Michael Mincberg Joins Argyle Board (head of US group investing £4m)

[Sherford Green]

Argyle obviously have quite a bit of flexibility financially now. Given that the club were originally thinking of doing the work to fix the Grandstand this summer, that would have been undertaken using the existing money in the bank - of which there is several million. It doesn’t really matter whether that work is funded by the £4 million investment or existing cash reserves, as it’s all money at the club’s disposal.

 

[FourMarkGreen]

No wish to hijack the thread, but after spending all those millions on the Mayflower development just three years ago, it really is shocking that a few millions more is required to rectify problems with the work. I guess we shouldn't be surprised though, given what we now know.

And that's speaking as a someone who was, and still is, a big fan in principle of the refurbishment undertaken.

 

[IJN]

When the refurb was muted it was thought that the roof could be used again (which I must admit I thought was pie in the sky) when investigated further the roof was not up to scratch and then the problems started.

It's just one of those things I suppose and now Argyle are biting the bullet.

If it means that the Mayflower Upper ends up with the same legroom as the Mayflower Lower then the clamber for seats there will be massive. As without doubt it has the best view of the game.

 

[Biggs]

I would just see the bright side of it, and that this work is massively improving the grandstand rather than fixing something that's fundamentally broken. The reality is that the grandstand has transformed the club for the better for a pretty low cost, though I think we're probably seeing that it was TOO low a cost to do everything.

E.g. I don't think Lowe and Schumacher and lots of players would have come without those new facilities, or we (and the NHS) could have taken advantage of all the new hospitality stuff, or even that the new investment would have come without a (mostly) complete modern ground.

 

[WoodsyGreen]

It's very disappointing that this money has to be spent on fixing something that should have been done properly first time around.

I just don't understand how so much planning and money went into the grandstand yet these issues weren't taken care of.

 

[Andy B.]

Is it not the fault of the construction company or the Architects? What I mean is there no recourse open to Argyle? Or did we sign off on the plans and then someone has noticed it is not fit for purpose?

 

[FourMarkGreen]

Is it not the fault of the construction company or the Architects? What I mean is there no recourse open to Argyle? Or did we sign off on the plans and then someone has noticed it is not fit for purpose?

I guess we'll never know the extent of any financial restitution, if any. Nor should we expect to, aside from anything which may be published in the public accounting domain.

 

[Quintrell Green]

It's very disappointing that this money has to be spent on fixing something that should have been done properly first time around.

I just don't understand how so much planning and money went into the grandstand yet these issues weren't taken care of.

it is all very well being critical but if the money was not in the kitty at the time of the Grandstand project it was necessary to do the best with the funds available. I would like to be driving around Cornwall in an Aston Martin but I know I must be content with a Seat. If the US investment was not forthcoming as it is, doubtless the improvement on what is currently there would be long delayed. Rejoice.

 

[Biggs]

Is it not the fault of the construction company or the Architects? What I mean is there no recourse open to Argyle? Or did we sign off on the plans and then someone has noticed it is not fit for purpose?

Yeah I think the plans were the plans, I don't think it's the case that we had given them plans for a wide concourse and large legroom, and they messed it up.

I just think it was done on such a budget that there had to be heavy compromises. I think we really do have to look at this as an improvement, because the grandstand has largely been transformative for the club. If there were issues with the main structure itself, it would really have been a disaster.

 

[Andy B.]

Yeah I think the plans were the plans, I don't think it's the case that we had given them plans for a wide concourse and large legroom, and they messed it up.

I just think it was done on such a budget that there had to be heavy compromises.

Oh I see. So it was done on a tight budget and now its not fit for purpose. I just find it incredible that no one said " Hang on a minute this looks problematical?"

 

[Andy B.]

People are getting bigger these days compared to 40 or so years ago - a lot bigger. This fact wont help matters either. And I am one of those people! I weigh 115kg or 17 stone approx.

 

[Andy B.]

I guess we'll never know the extent of any financial restitution, if any. Nor should we expect to, aside from anything which may be published in the public accounting domain.

I'm not saying in a financial term I was alluding to if it was a drawing error in the plan or an error by the constructors then the responsible party would be legally bound to make it good. However its been pointed out this is not the case so its all moot.

 

[Biggs]

Oh I see. So it was done on a tight budget and now its not fit for purpose. I just find it incredible that no one said " Hang on a minute this looks problematical?"

Thing is, it IS largely fit for purpose and 100x better than what was there before. The situation is obviously not ideal, but if it can be fixed and improved without fundamental rebuilding it's not the end of the world. As I understand it, it's remodelling of the top tier and likely opening up the concourse by getting rid of the offices.

I'd just look at it as it was only 85% completed in 2020 as we were in such desperate need of replacing the old one, and in 2023 it will be 100% completed.

 

[Andy B.]

Thing is, it IS largely fit for purpose and 100x better than what was there before. The situation is obviously not ideal, but if it can be fixed and improved without fundamental rebuilding it's not the end of the world. As I understand it, it's remodelling of the top tier and likely opening up the concourse by getting rid of the offices.

I'd just look at it as it was only 85% completed in 2020 as we were in such desperate need of replacing the old one, and in 2023 it will be 100% completed.

I'll take that. And compared to what was there before as a whole, it is night and day.

 

[daront]

Its a great deal for argyle and simon as well. Glad he is running the club properly. To put it into perspective phil foden has just signed a new contract worth £240k ish a week. So he will earn in roughly less then 5 months £4 million. This is what is wrong with football today sadly.
As for the grandstand i experienced it for the first time last weekend and thought everything was ok except the seating. Just a shame that needs more money to address it. Someone somewhere dropped the ball.
But agree with the chairman about a training ground needed. Now just got to wait for another £190 euromillions, i wish lol.