Paul Barber - a thoroughly likeable guy actually

[Javeaseagull]

Tony Bloom is infallible.
Tony Bloom's right hand man is rubbish at his job.


So either Tony Bloom is fallible or neither statement is correct.
You just can't have it both ways.

Of course Tony Bloom is fallible but we owe him an awful lot. You are right, neither statement is correct.

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

I'll be honest, I have never e-mailed him - mainly because I haven't a clue what his e-mail address actually is.

He does seem to actually be doing his job though - and more. I mean you dont see the CEO's of Tesco or ASDA answering customer e-mails - I do wonder if it happens at other clubs similar to our position too - personally, I doubt it. There is almost a sense of pride about how we operate as a club.

 

[Dan Aitch]

If Paul Barber is THAT good, can we please have him in charge of the 'North Stand seating reorganisation'?

Mr Beirne, for all his meeting (just the one) organisation and issuing of notes (just the one) from that meeting and responding (just the once) to emails about how we progress the matter is... well, less than an equal partner in the 'look at the respect I give to fans' stakes.

Sorry Mr. Beirne, but there's only one Paul who's making the right headlines at present.

The deadline for renewing season tickets is almost upon us and the initiative to put all the singers in one place has stalled; strangely enough since Sami left. Maybe it was all just flannel to stop more of us from abusing our bedsheets (making banners, not wetting them).

 

[BiffyBoy]

He gets a lot of stick on here, where people essentially make him out to be the fall guy for everything and anything people dislike about the club, off, or even on, the field these days. Then, every now and again, I read someone offering a contrary view once they have had dealings with him. Today, that has included me, so here goes.

Background. I've been emailing the club fairly regularly, without response, about my plans to NOT renew, and my wishes for a couple of my friends to transfer into our seats. On my 4th attempt today, I cc'd Paul Barber. BANG, I get a response today, not much more than an hour after I send mine. It appears my emails were going into SPAM, but clearly Paul checks that, which is credit to him. Initially, my heckles were slightly up as he admonished me for one of my emails being rather terse, brusque even (my words, not his). But we got past that, and he probably did have a point - I was getting frustrated by the silence.

Not only has everything been progressed regarding my request but we have also been locked into a very enjoyable email conversation throughout the day. As anyone who has noticed my frothy ramblings on here will testify, I can go on a bit when I get typing. A couple of times I did ping across a reply to him and thought "meh, that went on too long, he'll never read all that." Nope, read, clearly digested it, and an equally lengthy response would come back. Not only that, but his lengthy replies were from his phone, so he's obviously staying in touch while dashing between meetings or similar. He's certainly not just sat at his desk tapping out the emails.

I won't divulge the exact email, I won't post them on here, not because they were especially personal, or private in their content, but simply because it's none of your business! LOL. But suffice to say he came across as someone very much like me as far as a football fan is concerned. Similar age, same sort of footballing background and experiences, albeit with a bigger club and therefore bigger occasions. Scratch the surface, and he is a very regular bloke, who has the business understanding to run our football club, and the football fan background to understand the wider picture.

I didn't come into today with a strong view of him either way, but I have to say, I'm now very impressed.

Appreciate Pb is hands on, but it seems a bit pretentious to cc him in emails about such trivial issues. We hired him for a reason and with that came a very expensive salary. I'm pretty sure spending time replying to emails about pies, tickets exchanges for fans not renewing and seating arrangements for the Yankee doodle police box gangs might not be best use of his time.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Appreciate Pb is hands on, but it seems a bit pretentious to cc him in emails about such trivial issues. We hired him for a reason and with that came a very expensive salary. I'm pretty sure spending time replying to emails about pies, tickets exchanges for fans not renewing and seating arrangements for the Yankee doodle police box gangs might not be best use of his time.

I have to disagree. From the clubs point of view, he knows that the fans are the most important part of the club. So to be actively involved in making any fan's life easier, within reason, is a key element of his job. Yes, he has people under him who are supposed to deal with that side of things, but if they don't he is extremely willing to step in and sort it out. Many CEO's would not get involved in such trivial matters, but the fact that he does willingly says a lot about him. Not everyone agrees with the way he goes about things or what he does, but to actively face up to criticism and be as open as he is also says a lot about him - many CEO's remain aloof and disconnected and leave everything up to their minions. I am impressed that he wants to be contacted and engaged in these things.

