Nicky Butt and Chris Casper both leaving?

[je85]

Nicky Butt has stepped down as CEO confirmed by the club earlier today. But Alan Nixon is reporting the ghost is off to Burnley with the mormons. Whether this is coincidental or this is part of a breakdown at the top, it doesn’t look great with still no word on the additional investment post-Lim.

the72.co.uk/2024/10/15/burnley-salford-city-chris-casper-new-academy-boss/

Makings of the documentary this Christmas just when we thought it was dead and buried.

[jayb99]

It's worrying that the Co92 seem to be gradually distancing themselves. I'm sure this isn't how they all imagined it to be going.

Isn't there a fan forum coming up too? Be interesting....

[chipbarm]

I am naturally extremely cynical, but this along with Lim pulling out and the fruitless search for investors smacks of rats leaving a sinking ship. We are clearly an unsustainable project and I am genuinely fearing whether or not we have a long term future. What a sad end if that is ultimately what happens

[Chris P. Bacon]

They’re not even pretending they are serious anymore.

The next CEO can’t be another one of them, that would be a joke. It makes me wonder if the ‘attracting new partners’ statement was code for ‘we’re selling up. I mean, what do Beckham and P. Neville get out of this? The clubs losing around 90k a week!

It wouldn’t surprise me if they announced the club had been sold or is being sold at the fan forum.

[molicker]

A penny for Karl Robinson’s thoughts.
Brought in by Butt for long term vision and goals and now sees his gaffer leaving.

Certainly makes the fans forum a bit more interesting…

Losing 90k a week at this level is unsustainable for sure.

Issue is attracting in a new wealthy benefactor when the cost of capital is high to borrow.

Just being nosey but it would be fascinating to know how much they’re looking for from an investor that would help scale the size of the problem we find ourselves in.

[Chris P. Bacon]

Oct 15, 2024 18:02:18 GMT molicker said:

A penny for Karl Robinson’s thoughts.
Brought in by Butt for long term vision and goals and now sees his gaffer leaving.

Certainly makes the fans forum a bit more interesting…

Losing 90k a week at this level is unsustainable for sure.

Issue is attracting in a new wealthy benefactor when the cost of capital is high to borrow.

Just being nosey but it would be fascinating to know how much they’re looking for from an investor that would help scale the size of the problem we find ourselves in.

I assume they are looking for an investor who can take the hit without blinking, and there aren’t many of those around.

It’s dismal…

[salfordclarky]

Surely they’ll have to issue a statement at some point with two key figures moving?

[jayb99]

Oct 16, 2024 7:37:41 GMT salfordclarky said:

Surely they’ll have to issue a statement at some point with two key figures moving?

Fan forum coming up, I expect something to be announced there

[je85]

Almost 24hrs on I have two additional thoughts - 1) this is a great opportunity to invest in someone with the knowledge and vision that’s alternative to the ‘United-Lite’ project we have been going through since the CO92 came in. 2) what if Butt’s removal is part of the investment push and a potential investor has said I want X Person to come in to run the day to day ops. Appreciate this would be the actions of a majority owner, but I don’t recall CO92 saying they were not open to that and retaining circa 49%. I don’t know but the fans forum would be a good spot to clarify a lot of this stuff.

Below is what I posted on the athletic comments to the story yesterday:

This on top of Chris Casper potentially also moving on to Burnley is a significant shift at the top of the club. As a regular at moor lane I think Butt on the face of things did a good job at providing continuity and arguably had more tough decisions to make than his predecessor.

Salford on the pitch and off it was starting to look a basket case this time last year and hasn’t really gotten itself out of chop 12 months on. Everything seems compounded by Peter Lim’s investment being removed and no one willing to come in and provide additional funds. The summer’s recruitment was scatter gunned towards the end of the window, with a squad of great options but no where near the levels of cohesiveness needed to perform in a very even league. long gone are the days of Salford having the largest budgets in the division so taking a leaf out of Wrexham and Stockport’s books has never been a short cut for Butt as CEO.

Having an established EFL manager with a unique brand of stubbornness (meant as a positive), will protect the players from any potential noise Butt’s move back to the board seats will create. My thought after reading this is that this is an opportunity to get a proper CEO in who knows the EFL and what’s needed to get out of L2. Because one thing that is lost with the CO92 outside of the Salford fan base, is that being a player at the top level isn’t a guarantee you can competently run a football club.

