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Reply | TFC respond to WSH exclusivity
at 01:47 13 Mar 2024
"There is currently a Dutch reporter on Radio Manchester who isn't speaking very highly of WSH at all."
Can't see how you draw that conclusion at all.
I've paraphrased from the BBC Radio Manchester interview, that's available to listen back to via BBC Sounds. (Any notes added by myself are in brackets.)
The interview is with Danique Eijkenboom - @EijkenboomD on X/Twitter.
Manchester Total Sport, 12/03/2023.
He talks about how World Soccer Holdings (Dutch Soccer Holdings in the case of MVV - same people, different entity name) are working on a long term goal at MVV, professionalising and developing the club.
He makes reference to WSH holding a meeting with MVV Maastricht supporters in Dec 2023 (one presumes like our style fans forum), and that WSH have a good level of communication with MVV supporters.
He talks about how WSH have invested in "organisational stuff" as the journalist puts it, as well as into their youth academy, ahead of transfers.
The club finished in the playoffs last season, finishing 5th (but lost to NAC Breda in the first round of them) whilst operating on one of the lowest overall budgets in the league. (Looking at the table from 22/23, they finished above some much larger sides than folk would expect them to.)
This season they're currently 13th.
It's also mentioned by the journalist that he feels that WSH are realistic in their ownership, and whilst they have the ambition to get promoted back into the Eredivisie, there is an acknowledgement that they have to take things step by step and that WSH are finding a balance between ambition and realism.
WSH want to increase their stake in MVV to 95%, with the other 5% going to the MVV supporters association, and that the supporters would "always have the golden share".
The process it seems is being worked towards, but needs the Dutch FA to finalise things.
When listening to the interview, it all sounded pretty positive to me! Especially the part regarding WSH being happy to include a Golden Share to the supporters trust.
I'd imagine that's something that could be negotiated into any deal with WSH for us too. [Post edited 13 Mar 1:55]
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Reply | Exclusive period with WSH
at 13:37 12 Mar 2024
Yeah, looking at it, the Louisville City owners are from Louisville, Kentucky. 'Soccer Holdings LLC'.
I stand corrected! 
WSH do still have a 25% stake in MVV Maastricht though... right?
Edit: They do have the stake in MVV Maastricht, registered under 'Dutch Soccer Holdings'.
[Post edited 12 Mar 13:55]
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Reply | Exclusive period with WSH
at 11:47 12 Mar 2024
Hope this comes through, as I can't help but feel that an ownership with experience of running and investing in football clubs is hugely preferable in our situation, to the second party that haven't prior experience.
Louisville City FC finished 5th in the USL (2nd tier) last season (the 2024 USL season starts this coming weekend), and MVV Maastricht are currently 13th in the Eerste Divisie, so whilst neither club are title challenging, they're both stable enough on the pitch.
I think right now, I'd settle for being stable on and off the pitch with a vision set out for building in the right direction. [Post edited 12 Mar 11:49]
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Reply | Big Jim confirmed as permanent manager
at 13:24 17 May 2023
After all the speculation prior to Jim McNulty getting the job, I see Nathan Rooney today has announced he's left his job at Brunos Magpies in Gibraltar. Think he was down to 6/1 at one point for the Dale job! (Yeah, I know bookies odds don't mean much and are easily influenced!)
Wouldn't be surprised to see him end up at either a National League or League Two side before too long. |
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Reply | Next Seasons National League Confirmed!
at 13:22 17 May 2023
Regards South Shields, it will be interesting to see how they get on. They've had a lot of investment both on and off the pitch over the last 5 years or so, coupled with absolutely making the most of Sunderland's slide from the Premier League to League One, which saw a large number of fans head for Mariners Park instead of the Stadium of Light. Even considering Sunderland's good season last year, South Shields have done really well to capture, and maintain good crowds.
However, from what I've heard from friends in the North East, the owner won't be giving Julio Arca a war-chest for players and player wages. This is apparently the reason Kevin Phillips left so soon after they'd sewn up the Northern Premier League title - because Phillips expected more investment and a good budget for next year, and the owner wants to tighten the expenditure somewhat, and to try using their own youth system and academy to bolster the squad, which Phillips wasn't keen to do, so left whilst his own personal stock was high.
