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The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - Printable Version

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The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - exterminator - 09-03-2021

One of the posters on TPF "Clanfield Blue" had a 45 minute Zoom meeting with Mark Catlin this morning after e-mailing him over the weekend :-


You need a login to TPF to see it but here is a Copy & Paste there are 3 pages of it :-




Right here it goes, I will try and make this sound somewhat cohesive and have a flow to it. First thing I wanted to say is enough respect to Mark for coming on and spending 45 minutes with me in the end and for answering my questions even at times when I poked the hornets nest somewhat and JM who listened in and gave some input.

As mentioned above Mark shared some stuff that was commercially sensitive and asked to keep it confidential so I won't these details (I have forgotten them already [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img] ) but will share my thoughts on what he said.

I started out by letting Mark know who I was, I wanted him to know I wasn't against Tornante or him from the outset and actually as a PST member voted yes and was excited about the future and want (and still do) Tornante to prove me right.

I explained why I have now turned to believing that he and Tornante are not fulfilling on promises and I shared what my source told me about lack of investment and the club being a plaything for Eric and it will never get the levels of investment promised.

He categorically denied this and said that he deals more with Redman then anyone else, he proceeded to share numbers about the stadium investment in the last 4 years and what has been spent in the last year and what will need to come. It sounded to me as if Fratton Park is literally swallowing money at a rate of knots and very little is left out of the 10M equity and Eisners soon to pump in more.

I asked about the Milton End and said is this all we get after 4 years? Mark said he understands that it may appear only a paint job, but its still a 4-5M piece of work and that he is frustrated that people compare it to the trust drawings as they never did a proper survey of the land underneath, its contaminated and they cannot touch it. The best architects in the world also have said you cannot get more than 3200 in that end, due to right of light, where is the point in spending big money on it to not increase capacity.

I asked him what is going on with the bigger masterplan and why all we hear is that NR or PCC need to come onboard. I pointed out the Strategic Rail Review released last autumn by NR and PCC has got no works planned for Fratton Station, how can this be considering the conversations. The answer to this was very interesting and does in the one hand make me believe Tornante have been serious about doing something, but on the other have spent 4 years flogging a dead horse and did not do their due diligence.

In a nutshell, Mark said PCC and NR are not helping them at all, the attitude appears to be you're a billionaire, pay for it. Michael has had his Disney head on, US Sports head on (as I predicted) and believes that as he will build the stadium, hotel, conference facilities and bring the jobs then the other parties should sort the land and the infrastructure.

Meanwhile (Mark asked me to keep this confidential) however its widely known and I told him this, so no need to be secret squirrel the club have been buying up property in and around the stadium, but cannot get all the ones they need to progress anything. I asked what was plan B as we could be here in 50 years trying to buy the property we need, when are we going to put a fork in Fratton Park and move on? Marks response was "now"

So it appears Mark will be informing MPs and everyone else the time is to move focus elsewhere.

Mark said he has wanted a move from FP from day one of Tornante ownership as its falling to pieces and the infrastructure surrounding it is "shit"
Michael wants to believe something is possible, but its been 4 years of failure. On this I took away from Mark body language and the way he spoke, he has been advising correctly but Michael has pushed for the Fratton Park redevelopment.

It appeared although he couldn't share with me some "exciting" news is imminent. I have no idea what about.

The academy was the same lines given in the Monthly Q&A and I asked him why did the Academy Manager leave for Brighton, was he made false promises. Mark said no, he trebled his money. Fair enough.

I asked about profits, he said that the last accounts that showed a 3M profit was due to the timing of the Lowe deal, we then reinvested that 3M into Harness, Marquis and Harrison 2.5M, I asked what about the Clarke Money, Mark went off on some EBITDA discussion, but proof what ive said all along about Jackett only getting 40% of the Clarke and Lowe Money, where the rest has gone? I didn't have time to push as time was running out and I wanted to get onto Tornante and Jackett


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - exterminator - 09-03-2021

Tornante:-

I asked "Where have they gone Mark" I asked him "why we never hear from them" and I explained the issue is "they are silent and you look like there puppet" The perception is that they have indeed got the club, have buggered off back to USA and left you to deal with the fall out and they have no interest. Majority of fans are calling for a state of the union address.
At this point the tone of the conversation changed, Mark came towards the screen, chest puffed and tone changed. He was visibly poked by that question and his answer was both startling and also I find quite concerning about the mentality of some fans but also our owners.

