From https://www.kltown.co.uk/2025/10/14/update-first-team-management/
We know there have been questions about the club's managerial position, and we wanted to share an update.
Following recent changes, Joe Simpson was asked to take interim charge of the first team. He has shown real professionalism, maturity, and commitment to the club during a challenging period.
After careful consideration, the club has decided to continue with Joe leading the team, supported by an experienced structure around him. Paul Jones has returned to assist on the coaching side, and an experienced external advisor has joined to support Joe across all areas of management.
This approach provides stability and continuity while ensuring Joe has the right backing to keep the team moving forward. We'll continue to review the situation on a week-to-week basis and make decisions in the best interests of the club.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and unity. It would be great to see as many of you as possible backing Joe and the team this Saturday against AFC Fylde at the Docherty Walks Stadium.
With Mark Robinson as Director of Football presumably?
Why can't the external person be named ? Not James Rowe is it ?
Quote from: Spiv on October 14, 2025, 12:16:46 PMFrom https://www.kltown.co.uk/2025/10/14/update-first-team-management/
Following recent changes, Joe Simpson was asked to take interim charge of the first team. He has shown real professionalism, maturity, and commitment to the club during a challenging period.
Good luck Joe. :scarf:
Quote from: Mallard on October 14, 2025, 12:34:16 PMWhy can't the external person be named ?...
That was my first thought unless they are currently in a role and working their notice which hasn't been made public yet?
Also not sure a "week to week" review is really the right approach, surely if Joe is the right man today and the club have recognised that there needs to be more structure in place to support him then surely that is good enough for the foreseeable? The main worry I had looking at Joe vs Scarborough was the lack of anyone to bounce ideas off and if the club have now addressed that then I would rather see them publicly back him for the rest of the season. Transition from coach to manager isn't always easy but agree (from what I have seen from the outside) with the club's comments about how Joe has conducted himself so far and wish him all the best.
:scarf: Whoever it is hope Joe and him make a formidable team.
Not sure a week to week basis is fair to Joe, the players or the supporters.
Can see the scenario that if the team were to get beat badly at home Saturday would Bal then we scrambling around looking for someone to come in. Feel
He has had time to assess the market to look at what's available and who might fancy it.
At least with Cleeve he was always proactive and made a decision. Bal just comes across of not knowing which way to turn for the best.
Is this really the deal the Trust members voted on.? I do wonder if they held the same vote tomorrow would they get the same result. All seems back of a fag packet with this new regime.
Quote from: Mallard on October 14, 2025, 03:03:00 PMNot sure a week to week basis is fair to Joe, the players or the supporters.
Can see the scenario that if the team were to get beat badly at home Saturday would Bal then we scrambling around looking for someone to come in. Feel
He has had time to assess the market to look at what's available and who might fancy it.
At least with Cleeve he was always proactive and made a decision. Bal just comes across of not knowing which way to turn for the best.
Is this really the deal the Trust members voted on.? I do wonder if they held the same vote tomorrow would they get the same result. All seems back of a fag packet with this new regime.
I would guess that financial restrictions would also be part of not bringing a Manager in at the moment (apparently Physio has had his hours cut) and continuing with Joe on a week to week basis.
If the Club really wanted Joe to hold the Management position and had chosen him above all the other candidates,surely they would give him a contract rather than having him work on a week to week basis.
From comments on other social media sites, it looks as if the honeymoon period is over for Bal.
Welcome to the Real Kings Lynn.
Could Backie be the man Joe will bounce off . Local jobs for local people. The Trust love that . Welcome to the league of gentlemen. :laughcry:
Back to square one Money or lack of it!
Quote from: peter on October 15, 2025, 09:28:15 AMBack to square one Money or lack of it!
I don't agree with single Benefactor model.
However we have that at Lynn and we have a supposedly wealthy Owner, so I really can't see the point of it unless he's here to throw money into the Club and buy success.
It makes it even more Bizarre that we have an employed person, with no personal financial liability, running the Club.
The Owner is on the other side of the World, and his only business in the Europe is based in a small Town called Kings Lynn.
