Chairman Grant Ferguson Interview

[Carpy]

I recognised that exception. But in every other aspect the messages coming out from the club are the same.

It's a pretty bloody important exception though, don't you think

 

[ZeroTheHero]

I think we ought to wait until after the fans forum and then consider this interview in the light of how that is handled, how communicative (!) the club are at it and how satisfactory the answers given are. You'd hope Ferguson has read the riot act to Williams and Benson and they will be more forthcoming, but we will see...

 

[Scotchegg]

It's a pretty bloody important exception though, don't you think

I don't think we should celebrate Grant Ferguson saying that communication is neither too much or not enough, which, by default, implies that he has no issues with this. He is based abroad for most of the year, and is as responsible, if not more responsible than Tim Williams for creating this void in communication.

It will take a lot more than him jetting in and giving a 15 minute interview ahead of a fans forum to convince me that Ferguson is all about fan engagement.

The key issues, the financing of the stadium, assurances of the clubs future if the stadium doesn't happen, the vision for the club this season, next, 3, 5, 10 years etc. These are all far more important that how someone comes across on the radio and I don't think that Ferguson should get a free ride. This is in no way a defence of Tim Williams, Adam Benson or anyone else, but all need to be accountable for decisions that could ultimately determine whether our club survives or not.

 

[Osleroad]

Thought GF addressed the questions succinctly and fairly reassuring in that unlike a police interview no 'no comment' answers. The questions constantly brought up on here covered so that less time needed in the forum but more time focusing on the lack of detail in his answers.

 

[Carpy]

I don't think we should celebrate Grant Ferguson saying that communication is neither too much or not enough, which, by default, implies that he has no issues with this. He is based abroad for most of the year, and is as responsible, if not more responsible than Tim Williams for creating this void in communication.

I was more highlighting your apparent defence of Williams than celebrating Grant giving a 10 minute interview

 

[Yellow River]

Considering Williams and Benson thought that reviving the RadOx Five Minute Fans Forum was more effort than it was worth, the cynic in me does wonder why Ferguson agreed to do one just a few days before the Fans Forum at Grenoble Road.

Either the club think they are over communicating and the five minutes fans forum is more effort than it’s worth or they don’t.


The club can talk all they want about ‘engaging’ with supporters, but actions speak louder than words, the way long standing supporters such as Sue Trafford and Michael North were treated by senior club officials was mean spirited and totally unnecessary.

 

[Manorlounger]

I don't think we should celebrate Grant Ferguson saying that communication is neither too much or not enough, which, by default, implies that he has no issues with this. He is based abroad for most of the year, and is as responsible, if not more responsible than Tim Williams for creating this void in communication.

It will take a lot more than him jetting in and giving a 15 minute interview ahead of a fans forum to convince me that Ferguson is all about fan engagement.

The key issues, the financing of the stadium, assurances of the clubs future if the stadium doesn't happen, the vision for the club this season, next, 3, 5, 10 years etc. These are all far more important that how someone comes across on the radio and I don't think that Ferguson should get a free ride. This is in no way a defence of Tim Williams, Adam Benson or anyone else, but all need to be accountable for decisions that could ultimately determine whether or club survives or not.

Bit of a mixed message there, old chap but, diplomatic!
I believe that what Ferguson has acknowledged is that the communication has not been as he would have wanted or expected. Feedback has reached his spot at the 19th hole that has caused him pause for thought. He is now looking a little more closely at what has been said (or not been said) in his, and the boards name, and is thinking, fan, brown stuff, that idiot.
I fully expect more updates before the forum on Thursday.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Considering Williams and Benson thought that reviving the RadOx Five Minute Fans Forum was more effort than it was worth, the cynic in me does wonder why Ferguson agreed to do one just a few days before the Fans Forum at Grenoble Road.

Either the club think they are over communicating and the five minutes fans forum is more effort than it’s worth or they don’t.


