Seen this coming a mile off and been on the case for months, good to see the penny is finally beginning to drop.
A big problem appears to be is that he still thinks he's the 'owner'. He's trying to act and run it like when he was at Oldham, when he was the owner. He's an employee of the club. I don't care who you are, the "head of operations" shouldn't be anywhere near the tunnel on a match day shaking players hands as they come off.
The board have allowed the situation to develop where the club has effectively become about one man.
Lies about budget, poor treatment of staff, poor negotiations with existing players, poor recruitment, unprofessional club media output, poor communications, kit fiasco. Every member of club staff (office and coaching) has left or been pushed. All that in less than 12 months. Wonder what the next year will bring.
I have no doubt that there has been a (sensible) instruction to cut costs and that will no doubt be what Hamilton hangs his hat on - but to do that while claiming the budget isn't being reduced, and not being transparent with the fans the club desperately needs to keep on side after years of trials and tribulations is just a recipe for disaster.
In six years, fans have had to endure relegation, administration, five coaches, no play-offs, academy gone. While some of those things aren't the board's fault, they've got to realise that people aren't supporters of a board, they are supporters of Widnes RLFC, and it's clear people are getting increasingly disenfranchised.
And what next? Well sadly, it seems like following the path of Oldham (irony). The only hope is that the council continue to support, as the stadium/facilities (as well as history) feels like the only thing Widnes have got at the moment.
Great post James and a few others talking the truth. This Hamilton man has to go by hook or crook because a disaster is awaiting. I know a player who has left for Oldham and can't stand Hamilton. My mate who is a Birmingham City fan has an interest in Widnes being my friend and saw that message from Hamilton. Basically if that was at his club there be riots outside the ground, and he would not be staring at the fans like he said in his message. They be waiting outside to give him a hiding. Watch the attendances drop and people with season tickets won't go too.
I was all for giving Hamilton a chance when he first come due to the standard we’d been exposed to in the past and really did believe it was certain people/players holding the club back, now they’re gone we’re massively worse. However can the consortium who took over the club not see this? They are the ones who helped save the club something we’re all grateful for but what are they actually doing now? Where are they? Do they go the fans evening? Do they attended games? Does Hamilton have something over them all that makes him untouchable? John kear was sacked after his loss to Swinton as it is embarrassing… less then a year on it seems the new normal, how do we get Hamilton out? When will the board realise
"The point being that I will recognise them and be looking out for them at future games."
Very threatening and ludicrously unprofessional. Needs to be out on his arse ASAP.
Tbf the "I know your face and will look for it at future games" comment is probably meant more in a "I'll remind you of what you said when we win"
No,he didn't mean it that way at all or he would have worded it differently.It's quite clear what he meant.
Absolutely bang on James ..I'll openly admit I was probably one of the ones that accused people of being doom mongerers and over reacting to the slightest thing ..but gotta say I got that wrong big time ..some of the things coming out even prior to the big melon having a meltdown is ludicrous beyond belief .. astonishing that those that hired him are letting him run amok ..even if it wasn't for the fans sake you'd think they'd react to save all the work that was done to save the club during and after administration...it's like hey yeah we did an incredible job saving the club..let's bring this fella in to torch it...
Seen this coming a mile off and been on the case for months, good to see the penny is finally beginning to drop.
A big problem appears to be is that he still thinks he's the 'owner'. He's trying to act and run it like when he was at Oldham, when he was the owner. He's an employee of the club. I don't care who you are, the "head of operations" shouldn't be anywhere near the tunnel on a match day shaking players hands as they come off.
The board have allowed the situation to develop where the club has effectively become about one man.
Lies about budget, poor treatment of staff, poor negotiations with existing players, poor recruitment, unprofessional club media output, poor communications, kit fiasco. Every member of club staff (office and coaching) has left or been pushed. All that in less than 12 months. Wonder what the next year will bring.
I have no doubt that there has been a (sensible) instruction to cut costs and that will no doubt be what Hamilton hangs his hat on - but to do that while claiming the budget isn't being reduced, and not being transparent with the fans the club desperately needs to keep on side after years of trials and tribulations is just a recipe for disaster.
In six years, fans have had to endure relegation, administration, five coaches, no play-offs, academy gone. While some of those things aren't the board's fault, they've got to realise that people aren't supporters of a board, they are supporters of Widnes RLFC, and it's clear people are getting increasingly disenfranchised.
And what next? Well sadly, it seems like following the path of Oldham (irony). The only hope is that the council continue to support, as the stadium/facilities (as well as history) feels like the only thing Widnes have got at the moment.
Absolutely bang on James. Honestly the kit thing alone was bad enough, There is a long list now building against him.
the board are burying their head in the sand, they don't want to know, they haven't got the cahoonas to end this. we are doomed and its only the start
Absolutely wild that this has escalated but not really surprising is it?
I can see where the board were coming from in appointing someone with rugby experience to do the day to day running of the club, especially as there is little experience amongst them in that regard, but surely the time is here to say this isn't working.
In any case, the fact there is criticism and a number still posting on here shows that there are people who still care- but let's be blunt, that number is constantly dwindling.
And to think this is the week of the first home game when all focus should be trying to get a decent attendance and a bit of enthusiasm drummed up!!
@cj91 Bad experience isn’t the experience we needed mate. Hamilton took over Oldham in 1997, they were in the top division 2 or 3 years before, in the 20 years of his tenure, they spent most of their time in league 1.
The idea that his CV warranted a job at Widnes, is absolutely shocking.
The fat little twix couldnt break the skin on a rice pudding and is dishing out threats.....if his fighting is on par with his running of a rugby club then he wouldn't scare a schoolboy.Tbf the "I know your face and will look for it at future games" comment is probably meant more in a "I'll remind you of what you said when we win"
No,he didn't mean it that way at all or he would have worded it differently.It's quite clear what he meant.
The press have now picked this up. So the news is all about the rift between management and the supporters, rather than about the rugby. No one should be shouted at, but when it does happen you have to deal with it in person and in private. Also, you should never post something when angry, you'll always regret it.
Whatever people think of Chris, he has made himself the news now, and whatever he meant to say, it will be used against him. I have no opinion on him, no inside track, no player connections or evidence from Oldham. I do know it is tough to be a manager, but he has made it a whole lot harder now and unless he does something to correct this and quickly, it will most likely only end badly.
We don't have to like him, we just want someone we respect who gets on with building the club back. That will involve tough decisions, mistakes, people who are experts and all the rest of it, but that's management and you have to deal with it professionally, shouting back through social media is hardly that.
But he shouldn't be putting himself in the firing line.I'm not excusing verbal abuse but as James said,he has no place in the players tunnel immediately after a game and if it's a defeat then emotions and frustrations will come to the fore.
I agree Sinbad, it might have been well intended to try and show support, but it did put him in the firing line and it also creates confusion as to who is charge. Coleman is in charge of the players, so let him do his job.