Andy Pilley

[Ralphy Rylance]

If their rise has been funded by a fraudulently obtained fortune i hope it all goes pear shaped and they have to start all over again yet again.

A bit like us after the PH debacle

We apart frpm the fact we didn't rise at all during his tenure is there any evidence that his money was fraudulently obtained?

[couille du chien]

How is it like us after the PH debacle,what are the similarities

[couille du chien]

I think Michael might be in the shit here, hope he’s got a good lawyer

[Michael]

If their rise has been funded by a fraudulently obtained fortune i hope it all goes pear shaped and they have to start all over again yet again.

A bit like us after the PH debacle

We apart frpm the fact we didn't rise at all during his tenure is there any evidence that his money was fraudulently obtained?

Not suggesting fraud at all. Just saying that when our benefactor left we were left in some trouble and had to pick up the pieces.

[Ralphy Rylance]

A bit like us after the PH debacle

We apart frpm the fact we didn't rise at all during his tenure is there any evidence that his money was fraudulently obtained?

Not suggesting fraud at all. Just saying that when our benefactor left we were left in some trouble and had to pick up the pieces.

Which was nothing like what I was describing.

[Ste_B]

The article is a bit unclear in regards to what exactly he's accused of, but I think he should be given at least 6 concurrent life sentences. Just to be on the safe side.

“The fraud worked through a telesales operation run by companies that appeared to be independent… The sales companies targeted small businesses and charities – including guest houses, children’s charities and companies providing support services for disabled people – as they moved into new premises or when their energy contracts were up for renewal.

In the initial ‘front end’ part of the call, the sales representative would lie about the contracts to persuade business owners to sign-up. The fraudulent mis-selling included false or misleading statements about the length and price of the contract as well as competitor rates. Business owners were then transferred to a different sales representative who would run through terms and conditions and confirm the agreement.

This was a binding verbal contract and, because it was a business-to-business sale, there was no cooling off period. The fraud worked because the vast majority of customers didn’t realise they had been misled at the point of entering into the verbal contract.”

[David_1276]

The article is a bit unclear in regards to what exactly he's accused of, but I think he should be given at least 6 concurrent life sentences. Just to be on the safe side.

“The fraud worked through a telesales operation run by companies that appeared to be independent… The sales companies targeted small businesses and charities – including guest houses, children’s charities and companies providing support services for disabled people – as they moved into new premises or when their energy contracts were up for renewal.

In the initial ‘front end’ part of the call, the sales representative would lie about the contracts to persuade business owners to sign-up. The fraudulent mis-selling included false or misleading statements about the length and price of the contract as well as competitor rates. Business owners were then transferred to a different sales representative who would run through terms and conditions and confirm the agreement.

This was a binding verbal contract and, because it was a business-to-business sale, there was no cooling off period. The fraud worked because the vast majority of customers didn’t realise they had been misled at the point of entering into the verbal contract.”

Thank you. It seems he was even more of a dickhead than people initially thought.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Eurgh. You'd have to feel pretty grubby if you were a Fleetwood fan now, knowing that's what it all came from.

[portexileinbath]

Er.... Fleetwood Muck - Rumours / Second hand news or I don't want to know ?

[Exiled Port Fan]

Pilley and his sister will be sentenced on 3rd July, he has been remanded until then, however a bail hearing seems to have been scheduled later this week.

[Swedes]

Eurgh. You'd have to feel pretty grubby if you were a Fleetwood fan now, knowing that's what it all came from.

I'm not sure fans of Fraudwood Town are capable of feeling any such emotion.

[Sam]

Eurgh. You'd have to feel pretty grubby if you were a Fleetwood fan now, knowing that's what it all came from.

There was always lots of talk back when they started to rise, I don't think they cared and just enjoyed the ride.

He has to be fair set them up for success, Highbury isn't a bad ground and they have their own training facilities. Unless he was continuing to pump money in through his businesses, they probably have enough about them to stay where they are.

Though it would be nice to see them do an R&D and just disappear essentially forever.

[yellowfever]

I think many football supporters-particularly NW based ones have been waiting for this news for quite some time-I know I have...The only surprise being that this case has taken so long to prove after being reported well more than 10 years ago on Adrian Goldberg's Sunday morning Radio 2 consumer programme.In it-the BBC planted "insider's" recording the activity and discussions that took place.It's just so sad that so many individuals, charities,companies and indeed the tax payer have had to suffer so much going back years and years.