Basically in a nutshell, it appears Michael and Eric have disappeared because of the abuse on social media. Michael posted a tweet about a friend dying and it was met with "why don't you fuck off and die you coont"

Eric has been receiving abuse and Mark said why would they want to expose themselves to this?

I pointed out that why I am disgusted that people are abusing them this isn't a reason to go into hiding. Its 2021 and sadly there are keyboard warriors who will always abuse people like that. The majority of tweets are asking him questions. Surely they need to put on their big boy pants here. Mark then went onto explain how he has also been targeted by abuse on his Facebook page and he was visibly upset about this, I could tell this was genuine and he was gutted and he didn't say what was said, but it sounded pretty awful, even about his family.

Again I agreed these people are cvnts but they are a small minority and that most of us, even if we post negative comments just want some answers and are not making threats/abuse directly to peoples personal social media accounts.

I said to Mark he needs to put a lid on the tensions now before we cross the point of no return. If Tornante stay silent and we fail to get promotion, they could lose the fans for good, especially as we seem years away from any visible progress on new stadium etc. I recommended they get over here and do a state of the union address face to face with the fans, let see how many keyboard warriors would turn up and call them cvnts then. 99.9% would be in the Victory Lounge asking questions and challenging them yes, but not abusing them. Mark said he would take this onboard and relay to Tornante. He said they believed engaging on the HAB board was the correct way to do things, however, I pointed out to Mark the HAB is like a secret club where 99% of fans don't get to hear anything apart from leaks. Perception again looks like a close knit group where the rest of us are left in the cold.

I then pointed out that there is already talk of protests outside the ground, each day they stay silent is another day another Pompey fan turns against you and Tornante. Mark wasn't aware of this and I think the message got home. JM agreed and said we should do it. Watch this space.

Finally Jackett. This was where the answers were not satisfactory. I asked what was the reason for sticking with Jackett, why not roll the dice? Mark said "the playoffs" that's why. I pointed out KJ has failed at the play offs, why would this be any different. Mark said its a matter of opinion. He then mentioned KJ also has received comments about dying. He also alluded that perhaps KJ situation was more serious then we thought. Im not sure if this factored into their thinking, but I sensed it did. I asked if they felt it was a lack of ambition not to change Manager, Mark said no.

I then asked about the players contracts and based on Saturday they clearly don't want to play for KJ or the club. Mark did not deny there were issues, but then kinda back tracked and said that he had spoken to all the players and they totally understand the situation due to SCMP where the salary cap has gone, wages are now part of turn over and with no or little turn over this year and no forecasts for next its hard to plan. Mark said in his time at Pompey players have come to him and said that a manager has lost the dressing room. Not a single player has said this to him. They are all fully supportive and want to turn this around and that was the reason for sticking by him. I asked if KJ contract does expire this season, he says it does. I said if we fail to get promoted, then he will be gone, correct? Mark laughed and said he cannot answer that question.

I then asked if everything is hunky dory, why are the players playing like they don't give a shit?


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - exterminator - 09-03-2021

Mark reiterated that its not the fans fault, but the players have said its impacted them and maybe its just excuses like them telling people about the contractual issues and they are all fully committed to making this season a success. I sensed some clear the air talks have happened.

With that we finished and I reiterated without Tornante coming out of hiding this will only get worse and very toxic, Mark nodded again and said he is going to speak to them.


My thoughts now ive had time to digest it.

1. Mark clearly cares about this club, he was clearly being 95% genuine with me, the 5% when he was making excuses was clearly Jackett, god knows why.

2. Its clear our fans don't help themselves and anyone asking our owners or CEO to die need to have a word, tweet them, criticise them, but asking for them to die? Fuck me. However, Tornante need to put on the big boy pants, its not acceptable to abandon 99% of the fan base because of some idiots.

3. Tornante did not do their due diligence on the stadium and have spent 4 years flogging a dead horse any Pompey fan would tell you was never going to happen. PCC and Network Rail are never going to stump up the cash.

4. That realisation has finally appeared to be realised and hopefully we will see focus shift elsewhere. However I think we should all be asking for plans on where we go from here.

