Shaggy
Forum Moderator
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
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Post by Shaggy on Jun 28, 2011 23:03:48 GMT
You know, if the Steelers were a dog the RSPCA would have put down the poor mutt years ago and prosecuted the owner. Woof bloody woof.
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Ghost
Matt Myers
Posts: 1,698
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Post by Ghost on Jun 29, 2011 5:22:30 GMT
According to Seth this is now official. Ragan leaves but still owns 50%. Tony smith owns other half and will run the club.
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Post by NottinghamMatt on Jun 29, 2011 5:34:05 GMT
They've just had one of these fitted to the owners office door
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Post by GuinnessMan on Jun 29, 2011 6:12:07 GMT
Statement from Paul Ragan Statement from Paul Ragan
Following events of the past few weeks, I have taken a decision to commit 100% of my time going forward to the Cardiff Devils. The running of two clubs has been a challenge to say the least, and I do not consider it fair on either set of fans to split my time or loyalties. I will retain a silent equity stake in the Sheffield Steelers, but going forward all control will be handed over to Tony Smith. Tony will address the Fans Forum on Thursday in Sheffield and I wish him, the players and all the supporters a successful season next year. I have worked with Tony closely over the past few months, and his commitment and professionalism is exactly what the club has been missing for many years at the helm. Both clubs were inherited by me last year, and were totally unsustainable in there previous trading state. Going forwards my commitment will be 100% to Cardiff and Tony will be 100% to Sheffield. We look forward to doing battle next year, and I would like to thank all fans and sponsors of both clubs for the goodwill they have shown to me and my management team over the past 6-12 months.
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Shaggy
Forum Moderator
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
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Post by Shaggy on Jun 29, 2011 6:31:00 GMT
Dear oh dear. When Ragan bought the Steelers, I predicted that they'd have a new owner within 2 years. Boy, did I over-estimate. And I'll say the same thing now as I did then. This whole mess is going to continue happening again and again until and unless they completely clean house - get rid of the publicity embarressment that is Dave Simms, rebuild from the ground up with a new and less arrogant & confrontational attitude, and educate the club itself and the fanbase to realise that 'winning at all costs' is not the way to go. I'm not going to hold my breath. All change in another 2 years?
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doug
Robert Lachowicz
Posts: 586
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Post by doug on Jun 29, 2011 6:39:26 GMT
If this is true (and who the hell knows what is true up in Shuff?) then no doubt we will have a sudden outpouring of euphoria amongst the Steelers fans, which may even last until partway through the season. This will be accompanied by a resurgence of the usual arrogance, contempt and mockery coming out of there - mainly directed at us, of course. A honeymoon period, which may or may not last a full season, followed by the return of the moans and self-destructive behaviour, subsequently followed by mounting criticism of the current owner accompanied by a softening of attitude towards the previous owner, with many of his 'crimes' being explained away or even forgiven. Oh, hang on a minute... that's what happened when Paul Ragan took over... deja vu, anyone? [/quote No it didn't Shaggy! There you go again. Ragan was not welcomed by all of us and probably not by a majority. How many more times? They will still be lucky to see out the season without crowds that won't be there!
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Shorty
Paul Adey
Still here for Private Messages
Posts: 6,636
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Post by Shorty on Jun 29, 2011 6:40:09 GMT
Villain of the yearBob Phillips Paul Ragan Ben Simon Most Spectacular SceneCharity money found in cupboard The return of Simms Paul Ragan presented to fans Best ExitBob Phillips Paul Ragan Rob Globke Dave Simms Steeler fans at the playoff final Lifetime AchievementAny Steelers fan who attends games in the 2011/12 season Best BitchJason Hewitt Most Dramatic SceneDave Simms brands Nottingham fans illegitimate Rob Globke beheaded in Nottingham Ben Simon trashes house (unaired)
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doug
Robert Lachowicz
Posts: 586
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Post by doug on Jun 29, 2011 6:46:07 GMT
Well at least I can be arrogant and brag that my predictions on other threads were correct, although where that gets me I don't know. Unfortunately my more recent ones are more terminal for Steelers, although Steeldogs might pick up a bit.
