Jon Palmer on X

[Ihearye]

The latest instalment in the saga is that MF has been washing the kit in the absence of a kitman. This came from JP in response to a post by Mark Halliwell about Cam Walters playing last night in a shirt with the wrong squad number on it.

Presumably this means that James Murphy left the club at some point recently? If so, I was completely unaware of this.

Surely to God not?

[TheTownClub]

This is what is irritating me. Ok, so revelation the manager is washing the kit (did I really just write that sentence!?). Now, what's really of interest is why is the manager washing the kit. When did this start? What's happened so that we are in this situation? Whose actions, or inactions, have led to this? How was it decided that the Flynn's washing machine would end up full of kit.

[longmover]

So this is why we were sending out a player with no name or number on the back (of a shirt) against Salford.

[Fuller]

The latest instalment in the saga is that MF has been washing the kit in the absence of a kitman. This came from JP in response to a post by Mark Halliwell about Cam Walters playing last night in a shirt with the wrong squad number on it.

Presumably this means that James Murphy left the club at some point recently? If so, I was completely unaware of this.

Yes I read somewhere he had left recently. He’d been doing the job for quite a few years I think.
Why don’t they just advertise the position? Sure someone locally would like a go at it?
I remember Brian Tarren doing the kit around the time we got into the EFL. Who else has done it?

[Henry The Dog]

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more amateur we’ve got the manager washing the kit. Bearing in mind the new signings, will we see Flynn in Sports Direct getting the player’s names on the shirts. Fair play for him doing this.

[Fuller]

This might end up on the BBC website.
Shock, horror, embarrassing…..

[Ihearye]

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more amateur we’ve got the manager washing the kit. Bearing in mind the new signings, will we see Flynn in Sports Direct getting the player’s names on the shirts. Fair play for him doing this.

Fair play indeed! If true, to just quietly pick up the task and get on with it shows a real touch of class and belonging. Am sure there are others at the club who could help share the load

[andgarod]

If this is true surely the shadow board and the SLO and the Trust director and the trust can ask for volunteers
There is one poster on here who used to do the kit and I am sure he could tell other how it is done and when it is done
Or perhaps we ask the players to take their kit home
I hope Aaron and Ash are also learning on the job

The whole thing is getting worse by the minute

[Horteng]

If this is true surely the shadow board and the SLO and the Trust director and the trust can ask for volunteers
There is one poster on here who used to do the kit and I am sure he could tell other how it is done and when it is done
Or perhaps we ask the players to take their kit home
I hope Aaron and Ash are also learning on the job

The whole thing is getting worse by the minute

Why should a kitman be a voluntary position at a professional football league club?

[Jerry St Clair]

The latest instalment in the saga is that MF has been washing the kit in the absence of a kitman. This came from JP in response to a post by Mark Halliwell about Cam Walters playing last night in a shirt with the wrong squad number on it.

Presumably this means that James Murphy left the club at some point recently? If so, I was completely unaware of this.

Yes I read somewhere he had left recently. He’d been doing the job for quite a few years I think.
Why don’t they just advertise the position? Sure someone locally would like a go at it?
I remember Brian Tarren doing the kit around the time we got into the EFL. Who else has done it?

James is still listed on the official site as kitman. Other parts of the page following the takeover have been updated recently. He either hasn’t left of the website’s club directory isn’t being updated properly.

[WhaddonIrregular]

So this is why we were sending out a player with no name or number on the back (of a shirt) against Salford.

In fairness that was because Angol had to change his shirt due to blood on it, a lot of clubs just have a blank spare in case of that scenario.

I noticed James Murphy wasn't at the Cleeve friendly but put it down to illness/holiday. I hope this situation hasn't been going on unaddressed since then but I fear that's the case.

[andgarod]

You are correct Horteng kitman should be paid

That said in the interm volunteers could assist
I listed various groups of people who could step in until someone is appointed
I have long banged on that volunteers help the club for love not money
There used to be volunteers that helped out around the ground in the summer break but that does not happen anymore
Other volunteers could do simple jobs necause no one else will

As to updating the directory - who does that and have they been told of changes

It sounds like a non league club except those that help out are sidelined and or ignored

It is difficult to see how this can easily be resolved without a top to bottom review from an external or at least new source

[Benctfc]

It is embarrassing and shows what state the club is currently in. It again shows why in my opinion you need someone full time overlooking the whole operations of the club off the field to avoid these situations happening. The board i believe have good intentions but don't seem to have the time or expertise to run a professional football club.

