IT'S more than six months since I had a dig at Darwen FC's chairman Ted Ward and his big plans for the future of the club. Heard it all before. For close on 50 years. Yawn.
I finished off my column last October with the line: "Fans like me have wrestled their way through so many disappointments over the years that I fear Ted Ward's Ten-Year Plan will turn out to be rather like a Joe Stalin Five-Year Plan. Only twice as desperate."
Ouch! I had planned to meet up with Ward although I thought I'd let the steaming settle down to a gentle simmer first.
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Somehow I never got round to it till the other day when I called into the Anchor to watch Darwen hammer Bootle 4-1. Great fun!
He was celebrating a new 20-year lease from the council and a three-goal lead.
For my part, Thwaites Smooth and Benedictine chasers helped to mellow my occasionally abrasive approach.
I'd been reading some pointed digs at him on various websites so I took the opportunity of talking to a couple of former players whom I know.
Their verdict? He's OK.
Former club skipper Neil Almond told me: "Ted's having to learn the hard way that it's tough running a semi-professional outfit like Darwen.
"I left and so did a lot of other lads when he sacked manager Steve Mullen.
"We didn't feel it was right. But I've no problem at all with Ted Ward and I'd be happy playing there again."
Ward seems to have abandoned any thoughts he may have had about moving the club into a more central location such as Robin Bank.
But he is still hoping to develop land behind the Anchor, principally for outdoor soccer pitches and, no doubt, some sort of commercial enterprise.
"There's about 12 acres of land alongside us ready to be developed and I want to develop it.
"But the owners are asking a small fortune. Twice what I reckon it's worth.
"If ever we can do a deal I'd be happy to pour millions into the venture," he told me.
Access would be easy from the new motorway services.
It all has more of a ring to it than a new ground on Robin Bank's steep hillside and could be a roaring success, both for the club and the town.
Incidentally, Ted Ward has nothing but praise for the local council and for next-door neighbours Akzo-Nobel.
"Amazingly co-operative," he says.
This season Darwen have had three managers and more than 60 players and the club is still in the middle reaches of the Vodkat NW Counties League Division 2.
But new boss Dennis Hill is getting stuck in and planning ahead for next season.
Three promotions in the next seven or eight years would put Darwen in the Conference North.
And watch out this summer for a rugby league team breaking new ground at the club.
Posted by: Cynical, Darwen on 2:52pm Tue 22 Apr 08
I see that the censors are out again. My post, which has been removed, simply stated facts as they are presented at Companies House and therefore in the public domain. Why have they been deleted, LT?
I see that the censors are out again. My post, which has been removed, simply stated facts as they are presented at Companies House and therefore in the public domain. Why have they been deleted, LT?
Posted by: Cynical, Darwen on 11:10am Thu 24 Apr 08
Comeon now, LT! Whatever happened to freedom of speech! Not half an hour ago, there were 30 comments on here, and you have deleted them. Perhaps they were too close to the truth and some pressure has been brought to bear??
Comeon now, LT! Whatever happened to freedom of speech! Not half an hour ago, there were 30 comments on here, and you have deleted them. Perhaps they were too close to the truth and some pressure has been brought to bear??
Posted by: Cynical, Darwen on 12:36pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I understand that the LT have to be careful about what is written here, and although most of what was written (before it was removed) was absolutely true, perhaps my, and other's, comments should be a little less accusing! So, sticking to the facts, it [bold]IS[/bold] a verifiable fact that Mr Ward has failed to pay suppliers. It [bold]IS[/bold] a verifiable fact that debt collectors visited the company on the afternoon of 11th April regarding outstanding debts. It [bold]IS[/bold] a verifiable fact that a supplier has received a fax from one of Mr Ward's companies confirming that they were suffering cash flow problems. All of this is documented fact and is therefore not "hearsay". Anything else that I write would probably be conjecture and be removed, so I would invite anyone who [bold]KNOWS[/bold] any other facts to outline them here, just as long as they are verifiable.