All seems very strange to me.
And before anyone says if Jo wasn't here we wouldn't have a Club, that's not true.
There was at least one other potential buyer(s), who hopefully are still around and interested.
Or, maybe, the new owner has taken on what he sees as a longer term project and that a sustainable business base is not built by just throwing money about.
I'm not getting this short of cash theory.
1. Bal was on the record of saying Jo was going to pump £300k plus into the project this season
2. Record numbers of season tickets sold.
3. Reported 30% player budget cut.
4. Manager and his assistant from the North replaced by one local guy. ( Rowe)
5. All levels at the same training facilities at Lynn Sport instead of some having to travel to Ely
6. Bigger gates so far this season.
7. The Cleeve factor so hopefully the commercial revenue has increased.
8. Trust money coming into play at some point.
All of the above points to no money issues. Unless Jo has now decided he's not prepared to go with his original 'investment' and instead what's his original investment back??
Maybe it's time for Bal to open up and give the supporters an update on what's happening.
As Johnny Nash sang there are more questions than answers.
Quote from: Mallard on October 15, 2025, 11:19:47 AMI'm not getting this short of cash theory.
1. Bal was on the record of saying Jo was going to pump £300k plus into the project this season
2. Record numbers of season tickets sold.
3. Reported 30% player budget cut.
4. Manager and his assistant from the North replaced by one local guy. ( Rowe)
5. Cheaper training facilities at Lynn Sport compared to Ely.
6. Bigger gates so far this season.
7. The Cleeve factor so hopefully the commercial revenue has increased.
8. Trust money coming into play at some point.
All of the above points to no money issues. Unless Jo has now decided he's not prepared to go with his original 'investment' and instead what's his original investment back??
Maybe it's time for Bal to open up and give the supporters an update on what's happening.
As Johnny Nash sang there are more questions than answers.
I think it's been said from the very beginning that he wanted this "mystery" money back.
We don't even know if it's a club debt or a Cleeve personal debt.
And whatever it is, Cleeve and Jo (Bal) can't even agree (only by the odd 200k or so) what the amount even is!
Quote from: Sam Spade on October 15, 2025, 11:17:11 AMOr, maybe, the new owner has taken on what he sees as a longer term project and that a sustainable business base is not built by just throwing money about.
You think?
It's a bit like when Peter Hill Wood wound up the Arsenal AGM one year, 'thanks for taking an interest in our affairs'!
Quote from: Sam Spade on October 15, 2025, 11:17:11 AMOr, maybe, the new owner has taken on what he sees as a longer term project and that a sustainable business base is not built by just throwing money about.
As I recall it was said at the outset that Jo wasn't here for the long term. So how do you have a long term project when you won't be there ?
It seems Bal is struggling with the short term. So I don't think we should be worrying about the midterm let alone the long term
I think this might be a case of someone being awkward! Obviously the shares held by Blue and Gold Holdings will have be surrendered and transferred. The fans have not been privy to what agreement or contract was made between the two parties and my guess is it might well have not been watertight. I don't think Joe and Bal can do much until this is resolved, hence in my opinion, the delay and ambiguity. Let's hope it is resolved soon as all this speculation does nothing for the club and us fans.
Not sure about this. Pretty much keeping Joe as interim manager if/when things take a nosedive. Next 4 or so matches are absolutely crucial now. Lose on Saturday and not winning at Worksop will certainly call into question the judgement of keeping Joe on and not finding an experienced replacement.
However, I'm prepared to give this a go and see what happens. We have a good, young squad that asked a lot of questions of Scunthorpe last weekend and we are playing exciting and entertaining football (compared to the borefest that was served up for large parts of last season). Onto Saturday we go :scarf: :scarf:
What exactly is 'the project?'
Quote from: rod on October 15, 2025, 01:42:27 PMWhat exactly is 'the project?'
Something that Alan Parsons did? :dontknow:
The forum never fails to make me smile. Only last week certain people were trying to kick up a storm about the Club because they didnt make a knee jerk reaction to the managerial situation and took time to review the best way forward as any good business person would do. And now the Club have come out and announced how we are going forward the same people who advocated giving Joe a more prolonged chance to prove himself have suggested that a week by week basis isnt good enough.
