Simon Corney to return to States
Last updated : 27 May 2005 By The Chairman
In an exclusive interview with the official website Simon Corney issued the following statement:
Due to work commitments in the States, I will be leaving England next week for anywhere from two to three months -probably missing the first half a dozen games of next season. But I go happy in the knowledge that I am leaving behind a well-run organization that is going in the right direction and I have no fear that there will be any problems that cannot be dealt with by our staff and board in my absence.
In what is, a hugely difficult environment to work in let me assure fans that we have an excellent team, from our ladies in the laundry to our fantastic commercial department through to the office of the Chief Executive.
We also have a highly committed Board who work tirelessly to make things happen and are perhaps not given the recognition their efforts deserve. The other Simon is going to try and spend as much time as possible at the club during the summer and believe me - he will tell those football agents where to go!
Before departing, I would like to thank those fans that have renewed their season tickets or are going to regardless of what signings we have made to date. When we do bring in those quality players that Ronnie has targeted, and I believe we have started that process, their continued loyalty and love for the club shall be rewarded.
I stated at the forum that any extra funds raised through season tickets will be put towards signing players we believe can make a difference, nothing has changed.
For those fans who continue to question our intentions or state that they will wait to see what signings we are going to make before purchasing their season ticket, they have every right to. However, I will say that we are not waiting to see how many people renew before deciding which players will be coming to Boundary Park.
As I mentioned above, things have improved vastly in the last eighteen months but there are areas that need improvements.
One in particular is the complimentary system that has been around our club and football in general. It is something that we have been looking into for many months, before its recent exposure, and there is a problem.
There are too many people who have been getting a free ride into BP on match days and this has to stop. We have investigated this matter and the numbers are staggering. Again, I want to make it clear that we are not jumping on the back of any ones crusade but merely trying to get our house in order. In the long run this will benefit everyone.
Having said all of that, criticism of the Board, in this particular matter anyway, is unjustified. We are not a secret organization above accountability but anyone who dedicates themselves to the club in the way the Board does, should never have their intentions questioned.
Finally, a quick word about the stadium. I know I mentioned at the forum that there would be plans available for viewing sometime in May but we have run into a few difficulties beyond our control. I know the headlines in the paper will now read 'stadium doomed' but rest assured this is not the case.
The project is a big one and there are a lot of delicate issues that need to be dealt with before we get the go ahead. It does seem that every time we overcome a problem, two arise, but that is the challenge.
If we could start tomorrow, we would, but unfortunately we have to work with people and organisations that do not always share our eagerness in getting this project off the ground. Perhaps one day I will write a book about it, it will make interesting reading!
Not something I thought I would be saying a couple of years ago - but I will miss Oldham for the few months I will be away.
Simon