I actually feel sorry for Flynn. I will be the first to admit I wanted him gone and don't think he has done a good job on the field but you get to a point where you realise he isn't the main problem. Replacing him now is pointless as the only applicants you will be getting will be anyone who is desperate as no decent manager will want to go anywhere near us at the moment. I just hope the fans on Saturday get behind him and the team as it is actually a massive match against a team who may also struggle this season.

[Si Robin]

There's been a lot of talk on the pod recently about the club not looking after its staff off the pitch - this just about takes the biscuit.

How have we managed to get this far into the season without a kitman? Even Gloucester City in the Southern League have a bloody kitman!!

[Si Robin]

You are correct Horteng kitman should be paid

That said in the interm volunteers could assist
I listed various groups of people who could step in until someone is appointed
I have long banged on that volunteers help the club for love not money
There used to be volunteers that helped out around the ground in the summer break but that does not happen anymore
Other volunteers could do simple jobs necause no one else will

As to updating the directory - who does that and have they been told of changes

It sounds like a non league club except those that help out are sidelined and or ignored

It is difficult to see how this can easily be resolved without a top to bottom review from an external or at least new source

The club will not ask for volunteers because of previous criticism when asking

[Benctfc]

Also it is obvious Jon knows what's going on behind the scenes and we as fans aren't aware can he not publish an article exposing it? I know some aspects may have GDPR preventing it but there must be some concerns that could be published???

[Ihearye]

If even a small portion of these rumours are true.
My concern on making MF the scapegoat would be that we could end up with someone who is happy to put up with what is apparently going on inside the big top.

Anybody would struggle with all this noise going on. So happy to wait it out and see how MF gets on with some of the new blood and others coming back into contention

[paperboy]

Be funny to see fans holding up packets of Persil at Saturdays match.( other brands are available).

[longmover]

Also it is obvious Jon knows what's going on behind the scenes and we as fans aren't aware can he not publish an article exposing it? I know some aspects may have GDPR preventing it but there must be some concerns that could be published???

I think the whole social media has a part to play here, a new(ish) style of journalism used to get 'attention' *cough* clicks, rather than an expose which once run you can't really keep poking. Where as 'cryptic' sentences posted in social media can run and run without having to go into any great detail.

[Jerry St Clair]

I noticed James Murphy wasn't at the Cleeve friendly but put it down to illness/holiday. I hope this situation hasn't been going on unaddressed since then but I fear that's the case.

The reason I asked is because my boy and his friends were fans of James and he often came and said hello after the pre-match warm-ups. I was sure I remembered him doing that before the Chesterfield game, but I may be mistaken.

[Shade]

Unless MF literally said to the board, "I will do the kitman's job if it means I get a few extra quid to spend in the budget," this is absolutely scandalous and an embarrassment. And, even if he did, it's still pretty horrendous.

[Robin]

The latest instalment in the saga is that MF has been washing the kit in the absence of a kitman. This came from JP in response to a post by Mark Halliwell about Cam Walters playing last night in a shirt with the wrong squad number on it.

Presumably this means that James Murphy left the club at some point recently? If so, I was completely unaware of this.

Left with his father I believe, I heard this over a month ago ridiculous that no replacement has been found in that time.

[shevates]

The latest instalment in the saga is that MF has been washing the kit in the absence of a kitman. This came from JP in response to a post by Mark Halliwell about Cam Walters playing last night in a shirt with the wrong squad number on it.

Presumably this means that James Murphy left the club at some point recently? If so, I was completely unaware of this.

Yes I read somewhere he had left recently. He’d been doing the job for quite a few years I think.
Why don’t they just advertise the position? Sure someone locally would like a go at it?
I remember Brian Tarren doing the kit around the time we got into the EFL. Who else has done it?

I done it b4 James Murphy took it on for 3 seasons along with John Atkinson

[shevates]

Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right
MF stuck in the middle with that lot

We're so amateurish Mike Garlick has to sort this out NOW

[Uppy]

Surely we have a washing machine on site? Not saying that it should be Flynn putting the kit in there but at least slightly better than having to take it home!

[asl]

I'd be flabbergasted if we were using a 12-15kg domestic washing machine. Far more than if its the manager who does the loading.

[shevates]

I'd be flabbergasted if we were using a 12-15kg domestic washing machine. Far more than if its the manager who does the loading.

The 500 club over the years have maintained the kitmans washing appliances, in the last 6months we bought 2 washing machines and a large tumbler dryer, shame we can't buy a kitman

[Ihearye]

I'd be flabbergasted if we were using a 12-15kg domestic washing machine. Far more than if its the manager who does the loading.

