There is a an obvious need for discretion, which is why this type of information is very rarely in the public domain, not just for us but for all football teams. There are solid reasons behind this, I called Kenny to let him know what fans were asking for and he explained that the information people are asking for should always be kept private. If the club were to let fans know everything regarding salaries, transfer targets, injuries, bust ups and other contentious issues, not only would our fanbase know but so would our competitors.
This would hamper our chances of moving players out should we need to. Kenny also mentioned that at times players move to a club from another part of the country and find it hard to settle, this can also affect their performances .
Kenny made it clear he is fully aware of our need to improve in the second half of the season. He realised we are lacking creativity and goal scoring opportunities. He is looking at moving some people in and some out in a bid to turn the season round and is confident he can do it. It has been well reported in the press that Darius Henderson has allegedly been involved in an altercation in a restaurant. Until a full investigation has been carried out by the authorities there isn't too much that can be said. Darius has the full backing of the club and is being selected for games when fit as per normal.
I know everyone at the club will want to wish Darren Purse all the best at Plymouth. Darren is one of the players who through his career I have always said I would like him at Millwall. He has always shown the battling passionate Millwall qualities we all love. Coming from a Millwall family and being a Millwall fan himself, it must have been great for him playing for the club he has followed all his life.
There has been a lot of talk about players using social networking sites e.g. Twitter, Facebook etc. I spoke to Kenny and he told me that there is no club ban on using such sites, players are just asked to consider the impact on the club when posting both personally and professionally. Throughout my term I have been asking for people to come forward and quiz the directors with any questions they might like to ask. For some reason there has never been any takers, but I have managed to get 10 fans who will be coming in before the Birmingham game to have a meeting with the directors who are available on the day, Andy Ambler, Trevor Keyse and Constantine Gonticas. I will take notes and get a short report out after the meeting.
With the transfer window open, John Berylson along with the other directors have decided to invest more money into the club. Some of this money will be made available for Kenny to go into the transfer/loan market. Fans do need to take into account that although the board have cut club losses substantially over the last five years, we are still losing a six figure sum each month so a percentage of any new investment will be apportioned to ensuring the club is able to run as a going concern in the coming months.
Existing wages need to be paid and the gates do not come anywhere near covering the outgoings. All this said, money has been made available to Kenny.
I know we all have our ideas and opinions on team and transfer target selection but the ultimate decision lies with Kenny. With the current financial climate everyone is trying to hold on to every pound (or dollar) they have and a football club is no different. The board and everyone at the club have worked tirelessly to reduce the losses. We are still losing money every month, if we weren't there would be no need for the chairman and fellow board members to continue bailing the club out. Hopefully at some point this may change.
The investment from the chairman and his fellow directors in the last five years well exceeds £20million, with the chairman investing the lion's share (pardon the pun). It would be great if we could get more fans through the gates to take some of the burden off the chairman and board members. The only way, I believe, to do this is through increased gates and the formula is pretty simple, win football matches and fans will come along. So if you know any lapsed fans who you think you can get back, give them a shout as we are all in this together.
I don't normally "bite" in response to criticism, if anyone has an issue with the way I carry out my role I am very willing to listen to their complaints and take on board anything constructive. If anyone does, they can contact the MSC or the club to raise any serious concerns. One thing I refuse to have aimed at me, however, is the issue of my integrity. It may have been a throw away comment on an unofficial website but it did annoy both me and my family. It was suggested that I receive financial benefits from the club in the way of my car and other benefits that are given to the company I work for. I have carried out the role for five years and in that time I have never taken a single penny in expenses or payments or been given a car!! The club have never given my company any work or benefits. If I attend any functions i.e. Player of the Year or testimonials dinners, I pay for my table. I do get match-day tickets for myself and a guest, but I feel that compensates for the 20 days a year I take off work to attend board meetings and other functions in order to give the role my full input.
I hate the fact I am having to explain myself, the accusation is so far from the truth. In fact I introduced one of my clients to the club and my client has now used The Den for team meetings and has used the facilities on non-matchdays every month for the past four years, raising a five figure sum for the club which we all know is well needed. I have also matched up the club with another contact from a major car manufacturer, with the hope a deal can be done that will help the club save even more money. if you know anyone you think can do a deal with the club or sponsor the club in anyway, drop me a line as you never know, it may work out. Anyway that's my rant over. I am now in my third term and I am enjoying the role. I haven't had any opposition for the last two elections. At the first re-election the other candidate stood down very close to the election, and in the last one my opponent wasn't able to stand as he was on a ban at the time of applying. Both elections were open to all members.
Finally I have a had a few complaints regarding racial abuse/chanting at the Palace game, I have asked people from different areas in the ground if they saw/heard anything but no-one saw or heard anything. If you have any information that can help either confirm or deny these complaints it would help me a lot.
As always any questions drop me a line petergarston@hotmail.com or write to me via the club.