|
Post by Charfield Blue on Apr 13, 2018 11:00:58 GMT
Not going to be that big away supports are they? How many would any of they bring for say a mid week game? What I'm saying is that there's only a few clubs that we could look at to boost our average by anything of significance. The rest is clearly down to us. The average away support will still be more than this season, with the likes of Boreham Wood, Fylde, Gateshead, Eastleigh, Bromley, Solihull etc not bringing much more than 200 between them. But yes we shouldn't need to rely on away support, we need to boost attendances ourselves. And I think the ticket prices for next year are a very good start. Without Wrexham and Tranmere's away following I'm not so sure. But you're right the ticket prices for next season are a good start. A real positive that has been lost to a certain extent in our recent PR disaster.
|
|
|
Post by hbomb on Apr 13, 2018 11:10:56 GMT
It’s sounds obvious but the board need a big PR win. They have to get the new manager right. This will be the most crucial factor going forward. As was said last night we can do all sorts off the pitch and have the best plans in the pipelines and as we are doing have a good community club and academy but the main focus of all football clubs is the first team. Win games we’ll get decent crowds. Don’t win games we’ll get 750 again.
The new manager choice is pretty much the biggest decision the board have to make.
|
|
|
Post by Blockhead on Apr 13, 2018 11:30:52 GMT
Anybody got a download link for the podcast?
|
|
|
Post by bethnalblue on Apr 13, 2018 11:42:14 GMT
Is it though considering the likely increased away support from several clubs in CN? Id guess that overall Away Attendances would increase even taking in account the 3000 combined that Wrexham and Tranmere brought. Outside of Stockport, York , FC and possibly Hereford there isn't going to be a huge amount of away support. I'm praying that neither of the first 2 go up through the play offs. It's going to be a struggle next year and with moral of the fan base being so low it would only take a poor start, which is more than possible with a brand new squad and manager, for attendances to be well below that level. Darlington will bring plenty and probably Blyth. Also Altrincham and Kiddy. Certainly more than tinpot clubs like Eestleigh, Boreham Wood, Bromley and Gateshead
|
|
|
Post by chesterken on Apr 13, 2018 11:45:25 GMT
I can see why we'd need a full time model to keep our academy players and develop them. That maybe our lifeblood in the medium term. However, how do you fund a full time squad on £250k (at best), when over a third of that is already spent on 2 players wages? Add in Mahon, Archer, Waters and other players who've been offered contracts already. There can't be much left. Who do we attract on full time wages at £10k a time? Or maybe less? Doesn't add up for me. Unless Calvin Hughes can weave some magic and get those 2 players out without much cost to the club. Best of luck with that project after watching them. Might as well have Callum as manager, as the Youth team would also be the first team. We raised 100k this season in double quick. Time to help keep the club afloat, why can’t we raise a similar amount next season to bolster the playing buget. Just a thought.
|
|
|
Post by avfo on Apr 13, 2018 11:52:06 GMT
Outside of Stockport, York , FC and possibly Hereford there isn't going to be a huge amount of away support. I'm praying that neither of the first 2 go up through the play offs. It's going to be a struggle next year and with moral of the fan base being so low it would only take a poor start, which is more than possible with a brand new squad and manager, for attendances to be well below that level. Darlington will bring plenty and probably Blyth. Also Altrincham and Kiddy. Certainly more than tinpot clubs like Eestleigh, Boreham Wood, Bromley and Gateshead Given the amount of money being thrown at them you can probably add Southport to that list as well. Looks like it will be an all out push for promotion for the Port next season.
|
|
|
Post by Charfield Blue on Apr 13, 2018 11:54:22 GMT
Outside of Stockport, York , FC and possibly Hereford there isn't going to be a huge amount of away support. I'm praying that neither of the first 2 go up through the play offs. It's going to be a struggle next year and with moral of the fan base being so low it would only take a poor start, which is more than possible with a brand new squad and manager, for attendances to be well below that level. Darlington will bring plenty and probably Blyth. Also Altrincham and Kiddy. Certainly more than tinpot clubs like Eestleigh, Boreham Wood, Bromley and Gateshead I do think that from the teams involved it's quite a good league to be in. Just need Salford to go up (play thing) and Spennymoor to join them through the play offs.