5. The communication at the club is woeful. Even Mark speaking to me and sharing stuff with me, shouldn't happen. This needs to be out in the open for all of us to hear and understand. Perception is reality, and they need to understand that if they want us all working with them and being behind a project, then keep us updated (sure leave out anything commercially sensitive around numbers) but all the secret squirrel stuff is nonsense. Not telling fans they are buying land when its common knowledge is an example of the madness.

Enough respect to Mark for today, leaves a lot more questions then it does answers. For me it comes down to what Tornante do next. Forget Jackett, he will be gone if we don't get promoted. But if this club isn't going to be toxic, then Tornante need to tell us about where its going. I fear silence from them or a half arsed interview with JM and if we don't get promoted, will see a horrible atmosphere around this club come August.

Ive offered Mark my time to collate questions we would want Tornante to answer so they can be prepared but expect them to be challenging and tough. I also asked JM to toughen up his questions with Mark each month and for the club to not beat around the bush and just speak with conviction.

Hope that helps


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - Rocketman - 09-03-2021

Thx Ext, a lot to take on there, and I suspect you'll (Clan B) get many responses in due course. For the next few hours I'm concentrating on the game, but there are a lot of lessons above that need response. Cheers.


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - countofmontecristo - 09-03-2021

Great work !

Mark does indeed love this club and also this area. He is a good businessman and he would
be very sought after elsewhere if he left this club. We are lucky to have him. No Ego, talks to fans and speaks
our language. We do not want to lose him.

Torrante - Anyone in business has taken a hit, they are riding the storm.
Social media abuse - gonna get it, anyone in the public eye will. Hard not to let it affect you, but yes,
a challenging question is better than pathetic comments.
Perhaps due diligence not done, but you'd expect PCC and Rail to get involved, Torrante did.
Buying players, they did buy, but were they the right players, all looked good on paper.
We voted for them on the basis of " it won't be overnight ".

Fratton Park- The percentage of people said' " stay at Fratton Park ". Thats our home etc.
I was one of them.
After an experience with a friend who requires disabled access, I saw a side of FP I was oblivious to.
It is absolutely crap and the sooner we move the better.
They have tried, it does not work.
You will never buy all the houses if that is the plan, one person will " hold out ".
Lets move.


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - Hammie - 09-03-2021

Saying communication is crap really disregards the previous history of no communication at all.
The communication since Caitlin became Exec has consistently been the best I can remember. Probably not as good while Covid has so affected the whole running of the club especially finances.
Not announcing until there is something to announce is so much better than pie in the sky such as a stadium on the Hard.
Driving away the best investors we've ever had would be a disgraceful act on behalf of a small number of so called fans.


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - bluetagagain - 09-03-2021

Cheers Exterm. Unfortunately we all know Pompey, like all clubs have a certain % of coonts & keyboard warriors, other than getting the law involved i can't see how they can prevent this. I do believe MC has a great passion for Pompey and wants us to succeed but Tornante/Eisners need to address the current situation and soon. If it was wasn't for the pandemic there would've been protests at games weeks ago. The current player/Jackett situation needs addressing asap. I too feel we need to move from FP, yes its our 'spiritual' home buts its a money pit with next to no expansion or growth areas.


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - Pedalo_menders - 10-03-2021

Thanks Exterm. Some interesting aspects raised., especially the part about not realising how angry the fans are at the moment.

It all stems from what we see on the pitch. If we are served up dog poo twice a week, every week, we're going to start finding ways to change the menu. Especially when the owner doesnt even know the kitchens serving shit and isnt going to change the chef.


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - Isaac Hunt - 10-03-2021

(09-03-2021, 08:19 PM)Hammie Wrote: Saying communication is crap really disregards the previous history of no communication at all.
The communication since Caitlin became Exec has consistently been the best I can remember. Probably not as good while Covid has so affected the whole running of the club especially finances.
Not announcing until there is something to announce is so much better than pie in the sky such as a stadium on the Hard.
Driving away the best investors we've ever had would be a disgraceful act on behalf of a small number of so called fans.

Correct


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - PlymouthGraham - 11-03-2021

thanks mate .excellent read


RE: The Pompey Forum Interview with MC - David_Kemp78 - 11-03-2021

...Yawn..More Bullshit..