 

[Del Fenner]

I have learned a lot from Paul Barber in my dealings with him.

At the top of my list of learnings has been to add 'Sent from my iPhone' as the signature on my desktop email client as it turns out by doing so and then sending really long emails people are relatively impressed regardless of what I write.

Superb!

 

[Horses Arse]

No you're missing the point. I gave Barber dog's abuse when we hit the nadir in December and was told by many on here that it wasn't his fault. I stuck to the line that the CEO is ultimately responsible. If that was my position then it has to be my position that the CEO is ultimately responsible for the positive turnaround. I was a borderline non-renewal in December. I'm a pretty happy camper right now. The CEO hasn't changed in that time.

Of course if Hughton leaves citing "recruitment issues"......

I really don't get how you've changed your view on Barber due to the fact that Hyppia saved the club by doing the honourable thing. Perhaps it will be found that Barber managed to persuade/negotiate this departure and saved the club money; if so that should be balanced against the impact that the delay in his departure beyond any sensible point of no return has had. It should also be considered against the terms of Hyppia's appointment that carried such damaging payouts that his incompetence couldn't be dealt with in a timely manner.

I don't think the 'incompetence' of the summer and start of the season was predominantly due to Barber and never have. He was part of the problem in that in his position he is influential and presumably has Blooms ear and the failure to do much right should therefore be partly carried by Barber but not fully. Neither should it entirely be carried by Burke; Burke had some successes and was allowed/encouraged/appointed to do what he did on the recruitment front. Barber supported Burke when it was bloody obvious that recruitment was poor and hence shares this too. However, I have a strong sense that much of the failure was due to the single mindedness of Bloom in a sector that he doesn't have the right experience in. I'm sure Bloom's success is down to this single mindedness and faith in his decisions but that is in a sector he knows. In my opinion Barber, supposedly as a football person, should be strong enough to suitably direct/correct Bloom in the approach but maybe that's an impossible task. Ultimately the failure of the pre-season and start of the season starts and ends with Bloom and I hope that he's learnt from it.

My beef with Barber is initially down to personal experiences with him where it has been patently obvious that he is about spin/PR with not much else there. Secondly it is due to the frustration that so many seem to be so easily taken in by such behaviour; "he responded to my e-mail really quickly" and therefore can be blamed for nothing... The reaction on here is clearly not his fault, failure to get someone into such a position to provide and manage such communication is his fault in my opinion; it reflects extremely badly on the rest of the team that the supporters feel they have to contact him on pretty minor issues. Or maybe it is just a way he's found of finding favour that works and allows him to maintain a position.

Do you remember Cortese at Southampton; I cringed when hearing Saints fans swoon over the guy, nicknaming him The Don. It became a bit of a circus with him being the main attraction at the club seemingly. Ring any bells?

I don't like Barber; I had no problem with him when appointed, didn't understand the whining over his early 'work' and didn't blame him at all for Gus' departure. My view throughout that period was that he was doing Bloom's work and what Bloom wanted and if we didn't like it then we should complain to Bloom not Barber. Given what Bloom has done for the club I couldn't/can't blame or whinge at him until we return to league 1 relegation spots in a temporary ground.

I don't like Barber because I found him to be extremely shallow when I turned to him as a last resort after experiencing shear incompetence and arrogance of the team at the club. His responses were rapid and lengthy and initially said the right things. However, ultimately it was shallow and without any care - there was no substance. You find out about people when things go wrong, seriously wrong. I'm not alone in experiencing the shallow ego filled side of Barber; it wasn't/isn't a one off. I don't believe that he is good for the culture of this club and I don't like what it is becoming. I also don't like the sycophantic behaviour on here that he generates. You seemed to dislike him because the quality of the football and the recruitment wasn't good and now that Hughton is picking it up you like him; I really don't get that at all.

