset Match a legal document which the directors sign off as a true statement contains incorrect statements re shareholdings - as I have previously stated along with when Mike Garlick and John Banaszkiewicz ceased to be shareholders and Vlad Torgovnik became a shareholder (November 2022) around the time the MSD loan was replaced by an unknown UK based lender and BDO were appointed as auditors for the group under ALK/VSL.

Alan Pace in many things to many different people, which is fine, but do not let what he says distract from his very real and factual actions/inactions. Never forget he arrived claiming he had a detailed plan of action for the club that he had been working on for 18 months or more and his was an experienced group with extensive football knowledge that would effectively hit the ground running, all of that was quite evidently overstated.

It is quite possible to enjoy the ride on the pitch and be less forgiving about what is happening/has happened off it.

[Row x]

Under Company Law Alan Pace is technically a criminal though neither he, Companies House, the football authorities, the media and the vast majority of the fans of the club appear to care.

He has been in charge of the club for four years and at no time in that period has any of the entities that he controls and legally hold the majority shareholding in the club filed accounts. Yet one of them has had £98m of share capital put into it from overseas (whilst borrowing a further £124m+ from the club - that company is now in the process of being liquidated with it being replaced another company that is now holding the majority shareholding and the debt to the club while itself receiving £80m of share capital that appears to have originated from overseas.

For the first time ever the club has been late filing its Confirmation Statement and has had to restate last years Confirmation Statement - that refiling shows that the admission statement at Asset Match a legal document which the directors sign off as a true statement contains incorrect statements re shareholdings - as I have previously stated along with when Mike Garlick and John Banaszkiewicz ceased to be shareholders and Vlad Torgovnik became a shareholder (November 2022) around the time the MSD loan was replaced by an unknown UK based lender and BDO were appointed as auditors for the group under ALK/VSL.

Alan Pace in many things to many different people, which is fine, but do not let what he says distract from his very real and factual actions/inactions. Never forget he arrived claiming he had a detailed plan of action for the club that he had been working on for 18 months or more and his was an experienced group with extensive football knowledge that would effectively hit the ground running, all of that was quite evidently overstated.

It is quite possible to enjoy the ride on the pitch and be less forgiving about what is happening/has happened off it.

What criminal offence has he committed?

[daveisaclaret]

Think this is incredibly harsh on AP. He clearly is learning and undoubtedly has taken advice from Parker over Ash’s signing.
Yes he has a financial stake but no one can doubt his genuine love of the club.

His genuine love of the club?

[Chester Perry]

What criminal offence has he committed?

the Non filing of Accounts for

Calder Vale Holdings Limited ( 3 sets)
Kettering Capital Limited ( 3 sets)

Velocity Sports Partners Limited - now dissolved (2 sets)

and now

Velocity Capital (UK) Holdings Ltd) (1st set)

[Row x]

the Non filing of Accounts for

Calder Vale Holdings Limited ( 3 sets)
Kettering Capital Limited ( 3 sets)

Velocity Sports Partners Limited - now dissolved (2 sets)

and now

Velocity Capital (UK) Holdings Ltd) (1st set)

Are they crimes?

[Big Vinny K]

Under Company Law Alan Pace is technically a criminal though neither he, Companies House, the football authorities, the media and the vast majority of the fans of the club appear to care.

I’m by no way AP’s biggest supporter but to be a criminal technically or not technically you have to be committed of a crime CP.
Just imagine our prisons being full of directors who had not filed their confirmation statements on time - not sure it would make the best prison movie !!

[taio]

Are they crimes?

Not filing accounts in a timely manner is a criminal offence under under the Companies Act 2006

[Chester Perry]

Are they crimes?

I just said they were - it is not difficult to verify what I say

https://www.accountancyage.com/2024/05/ ... te-filing/

"Under the Companies Act 2006 (“CA 2006”), it is a criminal offence for directors to file their company accounts late. Typically, there isn’t any leeway in whether accounts have been filed late or not; as soon as a company is late with its accounts, the offence is committed and directors are at risk of a criminal prosecution."

[taio]

I’m by no way AP’s biggest supporter but to be a criminal technically or not technically you have to be committed of a crime CP.
Just imagine our prisons being full of directors who had not filed their confirmation statements on time - not sure it would make the best prison movie !!

