It was the Mittals that knocked sense into Briatore's revolving door managerial policy by insisting on Warnock coming in, with Hill and Derry (Now those were the days - diehard players delivering on the manager's strategy). Amit and Co take over anyone?
The plight of Leyton Orient should be a sobering thought not just to us but supporters of most clubs. When Barry Hearn was chairman he was contesting the residency of the Olympic stadium with West Ham and things were on the up for them. Since handing over the reigns to Francesco Becchetti, the current incumbent has seen them relegated to non-league football, the players have not been paid and haven't any communication from their chairman. And just to put a cherry on top they still have a winding up order hanging over them. As the saying goes, there but for the grace of God......
If Orient don't sort their finances out they won't be allowed entry to the National League, which will send them down to the Ryman League assuming they are not fully wound up. I've heard a number of their fans have already raised a sum to start up a 'phoenix' club which would play at Step 9 in the pyramid. In the end supporters will always find a way...
Nobody is saying they would want Tango and Cash back. But they were businessmen who ran the financial side of the club sensibly. We should have learned from previous experience that gamblers and owners who just want to be loved and talk the talk are a disaster. I've said it before but one lucky strike does not make you a successful entrepreneur who has the Midas touch. The problem all football clubs have is that their very existence is inevitably tied to the fortunes of the businesses which are owned. Some clubs have no problem attracting would be buyers. Do we? Because there will be a financial reckoning before the current owners relinquish their hold over us.
Agreed ...............The last thing we want is a 'Venky' owner or alike. As you say, Tango & Cash may not have had the so called love that TF has for the club but they apparently did have some business nous. One could be forgiven in thinking TF todate seems to express a gamblers mentality with any required plan 'b' being an afterthought with a knee jerk reaction. Some say he must be smart cause he's made a lot of money but whether that has been with his money or other peoples' money is yet to be determined. You can be a good talker and a 'Johnny on the spot' and make money in a one off circumstance. The good business people can repeat that process time and time again, 'the fly-by-nighters' can't. Is TF a good business person or a fly-by-nighter, time will tell., if it hasn't already.
Cannot believe there is anyone who thinks those previous two ****s were good for this club and look back on them with any kind words whatsoever.....the worlds gone mad !!
I'll tell you why - When they came in - we were heading for League 1 fast - we were the only team in all Leagues not to have won a game after 8 or 9 matches. They made a rapid investment in players that were able to steer us away from danger. We played some very decent football under their tenure - Di Canio, part of Magilton and some of Warnock's teams. They were able to take a decision that didn't need to be "fan approved" and they certainly did what they thought was right. They brought in Mittal and other investment to the club. They had a four year plan to get us to the Premiership - after 4 years guess what? - We were back in the Prem. They left with a profit in their pockets. So they got rid of ****e managers as oon as they realised they were ****e - so what? They knew nothing about football but have done a better job in their 4 years with a very low starting point than Fernandes has in his 5 years with a very decent starting point. Yes they are ****s - what do you think Levi is? What do you think Dein was in his prime for Arsenal? What was Bates? What was Hell, Ferguson? I'll take competent ****s over naive fools when its Business. I cant believe you cant see that - World's gone mad!!!!
They dismantled our club and our academy. They made no material investment in the facilities and infrastructure...and got rid of anyone in the club who knew and cared about the club They destroyed us.. Th e fact warnock did so well ...it was nothing to do with the Goons
They also ripped the heart and soul out of OUR club and sought to turn us into a 'boutique' club, a plaything for themselves where they could entertain and show off to their rich mates. Forgive me if I am wrong, but didn't they authorise a massive price rise in ST's ? Nothing like making football affordable to the common man, eh ? If you wanna look back at them with your rose coloured specs than that's absolutely fine...but I'll look back on them as the beginning of the demise of our club, and see them for the ****s they were.
They were probably sick and tired of spending a disproportianate amount of mone on an academy that was producing very little - and when it was, we were unable to keep the talent with all the other star attractions around us. Also, to simply state that all youth football disappeared from QPR is fake news - there were still youth teams. Dismantled the club? - If taking a club heading to oblivion (League 1 at least) and getting it to the Premiership just four years later is your version of dismantling - let the dismantling begin!! Facilities and infrastructure? - How much has Mr. Fernandes invested and achieved in the past 5 years? - Oh, and let's remember, his starting point was a team in the Prem, not one heading for League 1. Got rid of anyone who cared or knew the club - what? persons such as Ollie, Birchie, Ferdy. Warnock? Who employed him? - Who paid his wages? - Who made sure Warnock got the players he wanted? You may not like the Goons or their methods - Gallant, honourable people they most certainly are not - did they achieve what they set out to? As I said, I prefer competent bastards to incompetent fools if that is the only choice available.