[Archived] Nicko's Thread

[Mozzer]

what has nicko suposed to have done??

[blue phil]

but one is a Rovers supporter and one is not.

....and one has credibility and the other resents it

[dave birch]

What does nicko resent?

edit: sorry, couldn't resist

[adopted scouser]

Bloody hell ! All this anger and bile, relax lads - here's a great big pair of tats !

[thenodrog]

To be fair to the man, being a freelance journalist seems a precarious way to make a living to me, and one that depends on his industry credibility. The digging up of a libel which undermines that I can well believe to be immensely upsetting. While it may have been in the public domain, its repetition in a public forum is another matter entirely.

And I expect his orders to cease and desist more likely came from Mrs Nixon worrying about the housekeeping rather than his mythical paymaster worrying about the crumbling of the cunning plan to take over Rovers by influencing the opinions of a handful of internet saddos, me included.

It's a Jeckyll and Hyde situation. If he'd stuck to 'nicko's thread' and nothing else he'd be extremely well thought of and most probably the most popular and widely read poster on here, alternatively, if his only contribution had been to the 'Rovers sold' thread and nothing else then he'd be viewed far differently and probably with much suspicion and mistrust.

[tcj_jones]

Can you not see that it's all about gaining trust and confidence? A few accurate transfer tips and some very astute comments and suddenly the majority of the board or certainly the ones born since comprehensive education was introduced take his every utterance as absolute gospel. He's like some modern day Pied Piper of Hamlin.

I never took his transfer scoops as gospel, but had no reason whatsoever to doubt him as everything he posted turned out correct. In the same way, I fail to see anybody on the "Rovers Sold?" thread who had been converted into the pro Dan Williams camp on the basis of Nicko's comments.

Even if he were here to butter us up in preparation for the takeover, I don't care, because the transfer scoops he gave us were excellent. You have little faith in the majority on here but I, like most others, can think for myself. I am still cautiously optimistic about the takeover, as I have been from the start.

I sometimes wonder if you enjoy playing the big tough man on the messageboard because you're something of a weak minded person in real life, whether you enjoy winding people up, or if you are just very unpleasant. Sometimes I think it could be a combination of the three.

Also, I heard somebody ask for evidence from Nicko that he isn't in the Williams camp? How on earth can he prove that? Once questioned, Nicko did all he good by reponding that he was not. To be hounded in the way he was was out of order. If, and I'm not just talking about you here Theno, people are so strong minded and unwavering and cannot be influenced anyway, then why not keep quiet once you have expressed your opinion?

[modes98]

To the vast majority of the people out there, I would like to express my thanks. Genuinely touched.

Blimey step out for a day at the cricket and come back to this.

Cheers for the gossip nicko, shame you have to leave.

[bellamy11]

but one is a Rovers supporter and one is not.

So what? Is that really what's important to you?

[thenodrog]

To be hounded in the way he was was out of order. If, and I'm not just talking about you here Theno, people are so strong minded and unwavering and cannot be influenced anyway, then why not keep quiet once you have expressed your opinion?

I didn't wind him up / hound him in any way jonesy. Check it out. I gave my opinion that something didn't stack up right. The main protagonists were Tris, PhilipL and Guided missile. I've simply refused to over react to the bloke choosing to take his bat and ball home but rather to ridicule the soppy gits who come on in full of angst, in sackcloth and ashes as if it's a national disaster. If he had anything about him he'd simply have refused to post any further on the 'Rovers sold' thread. Don't you agree?

btw I'll overlook the tone of your post as I assume that you posted this before reading my 'Jeckyll and Hyde' observation, is this correct?

[thenodrog]

So what? Is that really what's important to you?

I think that it's certainly a major consideration thats for sure.

[Nate]

Geez. And I thought this board was full of adults.

[Exiled in Toronto]

If he had anything about him he'd simply have refused to post any further on the 'Rovers sold' thread. Don't you agree?

I think the fact that you brought your problems with his contribution to the Rovers Sold thread onto this one somewhat negates that line of argument

[rebelmswar]

I dont mind you resorting to personal insults but how can you say i am "officious"?

