: Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:46 pm
The thing about SJM is that he's made his money in the business of Music promotion, which I'd assume requires a bit of boot licking, on both parties.
I doubt many Promoters would be too over bearing when dealing with bands, as they could probably go and find someone else who would book them for a show. Similarly, I don't see too many bands getting too uppy with their promoter, certainly none with the reputation of SJM Concerts, as they could easily get AN Other band to sell out the proposed venue.
Where this leaves us is with a very pally-pally Majority shareholder. It was never uncommon to see him attend public functions with Paul Cullen (They were both sat in the VIP lounge together at the Arctic Monkeys gig at Old Trafford in 2007, for example), nor is it uncommon to hear of his genoristy and general nice-ness towards his associates.
IMO, this can create problems, as when it comes to making very important business decisions, he leaves himself with the task of making them at the expense of people who have become friends. When it came down to it, I felt Cullen had been Head Coach for too long and I genuinely believe that had their relationship not been as cosy as it was, Cullen would've been removed from the position of Head Coach sooner than he was.
The arguement made before about him being 'a fan with loads of money' to some extent is true. That doesn't neccersarily make him right or wrong for the job, what we can judge that upon is his decision making whilst in his position of power, which for the main part has let him down IMO.
As for the arguement that he saved the club; I certainly don't recall the bailifs banging down the door at the time of his appointment. Though, was he already on the board for a while before becoming majority shareholder, or did he come in from 'the outside'? I genuinely can't recall.
One final point, to the poster (I forget who it was) who said that Doug Hoyle
single handedly secured the HJ Stadium needs to have a long hard look at themselves in the mirror and show a bit of respect to the many, many people who helped that campaign, not least Peter Deakin.