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Post by lifetimesupporter on Feb 5, 2011 11:02:40 GMT
I noticed on the Kelvin Thomas thread a reply pointing out the fact that our chairman loves being in the media. Just lately no Oxford United story is released without a quote from our chairman. It seems that every time there is something on the TV regarding the club, up pops the chairman. He does seem to like the publicity, however only when the news is positive. When we were losing game after game he was nowhere to be seen.
With this in mind have we ever had a chairman so media friendly in the past??
What other clubs have such a high profile chairman as ours?
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Post by realist on Feb 5, 2011 11:23:34 GMT
arsenal.
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Post by longliveclarkey on Feb 5, 2011 11:29:39 GMT
Wasn't Rob Maxwell a bit of a media hog too?
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Post by scoob on Feb 5, 2011 11:31:58 GMT
We probably qualify as the club who had the Chairman with the biggest ego ever. Capt Bob loved being in the spotlight and as he controlled some of the media we were always in it. He used to say that any publicity was good publicity but I bet his sons are not so sure about that. There was nowhere near the amount of tv coverage of anything in those days though but Maxwell used it whenever he could.
The more free publicity we can get the better at the moment so I hope that KT is on the TV as much as possible in the future whether it feeds his ego or not.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 11:59:32 GMT
I think people are being harsh here. We are not a club that has armies of people on hand to comment. We have Wilder, Thomas, Mick Brown and the Media team. When comment is needed who is it that you want to hear from? The cleaning lady? The secretary? Who? Let us face it, when it comes to on the field stuff we want to hear from Wilder and the players and off the field the only person who really counts is Thomas.
The man cannot win. If we do not hear from him then all we get is people wailing about the lack of communication from the club. If he dares to comment he is an ego-maniac who we're sick of.
I present to you Gold, Sullivan and Brady. They are on Sky Sports News more often than the presenters.
Stop complaining when it is not necessary.
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Post by longliveclarkey on Feb 5, 2011 12:04:07 GMT
I'm not sure he was complaining, too much at least. I'm certainly not, I'm glad he's establishing himself as part of our identity.
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Post by mcf86 on Feb 5, 2011 12:13:07 GMT
I think people are being harsh here. We are not a club that has armies of people on hand to comment. We have Wilder, Thomas, Mick Brown and the Media team. When comment is needed who is it that you want to hear from? The cleaning lady? The secretary? Who? Let us face it, when it comes to on the field stuff we want to hear from Wilder and the players and off the field the only person who really counts is Thomas. The man cannot win. If we do not hear from him then all we get is people wailing about the lack of communication from the club. If he dares to comment he is an ego-maniac who we're sick of. I present to you Gold, Sullivan and Brady. They are on Sky Sports News more often than the presenters. Stop complaining when it is not necessary. Ditto to all of that. load of whinging t. ossers.
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Post by followtheox (the original) on Feb 5, 2011 12:55:21 GMT
I think people are being harsh here. We are not a club that has armies of people on hand to comment. We have Wilder, Thomas, Mick Brown and the Media team. When comment is needed who is it that you want to hear from? The cleaning lady? The secretary? Who? Let us face it, when it comes to on the field stuff we want to hear from Wilder and the players and off the field the only person who really counts is Thomas. The man cannot win. If we do not hear from him then all we get is people wailing about the lack of communication from the club. If he dares to comment he is an ego-maniac who we're sick of. I present to you Gold, Sullivan and Brady. They are on Sky Sports News more often than the presenters. Stop complaining when it is not necessary. Agree with this. Our chairman is a good communicator, can't for the life of me see how this equates to him having an ego. Nothing I have heard him say sounds egotistical in any way, shape or form. He is the chairman of a football club and that means people want to hear what he says.
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Post by Lone Gunman on Feb 5, 2011 17:26:37 GMT
What's wrong with our chairman being in the media a lot? The club is a brand, KT represents that brand and by constantly appearing in the media he is pushing that brand as hard as possible. What can be wrong with that?
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Post by risdon on Feb 5, 2011 23:31:43 GMT
What's wrong with our chairman being in the media a lot? The club is a brand, KT represents that brand and by constantly appearing in the media he is pushing that brand as hard as possible. What can be wrong with that? I don't see how him throwing in quotes for every bloody news story on our own website does anything other than give him an ego boost. Sorry but I'm sick of reading stories that are loaded with him talking about something even when it's got nothing to directly do with him like the fans being on Soccer AM and Aaron Woodley being nominated for an award. Not every single story needs a quote from the club let alone from him. That's completely different from pushing the club's profile in the media and is nothing more than egotism.
