That's why a loan would be more likely, and why we should've made an attempt for Hourihane in the summer, rather than Gomes.
I'm not convinced that it would, as I don't think the seriousness of the issue resonates with enough of the fanbase as much as I would have expected/hoped. Speaking personally, the first instance was a show-stopper, but more generally I've seen many people have limited concerns about it on the basis that it 'wasn't illegal' or that 'other clubs do similar', usually referencing the Glazers at Man Utd, or that 'it's just the same as them taking a dividend'. Given that it's an issue that essentially stems from a bit of creative inter-group accounting, which doesn't generally get people excited, I don't think it has the 'cut-through' to generate the outrage that you talk about, in isolation. Thankfully, the owners have been so inept as to make this only one of several major issues with their running of the club so it is being talked about within the general discontent, alongside the the inept on-field performances, the closure of the West Stand, etc.
While I agree that there are a couple who struggle to do anything but defer to the owners and trust when there is no basis to do so, a second instance I believe would cut through more. In part because of the impact of doing so. If the next accounts show monies taken (and I’d be amazed if they did given they will cover the covid period when revenues were under intense pressure, it would be reckless and self serving in the extreme to have done so) people will start to link, or have it linked for them, that the monies taken cause operational issues and are incongruent with the repeated pledges of reinvesting all monies. The ownership of BFC almost feels like a microcosm of the countries leadership and how it’s citizens react accordingly.
I almost made the same point myself. There's a definite parallel with the goings-on at Westminster where there looks to be a policy of radio silence in the hope that the difficult questions somehow go away, and that as long as the level of outrage is manageable then there's potentially a way forward that doesn't involve admission of error.
Gerrem all sold I say. Cash in, owners take a dividend. Then we rebuild in L1 next season ready for L2.
