sat through the election addresses so you don’t have to waste your time. If you wanted to watch and learn about their points of view on issues of the club’s huge trading losses, fans matchday experience, volunteering, linking to the town, transparency and democracy and a big etcetera none of them are interested except in the daily grind. I’d suggest maybe they should not be anywhere near the board of a community football club. Luckily in Tim Bradshaw there is a stand out candidate who I would recommend as the only one worth voting for. I have never met or heard of Tim so I do not recommend for any reason other than the equal playing field of these addresses.
Briefly.
Willa Bailey
Willa has been involved with cricket in Chalvington, useful, but I don’t think been to a Lewes game. Willa talks a lot about Willa and not about Lewes and a lot of irrelevant waffle appertaining to a community football club. Only interest is women’s football and not a hint of interest in the day to day struggles of a small community football club. At 23 Willa feels she can build a connection with fans of that age, as our fans are under 15 or over 30 and any of her age just go for a social drink I’d suggest if Willa ever bothered going to a game she may not have used that as a selling point. Very smart person but should not be allowed near our boardroom as nothing realistic to offer.
Matthew Barrett
Matthew, as with all candidates very smart, his big three points of interest are commercial media networking and collective action. Again, all pie in the sky stuff.
Tim Bradshaw.
Stand out candidate, proper Lewes fan, lives in Ringmer and addresses day to day down to earth things a board needs to grapple with. Matchday volunteer, happy to pitch in. Vote for him.
Andy Gowland
Another idealist involved with ‘Right to Dream.’ Brand building and about building relationships. A fresh perspective and ‘holistic approach.’ Has a lot to offer football but nothing to offer Lewes FC.
Eden Shepherd
I didn’t really make any notes as he didn’t say anything I thought relevant to the task in hand.
Bradley Spiby
Is from Barcelona and thinks we can become a really big club through membership which is clearly impossible and a non starter, tried and failed. I think he is saying even if the whole population of Lewes were members that is not enough so maybe feels he can bring 30,000 new members in. Dream on son! He has worked with Lucy, who is on the board, doing stuff for Lewes FC. Although not sure if he has been to a game. Feels we need an international representative on the Board which I believe Lucy already is, so slightly confused. Brad has things to offer Lewes FC but really should not be near to the board until he understands the club and town. Might be an idea if he and some other candidates went to some games.
Ian Wigston
Seems at first glance to have a more grounded approach to football and certainly ticks some boxes. Again no idea of any involvement or even attendance. Good background and maybe someone who could help get to grips with our terrible finances without the waving of the magic wand of five of the others. Talks good stuff but falls flat on his face with an address that says ‘our financial position is good,’ just after the accounts reveal the opposite. Should have done some legwork. Best candidate of the other 6.
My own thoughts are Tim Bradshaw is so many leagues in front of the other candidates it is untrue. Wigston is probably better than some current members so worth a consideration but just because the others are simply not good enough.
The Rights of Fans. 