Sandgaard pressed but still telling loads of porkies

The highlight notes from last night's Fans Forum meeting are out and they are spicier than usual. They reflect both the current mood of supporters and, I believe, a Thomas Sandgaard increasingly desperate to keep spinning his responses.

It is clear from the notes that Sandgaard was pressed repeatedly on key points and told, in spite of some of his answers, that supporters wouldn't be satisfied. 

Sandgaard denied that he is actively trying to sell the club. He conceded that he had sought investment but that had not got anywhere. I believe there is sufficient evidence to support that claim (US investor) but I don't believe he isn't actively trying to get out to cut his financial exposure. He also said that Matt Southall had enquired about buying the club but that I find very difficult to believe. Deluded as he is, even Southall must know that his appearance anywhere in south-east London risks his health and safety, ignoring the fact that the fan base would self-combust if he turned up in any capacity at the club, let alone as owner. He simply doesn't have the funds (and neither do his co-conspirators) and could only hope to steal from the club as he did previously.

Questioned about Garner's sacking TS got on his high horse about Garner having crossed a line when speaking out about being let down by a lack of investment, contrary to promises made to him in August. He is entitled to make that decision but I don't believe for a second that Garner would make that up and it's pretty evident he didn't get the backing he needed, let alone what might have been promised. Sandgaard repeated the line that he has increased the first team budget this year "by several hundred thousand pounds." I will repeat that this is very hard to believe when he told us early on it was his intention to trim the budget in line with his break-even strategy. Add to that the fact that we released far more players than we recruited and that many of those were top earners who were replaced by League 2 players and you get a budget cut not an increase. In time I expect the Report & Accounts to bear this out (when Sandgaard assumes he will be gone).

Sandgaard then tried to dish a bit of dirt on Garner as promised by his Fans Adviser on Monday. He said that Garner had never made a striker a priority and that he had focused on elsewhere in the side until the last minute and then asked for a striker that was going to cost "a lot of money" and that despite trying they ran out of time. How are we supposed to believe this? Garner was new into the role and was aware of the playing budget. So he focused on other areas and then demanded a striker we couldn't afford? Bullshit! Sandgaard is also making it look like Garner was in control of the recruitment process when he has always told us it was four person team and that he had the ultimate say. The pathetic last gasp bid to loan Bonne was always consistent with his 'last minute bargain loans' policy. Nothing more and nothing less. Not content with that, he also told us that Garner hadn't prioritised a striker because he wanted to avoid some sort of psychological competition for Stockley and Aneke! We failed last season because we didn't score enough and Sandgaard had sold Washington in a fit of pique. How could Garner not want a to increase our striking options? Presumably he wasn't bothered about the psychological competition for other areas eg midfield? Utter horseshit.

To smear Garner a tad further, he said he had shown immaturity by being booked and red-carded in a couple of games and that he had a feeling (from his son presumably) that things weren't going well on the training ground with his players. Immaturity could be because he has only been a manager for a season and half but that didn't stop him being recruited. It could also show some passion or frustration of course, but I suspect Sandgaard wouldn't get that. As for discontent amongst the playing staff, you could hardly be surprised given the performances on the pitch. Sorry but this was a low blow from Sandgaard and shows he will say whatever he needs to and blame others if it eases the pressure on himself.

I thought he was beginning to tell some whoppers at this point but when challenged about a lack of CEO, he actually said he had been trying for ages via two recruitment companies but had been unable to find anyone who could manage budgets and run the club the way he wanted. Well, he kept that secret. In fact, he has told us on numerous occasions that he felt happier doing it himself (at least initially) because he needed to control what was going on. The mention of using two recruiters was because he was questioned why we hadn't seen any job ads! Peter Varney will have a chuckle this evening. 

He also again made reference to the running of the clubs "20 or 30 years" ago, claiming this was the way fans wanted it to be done but that he was somehow far more advanced in his thinking. I think it was another weird dig at Varney & Co and their rampant success over ten years at the turn of the century, focusing on the supporters ongoing demand for a CEO. A bit confused and contradictory if he is seriously looking for a CEO don't you think?

He did at least acknowledge that his plans to double revenues weren't going particularly well. Ticketing and hospitality haven't taken off but apparently, all it needs is a CEO and couple of experienced sales hospitality and ticketing people! Dream on sunshine. I was disappointed no-one brought up the elephant in the room - the fact that our matchday ticket prices and the cost of hospitality are both a rip-off (perhaps that will be clearer in the full notes). Highest prices in the division and higher than many clubs in the Championship. No mention of the other inadequate and weak club marketing. Who seriously comes up with "buy multiples and pay for them all" ideas? Expensive matchday tickets that still have the unpopular £3 Meire Tax to punish you for not buying more than two days in advance and a £1.50 online handling fee that is fully automated! When really pushed, he offers a £4 discount until New Year - hopeless. It really isn't difficult. Welling do deals and offers all they time and fans are motivated to buy tickets or eat and drink more. 

Questioning about his original ambition to acquire the Valley and Sparrows Lane was a bit harsh I felt, given TS's new financial imperative of break-even, but he felt emboldened to tell us that talks with Old Yellow Teeth were continuing. Having heard himself, he then reminded us he had a 15 year lease, so 13 years left in which to do it!

Having got the playing style right early on - who are we kidding with this - he said that Garner got other things wrong and blamed him for the resignation of the Kit Team. This was news - we knew they resigned within a day or two of each other, but it assumed it was to do with the break-even policy which now forbade overnight stays for the plebs and that they were expected to pay for accommodation themselves or have a horrendously long matchday getting there and back. I suspect we will learn more about this now. Perhaps it was Garner's fault because he had to tell them - Sandgaard doesn't like dirty work. 

The subject of the January transfer window came up and Sandgaard made all the usual noises, including that we always try to get our business done early and not leave it too late, when the reverse is actually the truth. He was asked specifically if any transfer fees incoming (eg Leaburn) would be spent strengthening the side. His answer was peak-Sandgaard - he said it would be spent strengthening the side or elsewhere with the club. I think we are all clear on where the money will go if he can flog anyone.

Finally, he was told about the Addicks Charter - he made some comforting noises and said he would read it. 

It really is time that the Fans Advisors realised they are being played and resigned. CAST and the Fans Forum should also say that they don't wish to continuing the charade...