mammutly said:
I've heard similar stories - and not all of Thaksin's antics were confined to boardroom meetings. He did take his rantings into the dressing room. I believe it is another 3 years before Wardle is able to go public about any of the events of the Thaksin era, but any City fan who believes the man in any way saved the club is completely wrong.
Bernard Halford has always been a City man
That's funny - I interviewed John Wardle during 2010 for the book I'm writing on the takeovers and he talked in detail about it. The book's been delayed until summer 2011 ("The Journey: Rebuilding Manchester City").
I was really grateful to John and he talked with genuine passion and interest on both takeovers and his time at City.
As for Thaksin.... I've not read all of this thread yet but it's very easy for us to point out all the negatives but those within the Club at the time should have taken steps back then to defend the team, the Club, the fans etc. if they felt there was anything they disagreed with. Those that did, including John Wardle and various permanent staff, should be applauded. Sadly, there were plenty of people who didn't.
It has to be stressed as well that Thaksin did a lot of good within the Club and that without him City would not have found Sheikh Mansour etc. City could have died without Thaksin or at least gone into a coma that would have made 34 years seem like a dream (with Thaksin the financial situation may have worsened but the glamour, appointment of Sven, ability to attract new investment all helped raise City's profile and ambition)! John Wardle talked honestly about the financial situation pre-Thaksin.