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Post by Lone Gunman on Feb 5, 2011 23:45:22 GMT
What's wrong with our chairman being in the media a lot? The club is a brand, KT represents that brand and by constantly appearing in the media he is pushing that brand as hard as possible. What can be wrong with that? I don't see how him throwing in quotes for every bloody news story on our own website does anything other than give him an ego boost. Sorry but I'm sick of reading stories that are loaded with him talking about something even when it's got nothing to directly do with him like the fans being on Soccer AM and Aaron Woodley being nominated for an award. Not every single story needs a quote from the club let alone from him. That's completely different from pushing the club's profile in the media and is nothing more than egotism. I'm sorry but I would contend that anything to do with the club is relevant to him because he is the chairman. You would i suppose be perfectly happy if he made no public comment whatsoever?
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Post by scoob on Feb 6, 2011 2:18:58 GMT
What's wrong with our chairman being in the media a lot? The club is a brand, KT represents that brand and by constantly appearing in the media he is pushing that brand as hard as possible. What can be wrong with that? I don't see how him throwing in quotes for every bloody news story on our own website does anything other than give him an ego boost. Sorry but I'm sick of reading stories that are loaded with him talking about something even when it's got nothing to directly do with him like the fans being on Soccer AM and Aaron Woodley being nominated for an award. Not every single story needs a quote from the club let alone from him. That's completely different from pushing the club's profile in the media and is nothing more than egotism. What a load of tosh! Every large company in the world has people who count the number of times they are in the media on a daily basis. They have people scanning the media for every mention they get. Why do you think they bother with the extra expense? I will tell you, it is because free media coverage is worth its weight in gold. It has bugger all to do with ego and everything to do with profile. OUFC currently has something like 15 admin/marketing staff and that is paltry compared to other clubs so KT has to do a lot of the talking. We need OUFC to be in as many people's faces as possible every day so KT is doing a fantastic job in this as well as in other areas.
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Post by mcf86 on Feb 6, 2011 9:44:09 GMT
What's wrong with our chairman being in the media a lot? The club is a brand, KT represents that brand and by constantly appearing in the media he is pushing that brand as hard as possible. What can be wrong with that? I don't see how him throwing in quotes for every bloody news story on our own website does anything other than give him an ego boost. Sorry but I'm sick of reading stories that are loaded with him talking about something even when it's got nothing to directly do with him like the fans being on Soccer AM and Aaron Woodley being nominated for an award. Not every single story needs a quote from the club let alone from him. That's completely different from pushing the club's profile in the media and is nothing more than egotism.I ask myself, why would anyone take so much unatural interest in how often the Chairman of a football Club is in the Public spotlight. And, why would that same individual come across as bitter, resentful and paranoid - Conclusion, personal grudge. Ex-employee by any chance? Or just twisted.
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Post by hoppingmad on Feb 6, 2011 10:08:30 GMT
Egotism is an exaggerated opinion of one's own self importance. I can't recall any instance where is have heard KT singing his own praises or extolling his own virtues nor have I ever inferred such a meaning from anything he has said so I fail to see how some individuals equate KT being in the press with him having a big ego. How can Risdon possibly fail to see the link between the Soccer am bit & the Aaron Woodley nomination and the importance of KT, as club representative, commenting? Frankly KT and CW are damned if they do and damned if they don't with some of the numpties on this forum.
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Post by Mark on Feb 6, 2011 10:25:55 GMT
Perhaps it is just the new communications manager asking for soundbites from KT to go with news stories.
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Post by Marked Ox on Feb 6, 2011 11:14:09 GMT
I don't see how him throwing in quotes for every bloody news story on our own website does anything other than give him an ego boost. Sorry but I'm sick of reading stories that are loaded with him talking about something even when it's got nothing to directly do with him like the fans being on Soccer AM and Aaron Woodley being nominated for an award. Not every single story needs a quote from the club let alone from him. That's completely different from pushing the club's profile in the media and is nothing more than egotism. What a load of tosh! Every large company in the world has people who count the number of times they are in the media on a daily basis. They have people scanning the media for every mention they get. Why do you think they bother with the extra expense? I will tell you, it is because free media coverage is worth its weight in gold. It has bugger all to do with ego and everything to do with profile. OUFC currently has something like 15 admin/marketing staff and that is paltry compared to other clubs so KT has to do a lot of the talking. We need OUFC to be in as many people's faces as possible every day so KT is doing a fantastic job in this as well as in other areas. Spot on. I shouldn't be by now but I'm still amazed by some of the rubbish written on here and Risdon's tops the lot which takes some doing.
