David Holdsworth Thread

More from DH:

Quoted from ccu on Monday, 06 September 2025

More from DH:

More bulldust..

And some more:

Quoted from ccu on Tuesday, 07 September 2025

And some more:

Namechecks Chris 8 times in about three paragraphs - Holdsworth's blame deflectors on full.

That’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........that’s down to Chris........

... and if we fall away into oblivion later in the season due to injuries, suspensions and lack of depth, it will be nothing to do with Andrew Jenkins, John Nixon, Purepay/EWM, David Holdsworth... THAT'S DOWN TO CHRIS!!

Interesting to see he specifically mentioned Fishburn. After Christmas, he'll be back and in contention for the first team?

Edited to say, there are a few clubs who seem to have specifically waited for the window to close to see what is left. Charlton were one.

Simple question - what new title should DH be given as Director of Football doesn't seem right when he says " everything to do with the football side is not my decision."

Quoted from carwash on Wednesday, 08 September 2025

Simple question - what new title should DH be given as Director of Football doesn't seem right when he says " everything to do with the football side is not my decision."

“Sporting Director”

Head of Mediocrity Maintenance

Head Bullshitter

When Beech goes, he has to go with him. Sack Holdsworth now.

Clibbens insists Purepay are just a loan facility, so if so, we can make the call and don't need to seek their permission.

As managers come and go, there is one common denominator. Just go.

Aye three poor managerial appointments in a row from Big Dave, himself a failed manager.

It would be interesting to see what he does on a daily basis.

Quoted from nobbyblue on Sunday, 26 September 2025

Aye three poor managerial appointments in a row from Big Dave, himself a failed manager.

It would be interesting to see what he does on a daily basis.

As much as I agree he’s a complete waste of space, there’s only been two managers under his tenure, but they’re Presley and Beech which says just about everything.

Quoted from aberdeenblue28 on Sunday, 26 September 2025

Quoted from nobbyblue on Sunday, 26 September 2025

Aye three poor managerial appointments in a row from Big Dave, himself a failed manager.

It would be interesting to see what he does on a daily basis.

As much as I agree he’s a complete waste of space, there’s only been two managers under his tenure, but they’re Presley and Beech which says just about everything.

Holdsworth joined the same summer as Sheridan so likely to have had some input.

Quoted from nobbyblue on Sunday, 26 September 2025

Quoted from aberdeenblue28 on Sunday, 26 September 2025

Quoted from nobbyblue on Sunday, 26 September 2025

Aye three poor managerial appointments in a row from Big Dave, himself a failed manager.

It would be interesting to see what he does on a daily basis.

As much as I agree he’s a complete waste of space, there’s only been two managers under his tenure, but they’re Presley and Beech which says just about everything.

Holdsworth joined the same summer as Sheridan so likely to have had some input.

Sheridan was appointed in June, DH joined us in August, I very much doubt he had much input. Sheridan got results, he just wasn’t very stable.

Quoted from aberdeenblue28 on Sunday, 26 September 2025

Sheridan was appointed in June, DH joined us in August, I very much doubt he had much input. Sheridan got results, he just wasn’t very stable.

Go to the start of this Thread - Late June 2018.

DH was involved long before his official announcement.

From DH’s arrival article:

First team manager John Sheridan said: "I’ve worked closely with David over the last few months, and he has become an essential part of the team. As I continue to focus on our senior squad for the upcoming seasons and beyond, securing talent is critical.

Come on David. Time to come out of hiding. We know you only show face when things are going ok, however how do you justify this squad being stronger than last season? Seriously! If you truly believe this, then we have a problem.

I'd like to know definitively who is employing Holdsworth, who he is accountable to and who has the power to dismiss him.

If he is only accountable to Day then let's have that out in the open.

How and where does he spend his week and fill his time?

He has now presided over a series of failed managerial appointments and largely poor player recruitment.

His job title is Director Of Football and the football we are playing under his direction is awful. There are glaring gaps in our summer and transfer window recruitment this season, especially up front, and him and Beech seem to have got their wires crossed on the type of players Beech wanted.

Or have they? Why did we sign Zach Clough? Did Beech really want him or did Holdsworth see him as a player at a low ebb who could potentially be flipped for a profit?

Yes we may have got a quick return on one or two, but then so has pretty much every other club in the league whilst also showing some interest in success on the pitch.

Even if you take the cynical but realistic view that his only purpose is to buy cheap and sell high with team performance irrelevant, he still isn't doing a very good job.

One of the few things we have to offer the cast offs and second chancers we've recruited in recent seasons is another shot at league football. Lose our league status and we become a whole lot less attractive to them and Premier League clubs will also be less inclined to send us their Youth B team players on loan.

When Philip Day is off the phone to the Swiss equivalent of NorthernSoul to arrange his next dressing gown party, somebody needs to tell him that Holdsworth isn't actually doing as good a job for him as he appears to think he is.

I'm not sure Holdsworth has the time fannying about doing interviews.

He'll be scouring the country for new talent. You can't have it both ways FFS.

Quoted from heilkmoon on Tuesday, 05 October 2025

I'd like to know definitively who is employing Holdsworth, who he is accountable to and who has the power to dismiss him.

If he is only accountable to Day then let's have that out in the open.

Been asked/answered several times via Q’s to CUSG.

Club employ and can dismiss if they feel need to seemed to be the last state of play from memory…

If that’s the case, can’t the club sack him and use the wages saved to get another player in, given the present dire circumstances.

Holdsworth has failed comprehensively in both player recruitment and manager recruitment. I can’t see anything that he’s done that either the coaching staff or Clibbens couldn’t have done any worse without him.

He’s just dead weight on our paltry budget.

I think DH is employed to bring in as much cash as possible to pay off Purepay.

That seems to take precedence over his other responsibilities.

Quoted from Bluedazblue on Saturday, 09 October 2025

I think DH is employed to bring in as much cash as possible to pay off Purepay.

That seems to take precedence over his other responsibilities.

I’d argue that he isn’t even doing a good job on those criteria.

Others would have recruited better and made more profit from transfers.

Why is Holdsworth so unpopular?

Probably an unpopular option, but a genuine question? I keep seeing people saying he needs to go, and he’s stealing a wage etc.

I really don’t see it that way. The owners are the problem, not Holdsworth.

In my opinion the signings he’s been involved with have been decent. He’s brought money into the clubs with wheeling and dealing, something a club like ours need to do to survive. He is the only mainstay at the club with actual football experience who is under the age of 80. I feel like he brings a lot more to the club than Nigel Clibbens.

Beech was the person who failed, not Holdsworth. Holdsworth brought in decent players to the club, players who Beech wanted, but Beech failed to improve then or get them playing as a successful team.