This is a very interesting piece that apparently came off the Palace bbs and is currently doing the rounds. It is backing up what I've heard from my own sources that have been regularly very reliable in the past. I fully believe that this was written by someone that really is in the know.
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Dougie Freedman was a great player. An intelligent, deadly striker who scored many crucial goals for Crystal Palace Football Club. The brace against Wolves at the death of the play-off semi-final having been on the pitch for 17 minutes; his 11-minute hat-trick against Grimsby; his goals against arch rivals Brighton and of course, his winner at Stockport. There were over 100 occasions, in fact, where goalkeepers had to retrieve the ball from their net due to Freedman’s antics in the Palace shirt.
His best years were at Palace. When shipped out on loan, most notably to Leeds, he did not want to go. His preference, as ever, was to stay and compete for a place in the starting line-up.
In his autobiography, Simon Jordan recalls an instance during Peter Taylor’s stint in the Palace hot-seat where a disgruntled Freedman came to see him in his office, complaining about training methods and attitude. He felt the management should be doing more. His work ethic was always first class, as a professional he was faultless.
As a player, Dougie Freedman answered the SOS on numerous occasions. He never let the club or the fans down. It was abundantly clear that Palace was in his blood, he was hooked.
No surprise, then, that he readily answered more questions as a coach and as a Manager. During administration, he would cut the grass at the training ground. He would take boots in for the kids at the Academy. He would pay for their driving lessons. All the while, he was keeping the outlook positive and maintaining focus and discipline.
He was keeping his beloved Crystal Palace going.
It’s A Fickle Old Game!
posted on 26/10/12
Following the hard-fought draw with Millwall on Saturday (20th), Steve Parish informed Dougie Freedman that Bolton Wanderers wanted to speak with him regarding their vacant Manager’s position. Dougie replied matter of factly that he was not interested. He had stated earlier in the week he wasn’t interested, and again in an article with the Croydon Advertiser on the Friday. Parish then requested that Dougie meet with him and Phil Alexander at Selhurst Park the following day.
When he went to meet with the Palace Chiefs, he was asked if he wished to speak to Bolton. Freedman’s reply was no. He wanted to speak about a new contract, instead.
I will add here that Freedman was receiving a salary of £100k a year to manage a Championship club. The lowest paid Manager in the division. So derisory, in fact, that he was advised by the League Manager’s Association not to sign the contract. His answer? He was going to sign, because the club was in his heart. Money would hopefully come further down the line, hand in hand with success.
Parish informed him that contract talks would not happen until the end of the season (Freedman’s contract ran out at the end of the season). He then went on to inform Freedman that if the right offer comes in for Wilfried Zaha in January, they would sell and he would get £1 million of the received fee to invest in the squad.
Given that the club has recently valued their star asset at £20m, this is frankly laughable.
This was presented as a take it or leave it scenario; there was no actual contract offered. It was clear to Dougie Freedman, therefore, that he was no longer required or wanted at Crystal Palace. The Zaha/transfer kitty revelation was unacceptable.
posted on 26/10/12
To pause for a moment; here we have a Chairman who relentlessly talks about not having to sell players. But be under no illusions, he will sell Zaha to the right bid in January, never mind next summer. Zaha would command a handsome fee, yet just a million will be reinvested. At no point had Freedman been given sufficient financial backing, indeed it took a bad start to the season for things to happen at all.
Dougie Freedman had no intention of entertaining the idea of managing Bolton. He specifically told the Chairman he did not want to talk to them. When the subject of a new contract was approached – a natural move considering another team officially wants you – it was effectively dismissed. Freedman, therefore, realised his position was untenable. He is a family man, he is still young. He needs to ensure security. So he left, without having spoken to anyone about anything. There is a belief amongst fans ‘in the know’ that Freedman was talking to people behind the back of the owners. This is a lie and totally fabricated. If this was the case, he would have waltzed into a ready-made job, would he not? The truth is that he didn’t start talking to Bolton Wanderers until Tuesday 23rd, following his departure from Palace. That is why negotiations are ongoing and it is why Bolton are rightly aggrieved at Palace announcing it was a done deal. It also makes the initial refusal of permission for Bolton to speak with Freedman even more limp-wristed; the damage had already been done.
