Steve Borleys comments on Bluebirds Unite

First off, let me start off by paying tribute to the hard work,time and money that Steve Borley has put into the football club over the years.

However,in the past 24 hours,Steve has gone out of his way to ridicule and discredit an organisation,who's only goal is to see Cardiff City's traditional identity restored through entirely peaceful means.

In two posts on another thread,Borley has made the following 'contributions:'


Borley wrote, "We're not against modern football yet were pictured with a banner with that statement, we won't harm the club but we are organising a march on a high profile game, we want recognition but we are are against the club. And then you wonder why majority of fans suspect your intensions."

and a little bit later on,he added the following:

"Annis, the image of of the cause diminishes every time you make that gaff, and that is a small one compared to being associated and photographed with known people with banning orders and every event is associated with drinking. You don't see shareholders in an AGM with cans and pints . I noticed the guy in the front had his pint photoshopped out, could have done the same with a few faces.
In terms of protests they are rarely peaceful because they will get hijacked by people wanting to make a name for themselves and stating the obvious if you are seen to be transporting people to away games to cause trouble don't surprised if the ticket supply drys up. Wearing blue to games is not a problem and makes your case without harming the club which is my primary concern.
VT has stated his plan and backed it with his cash and I don't see him changing. Without his support we would not even have a chance to survive in the PL, remember Swansea had to sell 2 players and a manager for 25 mill to post a profit, we have enormous costs this close season to upgrade the facilities and hopefully pay off your mate, before we even look at the playing budget.
We have come too far to see this club slide back which some want to promote, but once you get on that slide it difficult to get off on the path to oblivion."[/quote]

Let's first have a look at his comments about the 'Against Modern Football' banner that found its way into the pic on Tuesday evening; his comments smack of desperation to find some tiny way of discrediting BU,particularly when one remembers that almost immediately,a statement was issued by Bluebirds Unite distancing themselves from such banners.

Let's then consider some of his other proclamations in the same first post,that BU are in some way "against" the club. What is he prattling on about? Sure,BU are against the rebrand. Ideally,I think the vast majority of City fans want to see our home colours restored but "against the club..." Behave yourself,do you really think that 600 long standing City fans would get off their collective backsides on a 'school night' to discuss ways of peacefully putting pressure on Tan to get our identity back,if they were "against the club!!" To be honest it's laughable but insulting at the same time.

He then goes on to make a sweeping statement that the majority of fans suspect BU's intentions. Where is the evidence for this? Are the majority of fans really suspicious of BU? An organisation who's stated aim is to see our home identity restored through entirely peaceful means!

In his second post, he makes reference to fans with banning orders supporting BU. Now,I'm fervently against violence of any kind and I've very glad to see the back of the hooligan days that blighted our club but let's not kid ourselves here,there are lads who attended CCS, week in,week out last season who had served banning orders and indeed custodial sentences for football related violence. Does that mean that Cardiff City FC is a club that embraces violence and thuggery? Of course not.

Borleys attempts to link BU with a small handful of supporters who have a 'past,' is yet another grubby attempt to discredit the group.Likewise,Borleys pathetic attempt to link the organisation with excessive alcohol consumption. A cheap shot from a desperate man.A desperate man,who,incidentally is looking to refurbish and develop a pub in the east of the city...

You couldn't make it up.

In terms of his comments on protests rarely being trouble free,yet another sweeping statement.Don't get me wrong,I think it is very very important that every protest is peaceful and respectful but Borleys assumption is frankly patronising and pretty disrespectful to the clubs supporters. As for harming the club? Well,I'll treat that comment with the contempt it deserves.

His comments in the final paragraphs read: "VT has stated his plan and backed it with his cash and I don't see him changing. Without his support we would not even have a chance to survive in the PL, remember Swansea had to sell 2 players and a manager for 25 mill to post a profit, we have enormous costs this close season to upgrade the facilities and hopefully pay off your mate, before we even look at the playing budget.
We have come too far to see this club slide back which some want to promote, but once you get on that slide it difficult to get off on the path to oblivion."

VT has indeed backed his plans with cash,unfortunately to date,that cash has just added to the clubs record debt burden,accrued under Tans reign. If any Cardiff City fan is serious about wanting to see CCFC run sustainably and as a viable concern for future generations,then I would say our best hope is to see the clubs spend minimal amounts over the summer,only spend what we can afford and certainly not attempt to emulate QPR. Frankly,I am far more concerned with the club still being around for decades to come. If Tan fails to convert any or only minimal debt to equity and instead spunks £30m plus on a huge gamble to stay up,exactly where will that leave the clubs long term future?

