Our older readers will know exactly what a B Movie was/is. It has now gained the title of “straight to video” and both are appropriate articulations of a cheap film with a virtually unknown cast, no penny knowingly overspent on scenery and “on location” entailing a short trip to Martha’s Vineyard or Brighton beach depending if it’s one of “ours” or one of “theirs”.
Quite a few rising stars started off in this fashion, ones that come quickly to mind include:
- Marilyn Monroe in Home Town Shy – she had two lines in her own life story before moving on to Scudder Hoo! Scudder Hey! before attracting a modicum of attention with Right Cross and Let’s Make Love before hitting the Hollywood Jackpot with The Seven Year Itch.
- Good ole Ronnie Reagan was in several crackers of the genre. Love is on the Air led to Brother Rat and that in turn saw him paired with wife-to-be Jane Wyman. Both were cornerstones of the genre. They made the utterly cringeworthy Bedtime for Bonzo together while Jane was a veteran of Tugboat Annie Sails Again. When they split he married Nancy Davis, another confirmed B-lister who at one point travelled with Reagan everywhere.
- The practice continues to this very day with two of my favourite actors, Johnny Depp and Simon Pegg, deliberating creating a couple of films for that specific market at the time. I can’t remember the titles right now but copies flew off the shelves in both cases.
Already it should be seen that a pattern is emerging here. Rising stars “working hard” in the casting areas have long given Hollywood notoriety, and that applied to the boys as well as the girls. Interviews with James Dean and Don Johnson show that laissez-faire applied to both the sexes as well as those who like to change their preferences now and again.
For every Errol Flynn there was a Marlene Dietrich and for every Diana Dors there was a Lindsay Kemp. Coming out in the East End of London in the late 70s/early 80s must have been intensely difficult for young people then, even ending in violence on several occasions and rarely reported to Police.
But returning to Norwich City as I must, this season has been one long B Movie with the blame for our shortcomings equally attached to the owner/directors, directors. producers and cast. On a boring November morning, what could be better than casting blame on the punters who were supposed to be true Savoyards, shovelling up every bit of sh1te chucked at them by the owner/directors and at one stage even a producer and the movie accountant, both who should have both known much, much better.
The fact that given a fair wind, we could still make the playoffs has not escaped me but my hope that we don’t get promoted at the end of the season is getting more and more entrenched by the day.
There is no money and this squad would be an embarrassment to the Club, its supporters and everybody who is connected with it should this happen.
A little hard-core of MFW readers were quickly firing small-calibre warnings when Mark Attanasio strolled by, seemingly being exactly the kind of person Delia wanted*** to slowly buy more and more shares in the Club. I reiterated my concerns over this soon after the Millwall piece and in the last couple of days the rest of the Posse have said their bit, as have both John and John F.
And yesterday up comes Gary G with a similar line in his article and a suitable comment from Chris backing our thoughts to the hilt:
It’s not a military coup, a one-man tactical dissertation on the game or anything more than a bunch of geezers saying what they think, but I reckon that’s mighty important right now as there is an across-the-board consistency on view here, which is certainly not visible on the grass.
Chris said:
“It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the whole setup is flawed and without a seismic shift in the ethos and ambition of the club this decline will just continue. There are far too many individuals coasting along, doing the bare minimum without fear of sanction or any comeback. The easy Costa del Colney attitude has returned with a vengeance and it seeps down from the total lack of direction, leadership and oversight from the very top.
“It’s not good enough. Given that the season is dying a painful death it’s an opportune time for the club to break cover and tell the support exactly what is happening behind the scenes viz-a-viz the share issue and possible new direction. We all need a lift and the hope of a better future would be a fillip.”
And here’s an extract from a comment courtesy of John F: “As long as Delia remains in charge we are likely to sink lower rather than achieve Premiership status as she simply cannot afford to fund a club at this level. Self-funding is a none-too-funny joke and once again at ticket renewal time, we were fed the new share issue to delude us into believing new owners and hopefully fresh finance was coming.
“Since I renewed my season ticket news about the share issue has gone very quiet. I’m starting to once again feel that I’ve been mugged.”
*** That’s right, Delia wanted. Bugger the rest of us, it’s what Delia wants that counts. She will never realise she is using us to cling on to any dwindling celebrity status she still enjoys and how she has recklessly sucked the life from the Club for very nearly a quarter of a century now.
Oh yeah, it’s Stoke on Saturday and I bet Alex Neil is already rubbing his hands with ill-concealed glee.
I’ll leave you with this as a reminder of the last time I knowingly watched a B-movie:
Interesting take on the ncfc issues with the cinematic analogies Martin. It does however highlight the predicament the club has been in for some time. The model doesn’t work. In this day and age you need considerable financial clout to succeed, As you say Delia doesn’t have it ! I still firmly believe she sees the club as a family asset which she is determined to hang on to. The new shares option have lessened her grip but together with nephew Tom’s share she still has a significant say. To that end, despite any potential cash injection, I can’t see things changing.