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Post by Mark on Feb 6, 2011 11:21:49 GMT
Risdon originally broke the "Internal Bust Up" story back on the old site about the comms team walk-out, so either works at the club or is very close to someone who is.
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Post by lifetimesupporter on Feb 6, 2011 12:10:58 GMT
So where was he when the team had lost 8 out of 9 games???
MCF86, remember every fan has an opinion and Risdon has his/her views. Regarding Maxwell he was not just the Chairman but the owner. He gave the club the chance to win the league cup in 86. He also took us to the top level so he had a lot to boost his ego.
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Post by hoppingmad on Feb 6, 2011 13:17:18 GMT
Lifetimesupporter, why did you entitle this thread Chairman with massive egos"? My point is that I completely fail to equate KT commenting in the press with him having some kind of big ego. Can anybody post anything on here that provides any evidence that KT has a big ego? With regards to where was he when we lost 8 out of 9, I'll refer you to his page in the home programme where he has a whole article. As far as I can remember, even when we have been doing well, his stance had always been one game at a time. If he did comment in the local press on losing 8 out of 9 what would you expect him to say, "I'm sacking Wilderthe next time we lose"? Or maybe "Wilder is doing an excellent job". Whatever he said would have been leapt on and interpreted (or misinterpreted) by those that frequent this board. So, what would you have been looking for him to say when we were on a losing streak?
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Post by longliveclarkey on Feb 6, 2011 14:52:54 GMT
I don't remember KT hiding when we lost so many games. I don't remember there being too much news, aside from KT coming out and reinforcing his belief in Wilder once or twice. Even say it is his ego, does it matter? He clearly cares about the club, and having an extravagant personality would hardly do much harm, probably just increase our profile. Strikes me he's doing what any decent chairman would do and making sure he's connected with all things Oxford, in all likelihood it's just the media men asking him for his opinions as much as anything else.
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Post by Lone Gunman on Feb 6, 2011 15:37:06 GMT
I don't remember KT hiding when we lost so many games. I don't remember there being too much news, aside from KT coming out and reinforcing his belief in Wilder once or twice. Even say it is his ego, does it matter? He clearly cares about the club, and having an extravagant personality would hardly do much harm, probably just increase our profile. Strikes me he's doing what any decent chairman would do and making sure he's connected with all things Oxford, in all likelihood it's just the media men asking him for his opinions as much as anything else. Exactly. KT should be the public face of OUFC as chairman. Managers are far more transient, and all KT is doing is cultivating himself as the go-to man for all things OUFC. That way we can ensure the profile of the club is supported and the official line is always pressed in the media. What would you rather, him never coming out and saying anything and as a result our club not featuring in the press at all, or when it does, only in terms of erroneous statements gleaned from third parties?
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Post by Marked Ox on Feb 6, 2011 16:16:56 GMT
So where was he when the team had lost 8 out of 9 games??? MCF86, remember every fan has an opinion and Risdon has his/her views. Regarding Maxwell he was not just the Chairman but the owner. He gave the club the chance to win the league cup in 86. He also took us to the top level so he had a lot to boost his ego. KT would have been doing his job running the club profitably, that is where he would have been. An example would be working with CW so that the likes of McLean and McLaren can be signed! KT actually has plenty to boost about as well but doesn't, certainly publically, such as running the club when getting promoted back into the FL and being profitible at the same time. Also, sorting out the financial mess when he came back. Risdon can have his view, doesn't mean it stops it being rubbish or that MCF86 is wrong in what he says.
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Post by scoob on Feb 6, 2011 16:22:28 GMT
So where was he when the team had lost 8 out of 9 games??? MCF86, remember every fan has an opinion and Risdon has his/her views. Regarding Maxwell he was not just the Chairman but the owner. He gave the club the chance to win the league cup in 86. He also took us to the top level so he had a lot to boost his ego. Firstly he probably didn't comment because it did not happen as the worst run we have had under his chairmanship was losing 7 out of 8. Secondly he did not make a big fuss about winning 6 out of the next 7 either. Whilst we were on that losing run rather than running around like a headless chicken causing panic he probably had a chat with CW and they worked out how to cure the problem. You could always take up KT's offer and go and have a chat with him and tell him what you think. Or you could come along to the next Oxvox meeting that he attends and ask him there instead. That would add a bit more spice to that meeting so I look forward to it.................................................. In the meantime I look forward to more quality threads from you. Your modus operandi looks familiar but I can't quite work out if you are Johnny X or some of the multi's you have used before.