Whist talking of National League North sides, Scunthorpe United have been very active in the market already, announcing 4 or 5 signings in the last couple of days, most notably centre back Will Evans which seems a very solid signing for the level, and goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons who featured 35 times for Chesterfield in the National League this season. |
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Reply | Next Seasons National League Confirmed!
at 20:13 14 May 2023
I've been to 14 of the 24, mostly in my time covering Bradford (Park Avenue) or Guiseley.
I need to do: Barnet, Bromley, Dagenham, Dorking, Eastleigh, Ebbsfleet, Southend, Wealdstone, Woking and York (ticked off Bootham Crescent, haven't been to the new ground). |
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Thread | Next Seasons National League Confirmed!
at 17:26 14 May 2023
With all the playoffs now done and dusted outside of the EFL, the sides making up the National League for 2023/24 are confirmed as:
AFC Fylde
Aldershot Town
Altrincham FC
Barnet FC
Boreham Wood
Bromley FC
Chesterfield FC
Dagenham & Redbridge
Dorking Wanderers
Eastleigh FC
Ebbsfleet United
FC Halifax Town
Gateshead FC
Hartlepool United
Kidderminster Harriers
Maidenhead United
Oldham Athletic
Oxford City
Rochdale AFC
Solihull Moors
Southend United
Wealdstone FC
Woking FC
York City
Onwards to new adventures, new grounds, and a number of friendly welcoming clubs.
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Reply | National league play offs
at 12:26 14 May 2023
Both the National League North and South playoff finals are on BT Sport 3 today:
Oxford City V St Albans City - 12:30 Kick off
Brackley Town V Kidderminster Harriers - 15:30 Kick off.
Seems bizarre that both finals are being played a mere 21 miles away from each other! |
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Reply | Big Jim confirmed as permanent manager
at 21:04 12 May 2023
Not surprised by the appointment, but I am surprised it's a 2 year deal. Given that both Stockdale and Bentley both had to be paid off with large parts of their respective 2-year contracts remaining, I'd have thought they'd have given Jim McNulty a 1 year deal, perhaps with an option in the clubs favour.
The main things for me going forward are having a squad of players, and a playing style that can change and be adaptable to the different styles and physicality's we'll come up against in the National League. And that we have a core of experienced heads to lead and guide the younger players in the side. We've already heard bits about Jim wanting to bring in and develop younger players, which is fine, but in the National League we'll need a good mix, with a number of 'been there and done it' players who know the level we're facing.
With that in mind, I wonder if there's any former Dale players who've been along side Jim that may fancy a return to the club to work under him. |
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Reply | Sutton United (h) Match Thread
at 23:27 29 Apr 2023
It's an absolutely common sense point about sorting the ownership before appointing a manager.
New owners of football clubs often want to bring their own man in, or to make changes of management not long after taking over.
In this case, any potential new owners may want a manager or head coach with experience of the national league, or even just experience of football management in general (more than 10 games in 2 interim spells anyway!).
It's also possible they'd want to bring in their own recruitment staff/methods and in turn, that would have an impact on who they'd want as manager. |
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Reply | Steve Wilkes Leaves Northwich
at 11:19 22 Apr 2023
For me, a knowledge of the wider non-league scene across the north of England would be a huge bonus for whoever were to get the job, as well as someone with actual experience of managing in non league. I'll admit I've minimal knowledge of the job Steve Wilkes has done, aside for steadying the ship at the Vics over the last few years.
There are options out there currently out of work, who've top end non league and EFL experience such as Micky Mellon, Darrell Clarke, Darryl McMahon or Jamie Vermiglio.
I've said on another thread my first choice would be a long shot, but Phil Parkinson at Altrincham has done a fantastic job there over the last few years - two promotions and a steady job at turning Alty into a stable mid-table National League club.