Fines apply, not imprisonment

[Row x]

I just said they were - it is not difficult to verify what I say

https://www.accountancyage.com/2024/05/ ... te-filing/

"Under the Companies Act 2006 (“CA 2006”), it is a criminal offence for directors to file their company accounts late. Typically, there isn’t any leeway in whether accounts have been filed late or not; as soon as a company is late with its accounts, the offence is committed and directors are at risk of a criminal prosecution."

Which is why I asked, thank you for your reply

[123EasyasBFC]

From the videoed fan forum Alan Pace didn’t speak like a man who had changed imo. Personally I think he had no choice this season but to go down a different routine with signings due to the mess he allowed Kompany to create. For me in the forum he came cross very defensive often asking for fans to give him and the board credit and that they aren’t stupid. That to me is a man under pressure who realised the mess

[colne-claret]

From the videoed fan forum Alan Pace didn’t speak like a man who had changed imo. Personally I think he had no choice this season but to go down a different routine with signings due to the mess he allowed Kompany to create. For me in the forum he came cross very defensive often asking for fans to give him and the board credit and that they aren’t stupid. That to me is a man under pressure who realised the mess

I agree. Felt he was quite passive aggressive at times as well. ‘What fans don’t understand’ was used a hell of a lot.

[123EasyasBFC]

I agree. Felt he was quite passive aggressive at times as well. ‘What fans don’t understand’ was used a hell of a lot.

Glad it wasn’t just me that felt that way watching the forum, I can understand why he can be seen as likeable but can also see how he could totally rub people up the wrong way

[TPClaret]

At least he engages with the fans.

[Chester Perry]

What criminal offence has he committed?

I will add that the false information in the Admission Statement for Asset Match is also a crime under financial law - though neither he or Asset Match appear to bothered about that either.

It does appear that the clubs legal advisors were sufficiently concerned to enforce the restatement of the 2023 Confirmation Statement with Companies House and as far as I am aware there remain question marks over a previous Confirmation Statement too.

[Goliath]

So it's fair to say we don't really have much clue about the real financial picture at the club now?

[123EasyasBFC]

I will add that the false information in the Admission Statement for Asset Match is also a crime under financial law - though neither he or Asset Match appear to bothered about that either.

It does appear that the clubs legal advisors were sufficiently concerned to enforce the restatement of the 2023 Confirmation Statement with Companies House and as far as I am aware there remain question marks over a previous Confirmation Statement too.

At least you care about his actions, unlike the footballing authorities and the countries authorities

[Chester Perry]

So it's fair to say we don't really have much clue about the real financial picture at the club now?

less so now than at any period in the last 10 years (since all this has become more accessible and of broader interest) and certainly less than at any other period under the ALK/VSL ownership

[Chester Perry]

At least you care about his actions, unlike the footballing authorities and the countries authorities

it is fair to say that what I care about is of no real consequence to any of these parties

[FCBurnley]

Maybe Pace is beginning to ‘get’ Burnley with his signing of Barnes Just having Barnes on the bench yesterday and celebrating at the final whistle was hysterical and a massive up yours to Rovers.
Judging by he back home interview I suspect his roles will be way more than playing. Every dressing room needs a Barnes.

[123EasyasBFC]

it is fair to say that what I care about is of no real consequence to any of these parties

Owners in all different business will continue to file things late or not file them at all if authorities turn a blind eye to it

[ClaretPete001]

To make a judgement upon someone, based upon a TV show and a couple of interviews without reference to the financial shenanigans at the club is silly. History will judge ALK but the business model, which he cited to to buy the club is dead. And to anyone with an IQ in double figures it was palpable nonsense anyway.

I am uncertain as to the reality of the £80/90 million investment from overseas. I am sceptical about it and therefore base most of this on an assumption that the finances are those in the last set of published accounts. Saying that I do not cast doubt upon CPs assertion rather I want to see something more solid as to the nature of it.

The one thing that has saved ALK is the financial legacy left by the previous board and the huge financial gulf between the PL and the Championship. It has meant we have been able to operate on a wholly different business model to other Championship clubs and for that reason ALK are still in the game.

That said, the appointment of Parker was an astute one and the team looks set fair to battle it out for the top two spots, which will give us another chance to re-construct the finances.

But ALK cannot be as reckless and incompetent as they have been so far. The financial advantage offered by the PL is in ever decreasing circles as the incredible debt free financial legacy left by the last board is replaced by significant debt.

