I always thought that the Q&A following Keith Freer's statement, could be in danger of taking over the evening. However, that statement was a very important one, in that it was about the club's immediate future - without solving that one, we can't have the bright future that many of us envisage. Also, the Board and CEO want to foster the 'open' aspect of business - i.e there's nothing to hide - so to shut the first questioner up, might not have looked too good!
The gentleman in question probably asked a legitimate question, which was then answered honestly and succinctly. He should then have had the sense/grace to shut up and let someone else have a go. However, what he did succeed in doing was to alienate the entire audience, who eventually overwhelmed him.
Did we as presenters feel rushed? Absolutely, which is very frustrating when you have put in a lot of work - not just on the presentation, but on achieving the positive news that we were trying to put over. The most unfortunate presenter of the lot, was the guy who had to come last - John Hesketh. He came last, because he was locked in a meeting with the RFL, down the corridor, discussing Player Pathway Profiles. I have to say that this man has done some amazing work on the Player Pathway - a concept that will probably produce far more long-term benefits for Leigh Centurions, and the youth of the town, than all the rest of our projects put together. I hope he gets another chance to get his message across, perhaps in a 'less dry' way, because what he intends to achieve is incredible.