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Shaggy
Forum Moderator
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
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Post by Shaggy on Jun 29, 2011 6:51:47 GMT
If this is true (and who the hell knows what is true up in Shuff?) then no doubt we will have a sudden outpouring of euphoria amongst the Steelers fans, which may even last until partway through the season. This will be accompanied by a resurgence of the usual arrogance, contempt and mockery coming out of there - mainly directed at us, of course. A honeymoon period, which may or may not last a full season, followed by the return of the moans and self-destructive behaviour, subsequently followed by mounting criticism of the current owner accompanied by a softening of attitude towards the previous owner, with many of his 'crimes' being explained away or even forgiven. Oh, hang on a minute... that's what happened when Paul Ragan took over... deja vu, anyone? No it didn't Shaggy! There you go again. Ragan was not welcomed by all of us and probably not by a majority. How many more times? They will still be lucky to see out the season without crowds that won't be there! Did I say "all"? (I did last time, and you'll note that I openly stated that I'd mistyped). Read what's on the screen, not on the script inside your head. When PR took you lot over there was PLENTY of "euphoria" - all of a sudden you lot had been 'saved' from the anti-christ that was Bob Phillips, and it's a bright, bright future. Now look on SquealBleat - there's loads of understanding, even sympathy for 'Uncle Bob'... and PR is now The Spawn Of Satan(TM). There may be (actually, there almost always are) individuals who go against the flow... but in general that's what happened. Sheffield Steelers fans... even less consistency than school semolina. Oh, and Shorty... classic!! ;D ;D
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Shaggy
Forum Moderator
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
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Post by Shaggy on Jun 29, 2011 6:58:56 GMT
Question - this may well be a good thing on the management side (by the looks of things, it couldn't have got much worse!) but the major issue still remains - what about the money side of things? Does this actualy change a thing? For either Cardiff or Sheffield?
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Doom
Greg Hadden
Posts: 1,591
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Post by Doom on Jun 29, 2011 7:04:46 GMT
The daft thing is every season seems to follow the same process:
Steelers have Summer of discontent.
Panthers supporters mock quality of Steelers signings and predict the end is nigh.
Steelers somehow manage to start the season and then to everyones amazement go on to win the league title.
Panthers supporters accuse Steelers of breaking wagecap.
You could probably copy and paste most peoples posts from this time last season.
It would be nice as a Steelers supporter to have a nice quiet Summer, but in the last decade I think there has only probably been one where either club issues or league issues haven't been a concern.
Regards
Doom
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doug
Robert Lachowicz
Posts: 586
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Post by doug on Jun 29, 2011 7:40:29 GMT
I've been told by someone who I trust and who knows him that Tony Smith is a "decent bloke". Let's hope that's the case. The "constant" is still there though, D.S. Can't believe some on the forum are calling for him to manage the Steelers. God help us.
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Post by jd on Jun 29, 2011 8:19:49 GMT
Dear oh dear. When Ragan bought the Steelers, I predicted that they'd have a new owner within 2 years. Boy, did I over-estimate. And I'll say the same thing now as I did then. This whole mess is going to continue happening again and again until and unless they completely clean house - get rid of the publicity embarressment that is Dave Simms, rebuild from the ground up with a new and less arrogant & confrontational attitude, and educate the club itself and the fanbase to realise that 'winning at all costs' is not the way to go. I'm not going to hold my breath. All change in another 2 years? 100% agree. Give it a month maybe they will have another owner. I've only been following hockey for 7+ years but in that time they have been and continue to be a club in turmoil. the only consistent thing in that turmoil? David Simms. Bob/O'Conner/Regan/Maxwell/Whistle/Matsos/Simon all gone
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Post by texpef on Jun 29, 2011 8:31:45 GMT
The daft thing is every season seems to follow the same process: Steelers have Summer of discontent. Panthers supporters mock quality of Steelers signings and predict the end is nigh. Steelers somehow manage to start the season and then to everyones amazement go on to win the league title. Panthers supporters accuse Steelers of breaking wagecap. You could probably copy and paste most peoples posts from this time last season. It would be nice as a Steelers supporter to have a nice quiet Summer, but in the last decade I think there has only probably been one where either club issues or league issues haven't been a concern. Regards Doom they go bust Doom because they spend more than others which is money they dont have covered. Two things are worrying me regards this takeover, 1. you yet again have a local businessman ie fan now in charge of the team and budget and we all know how well that works as compared to a businessman who doesnt see things through rose tinted specs 2. he has now said he can have a different (read: more) budget than previously which was set to minimise losses and god forbid even make a few quid... this has got big time loss but budget smashing squad written all over it.... yet again Doom what was it you said deja vu?....
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Doom
Greg Hadden
Posts: 1,591
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Post by Doom on Jun 29, 2011 8:52:02 GMT
they go bust Doom because they spend more than others which is money they dont have covered. How do you know we spent more than others? Without seeing the figures for all clubs you have as much idea as me. 2. he has now said he can have a different (read: more) budget than previously which was set to minimise losses and god forbid even make a few quid... this has got big time loss but budget smashing squad written all over it.... yet again Doom what was it you said deja vu?.... Where to pitch the budget is always a difficult one for owners, especially in a large expensive arena like ours. Survival is about income as well as expenditure. If you cut the budget too far then the team is less competitive and the number of people attending drops and as a result income falls. It's no good cutting expenditure by £50,000 if that results in income dropping by £75,000. Where to pitch the figures? - That's the difficulty all owners have, but by cutting expenditure it doesn't automatically follow that will improve the club financially. For what it's worth I don't think our club is sustainable in the short term (although that is probably true of 90% of the clubs in this country). I think for us to increase our fanbase to a point where we can start to break even someone has to be willing to lose a substantial amount of money (possibly £1 million). I know if I owned the Steelers it wouldn't be with the expectation of making money, but more as an expensive passion. Regards Doom
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Post by Stargazer on Jun 29, 2011 8:57:08 GMT
They've just had one of these fitted to the owners office door Its moving far too slowly!!!
