Where's the money gone???

This and similar chants at Saturday's game with Swindon certainly garnered a response this week! Following comments from management, players and media, ASi Chairman David Tomlinson spoke to the Chronicle's Peter Morse.

“What has happened over the past few years is not acceptable. The financial side of things needs to be fully explained, but we are kept in the dark.

“We need a massive debate involving everyone who cares about Crewe Alex, from supporters to board members, and management staff to players.

“And we need a root and branch investigation into every department of the football club.

“The AGM is hugely important and the next few weeks are possibly the most important in the club’s history.

“Fresh ideas are needed to save the club from falling further. We will not get success on the pitch again until changes are made.

“The board needs to be up front and honest. In the past 20-odd years, we have been on a fantastic journey. We don’t want a return trip.”

The Chronicle went on to say...The losses for the year ending June 2007 were down on £310,687 in 2006. But gate receipts dropped by £84,340

to £674,071 and season ticket income plummeted from £555,069 to £428,967.

In particular, fans want answers about changes to Crewe’s corporate structure, which saw the formation of three new companies a year ago.

One of those – Crewe Alexandra Developments Ltd – was handed an unsecured loan of £1.325m. At the end of the financial year, £1.2m remained outstanding. A £700,000 loan to major shareholder Norman Hassall’s company European Brand Trading was repaid in full.

The AGM starts at 7.30pm on Thursday, February 28 in the Carlsberg Lounge. Fans are welcome and there will be an open forum.

The Sentinel had it's say on Monday; Maybe Crewe fans should vent their anger at the club's board every home game if it can produce similar results - an unexpected, but welcome, point against League One's runaway leaders.

Realistically, though, Saturday's protest is a sure sign all is not well at this unique club.

Dario Gradi says "that is how football supporters are these days", but not at Crewe, where tolerance and fair play has been as much a feature in the stands as on the pitch during the Gradi years.

Something must have the natives restless, so how about a football club in freefall whose off-field affairs have also left shareholders and diehard supporters confused and angry?

While chants of "Sack the board", jeers for Saturday's teenage man-of-the-match and personal abuse aimed at the club's majority shareholder cannot be condoned, the Alex management cannot ask for supporters to be patient while treating the same people with contempt when they demand greater clarity on club affairs.

In truth, Crewe fans have been more than patient in waiting for a revival in their team's fortunes.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but how many of them would have preferred to see some of the Dean Ashton millions invested in a proven forward back in January 2005?

While most readily accepted the Alex were punching above their weight in the Championship, they are not happy to flirt with a return ticket to Spotland and the Deva Stadium.

With a wage bill larger than rivals like Gillingham and potential spending power which dwarfs the meagre £30,000 Port Vale spent on former Crewe man Luke Rodgers, they should be doing a lot better.

But changes are never easy to usher in, both in the boardroom and the bootroom.

Is Norman Hassall the most important man at Crewe Alexandra? Is Steve Holland its manager?

Does Dario Gradi really believe Alex fans pay good money to just moan and groan?

Perhaps it's time for football's "most admired" club to provide some honest answers - and this month's annual meeting could be as good a time as any to start.

They've had their say, two weeks today, it's your turn! But will we actually learn anything new? Last year, there was a similar mood of discontent, and everyone strained to listen when John Bowler invited Norman Hassall to brief that meeting on the Financial Statement and Company Accounts for the year ending 30th June 2006.

There’s much to be said for the old adage “attack is the best form of defence,” Mr Hassall certainly thought so, as he punctuated his Financial Statement with pre-emptive explanations of events since the balance sheet date and certain key notes in the accounts.

The formation of additional companies and acquisitions of dormant subsidiaries were designed to maximise non-footballing income and the loans between the various companies associated with Mr Hassall were a deliberate strategy designed to maximise returns.

The transfer and consolidation of shares between Messer’s Hassall, Potts and Clayton took place for commercial and family reasons and were to ensure the shares remain in safe hands and that Mr Hassall cold veto any future sale of the Football Club. The advert placed in The Times, and also in the middle-eastern press was purely a “fishing expedition” to flush out any interested parties. However, as suspected all proved to be asset strippers, and Mr Hassall chose not to sell to them. Indeed, although “never, say never” the club was categorically “NOT for sale!”

Because Mr Hassall is the major shareholder in Crewe Alexandra Limited and because, Crewe Alexandra Football Club is now a subsidiary of Crewe Alexandra Limited, Mr Hassall is the Ultimate Controlling Person of Crewe Alexandra Football Club Limited. However, that is “just a technicality” John Bowler remains the Chairman and the existing management and management structures remain, including a “one man, one vote” board room!

Finally, it is the stated aim of the directors to maintain the management policies which have resulted in the company's stability in recent years.

No change at Crewe then...especially if WE do nothing!