I guess if he had been given a lengthy contract or magically conjured up a new manager sitting on the shelf just waiting for the chance to come to Lynn without paying a fee like we did for Lakeland that wouldnt have been acceptable either.
And by the way it costs more to train and Lynn sport than Ely so please check your facts before misleading people.
Quote from: Veratis on October 15, 2025, 04:58:32 PMAnd by the way it costs more to train and Lynn sport than Ely so please check your facts before misleading people.
And there we were thinking that was an accepted practice these days!
Quote from: Veratis on October 15, 2025, 04:58:32 PMThe forum never fails to make me smile.
Other social media sites are available.
Many thanks for pointing this out Vera. Anything else you think is incorrect ?
You posted that the new regime were a bit " fag packet " when in reality that would only apply to the accounting inherited from the previous owner along with a complete lack of record keeping.
Also there was a lack of planning from the new owners whereas the opposite is the truth but this will only be judged as the Club move forward with supporters remaining positive rather than look for any opportunity to find fault.
There has been comment on financial restrictions and I think the new owners said that budgets would be set and every effort would be made to stay within those budgets over the financial year. So its quite refreshing that cost savers and efficiency are being taken into account rather than just spending other peoples money before asking for more.
Cleeve in his last days at the Club made reference to other investors being interested in buying the Club however like most things Cleeve ( like the table ) were never likely to ever happen. Also the DCMS loan would make the Club unattractive to most. This loan will be an ongoing issue for years thanks to the previous owner.
And once again Cleeve has gone and continually suggesting that he may still have any ownership is false.
So it's false that Cleeve is still there? Really? So are you saying via your connections with the Club, that the shares have now been transferred? Supporters are only looking for information, and of course the Club have said themselves that he would remain involved at the Club in an attempt to reduce the Legacy debt. He's also been seen in the Officials Lounge.
You seem to be the authority on the actual facts, so please share.
Nobody criticised financial restrictions, which you appear to now be confirming are in place. In that case tell the fans then rather than raising their expectations to unrealistic levels.
No financial records? How can that be? Trust are now investing their members money and I'm sure the Directors wouldn't put themselves in an awkward position (no Ltd Liability with a Trust), by not seeing and having possession of full and audited financial records.
And apparently there WERE other genuine interest parties. I have that from a very good source now associated with the Club, and who I believe.
I've said this before. Supporters talk and discuss the Clubs they support. That's always have done and always will be. You may not like it but you won't stop it. By not engaging with supporters you'll just give rise to more questions (or what some would refer to as speculation). Just look at BBC News today and fans opinion of what's going on at Norwich City at the moment. Some of the comments on there will strike a chord with supporters up and down the country irrespective of what level their Clubs play at. Prior to the internet, it was confined to "terrace talk" on a Saturday afternoon, and then in the bar afterwards (when players would join the supporters...............(doubt you'll remember those days). Terrace Talk still happens but we are now also in the age of communication and there's no going back. There's just more "terrace talk" available via the internet these days, so embrace it.
By the way, there's far more discussions going on via Facebook and Twitter recently. Have you taken anyone on there to task?
I might be being more dense than usual (always quite possible 😶�🌫�) but I understood that two previous managers have been interviewed for the manager's job recently. One being Culverhouse and the other Setchell.
Are we to assume that neither fit the bill/didn't like the terms ? Or were the rumours flying around the stand at the last home match just that...rumours with no basis in fact 🤔 That's one for the "I know more than you know" gang.
And poor Joe really doesn't need things to be reviewed as often as a "week-to-week" basis. That's like having a gun held to his head. Don't lose or you're out 🚪 🤕
I'm sure others on here can give endless lists of managers who didn't initially do well at a club, only to turn out to be the best thing since seven seed granary sliced loaf with added vitamins and nutrients 😋
Welcome Joe and don't let the b..tards grind you down 🤗
I just think it's unfair on Joe not to be offered a contract.