The club can talk all they want about ‘engaging’ with supporters, but actions speak louder than words, the way long standing supporters such as Sue Trafford and Michael North were treated by senior club officials was mean spirited and totally unnecessary.

By ferguson doing this interview has shown that it is worth while the club continuing with some form of fans forum. Doesn’t have to be weekly but monthly is still beneficial.

Just look at the responses on this thread to show that it has had a positive response in the main by us customers.

 

[Manorlounger]

By ferguson doing this interview has shown that it is worth while the club continuing with some form of fans forum. Doesn’t have to be weekly but monthly is still beneficial.

Just look at the responses on this thread to show that it has had a positive response in the main by us customers.

What he has realised is that his delegated oppo has well and truly dropped the ball.

 

[Scotchegg]

I was more highlighting your apparent defence of Williams than celebrating Grant giving a 10 minute interview

Could you point me to any defence that I've given to Williams or anyone else?

 

[Steve Gilbert]

What he has realised is that his delegated oppo has well and truly dropped the ball.

I would say he will certainly be questioning Williams and Benson in the coming days.

I feel one might be pushed out the door on the back of this.

 

[Manorlounger]

I would say he will certainly be questioning Williams and Benson in the coming days.

I feel one might be pushed out the door on the back of this.

Both please.

 

[Carpy]

Feedback has reached his spot at the 19th hole

At this point I'm just pleased he took the time out of his busy golfing schedule to look at it, must be hard finding the time between rounds.

 

[Scotchegg]

Bit of a mixed message there, old chap but, diplomatic!
I believe that what Ferguson has acknowledged is that the communication has not been as he would have wanted or expected. Feedback has reached his spot at the 19th hole that has caused him pause for thought. He is now looking a little more closely at what has been said (or not been said) in his, and the boards name, and is thinking, fan, brown stuff, that idiot.
I fully expect more updates before the forum on Thursday.

I believe that Ferguson has come out, a few days before meeting the fans, and looked to defuse the tension from what otherwise could have been a pretty volatile fans forum.

I don't think that anything would have hugely changed behind the scenes and I suspect that he will soon jet off and leave Tim Williams to continue as before.

 

[Manorlounger]

I believe that Ferguson has come out, a few days before meeting the fans, and looked to defuse the tension from what would have otherwise could have been a pretty volatile fans forum.

I don't think that anything would have hugely changed behind the scenes and I suspect that he will soon jet off and leave Tim Williams to continue as before.

More's the pity.

 

[Carpy]

I suspect that he will soon jet off and leave Tim Williams to continue absolutely destroying the relationship between the club and it's fans, while insisting he knows better than everyone because he used to manage the spreadsheets at Manchester United.

Fixed it for you Scotchers

 

[Sheik djibouti]

As George Bernard Shaw said...
"The biggest problem with communication is the illusion it has taken place"

Or something.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

Oxford United Chairman: Well… er… I mean… obviously it’s very expensive building a stadium… er… there’ll be some debt that needs paying off… and… er… yeah… important the club gets full use… errrrrrr… can keep profits above and beyond servicing the unspecified debt… aaaahhhhhhh… might be that there’s no profit but still it sounds good… uunmmmm… certainly not under communicating in my opinion… uuuuuhhhhhhhghgfguyffyhgdg…

Oxford United Fans: I think that went well! Refreshing! He seems like a genuine guy!

 

[Colin B]

Having read this thread, I've just had a listen.

All I can say is that some of you are easily pleased if you think that was a good interview. He shifted some s**t onto Des and some more onto Tim Williams. He skirted around the major issue of who owns, and who funds, the stadium with no specifics whatsoever.

Let's see how he copes with some less friendly questioning on Thursday.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

All I can say is that some of you are easily pleased if you think that was a good interview. He shifted some s**t onto Des and some more onto Tim Williams. He skirted around the major issue of who owns, and who funds, the stadium with no specifics whatsoever.

Yeah but apart from that I thought it went really well.