The 500 club over the years have maintained the kitmans washing appliances, in the last 6months we bought 2 washing machines and a large tumbler dryer, shame we can't buy a kitman

I was going to say "I am surprised those shirts can be tumble dried", the I heard a voice in my head saying "are you mad, don't post that"

[Fuller]

I'd be flabbergasted if we were using a 12-15kg domestic washing machine. Far more than if its the manager who does the loading.

The 500 club over the years have maintained the kitmans washing appliances, in the last 6months we bought 2 washing machines and a large tumbler dryer, shame we can't buy a kitman

Fair play to you Steve, you’ve done more than your fair share over the years.

I dread to think where our football club was going if the takeover had fallen through…..

[shevates]

I'd be flabbergasted if we were using a 12-15kg domestic washing machine. Far more than if its the manager who does the loading.

The 500 club over the years have maintained the kitmans washing appliances, in the last 6months we bought 2 washing machines and a large tumbler dryer, shame we can't buy a kitman

Fair play to you Steve, you’ve done more than your fair share over the years.

I dread to think where our football club was going if the takeover had fallen through…..

Thanks much appreciated Fuller

I dont think people realise what's involved being the Kitman it can be a 60hour a week job, there's 4 washing machines 3Dryers all the training kit has to be washed most days as well as match day kit. The kitman travels to away games which includes over night stops
To get all the kit marked is 2 months non stop. When I done it there was around 20 items for each player which needed to be numbered and named and with 25 players in a squad it takes ages

[longmover]

there is a washing room at WR with washer dryers etc and it stinks

[Ihearye]

I'd be flabbergasted if we were using a 12-15kg domestic washing machine. Far more than if its the manager who does the loading.

The 500 club over the years have maintained the kitmans washing appliances, in the last 6months we bought 2 washing machines and a large tumbler dryer, shame we can't buy a kitman

Fair play to you Steve, you’ve done more than your fair share over the years.

I dread to think where our football club was going if the takeover had fallen through…..

https://www.bishopscleevelaundrette.co.uk/

[Shade]

The 500 club over the years have maintained the kitmans washing appliances, in the last 6months we bought 2 washing machines and a large tumbler dryer, shame we can't buy a kitman

Fair play to you Steve, you’ve done more than your fair share over the years.

I dread to think where our football club was going if the takeover had fallen through…..

Thanks much appreciated Fuller

I dont think people realise what's involved being the Kitman it can be a 60hour a week job, there's 4 washing machines 3Dryers all the training kit has to be washed most days as well as match day kit. The kitman travels to away games which includes over night stops
To get all the kit marked is 2 months non stop. When I done it there was around 20 items for each player which needed to be numbered and named and with 25 players in a squad it takes ages

To put it into some perspective, I watched a video a while ago where someone spent the day working with Swindon's kit men, and they have TWO. It's a whole other operation that is far more than just washing the kit. If MF is washing the kit himself, I can only imagine so much other stuff isn't being done. Honestly, it's no wonder the likes of Archer might have had their minds elsewhere thinking he could get a move to a club that is run properly.

The video, if anyone is interested:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NTAWHxATX4

[Ihearye]

Fair play to you Steve, you’ve done more than your fair share over the years.

I dread to think where our football club was going if the takeover had fallen through…..

Thanks much appreciated Fuller

I dont think people realise what's involved being the Kitman it can be a 60hour a week job, there's 4 washing machines 3Dryers all the training kit has to be washed most days as well as match day kit. The kitman travels to away games which includes over night stops
To get all the kit marked is 2 months non stop. When I done it there was around 20 items for each player which needed to be numbered and named and with 25 players in a squad it takes ages

To put it into some perspective, I watched a video a while ago where someone spent the day working with Swindon's kit men, and they have TWO. It's a whole other operation that is far more than just washing the kit. If MF is washing the kit himself, I can only imagine so much other stuff isn't being done. Honestly, it's no wonder the likes of Archer might have had their minds elsewhere thinking he could get a move to a club that is run properly.

The video, if anyone is interested:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NTAWHxATX4

Shade, you need to get out more. Really

[Jerry St Clair]

Interesting. Similarly, when Cambridge visited Whaddon Road a couple of years ago (think it was the Liam Sercombe chip game) they posted a YouTube video of a day in the life of the kitman, who had his own sponsored van. He stayed at the Golden Valley hotel with the team, but left before them late morning to get WR to get all the kit set-up in the changing room. Not just match kit, but warm-up gear, a water cooler, sports drinks etc etc