Volume Four of our Editors Blog. STFC_Gazza discusses Jeremy Wray`s departure.
So it`s been over 24 hours since the news broke of Jeremy Wray`s departure from the club. I deliberately waited to write this report despite having several opinions in my head. I wanted to see what the reasons were and get the whole picture before going into meltdown or having a knee jerk reaction like many fans. It turns out that was probably the right decision.
Of course we all wanted answers and slowly but surely as the day got older, we got them.
Firstly a word about Jeremy Wray. Wray is certainly the best chairman I have ever seen at Swindon Town. I have met previous chairmen at the club but Wray was the only one who genuinely seemed to care about the club. Wray was easily approachable and had time for the fans. He was frank and honest with Town supporters and never shied away from any questions no matter how hard they may have been.
He was admirable during time of turmoil and even when the questions got controversial regarding ticket price increases and the Luke McCormick saga, Wray always put on a happy face and always stated that if something wasn`t in the best interest of the club he would walk. Wray was a fixture at home and away games alongside his Chief Executive Nick Watkins. The chairman was as passionate as the fans and his enthusiasm and love of the club will be missed by everyone. Last year at Gillingham I`ll never forget the delight on Wray`s face as Town won promotion back to League One at the first time of asking. Despite mission being accomplished, Wray made the pilgrimage with around 1,000 Town fans to Bradford to celebrate a fine season under the stewardship of Paolo Di Canio.
Now onto the future, We can`t judge what we don`t know. Sir William Patey ‘s was met with some scepticism by some fans due to his lack of footballing background and due to some people being loyal to Wray and his transparent tenure. I too was concerned when I read Patey`s name, however listening to his interview on STFC player he comes across professional and re-assuring and up for the challenge. It was very re-assuring to say nothing else was changing and that he looked forward to completing the three year plan.
So what does this mean for Paolo Di Canio, many expected him to walk. It sounds like the plan is still in place so hopefully Di Canio stays but support for Paolo seems to be waning somewhat with his constant moaning and complaining getting on some fans nerves. I myself am a big Paolo fan but wouldn`t see it as the end of the world if he left, last season I believe it would have been catastrophic but this season, No.
Paolo keeps gesticulating to the directors that he needs players and bangs on about removing the embargo. Paolo doesn`t seem to understand it isn`t something the board can remove unless they pay off a player perhaps and get rid of them to get them beneath the wage cap. The best chance is for Town to get past Aston Villa and advance in the FA Cup.
This isn`t the end, just the beginning but we will always be thankful for the work Jeremy Wray did at Swindon Town FC and I`m sure when we see him at the County Ground, I won`t be the only one to buy him a pint.
COYR!
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