[kevin]

Just wanted to put another perspective out there: I genuinely think that this is not as bad as some think it is.

I agree that if CO92 walked away it would be a disaster for us. But this is taking the "worst possible scenario" and I simply don't think this is the case.

I don't think this is CO92 stepping away from the club. Granted that Peter Lim has walked away. But Gary Neville bought him out- that, at least, shows his commitment to the club.
Ryan Giggs is still Director of Football. And none of them are making any noises about wanting out. I may be wrong about this, but I just can't see this happening.

They clearly are not in it for the money. They are men of character who genuinely want to improve the football club. Salford FC is in their veins- they grew up here and are dedicated to pouring themselves back into Salford FC. I just don't see them walking away from this football club. It would go against everything that Gary Neville has written about in his book: The People's Game. They are men of principle and, unlike an investor whose prime concern is money, they have strong morales about giving football back to the local community.

Chris Casper and the recruitment team have taken a lot of stick on this forum (and rightly so imo). Surely if we've cricticised him, we should be pleased to see a changing of the guard? Casper doesn't have an ownership stake. This could be a good thing if we see a shift of personnel. We might begin to get some more fluidity between the gaps in the side and the players that come in through the door. This is not the same as any of the CO92 walking out. 

We have a very strong manager in Karl Robinson. Yes, we were late in the transfer market. Yes, we have taken a while to get going this season. But in the 3 seasons that I have supported them; this looks like the strongest side that I have seen. 

I think we need to stick with them. I'm sure they will come good.

[Chris P. Bacon]

It may not be their intention to walk away, but it could come to that.

1. Did they ever see Peter Lim walking away?
2. Did GN buy out Lim under duress. An instant investor couldn’t be found, so he had to do it?
3. The losses last year were 90k a week. Did GN really ever think he’d be taking the bulk of those losses?
4. Do any of the owners feel that we’re not going any further, so what’s the point?
5. Did the owners think that their playing pedigree would enable them to do the job themselves?
6. NB must have been missing coaching for a long time, so why step down now, less than a quarter of the way into the season?
7. Would they call a fans forum when NB and Casper both leave their jobs WITHOUT an answer? The forum is going to be all about one thing.

They have probably gone through some cost-cutting measures but the cumulative losses over many seasons must be taking its toll? Salford City will NEVER be profitable and will probably never break even, especially outside the top two leagues. The crowds just aren’t there. 3600 watched the last home game and that’s with the away end rammed. At best the home fans must have numbered 2500.

It seemed to me that there were two key factors that changed things. I think GN was seriously deflated when we didn’t get the AJ Bell. I think he saw this as a building block to truly becoming a bigger club. More corporate space and more options to cash in. Then I felt the ‘club’ lost the will to make the game day a better experience after we knocked them back on their family area plan, which would have seen much of the North stand displaced.

We know they made a lot of mistakes in the early days, but I’m sure it was well intended. To me, the owners just seem to be disengaged. Beckham and P. Neville probably couldn’t care less. Butt moving means he’s likely to spend less time around the club. I haven’t seen Giggs or Scholes smile for a long time or get too excited when we score. As for GN…..I’ve hardly seen him since he stepped down and we used to see him quite often. Maybe he just sits in his box these days.

A run form now until the end of the season could see us promoted. It’s unlikely but it could happen. What happens then? Does anyone genuinely think we could sustain a League 1 status? The crowds won’t get much bigger and we’re losing money now. Look at Radcliffe where a couple of our friends are now managing. They absolutely stormed it last season and some people were even saying Jordan Hulme would score a hatful in League 2. Look at them now in the NL-North. Rock bottom and can’t score for toffee. If we did get promotion, I think we’d do a Radcliffe.

[je85]

Oct 16, 2024 11:03:47 GMT kevin said:

Just wanted to put another perspective out there: I genuinely think that this is not as bad as some think it is.

I agree that if CO92 walked away it would be a disaster for us. But this is taking the "worst possible scenario" and I simply don't think this is the case.

I don't think this is CO92 stepping away from the club. Granted that Peter Lim has walked away. But Gary Neville bought him out- that, at least, shows his commitment to the club.
Ryan Giggs is still Director of Football. And none of them are making any noises about wanting out. I may be wrong about this, but I just can't see this happening.

