Time to recalibrate Argyle's aspirations

That is all.

Only an idiot would disagree.

I disagree.

I think you're absolutely right.

There is no "i" in idiot.

In what respect should we "recalibrate Argyle's aspirations"?

In just about every respect.

I feel that shibboleths abound in our little corner of the footballing world and a constructive debate concerning what might be done next would help everybody. But where to start?

Well we assume that HHP is going ahead. This may have no more basis in fact than the promise of a "magnificent two-tiered stand". If it does not then what are the implications? Could the development plans be sold on to a third party? After all Akkeron's financial situation is on the record and if there really is a £37m black hole then some assets might need to be realised. What assets does Akkeron still have? We know about Argyle, there is also: Saltrock; 4 hotels in Scotland; Oldway. Is there anything else? The HHP site, especially with planning permission, is a card that Brent could play in a number of ways and whatever he decides will impact in some way on the club.

We assume that James Brent is going to be our Chairman for quite some time. This may well not be the case and he could up and go at any time. What if he decides to sell up and move on tomorrow? Who might his replacement be? What if there isn't one! Argyle's finances are in no better a state now than they were on exiting administration and the balloon payment looms ever closer. Anybody taking the club on would be doing so knowing that it is heavily indebted and has a significant bill looming. James Brent's notorious offer to AFT of 20% for £400k would be laughed out of court today, wouldn't it?; when Brent decides to go he might not even be able to give the club away. Could AFT step forward as a "buyer of last resort" and has it even considered whether or not it could? And if it can't then who? Tony Wrathall, maybe? How would we feel if he invited Stapleton back onto the board?

Could PCC reunite the Home Park land long since siphoned off by James Brent with Home Park? If it can't, and HHP doesn't go ahead, what might happen to it?

If HHP ends up being continued but in a heavily modified format does the existing planning permission still hold?

If it all goes completely pear-shaped and Argyle ends up in administration again the chances are a severe point penalty, similar to what happened to Luton, will be levelled by the FL that will inevitably result in relegation. How do we respond to that, should it happen?

If it all goes well and we both reach and win the play-offs we'll then have to consider the realities of playing in a higher league. What challenges might that entail?

So everywhere we look (ownership, stadium, the league we play in, league status itself) the foundations on which what it means to be a football club are, possibly, about to be seriously questioned.

We live in interesting times.

It ain't that interesting Frank. Must go, I've got an allotment to dig this morning, and a park to enjoy before Jimmy lays those expensive blocks of his.

If he ever does...

And there's none down yet.

Enjoy your digging, planting, pruning and watering.

put some onion sets in & early spuds in yesterday. parsnip, leek, broadbean seed already planted.
damn rotivator packed up only done a 1/5 of allotment aaaarrrggghhhh

got the plastic greenhouses out full of broadbean, beetroot, sweetcorn, cabbage and butternut squash at home.
shame about the frosts at the moment but think we're heading for another spring like 2011.

Elias wrote:

put some onion sets in & early spuds in yesterday. parsnip, leek, broadbean seed already planted.
damn rotivator packed up only done a 1/5 of allotment aaaarrrggghhhh

got the plastic greenhouses out full of broadbean, beetroot, sweetcorn, cabbage and butternut squash at home.
shame about the frosts at the moment but think we're heading for another spring like 2011.

We'll have to arrange a visit of ....Gardeners World.....a visit to allotments edition.....so we can all see your handywork on a Friday evening...what you say ?

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

If he ever does...

And there's none down yet.

Enjoy your digging, planting, pruning and watering.

2 fans that could be thought of as up the info ladder yesterday both said the build is a nonstarter - neither were together and hours apart. It's terrible for an Argyle fan to say and believe this could actually be good, but I go with it!! Brent out of Plymouth!!!!!

There is still the possibilty that the HHP plan gets revisited and revised.

There is still the possibility that the HHP plan could involve some real consultation.

There is still the possibility that the HHP plan could deliver unto Argyle a magnificent two-tiered stand, facilities for supporters to enjoy on matchday and leave room for expansion should we ever become successful.

