so what we need now is a nice statement telling the world what Noades really is....
whoever does it gets my vote in the BU (re-) elections...
Ahem... Stedders for president!
FORMER Brentford chairman Ron Noades has drawn criticism from the club’s independent supporters group BIAS following his interview in the last week’s Chronicle.
In the article, Noades said he does not understand why he is disliked by Brentford fans, despite taking over a club which broke even and leaving it with a £4.1million overdraft.
He claimed the overdraft should not be seen as debt, but offered no solution to clearing it when his own gambles had failed to pay off under his tenure.
Noades recently had his remaining loans to the club bought out by supporter Matthew Benham.
BIAS teamed up with Paul Stedman, who was their chairman during Noades’ reign at the club, to respond to the article, and Stedman said it was reminder of ‘the true architect of the club’s ills’.
He said: “Bees United continues to grapple with the debt mountain bequeathed to them, but those of us who crossed swords with Noades are familiar with his line of argument.
“Everything is the fault of someone else – players, coaches, local councillors, supporters, but never the person who oversaw a period of reckless expenditure which threatens the future of the club today.
“Noades dismissed the overdraft he bequeathed to BU, happily content that his guarantees would make everything right – ignoring the fact that the club was being saddled with interest charges of close to £250k.
“Overdraft may not be a debt in his book, but in any language it’s expenditure far exceeding income, with no prospect of remedying the situation.”
Stedman added: “He wishes us to be grateful for selling the club to BU for £1, and claims he never took a penny out the club – overlooking the decent salary he drew as team manager while employing three top coaches.
“Noades also restructured the club in such a way that he was able to write off its losses against those he was making at his other businesses. In selling the club for £1, he also passes on a perilous financial situation and rid himself of a very heavy responsibility.
“If he is looking for a suitable legacy of his tenure at Griffin Park, then it can be found with supporters rattling buckets to collect spare change on matchdays.”
Meanwhile, Bees United said its message is to move on from the past and focus efforts on the daunting task ahead.
It reminded supporters that Brentford’s financial position, like many clubs at its level, is difficult, and it will be hard to compete until a move to a modern new stadium.
Chairman Brian Burgess said: “Everyone will have their own personal view on the history of Mr Noades’ involvement.
“Bees United came into being because of the mounting debt and growing uncertainty over the club’s future and now has the opportunity to improve the finances of the club.
“All our energies must be used to deal with the present situation and prepare for a better future.
“Debts of over £7 million are still there. But the generosity of Matthew Benham has given us a big boost by reducing the interest that the club has to pay on its debts by over £150k per year for the next five years.
“We now need to find another £500k per year to afford a reasonable playing budget. We cannot change the past and we don’t have time to dwell on it. This is an opportunity we must not miss.”