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Post by james1977 on Jun 29, 2011 8:59:26 GMT
You could probably copy and paste most peoples posts from this time last season...... Strange you say that because it appears that the term six figure investment is about to raise its head again, just like last yearIts not just the fans who repeat the same old stuff eh? Unlike last season though I don't believe the Steelers ownership even have the IP rights to hand. Just what doe Mr Smith and Mr Ragan each own 50% of? Surely the knackered TV from Meadowhall will be getting sold by the liquidators, along with anything else of worth?
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Post by Rob Scott on Jun 29, 2011 9:02:09 GMT
they go bust Doom because they spend more than others which is money they dont have covered. How do you know we spent more than others? We don't know for sure but Belfast, Coventry and Nottingham did not go into liquidation, did not leave local companies out of pocket and did not make people redundant.....
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Post by dreadface on Jun 29, 2011 9:16:26 GMT
Really think we should stop slating steelers. I love the banter between the teams and fans but when it comes the potential loss of our main rivals and biggest crowd drawer I think we should be worried and hoping for stability.
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Post by robbo2306 on Jun 29, 2011 9:19:27 GMT
The daft thing is every season seems to follow the same process: Steelers have Summer of discontent. Panthers supporters mock quality of Steelers signings and predict the end is nigh. Steelers somehow manage to start the season and then to everyones amazement go on to win the league title. Panthers supporters accuse Steelers of breaking wagecap. You could probably copy and paste most peoples posts from this time last season. It would be nice as a Steelers supporter to have a nice quiet Summer, but in the last decade I think there has only probably been one where either club issues or league issues haven't been a concern. Regards Doom they go bust Doom because they spend more than others which is money they dont have covered. Two things are worrying me regards this takeover, 1. you yet again have a local businessman ie fan now in charge of the team and budget and we all know how well that works as compared to a businessman who doesnt see things through rose tinted specs 2. he has now said he can have a different (read: more) budget than previously which was set to minimise losses and god forbid even make a few quid... this has got big time loss but budget smashing squad written all over it.... yet again Doom what was it you said deja vu?.... That's funny, I could have sworn Finnerty said his budget remains the same on the radio this morning. Funny that......
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Post by james1977 on Jun 29, 2011 9:43:20 GMT
That's funny, I could have sworn Finnerty said his budget remains the same on the radio this morning. Funny that...... Is that the wage budget or the 'cost of living' budget?
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Paul
Robert Lachowicz
Posts: 425
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Post by Paul on Jun 29, 2011 9:50:37 GMT
That's funny, I could have sworn Finnerty said his budget remains the same on the radio this morning. Funny that...... Why does that make it true then? It makes me laugh, and I'm not singling you out here, the way that people swallow what they're told as the truth (mainly because they want to) simply because it is Person A that said it. You can turn round and say that you believe them and maybe you do and maybe you're right to but stating that something is right simply because somebody has said it without proof or corroboration is at best naive and worst downright deluded. BTW for the record I'm the King of Sweden and Paris is the capital of Guatemala.
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Yotes
Forum Admin
Posts: 16,425
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Post by Yotes on Jun 29, 2011 10:26:47 GMT
Would've thought you'd have better things to do Carl Gustaf (the 16th).
This seems, to me, like a bit of a band aid on a gaping wound, I can't believe Rhino makes much money. We'll see I guess, good luck to the new guy.
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Post by Heanor Lair on Jun 29, 2011 10:35:57 GMT
This 50/50 Ragan-Smith split seems something of a bodge. Is Ragan going to keep his nose out of what Steelers do on a day to day basis... HL
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Doom
Greg Hadden
Posts: 1,591
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Post by Doom on Jun 29, 2011 10:35:58 GMT
It makes me laugh, and I'm not singling you out here, the way that people swallow what they're told as the truth (mainly because they want to) simply because it is Person A that said it. That's so true! If Paul Ragan states that the Steelers were X% over the wagecap and Y% more than Cardiff you know for a fact that certain posters on here will be jumping on it and crying 'cheats'. Yet in the very next breath if he makes any disparaging remarks against Nottingham you can be sure the comments will be - 'You can't believe anything the master of spin comes out with'. The fact is supporters on all forums (myself included) will believe what they want to believe and what suits their own agenda. Regards Doom
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