Fradley Steps Down - Norman Back As Chairman

[PV1973]

Sentinel are reporting that Norman has now replaced Fradley as chairman, who after paying to be Chairman for the last year has now become life president.

 

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/norman-smurthwaite-replaces-tony-fradley-1848996

[Doha]

Rearranging deckchairs.

[Valiant in Brum]

The club president role should be Rudgies.

[mbycars]

He was chairman in name only. Smurthwaite was always pulling the strings.

[Smugsy]

I hoped for a quiet, steady kind of season. Don't think that's possible with Smurfwaite in charge

[PV1973]

But he says he won't be interfering with the running of the club......

[Santa]

I'm amused at his quote about the 14 game run without a win being etched on his gravestone. In fact I'd be surprised if there was anybody out there who thought that anything he did had any sort of consequence at all.

 

Fradley was only ever the nominal chairman. The plan was that Norman went away for a year while things blew over, using Big Tone and Col as human shields in case things went wrong again. Which they did.

 

The job title of chairman last year was essentially an enhanced hospitality package. Tone paid his money and got to sit in the big chair for a season.

[Santa]

But he says he won't be interfering with the running of the club......

That's his get out if (when) things go wrong.

 

He'll probably do another fans' forum next Spring where, despite insisting he isn't involved, he'll talk at length about the day to day running of the club in minute detail.

[CJ Valiant]

I was in the club shop a couple of weeks ago and Norman came in asking the staff about a scissor lift parked outside. Didn’t hear the whole conversation but it struck me at the time that it seemed to be something relatively minor that he was getting involved in at the club.

 

If anyone believes that he is not/has not been involved in the day to day running of the club they are seriously mistaken. It’s his money at stake, he is in control, always has been.

[JOHN AMOS]

would we really like an 'Absentee" Chairman? like other clubs like Coventry or overseas owners Blackburn!! I know I wouldn't!!

[Wrex]

Makes literally no difference to anything, only a fool would believe Fradley had any influence on any decisions

[Heatwave]

Norman was always pulling Fradley's strings anyway. At least he now can't hide behind anyone else when things inevitably go wrong.

[Family Stand Terrier]

would we really like an 'Absentee" Chairman? like other clubs like Coventry or overseas owners Blackburn!! I know I wouldn't!!

 

I'd rather one that doesn't lie and deceive. This whole saga has been an absolute joke. Where else have Chairmen stood down, sold their position in title only, carried on running the place, then returned 12 months later as though no one would see right through it. The fact Fradley paid him for the "privilege" says everything you need to know about him.

 

I'm so embarrassed for anyone that still supports Smurthwaite, the club is an absolute laughing stock with him in charge.

[CJ Valiant]

I wonder how much Fradley paid for the ‘privilege’ and whether that money went into the club or Norman’s back pocket??

[werstayinup]

What has Fradley ever done to be life president?

 

 

He is one weird bloke imo