It also bears saying that if this was a straightforward "leaving for a better job", it is very odd for JJ to reference reasons that may come out down the line.
This old tweet from Danny Bloomfield made me laugh - a different one to the famous deleted one, referencing a generic peppy letter written after the Villa game that didn't actually mention Blooms or the players.
I have been unusually tied up with work these past few days so haven’t really had chance to contribute to the discussions.
Reading back through most of the comments I am reminded what a (generally) respectful community exists on this site as there have been some very strong and real emotions expressed and although these have been occasionally questioned very little has been dismissed completely out of hand.
Of course there will be differences in opinions and theories as to why a popular manager should choose to leave, for a ‘better’ club (that hurts to say but I do get that logic from @flymofrank’s arguments) halfway through a highly successful season.
For some it is easy to see as ‘just football’ and in the absence of any concrete evidence to the contrary I am envious of them. I really wish I could see what they see and just move on.
For those supporters, Wycombe Wanderers FC are fast-forwarding to a place where we can (apparently) pay €1 million euros for a midfielder few of us knew existed a week or so and can realistically dream of playing Championship football in the relatively near future.
It must be incredibly exciting for them to support Wycombe Wanderers FC at this pivotal moment in our 141 year (or 138 if you prefer*) history.
I really, really wish I could feel like that about our club at the moment.
But I can’t.
For me, a lot of things that mattered to me about supporting the club - the values, the culture of the last few years, the community essence of Wycombe Wanderers have seemingly been allowed to dissipate in a very short period and for me that hurts inside.
I do get that with a billionaire owner its pretty inevitable that’s what we are going to get and perhaps the pay off (a successful Championship level - give or take - team and a cracking Academy) will make it feel worthwhile.
But at the moment I feel as detached from what I always considered as ‘my’ club as I have ever done.
When we were under Hayes ownership I felt similar until the shock of Torquay reminded me that the existence of the club itself meant more to me than whoever happened to be paying (or not paying) the bills.
On a counter-argument though I am reminded of the schism that happened within the club in the later Loakes Park years between the more traditional board members who wanted financial stability and steady progression and those who believed now was the time to speculate to propel us forward. The latter won the argument leading to some of our greatest years so perhaps I’m just the wrong side of history.
I hope so.
Regardless, I will be at Mansfield hoping for three points (albeit expecting to lose 2-0).
For those of you who have read this far apologies for taking up your time. Writing it was a little cathartic and my thanks to everyone who makes this site such a safe space that I feel comfortable venting at such length.
*That debate we had on here a week or so ago over whether we formed in 1884 or 1887 now feels like it happened in a different lifetime/timeline.
There’s lots of people mention those “ITK” and lots of “I have heard from sources” etc posts. It might be my cynicism kicking in, but the very fact there are anonymous sources from within the club willing to and apparently actively talking about what’s going on behind what should be - at least at a corporate level - closed doors is more concerning than anything to me.
For everyone that is in the know, remember your mates are probably telling you stuff they shouldn’t. Either they want there jobs and you telling the secrets here puts their job at risk, or worse, they don’t give a shit about their jobs because they have checked out mentally because things have got that bad.
sure, forums thrive off tidbits of ITK scuttlebutt but there’s a small and finite number of people your info can come from.
Your last paragraph nails this season under MB with increased funding from our owner ML, you could increase that to 2024.
Why would a man who has spent 22 years of his whole adult life here want to leave when he’s taken us to great heights and had the opportunity to take us up and take us much further in the FA Cup.
Matt was the man to lead us and was doing a great job with some of the finest football we’d ever seen at AP and getting result after result after result.
All the signs are there that he was not wanted by Rice and ultimately ML. The club made no effort to keep him or thank him openly which I find abhorrent considering his commitment over 22 years.
I am sure we will be successful without Matt but we were being hugely successful with him at the helm.
I don’t know anyone within the club but I know people who work in football. People who work in football talk to each other, and are rarely discreet. I don’t consider myself ITK but I do hear things from very credible sources.
I was told when the new owners first arrived that Blooms wasn’t their man. I was also told more recently that Blooms “wasn’t having them”. It wasn’t exactly a shock when he left for pastures new.
Comments
When he says "I've read the statement" he may as well have added "and it's total bullshit"
That's how I read it anyway
Agreed! The accompanying laugh spoke volumes too.
It also bears saying that if this was a straightforward "leaving for a better job", it is very odd for JJ to reference reasons that may come out down the line.
