In his autobiography, Len Shackleton wrote a chapter entitled, "What Directors Know About Football," and left a blank page.
The best chairmen/directors keep their mouths shut, or conversely, the worst ones can’t stay silent.
Peter fucking Swales being a prime example.
It’s a pity it wasn’t an ejector seat!City had to learn the hard way and from Swales to Franny Lee, it was very much all about the chairman and the board members and power struggles, Swales wanted full control of everything even the football side of things,
When looking back Swales had a phone next to his seat to ring the dug-out ?
True, true, true.. and something complainers on here ought to bear in mind when having a pop regarding Khaldoon et al's handling of the media and so on.In his autobiography, Len Shackleton wrote a chapter entitled, "What Directors Know About Football," and left a blank page.
The best chairmen/directors keep their mouths shut, or conversely, the worst ones can’t stay silent.
Peter fucking Swales being a prime example.
The great David Bernstein was another chairman, whose name very rarely appeared in the sports media of this country.True, true, true.. and something complainers on here ought to bear in mind when having a pop regarding Khaldoon et al's handling if the media and so on.
BTW, one of the lads who used to be in my team of Reps years ago was a nephew of Len Shackleton. He and I used to talk often about 'The Clown Prince of Football', especially as I had read Shackleton's autobiography as a kid (he was also delighted when I told him my Old Man rated Shackleton second only to City's own Peter Doherty)
My colleague used to to tell of how his Uncle Len loved to entertain the kids at family get-togethers such as weddings and christenings by juggling a tennis ball, with his feet doing the 'keepy-uppies' and then heading the tennis ball onto his shoulders, rolling it from side to side.. even in his 'Sunday best' shoes!
Sounds like he was a great bloke, as well as a phenomenally talented player.. and also intelligent enough to recognise 'Board Room Wrong'Uns' when he met them!
I was once at Maine Road on my way home from work, suited and tie on etc. We'd just won promotion under Keegan and I was about to renew my season ticket.The great David Bernstein was another chairman, whose name very rarely appeared in the sports media of this country.
He just got on with his job, which he did brilliantly, IMHO.
Great story.I was once at Maine Road on my way home from work, suited and tie on etc. We'd just won promotion under Keegan and I was about to renew my season ticket.
I parked my car in front of the Social Club and walked to the office, when I spotted David Bernstein walking away from the main entrance, briefcase in hand, looking like he'd had 'a bit of a day'..
He smiled and nodded at me, so I thought 'What the hell?!' and engaged with him saying 'Thanks Mr Chairman!'
He asked 'What for?'. So I just said 'For saving my club'.
I hope he had a spring in his step thereafter..!
Bond, Kevin Bond likes thisIt’s a pity it wasn’t an ejector seat!
It’s probably more to do with football knowledge than geographyReally? How the F**K did he get that gig? He lives just down the road from me in South Wales!!!!
The great David Bernstein was another chairman, whose name very rarely appeared in the sports media of this country.
He just got on with his job, which he did brilliantly, IMHO.
I also met David after the Pompey Game when we clinched The ChampionshipGreat story.