|
|
|
Post by Lobster on Apr 13, 2018 11:56:57 GMT
I think away followings will be slightly lower, myself. Nobody will bring the four-figure followings Wrexham and Tranmere do (except maybe Stockport if they're doing well) and although we'll lose the taxi-fulls from the likes of Boreham Wood and Eastleigh, the likes of Leamington, Gainsborough and Brackley are not very well supported either, nor are they very local.
|
|
alty
New Member
Posts: 16
|
Post by alty on Apr 13, 2018 12:16:10 GMT
The average away support will still be more than this season, with the likes of Boreham Wood, Fylde, Gateshead, Eastleigh, Bromley, Solihull etc not bringing much more than 200 between them. But yes we shouldn't need to rely on away support, we need to boost attendances ourselves. And I think the ticket prices for next year are a very good start. Without Wrexham and Tranmere's away following I'm not so sure. But you're right the ticket prices for next season are a good start. A real positive that has been lost to a certain extent in our recent PR disaster. Average this season: 1,830 Excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley: 1,702 From MB's first game (still excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley): 1,600 Last time in the North: 2,582 This season we've had 18 games over 1,500, but only 8 over 1,700, so I'd probably feel more comfortable starting at 1,500 and aiming to adjust upwards, depending on what the early season ticket sales look like. A quick survey of existing season ticket holders to determine if they are likely to renew would be useful to provide some more guidance on the numbers rather than waiting for actual sales - I will be renewing and continuing to support the club despite everything, I'd like to think the majority who are also hardened to a lifetime of misery also will.
|
|
|
Post by bitbbh on Apr 13, 2018 12:19:11 GMT
I will try and be as positive as i can. The FWG have got a massive job on their hands, it looks as if they already decided on the road they want to go down which they may think is the best way forward given the budget of circa £250K.
When we won the Conference North we did it on a budget of £238k using a mostly part time hybrid model. I dont for one minute think you could win this league again with that budget as wages within football have risen year on year. However the hybrid model is the one most likely to bring us success. The league we are dropping into is a lot stronger than the one we left in 2013. Experience of that league will be crucial and as much as i want to see a pathway from junior and youth football, you can not build a squad capable of negotiating that league with players that are still to physically mature. The next managerial appointment is key so the board will be looking at someone who is prepared to work to that model and have experience of the Conference leagues. Interestingly back in 2010 the board had the choice to adopt this model by appointing Jim Harvey but instead went with Neil Young because of his experience of the glue leagues. My belief is that if a player is good enough they will progress into the first team but this has to be balanced within a squad of more physically mature players. This will enable the younger player to fulfill his potential by learning his trade under the umbrella of a onfield coach much in the way Tom Crawford is learning from Gary Roberts currently.
I really think if we go belt and braces on adopting the FWG approach we will face a season of struggle and possibly a further relegation.
|
|
|
Post by sqzl on Apr 13, 2018 12:25:05 GMT
Without Wrexham and Tranmere's away following I'm not so sure. But you're right the ticket prices for next season are a good start. A real positive that has been lost to a certain extent in our recent PR disaster. Average this season: 1,830 Excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley: 1,702 From MB's first game (still excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley): 1,600 Last time in the North: 2,582 This season we've had 18 games over 1,500, but only 8 over 1,700, so I'd probably feel more comfortable starting at 1,500 and aiming to adjust upwards, depending on what the early season ticket sales look like. A quick survey of existing season ticket holders to determine if they are likely to renew would be useful to provide some more guidance on the numbers rather than waiting for actual sales - I will be renewing and continuing to support the club despite everything, I'd like to think the majority who are also hardened to a lifetime of misery also will. You make a good point in that our forecast for the season should be based on the lowest possible expectations. If we do exceed this, then brilliant, more money for the Youth team, more money into the clubs reserves. Potentially even potential addition or two throughout the season. At least that way you can't go bust.