To conclude,Borleys latest rants against a peaceful organisation are unpleasant,disrespectful and totally unnecessary.

Ultimately, peole will make their own minds up but,personally,having read and dissected his comments,I find them rather sad and pretty desperate.

may have once been a city fan but he is firmly a businessman involved with the club and making as much money out of it as possible ,how can any die hard city fan love the red shit as he claims he is ...thing is hes so far up tans arse its ridiculous !!

Well said Alfie, Borley should show some respect back to the fans about their stance over the rebrand, not ridicule them

may have once been a city fan but he is firmly a businessman involved with the club and making as much money out of it as possible ,how can any die hard city fan love the red shit as he claims he is ...thing is hes so far up tans arse its ridiculous !!

Grow up ffs

THIS!

I'm logging on for the first time in 12 months to say "Well said Alfie"

I am much more inclined to listen to the opinion of Steve Borley,who has done loads for this Club,than someone like Alfie Sherwood,who in his own words no longer goes down the City.I know that many City fans trust Steve on most things regarding the well being for the City and when you see certain people affiliated to BU suggesting that Steve is in it for the money, is insulting after all he has done.

Alfie, Yes I was upset by Steve's comments regarding some of our fans pasts, everyones got a past incl many in our club from top to bottom and heads of different groups/organisations, but I will not start a witch hunt on them.


Regarding drink, no one was drunk the other night, we were in a public house for gods sake, in fact I drank 4 glasses of sparkling water all night, on a diet but so what if a few fans had one or two drinks, they are adults.

Families,men,woman etc all attended.

The small flag, its been already explained time and time again. So if one fan in the Canton stand puts up a Tan out flag up, lets blame the whole Canton Stand

Lets be honest the fans behaviour was impeccable the other night, Well done to you all.

We only want City fans and future fans not to forget our true identity and new owners who come in to change us back to our BLUE.

We have no intentions of causing trouble,disrupting games, in fact we want to Support our team and wear our Blue and sing our old songs.

Best protest of all, is for every City fan to turn up in BLUE home and away and Cheer the team on.

Deep down I believe Steve would love City to play in Blue and hopefully Steve does give Bluebirds Unite Respect and not think only bad of them, they deserve a chance and time. A meeting with Sian Branson could probably help.


Join Bluebirds Unite
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BLUEBIRDSUNITE/

Not often do I post but that was pretty much spot on..
Well said that man!!!

I am much more inclined to listen to the opinion of Steve Borley,who has done loads for this Club,than someone like Alfie Sherwood,who in his own words no longer goes down the City.I know that many City fans trust Steve on most things regarding the well being for the City and when you see certain people affiliated to BU suggesting that Steve is in it for the money, is insulting after all he has done.

Spot On,now run that desperate thing past me again Mr Sherwood.

d20 how long have you supported city you silly billy

Steve Borley should be in favour of fans having their say, He says we're against the club? Fans ARE the club, unless he's talking about a different club, An eclusive club for him and Tans other minions.

His comments about alchohol were ridiculous and shows just how far the hierachy will go to smear it's own fans. I was at the meeting and i don't even drink, so you can imagine my dismay at hearing Steve Borley on R4 at 7 A.M. a few moths ago, state that he'd not yet been to sleep from partying all night. He sounded hammered and the first thing my daughter asked me when his interview finnished was Whether he was drunk or not. Great role model for the club.

A fan that no longer supports the club but feels happy to have a go at a man who saved the club...lol...it would be far better to talk to Steve in a meeting, like Annis suggested and try to get him to put the BU views to Tan...slagging Steve off is stupid and makes no sense at all...this group is being spolit by a few, that will always be the case...fans attack the trust, fans attack the CCSC....instead of joining and making them stronger...we have a supporters club we have a trust...we cannot have splinter groups popping up on single issue agendas,where will it end? What next..the Cardiff City liberation front...the peoples front of Cardiff City...lol...it really is getting silly.

Well for the next meeting of BU, why not hold the meeting in a hall with just tea and biscuits on offer. Then if they still pull the same numbers you have an argument against Borley's comments.

