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Mr Wooly
Members
They've got some real problems at Sincil Bank...
EX-IMP POINTS THE FINGER
More Sport | Back to home page
10:30 - 08 June 2005
Former Lincoln City striker Simon Yeo has fired a stunning parting shot at the club's board of directors in an explosive Echo interview.
The ex-postman, who went on to become a fans' favourite at Sincil Bank, has lifted the lid on life at the club over the past three years, claiming City's players were badly treated by the Imps' hierarchy.
Yeo insists the squad's relationship with the board became increasingly strained in rows over bonuses and that team spirit off the pitch was affected when City announced a record profit of £735,748 in February, yet failed to reward the players.
However, former City chairman Rob Bradley and his stand-in successor Steff Wright have vehemently defended the club and expressed their disappointment at the striker's decision to speak out.
Yeo claims cracks in the players' relationship with the board were evident in the 2002/03 season - the club's first after administration.
Despite having one of the lowest budgets in League Two, the Imps reached the League Two play-off final against Bournemouth.
"The warning signs were there when we had to pay £65 each to have our wives and partners stay in our hotel on the Saturday night after the final," said Yeo, who has recently signed for New Zealand Knights.
"If that wasn't bad enough, there was then a blazing row over the play-off final shirts.
"The players wanted to keep them because they are a great memento. But the club said if we didn't give them back to auction we would have £200 taken out of our wages. I was only on £500 a week at the time.
"We kicked up a fuss and, in the end, they let us keep them.
"The lads knew the club was still struggling and looking at every possible avenue for increased revenue. But that hurt the players.
"Bearing in mind many of them had been in non-league, to reach a final in our first season was a magnificent achievement.
"The bonuses for reaching the play-offs were also poor and we had several meetings to try to get them improved."
Yeo said the 2003/04 season passed without incident, but the players' disappointment came to a head during the most recent campaign when the club announced a record profit.
Despite the discontent, the Imps made the play-off final again, only to beaten 2-0 by Southend.
"When the club revealed the profit, the players thought they were all going to get a slice of it as a thank you," said Yeo.
"After all, we had been to the play-offs two seasons in a row.
"When it became apparent we were not, we demanded a meeting with the board. We were told we would always come second best to the club and the players looked at each other in disbelief.
"What really stuck in the throat was players like Peter Gain, Alan Marriott and Paul Morgan all took pay cuts when the club was plunged into administration.
"They have become the club's best players, yet, despite all this profit, they are still on the same money. That lost the board a lot of respect and I would be lying if I said didn't affect the spirit.
"All we talked about was how they were letting us down and how they could make it right. The players feel they have worked their socks off for nothing.
"I felt sorry for the gaffer (Keith Alexander) because he was constantly stuck in the middle of it all. We would tell him our grievances about money and he had to try to keep everybody happy.
"He was in a no-win situation, yet has done a fantastic job.
"People will ask why I have sounded off - but the fans deserve to know what has gone on because the players have had enough.
"Why do they think they are leaving? I don't want them to go - I want them to stay and help Lincoln to promotion.
"I could have sat back and kept my mouth shut because I've got myself a new club - but that does not mean I don't care.
"I just hope the board realise the mood and this interview gives them the kick up the backside they need to keep the players happy and the club continually on the up."
Former City chairman Bradley - who was at the helm throughout those three seasons - said he was "very disappointed with Simon".
"His claims are outlandish to say the least," he added. "Why he has had to drag things up from the past I do not know, but they are his opinions and he is entitled to them.
"The club has a responsibility to ensure financial security. We don't want to go back to the dark days of administration.
"Simon has not looked at the big picture. The club made a record profit, but it was a not a true reflection because there were still creditors to be paid."
Interim chairman Wright is also dismayed by Yeo's outburst.
"I am disappointed," he said. "Our circumstances were different in the past two years. This year we believe the players have had excellent rewards for reaching the play-off final."
I think the Imps could struggle big time next season.
EX-IMP POINTS THE FINGER
More Sport | Back to home page
10:30 - 08 June 2005
Former Lincoln City striker Simon Yeo has fired a stunning parting shot at the club's board of directors in an explosive Echo interview.
The ex-postman, who went on to become a fans' favourite at Sincil Bank, has lifted the lid on life at the club over the past three years, claiming City's players were badly treated by the Imps' hierarchy.
Yeo insists the squad's relationship with the board became increasingly strained in rows over bonuses and that team spirit off the pitch was affected when City announced a record profit of £735,748 in February, yet failed to reward the players.
However, former City chairman Rob Bradley and his stand-in successor Steff Wright have vehemently defended the club and expressed their disappointment at the striker's decision to speak out.
Yeo claims cracks in the players' relationship with the board were evident in the 2002/03 season - the club's first after administration.
Despite having one of the lowest budgets in League Two, the Imps reached the League Two play-off final against Bournemouth.
"The warning signs were there when we had to pay £65 each to have our wives and partners stay in our hotel on the Saturday night after the final," said Yeo, who has recently signed for New Zealand Knights.
"If that wasn't bad enough, there was then a blazing row over the play-off final shirts.
"The players wanted to keep them because they are a great memento. But the club said if we didn't give them back to auction we would have £200 taken out of our wages. I was only on £500 a week at the time.
"We kicked up a fuss and, in the end, they let us keep them.
"The lads knew the club was still struggling and looking at every possible avenue for increased revenue. But that hurt the players.