|
|
|
Post by Charfield Blue on Apr 13, 2018 12:34:08 GMT
Without Wrexham and Tranmere's away following I'm not so sure. But you're right the ticket prices for next season are a good start. A real positive that has been lost to a certain extent in our recent PR disaster. Average this season: 1,830 Excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley: 1,702 From MB's first game (still excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley): 1,600 Last time in the North: 2,582 This season we've had 18 games over 1,500, but only 8 over 1,700, so I'd probably feel more comfortable starting at 1,500 and aiming to adjust upwards, depending on what the early season ticket sales look like. A quick survey of existing season ticket holders to determine if they are likely to renew would be useful to provide some more guidance on the numbers rather than waiting for actual sales - I will be renewing and continuing to support the club despite everything, I'd like to think the majority who are also hardened to a lifetime of misery also will. Nice work. I think we can largely discount our last brief encounter with Conf North. I agree that 1500 is a better figure to base on.
|
|
|
Post by Charfield Blue on Apr 13, 2018 12:36:51 GMT
I will try and be as positive as i can. The FWG have got a massive job on their hands, it looks as if they already decided on the road they want to go down which they may think is the best way forward given the budget of circa £250K. When we won the Conference North we did it on a budget of £238k using a mostly part time hybrid model. I dont for one minute think you could win this league again with that budget as wages within football have risen year on year. However the hybrid model is the one most likely to bring us success. The league we are dropping into is a lot stronger than the one we left in 2013. Experience of that league will be crucial and as much as i want to see a pathway from junior and youth football, you can not build a squad capable of negotiating that league with players that are still to physically mature. The next managerial appointment is key so the board will be looking at someone who is prepared to work to that model and have experience of the Conference leagues. Interestingly back in 2010 the board had the choice to adopt this model by appointing Jim Harvey but instead went with Neil Young because of his experience of the glue leagues. My belief is that if a player is good enough they will progress into the first team but this has to be balanced within a squad of more physically mature players. This will enable the younger player to fulfill his potential by learning his trade under the umbrella of a onfield coach much in the way Tom Crawford is learning from Gary Roberts currently. I really think if we go belt and braces on adopting the FWG approach we will face a season of struggle and possibly a further relegation. Some really valid concerns there Bear which I also share.
|
|
|
Post by Arthur's Carpet slipper on Apr 13, 2018 12:39:28 GMT
I don't fully understand or know all the details about the FWG and what it will stand for and as a CFU member loking in it's very difficult for me to draw an opinion one way or the other. Listening to the pod cast last night is was apparent the board are passionate and have reasons for what went wrong and I took heart from that. I also took heart that they appear good people who deserve support and respect. I'm not sure the same can be said for our former CEO. Where I do have a major concern is have we learnt as a club how to take strength and grow from this. Answers to the questions in the podcast flag up time and again lack of governance, accountability and skillsets. Who will be making up the recommendations of a new model - with respect hopefully not the board but hopefully with external council who can guide how groups should be set-up and monitored and how a voting membership can keep engaged and informed. Setting a new budget is just one step for a season but its a short term problem / solution only - what if we are successful and run away with the league. Gates increase we pull more money in and it looks like a successful season with the surplus of cash generated. In the end we haven't learnt how to grow as a club and the old problems wait to resurface. Are we taking discussions with Exeter, Wimbledon, Hereford, Darlington, FCUM etc etc I hope so.