 

[Bozza]

I really don't get how you've changed your view on Barber due to the fact that Hyppia saved the club by doing the honourable thing. Perhaps it will be found that Barber managed to persuade/negotiate this departure and saved the club money; if so that should be balanced against the impact that the delay in his departure beyond any sensible point of no return has had. It should also be considered against the terms of Hyppia's appointment that carried such damaging payouts that his incompetence couldn't be dealt with in a timely manner.

I don't think the 'incompetence' of the summer and start of the season was predominantly due to Barber and never have. He was part of the problem in that in his position he is influential and presumably has Blooms ear and the failure to do much right should therefore be partly carried by Barber but not fully. Neither should it entirely be carried by Burke; Burke had some successes and was allowed/encouraged/appointed to do what he did on the recruitment front. Barber supported Burke when it was bloody obvious that recruitment was poor and hence shares this too. However, I have a strong sense that much of the failure was due to the single mindedness of Bloom in a sector that he doesn't have the right experience in. I'm sure Bloom's success is down to this single mindedness and faith in his decisions but that is in a sector he knows. In my opinion Barber, supposedly as a football person, should be strong enough to suitably direct/correct Bloom in the approach but maybe that's an impossible task. Ultimately the failure of the pre-season and start of the season starts and ends with Bloom and I hope that he's learnt from it.

My beef with Barber is initially down to personal experiences with him where it has been patently obvious that he is about spin/PR with not much else there. Secondly it is due to the frustration that so many seem to be so easily taken in by such behaviour; "he responded to my e-mail really quickly" and therefore can be blamed for nothing... The reaction on here is clearly not his fault, failure to get someone into such a position to provide and manage such communication is his fault in my opinion; it reflects extremely badly on the rest of the team that the supporters feel they have to contact him on pretty minor issues. Or maybe it is just a way he's found of finding favour that works and allows him to maintain a position.

Do you remember Cortese at Southampton; I cringed when hearing Saints fans swoon over the guy, nicknaming him The Don. It became a bit of a circus with him being the main attraction at the club seemingly. Ring any bells?

I don't like Barber; I had no problem with him when appointed, didn't understand the whining over his early 'work' and didn't blame him at all for Gus' departure. My view throughout that period was that he was doing Bloom's work and what Bloom wanted and if we didn't like it then we should complain to Bloom not Barber. Given what Bloom has done for the club I couldn't/can't blame or whinge at him until we return to league 1 relegation spots in a temporary ground.

I don't like Barber because I found him to be extremely shallow when I turned to him as a last resort after experiencing shear incompetence and arrogance of the team at the club. His responses were rapid and lengthy and initially said the right things. However, ultimately it was shallow and without any care - there was no substance. You find out about people when things go wrong, seriously wrong. I'm not alone in experiencing the shallow ego filled side of Barber; it wasn't/isn't a one off. I don't believe that he is good for the culture of this club and I don't like what it is becoming. I also don't like the sycophantic behaviour on here that he generates. You seemed to dislike him because the quality of the football and the recruitment wasn't good and now that Hughton is picking it up you like him; I really don't get that at all.

Sent from my iPhone

Fixed for you.

 

[Bozza]

I really don't get how you've changed your view on Barber due to the fact that Hyppia saved the club by doing the honourable thing. Perhaps it will be found that Barber managed to persuade/negotiate this departure and saved the club money; if so that should be balanced against the impact that the delay in his departure beyond any sensible point of no return has had. It should also be considered against the terms of Hyppia's appointment that carried such damaging payouts that his incompetence couldn't be dealt with in a timely manner.

I don't think the 'incompetence' of the summer and start of the season was predominantly due to Barber and never have. He was part of the problem in that in his position he is influential and presumably has Blooms ear and the failure to do much right should therefore be partly carried by Barber but not fully. Neither should it entirely be carried by Burke; Burke had some successes and was allowed/encouraged/appointed to do what he did on the recruitment front. Barber supported Burke when it was bloody obvious that recruitment was poor and hence shares this too. However, I have a strong sense that much of the failure was due to the single mindedness of Bloom in a sector that he doesn't have the right experience in. I'm sure Bloom's success is down to this single mindedness and faith in his decisions but that is in a sector he knows. In my opinion Barber, supposedly as a football person, should be strong enough to suitably direct/correct Bloom in the approach but maybe that's an impossible task. Ultimately the failure of the pre-season and start of the season starts and ends with Bloom and I hope that he's learnt from it.