It seems that neither you nor Martin is a member of the Canaries Trust. A shame – if you were, you’d have seen this week an interview with Tom Smith which casts a rather different light on these issues.
Tom’s shareholding, by the way, is very small. No secret – it’s in the Accounts.
Is there anything in that interview you’re able to share, Stew? The promise of news and then no news (publicly at least) naturally raises concerns for those of us not privy to any inside information.
It’s an interview that was given to me on behalf of the Trust. For now it’s only available to Trust members – but we’re exploring permission for wider access. I’ll keep you informed.
Many thanks.
I wouldn’t mind a look now I know it exists Stew.
Now it’s established that I am a member, of course.
I probably stashed the last newsletter to *read later* and deleted it!
Unless the Trust decided some members should see it but others not, although that sounds more than a little unlikely.
Oi Lewis- no!!! 🙂
I am a member of the Canaries Trust and have been for the last five or six years, I donated what small amount of shares I had to the CT on joining, via Mike Reynolds.
I get the monthly CT newsletter just like any other member and I was once asked about my opinions on safe standing which I duly replied to.
I suppose if you want to get something out of a body such as the Trust you must put something in but as I’ve never been asked to contribute I haven’t done so. I don’t even buy raffle tickets.
My personal health situation for the last six months has dictated that [if I ever even received a copy of it] I didn’t read an interview with Tom Smith. It could be that I’m wrong here as morphine is hardly an aid to concentration.
You wouldn’t have known I was a CT member as I don’t shout it from the top. Membership doesn’t affect me in any way either positive or negative so I keep it to myself!
Cheers
Thanks, Martin. The Tom Smith interview was circulated to Trust members earlier this week, as a special edition of the regular bulletin.
Taking your word that you’re a member, I’ll email it to you. As I say, it’s been agreed with the club to keep circulation limited for now, but that may change.
Cheers, Stew.
Very noble Martin,
We all know how reticent you are to discuss yourself
Hi Trev
It’s very kind of you to acknowledge my usual reticence to *discuss myself*, as it were. Not many MFW readers are as heartwarmingly considerate as yourself and I am touched by your spirit of generosity.
Toodle pip!
Hi Baz
The idea of Delia and her family heirloom of a football club has been around for some time now and increasingly more people are beginning to think this is all fine and good for Delia but not quite as alluring for the rest of us.
In fairness it is not her fault that she doesn’t have the stupid money required to underwrite the running of a 21st century football cub, but surely to continue with what you quite righty describe as a *broken model* is foolhardy in extrmis.
The very fact that so many of us can’t see things changing while she remains with influence at the club is soul-destroying.
Cheers
Thanks Martin. In fairness I would be the first to say she has done a lot for the club. However times change and I do really think we need to move on with hopefully adequate financial backing. Having supported the club for many years I remain optimistic. Take csre
B Movies, sad movies, dropping our promotion dreams on whisky boot hill.
The share issue is , a secret, we might find out about it before we find we are leaving the top 40 behind.
As the girl from the north country said after our display at Huddersfield ,second half, the square pegs in round holes , misfits was there for all to see.
So I’m thinking after the Victoria on Saturday our promotion hopes will be ‘ roger and out’ and we as fans will not be stoked.
Hi Bernie
I think our promotion hopes disappeared into the virtual sunset in West Yorkshire on Wednesday night for good and all.
Cheers
The club has had many chances under Delia’s reign to establish itself in the EPL,unfortunately due to Smith and Jones being paupers in the football world it didnt happen and never was going to under the self funding model.Some fans like us being a yoyo club and support the owners,me personally ive given up on the club while the old codgers are in charge,that also includes the mountain climber, who isnt fit for purpose anymore.Promotion?dont make me laugh.
Hi Tony
I’m surprised by a world in which you can say that some fans like being a yo-yo club and support the owners in that endeavour and I automatically agree with you without giving it a second thought.
But it’s true, This is the world NCFC supporters really are living in right now and we’re not batting an eyelid at a crazy situation which has seemingly become a recognised truth that goes with the territory.
I genuinely cannot think of another club quite like us right now!
Cheers
It’s indicative of the way the club is run that they admit to a £50 million hole in the finances having received £38 million for Buendia.
So that’s around £88 million spent and the only decent asset is Sara!
I know payments are scheduled at different times but to have arrived at this position says to me that that either our recruitment is wrong, our structure is wrong or our employees are not up to the job and yet nothing appears to have been done in the way of rectifying matters apart from incorrectly dismissing Farke. Unbelievable!
