The man with two hats?

CP Gull · Post by **CP Gull** » 22 Jan 2015, 19:54

For all those that are interested in current developments at TUFC I would recommend that you listen to the latest podcast on the Herald Express website with Dave Thomas giving his version of the latest events.

In summary, it suggests that Kelvin Thomas was initially "advising" a group of potential investors (Tristan Lewis being one of them - although clearly not the "money" man) who were looking to either buy a stake in the club or more likely perhaps interested in taking it over. He ( Dave Thomas) suggests that as matters dragged on with no real progress, there came a point where the other Thomas (Kelvin) offered his services to Thea in order to help HER decide the best way forward for both her, her family, and TUFC. Quite a strange development in the big scheme of things if indeed Thomas (Dave) is correct.

What is perhaps even more strange is that today Thomas (Kelvin) has held a media get together that didn't involve Thea, or indeed any of the other Directors. It is as though he has walked into the club and for want of a better way of putting it " taken over"!

To me, it suggests that Thea has perhaps said "enough is enough" and has decided to distance herself from the other Directors who, reading between the lines, have provided little or perhaps even no financial support in the last three years if I am reading the quotes attributed to Thea recently correctly. At face value, the very fact that she has felt the need to bring in an "advisor" rather than rely on the support and guidance of the other EIGHT (!) Directors suggests to me that she has lost confidence in them to an extent.... unless, of course, the REAL purpose of his being there is to carry out due diligence for the incoming investors ... something which, for the time being at least he seems to be denying.

Where this will all lead us (TUFC) goodness only knows but I imagine there may well be quite an upheaval ahead! I think I am right in saying that Thea owns 50% of the Company (Plainmoor Ltd) that owns TUFC and so if she were to sell all her shareholdings then it wouldn't take much for the new investors to own a controlling interest in TUFC which is all that is effectively needed to run the club and make decisions about it's future as they see fit .... whatever that could entail.

tommyg · Post by **tommyg** » 22 Jan 2015, 21:29

This is all very confusing and obviously a lot of information is being held back. What I don't quite understand is how has Kelvin Thomas made the step from advisor to a potential takeover group to Thea's advisor. Is that not a conflict of interests? Is Thomas merely acting as the middle man? Does he - as Ling would say - have his fingers in both pies? And what are the rest of the directors doing? I'm surprised Thomas hasn't even spoken to them yet. From the outside looking in, it seems as though Thea has just had enough (and who can blame her?) and wants Thomas to negotiate her exit. Clearly she doesn't trust the directors as they appear to be a bit out of the loop. And here I was thinking we would have a boring end to the season! On the pitch perhaps, but evidently not behind the scenes.

CP Gull · Post by **CP Gull** » 22 Jan 2015, 22:06

Yep, if this was West Africa you might call it a coup ...

Post by **Southampton Gull** » 23 Jan 2015, 05:45

Personally I'm glad for her that she's taken steps to protect herself. It's been clear for some time that her interests have been compromised and if you factor in the leaving of certain other directors it doesn't take much for even those competely out of the loop to work out what's been going on. It's time for freeloaders to step back and stop making decisions that ultimately they'll never pay the price for. I couldn't be happier for Mrs Bristow, I think she's made the perfect decision for herself albeit much later than I would have liked. Her family have done more than enough to try and help the Club, now it's time to live within our means or find new people prepared to put their money in.

hector · Post by **hector** » 23 Jan 2015, 06:49

Southampton Gull wrote:Personally I'm glad for her that she's taken steps to protect herself. It's been clear for some time that her interests have been compromised and if you factor in the leaving of certain other directors it doesn't take much for even those competely out of the loop to work out what's been going on. It's time for freeloaders to step back and stop making decisions that ultimately they'll never pay the price for. I couldn't be happier for Mrs Bristow, I think she's made the perfect decision for herself albeit much later than I would have liked. Her family have done more than enough to try and help the Club, now it's time to live within our means or find new people prepared to put their money in.

I would echo that. It is speculated on BPIR that she is losing £2000 per day by covering running costs. Nobody can ask her to continue doing that. Her fortune will disappear if she continues at that rate and she, more than most people, deserves to live in some comfort for the rest of her days.

Behind-the-Gulls · Post by **Behind-the-Gulls** » 23 Jan 2015, 09:18

Reference has ben made by Kelvin Thomas to Thea feeling "lonely" in her role.Given her inexperience she needs to have good support from the two Vice-Chairs;but it seems that hasn't been forthcoming.Alex Rowe leaving will have been a big blow as he will have provided good counsel and sound advice,and was also prepared to act as spokesperson. I'm glad she's acted now as the situation wasn't sustainable-here's hoping for a positive outcome for Thea and the club.

Neal · Post by **Neal** » 23 Jan 2015, 11:28

Jeeez £2000 a day! IF and I stress IF that is correct its terrible. Time the club returns to running within it means. And if the other directors offer no help whats the point of them?

We will have to support the club at whatever level the club finds itself with the new finances.

It just winds me up even more about the high earners at the club, they can all go everyone of them.