Jamie Milligan at Bamber Bridge has also done a good job there over the last 3 years or so, taking them from lower mid-table to playoff challengers. They're on course to finish 3rd and head into the Northern Premier League playoffs this coming week.
I'd also mention young (28/29 years old) Callum McIntyre at Chester who's done a cracking job with them this season, having previously been a youth coach at Chester, and manager at Runcorn Linnets. Nicky Spooner at Hyde is also worth a mention too for the job he's done there this season - again plenty of experience in youth coaching at Bolton and Halifax before joining Hyde.
All in all, whether it's someone that's an ex EFL manager out of work, or giving a manager from the leagues below an opportunity to take us forward, I'd just like to see us use this relegation as a chance to hit the reset button and a fresh start. [Post edited 22 Apr 2023 11:22]
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Reply | Darrell Clarke
at 00:38 18 Apr 2023
Now he's available, he'd be right towards the top of my wishlist, but as others have said, he's likely going to be able to pick up a more appealing job in the EFL.
But... surely it'd have to be worth asking, just in case! |
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Reply | Walsall home - match thread
at 10:13 7 Apr 2023
As they all are - another huge game for us today!
Let's hope for a great atmosphere in the stands, and a solid performance from the lads on the pitch, hopefully producing the right result.
Elsewhere:
Crawley V Bradford City
Grimsby V Hartlepool
Harrogate V AFC Wimbledon
Stevenage V Colchester
Hopefully all, or at least most of them will go in our favour so we just need to focus on doing our bit today.
Can't imagine Jim will go for mass changes to the side after the Wimbledon result, possibly one or two at most. Hopefully Mullarkey may return following the concussion protocol.
Up the Dale! |
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Reply | How about Chris Beech?
at 00:59 30 Mar 2023
Phil Parkinson at Alty would likely be my first choice I think.
He took over at Altrincham on the eve of their final game of the 16/17 season, after they'd already been confirmed relegated to the Northern Premier League.
He took them straight back up to the National North in 17/18, finished in the play offs but missed out on promotion in 18/19, and then got Altrincham promoted back into the National League via the play offs in the 2019/20 season.
2020/21 saw them finish 17th, last season 14th, and they currently sit 13th in the table, in what is their first season as a full-time professional club.
He's done a fantastic job there, and would be a good solid appointment for us I think. He's got the vast experience of managing in non-league football, and the knowledge of the Manchester and beyond non-league scene in terms of scouting and recruitment.
He did however, sign a contract extension, but I believe that only takes him to the end of the 2023/24 season. If we're in a position (uncertain I know) to be able to afford to pay compensation for a new gaffer, he'd be the top of my list. Whether he'd want to move on from the solid job he's done at Altrincham as they continue to progress on the pitch, and as a club off the pitch, I'm not sure.
Another manager that comes to mind for me who's currently in a job would be Jamie Milligan at Bamber Bridge. He's done a solid job of improving their fortunes since he took over in 2019, taking them from a lower mid table side, to near play off contenders in the NPL, finishing 6th last season, and currently 3rd this season in a competitive league.
There aren't too many inspiring AND realistic out of work managers really. Can't see a David Artell/Graham Alexander/Karl Robinson wanting to take us on unless we somehow stayed up. Wouldn't be overly enamoured with Beech/Hill etc.
Micky Mellon did a good job at Tranmere - got them back to back promotions from the VNL and League 2, and in his more recent stint their, won more games than he lost - how we'd love to just see that I guess! He seems a more realistic option to me for some reason.
Just seen that Gary Jones has shot to 3/1 with Bet Victor, so presumably, some folk have a few quid to throw about! |
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Reply | We need Hilly back
at 12:32 20 Feb 2023
Mundane answer as this is, but my understanding is that it's a requirement for all PL/EFL clubs to conduct post-match interviews with either the manager, or assistant, shortly after the full time whistle.
Not sure for certain if there are league rules that make it a necessity any lower, but in my experience post match interviews are conducted at National League/NLN, Northern Prem clubs etc, and have been for years.
