" UPDATE/MEETING WITH CEO SIMON LIM 24/10/12 "

I was invited to attend a meeting along with a few other supporters to meet the new acting CEO Simon Lim.

As well as myself there was Dibs, Tony Jefferies, Vince Alm, Gwyn Davies, Rob Davies, Keith Morgan, Tim Hartley and a lady whose name I did not catch but was representing the disabled supporters group.

For the club Julian Jenkins, Wayne Nash, Tony Jones accompanied Simon Lim.

Firstly Simon Lim give us an insight into his background, he is an account who lived and worked in London for 15 years, he first visited Cardiff in 2009 and for the past 15 years has been working in Malaysia. He started working for VT in June of this year for the hotel division of VT's Berjaya group.

He was then offered the role of finance director of Cardiff City football club and in the short time he has been at the club, he was then asked by VT to take over at the helm. He is on what he described as probation period and it was his request to be an acting CEO.

Lim paid credit to the work of Alan Whiteley especially during what was a difficult period of overseeing the re-branding. Simon Lim is a football fan and admitted that there are only two British teams in Malaysia that the locals support and they both play in red, Liverpool and Man Utd.

He said that Cardiff City is getting a lot of exposure in Malaysia because of VT, primarily because he runs many businesses out there and because he owns a newspaper.

Lim explained that there are meetings planned with ADI and IMG planned in the near future to help expand and give greater exposure to the brand Cardiff City Football Club. ADI specialise in broadcasting and IMG in sports marketing.

Gwyn, Vince and I brought up the concerns that we as fans have that the re-branding will go further in terms of the badge losing the Bluebird and possibly losing the blue shirt altogether, Simon Lim stated that there are no plans or have there been discussions to do away with the Bluebird, the three of us at different times told Simon Lim that there is a tipping point for our supporters and that losing the Bluebird would be it. Lim said he understood what our tradition meant to us and he noted our comments and that they would be delivered back to VT.

On the issue of Langston, Simon said that because of the sensitive nature that he could not discuss the Langston loan notes but did say that VT is meeting a QC on Monday to 'finally resolve' the Langston debt.

The debt to equity swap was brought up to Lim and he said that VT is still committed to turning his loans to equity once the Langston deal is concluded and said that he is on record in an interview with Forbes magazine as stating that to be the case, I am not sure if that is an interview that has yet to reach print or if I have missed the said piece.

The new training ground is going ahead on one of a possible to sites, one in Cardiff or one close to the Vale.

Simon Lim listed his three priorities as CEO and they were A) Stabilising the club, which he later said he was referring to the number of changes to staff. B) Reaching the Premier League. C) Staying in the Premier League.

Last season we spent £2.3m on players and this season we have so far spent £12m, when asked about further reinforcements and in particular a couple of full backs and a striker, he said that the decision would be with Malky and if needs players he will have the full backing of VT.

The meeting covered other aspects such as the new live ticketing pricing, safe standing, a drop in Championship attendances and what the club plan to do to try and increase our numbers, these issues were dealt with by Julian Jenkins and Wayne Nash.

Julian feels that the live ticketing pricing is starting to have the desired effect, on the day that Blackpool tickets went on sale we sold 220 tickets that day, and previously that figure would be as low as 20.

Safe standing was brought up in light of Hull City recently stating it is something they are looking into, in fact Hull City and a number of other clubs contacted Wayne Nash recently to ask how Cardiff City deal with the safety advisory group and the fact that a whole section of support are able to stand (Canton) throughout a game. Wayne said that Hull will not be introducing a terrace so to speak but trying to achieve what Cardiff City have done.

The football league are concerned about the drop on league attendances and are working with the 72 clubs to try and come to a solution but it is noted that Derby and Cardiff are two clubs who have not been affected as much as other clubs have reported and we are the only two who serve the live ticketing pricing.

There is going to be another digital clock put up in the stadium at the request of VT so that supporters from any part of the crowd can see the time remaining of the game.

The club plan on doing another ambassador day, like we had last season of bring a mate for tenner and a kids for quid, the game they plan on doing is against Peterborough and will be announced officially shortly.

All in all it was a pleasant meeting, from my perspective it was good to meet Simon Lim and see that he wishes to interact with our supporters.

thanks carl

great write up! thanks for that carl! hoping for some good news on langston soon, and its great to hear that the bluebird is not planned on being scrapped anytime soon!

mmmm do you think he was spinning a yarn about badge ect ect or do you think it will remain?

mmmm do you think he was spinning a yarn about badge ect ect or do you think it will remain?

This is only my personal opinion and if my opinion turns out to be wrong then don't come back at me saying I said this, I said that, etc.

It is my opinion that the bluebird will remain.

mmmm do you think he was spinning a yarn about badge ect ect or do you think it will remain?

Ali not shouting 'Cardiff City, the Bluebirds' is what might be the biggest hint, seems strange that he's saying one thing but Ali has dropped bluebirds!

mmmm do you think he was spinning a yarn about badge ect ect or do you think it will remain?

This is only my personal opinion and if my opinion turns out to be wrong then don't come back at me saying I said this, I said that, etc.

It is my opinion that the bluebird will remain.

so
thanks carl, things look more promising now also he seems to have the ear of vt which will help us remain with some resemblance of ccfc!

Lots to talk about there Carl Good to see that MM will be backed with new players ( if needed )

Other clubs need to look at their prices,and how tight money is today to just get by

Cheers Carl

mmmm do you think he was spinning a yarn about badge ect ect or do you think it will remain?

Ali not shouting 'Cardiff City, the Bluebirds' is what might be the biggest hint, seems strange that he's saying one thing but Ali has dropped bluebirds!

think we need to be a bit more relaxed about these things , we seem ready to find fault with everything that is said if doesnt go with some peoples phylosophy! lets just drift along with whats happenning now it isnt bad is it????