One of the best posts I've seen in a long time. Every attempt I've seen so for at discrediting BU smacks of desperation, to the point where people are picking up on things as irrelevant as a tiny AMF flag. Sure, some members of BU are AMF but then again some of them probably like watching blokes getting it on. It doesn't mean the rest of us do.

I am much more inclined to listen to the opinion of Steve Borley,who has done loads for this Club,than someone like Alfie Sherwood,who in his own words no longer goes down the City.I know that many City fans trust Steve on most things regarding the well being for the City and when you see certain people affiliated to BU suggesting that Steve is in it for the money, is insulting after all he has done.

Respect your opinion. I wouldn't for one second claim to have done as much as SB for the club over the years, BUT that does not mean that he should be able to spout off,as he did last night,without facing a detailed critique of his comments.

I no longer 'go down the City' after being a ST holder for the best part of the last 25 years because,in no way,will I support the rebrand. We could argue all day long over the merits of my decision to boycott the club.

As regards my post, which parts of it do you disagree with,solely when it comes to Steve Borleys attack on BU yesterday?

Well for the next meeting of BU, why not hold the meeting in a hall with just tea and biscuits on offer. Then if they still pull the same numbers you have an argument against Borley's comments.

Borley's comments on alchohol should be treated as they deserve to be treated

Well said Alfie, still think he should still attend a meeting, cant get more peaceful than this

buddah is a bluebird.jpg

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Well for the next meeting of BU, why not hold the meeting in a hall with just tea and biscuits on offer. Then if they still pull the same numbers you have an argument against Borley's comments.

Borley's comments on alchohol should be treated as they deserve to be treated

You prove his point for him.

I am much more inclined to listen to the opinion of Steve Borley,who has done loads for this Club,than someone like Alfie Sherwood,who in his own words no longer goes down the City.I know that many City fans trust Steve on most things regarding the well being for the City and when you see certain people affiliated to BU suggesting that Steve is in it for the money, is insulting after all he has done.

Spot On,now run that desperate thing past me again Mr Sherwood.

d20 how long have you supported city you silly billy

37 years mate,Im just fed up of borley knocking things about the blue ,yes hes on the board and listens to tan and for those reasons hes agreed with him on colour issues etc ,but is there any need to have a pop at fans who are passionate about our colour and its there choice to wear it at the ground and keep it alive ,i do ,I hate the red and seeing it in the ground but no one is gonna stop me from being in blue ,after 37 years as a fan i cant get used to it but is it so wrong that if I wear blue then thats wrong ,I dont think so.

Alfie didn't you wish at the beginning of the rebrand that city would lose they're games and do badly this season whilst ridiculing the fans who still went to watch

What I don't understand is why we have to be defensive about wanting to play in Blue? Until Vincent Tan came along that was always the colour we played in all be it various shades and different kits but in my 40 plus years of watching City we have always been BLUE.

Like every other fan I am grateful for VT's investment and there is little doubt without it we wouldn't be in the Premiership but he must realise he could have kept us Blue and still achieved promotion and made himself the most popular Chairman of all time.

We need to keep the BLUE very much alive and this attack by Steve Borley shows to me that the BLUE message is getting through as long as any protests are peaceful and nothing is done to upset the team in what is going to be an exciting but tough season then I will support BU.

I think also that Steve lets himself down badly by trying to discredit BU because it met in a pub and drink was present because although I do not know Steve I have been to a number of functions at the CCS where I have witnessed Steve enjoying a drink or two

Good luck to BU and I look forward to the day that we return to our rightful colour AND badge

Im disgusted. Steve Borleys post to Annis was little more than a veiled threat about tickets to games drying up. Are the people your trying to keep away the very same couple of thousand all bedecked in Blue up in Hull and in Burnley Steve? the same fans
aplauded by police for their behaviour. trying to sugest that 'blue' is somehow linked to troublemakers is just wrong and frankly
beneath contempt. yes there were some banned supporters there the other night. There was also a gorgeous little kid singing from the heart. Do you see her as a threat to Public Order Steve? The Castle meet was beer/cider/all day. Did you hear of any
trouble Steve? any misdimeanours? So finally, one year on after the rebrand somebody from the Club shows a bit of passion about the rebrand...... to shit-stir and insinuate that Bluebirds Unite is some kind of breakaway violent group ready to kick off at a
minutes notice. Shame on you Steve Borley. youve took the time out to post on here to say ''do not oppose the big guy'' yet have not uttered ONE word as to why not. As far as im concerned now it looks to me like the whole boardroom has swopped principles for brownie points

alfie, im a reluctant red so im not too bothered. You hate the rebrand, seriously, in short terms now, what are you doing to get teh blue back you want? its summer and its getting tiresome. The circle continues, fans get angrier, Tan still doesn't care and still nothing in reality is achieved.

