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The *official* Dick Knight "Mad Man" book thread
- Thread starter Bozza
- Start date
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
Have just received my copy. On which page does he finally admit that the 83 cup final money was used as the stuffing in Wonderbras? 
Not Andy Naylor
Well-known member
DK asks why the club won't stock the book - from today's Argus.
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1084..._why_Amex_won_t_stock_his_book_MadMan/?ref=mr
Last week, Albion director Derek Chapman gave his views on Dick Knight’s autobiography, MadMan. This followed an earlier response, also in The Argus, from fellow director Ray Bloom. Today, in this exclusive article, Knight asks why his book is not being stocked at The Amex.
MY book publishers, VSP, have received an e-mail from the Amex informing them that the Albion board have made a decision not to stock the book in the club’s shops, including at the Amex – the stadium home I fought a 10-year battle to win.
I find the club’s decision both sad and puzzling.
There is nothing in my book that should concern chairman Tony Bloom or any of the other Albion directors.
I suspect the reason they wanted to see it in advance was because they feared what I might have written, but those fears were groundless. I’ve told my story honestly and frankly – if the directors now can’t accept that, it’s very disappointing.
Derek took up a lot of space giving very strong opinions on a book he admitted he hadn’t read. This from someone I brought onto the board to be the club’s stadium construction director – a job he did brilliantly – and for which I praise him in the book. And Ray, whom I brought back against fierce opposition from the fans because of his involvement with the Archer regime.
Both directors are entitled to their opinions on my book; as Derek says it’s important to set the record straight. I agree that the truth should out – so let me make sure that it does.
Derek and Ray’s financial support as directors was very helpful during those difficult times, but let us not forget the major aid of shareholders Norman Cook and Billy Brown, who actually contributed almost twice as much. What a team we all were – off the pitch as well as on it.
According to Derek’s article, the club has never been contacted about stocking the book, or about holding the launch at The Amex.
The facts are that the club wanted to see a copy weeks prior to publication, and told the publishers and myself that they wouldn’t stock the book without seeing it first.
No one saw the book before publication, but they were well aware that we felt the club shops were the obvious place to find MadMan.
Also, my publishers approached the club eight days before publication, noting that they had yet to order any copies and would they like to? The reply by e-mail asked for the cost price of the book, which was duly supplied.
With the provisos surrounding stocking, it is hardly surprising that we didn’t ask the club to stage the launch of MadMan at The Amex – what would be the point of a book signing if it was not available there? That my publishers and local bookshop, City Books, consequently had to hire venues and charge an entrance fee is very unfortunate.
Regarding my share invitation, I am fully aware of the club’s Articles of Association, and will complete the process in accordance with the regulations. I am pleased to say that the public reaction has been very positive towards Albion fans always having a voice at the club’s Annual General Meeting.
I can only reiterate my sadness at the stance the club has taken over my book.
My good memories of the boardroom are of friends: Ray, Derek, Martin, Tony, Robert Comer, Darren Bloom, Des Lynam and myself, talking football and forgetting all other club issues for a couple of hours; and long away trips on freezing February nights, always accompanied by at least one of Derek, Ray or Darren.
They were good times. I hope they’re not over.
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1084..._why_Amex_won_t_stock_his_book_MadMan/?ref=mr
Last week, Albion director Derek Chapman gave his views on Dick Knight’s autobiography, MadMan. This followed an earlier response, also in The Argus, from fellow director Ray Bloom. Today, in this exclusive article, Knight asks why his book is not being stocked at The Amex.
MY book publishers, VSP, have received an e-mail from the Amex informing them that the Albion board have made a decision not to stock the book in the club’s shops, including at the Amex – the stadium home I fought a 10-year battle to win.
I find the club’s decision both sad and puzzling.
There is nothing in my book that should concern chairman Tony Bloom or any of the other Albion directors.
I suspect the reason they wanted to see it in advance was because they feared what I might have written, but those fears were groundless. I’ve told my story honestly and frankly – if the directors now can’t accept that, it’s very disappointing.
Derek took up a lot of space giving very strong opinions on a book he admitted he hadn’t read. This from someone I brought onto the board to be the club’s stadium construction director – a job he did brilliantly – and for which I praise him in the book. And Ray, whom I brought back against fierce opposition from the fans because of his involvement with the Archer regime.
Both directors are entitled to their opinions on my book; as Derek says it’s important to set the record straight. I agree that the truth should out – so let me make sure that it does.
Derek and Ray’s financial support as directors was very helpful during those difficult times, but let us not forget the major aid of shareholders Norman Cook and Billy Brown, who actually contributed almost twice as much. What a team we all were – off the pitch as well as on it.
According to Derek’s article, the club has never been contacted about stocking the book, or about holding the launch at The Amex.
The facts are that the club wanted to see a copy weeks prior to publication, and told the publishers and myself that they wouldn’t stock the book without seeing it first.