Pre match interviews I don't think are within the league requirements, but are commonplace in the game, which is why they can be done by either management or any of the players. [Post edited 20 Feb 2023 12:34]
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Reply | Colchester United (a) Match Thread
at 20:33 24 Sep 2022
Well, that got tense!
Massive result though, first league win chalked up, 3 points in the bag to take back home.
Don't think anybody gave less than a solid 7/10. Sam Graham was fantastic, his best performance of the season without a doubt.
Genuine pleasure to commentate on that! Here's hoping we can back it up with a good result at home next Saturday although Doncaster could be tough opposition. |
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Reply | Carlisle United (a) Match Thread
at 00:18 4 Sep 2022
I'd have taken a point beforehand, but definitely left with mixed feelings at full time. Really pleased with the attacking performance, and the fact we've scored 6 in 2 games is an almighty contrast to the football we saw in most of last season, and the opening few weeks of this one.
Once again, our inability to defend corners screwed us over, although that isn't a new thing - how many managers have we had that have been unable to sort us out defensively at corners?!
I wasn't at the time, and I'm still not fully convinced there was a Dale touch as the ball went over which lead to the corner that Carlisle scored their third goal from, but, ultimately you've still got to defend the corner - which we didn't.
Showed a lot of heart and fight today though which at least saw us leave with a point. I think we'd have crumbled and left with nothing had this match have been a couple of weeks ago.
Quigley made a hell of a difference, and as debuts go, 2 goals and 1 assist is a fantastic start.
I know we're only 1 game in with him, but he looks like he could be a key player for us going forward. My only concern is if he gets injured or suspended, will the system work as well without a 6ft4 man through the middle. After Hendo came on today to replace him, he just couldn't lead the line the same way Quigley does, which is fair enough, it's not his game.
If Charman can learn from Quigley about how to use his height, and how to really trouble centre halves and make a proper nuisance of himself, he's the next best target-man option we've got. Just a shame Charman's currently injured.
Full week on the training ground for EBJ & Chadwick and the lads now.
Onwards to Saturday! |
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Reply | Areas for Bentley/new manager to address
at 16:27 28 Aug 2022
I've been thinking we're lacking a proper physical presence up front for a while. Even Josh Andrews, who had the height, wasn't really much of a presence up top.
I think a transfer priority for JB would be a massive brick s***house of a striker.
We've got the forwards in the squad who can run off a big man, Rodney, Sinclair, Campbell, even Hendo to an extent, but we lack a big, gritty, elbows out, strong as an ox, win almost every header against the centre-back type forward. Although they're not as easy to find nowadays, even in the lower league game.
Charman could hopefully be coached to become more imposing and horrible to play against, but has a bit to learn.
It'd just give us the option to go more direct when needed, or even by working the ball forward on the deck, once it's played wide, it gives us an aerial unit in the box. Although Sinclair managed to score his header a couple of foot off the floor yesterday!
Add to that the long standing need for an additional left back to provide competition to White (thinking on the basis we'd play 4 at the back under Bentley), and potentially a right back - although that could be resolved with a match fit Jimmy Keohane. [Post edited 28 Aug 2022 16:33]
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Reply | Next manager and reasons why...
at 19:37 25 Aug 2022
I think Luke Garrard would be a cracking appointment. He's the combination of a young manager but one with decent managerial experience as he has notched up 300+ games in management already, despite being just 36 years old.
He's taken Boreham Wood from being a bottom end National League side, to a side that has widely been viewed as a mid-table at worst sort of club - and they've finished the season in the playoffs on two occaisions during his time there.
League finishes under his tenure:
15/16 - 19th
16/17 - 11th
17/18 - 4th
18/19 - 20th
19/20 - 5th
20/21 - 14th
21/22 - 9th
22/23 - Currently sitting 7th
I'd be really happy with him - but - He signed a new 3 year contract in May 2022, so unless there's a release clause of some form for him to go to a higher league club, the compensation could be quite hefty.
Also, because he's very much Southern based (during his playing career as well as manager), there's a chance he may not fancy making the move North. |
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