Linnets' Fans' Forum

Quote from: Blue_and_Gold on October 18, 2025, 08:57:25 AMKing's Lynn Town host high-flying Fylde today at the end of another week of confusion at The Walks - CHRIS LAKEY reports

Joe Simpson can be forgiven for his touch of sarcasm as he surveyed the damage of King's Lynn Town's gutting FA Cup exit at National League Scunthorpe.
"We've got another nice easy one next Saturday at home to Fylde," he said, quickly adding, "But we'll look forward to it and we'll go and try and be competitive and see what we can do."
A week on and Simpson has had to mix preparation for the game with personal emotions after a club statement which did little to answer any questions about the caretaker manager's job status or future.
Simpson stepped into the breach as 'interim' following the messy departure of James Rowe. Today, he is either still interim or possibly permanent, depending on how you interpret the aforementioned statement.
Here's the evidence: "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."
No mention of who the experienced external advisor is or why he is there. And no clear reason why the set-up 'provides stability and continuity' while the situation will be reviewed on a 'week to week basis'. Hardly a resounding endorsement of Simpson's work, just PR guff which if you look at social media, hasn't pulled the wool over any discerning fans' eyes.
The reading-between-the-lines suggestion is that Simpson lacks experience, despite the fact a big chunk of his coaching career has been spent working alongside Ian Culverhouse, who arguably brought more success to the club than any other manager – the caveat being, of course, that he endured bad times as well. But which manager hasn't?
Bringing Paul Jones back after the fiasco of loaning one of the best keepers in National League North to Spalding for a month is a wise, inevitable, move. But don't confuse that for the return of an experienced coach: Jones is in the twilight of a long playing career but coaching a team hasn't been prominent on his CV.
What Jones' presence will do is reassert some of the character in the squad that was eroded before his temporary departure when players like Josh Coulson and Kyle McFadden were 'allowed to leave' by Rowe. The club mission may be to improve young players into saleable assets, but that doesn't exclude experienced players from the basic tenet which is to win football games. As it turns out, Coulson and McFadden were pretty good at that.
But those particular Linnets have flown the nest and Simpson will have to make do with what he has got. It's a good squad, with a couple of recent young additions on loan from Peterborough United and Norwich City – players who will hope their futures are a lot clearer than their manager's.

I don't know why they haven't named who the "external adviser" is as it's no secret amongst the players or officials and numerous supporters.

I don't believe he's contractually obligated elsewhere either.

King's Lynn Town host high-flying Fylde today at the end of another week of confusion at The Walks - CHRIS LAKEY reports

Joe Simpson can be forgiven for his touch of sarcasm as he surveyed the damage of King's Lynn Town's gutting FA Cup exit at National League Scunthorpe.
"We've got another nice easy one next Saturday at home to Fylde," he said, quickly adding, "But we'll look forward to it and we'll go and try and be competitive and see what we can do."
A week on and Simpson has had to mix preparation for the game with personal emotions after a club statement which did little to answer any questions about the caretaker manager's job status or future.
Simpson stepped into the breach as 'interim' following the messy departure of James Rowe. Today, he is either still interim or possibly permanent, depending on how you interpret the aforementioned statement.
Here's the evidence: "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."
No mention of who the experienced external advisor is or why he is there. And no clear reason why the set-up 'provides stability and continuity' while the situation will be reviewed on a 'week to week basis'. Hardly a resounding endorsement of Simpson's work, just PR guff which if you look at social media, hasn't pulled the wool over any discerning fans' eyes.
The reading-between-the-lines suggestion is that Simpson lacks experience, despite the fact a big chunk of his coaching career has been spent working alongside Ian Culverhouse, who arguably brought more success to the club than any other manager – the caveat being, of course, that he endured bad times as well. But which manager hasn't?
Bringing Paul Jones back after the fiasco of loaning one of the best keepers in National League North to Spalding for a month is a wise, inevitable, move. But don't confuse that for the return of an experienced coach: Jones is in the twilight of a long playing career but coaching a team hasn't been prominent on his CV.
What Jones' presence will do is reassert some of the character in the squad that was eroded before his temporary departure when players like Josh Coulson and Kyle McFadden were 'allowed to leave' by Rowe. The club mission may be to improve young players into saleable assets, but that doesn't exclude experienced players from the basic tenet which is to win football games. As it turns out, Coulson and McFadden were pretty good at that.
But those particular Linnets have flown the nest and Simpson will have to make do with what he has got. It's a good squad, with a couple of recent young additions on loan from Peterborough United and Norwich City – players who will hope their futures are a lot clearer than their manager's.

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? 

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.

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.   

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. 

https://premium.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/linnets-sign-canaries-defender-9437925/

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?

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.

Quote from: rod on October 15, 2025, 01:42:27 PMWhat exactly is 'the project?'

Something that Alan Parsons did?   

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: 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: 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.

Apparently TW going to Eastbourne.

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.

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.