I've heard some stupid ideas in my time...

By Nathan Jackson
March 28 2008

Every once in a while you hear someone with a stupid idea to either improve their club or football in general, but today John Batchelor exceeded all the previous efforts. It's hard to put into words how stupid his idea to transform Mansfield Town is. His plans have caused outrage in British Football and he has already alienated virtually every fan, sorry, customer that his club has.

In 2003 there was a plan to extend the Playoffs to 6 teams. Stupid idea. There was a plan for Gam£ 39 earlier this season, but now John Batchelor has surpassed all the stupid ideas and come up with the most ridiculous thing anyone has said since Mr Hitler told Mrs Hitler "I'm feeling frisky tonight."

To put into words just how unbelieveably stupid this idea is would be like trying to write down word for word every single book that has ever been written. To sum it up, John Batchelor wants to turn Mansfield Town Football Club into Harchester United Football Club. No, you're not misreading that, just years after being widely credited with ruining York City, John Batchelor is back.

He said to many media sources : "Football supporters in general have to understand that if they want professional football in their town, they have to accept it has to be done on a commercial basis. Harchester is more promotable than Mansfield. That's not any form of insult to Mansfield at all because it's a club with a long tradition but it's just a fact of life. "

"The ONLY reason that I want it is to make money, the only reason that I want to do that is to look after my immediate family. I can only do that by making it work on the pitch and as a result making it work commercially. This would be MY club, if you like what you see come and watch, if you don't, then stay away.

"I am not even interested in discussing it with "fans", however, I will talk to customers anytime. If Mansfield is going to host professional football, it has to accept that there need to be some HUGE changes at this club. If the fans don't want to host it, all they need to do is not turn up. I have a plan, and I have a vision of what football needs to do, I am going to do my best to achieve it, I am not a multi-millionaire, just a guy who has some idea's who is prepared to have a go and take a risk."

Even though I'm not a Mansfield fan, the above just makes me SOOOOO incredibly angry. Without fans you don't have a club. Clubs can be professional without being commerically successful....just look at the Blue Square Premier. None of the teams are particular;y commericially successful and yet they are professional.

John Batchelor, you are not welcome in this country and quite frankly, I hope the whole of British Football sticks two fingers up to you and you never take control of another club because clubs belong to the FANS, not someone who doesn't understand what this sport means to others.