"Bearing in mind many of them had been in non-league, to reach a final in our first season was a magnificent achievement.
"The bonuses for reaching the play-offs were also poor and we had several meetings to try to get them improved."
Yeo said the 2003/04 season passed without incident, but the players' disappointment came to a head during the most recent campaign when the club announced a record profit.
Despite the discontent, the Imps made the play-off final again, only to beaten 2-0 by Southend.
"When the club revealed the profit, the players thought they were all going to get a slice of it as a thank you," said Yeo.
"After all, we had been to the play-offs two seasons in a row.
"When it became apparent we were not, we demanded a meeting with the board. We were told we would always come second best to the club and the players looked at each other in disbelief.
"What really stuck in the throat was players like Peter Gain, Alan Marriott and Paul Morgan all took pay cuts when the club was plunged into administration.
"They have become the club's best players, yet, despite all this profit, they are still on the same money. That lost the board a lot of respect and I would be lying if I said didn't affect the spirit.
"All we talked about was how they were letting us down and how they could make it right. The players feel they have worked their socks off for nothing.
"I felt sorry for the gaffer (Keith Alexander) because he was constantly stuck in the middle of it all. We would tell him our grievances about money and he had to try to keep everybody happy.
"He was in a no-win situation, yet has done a fantastic job.
"People will ask why I have sounded off - but the fans deserve to know what has gone on because the players have had enough.
"Why do they think they are leaving? I don't want them to go - I want them to stay and help Lincoln to promotion.
"I could have sat back and kept my mouth shut because I've got myself a new club - but that does not mean I don't care.
"I just hope the board realise the mood and this interview gives them the kick up the backside they need to keep the players happy and the club continually on the up."
Former City chairman Bradley - who was at the helm throughout those three seasons - said he was "very disappointed with Simon".
"His claims are outlandish to say the least," he added. "Why he has had to drag things up from the past I do not know, but they are his opinions and he is entitled to them.
"The club has a responsibility to ensure financial security. We don't want to go back to the dark days of administration.
"Simon has not looked at the big picture. The club made a record profit, but it was a not a true reflection because there were still creditors to be paid."
Interim chairman Wright is also dismayed by Yeo's outburst.
"I am disappointed," he said. "Our circumstances were different in the past two years. This year we believe the players have had excellent rewards for reaching the play-off final."
I think the Imps could struggle big time next season.
BoyWonder2
2024, the year of the Shrimpers ⭐🦐
The majority of the squad were out of contract this summer and a number of them have already moved on, Yeo is playing is Australia next season, Futcher is at Boston, Taylor-Fletcher has been released, amongst others. They wont reach the play offs this season.
A long, hard season will be store for them with the threat of relegation a real possibility.
A long, hard season will be store for them with the threat of relegation a real possibility.
Interpol Shrimper
Member
Another one bites the dust
Yet another rat deserting a sinking ship.
I hope the Lincoln fans have their maps to Canvey at the ready!
Yet another rat deserting a sinking ship.
I hope the Lincoln fans have their maps to Canvey at the ready!
Guest
Guest
It all seems to be falling apart for them, really!
Bet they're kicking themselves after they gave long-ball master Keith Alexander a new deal...! Hopefully they won't be able find any more giants so they might try to pass the ball for once!
Bet they're kicking themselves after they gave long-ball master Keith Alexander a new deal...! Hopefully they won't be able find any more giants so they might try to pass the ball for once!
C C Csiders
Life President
On BBCi yesterday it stated that Gain was going to sign a new deal with Lincoln today.[b said:
Ring any bells, Leon Constantine anyone?
Interpol Shrimper
Member
Has he got the same agent as Judas Rawle?[b said:
I was going to post something about this earlier, can't believe the exodus since the Final barely a month ago.
Gain to Posh, Futcher to Boston, Butcher to Oldham, Taylor-Fletcher to Uddersfield, Yeo to Oz...................altough Marriott has signed a new deal
Gain to Posh, Futcher to Boston, Butcher to Oldham, Taylor-Fletcher to Uddersfield, Yeo to Oz...................altough Marriott has signed a new deal
C C Csiders
Life President
"Going down, going down, going down,"
Going down, going down, going dooooooooown,
Going down, going down, going down,
Going down, Goooiing down"
Going down, going down, going dooooooooown,
Going down, going down, going down,
Going down, Goooiing down"
Song of the South Upper
First XI
They'll be alright. With the exception of Gain and Marriott, the man who bought those that Leeboy listed was...Keith Alexander.
He's got a knack of getting players in from non-league and building a decent team with them. Write them off at your peril.
He's got a knack of getting players in from non-league and building a decent team with them. Write them off at your peril.
C C Csiders
Life President
Them off[b said:
Guest
Guest
Absolutely - it'll be interesting to see how they'll get on next term, if Alexander can create another team capable of getting into the playoffs again.[b said:
Whether we like his team's style of play or not he hasn't done a bad job so far with the team, but maybe he's taken them as far as he can....
Song of the South Upper
First XI
Right, don't say I didn't warn you.[b said:Quote[/b] (C C Csiders @ June 22 2005,11:17)]Them off[b said:
Be very careful about crossing the road over the next few days...
C C Csiders
Life President
I'll use bridges and subways.[b said:Quote[/b] (Song of the South Upper @ June 22 2005,16:45)]Right, don't say I didn't warn you.[b said:Quote[/b] (C C Csiders @ June 22 2005,11:17)]Them off[b said:
Be very careful about crossing the road over the next few days...
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