Pork Pies, but no longwinded lies

Before today's 2nd round FA Cup tie against Bournemouth representatives from the major sources of Millwall opinion on the internet and in the fanzines, met with club chairman John Berylson to discuss the current state of Millwall Football Club.

Present in the boardroom was Stewart Till (ST), John Beryslon (JB) and FOTB Peter Garston (PG) along with 6 others, including myself, who represented Millwall Online.

The first topic discussed was the number of bans issued by the club and how some in particular seemed excessive, if not completely unfair.

JB immediately stated that he didn't like seeing fans banned. He was not happy about losing supporters, but said that if rules are clearly broken then action has to be taken.

The main issue was that loyal followers were being banned for innocuous, insignificant incidents that in one instance, had earned a 2 year ban.

PG also pointed out that a stricter appeal process was necessary to ensure the 'punishment fits the crime'. JB agreed, and said that a better review channel is in the pipeline.

But progress is being made; an example of this was that 8 bans from this season have been looked at and 5 of them have been overturned - something which certainly wouldn't have happened last year according to JB.

The bans that were overturned were unjust in the first place proving a need for bans to be reviewed, the club must be willing to admit they have got it wrong.

JB met with the stewards section leaders and explained that they needed to treat fans with respect and make sure it was only the bad guys that were tackled.

The next issue brought up was the academy. JB seemed very concerned not only about the state of the Millwall academy, but youth set-ups throughout the country.

The transfer of David Amoo to Liverpool was talked about. JB stated that Amoo and his family were offered a whole new life on Merseyside and that at the end of the day, the price received was a good one. He said that as soon as Liverpool started talking money, Amoo was never likely to stay.

A similar set of events occurred during the transfer of Tom Kilbey to Pourtsmouth - this time a very determined set of parents were behind the deal.

Chelsea's purchase of Sam Walker was something that JB said he had little control over, and because of his young age ST stated that very little money would have been received had the club appealed the decision.

The conversation then moved on to the January transfer window. JB said Kenny Jackett would have a decent budget to spend and that Jackett himself had been pleasantly surprised when he learned of the figure, which JB would not reveal despite being asked.

JB and KJ had met recently to discuss potential targets. JB said that he knows roughly what players Jackett is looking at, and two players in particular will be pursued.

The first is Jamie O'Hara, who JB thought we had a good chance of signing permanently. He said the money to do this would be available and that if worse comes to worse, he will hopefully return on loan until the end of the season.

The other player is one who possess pace and plays an attacking role. JB would not mention names on this occasion.

JB then explained the thinking behind the sacking of Willie Donachie and the appointment of Kenny Jackett.

JB admitted that he may have been slow terminating Willie`s contract, mainly because he felt loyalty to WD who had done so well last season. JB insisted that WD was a really nice guy and that it was a hard decision to make.

The board then drew up a list of possible replacements, consisting of 8 names which all directors agreed on.

Mark Stimson was not on this list, because he didn't fit the managerial criteria JB was looking for. JB said he did not see the difference between Colin West and Mark Stimson in regards to experience.

JB said that Russell Slade did interest him, but a lot of the press talk was a smokescreen to allow conversations with KJ to take place.

KJ had asked not to be in the press, so in the end this worked out nicely. The interview panel was made of a small group, and then second interviews were held with JB himself.

Regeneration was the next thing to be discussed. JB said that he and the club hoped to propose the plans to the council before June 2008.

The general idea is that The Den will be the centre piece, surrounded by a hotel and flats. He assured us categorically that The Den was not under threat.

Other issues mentioned included the pie incident which cropped up in the press this week. JB said that he had been eating a Pork and Egg pie, instead of a potato and leek pie as originally suggested! He also added that is was revolting.

JB also said there was a possibility that the Luton game would be called off due to The Hatter's financial problems.

At this point, the meeting drew to a close. As you might suspect, John Berylson, in a way, said all the right things and made all the right noises.

But he conducted himself with a sense of sincerity about him which COULD set him apart from the "all mouth, no action" people that have run the club in the past.

And that, as they say, would really put the proof in the pudding.

But we must throw caution to the wind. At the end of the day Berylson is here to make money, lets just hope we can profit at the same time.

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