Lots to talk about there Carl Good to see that MM will be backed with new players ( if needed )

Other clubs need to look at their prices,and how tight money is today to just get by

Cheers Carl

just hope he makes the right decision and gets some players in, cover is needed at the back, connolly didn't look very comfortable last night imo, looked abit lost! and need a good experienced goal scorer too, Rudy just isn't going to get the goals and Helgusson needs a partner!

mmmm do you think he was spinning a yarn about badge ect ect or do you think it will remain?

Ali not shouting 'Cardiff City, the Bluebirds' is what might be the biggest hint, seems strange that he's saying one thing but Ali has dropped bluebirds!

This was brought up in the meeting and Ali still says the Bluebirds but at varied times, it was requested that even if he says it just the once then it must be when the players run out onto the pitch.

mmmm do you think he was spinning a yarn about badge ect ect or do you think it will remain?

This is only my personal opinion and if my opinion turns out to be wrong then don't come back at me saying I said this, I said that, etc.

It is my opinion that the bluebird will remain.

And how many false promises have we heard from previous owners incl these,also originally they were 100% removing the Bluebird, which I saw with my own eyes,they've already gone way to far as it is. I will leave it there.

But the meeting does read positive.

The day that the Langstone debt is sorted will be like christmas for all of us

mmmm do you think he was spinning a yarn about badge ect ect or do you think it will remain?

This is only my personal opinion and if my opinion turns out to be wrong then don't come back at me saying I said this, I said that, etc.

It is my opinion that the bluebird will remain.

And how many false promises have we heard from previous owners incl these,also originally they were 100% removing the Bluebird, which I saw with my own eyes,they've already gone way to far as it is. I will leave it there.

But the meeting does read positive.

Annis as I said it is my opinion and nothing more.

mmmm do you think he was spinning a yarn about badge ect ect or do you think it will remain?

This is only my personal opinion and if my opinion turns out to be wrong then don't come back at me saying I said this, I said that, etc.

It is my opinion that the bluebird will remain.

And how many false promises have we heard from previous owners incl these,also originally they were 100% removing the Bluebird, which I saw with my own eyes,they've already gone way to far as it is. I will leave it there.

But the meeting does read positive.

Annis as I said it is my opinion and nothing more.

I know Carlos, I was not getting at you.

i hope you can all keep on at them and get us that bloody safe standing, give us the chance to be the 12th man

i hope you can all keep on at them and get us that bloody safe standing, give us the chance to be the 12th man

Ellis, Wayne Nash would never want that, he has already ruined the atmosphere.

Gwyn, Vince and I brought up the concerns that we as fans have that the re-branding will go further in terms of the badge losing the Bluebird and possibly losing the blue shirt altogether, Simon Lim stated that there are no plans or have there been discussions to do away with the Bluebird, the three of us at different times told Simon Lim that there is a tipping point for our supporters and that losing the Bluebird would be it. Lim said he understood what our tradition meant to us and he noted our comments and that they would be delivered back to VT.

Unfortunately many have passed that tipping point already.

Did anyone ask why that sultan of johoh was there yesterday,was he just guest of vt,or is he looking to invest in club.

The £96 mill debt ?

Their loan in to shares/any news on when though ?

The £96 mill debt ?

Their loan in to shares/any news on when though ?

Although no figure was highlighted it was said by Lim that VT will turn his loans to equity when Langston is settled.

Still ain't gonna believe anything about the bluebird cause we've been lied to already. But yeah in all a positive meeting!

The £96 mill debt ?

Their loan in to shares/any news on when though ?

Although no figure was highlighted it was said by Lim that VT will turn his loans to equity when Langston is settled.

Well Carlos, this big powerful man surely should be able to sort them out, you would think, if he really wants too?

The football league are concerned about the drop on league attendances and are working with the 72 clubs to try and come to a solution but it is noted that Derby and Cardiff are two clubs who have not been affected as much as other clubs have reported and we are the only two who serve the live ticketing pricing.

Sounds like JJ was bullshitting you there, Carl.

Derby's average was 26,020 last season. They are down to 22,412 this season - a big drop.

The less said about the Bluebird claims the better. Once bitten, twice shy?

Sounds positive to me, but I understand the fans who are cautious. I think about the investment to date as signs of Tan doing what he promised but the re brand has angered so many fans they want to see Sam paid off,training ground started, and guarantees that no more changes will be made to our identity like losing the "Bluebirds. You can't blame people for that."

Did anyone ask why that sultan of johoh was there yesterday,was he just guest of vt,or is he looking to invest in club.

well if he is and what i read is an indication hes worth possibly billions well royal family is!! by way johor is a state in malasia and is wealthy one at that!!

I remember a meeting where the CEO described a settlement with Langston as being only days away. Hmm

This Simon Lim seems like a decent bloke, will support the Malaysians and disgusted by anyone who doesn't.

Three things stand out.

Malky can have money in January (but i think we all thought that anyway)

Tan has spoken about changing debt to equity in an interview, in Forbes magazine

Tan has got a QC involved re: Langstone. So it sounds like he's drawn a line and is
preparing for war if need be!!!

The football league are concerned about the drop on league attendances and are working with the 72 clubs to try and come to a solution but it is noted that Derby and Cardiff are two clubs who have not been affected as much as other clubs have reported and we are the only two who serve the live ticketing pricing.

Sounds like JJ was bullshitting you there, Carl.

Derby's average was 26,020 last season. They are down to 22,412 this season - a big drop.

The less said about the Bluebird claims the better. Once bitten, twice shy?

Perhaps it would be better if you just read the above post by Carl and tried to pick out
parts you could twist and show a bit more negativity.?

Oh,hang on.

You just did