After all, if he didn't want to do the job the club would have to get someone else in and presumably offer them a contract. :dontknow:
I think that Joe is good enough, what with the current situation at the Club.
Who knows. Maybe they're just waiting for the Trust cheque to clear and would then have enough confidence to offer a contract, for Joe or one of the other names in the frame.
Interesting comments Vera. I'd just like to see some evidence on how things are so much better than under the previous regime.
Why would the Club new owners not disassociate themselves with SC if he left such a mess? Surely the last thing should have been was to invite him to have a role within the Club. It's not a great look.
Information wise I don't see anymore engagement with the fans than we endured under SC.
With regard to Joe Simpson working on a week to week basis, how is that good for anyone ? Is it a case of being one good victory away from getting the gig on a full time basis or one defeat and he's on his way.?
One thing we can agree on is the ill thought out idea of the DCMS loan. That burden is here for a lot of years to come. Was taken out to secure NL status. That worked out well !!!
Quote from: Mallard on October 17, 2025, 09:32:32 AMInteresting comments Vera. I'd just like to see some evidence on how things are so much better than under the previous regime.
Why would the Club new owners not disassociate themselves with SC if he left such a mess? Surely the last thing should have been was to invite him to have a role within the Club. It's not a great look.
Information wise I don't see anymore engagement with the fans than we endured under SC.
With regard to Joe Simpson working on a week to week basis, how is that good for anyone ? Is it a case of being one good victory away from getting the gig on a full time basis or one defeat and he's on his way.?
One thing we can agree on is the ill thought out idea of the DCMS loan. That burden is here for a lot of years to come. Was taken out to secure NL status. That worked out well !!!
Maybe Vera would even like to give us a Financial update.
Has the Club debt increased or decreased since TSI took over the running, if not ownership, of the Club.
Quote from: Mallard on October 17, 2025, 09:32:32 AMOne thing we can agree on is the ill thought out idea of the DCMS loan. That burden is here for a lot of years to come. Was taken out to secure NL status. That worked out well !!!
Mallard.
I take it that you don't believe that the current (prospective) owners will be taking us back to NL level anytime soon then? :dontknow:
No definitely not. Culverhouse got us to that level with a part time locally based squad. So with a decent full time budget and with the squad we have no reasons for us not to make the play offs.
Feel the players are there so it's all about the missing link, or maybe Joe Simpson is that man. It all sits in one persons lap.
Quote from: Quinn Upstone on October 16, 2025, 08:05:15 PMI might be being more dense than usual (always quite possible 😶�🌫�) but I understood that two previous managers have been interviewed for the manager's job recently. One being Culverhouse and the other Setchell.
Are we to assume that neither fit the bill/didn't like the terms ? Or were the rumours flying around the stand at the last home match just that...rumours with no basis in fact 🤔 That's one for the "I know more than you know" gang.
Hello. Is anybody out there in forum-land ?
Hasn't anyone got any comments about Culverhouse or Setchell ?
Doesn't anyone know anything about them being interviewed ?
At least if I've dreamt it all, I'd like to know, so I can tell my shrink next time I imagine an appointment with him 😁
Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they haven't got it in for me 😭
It's just like one of my favourite songs... The Sound of Silence 🤐
Uptoon as it seems you have your finger firmly on the pulse. Did you hear a rumour about a certain John Sheridan being touted as a candidate for the Managerial position, should it become vacant???
No drake🦆. But he's certainly been about a bit and never seems to settle anywhere for long.
Sounds a bit like a certain manager who stays for a while, breaks his contracts, nicks a few players and does a runner 🤑💰💰
But I might be doing Sheridan a disservice 😏
Most Managers have a shelf life at whatever Club and then move on to pastures new. Same as Club owners get jittery when a few results go the wrong way.
That's the World of modern day Football.
Quote from: Mallard on October 19, 2025, 04:43:33 PMMost Managers have a shelf life at whatever Club and then move on to pastures new. Same as Club owners get jittery when a few results go the wrong way.
That's the World of modern day Football.
In cases such as these, it helps the Manager if the Club has no money to spend.
At least that is until the next big paycheck arrives.