Applied for a job to go work back at Oldham allegedly as a football secatary or something along them lines. As said when he came in he’s not the one we need. Upset players and staff massively and now looking at moving. Why does the board not do checks on people before appointing? I’ve heard first hand some players only going due to the way he has handled stuff, the general consensus is the way he treats players and the staff is what rubs people up the wrong way, including the staff he forced out for no reason at all.
Hopefully it’s all for the better long term. Some potential at this club but it just can’t seem to get it right
Seemed a slightly strange appointment in the first place. It has to be said that the board have had more misses than hits in terms of appointments.
Would find it strange if he goes now, given the fact that he hasn't been here for a full year yet. However, we don't seem to learn that having a seemingly all powerful CEO needs the right personality and motivations.
I would have thought that our new Chairman's business acumen would be strong enough to ask the right questions!
What is this based on ?
more rumour and speculation does not help the club or supporters at all
it may be right but wait until official announcement
Seemed a slightly strange appointment in the first place. It has to be said that the board have had more misses than hits in terms of appointments.
Would find it strange if he goes now, given the fact that he hasn't been here for a full year yet. However, we don't seem to learn that having a seemingly all powerful CEO needs the right personality and motivations.
Common theme at Widnes Vikings, appoint individuals to key positions with no track record. Hamilton has been in charge of Oldham since 1997 and left in 2022? Unequivocally, their worst period in their history and what is his reward, a promotion at Widnes.
No hard to see why we are in a mess when we appoint managers and CEO's like we do.
A couple of months ago I attended a social gathering, was introduced to an ex-pro player who had been told I am a Widnes season ticket holder.
He had been at a club "run" by Hamilton, was very critical of Hamilton's man management skills, ability to spot a decent RL player and indeed his general business acumen.
He commented that Hamilton was a micro-manager - not a good one - who wanted to have the final say on every decision made, would not stand any employee disagreeing with him or standing up to him even when he was wrong!
He cited as an example his own contract coming up for renewal at the end of a season. Some 6 weeks beforehand he received an improved offer from another club, did not want to leave so had an interview with Hamilton to discuss his future. Told Hamilton the terms offered and asked him to match them. Hamilton apparently laughed saying he didn't believe him as he wasn't worth it... on being shown the offer letter he turned nasty, cancelled the players contract there and then telling him to leave the premises immediately.
There was, shall we say, a "debate" about paying the players wages for the 6 week period as he was willing to see out his contract, Hamilton at first refused to pay him anything before eventually agreeing on a settlement.
My new acquaintance warned me that Hamilton's reputation within the RL fraternity was poor, and that before long there would be "trouble" at our club.
He seems to have been proved correct.
I have no idea whether Hamilton is a decent manager. The comments on here seem to suggest he has his limitations to say the least. Most contracts will have a get out clause within the first 6/12 months and, if this is the case and the Directors are dissatisfied with his performance, presumably he will be shown the door.
My issue with his appointment are:
1. As mentioned by many on here, he does not have a track record of success to justify the confidence placed in him.
2. Has anyone seen anything from the Club to actually clarify his role? When he was appointed, the emphasis seemed to be on him gearing the Club to meet the IMG criteria for SL. What seems to be happening in reality is that he appears to be making all the decisions and is a hatchet man to save money on current player contracts; and actually building a team which, at best, is capable of fighting for a mid-table place in the Championship. Surely, the primary aim should be to build a team capable of at least being in with a chance of promotion to SL.
If promotion to SL is to be dependent on attracting a wealthy benefactor to build a successful team, then it doesn't matter how much of the IMG criteria we meet, we will continue to be a mid-table Championship team, until that happens.
We need someone capable of running the club in a professional manner. If Hamilton is paid more than Finney in his "wider" role, that extra money would be better spent on strengthening the squad.
The reduction in the Sky money recently announced will only worsen the position of clubs below SL. My guess is that SL clubs will once again want the bulk of the £20m Sky funds, with crumbs passed on to those clubs below SL.
Having supported Widnes and Rugby League for over 50 years, I have never been more pessimistic for the future of the Club and the game.
We do seem to get ourselves into a mess somehow - perhaps we care too much?
Maybe it's better to just let things play out and get wound up when we can see the whole package. Whatever we think or say through these pages will make not a blind bit of difference.
One thing is for sure, it wastes too much nervous energy day to day and I haven't got any to spare!!!!
Me neither.Not particularly bothered about 'the game' which usually means Super League clubs only but Widnes will finish 7th at best in the second division and I'm not confident that will be improved upon in 2024.
Having supported Widnes and Rugby League for over 50 years, I have never been more pessimistic for the future of the Club and the game.
@sandgroper great idea, we'll have a forum where we can't voice opinions or raise any concerns. We could try asking James to rename it to Pravda.
Im told the commercial went today. I know there is an advert out for it but as it stands off the field, There is the main man Hamilton and the retail manager left running the whole club. I bet he can't believe his luck how quickly it has fell into place for him.
With a bit of luck, Hamilton will get the job he is supposed to have applied for back in Oldham and we can start to re-employ again
I think we need to see what recruitment Hamilton brings in before we judge him. We have failed to make the playoffs since our relegation and Hamilton has not been involved in any of those seasons.
If he is the right or wrong person to run the club remains to be seen, but something is surely wrong at the club if we keep failing to make the playoffs with our playing budget
Hamilton surely is doing the job the board appointed him for, ok he applied to Oldham football club for a position there, one can assume better pay and back in his locality - is that a crime ?
let’s wait and see who we sign / release and then see how they perform next season - not really an unreasonable ask is it
onwards and upwards