Damned with feint praise?

[64]

“It would be remiss of me not to mention our former CEO Matt Roberts, who played his part in our progress in 2025. Moving our retail platform to Terrace, our ticketing platform to FanBase and our Technical Kit Partner to MEYBA, he has installed three new partners which we continue with contractually over the next couple of years at least as per our agreements with each of them. Those who have taken the responsibilities to drive these existing partnerships since his departure will do this with professionalism, and will look to attain the best out of the agreements that we possibly can. Elsewhere, the club will always assess the best options in the future should they lie elsewhere.”

[SouthYorksIron]

Is there even a hint of praise in that paragraph? I read it as:

“I suppose it would be rude if I didn’t mention Matt, despite him lumbering us with contracts over at least two more years whose terms I’m not happy with. Hopefully, remaining staff will be able to squeeze some sort of value from them until such time as we can negotiate better deals elsewhere.”

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Apollo11, cassidystash

[Deereyme66]

I read it as a thinly veiled ‘thank f*** we off loaded him’

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Apollo11, Sanfran49

[cassidystash]

Where have all the players on that photo come from?
They could also have given Michelle a bit more room surely
(Not an indication that she’s being squeezed out I hope)

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ironfromafar

[64]

indeed Deerey, I was being diplomatic

[Apollo11]

I read it as Michelle letting supporters know that they have to be patient as the club has to see these Matt Roberts contracts out. There would probably be financial penalty in walking away from them. In the meantime the club will do their best to extract the maximum value from them. Fair enough. Head down and see them through.

Can’t say I’ve been that impressed with Terrace – but, then again, I really don’t like official club gear / merch that isn’t in absolutely the correct club colours. I believe that approach just muddies the branding water (or, if you prefer, dilutes club identity). That navy blue hoodie Butler has been wearing, for example, or the black coat and the beige bobble hat, etc etc.

Fanbase – haven’t heard a bad word said about it, though I don’t use it myself and prefer physical tickets etc.

[Deereyme66]

I remember having similar thoughts upon hearing his contribution to the panel podcast the club did as I do when I’ve heard many marketing and fundraising execs reporting back on their work. Wonder if he managed to convince himself?

[Author]

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