My beef with Barber is initially down to personal experiences with him where it has been patently obvious that he is about spin/PR with not much else there. Secondly it is due to the frustration that so many seem to be so easily taken in by such behaviour; "he responded to my e-mail really quickly" and therefore can be blamed for nothing... The reaction on here is clearly not his fault, failure to get someone into such a position to provide and manage such communication is his fault in my opinion; it reflects extremely badly on the rest of the team that the supporters feel they have to contact him on pretty minor issues. Or maybe it is just a way he's found of finding favour that works and allows him to maintain a position.

Do you remember Cortese at Southampton; I cringed when hearing Saints fans swoon over the guy, nicknaming him The Don. It became a bit of a circus with him being the main attraction at the club seemingly. Ring any bells?

I don't like Barber; I had no problem with him when appointed, didn't understand the whining over his early 'work' and didn't blame him at all for Gus' departure. My view throughout that period was that he was doing Bloom's work and what Bloom wanted and if we didn't like it then we should complain to Bloom not Barber. Given what Bloom has done for the club I couldn't/can't blame or whinge at him until we return to league 1 relegation spots in a temporary ground.

I don't like Barber because I found him to be extremely shallow when I turned to him as a last resort after experiencing shear incompetence and arrogance of the team at the club. His responses were rapid and lengthy and initially said the right things. However, ultimately it was shallow and without any care - there was no substance. You find out about people when things go wrong, seriously wrong. I'm not alone in experiencing the shallow ego filled side of Barber; it wasn't/isn't a one off. I don't believe that he is good for the culture of this club and I don't like what it is becoming. I also don't like the sycophantic behaviour on here that he generates. You seemed to dislike him because the quality of the football and the recruitment wasn't good and now that Hughton is picking it up you like him; I really don't get that at all.

Sent from my iPhone

Fixed for you.

 

[Horses Arse]

Fixed for you.

Two guffaws in a week - Cheers!

 

[The Upper Library]

Just a thought but the CEO of any club at this time (especially ) in the championship has an almost impossible task . Generate income/without annoying fans with too much price increases. Help build a team (pitch and boot room)/without crippling the club. Meet the restrictions of FFP. Make the club a viable business/but try to keep a sense of club that the fans can identify with.

 

[Hamilton]

I have to disagree. From the clubs point of view, he knows that the fans are the most important part of the club. So to be actively involved in making any fan's life easier, within reason, is a key element of his job. Yes, he has people under him who are supposed to deal with that side of things, but if they don't he is extremely willing to step in and sort it out. Many CEO's would not get involved in such trivial matters, but the fact that he does willingly says a lot about him. Not everyone agrees with the way he goes about things or what he does, but to actively face up to criticism and be as open as he is also says a lot about him - many CEO's remain aloof and disconnected and leave everything up to their minions. I am impressed that he wants to be contacted and engaged in these things.

I agree.

I don't get the levels of vitriol aimed at him. So, he makes some business decisions that we don't like and disagree with. So, make your views known. The weight of those views does carry weight.

All these remarks about him being all spin - well, part of any CEO's job is communication. Call it spin or PR or whatever, but as CEO you have to confidently put across the strategy. There's no point in being half hearted about that, otherwise you'd be criticised for not having a strategy.

The CEO stood by Sami for as long as possible (I don't think he should have and wrote to tell him so); TB wanted to stand by Hyypia as well. This could be seen as a mistake. The club will point to the data as saying it was right to stand by him. To me the main data figure was league position. That said trends argue that teams changing bosses don't change fortunes long-term. So all the decisions around Sami were complex. Did PB master Sami's demise behind the scenes? I doubt it very much an I'm sure if asked he'd tell you direct.

We have loads of things we can improve at this club. I'd love to see greater fan representation through a supporter's (non-owning) seat on the board. I know the club don't agree. They think we already have a fan on the board. I agree TB is a fan, but he is also a fan with £150m somewhere as a vested interest.

Despite mistakes - which any business makes and learns from - and despite differences of opinion it is clear that PB is a tireless servant for the club and clearly knows how to manage and lead a club (the morale behind the scenes is strong). I want him on board. I think we benefit from that experience.