They clearly are not in it for the money. They are men of character who genuinely want to improve the football club. Salford FC is in their veins- they grew up here and are dedicated to pouring themselves back into Salford FC. I just don't see them walking away from this football club. It would go against everything that Gary Neville has written about in his book: The People's Game. They are men of principle and, unlike an investor whose prime concern is money, they have strong morales about giving football back to the local community.

Chris Casper and the recruitment team have taken a lot of stick on this forum (and rightly so imo). Surely if we've cricticised him, we should be pleased to see a changing of the guard? Casper doesn't have an ownership stake. This could be a good thing if we see a shift of personnel. We might begin to get some more fluidity between the gaps in the side and the players that come in through the door. This is not the same as any of the CO92 walking out. 

We have a very strong manager in Karl Robinson. Yes, we were late in the transfer market. Yes, we have taken a while to get going this season. But in the 3 seasons that I have supported them; this looks like the strongest side that I have seen. 

I think we need to stick with them. I'm sure they will come good.

Personally I don’t think anything has been said to suggest a drop off in support of the players or manager on the back of this news. I also don’t think you can take offence at some supporters who feel there has been a malaise and a drop in standards around the club in recent years. Butt was handed a tough set of circumstances, and the true extent of Gary Neville’s altruism in buying out Lim won’t be seen til the accounts land on companies house. Could have took it off him for a quid we don’t know, but Neville is a massive hypocrite in my opinion. When he talks about owners on Super Sunday the way he does and you’ve just witnessed the day before your curry sauce being made in a kettle for your half time chips, and your missus can’t take a piss because the toilets knackered you have to question his credentials on running a club.

The CO92 ownership is as much of a blessing as it is a curse. I agree we wouldn’t be where we are today without their involvement, but as I have said for years on here and at games - their careers as players and their cumulative wealth doesn’t mean they are competent in the day to day workings of a football club looking to move through the EFL to the championship.

[je85]

Oct 16, 2024 12:03:38 GMT Chris P. Bacon said:

It may not be their intention to walk away, but it could come to that.

1. Did they ever see Peter Lim walking away?
2. Did GN buy out Lim under duress. An instant investor couldn’t be found, so he had to do it?
3. The losses last year were 90k a week. Did GN really ever think he’d be taking the bulk of those losses?
4. Do any of the owners feel that we’re not going any further, so what’s the point?
5. Did the owners think that their playing pedigree would enable them to do the job themselves?
6. NB must have been missing coaching for a long time, so why step down now, less than a quarter of the way into the season?
7. Would they call a fans forum when NB and Casper both leave their jobs WITHOUT an answer? The forum is going to be all about one thing.

They have probably gone through some cost-cutting measures but the cumulative losses over many seasons must be taking its toll? Salford City will NEVER be profitable and will probably never break even, especially outside the top two leagues. The crowds just aren’t there. 3600 watched the last home game and that’s with the away end rammed. At best the home fans must have numbered 2500.

It seemed to me that there were two key factors that changed things. I think GN was seriously deflated when we didn’t get the AJ Bell. I think he saw this as a building block to truly becoming a bigger club. More corporate space and more options to cash in. Then I felt the ‘club’ lost the will to make the game day a better experience after we knocked them back on their family area plan, which would have seen much of the North stand displaced.

We know they made a lot of mistakes in the early days, but I’m sure it was well intended. To me, the owners just seem to be disengaged. Beckham and P. Neville probably couldn’t care less. Butt moving means he’s likely to spend less time around the club. I haven’t seen Giggs or Scholes smile for a long time or get too excited when we score. As for GN…..I’ve hardly seen him since he stepped down and we used to see him quite often. Maybe he just sits in his box these days.

A run form now until the end of the season could see us promoted. It’s unlikely but it could happen. What happens then? Does anyone genuinely think we could sustain a League 1 status? The crowds won’t get much bigger and we’re losing money now. Look at Radcliffe where a couple of our friends are now managing. They absolutely stormed it last season and some people were even saying Jordan Hulme would score a hatful in League 2. Look at them now in the NL-North. Rock bottom and can’t score for toffee. If we did get promotion, I think we’d do a Radcliffe.