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Post by charliesghost on Feb 7, 2011 11:18:26 GMT
Arsenal? Really? I would have thought that Peter Hill-Wood (chairman of Arsenal for the last 30 years or more) had one of the lowest profiles in football!! Kelvin Thomas, of course, is not really chairman, but chief executive. And if we have a chief exec who can help get us in the media on a regular basis (and that is the case), then, frankly, great. Nor, in the interests of fairness, did he "go missing" when we were losing games. I specifically remember an interview in which he acknowledged our poor form, but reiterated his belief that we would turn it around. Which turned out to be the case. Those who think of KT as some sort of God are a bit barmy. But no less so are those who criticise him, for all sorts of weird and wonderful reasons. The reality, as far as I can see, is that he is a driven, competent, reasonably charismatic SME chief exec. He has turned OUFC as a business from a total basket case into a reasonably successful enterprise, with an expanding franchise, and gradually improving profile and reputation. Hardly requiring of worship, but given the wallies who populate most football clubs, let's just be quietly thankful that we have a sane, bright man in charge.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2011 11:45:26 GMT
Arsenal? Really? I would have thought that Peter Hill-Wood (chairman of Arsenal for the last 30 years or more) had one of the lowest profiles in football!! Kelvin Thomas, of course, is not really chairman, but chief executive. And if we have a chief exec who can help get us in the media on a regular basis (and that is the case), then, frankly, great. Nor, in the interests of fairness, did he "go missing" when we were losing games. I specifically remember an interview in which he acknowledged our poor form, but reiterated his belief that we would turn it around. Which turned out to be the case. Those who think of KT as some sort of God are a bit barmy. But no less so are those who criticise him, for all sorts of weird and wonderful reasons. The reality, as far as I can see, is that he is a driven, competent, reasonably charismatic SME chief exec. He has turned OUFC as a business from a total basket case into a reasonably successful enterprise, with an expanding franchise, and gradually improving profile and reputation. Hardly requiring of worship, but given the wallies who populate most football clubs, let's just be quietly thankful that we have a sane, bright man in charge. I concur.....this is a very well balanced post - and one I would think that Kelvin would appreciate.
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Post by Marked Ox on Feb 7, 2011 13:22:55 GMT
Arsenal? Really? I would have thought that Peter Hill-Wood (chairman of Arsenal for the last 30 years or more) had one of the lowest profiles in football!! Kelvin Thomas, of course, is not really chairman, but chief executive. And if we have a chief exec who can help get us in the media on a regular basis (and that is the case), then, frankly, great. Nor, in the interests of fairness, did he "go missing" when we were losing games. I specifically remember an interview in which he acknowledged our poor form, but reiterated his belief that we would turn it around. Which turned out to be the case. Those who think of KT as some sort of God are a bit barmy. But no less so are those who criticise him, for all sorts of weird and wonderful reasons. The reality, as far as I can see, is that he is a driven, competent, reasonably charismatic SME chief exec. He has turned OUFC as a business from a total basket case into a reasonably successful enterprise, with an expanding franchise, and gradually improving profile and reputation. Hardly requiring of worship, but given the wallies who populate most football clubs, let's just be quietly thankful that we have a sane, bright man in charge. Spot on.
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Post by mcf86 on Feb 7, 2011 13:38:45 GMT
Arsenal? Really? I would have thought that Peter Hill-Wood (chairman of Arsenal for the last 30 years or more) had one of the lowest profiles in football!! Kelvin Thomas, of course, is not really chairman, but chief executive. And if we have a chief exec who can help get us in the media on a regular basis (and that is the case), then, frankly, great. Nor, in the interests of fairness, did he "go missing" when we were losing games. I specifically remember an interview in which he acknowledged our poor form, but reiterated his belief that we would turn it around. Which turned out to be the case. Those who think of KT as some sort of God are a bit barmy. But no less so are those who criticise him, for all sorts of weird and wonderful reasons. The reality, as far as I can see, is that he is a driven, competent, reasonably charismatic SME chief exec. He has turned OUFC as a business from a total basket case into a reasonably successful enterprise, with an expanding franchise, and gradually improving profile and reputation. Hardly requiring of worship, but given the wallies who populate most football clubs, let's just be quietly thankful that we have a sane, bright man in charge. I don't recall anyone bestowing God like praise on Kelvin Thomas, Still, if it helps strengthen the argument why let small matters like facts get in the way?! Personally i think he (KT) has done an excellent job and i just don't see how he can be criticised, One or two who have done as much clearly have a personal vendetta which has nothing to do with his 'Ego' -but more to do with personal grudges imo.