No one saw the book before publication, but they were well aware that we felt the club shops were the obvious place to find MadMan.
Also, my publishers approached the club eight days before publication, noting that they had yet to order any copies and would they like to? The reply by e-mail asked for the cost price of the book, which was duly supplied.
With the provisos surrounding stocking, it is hardly surprising that we didn’t ask the club to stage the launch of MadMan at The Amex – what would be the point of a book signing if it was not available there? That my publishers and local bookshop, City Books, consequently had to hire venues and charge an entrance fee is very unfortunate.
Regarding my share invitation, I am fully aware of the club’s Articles of Association, and will complete the process in accordance with the regulations. I am pleased to say that the public reaction has been very positive towards Albion fans always having a voice at the club’s Annual General Meeting.
I can only reiterate my sadness at the stance the club has taken over my book.
My good memories of the boardroom are of friends: Ray, Derek, Martin, Tony, Robert Comer, Darren Bloom, Des Lynam and myself, talking football and forgetting all other club issues for a couple of hours; and long away trips on freezing February nights, always accompanied by at least one of Derek, Ray or Darren.
They were good times. I hope they’re not over.
Greg Bobkin
Silver Seagull
- May 22, 2012
- 16,050
Smacks of nothing more than a timely reminder the book is available, to be honest. Been on sale a couple of weeks, initial demand has dropped, December kicks in a people think about Christmas presents again.
If anything this tit-for-tat between DK and the club has put me off buying the book.
If anything this tit-for-tat between DK and the club has put me off buying the book.
Lincoln Imp
Well-known member
- Feb 2, 2009
- 5,964
The final two paras are the ones that matter: the sooner the titting and tatting ends the happier we will all be.
gripper stebson
Well-known member
- Jul 27, 2004
- 6,690
Saw DK in Eastbourne last week for the launch and I have to say that he came across as very bitter. Using phrases like 'they're only interested in the prawn sandwich brigade and not you real fans', and 'why is Alan Mullery the new club ambassador and not me?'.
The problem for Dick is that if we had some faceless owner from the Middle East in charge we would all rally behind him in his' we want our club back' calls but we are, on the contrary' owned by a lifelong fan, playing in front of 28,000 fans in one of the best stadiums in the country... Things ain't too bad!
As for his 'it was more like a big family at Withdean' stance - well of course it was. However we are mixing with the big boys now and it had to change.
I was actually a bit sad when I left the room. We all know what Dick Knight did for us but I don't think he is coming out of this whole thing too well.
The problem for Dick is that if we had some faceless owner from the Middle East in charge we would all rally behind him in his' we want our club back' calls but we are, on the contrary' owned by a lifelong fan, playing in front of 28,000 fans in one of the best stadiums in the country... Things ain't too bad!
As for his 'it was more like a big family at Withdean' stance - well of course it was. However we are mixing with the big boys now and it had to change.
I was actually a bit sad when I left the room. We all know what Dick Knight did for us but I don't think he is coming out of this whole thing too well.
Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!
Primary data is fact
Your final paragraph sums up how I felt when I finished reading the book last week. I also feel that DK's "share offer" is divisive, and probably intentionally so.
gripper stebson
Well-known member
- Jul 27, 2004
- 6,690
He said at the launch that anyone who bought a share would have to have their views 'minuted' at the AGM and could attend if they wanted too.
He has a million to sell!!
Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!
Primary data is fact
Quite, he has a million or so to sell but I really don't see how this benefits the club in any way.
Whilst it's certainly true that any shareholder is entitled to attend the Company AGM what is the point in initiating a debate about half-time pie availability, flowers in the gents, Ryan Harley's clothes allowance etc, because that is exactly what will happen and there will be a significant administration cost to the club if the shareholder base is expanded significantly. The only financial beneficiary here is Dick Knight, not BHA, and it puzzles me that the Board of which he was chairman authorised the issue of 30M new shares in April/May 2008, which facilitated TB's takeover the following year, but none of these were ever offered to the fans. Why not if DK was so concerned that supporters should have a voice at the AGM? Sorry, but I think it's a gimmick designed to get a seemingly embittered DK some of his money back both directly and via increased book sales.
He's doing a signing at the queens head in Horsham tonight, anyone got an idea how long it goes on for ? Also I take it he'll sign the book that I've already bought and not sting me for a new one ! 
My Palace supporting Son was at the Queen's Head getting me a signed copy, poor lad said it was full of Brighton fans .... what did he expect?
Uncle Dick didn't make it due to the trains !
My Son had better get me a copy by some other means then otherwise they'll be no festive joy in our household!
You have a Palace supporting son? What happened?!
Arthritic Toe
Well-known member
Just finished the book. I found it a bloody good read - couldn't put it down. Although a lifelong Albion fan, I missed practically the whole period from 1994 to 2001 as I was living on the other side of the world. I see there were one or two issues you all had to deal with while I was away...