Devils Off Season Update
- Thread starter djc7
- Start date
I suppose we wanted a statement of some sort and they have given one of some sort. But doesn't really say anything, and indeed the reading between the lines may be more worrying.
"Paul Ragan is the owner of the Cardiff Devils and would also like to confirm his position within the club, however due to other business interests, will be taking a more distant stance from the day to day activities but retaining his chairman’s role"
Well, I suppose that he's distant is a good thing and maybe a sign that he's wanting away now. But does it leave us in a zombie state? No-one can take decisions but PR isn't interested.
'Ongoing talks between Cardiff Council, Greenbank, Ice Arena Wales and the Cardiff Devils continue to take place to develop the process of transition from the BBT to our new home for the 2015-16 Season and all involved at the Cardiff Devils are excited for the long awaited first fixture to take place at Ice Arena Wales. As with any change of this proportion there have been, and will continue to be challenges to overcome for all parties, however this is to be expected with such a significant move.'
I interpret this as 'it's far from settled and the council and co are worried about what a cluster f**k the Devils are becoming'.
'Paul Ragan has confirmed that any interest would be considered but that any such decision would only be considered if it was to the benefit of the club long term.'
Maybe a call to others to put a bid in?
"Paul Ragan is the owner of the Cardiff Devils and would also like to confirm his position within the club, however due to other business interests, will be taking a more distant stance from the day to day activities but retaining his chairman’s role"
Well, I suppose that he's distant is a good thing and maybe a sign that he's wanting away now. But does it leave us in a zombie state? No-one can take decisions but PR isn't interested.
'Ongoing talks between Cardiff Council, Greenbank, Ice Arena Wales and the Cardiff Devils continue to take place to develop the process of transition from the BBT to our new home for the 2015-16 Season and all involved at the Cardiff Devils are excited for the long awaited first fixture to take place at Ice Arena Wales. As with any change of this proportion there have been, and will continue to be challenges to overcome for all parties, however this is to be expected with such a significant move.'
I interpret this as 'it's far from settled and the council and co are worried about what a cluster f**k the Devils are becoming'.
'Paul Ragan has confirmed that any interest would be considered but that any such decision would only be considered if it was to the benefit of the club long term.'
Maybe a call to others to put a bid in?
As I said in the other thread, it is starting to sound like Ragan has had enough and is moving his time and staff to other things. It would be interesting to know officially how much he wants for 'the club' as the valuation in the rumours circulating are ridiculous.
The comment regarding the new arena is also the first time they've admitted that they won't automatically be moving in like they have suggested in the past.
The comment regarding the new arena is also the first time they've admitted that they won't automatically be moving in like they have suggested in the past.
Think the novelty with him has worn off now, certainly hope so, it's time for this club to dust itself down and move on to pastures new. It's reached an all time low, and now should be the time to start climbing out of the mire that idiots have created. Let's get our club back to some kind of sanity and start the rebuilding process it so desperately needs.
From my naïve perspective, I'm seriously glad they've put this press release out.
A relief that we'll have a team for next year, and a relief that the club saw sense and put a press release out.
I'm looking forward to the next ~80 days, signings will have to come in thick and fast. Assuming we're having 5 D, 10 Forward and 2 netties- we still have 15 people left to sign (having signed 2 already...)
That's 1 signing every 5 or so days!
A relief that we'll have a team for next year, and a relief that the club saw sense and put a press release out.
I'm looking forward to the next ~80 days, signings will have to come in thick and fast. Assuming we're having 5 D, 10 Forward and 2 netties- we still have 15 people left to sign (having signed 2 already...)
That's 1 signing every 5 or so days!
Ragan is obviously taking a step back as he has tarnished both his and the Devils reputation with his lies, disregard for the fans and continual cock ups - that is good news to me.
The bad news is that if he is no longer there on an ego trip how much interest will he actually show in making the club a success? I see another long season ahead with the focus on cost and the Devils trying to tread water whilst every other club pushes on.
The bad news is that if he is no longer there on an ego trip how much interest will he actually show in making the club a success? I see another long season ahead with the focus on cost and the Devils trying to tread water whilst every other club pushes on.
The club will let us know about signing news 'as and when they happen'.