I have said all along that the current HHP plan would implode not because of my views or comments but because it is a fundamentally crap plan that will fall to bits due to its own inadequacy. I stand by that still.

There will be no constructive debate whilst the reluctant one and his jamboys are in pole position.

Dissidents will be scorned and marginalised and described as not proper fans. One or two like GC ,
will be spoken to privately and with cordiality   
One would have thought that if GC was satisfied with the information provided to him by the reluctant one himself, they'd be willing to share such good news with the wider fanbase.

GC has to be really careful because of his job, he is tolerated by Brent but I wouldn't say he was liked by Brent. Just remember that GC has bought loads of stuff to our attention, he was and is one of the good guys. Him telling Brent that he is a cnut would achieve nothing

I'm not saying that GC isn't one of the good guys but sooner rather than later, colours have to be nailed to the mast and matters brought to a head.
The emotional bribery plea of a united fanbase from the club, can only be achieved if there is real consultation and honesty. It seems to be fairly obvious that at present, the club is trying to buy time and stop sections of the fanbase from turning on them.

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

In just about every respect.

I feel that shibboleths abound in our little corner of the footballing world and a constructive debate concerning what might be done next would help everybody. But where to start?

Well we assume that HHP is going ahead. This may have no more basis in fact than the promise of a "magnificent two-tiered stand". If it does not then what are the implications? Could the development plans be sold on to a third party? After all Akkeron's financial situation is on the record and if there really is a £37m black hole then some assets might need to be realised. What assets does Akkeron still have? We know about Argyle, there is also: Saltrock; 4 hotels in Scotland; Oldway. Is there anything else? The HHP site, especially with planning permission, is a card that Brent could play in a number of ways and whatever he decides will impact in some way on the club.

We assume that James Brent is going to be our Chairman for quite some time. This may well not be the case and he could up and go at any time. What if he decides to sell up and move on tomorrow? Who might his replacement be? What if there isn't one! Argyle's finances are in no better a state now than they were on exiting administration and the balloon payment looms ever closer. Anybody taking the club on would be doing so knowing that it is heavily indebted and has a significant bill looming. James Brent's notorious offer to AFT of 20% for £400k would be laughed out of court today, wouldn't it?; when Brent decides to go he might not even be able to give the club away. Could AFT step forward as a "buyer of last resort" and has it even considered whether or not it could? And if it can't then who? Tony Wrathall, maybe? How would we feel if he invited Stapleton back onto the board?

Could PCC reunite the Home Park land long since siphoned off by James Brent with Home Park? If it can't, and HHP doesn't go ahead, what might happen to it?

If HHP ends up being continued but in a heavily modified format does the existing planning permission still hold?

If it all goes completely pear-shaped and Argyle ends up in administration again the chances are a severe point penalty, similar to what happened to Luton, will be levelled by the FL that will inevitably result in relegation. How do we respond to that, should it happen?

If it all goes well and we both reach and win the play-offs we'll then have to consider the realities of playing in a higher league. What challenges might that entail?

So everywhere we look (ownership, stadium, the league we play in, league status itself) the foundations on which what it means to be a football club are, possibly, about to be seriously questioned.

We live in interesting times.

It gets worse. Our favourite forum owner will only being commenting on the team from now on. Or so he says.

How long it lasts is anyone's guess but for now it speaks volumes.

Rollo Tomasi wrote:

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

In just about every respect.

I feel that shibboleths abound in our little corner of the footballing world and a constructive debate concerning what might be done next would help everybody. But where to start?

Well we assume that HHP is going ahead. This may have no more basis in fact than the promise of a "magnificent two-tiered stand". If it does not then what are the implications? Could the development plans be sold on to a third party? After all Akkeron's financial situation is on the record and if there really is a £37m black hole then some assets might need to be realised. What assets does Akkeron still have? We know about Argyle, there is also: Saltrock; 4 hotels in Scotland; Oldway. Is there anything else? The HHP site, especially with planning permission, is a card that Brent could play in a number of ways and whatever he decides will impact in some way on the club.