It would be helpful if the club explained to their customers how they propose to rectify matters instead of dismissing us as a bunch of morons who should be grateful for what they receive.
Hi John
It certainly wouldn’t happen in any decent business operation and that’s for sure.
*It would be helpful if the club explained to their customers how they propose to rectify matters instead of dismissing us as a bunch of morons who should be grateful for what they receive.”
I wouldn’t expect much helpful emanating from Carrow Road any time soon in terms of rectifying matters they don’t even think are wrong.
The arrival of Wagner might have brought a little bit of hope with it for sure, but as each week goes by in the summer transfer window this will largely dissipate as the reality of our financial plight begins to bite.
Cheers
Woe are we, but before marching on Carrow Road and once again facing the mounted police, let’s just take stock. Yes we‘re in a sad way but during Delia‘s tenure we‘ve had Lambo and Danny so some exciting times amongst the bad. And some decent players, she helped to arrange the Hucks deal for starters. There‘s no nice billionaires queuing up to lavish dosh on the club so we are destined to be a nearly successful and selling setup. Which means downs are to be expected, which means we are entitled to moan, but let’s not get carried away things could be much worse. I‘m definitely not in the happy clappy camp but I think we‘ve got a decent manager once again, and hopefully many of the other wrongs at the club will eventually be put right, it won‘t be plain sailing but football never is.
I reckon we’ve had five good years and twenty poor ones under Delia. Her record is very poor compared to the previous owner.
The finance director told us they do receive viable offers for the club despite previous denials. How wealthy they are is anybody’s guess.
The guesstimate of wealth is some £20million between herself and MWJ.
Hi Cutty
As I recall Michael Foulger paid Hucks’ wages out of his own pocket [for how long I don’t know, maybe just from Boxing Day until the end of that season or maybe throughout his City career.
Whatever Delia’s involvement she certainly didn’t do what Mr Foulger did.
Yes of course there have been the highs under Lambert and then later Farke but we mustn’t forget that there was grief with Grant, rubbish with Roeder and $hit with Smith and Shakey too. Fair play to Webber for finding Farke through his contacts but Lambert was the oft-maligned McNally’s solution.
Neil Adams remains in the house probably waiting for the kingdom to call for him again when the only ex-manager we supporters would consider taking back is Farke.
I too think Wagner could turn out quite nicely for us IF he gets the right backing.
At this point of the chain of thought I usually turn away for a quick cry 🙂
Cheers
Hi Martin
B Movies how about the Blob starring Steve Mcqueen that a classic so I’m told.
I mentioned yesterday an old phrase my mother used about certain ladies “All Fur coat and no Knickers” it really describes Delia to a tee “All Show and no substance” was another in the real world Isuppose both ment or means like a B movie pretending to be something your not.
Alias Smith and Jones have pretended to play with the big boys of the football World without wanting to really get involved in how it works, An old song says “Money makes the World go round” and it certainly does where football is concerned.
Delia is living on her Celeb status that to everyone knows went donkey’s years ago but clings on to it via owning a football club where she’s Lord’s over her Manor at every home game and then throws morsels to her adoring public in her club over priced restaurant.
I suppose I am over critical in someway’s but supporting this club in the good,bad and ugly times since 1959 the last 26years have been like watching the Titanic slowly sink or maybe Ehab from Moby Dick struggling to untangle himself from the White Whale as he swims of after ramming the ship 🚢 both goes down without a fight and as long as our present owners are at the helm we are doing the same.
Keep safe
Hi Alex
The image problem Delia has created for herself by declaring that she gets her kicks from the social scene in the visiting directors’ lounge more than she derives enjoyment from events on the pitch is nigh-on impossible for her to get out of.
Tell your friends that by all means but fer Chrissakes don’t tell the bloody Times!
And how many times has she tried to backtrack on *we don’t even listen to offers? and why do so many of us continue to disbelieve her version of events.
Being a member of the NCFC PR team must be the worst job in Football.
Just like you I must have contrived to miss The Blob and I don’t think I’ll be searching YT or anywhere else for it in a hurry 🙂
Cheers
I liked your piece Martin and your analogy to B-Grade movie actors. Isn’t it sad that for 26 years NCFC have had to endure a bunch of misfits masquerading as owners and their appointed team of managers, for 26 years they’ve ripped the heart out of this club and get away with it, for all their misgivings there is still a considerable mob of Happy Clappers those like Stewart+Lewis, god knows why, and Robert Chase was hounded from office for selling good players yet that has been Delia’s policy of self funding ever since.
I wrote a comment about the time Attanasio first became involved as an investor and my concerns of him, simply because I researched him and the Brewers and found to this day the fans are moaning and complaining about the lack of investment from him, whilst he’s stabilised the Brewers as a mid table average club he won’t put any money into player recruitment, the club has to pay as you go, much the same self funding system employed by Messrs Delia & Co. and that’s how Delia found the investor that appealed to her, in other words a Delia Clone!!!