You are free to have your own opinions on this. But I can assure you, this is how it is. What shouldn’t be forgotten, however, is who Dougie Freedman is, and what he means to Palace. Any Palace fan worth their salt should remember everything he has done for the club. A good man is currently being hung out to dry and we the fans are letting it happen. All Dougie Freedman wanted to do was sign a new contract and continue in the job he was halfway through doing. Just as his time as a player, he wanted to stay and work hard.
What’s done is done. However you look at the situation now, the damage is irreversible. For no feasible reason other than the Board simply did not like him, Dougie Freedman is now out in the wilderness, trying to secure work. He has my best wishes for his future endeavours, my thanks for all he has done for our football club and my apologies for the disgraceful treatment he has received. I, for one, am dreading the January window. I am bitter to the core at the events of the past few days. I am Palace through and through, have been all my life. I am Palace, like Dougie Freedman.
So, my closing line is simple:
Be mindful of what you are led to believe by businessmen.
posted on 26/10/12
Even though I have no affiliation whatsoever to Crystal Palace, this was a very interesting and well written article.
posted on 26/10/12
A complete and absolute load of rubbish.
It was writen anonymously by some spineless individual who was so certain of his facts he failed to give a name to that tripe.
posted on 26/10/12
To back up my last post
Posted by Steve's Browett and Parish in response to a blog about the 'real' reasons Dougie left. You can find the transcript of the blog here as posted by Irish_Eagle http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=106&tid=125863 and not on the Blog link as it's been deleted.
'What a crock of rubbish.
Absolutely factually incorrect in almost every detail
No name attached, no balls, no truth just a pack of made up nonsense'
'I've only just seen this.
As Steve P posted earlier on this thread, it's just a pack of lies. If anyone knows the author I would be delighted to put him straight. We have nothing to hide.'
We are misleading nobody and we have told no lies.
We tried to get him to stay. We offered him a very generous new contract but he wanted to go to Bolton. If someone doesn't want to work for you, contract or not, you can't force them to stay.
Questions from a cynical poster and answered by owners:
1) What was relationship with DF
I like Dougie, I think/thought we had a good relationship
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Dawes (2)
2) Were you responsible for the change in tactics
Not really, we all wanted a more positive approach and between us all that got through but we also needed the players to do it and I think we got more energy in the side
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Dawes (2)
3) Can you absolutely promise that you have no intention to sell Wilf or JW
Never say never, if we get some kind of crazy offer, but why would we sell them otherwise in January, especially if we are in with a shout
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Dawes (2)
4) why was DF so late in the transfer market, were you not willing to back him in the summer.
Was he late? AW, JW both bought early, Ramage with us all summer , Paddy injury meant we had to get CB(s) , Bollasi signed a bit late but we were trying for two and negotiations ran on a bit
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Dawes (2)
5) Why has 1 director stated spoke to DF saturday and another Sunday with regard to approach from Bolton.
Brief chat sat, longer meeting Sunday
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Dawes (2)
6) Why did you not wait for DF to sign for Bolton , what was the delay.
Dont understand, I think you mean why did we announce before they announced? DF told me Tuesday that he was going to Bolton, I announced so we could move on fast and start looking for replacement . I really don't know why its taken till now for them to confirm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Dawes (2)
7) Why was DF being payed such a low salary in comparison to the rest of the league ?
He wasn't. every figure mentioned on here and portrayed as fact is completely wrong
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Dawes (2)
When did you offer DF a new contract.
Sunday
Originally Posted by Fred Dawes (2)
Why had you waited until Sunday to offer contract ? especially when you understood that DF had grabbed other teams interest.
So spoke to df sat after game about approach all tired arranged to meet sun morning.
Had no idea of other clubs interest until Bolton contacted us
Poster LLCoolSteve, claims to know Dougie and his family and has defended him to the hilt posted this:
Originally Posted by LLCOOLSTEVE
Not at all
Nothing ive said in here is not the truth
Its only awkward as people refuse to believe it.