Just because everything isn't the way we want it to be, it doesn't mean it's not healthy.

 

[Stat Brother]

I have to disagree. From the clubs point of view, he knows that the fans are the most important part of the club. So to be actively involved in making any fan's life easier, within reason, is a key element of his job. Yes, he has people under him who are supposed to deal with that side of things, but if they don't he is extremely willing to step in and sort it out. Many CEO's would not get involved in such trivial matters, but the fact that he does willingly says a lot about him. Not everyone agrees with the way he goes about things or what he does, but to actively face up to criticism and be as open as he is also says a lot about him - many CEO's remain aloof and disconnected and leave everything up to their minions. I am impressed that he wants to be contacted and engaged in these things.

No we're not, and it's that self righteous attitude that is taking PB away from the most important matters at the club.

I wish it were different.
I wish the money was even distributed.
I wish clubs were given a fairer chance.

But they are not and PB's job is to try and give us a punchers chance.

He's not employed by Tony to sort out every single snivelling complaint because someone is to lazy to call the ticket office.

The fact that he does is fantastic, proves how lucky we are, and what an asset he is.
He also singlehandedly proves some people will never be happy while they support the Albion.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Just a thought but the CEO of any club at this time (especially ) in the championship has an almost impossible task . Generate income/without annoying fans with too much price increases. Help build a team (pitch and boot room)/without crippling the club. Meet the restrictions of FFP. Make the club a viable business/but try to keep a sense of club that the fans can identify with.

True and one that can be called a thankless one too. But he does get handsomely rewarded for it - everything has it's compensations!

 

[Stat Brother]

True and one that can be called a thankless one too. But he does get handsomely rewarded for it - everything has it's compensations!

He's well paid for his CEO job.

As for dealing with us lot I wouldn't be surprised if it worked out he was on minimum wage.

 

[KZNSeagull]

No we're not, and it's that self righteous attitude that is taking PB away from the most important matters at the club.

I wish it were different.
I wish the money was even distributed.
I wish clubs were given a fairer chance.

But they are not and PB's job is to try and give us a punchers chance.

He's not employed by Tony to sort out every single snivelling complaint because someone is to lazy to call the ticket office.

The fact that he does is fantastic, proves how lucky we are, and what an asset he is.
He also singlehandedly proves some people will never be happy while they support the Albion.

Am not sure if you are agreeing or not!

I agree that some people will go straight to him as first port of call, which is wrong, but the fact that he is happy to get involved when his staff have not come up with a solution is laudable. Most CEO's would find it beneath them.

 

[KZNSeagull]

He's well paid for his CEO job.

As for dealing with us lot I wouldn't be surprised if it worked out he was on minimum wage.

Ha!

But at least he makes it his business to get involved with us lot. Many wouldn't.

 

[drew]

No we're not, and it's that self righteous attitude that is taking PB away from the most important matters at the club.

I wish it were different.
I wish the money was even distributed.
I wish clubs were given a fairer chance.

But they are not and PB's job is to try and give us a punchers chance.

He's not employed by Tony to sort out every single snivelling complaint because someone is to lazy to call the ticket office.

The fact that he does is fantastic, proves how lucky we are, and what an asset he is.
He also singlehandedly proves some people will never be happy while they support the Albion.

Tend to agree. PB should be the last port of call in escalating a problem rather than one of the first.

 

[Hotchilidog]

All I am seeing is a CEO who is doing his job very well. Barber is not responsible for the team, he is responsible for the club and he has managed to restructure the organisation, cut losses significantly and still finds time to communicate with fans should they contact him. Whilst Sami and Burke were burning this place to the ground he seemed to be the only person actually doing his job properly.

I find the stick he gets mystifying, it seems that some fans have extremely thin skins when it comes to their football sensitivities. Modern football is commercial, there are alternatives if you want out. I'm a fan, and I still feel like a fan, I simply do not get this feeling that the club are ripping me off at all. I feel as valued as I ever was. Considering the club is now nearly four times as big as it was at Withdean I think this is a considerable achievement.

 

[Return of the Rev]

KING OF SPIN!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhoos1oY404