Ok, so he sounds like a Geography teacher that wears jeans, has an acoustic guitar in the corner of the classroom and lets the pupils call him by his first name because he’s “cool”.
That doesn’t matter though, the decision has been made and Mr Moxey – sorry, Jez..- is our new Chief Executive. Already people are knocking their own teeth out with violent knee-jerk reactions, the poor guy hasn’t even had his nameplate knocked up yet.
It was clear that we were looking for somebody with “football experience”, in fact, this was a pre-requisite for everyone when it looked like Steve Stone might get the gig on a permanent basis but it seems that 21 years in the game with Stoke and Wolves is insufficient. Or perhaps it’s all a bit British Rail “wrong type of snow” experience.
He has also overseen an increase in ground capacity – fair enough, they probably suffered on-field because of that expansion but he has experience nevertheless – and was an integral part of the Wolves development of a top-notch Academy facility.
Again, both things that large swathes of our fans are keen to see us press on with, youth and capacity.
Furthermore, he has been part of a club that have been taken over with external investment, an area that most seem to think is either the dream ticket to the Champions League or at the very least integral if we are to become an established top-flight team like, erm, let’s go with Southampton, they should stay up.
On the face of it, he seems to tick plenty of boxes and appears a positive and progressive appointment. However, I do appreciate that Wolverhampton might not be the most glamorous of places and no doubt there’ll be plenty made of us searching high and low to end up with the bloke who used to work for Delia’s mate.
As with anything, it will depend on your outlook.
If you see the club through yellow-tinted shades, it looks an excellent decision – especially if we manage to retain the services of the impressive Steve Stone too.
If you see the club as a plaything for Delia Smith, this will do little to dissuade you that this is a “little Norwich” appointment of an easily malleable puppet of the board. You’ll also believe he was heartily recommended by Steve Morgan over a cosy hotpot round Ettie’s.
Whatever. Ultimately, if you’re against the appointment, you’ll end up being proved right because, like Managers, they all run out of road eventually.
For now, welcome to Norwich City, Mr Moxey, just don’t start playing Oasis covers on non-uniform day.
And if it does turn out to be a wank appointment, well, at least we can start calling him Jizz.
OTBC
James Chaplin’s official rating
Strong pedigree steeped in football and sport in general. Improved facilities and infrastructure at Stoke and Wolves whilst keeping the books balanced. A high earner, but recently voted Championship CEO of the year. Has left both previous clubs in a better position than when he joined them. 85 footballs.