|
|
|
Post by Charfield Blue on Apr 13, 2018 12:49:08 GMT
I don't fully understand or know all the details about the FWG and what it will stand for and as a CFU member loking in it's very difficult for me to draw an opinion one way or the other. Listening to the pod cast last night is was apparent the board are passionate and have reasons for what went wrong and I took heart from that. I also took heart that they appear good people who deserve support and respect. I'm not sure the same can be said for our former CEO. Where I do have a major concern is have we learnt as a club how to take strength and grow from this. Answers to the questions in the podcast flag up time and again lack of governance, accountability and skillsets. Who will be making up the recommendations of a new model - with respect hopefully not the board but hopefully with external council who can guide how groups should be set-up and monitored and how a voting membership can keep engaged and informed. Setting a new budget is just one step for a season but its a short term problem / solution only - what if we are successful and run away with the league. Gates increase we pull more money in and it looks like a successful season with the surplus of cash generated. In the end we haven't learnt how to grow as a club and the old problems wait to resurface. Are we taking discussions with Exeter, Wimbledon, Hereford, Darlington, FCUM etc etc I hope so. My understanding is that the required changes will be driven through the various working groups with ideas given to the board to approve and implement. I think this is a good way to move forward. Working groups provide the opportunity for people who don't have the time or don't want the attention & responsibility of board level involvement to get involved in a way other than being a volunteer. What is important is to cast the net far and wide to get a diverse mix of people and skills onto the working groups and into the boardroom. I would imagine that working groups will also become a stepping stone to board involvement, allowing people to test the water and build confidence before taking the plunge.
|
|
|
Post by Arthur's Carpet slipper on Apr 13, 2018 12:56:10 GMT
Ok thanks
|
|
|
Post by sqzl on Apr 13, 2018 13:14:53 GMT
Can anyone confirm that the 'banksy' that posts on DC is the same Jeff Banks on the board. I've always assumed from his posts that is the case, but didn't want to sound stupid.
|
|
|
Post by Al on Apr 13, 2018 13:17:42 GMT
Can anyone confirm that the 'banksy' that posts on DC is the same Jeff Banks on the board. I've always assumed from his posts that is the case, but didn't want to sound stupid. Yes
|
|
|
Post by bitbbh on Apr 13, 2018 13:18:37 GMT
Can anyone confirm that the 'banksy' that posts on DC is the same Jeff Banks on the board. I've always assumed from his posts that is the case, but didn't want to sound stupid. Yes it is.
|
|
|
Post by sqzl on Apr 13, 2018 13:18:54 GMT
Can anyone confirm that the 'banksy' that posts on DC is the same Jeff Banks on the board. I've always assumed from his posts that is the case, but didn't want to sound stupid. Yes Perfect, cheers
|
|
|
Post by devablue on Apr 13, 2018 15:59:23 GMT
'Join a croaky Shane for a very interesting Friday Night Football Show from 6pm with Dave Harrington Wright, Jeff Banks and former Blues boss Neil Young all on tonight’s show!'
- taken from dee 106.3 on twitter.
We seriously need to get Neil Young back on the football ops board at least. I don't think the full story was told on the podcast. Surely something else must have gone on to result in the resignations of simon and mark and then also neil. But we must move on and fully resolve things before the end of the current season to ensure we are best prepared for the nat north.
|
|
|
Post by bitbbh on Apr 13, 2018 16:25:09 GMT
'Join a croaky Shane for a very interesting Friday Night Football Show from 6pm with Dave Harrington Wright, Jeff Banks and former Blues boss Neil Young all on tonight’s show!' - taken from dee 106.3 on twitter. We seriously need to get Neil Young back on the football ops board at least. I don't think the full story was told on the podcast. Surely something else must have gone on to result in the resignations of simon and mark and then also neil. But we must move on and fully resolve things before the end of the current season to ensure we are best prepared for the nat north. Should be interesting.
|
|
|
Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Apr 13, 2018 16:31:07 GMT
'Join a croaky Shane for a very interesting Friday Night Football Show from 6pm with Dave Harrington Wright, Jeff Banks and former Blues boss Neil Young all on tonight’s show!' - taken from dee 106.3 on twitter. We seriously need to get Neil Young back on the football ops board at least. I don't think the full story was told on the podcast. Surely something else must have gone on to result in the resignations of simon and mark and then also neil. But we must move on and fully resolve things before the end of the current season to ensure we are best prepared for the nat north. Surprised there hasn't been made more of this - I'm sure DHW and Jeff would like to hear from Neil Young regarding his sudden shock departure from the club.
|
|
|
Post by bing on Apr 13, 2018 16:32:34 GMT
He's bloody good at street art as well.