Nicko leaving was his own decision - his claim that he is upset because somebody mentioned an article that has been in the public domain for such a long time has me rolling on the floor. Similarly his pushing of the "DW takeover is good" line without any backup information is just not acceptable to me. BRFC has been a major part of my life for 3 decades and I will not meekly stand by when I fell it is under threat. I have not been shown one shred of evidence that this "takeover" will be in the best interests of the club and as such I will be anti until someone convices me otherwise. As such it makes me laugh when rhino-skinned journos are runoff messageboards by a few fans doing a little investigation and expressing an opinion.

I dont know if nicko is a PR plant but I still remain suspicious as to why he starts to post transfer titbits whilst covering the takeover - putting a v. positive slant on the prospective buyer and winning over the fans with a few bits of insider transfer information. Does nicko post on the fan boards of other clubs that he covers - bolton city everton? Do you think everton fans have forgotten his reporting in relation to the Rooney transfer?

I have only posted in the "Rovers Sold" thread and it is in that thread that talk of DW PR and nickos reporting was discussed. Nicko could easily have continued with the transfer topic and stop contributing to the "sold" thread if he felt upset with the way that topic was going. It was then his choice to moan on this topic and besmirch the reputation of long-standing posters to this site of good repute by suggesting they were jealous of his "profession" - and many of you have fallen hook line and sinker for it because he told us that RSC would be signing!!! Journolists and free lunches? Get real!

I apologise for the insult I was out of order. I do think that some people were a bit strong with the insinuations, that's all. I also think that his input will be sorely missed.

[American]

Geez. And I thought this board was full of adults.

I know you aren't, but what am I??!?!?!?

[SouthAussieRover]

I know you aren't, but what am I??!?!?!?

Give us a clue!

[thenodrog]

I think the fact that you brought your problems with his contribution to the Rovers Sold thread onto this one somewhat negates that line of argument

I think in the light of events unfolding as they have that that was unavoidable. Anyway didn't Alan Nixon himself do that first on page 104?

[otto man]

Can you not see that it's all about gaining trust and confidence? A few accurate transfer tips and some very astute comments and suddenly the majority of the board or certainly the ones born since comprehensive education was introduced take his every utterance as absolute gospel. He's like some modern day Pied Piper of Hamlin.

and there WAS a second shooter on the grassy knol

[SouthAussieRover]

I think in the light of events unfolding as they have that that was unavoidable. Anyway didn't Alan Nixon himself do that first on page 104?

I think it was understandable that he should have done that. I think other actions/responses by some posters were avoidable.

[nicko]

There is a big difference between argument, banter or whatever and a dowright pack of lies that led to me having to sue a national newspaper to get the record put straight.

I looked into the possibility of legal action against internet stories before, but sadly that cannot be done. If you know different I would be grateful for the information.

As for 'taking my bat and ball home'? Have you any idea what a libel case against a newspaper involves? You stand the risk of losing fortunes to clear your name. But in that case it was worth it. The Sunday Express story was full of total inaccuracies and they did not have a leg to stand on. The QC said I could have had £30,000-plus, but the sad thing is that if a court says you won the case but award you less then YOU have to pay the costs even in 'victory.' So I took £18,500 - rather than winning and possibly losing £200,000 in costs. I have never had to sue anybody before that case, I hate people who go all 'legal' on you, but there is a line that was not just crossed but ripped up and stuffed down my throat by that article.

When some Southampton simpleton drags up the Sunday Express story and conveniently forgets to mention there was an apology and a settlement in my favour then I get angry rather than anything else.

The snipers who would like to jump on the Dan Williams PR bandwagon should check their facts and will be enlightened in time.

1 - Williams DENIED it was him when I approached him before the story. You have seen the e-mails. Don't know why I revealed them, but I did. If you want to ignore them, then there isn't much more I can do. If you want to know how his name came out that is sadly something I cannot say just now as there is a source to protect. If you still doubt that feel free to contact the Sunday People who were aware where the information came from. They will not tell you any names, but they could confirm the background.

2 - Williams DENIED he was in with Plainfield. Ironically that story, I have discovered later, was mentioned first by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph the day before the People did the second story. They did NOT have the name of the individuals or the meetings. The fact that I named these people actually gave the anti-Williams brigade more fuel for their little fires. Hm, that was good PR. You will also see that when I broke the 'American bid' story in the first place I guessed at the wrong potential candidates.