Alfie didn't you wish at the beginning of the rebrand that city would lose they're games and do badly this season whilst ridiculing the fans who still went to watch

No.I have written consistently that I fully understand those that continue to attend matches. Personally,i wish I felt differently and was able to reluctantly accept the rebrand and still attend,but I don't.I do find it hard to understand how fans can actively embrace the red though:thumbup:

I posted in the early days of the unfolding rebrand saga that an indifferent start to last season may heap pressure on Tan.

I'm glad City gained promotion.The PL money means that the 'red or dead' myth can now be put to bed,once and for all and City fans can really show their passion for our traditional identity.

Im sure steve borley is allowed an opinion

I'm not that well informed about the ins and outs of what board members think and Borley's stance on things. My face value opinion, and that's all it is, is that Steve made a bit sacrifice to help our club out and that sacrifice has now meant he is financially tied by the balls to the club. If this thing with Tan falls through then I think Steve could lose a shit load of money.

I can understand his enthusiasm to ensure Tan stays. However, his attitude to some people who I consider to be honest and decent people who care a lot about the club and have expressed their views to Steve in a polite and respectful manner has been appalling at times.

I think things have gotten to a stage where Steve has been put in a position where he has had to choose over his own financial welfare and the integrity of the club. I would like to say I'd have the balls to stand up for the integrity of the club but when the financial welfare of your own self and your family is at risk then I'm sure we can all agree that we would perhaps act differently to how we wish we would.

That said, like I mentioned, I still think Steve, as a Cardiff fan, should show more respect and appreciation for what groups like Bluebirds Unite are trying to do. Believe it or not, there are many of us who have plowed a large percentage of our own money (it might not be millions of pounds like you Steve but it is still just as precious to us as the money you parted with over the years due to our lesser incomes) and are genuinely sad to see the lack of respect the traditions of our club have been shown by Tan. There's no sub text or secret uprising. This is a simple plea from fans who treasure this club asking for respect for our club and its fans to be restored.

You will always get the odd idiot, of course. I trust you to be a good enough man to realise Steve that the majority on this mean well and I think deep down you agree with what they are campaigning for.

Alfie I want Blue back but I will never stop supporting City, it's still my club, how the hell can you stop supporting, beats me no logic in it!

37 years mate,Im just fed up of borley knocking things about the blue ,yes hes on the board and listens to tan and for those reasons hes agreed with him on colour issues etc ,but is there any need to have a pop at fans who are passionate about our colour and its there choice to wear it at the ground and keep it alive ,i do ,I hate the red and seeing it in the ground but no one is gonna stop me from being in blue ,after 37 years as a fan i cant get used to it but is it so wrong that if I wear blue then thats wrong ,I dont think so.

Is he having a pop or some just thin skinned?

There seems to an assumption by BU that you can sweep anything they don't like under the carpet.

Borley's point is if BU are to appeal to vast middle ground then they are not going to do that by publishing photographs of well known hooligans from the past having a pint together.

It's not a pop it is reality, something BU will eventually have to face no matter how thin skinned they are.

People may not want to hear this but the fact of the matter is that Steve has a hell of alot of money tied to the club and the only way he would be able to get any of that money back would be to insure that the club makes as much profit as it can. Unfortunately if he sees profit only ever being made unbder Tan then he's going to back him to the hilt surely!!!!

If we had that much money tied into the club then I wouldn't mind betting our inner self interests would lead us down a similar line to Borleys after a while

As I said on the other thread,

Tuesday was peaceful and productive, end of. There was no trouble caused and no talk of creating future trouble. This group are trying their hardest to keep our traditional colours alive, and for that reason I will be backing and supporting Bluebirds Unite 100%.

There's no reason for Steve Borley or anyone else to make assumptions about what this group are trying to achieve and how they are going to try and achieve it. Take up the invite Steve and see with your own eyes what Bluebirds Unite is really about, you may agree with it, you may not but unless you see it with your own eyes, instead of listening to hear say then you'll never have a clear idea of what this group is all about. I know your a massive city fan just like everyone involved in Bluebirds Unite, give them a chance mate.