We don’t know how dismal until we know more than at present and it’s important to unite in crisis rather than get involved in mud slinging and in-fighting at this time.
Most of all however, only one man - Sam Hammam – really knows what can happen from here and, perhaps more importantly, what the true extent of his future intentions. Those close to Sam don’t really know the answer themselves. Those who have asked questions don’t really get the answers.
What’s not in doubt is that there has been very good reason to worry about goings-on at the club for the past 15 months. Its running, control and numerous events in this time have been enough to bring about genuine supporter concerns about our debt, the stadium and more. Supporters have always loved Sam and been behind him. We want him to succeed and it’s still that way now. Besides, the consequences of failure, especially now, are too horrid to contemplate. We’ve all “Kept The Faith” as so often has been the plea but, boy, has it been tested to its limit.
Supporting
There have been far too many more than normal problems over in the past 15 months. Once our Championship debut honeymoon period subsided last season, the club that I love and care for with undying devotion has stumbled and staggered around worrying regularity, at times, resembling a punch-drunk boxer.. However, with City playing higher level football with better players for the first time in 20 years, an owner promising everything was fine and knowing that getting new stadiums are never easy, it tends to make worries go away or to the back of your minds.
But if it’s been hard-going on the field since Christmas 2003, off it has seemed like a never ending catalogue of negative-style stories, problems, cock ups, delays, excuses, rumours, broken promises, in and outs, comings and goings. It always seems to be bad news and when good news arrives, it’s rarely for long and soon replaced by something worse.
Whatever is reality behind the scenes, the public picture painted by the club suggests they are in complete denial about any woes with the supporters. As the issues arise, out comes the spin. Take these examples in the past six months alone;
- As Robert Earnshaw was sold, Sam met supporters face to face at
- As rumours emerged about the extent of club debts, they admitted some minor issues but, overall, everything was on plan and we had no reasons to be concerned.
- As the stadium hit delays, we were being pacified with comments that £10-£15M would be available for the team and not to worry.
Even now, in crisis – and that is exactly what it is – they’re still at it.
- Wages weren’t paid last week because of a “clerical error”
- The stadium problem is because of “contractor and legal disputes”
Without exception, the club always seems to have someone or something to blame for failings, delays and problems. It’s on a par when Arsene Wenger always saying, “I didn’t see it” when one of his players has done something wrong.
Is it really too much trouble to be straight with supporters? Clarity and adequate explanations have rarely been forthcoming. That’s where, and why, many supporters get hurt, angry, frustrated, upset and more concerned than ever by the news developments of the past 48 hours. There’s only so many delays, so much blarney that many be accepted. There’s a limit to how often, and for how long, supporters can accept “keep the faith”, “trust the club”, “believe in Sam”, “we’ll be fine”, “the club is safe” type messages without substance and we’ve now gone beyond that.
Fans have kept faith and shown patience throughout, their resilience quite remarkable as setbacks seem to have been never ending. Can you imagine what would have happened if Tony Clemo, Samesh Kumar and Co had presided over this? It’s because we do love Sam, care for him and he has delivered special times that we have stayed with it.
If all we’ve ever asked for is truth and honesty, the club have failed terribly to deliver. They have let us, and themselves, down and been their own worst enemies. Let’s be honest, it’s been embarrassing at times watching City conduct their affairs so badly in public.
The best way forward is for open dialogue with fans. We are RAMS so no more BULL.
However, now is not the time for questions or anger, answers or excuses. We’re all hurting and depressed at the latest downturn. We also know that although these are very difficult days, they may not even be anywhere near the worst.
What is important, and always will be, is our club. The club needs support and help and right now, the players and management need it.
Let’s be there and show our support for