From that interview JJ seems to be on the same page as many of us here, referencing the number of times Matt stressed "being wanted" as a major factor
This old tweet from Danny Bloomfield made me laugh - a different one to the famous deleted one, referencing a generic peppy letter written after the Villa game that didn't actually mention Blooms or the players.
Is JJ in the know?
JJ is such a good interviewee - always thoughtful and eloquent.
I have been unusually tied up with work these past few days so haven’t really had chance to contribute to the discussions.
Reading back through most of the comments I am reminded what a (generally) respectful community exists on this site as there have been some very strong and real emotions expressed and although these have been occasionally questioned very little has been dismissed completely out of hand.
Of course there will be differences in opinions and theories as to why a popular manager should choose to leave, for a ‘better’ club (that hurts to say but I do get that logic from @flymofrank’s arguments) halfway through a highly successful season.
For some it is easy to see as ‘just football’ and in the absence of any concrete evidence to the contrary I am envious of them. I really wish I could see what they see and just move on.
For those supporters, Wycombe Wanderers FC are fast-forwarding to a place where we can (apparently) pay €1 million euros for a midfielder few of us knew existed a week or so and can realistically dream of playing Championship football in the relatively near future.
It must be incredibly exciting for them to support Wycombe Wanderers FC at this pivotal moment in our 141 year (or 138 if you prefer*) history.
I really, really wish I could feel like that about our club at the moment.
But I can’t.
For me, a lot of things that mattered to me about supporting the club - the values, the culture of the last few years, the community essence of Wycombe Wanderers have seemingly been allowed to dissipate in a very short period and for me that hurts inside.
I do get that with a billionaire owner its pretty inevitable that’s what we are going to get and perhaps the pay off (a successful Championship level - give or take - team and a cracking Academy) will make it feel worthwhile.
But at the moment I feel as detached from what I always considered as ‘my’ club as I have ever done.
When we were under Hayes ownership I felt similar until the shock of Torquay reminded me that the existence of the club itself meant more to me than whoever happened to be paying (or not paying) the bills.
On a counter-argument though I am reminded of the schism that happened within the club in the later Loakes Park years between the more traditional board members who wanted financial stability and steady progression and those who believed now was the time to speculate to propel us forward. The latter won the argument leading to some of our greatest years so perhaps I’m just the wrong side of history.
I hope so.
Regardless, I will be at Mansfield hoping for three points (albeit expecting to lose 2-0).
For those of you who have read this far apologies for taking up your time. Writing it was a little cathartic and my thanks to everyone who makes this site such a safe space that I feel comfortable venting at such length.
*That debate we had on here a week or so ago over whether we formed in 1884 or 1887 now feels like it happened in a different lifetime/timeline.
No it was kinda what I set out to do but I’m pretty sure pocket size police officers were available at that time.
There’s lots of people mention those “ITK” and lots of “I have heard from sources” etc posts. It might be my cynicism kicking in, but the very fact there are anonymous sources from within the club willing to and apparently actively talking about what’s going on behind what should be - at least at a corporate level - closed doors is more concerning than anything to me.
For everyone that is in the know, remember your mates are probably telling you stuff they shouldn’t. Either they want there jobs and you telling the secrets here puts their job at risk, or worse, they don’t give a shit about their jobs because they have checked out mentally because things have got that bad.
sure, forums thrive off tidbits of ITK scuttlebutt but there’s a small and finite number of people your info can come from.
Your last paragraph nails this season under MB with increased funding from our owner ML, you could increase that to 2024.
Why would a man who has spent 22 years of his whole adult life here want to leave when he’s taken us to great heights and had the opportunity to take us up and take us much further in the FA Cup.
Matt was the man to lead us and was doing a great job with some of the finest football we’d ever seen at AP and getting result after result after result.
All the signs are there that he was not wanted by Rice and ultimately ML. The club made no effort to keep him or thank him openly which I find abhorrent considering his commitment over 22 years.
I am sure we will be successful without Matt but we were being hugely successful with him at the helm.
I’m gutted he’s gone and I bet Matt is too.
Do you think our owner will ever visit AP?
I don’t know anyone within the club but I know people who work in football. People who work in football talk to each other, and are rarely discreet. I don’t consider myself ITK but I do hear things from very credible sources.
I was told when the new owners first arrived that Blooms wasn’t their man. I was also told more recently that Blooms “wasn’t having them”. It wasn’t exactly a shock when he left for pastures new.
He’ll lose his shine on here if he is.
Smartest comment on this thread, would be interested to see the point of view for people that disliked it?