04/04/08

It has been a manic time behind the scenes at Millwall over the last month, the 2 great away wins at Yeovil and Swansea have been overshadowed by some bad results leaving us with our heads just above the relegation zone, the game on Saturday is crucial and could shape where we end up at the end of the season.

As you all know I have been lucky enough to get the FOTB role for a further 3 years, now the result has been announced the club have started inviting me to the Holdings meetings, these are very interesting, but at times I wish I didn't know all I do, recently I have had sleepless nights especially about our financial situation, John Berylson has today put his money where his mouth is and committed further monies to keep us going for the future, with teams all around us going into administration this is a brave move by John and we the fans should give him the support I feel he deserves , he has made this commitment at a time when the team are in such a bad league position, this has confirmed what I have always thought that John Berylson is here not only for the regeneration but for the football, John has given me his word he will not leave the club in a worse position that he found it, he is desperate for success and feels with Millwall and Kenny Jackett he will get this in the next few years.

There has been a lot of discussions about us going into administration, John’s financial commitment shows he won't take the easy route, he will take the route the not only helps him but the route that benefits Millwall football club.

All areas of the club are being looked into regards making savings one area being the Academy; Andy Ambler is investigating all areas to see where we can eat into the huge monthly deficit. Kenny Jacket has a lot of experience in youth football and Joe Little has a lot of fresh ideas, so there is a lot of experience and good ideas at youth level, the question that needs answering is do we have an academy or a school of excellence, the club will always have a youth policy it is just how it is branded, the main difference I can see, is an academy team plays the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham as opposed to Swindon, Brentford and lower league teams, there are pros and cons, an academy may attract better young players who are attracted at the possibility of playing Arsenal and the likes, the downside, other than the cost involved is that premiership teams can see any quality players we have and poach them as what happened with David Amoo, Sam Walker and Tom Kilbey, the club can try hard to keep these players but when the players see the chance of a move premiership team it is hard to keep them. Discussions and fact finding are on going over the next couple of months, no decision has been made, once I know any further information I will let everyone know, or if you have any thoughts or ideas drop me a line.

As always any questions/queries write to me c/o the club or email direct petergarston@hotmail.com

Pete