We assume that James Brent is going to be our Chairman for quite some time. This may well not be the case and he could up and go at any time. What if he decides to sell up and move on tomorrow? Who might his replacement be? What if there isn't one! Argyle's finances are in no better a state now than they were on exiting administration and the balloon payment looms ever closer. Anybody taking the club on would be doing so knowing that it is heavily indebted and has a significant bill looming. James Brent's notorious offer to AFT of 20% for £400k would be laughed out of court today, wouldn't it?; when Brent decides to go he might not even be able to give the club away. Could AFT step forward as a "buyer of last resort" and has it even considered whether or not it could? And if it can't then who? Tony Wrathall, maybe? How would we feel if he invited Stapleton back onto the board?

Could PCC reunite the Home Park land long since siphoned off by James Brent with Home Park? If it can't, and HHP doesn't go ahead, what might happen to it?

If HHP ends up being continued but in a heavily modified format does the existing planning permission still hold?

If it all goes completely pear-shaped and Argyle ends up in administration again the chances are a severe point penalty, similar to what happened to Luton, will be levelled by the FL that will inevitably result in relegation. How do we respond to that, should it happen?

If it all goes well and we both reach and win the play-offs we'll then have to consider the realities of playing in a higher league. What challenges might that entail?

So everywhere we look (ownership, stadium, the league we play in, league status itself) the foundations on which what it means to be a football club are, possibly, about to be seriously questioned.

We live in interesting times.

It gets worse. Our favourite forum owner will only being commenting on the team from now on. Or so he says.

How long it lasts is anyone's guess but for now it speaks volumes.

 
Absolutely no chance, the oaf hasn't got a clue about football. He couldn't begin to analyse a performance objectively to save his life. Do let us know if you find a post where he is able to contribute effectively. Can you imagine him as a summarizer alongside Sparksy? - now that would be pure gold.

Hitch wrote:

Rollo Tomasi wrote:

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

In just about every respect.

I feel that shibboleths abound in our little corner of the footballing world and a constructive debate concerning what might be done next would help everybody. But where to start?

Well we assume that HHP is going ahead. This may have no more basis in fact than the promise of a "magnificent two-tiered stand". If it does not then what are the implications? Could the development plans be sold on to a third party? After all Akkeron's financial situation is on the record and if there really is a £37m black hole then some assets might need to be realised. What assets does Akkeron still have? We know about Argyle, there is also: Saltrock; 4 hotels in Scotland; Oldway. Is there anything else? The HHP site, especially with planning permission, is a card that Brent could play in a number of ways and whatever he decides will impact in some way on the club.

We assume that James Brent is going to be our Chairman for quite some time. This may well not be the case and he could up and go at any time. What if he decides to sell up and move on tomorrow? Who might his replacement be? What if there isn't one! Argyle's finances are in no better a state now than they were on exiting administration and the balloon payment looms ever closer. Anybody taking the club on would be doing so knowing that it is heavily indebted and has a significant bill looming. James Brent's notorious offer to AFT of 20% for £400k would be laughed out of court today, wouldn't it?; when Brent decides to go he might not even be able to give the club away. Could AFT step forward as a "buyer of last resort" and has it even considered whether or not it could? And if it can't then who? Tony Wrathall, maybe? How would we feel if he invited Stapleton back onto the board?

Could PCC reunite the Home Park land long since siphoned off by James Brent with Home Park? If it can't, and HHP doesn't go ahead, what might happen to it?

If HHP ends up being continued but in a heavily modified format does the existing planning permission still hold?

If it all goes completely pear-shaped and Argyle ends up in administration again the chances are a severe point penalty, similar to what happened to Luton, will be levelled by the FL that will inevitably result in relegation. How do we respond to that, should it happen?

If it all goes well and we both reach and win the play-offs we'll then have to consider the realities of playing in a higher league. What challenges might that entail?

So everywhere we look (ownership, stadium, the league we play in, league status itself) the foundations on which what it means to be a football club are, possibly, about to be seriously questioned.

We live in interesting times.

It gets worse. Our favourite forum owner will only being commenting on the team from now on. Or so he says.

How long it lasts is anyone's guess but for now it speaks volumes.