Make no bones about it-Andy Pilley IS Fleetwood Town, lock stock and smoking barell,and my question is now-what do the EFL do about it,as clearly the whole "Fleetwood" structure is based on the success of his BES and llinked company(s) ? How can it not be linked to hi football club despite Pilley's insistence that it is a totally seperate issue?

With "football" links to South Africa and Ireland it's significant that Pilley was remanded in custody to face the sentencing date last Tuesday-announced as the 3rd July (although this could be brought forward I've read) Pilley saying that the "situation wasn't ideal"! Worringly I believe that he has applied for bail now-something IMHO the judiciary would be ill advised to allow.

[Ste_B]

I think many football supporters-particularly NW based ones have been waiting for this news for quite some time-I know I have...The only surprise being that this case has taken so long to prove after being reported well more than 10 years ago on Adrian Goldberg's Sunday morning Radio 2 consumer programme.In it-the BBC planted "insider's" recording the activity and discussions that took place.It's just so sad that so many individuals, charities,companies and indeed the tax payer have had to suffer so much going back years and years.

The response I got at the time was that, although dodgy, what they were doing was legal. They told you the prices before you agreed to anything, and it’s your own fault for not checking whether the price is competitive or not. This must have been about 6/7 years ago.

The fact they only record your verbal contract agreement and not the “sales pitch” that it followed presumably also made it difficult to prove any wrongdoing.

[YTT]

Sadly yet another example of the failures of governance in business and football. That said in this instance and others it's not until the #### hits the fan that they can do anything.

Looking at the movements of directors on companies house its clear that Pilley's intentions are for his son Jamie to act as proxy on his behalf. He's had plenty of time to plan for this outcome that's for sure.

What will equally be interesting is to see if proceeds of crime act is applied and enforced.

As YF has stated Andy Pilley/BES is Fleetwood Town and will be interesting to see what happens now in the off season re the future of the club and its stewardship.

[Exiled Port Fan]

From Lancs Evening Post:

"When asked by His Honour Knowles roughly the scale of amount taken to be in its thousands or millions, Miss Khan, acting on behalf of the prosecution, said that while an exact amount could not be obtained, she believed it to be in the £15 million ball park. When further asked if the Crown was likely to hold in law that the quality of goods at Pilley’s surroundings could amount to this unless proven otherwise, she responded “yes”."

[becbee]

Andy Pilley has now resigned from Fleetwood.

[yellowfever]

So just over a week to go now until Mr Pilley's sentencing-Monday 3rd July Preston Crown Court on four counts of fraud.
If I wasn't committed (admittedly to better things) I'd have been up with Ronnie Hotdogs organising a coach to these proceedings-with me on the front seat..

What is already disappointing me is the fact that he appears to be only facing charges for between the period of 2014 and 2016,when vast profits were being made by his BES companies going back to 2010 -if not before? Obviously this is the period they are prosecuting on.

YTT mentioned that it would be interesting to see if the "proceeds of crime" would be applied here- a figure of £15 million pounds mentioned in court? I would suggest that Pilley will be biting their hands off for that verdict? He probably has a yacht (allegedly) sitting in the Mediterranean worth that alone? The South African links already forged to Fleetwood Town and his son Jamie already in place as Chairman in Waterford? How much will he actually be affected financially from this? Sadly-a touch of bolting the doors after the horse has bolted here I reckon?
Even his sentencing? What will Pilley get for his fraud-8/9 years maybe (if you're lucky) and out in half of that for good behaviour?
A football club has clearly benefitted (allegedly) from profits made by Pilley's companies and grown to where it is today-based heavily on providing for it's community. I hope all concerned there can live with how that money to "prosper" has come about.
As for Pilley,I hope he's enjoying all this beautiful weather in custody and perhaps reflecting just a little on where he finds himself in 2023? Then again, the Pilley I remember from our "encounters" (not that long ago) he probably isn't. Just looking for his next dodgy move...

[Hat Trick Patrick]

Stop gloating

[yellowfever]

Stop gloating

I think you forgot the funny emoji HTP-or at least I hope you did...!

When I see a football club that we competed against and beat to a title 13 years ago when we all know the reasons we were up against it? Annoyed that a football club has clearly prospered under his "guidance"-too right I am... Pleased that Pilley is facing some well deserved retribution at long last-absolutely....