I wrote a comment a day or two ago supporting comments made by John F, particularly regarding this share issue and lack of further information from the club, to me there’s a strong smell becoming more pungent over what is/has happened about them, if they are heading where we all assume why the secrecy? and why have we not clapped eyes on our friend from over the pond, or read a comment from him for over the past umpteen months? do we want a major investor or owner for that matter who is invisible, doesn’t attend matches only watches them via his lap top? OR is there yet a sting in the tail? have all our assumptions been wrong and have our B-Grade actors along with her script writers been working or re-working the ending, all to PLAY out— Martin.!!
Hi David
In so very many walks of life the opinions of you and I don’t really count for much but football is different in that everybody loves talking about it!
I love it when MFW gets a comment or two from respectful supporters of other clubs and I personally appreciate *1×2* and his comments from Finland a great deal because I love to hear about other cultures from the horse’s mouth, as it were.
Attanasio is very much in Delia’s *clone zone* it would appear. But she might be in for a surprise as he is a proven, hard-headed businessman who when the time comes will not hesitate to get his message across in a tougher way.
He has no foundations in the UK so could yet walk away with a brief *See Ya* at extremely short notice.
He is about making money for himself and his organisation first, foremost and solely.
And so he should be.
Anybody expecting foolhardy debts settled or players being purchased is going to be seriously disappointed.
Yes I believe you are quite right – something never smelled quite right to me from Day One either.
Cheers
Given the demise of our season barring a miracle the focus will inevitably shift towards the future of the club martin.
Given the black hole in finances many amongst us are concerned regarding the immediate future of the club. At this stage who knows what the 11 that trot out onto the carrow Road turf in August will look like? As it stands I fear a cut price norwich lite effort shorn of Sara, gunn, aarons, omobamidele et Al and replenished with odds and tge occasional sod.
Its a poorly managed decline and nobody appears to have a hand on the tiller.
Hi Chris
*Its a poorly managed decline and nobody appears to have a hand on the tiller.*
I rest your case, M’Lud.
Cheers
Hi David
Like your good self I feel there is something underhand going on.
Stewart Lewis and the Delia cohorts can’t see the wood for the trees or don’t want to, 26years no ground expansion but its being looked into and finances being sourced 20years ago it was said £20m+ for a new city stand not sure how much that’s gone up.
Self financing means create revenue to sustain or your ability not to go into debt sadly we can’t sustain our current position but we have the biggest blackhole in the club’s financial history.
If anybody ever declares the *something underhand* it will be a disgruntled insider, if there any of these left after recent departures of course.
We went horribly into debt BECAUSE fan funding is unsustainable.
I reckon ground expansion is the very last thing we require right now.
Martin;
I guess the question as per your headline is will we see any white smoke, or just have to put up with smoke and mirrors for years to come…..
O T B C
Sometimes I think they take a look at what they perceive to be the fan demographic and think *this is a doddle, they love us. And if they don’t, we don’t care.*
I think it is time to start asking the club questions about this new share issue Martin.
Oh I forgot they don’t talk to us peasants.
The silence is deafening. I put on a rather worrying reply to Gary yesterday.
At the time I thought it was a bit amusing now I am starting to wonder if it is true😱
In the spirit of today’s B-movie theme, Delia reminds me a lot of one Ed Wood (Johnny Depp at his best) who thought he was the next Orson Welles. He was anything but.
Delia is running things a bit like “Plan 9 From Outer Space” though.
Plan 9 being self funding.
Hi Tim
You’re asking for the moon there, aren’t you?
A refusal to speak to the local press coupled within citing *commercial confidentiality* knocks that ball straight back over your head for six.
The national press, who could question them, don’t simply because Norwich are not a sexy name and nobody outside Norfolk is interested in us.
What is a effectively a news blackout makes it a lot easier for the smoke and mirrors to operate, of course.
And all caused by a new NEWS editor writing a dumb headline asking if Stuart Webber really wanted his job. That wasn’t the fault of Paddy, Connor and Samuel.
Yes there were rumblings of other journalistic shortcomings we will never be privy to but Norwich City should realise they are no longer dealing with newspapers owned by the admirable Eastern Counties Newspapers. Archant began a slow but steady decline in standards and Newsquest seem happy to accelerate the descent.
Plan #9 from Outer Space is about right – nice one!
Cheers
Curmudgeonly crew on this board of late – let’s just compare us to our recent rivals, Stoke City, pop 420k plus, 10 years in premiership, relegation 2018, Betting owner local family worth 8.6 billion- would be genuinely interested if their fans are as entitled as the my football writer diehards.