So far no additional signings, only departures. Can only assume:
1. Whistles targeted players are not interested
2. He's only just received a revised budget..where has this revenue come from? Certainly not from additional ST sales.
3. He hasn't identified or approached players yet.
He has a good reputation for recruiting.....a great announcement v soon will give fans some reassurances.
So far no additional signings, only departures. Can only assume:
1. Whistles targeted players are not interested
2. He's only just received a revised budget..where has this revenue come from? Certainly not from additional ST sales.
3. He hasn't identified or approached players yet.
He has a good reputation for recruiting.....a great announcement v soon will give fans some reassurances.
I don't get Whistles attitude to signing late in the off season, surely its better to sign attractive players before they go elsewhere, I doubt many clubs would tell people "Yeah no problem Mr Crosby we'll wait to see if the Devils offer you an attractive contract, we'll hang around for you". 
WD
So we are going to have the poor pick of what is left, then the opening games we'll get to find out how good the team plays together, hopefully they can.
Genius.
Now Ragan is distancing himself from the club, it would be great if a manager was in place to run the business, another indication that there is little money or point in recruiting extra staff add this to the attitude that everything has a price and what we are left with is not such an attractive season, glad I'm not taking a punt with my cash, I could be wrong, I see little evidence to change my mind.
The cynic in me is starting to think Ragan has failed to achieve the success the IAW needed to launch the new rink and now since the club is in such a s88t state Ragan is trying to force the hand of Green Bank, maybe a large chunk of IAW income in the initial opening phase was reliant on a successful Devils team and a large fan attendance to help showcase the new facility, since last yr someone seemed almost obsessed with getting silver in the cupboard, that pressure I believe was the catalyst to some diabolical decision making. This has resulted in what we have today and unless Whitsle can find a great team, I don't believe Ragan thinks that is at all possible, due to the budget he has given, then Ragan is probably hoping that an offer for him to f88k off is the likely outcome mid 2015 season.
If this scenario is likely, if I was Green Bank, I'd be tempted to not offer Ragan free ice or any ice and start a new team, from scratch and leave the Devils name for the history books and Ragan up s88t creek with out a paddle or pot to p88 in. :lol:
WD So we are going to have the poor pick of what is left, then the opening games we'll get to find out how good the team plays together, hopefully they can.
Genius.
Now Ragan is distancing himself from the club, it would be great if a manager was in place to run the business, another indication that there is little money or point in recruiting extra staff add this to the attitude that everything has a price and what we are left with is not such an attractive season, glad I'm not taking a punt with my cash, I could be wrong, I see little evidence to change my mind.
The cynic in me is starting to think Ragan has failed to achieve the success the IAW needed to launch the new rink and now since the club is in such a s88t state Ragan is trying to force the hand of Green Bank, maybe a large chunk of IAW income in the initial opening phase was reliant on a successful Devils team and a large fan attendance to help showcase the new facility, since last yr someone seemed almost obsessed with getting silver in the cupboard, that pressure I believe was the catalyst to some diabolical decision making. This has resulted in what we have today and unless Whitsle can find a great team, I don't believe Ragan thinks that is at all possible, due to the budget he has given, then Ragan is probably hoping that an offer for him to f88k off is the likely outcome mid 2015 season.
If this scenario is likely, if I was Green Bank, I'd be tempted to not offer Ragan free ice or any ice and start a new team, from scratch and leave the Devils name for the history books and Ragan up s88t creek with out a paddle or pot to p88 in. :lol:
Since the support for him is so deafening. :lol:
I believe it is more than a few individuals, the criticism is rightly justified by his actions, some of which have been monumentally foolish, I wouldn't go as far as to say people have publicly been hostile, although I'm sure several individuals who have financially experienced his stupidity would probably have a few hostile expletives.
I believe it is more than a few individuals, the criticism is rightly justified by his actions, some of which have been monumentally foolish, I wouldn't go as far as to say people have publicly been hostile, although I'm sure several individuals who have financially experienced his stupidity would probably have a few hostile expletives.
Back in the days of our problems with Bob Phillips we had a meeting at Spiros. Someone at the meeting asked Bob how much he wanted for the club. He replied that he did not discuss it in public and to come and see him and make an offer. If someone wants to know how much he wants "officially" then go and see him and make him an offer.