 
Absolutely no chance, the oaf hasn't got a clue about football. He couldn't begin to analyse a performance objectively to save his life. Do let us know if you find a post where he is able to contribute effectively. Can you imagine him as a summarizer alongside Sparksy? - now that would be pure gold.

Chris Webb could put him through a crash course of how to summarise.....wouldn't take long.

The biggest obstacle to Argyle ever getting a ground it can be proud of, is the locating of the Ice Rink.

Ramming it up against the proposed new stand condemns Argyle to a generation of there never being more than 15,000 home fans in the ground. No prospect of expansion and the sort of sub 5k stand that has 'perennial lower league minnows' stamped all over it.

The day the HHP plan is officially shelved, I'll celebrate like we've won the Champions League.

Czarcasm wrote:

No prospect of expansion and the sort of sub 5k stand that has 'perennial lower league minnows' stamped all over it.

Oh don't be a cnut, I can think of half a dozen clubs in the Championship now, or which have been recently, with grounds smaller than Gnome Park if you knocked down the Mayflower and put a burger van there.

Your ambition is to get into the Chanpionship, you've never been any further and you are never going there, should the ridiculous happen and you ever find a millionaire prepared to spunk the cash necessary to get you into the frame then the size of your ground wouldn't be any kind of an issue.

Your like a bunch of kids whining in the hope some sugar daddy to give you a bigger cookie jar, you got what you have for feck all, give the whining a rest.

For what you have been through your development paradigm is fine, if you get the Diddy Stand for jack shit you should suck Brent's dick, if not wtf will you need a massive ground for when you are playing Tivvy?

Tis hasn't really been keeping up, has he?

There won't be a stand, free or otherwise, from James Brent as things currently stand and I don't think there will be one at all.

Brent will do down in the annals of history as the man who brought us out of administration, and in so doing probably saved the club from oblivion, but not much else will ever be said about him except "followed bad advice and was let down by his friends and directors" I expect.

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

Tis hasn't really been keeping up, has he?

Always a step or three in front of thee Ducky especially as I never invest in unsubstantiated specliation, as much as you frothies want to froth up about what Brent might or might not do he is still your only chance of getting anything done, you whiners couldn't even get a simple trust up and running.

Lord Tisdale wrote:

Czarcasm wrote:

No prospect of expansion and the sort of sub 5k stand that has 'perennial lower league minnows' stamped all over it.  

Oh don't be a cnut,

I'm afraid that's a trait you've managed to monopolize, old fella.   

Lord Tisdale wrote:

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

Tis hasn't really been keeping up, has he?

Always a step or three in front of thee Ducky especially as I never invest in unsubstantiated specliation, as much as you frothies want to froth up about what Brent might or might not do he is still your only chance of getting anything done, you whiners couldn't even get a simple trust up and running.

Yet to draw to draw man Utd in the cup yet though have we? And to be fair your trust is hardly a roaring success you said so yourself in another thread but then You were trying to make a different point. You're a boring trollng twat.

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

Tis hasn't really been keeping up, has he?

There won't be a stand, free or otherwise, from James Brent as things currently stand and I don't think there will be one at all.

Brent will do down in the annals of history as the man who brought us out of administration, and in so doing probably saved the club from oblivion, but not much else will ever be said about him except "followed bad advice and was let down by his friends and directors" I expect.

I think this must be right. Brent's backers must be smarting at his failure with the hotel chain. Any institutional lender to the HHP scheme will want to have explored all the risks and exit-routes. The exit strategy will depend on the potential and actual success of the HHP project. Brent's track record of actual delivery is non-existent and his reputation is just short of being in bits. It's doomed surely?

Hugh Watt wrote:

Lord Tisdale wrote:

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

Tis hasn't really been keeping up, has he?

Always a step or three in front of thee Ducky especially as I never invest in unsubstantiated specliation, as much as you frothies want to froth up about what Brent might or might not do he is still your only chance of getting anything done, you whiners couldn't even get a simple trust up and running.

Yet to draw to draw man Utd in the cup yet though have we? And to be fair your trust is hardly a roaring success you said so yourself in another thread but then You were trying to make a different point. You're a boring trollng twat.

Hugh - you owe me a can of Stella, because the last one has just been spat over the laptop after reading that.