TalkingBull - Issue 131 - Magazine - Page 6
Not Another One!
Simon Wright ponders on
the resignation of another
Hereford FC Chairman as
Andrew Graham
dramatically leaves his role
at Edgar Street.
Please, no finger pointing. No more
social media rants. Identifying possible
scapegoats. None of it actually matters
compared to that bloody virus which
paralyzes our country and rips lives
apart. Anyway, what’s done in the
name of Edgar Street progress can’t be
undone.
of club Chairmen. And yes, they are all men.
That’s Chairmen at every level from
Premiership and Championship right down to
Non-League.
In my younger days, I used to admire these
invariably mature guys in their snappy suits. I
was a little star struck and accepted their
This publication had a rather different wisdom as a nailed-on, must be repeated,
1,000-word article prepared which set mantra. I had lots of ideas and suggestions to
out our perspective. But we pulled it as offer, some of them with hindsight completely
the context no longer felt right. We took unrealistic. But Chairman can work 26 hours a
a decision at Talking Bull Towers a few day non-stop, can’t they?
weeks back to focus on the lighter side
of supporting Hereford FC and inject as Later in life, I twigged they are just men. With
men’s foibles, fatigue, fear and even flatulence.
much humour as possible. Everyone
Just like the rest of us. Their measured
needs a diversion right now. And yet
pronouncements need analysis around what
this story is too big to pass over.
wasn’t said. They have so many people and
Certain events and activities, known to be
groups to keep “on board”, even if they’re not
bubbling along behind the scenes for months, totally happy.
were abruptly made public. This at a time
Club leaders must be political, motivational
when everyone’s stress levels are already
and charismatic, while understanding the
heightened. Dirty washing which needed to
unique nature of football. And they need a skin
stay in the bin, flew in all directions.
like a rhinoceros. Bad press goes with the
The subsequent mainly private impact on
territory and, cliché time, not all the people
individuals who beaver away promoting or
can be pleased all the time.
helping fundraise for our club, is damaging to
Their deeds are endlessly scrutinised, and
both their own and Hereford FC’s welfare.
judged, often regardless of any in -depth
Legal threats tend to do that. In the
knowledge or background. Very few club
aftermath, we all now need a cool, quiet time
leaders are universally popular. Wise Chairs
to heal and unite. Yes – ironically in the light
always steer well clear of the bear garden of
of a recent statement - to “pull together.”
social media. They ask others to precis trends
Over the decades, I’ve been fortunate to meet, for them. Trends are all they need.
interview and sometimes drink with a variety
TALKINGBULL—ISSUE 120—ONLINE