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Post by charliesghost on Feb 7, 2011 17:24:51 GMT
Arsenal? Really? I would have thought that Peter Hill-Wood (chairman of Arsenal for the last 30 years or more) had one of the lowest profiles in football!! Kelvin Thomas, of course, is not really chairman, but chief executive. And if we have a chief exec who can help get us in the media on a regular basis (and that is the case), then, frankly, great. Nor, in the interests of fairness, did he "go missing" when we were losing games. I specifically remember an interview in which he acknowledged our poor form, but reiterated his belief that we would turn it around. Which turned out to be the case. Those who think of KT as some sort of God are a bit barmy. But no less so are those who criticise him, for all sorts of weird and wonderful reasons. The reality, as far as I can see, is that he is a driven, competent, reasonably charismatic SME chief exec. He has turned OUFC as a business from a total basket case into a reasonably successful enterprise, with an expanding franchise, and gradually improving profile and reputation. Hardly requiring of worship, but given the wallies who populate most football clubs, let's just be quietly thankful that we have a sane, bright man in charge. I don't recall anyone bestowing God like praise on Kelvin Thomas, Still, if it helps strengthen the argument why let small matters like facts get in the way?! Personally i think he (KT) has done an excellent job and i just don't see how he can be criticised, One or two who have done as much clearly have a personal vendetta which has nothing to do with his 'Ego' -but more to do with personal grudges imo. Well, referring to him as "Sir Kelvin Thomas" and suggesting the stadium be named after him are, to my mind, going well over the top for what is a decent SME chief exec. And I do not concur with you that "I don't see how he can be criticised". I can see how he CAN be - most everyone CAN be - but do not think he SHOULD be because, taken in the round, he's done a good job. An 8/10 sort of job. Which is decent in any context, but at a football club is well above the norm.
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Post by pottersrightboot on Feb 7, 2011 18:00:41 GMT
I don't recall anyone bestowing God like praise on Kelvin Thomas, Still, if it helps strengthen the argument why let small matters like facts get in the way?! Personally i think he (KT) has done an excellent job and i just don't see how he can be criticised, One or two who have done as much clearly have a personal vendetta which has nothing to do with his 'Ego' -but more to do with personal grudges imo. Well, referring to him as "Sir Kelvin Thomas" and suggesting the stadium be named after him are, to my mind, going well over the top for what is a decent SME chief exec. And I do not concur with you that "I don't see how he can be criticised". I can see how he CAN be - most everyone CAN be - but do not think he SHOULD be because, taken in the round, he's done a good job. An 8/10 sort of job. Which is decent in any context, but at a football club is well above the norm. Methven, you have trampled all over MCF86. Outstanding work.
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Post by mcf86 on Feb 7, 2011 21:13:04 GMT
I don't recall anyone bestowing God like praise on Kelvin Thomas, Still, if it helps strengthen the argument why let small matters like facts get in the way?! Personally i think he (KT) has done an excellent job and i just don't see how he can be criticised, One or two who have done as much clearly have a personal vendetta which has nothing to do with his 'Ego' -but more to do with personal grudges imo. Well, referring to him as "Sir Kelvin Thomas" and suggesting the stadium be named after him are, to my mind, going well over the top for what is a decent SME chief exec. And I do not concur with you that "I don't see how he can be criticised". I can see how he CAN be - most everyone CAN be - but do not think he SHOULD be because, taken in the round, he's done a good job. An 8/10 sort of job. Which is decent in any context, but at a football club is well above the norm. To most sane and rational people there's a hell of a difference between 'Going over the top' and 'Worshipping' someone, so make your mind up which phrase you find apt. Regards the 'Naming of the Stadium' *after Kelvin Thomas, i wouldn't have expected someone with in your profession to only read the 'Headlines' and not the whole story, or maybe i should have. FYI I posted the *thread in question, and to most who read the first line it would have been pretty obvious that i was not advocating that -but there's always one (Or two) obviously who choose to write their own script. As for 'Sir Kelvin Thomas' i took that with a large pinch of salt, i cannot say wether the contributor was being serious, but i suspect not. Many refer to Chris Wilder as 'The Messiah' - Do you honestly think they are being serious? As for wether KT CAN be criticised, you make a very poor point- the topic was specifically aimed at accusations of the Chairman's supposed 'Ego' and whether he should be criticised for THAT, not a generalisation. Again, i would think you know the difference, but perhaps i'm over-estimating you.
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