Steve, you have said plenty on the BBS that is not the truth. Maybe you have been mis-informed, maybe you are naive, I don't know which.
Please give me a call tomorrow morning and I'll be glad to tell you the real truth. At the moment you are digging yourself into a hole and embarrassing yourself and Dougie as well. The man is a Palace legend and a great guy. He has decided to take another job at another football club. Get over it.
I will be very pleased to speak to you in the morning and put you right on this.
Best Regards
Steve Browett
Originally Posted by LLCOOLSTEVE
There is nothing to discuss
The blog is not mine ffs
How can you write scores of posts on the BBS which are basically calling me and SP liars and then say "there is nothing to discuss". We are telling the truth and I think that I have every right to tell you our side of the story.
I have never suggested in any way that you wrote that blog and are puzzled as to why you would say that.
I don't have your number so you will have to call me. I have left my number (which is no secret anyway) with your Mother.
Originally Posted by Stellavista
If Steve is not posting what he wants to, because he has been warned off by the owner(s), then that is an attempt at censorship in my book.
At the very least, it could be construed as intimidation.
Plenty of us doubt what he says, but he shouldn't be expected to fight his corner with one hand tied behind his back.
Eh? When have Steve or I threatened to censor the BBS, that is absolute nonsense. All I have have said is that instead of continuing to suggest that somehow CPFC drove Dougie out of the club, LLCS should listen to the facts. I'd be happy to speak to him on the phone tomorrow, in the pub in Leicester or wherever.
I don't mean to make it sound scary! Just that I don't know how to contact him but his mother is a friend of someone who works at the club who has passed on my phone number to him via her.
posted on 27/10/12
This has been a good read.
I have been in Spain all the week and have not had a chance to get myself up to date.
My take is that I am not overly bothered that he has gone as I have always doubted his ability at this level at this stage of his managerial career.Sure we can take the last 6/8 games or so in isolation but it could hardly be certain that this was about to continue.
I went to the Millwall game and I thought for the second half we were dire again, albeit with ten men.
Whatever the truth surrounding his departure, I certainly don't think he is the man to take Bolton forward where more experienced managers have failed.
I don't see them anywhere near the promotion race under Freedman and expect Bolton to release him at the end of the season.
I would even go as far as saying that he will embarrass himself through his inexperience in his new position. He has no experience of keeping a team at the top of the league for a sustained tilt at promotion.
As for Bolton poaching a novice manager after a decent run of 6/8 games, forgetting two seasons before of below mid-table status, well I can't believe the risk taken in that.
It'll all end in tears...
You read it here first....
posted on 28/10/12
There is always 2 sides to every story, the only side of the story we have really heard so far is Parish/Browetts side. Maybe there is more to it than what has been quoted thus far. This could be one of them stories that the real may never surface for a number of years.
I for one wish Dougie the best as i am a believer that you don't always know what goes on behind closed doors.
posted on 29/10/12
Comment Deleted by Article Creator
posted on 29/10/12
Replying to keep sgbilko sweet as the misses seems to of taken the velcro off his pants...
Anyhow, all I’ve done is pass on a thread that’s been circulating the other Palace sites, to this site...jeez.
Personally, I’d rather DF stayed to fight for is position.
And I’m sure those that will be at the game this weekend will wanna understand what’s gone on.
posted on 30/10/12
Theres no need to keep me sweet, and your wife obviously thinks I have point.
This is from the article "Who's your pick for Next Palace Manager?"
"Sorry that is not the impression you gave in your summing up of this article, you in fact said unequivocally "I FULLY BELIEVE" heres your QUOTE in full;
"This is a very interesting piece that apparently came off the Palace bbs and is currently doing the rounds. It is backing up what I've heard from my own sources that have been regularly very reliable in the past. I fully believe that this was written by someone that really is in the know."
That gives the impression you not only believed but agree with that vindictive idiot blogger."
Sadly I'm not in the camp of wish DF had stayed.
It's a well known fact that I have been critical of DF's so called "Italian style defensive tactics" because they were nothing like the Italian defensive model, plus Palace did not have the players to play that system.
But that does not stop me supporting the board, or the manager who ever that is, whom will always receive my full support while they are with the club.