Originally Posted by
jackal2
This is exactly what I wouldn't want to see happen, and unfortunately there's a big dose of human nature about it.
People who buy lower league football clubs do not do so as an investment in the genuine sense. The worst type, like Munto, buy clubs to defraud and asset strip them and get out ASAP. The best type buy them with good intentions, but also as an ego trip, enjoying in particular the honeymoon period when they receive the praise of the fans for their new ideas and/or input of the cash.
Sadly, when the novelty value wears off and the incumbent gets subjected to the other side of football fan mentality, the same ego that drives them to buy the club is deeply bruised and their enthusiasm can quickly turn into sulking resentment and loss of interest. Others may disagree, but I still believe to this day that Ray Trew arrived with good intentions and achieved positive things for the first two/three years, but then the above process kicked in and he became progressively less strategic and more embittered about the fans' reaction to him. He still wanted the profile, and switched back on at certain times, such as the summer after relegation when we seemed to be announcing a new signing every day and he was receiving praise and positive attention again, but overall the relationship between chairman and support base was breaking down and it all ended in acrimony. Indeed, I think in an attempt to save face, Trew took a lot of very bad business decisions in the last few months which damaged the club he once effectively saved.
It's hard to imagine such a thing occurring with Alan Hardy, but then in the first year of Ray Trew the eventual poor outcome looked equally unlikely. This must not happen again. Notts fans do not have to be sycophants and are entitled to criticise Hardy and the club when they feel it is deserved, but it is important for this to be constructive rather than unremittingly negative, otherwise even a self-confessed Notts fanatic like Hardy could start to wonder whether the ego trip (which he clearly enjoys) is worth the hassle.
For Hardy's part, he would do well to tone it down a bit, especially online. It's possible to maintain a profile without always having to be star of the show, which makes you an easy target if things aren't going so well.
Essentially, it's about both sides understanding each other's strengths, weaknesses and motivations, and keeping a balanced perspective.