SENTINELCELTS

custodian
noun [ C ] US ​ /kʌsˈtoʊ·di·ən/
​
a person or organization that is responsible for protecting, caring for, or maintaining something or someone:
The library is a traditional custodian of information.
The school’s crisis team includes teachers, custodians, and the principal.

Throughout our supporting lives we will on paper experience several different entities in our boardroom.
Each custodian may or may not be seen in a good light upon appointment , during reign , and after their stint at the helms,, these are the ebbs and tides that every supporter goes through.
Ive yet to have any fan of any club say “ we’ve best custodians ever Im telling ya “ but Ive certainly heard plenty put the boot into however is in the hotseat.
Why is that ? Is there no such thing as a perfect custodianship until youve no more room on your jersey for all the star’s youve won ? Are fan’s just too picky and fussy ?
Or is it like an old woman told me once “ people need something to talk about ,,, ?”

Whether they realised or not at the time those taking up the mantle of custodians of our club also inherited a moral responsibility.
Given the background of both it’s hard to imagine we need to tell them of the size or historic importance of our institution .
Morally though many would issue a fail mark to the duo calling the shots.

Each of us will have their own little interpretation of what moral duty exactly that entails but there is a social charter on the clubs website as a guide if needed.
And then we have above the actual definition which clearly states protect and care for.
Fans of Bury and Bolton have seen that side of the bargain go to pot , and Im delighted that we always seem to be on a sound financial footing with never any issues on that front .
We are steady , yes we are and that at least is a great platform.
So thanks , well done, they’ve got the money side of things sorted soundly, thats not in doubt.

But the simple fact is that means nothing without the fans onside, and they are far from happy.
The maintaining part of the above description crosses over into fan relation’s which is vital to some and blah blah to others.
“ We’ve never had a great board” we’ve all seen wrote somewhere or other Im sure and maybe thats true but at the same time the past is the past ,, history is gone now.
We can only try and help mould the club to what our dream is while we are here and before you know it the next generation of Hoops will be eyeing up this historic entity asking questions like us.
And thats a good thing ,, we should never be afraid to question especially when it comes to our club.

But these men and women that are out there in charge of institutions must be accountable.
The ones that make policies that ultimately actually do affect me and you by way of the quality of team on the park and thus the happiness bringing trophies hopefully ( And vice versa ),,
it is vitally important that some of the fans hold them to account and ask some questions of them if needed . If only to be sure and again questioning does not harm if you’ve nothing to hide.
Answering honestly builds trust.

Are our perfect custodians out there ? Again on paper its a rich Scotsman and Irishman but look where that has got us . We could do with the perfect majority shareholder who couldn’t , but until then we have the men we have .
Now I must emphasise that we cannot and should not blame the entire club for the sins of one set of custodians or the actions of one man . Ever .
Thats not right at all and the deep love of the club must remain here at all costs throughout. That is essential.

But the fact is our current custodians deserve to be held to account as much as any board anywhere do ,, and judged fairly without prejudice at that.
And its up to the fans to let them know if they are failing in their duties or fulfilling them and there is nothing wrong with that at all.
Dont ever think you arent qualified or allowed to voice an opinion on those in charge. There’s nobody better placed to give them that opinion.
And thats the price they pay , the price of custodianship .

The above article is by Mahe and should you wish to have the lead article just email your piece to sentinelcelts@gmail.com and we will publish. All views deserve to be heard.