I was at a conference last week at the AJ Bell and you could see what they wanted to do there and it was f-all to do with the stadium. There is so much space around there to build housing and recoup the money they invested in SCFC.

That said nice conference facilities on the 2nd floor.

[Chris P. Bacon]

Oct 16, 2024 12:13:15 GMT je85 said:

Oct 16, 2024 12:03:38 GMT Chris P. Bacon said:

It may not be their intention to walk away, but it could come to that.

1. Did they ever see Peter Lim walking away?
2. Did GN buy out Lim under duress. An instant investor couldn’t be found, so he had to do it?
3. The losses last year were 90k a week. Did GN really ever think he’d be taking the bulk of those losses?
4. Do any of the owners feel that we’re not going any further, so what’s the point?
5. Did the owners think that their playing pedigree would enable them to do the job themselves?
6. NB must have been missing coaching for a long time, so why step down now, less than a quarter of the way into the season?
7. Would they call a fans forum when NB and Casper both leave their jobs WITHOUT an answer? The forum is going to be all about one thing.

They have probably gone through some cost-cutting measures but the cumulative losses over many seasons must be taking its toll? Salford City will NEVER be profitable and will probably never break even, especially outside the top two leagues. The crowds just aren’t there. 3600 watched the last home game and that’s with the away end rammed. At best the home fans must have numbered 2500.

It seemed to me that there were two key factors that changed things. I think GN was seriously deflated when we didn’t get the AJ Bell. I think he saw this as a building block to truly becoming a bigger club. More corporate space and more options to cash in. Then I felt the ‘club’ lost the will to make the game day a better experience after we knocked them back on their family area plan, which would have seen much of the North stand displaced.

We know they made a lot of mistakes in the early days, but I’m sure it was well intended. To me, the owners just seem to be disengaged. Beckham and P. Neville probably couldn’t care less. Butt moving means he’s likely to spend less time around the club. I haven’t seen Giggs or Scholes smile for a long time or get too excited when we score. As for GN…..I’ve hardly seen him since he stepped down and we used to see him quite often. Maybe he just sits in his box these days.

A run form now until the end of the season could see us promoted. It’s unlikely but it could happen. What happens then? Does anyone genuinely think we could sustain a League 1 status? The crowds won’t get much bigger and we’re losing money now. Look at Radcliffe where a couple of our friends are now managing. They absolutely stormed it last season and some people were even saying Jordan Hulme would score a hatful in League 2. Look at them now in the NL-North. Rock bottom and can’t score for toffee. If we did get promotion, I think we’d do a Radcliffe.

I was at a conference last week at the AJ Bell and you could see what they wanted to do there and it was f-all to do with the stadium. There is so much space around there to build housing and recoup the money they invested in SCFC.

That said nice conference facilities on the 2nd floor.

I don’t blame him for that. It was a great way to make the club sustainable. 

[Chris P. Bacon]

There’s no drop-off in support of the manager IMO.

But the owners made ludicrous claims when they took over and put untold amounts of pressure on the players and manager. It was never going to be like that.

GN may have got Lim’s share for a nominal amount, I don’t know. But when that happens it’s usually because it isn’t worth that much when measured against the debts. So GN has assumed all future debts against his much-larger share.

I take my hat off to the owners, I really do. These aren’t small sums we are losing, so that’s why I wonder what goes on in their heads.

GN is quite the hypocrite wrt his club ownership and his politics. Nuff said about that!

The matchday offering is worse than ever. In the North stand, we had a family team come in at short notice with their van. They sold pies, sweets and hot drinks etc. Not anything fancy, but they did well with what they had. They also had a beer stall….no huge queues. Above all, they smiled at you and were friendly. What do we have now. I’m sorry, but gormless kids who look at you as though you’re talking Chinese if you ask a question that isn’t in their brief. They look so miserable with their monotone voices and sulky faces. The fries are cold and the burgers dry. The ‘hot chocolate’ is just brown water. At least they HAVE hot water. Last season it was never warm because they only switched it as the gates opened. What do they call themselves…..the ‘Difference Group’? Well they’ve certainly made a difference! Bloody awful they are and those that were there before were denied the chance to bid for it.

Oh and the bar is STILL understaffed and too busy.