Ronniequin wrote:
There are 2 points here:
This is beyond scurrilous, it is abusive. I wonder if David's lawyers can be pointed this way. If they do, good luck lads, you'll need it, as will the mods who are personally responsible for content here. I will be seeing him on Sunday, I'll mention it.
Secondly, I come on here for a discussion about rugby league and in particular the players. The pair take pleasure from deflecting this into pointless historical statistics in one case, and personal attacks on the owner in the other, regardless of topic.
1. I have consistently, since about 2007-2008 declared that I believe that David Hughes is more of a hinderance than a help to the club. I have not wavered from that opinion and have now a history of facts, statistics and events that show that between 2008 and 2012, David Hughes invested 10,000,000 ad change into the club which resulted in the decimation of the London Super League club in terms of support, on-field activities and opportunities for other investment and commercial revenue streams. Under his tenure and until his "wobble" in 2013, we won 47 of 162 SL games (29%), finished in places 9, 11, 13, 12, 13, and 13, went 2 whole seasons with no main shirt sponsor and went from a season long attendance of 51,000 to 29,000.
Then there's his list of appointments into key roles at the club over this period. Hogg was reluctant to get involved so Blanchard was hired from HKR as a General Manager but wanted to leave inside 12 months, but was then promoted to CEO but....eventually he escaped (CEO of the commonwealth games now). Next up, without a formal interview, MacKay was hired and that's a whole different thread! Powell as head coach although anyone and everyone told Hughes not to was another peachy decision....see the win ratio above!
It is my honest opinion that David Hughes has, through his dedication to "his" club, combined with a stubbornness developed over years of wheeler-dealing inadvertently destroyed not only the club, but also any chance that Professional Rugby League had in the South for at least the next 25 years. I honestly believe that guilt is all that keeps him going now, because there is no way he can believe that we will compete in SL under the current set up. I draw a line at calling him a liar, but I have major concerns surrounding the claims that ET Sports grounds can be extended to hold 5 or 10,000, given the proximity to residential streets.
There was a fans forum on Feb 8th 2013 at the hive, where a number of assurances and admissions were made and the faithful, which I take it included you swallowed the line.....here we are 2 seasons later downgraded again with more contrite statements. The problem is, the people running the club for him are learning on the job.....and again, I believe he has made an error of judgement.
I called bullcrap in 2013 after that forum and I called it again this year after the forum......I have no qualms about repeating this on a regular basis by the way as it's a matter of Public Record.
2. I will not be told what I can and cannot discuss about the club on a forum dedicated to the club. By all means, stick your head in the sand and discuss the players who get beaten by part timers all you like, but don't dare attempt to dictate to me what I can post. I steer well clear of "game threads", but I will bite if baited.....
As for your chat with Hughes at the weekend, why not print my post and hand it to him. My full name and location are no major secret and if he thinks his lawyers have a case then bring it on, but the reality is I haven't lied, I haven't abused, I have simply relayed the facts as they are. He had a club with an independent income of 2.6 million pounds in 2008........he now has a club with maybe 15% of that at best.
Lastly, on a personal note. Screaming to the moderators makes you look like a c**t. It's smacks of you not liking the message but being unable to counter it....over the years the only counter argument I have had has been "without him we'd have no club".......I can now pretty much reply with confidence that we don't have a club with him. We averaged 350 fans per 888 games this year....that'll give you a fair concept of what to expect in the vastness that is Ealing Trailfinders in 2016!
Oh....you're threat to leave......Don't let the door hit you on the 'arris on the way out!