PlainmoorRoar · Post by **PlainmoorRoar** » 23 Jan 2015, 13:38

Didn't we post a loss of 750k a few years ago?

that equates to about 2k a day

But unlikely that information has come from a trusted source

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 23 Jan 2015, 17:07

Behind-the-Gulls wrote:Reference has ben made by Kelvin Thomas to Thea feeling "lonely" in her role.Given her inexperience she needs to have good support from the two Vice-Chairs;but it seems that hasn't been forthcoming.Alex Rowe leaving will have been a big blow as he will have provided good counsel and sound advice,and was also prepared to act as spokesperson. I'm glad she's acted now as the situation wasn't sustainable-here's hoping for a positive outcome for Thea and the club.

Yes - Alex Rowe's - and no doubt Ian Hayman's - departure have left a big hole which has not been filled despite promises months ago of 'new blood'. The two Vice Chairs at present are Simon Baker and Bill Phillips. Why do the words Bill, Ben and Flower Pots spring to mind ? It's no wonder poor Thea is crying "HELP !". I full endorse Southampton Gull's post -

Thea and her late husband, Paul, plus the consortium led by Alex Rowe, saved TUFC and neither she nor her family can be expected to keep ploughing in £££s each week to keep the club afloat.

Post by **Trojan 67** » 23 Jan 2015, 18:04

The (wo)man with two tw@ts(Baker&Phillips)

It isn't Thea who is at fault. As for the tw@ts . . .

Dave_Pougher · Post by **Dave_Pougher** » 23 Jan 2015, 18:14

Southampton Gull wrote:Personally I'm glad for her that she's taken steps to protect herself. It's been clear for some time that her interests have been compromised and if you factor in the leaving of certain other directors it doesn't take much for even those competely out of the loop to work out what's been going on. It's time for freeloaders to step back and stop making decisions that ultimately they'll never pay the price for. I couldn't be happier for Mrs Bristow, I think she's made the perfect decision for herself albeit much later than I would have liked. Her family have done more than enough to try and help the Club, now it's time to live within our means or find new people prepared to put their money in.

FEELOADERS ! Why heavens above David ! Who could you possibly mean ???

Post by **SuperNickyWroe** » 23 Jan 2015, 18:46

Trojan 67 wrote:The (wo)man with two tw@ts(Baker&Phillips)

It isn't Thea who is at fault. As for the tw@ts . . .

you're too kind Troj.....

I'd have said a pair of Gareth Hunts'.

Post by **Dave** » 23 Jan 2015, 19:07

No one has actually blamed Thea don't think any of us can ever pay back Thea in money or gratitude for what the Bristow family has done for our club . Thea is not a business person and freely admits that, she needed support and didn't get it from any quarter, as a result bad decisions have been made that have led the club to where it is today, no one can hide from that. When the club brings some one in to provide footballing expertise, who's only real knowledge of football consists of refereeing the Western League when the Beatles still topped the charts, then, well, you know.

The process the club are going through now was badly needed, it was something I hoped for, now it's happening, all we can do is hope it leads to a positive future for the club.

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 23 Jan 2015, 19:31

forevertufc wrote:No one has actually blamed Thea don't think any of us can ever pay back Thea in money or gratitude for what the Bristow family has done for our club . Thea is not a business person and freely admits that, she needed support and didn't get it from any quarter, as a result bad decisions have been made that have led the club to where it is today, no one can hide from that. When the club brings some one in to provide footballing expertise, who's only real knowledge of football consists of refereeing the Western League when the Beatles still topped the charts, then, well, you know.

The process the club are going through now was badly needed, it was something I hoped for, now it's happening, all we can do is hope it leads to a positive future for the club.

Spot on Dave.

Upon reading the title of the thread to myself and saying it out loud really quickly i actually did think it was a book title penned by Alan Knill and referring to his squad of the 2014 relegation season................

Try it. Works for me............. =D

As i've said a million times before. IMO the club and Thea have been badly let down by grown men who found the going too much. I accept that they have put cash in (at least i think they have) but they should have just been honest and admitted that things had gone tits up and they couldn't cope anymore or put any more money in. Thea has asked for help because she is struggling. The fans are aware of this and it is called communication. Thea is a golden woman and is worth ten of the other board members. Not because she put in more cash but because she comes across as an honest and thoroughly decent and humble human being.

Mr K. Thomas is in now to help her and although i so wished when i first saw his name that it was Mr Kenny Thomas, the excellent early 90's crooning pop superstar :Oops: .

I was hoping he was going to come out with an official club statement reading, "Look, it's a tough gig i've walked into - perhaps tougher than when i did the Bath Moles club in front of 12 people when i was starting out but i've gotta get the best of you. You're support has been out of this world, so outstanding baby. I'm thinking about your love, errrrr i mean club".

Mr Thomas is in situ now to look at what needs to be done and like someone else said, it looks for all intents and purposes that he is there to steady things up whilst new investors are sought. So still leaves the club in limbo but i'm glad for one that Thea has asked for help and that the snakes and ladders game that has been played on a board only full of snakes, and the downward spiral partly created by lots of people having their heads up their arses can now hopefully be reversed.

Don't worry, the ladders have arrived.

Post by **Trojan 67** » 23 Jan 2015, 20:02

AustrianAndyGull wrote:
Upon reading the title of the thread to myself and saying it out loud really quickly . . . . .

Man wi' t' w@ts?

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