As well as resolving an over bloated 35 man or so squad including over Eur50 million worth of talent that barely plays whether by injury, because they are not good enough or simply because ...well not even Alan Pace seems to know either has to deliver on the pitch or be sold without significant loss.

To put it into context the value of our injury/not good enough/can't be @rsed/on loan list was more expensive to purchase than Rovers' whole squad.

It's a very significant challenge but the generously proportioned lady is far from singing - I think that is about as fair as I can call it.

[Big Vinny K]

Fines apply, not imprisonment

Not sure about that.
I’ve seen The Green Mile, Bronson and McVicar and it was full of criminals who had not filed their confirmation statements. The ones in Green Mile were really really late of course.

[Chester Perry]

Owners in all different business will continue to file things late or not file them at all if authorities turn a blind eye to it

the more interesting question, given that there are various outlets that specialise in these stories, is why those who comment on football finance in the media have never mentioned any of this - for instance Kieran Maguire is fully aware of all these issues across football and will cheerfully talk about them on his pod and with the media in regards to many clubs but not a peep when it concerns our club - and I have been told he looks at the takeover thread from time to time

[Cooclaret]

Think it says a lot about Kompany that JBG, Cork and Barnes have all returned to the club since he left the building.

Absolutely this. There’s people n this board that still refuse to admit they were wrong about Kompany, and the damage he did to the club.

[Jakubclaret]

Think this is incredibly harsh on AP. He clearly is learning and undoubtedly has taken advice from Parker over Ash’s signing.
Yes he has a financial stake but no one can doubt his genuine love of the club.

I'm not sure about that. I'm trying to work out any Fulham/bournemouth/can't be arsed to list the rest or barnes previous club history list. The only possible club link is a norwich loan when barnes was 11 years old that's not to say he's not heard of him from the existing players from the burnley barnes past era. But it's more far more conceivable that it's something that pace has engineered purely for budget purposes.

[TPClaret]

Absolutely this. There’s people n this board that still refuse to admit they were wrong about Kompany, and the damage he did to the club.

Kompany who’s sitting top of the Bundesliga

[Goliath]

To make a judgement upon someone, based upon a TV show and a couple of interviews without reference to the financial shenanigans at the club is silly. History will judge ALK but the business model, which he cited to to buy the club is dead. And to anyone with an IQ in double figures it was palpable nonsense anyway.

I am uncertain as to the reality of the £80/90 million investment from overseas. I am sceptical about it and therefore base most of this on an assumption that the finances are those in the last set of published accounts. Saying that I do not cast doubt upon CPs assertion rather I want to see something more solid as to the nature of it.

The one thing that has saved ALK is the financial legacy left by the previous board and the huge financial gulf between the PL and the Championship. It has meant we have been able to operate on a wholly different business model to other Championship clubs and for that reason ALK are still in the game.

That said, the appointment of Parker was an astute one and the team looks set fair to battle it out for the top two spots, which will give us another chance to re-construct the finances.

But ALK cannot be as reckless and incompetent as they have been so far. The financial advantage offered by the PL is in ever decreasing circles as the incredible debt free financial legacy left by the last board is replaced by significant debt.

As well as resolving an over bloated 35 man or so squad including over Eur50 million worth of talent that barely plays whether by injury, because they are not good enough or simply because ...well not even Alan Pace seems to know either has to deliver on the pitch or be sold without significant loss.

To put it into context the value of our injury/not good enough/can't be @rsed/on loan list was more expensive to purchase than Rovers' whole squad.

It's a very significant challenge but the generously proportioned lady is far from singing - I think that is about as fair as I can call it.

I suppose there could theoretically be real question marks legally then in terms of the 90mill overseas investment. Surely this is something that would get scrutinised by the powers that be after the City shenanigans.

[Chester Perry]

I suppose there could theoretically be real question marks legally then in terms of the 90mill overseas investment. Surely this is something that would get scrutinised by the powers that be after the City shenanigans.

these monies have never entered the group of companies under the football club so in that respect are of no concern to the football authorities.

From a Company/Finance Law perspective there appears to absolutely nothing untoward in the monies that were used to purchase share capital in Kettering Capital Limited, Calder Vale Holdings Limited or Velocity Capital (UK) Holdings Ltd