I understand that the LT have to be careful about what is written here, and although most of what was written (before it was removed) was absolutely true, perhaps my, and other's, comments should be a little less accusing! So, sticking to the facts, it IS a verifiable fact that Mr Ward has failed to pay suppliers. It IS a verifiable fact that debt collectors visited the company on the afternoon of 11th April regarding outstanding debts. It IS a verifiable fact that a supplier has received a fax from one of Mr Ward's companies confirming that they were suffering cash flow problems. All of this is documented fact and is therefore not "hearsay". Anything else that I write would probably be conjecture and be removed, so I would invite anyone who KNOWS any other facts to outline them here, just as long as they are verifiable.
Well L.E.T. not much use writing the truth about Ward so the people of Darwen cant say what they feel about this man and his BS. Whats up did spin you some yarn aswell
Well L.E.T. not much use writing the truth about Ward so the people of Darwen cant say what they feel about this man and his BS. Whats up did spin you some yarn aswell
Posted by: ex-player on behalf of other ex-players on 1:49pm Thu 24 Apr 08
It is a verifiable fact that many players left because they weren't paid what they were owed. It is a verifiable fact that many ex-players are still owed £200+ in expenses. It is a verifiable fact that players had to start travelling in cars because Ted couldn't pay his debts to the coach firm.
It is a verifiable fact that many players left because they weren't paid what they were owed. It is a verifiable fact that many ex-players are still owed £200+ in expenses. It is a verifiable fact that players had to start travelling in cars because Ted couldn't pay his debts to the coach firm.
Posted by: ayeoright, la la land on 3:29pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Let hope that readers get to see the above comments by s and ex player before they get removed- it's time people knew what kind of a bloke they are dealing with
Let hope that readers get to see the above comments by s and ex player before they get removed- it's time people knew what kind of a bloke they are dealing with
FACT. He is not the sole owner of the club because he has not paid the last owner his money.
FACT. This information can be found by looking up the stock transfers of the club.
Fact the club is not in sole ownership.
Fact going to Salford and asking round various sporting establishments such as rugby clubs. you will be told no way will they deal with him.
Fact. i have had to deal with the club and all transactions have to go on his assistant Frans credit card because we will not accept any form of payment from the club other than cash neither will Blackburn with Darwen council.
FACT. He is not the sole owner of the club because he has not paid the last owner his money.
FACT. This information can be found by looking up the stock transfers of the club.
Fact the club is not in sole ownership.
Fact going to Salford and asking round various sporting establishments such as rugby clubs. you will be told no way will they deal with him.
Fact. i have had to deal with the club and all transactions have to go on his assistant Frans credit card because we will not accept any form of payment from the club other than cash neither will Blackburn with Darwen council.
Fact Beatnick is correct in everything they say. Fact there are a lot of people owed money by Ted Ward Salford and beyond. Fact Ward is full of fantastic stories, but stories are all they are in his fantasy world of his own. Fact the club would be better off with Kevin Hendry back and kick Ted Ward out.
Fact Beatnick is correct in everything they say. Fact there are a lot of people owed money by Ted Ward Salford and beyond. Fact Ward is full of fantastic stories, but stories are all they are in his fantasy world of his own. Fact the club would be better off with Kevin Hendry back and kick Ted Ward out.
I have just trawled through companies house looking at the register of Directors.
I must say i was quite supprised to find that all the companys Mr Ward is reported to own seem to have the same problem and that is his name seems not to appear on any of the list of directors at companys house.
I think the council should do a full audit of all his afairs before we do anything.
I have just trawled through companies house looking at the register of Directors.
I must say i was quite supprised to find that all the companys Mr Ward is reported to own seem to have the same problem and that is his name seems not to appear on any of the list of directors at companys house.
I think the council should do a full audit of all his afairs before we do anything.
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