3 - The whole deal could have collapsed as a result of those stories. I have proof of this and when the time is right that will be shared. You honestly have no idea about what has been going on with this and I am not being smart by saying that. It is just one of those stories that you get ahead of and stay ahead of. The one and only reason I contributed - and with a name that was easy to work out - was because I felt some comments could have driven the guy and his money men away. It was in the balance that much. They were already spooked by leaks that were far too accurate and then had daft theories being bandied around about them.

4 - Where has there been ANY PR in a newspaper about Williams? I have been told several things that I have kept OUT of the public domain. It would not help or hinder a buy-out in any way if that kind of thing came out. The deal is between the sellers and the buyer. No PR would make any difference - there has been NO PR.

5 - I was asked on here and thought it was great enterainment. I like an argument and a debate. For some people to think I am giving you stories to 'sweeten up' some possible takeover beggars belief. I risk losing the exclusive element on stories by telling people in advance what is going on. Frankly, after a while, that did not bother me.

I said on the Rovers Sold thread some time back that I did not want to add anything and yet I get dragged back into it because there are those with nothing better to do than find bogey men. Others genuinely wanted an update because they were concerned about their club. Any and every question about what Dan Williams's group is about is valid. Feel free to pose them. But I can't answer for the guy.

Once again, I will stress that I want to take a backseat until this is sorted. I love the enthusiasm, I can handle the stick. But for everyone's sake it is best that there is silence on this subject right now.

[nicko]

And, yes, the orders were from mrs nicko.

Along the lines of It's Me or the Website.

Sounds like a good Channel Four idea.

[Alex Rover]

When some Southampton simpleton drags up the Sunday Express story and conveniently forgets to mention there was an apology and a settlement in my favour then I get angry rather than anything else.

I take it you've managed to work out who this is? I have and it doesn't take too much detective work to find out.

[Dunnfc]

EVERYONE SHUT THE (Please don't use that word again) UP!

Nicko told us info what we wanted to hear, he didnt have to but he did because most of us were intrested to know what was going on at our club and he could have lost exclusive rights because of this. As fans of a wonderfully ran club do you think its right to treat Nicko like this? The answer is no! Now leave him alone he has done (Please don't use that word again) all wrong and Nicko you shudnt have to explain yourself like this and i can only appoligise on behalf of some of our mindless fans.

Please ignore all these idiots and continue to post the stuff we like to read, everyone else let it be the end of the feud please.

[Sandiway Blue]

I think we should now draw a line under this and move on.

For those of you involved with upsetting Nicko,if you have any sort of decency about you,then do the right thing and apologise to the man.

for nicko i hope you will continue to post on this thread,and hopefully convince some of the other journo`s you come into contact with,that footy clubs do exist outside of the "big 4" and london! thanks for the info on the transfers.

[mike at picture]

I take it you've managed to work out who this is? I have and it doesn't take too much detective work to find out.

Go on then Sherlock!

Is it Hockey/Rugger loving ex Saints Chairman, ex public Schoolboy Millionaire Rupert Lowe?

If I had his brass I'd be floating around The Carribbean up to my eyes in hookers and gin not messing about on here!

[philipl]

4 - Where has there been ANY PR in a newspaper about Williams? I have been told several things that I have kept OUT of the public domain. It would not help or hinder a buy-out in any way if that kind of thing came out. The deal is between the sellers and the buyer. No PR would make any difference - there has been NO PR.

I said on the Rovers Sold thread some time back that I did not want to add anything and yet I get dragged back into it because there are those with nothing better to do than find bogey men. Others genuinely wanted an update because they were concerned about their club. Any and every question about what Dan Williams's group is about is valid. Feel free to pose them. But I can't answer for the guy.

Once again, I will stress that I want to take a backseat until this is sorted. I love the enthusiasm, I can handle the stick. But for everyone's sake it is best that there is silence on this subject right now.

I don't know what is categorised as PR but DW gave an interview in the LT on 19 June.

There are any number of questions arising from that interview which have been left hanging. Damage, thenodrog, Bob

Fleming, Paul, tris, Dave Birch, USA Blue, Seahawkdad, Revidge Blue are just some of the posters who come to mind.

Quoting you again: "I have been told several things that I have kept OUT of the public domain. It would not help or hinder a buy-out in any way if that kind of thing came out." Surely as a freelance reporter you would publish the story if it would have no impact on the sale one way or the other but is of public interest? Whereas PR professionals suppress stories.