|
|
|
Post by midfieldgeneral on Apr 13, 2018 16:44:47 GMT
Fair play to all involved giving up their free time to do the podcast but it’s clear we need people with football experience ASAP!! We are going to end up with a first team of 18 year olds weighing 9 stone a piece ! I’m all for giving youth a chance if they are good enough but nurturing them correctly by a couple at a time . One thing we have seriously lacked on in recent season is athleticism/ physicality and the way they were speaking is we are going to have a starting 11 full of kids We need to bring through youth players and sign on young players under the age of 24 from the lower leagues with the required physicality. Think Alabi Hennigan Astles etc. Also Crawford Jones and Sam Hughes are physical enough to cope with this league.
|
|
|
Post by Harry Lime on Apr 13, 2018 17:07:57 GMT
I share Bear's concerns over the approach for next season, put forward in the podcast.
I looked at it more from a cost issue in recruiting a squad on what's left of the budget. The result would be having a team of kids in a tough league.
Tom Crawford has done really well. I'm sure he'd be the first to appreciate the help he's had from having experienced players around him. You need that in a team.
Not many experienced full time players are going to want to come to us for £10k. Those that do will do so because it's the only offer they've had. Part time may be a different case. A hybrid squad may be the best option if you can resolve the training time issues.
|
|
|
Post by londonblue on Apr 13, 2018 18:58:45 GMT
Without Wrexham and Tranmere's away following I'm not so sure. But you're right the ticket prices for next season are a good start. A real positive that has been lost to a certain extent in our recent PR disaster. Average this season: 1,830 Excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley: 1,702 From MB's first game (still excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley): 1,600 Last time in the North: 2,582 This season we've had 18 games over 1,500, but only 8 over 1,700, so I'd probably feel more comfortable starting at 1,500 and aiming to adjust upwards, depending on what the early season ticket sales look like. A quick survey of existing season ticket holders to determine if they are likely to renew would be useful to provide some more guidance on the numbers rather than waiting for actual sales - I will be renewing and continuing to support the club despite everything, I'd like to think the majority who are also hardened to a lifetime of misery also will. What has the last time in the Conference North got to do with the price of milk? The reason the attendance was so big back then was because there was a feel good factor around the club after consecutive promotions, which was continued by more good performances. The playing budget next season compared to the Conference North winning season will be SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. The standard of football will be nowhere near the same. We’re in for a VERY rough ride next season. I’m predicting bottom 8, with the dreaded “consecutive relegations” a very realistic possibility.
|
|
alty
New Member
Posts: 16
|
Post by alty on Apr 13, 2018 21:08:26 GMT
Average this season: 1,830 Excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley: 1,702 From MB's first game (still excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley): 1,600 Last time in the North: 2,582 This season we've had 18 games over 1,500, but only 8 over 1,700, so I'd probably feel more comfortable starting at 1,500 and aiming to adjust upwards, depending on what the early season ticket sales look like. A quick survey of existing season ticket holders to determine if they are likely to renew would be useful to provide some more guidance on the numbers rather than waiting for actual sales - I will be renewing and continuing to support the club despite everything, I'd like to think the majority who are also hardened to a lifetime of misery also will. What has the last time in the Conference North got to do with the price of milk? The reason the attendance was so big back then was because there was a feel good factor around the club after consecutive promotions, which was continued by more good performances. The playing budget next season compared to the Conference North winning season will be SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. The standard of football will be nowhere near the same. We’re in for a VERY rough ride next season. I’m predicting bottom 8, with the dreaded “conecuticw relegations” a very realistic possibility. It's got nothing to do with the price of milk, but it's part of the story as on the one hand it shows have far attendances have fallen or more optimistically where they could recover to with a winning side in the Conference North. According to bitbbh post above the playing budget in the Conference North winning season was £238K, which is SLIGHTLY BELOW (please excuse the caps) the proposed budget for next season. But we are faced with other issues in terms of increased competition, a full-time model and the well discussed contracts, meaning it won't stretch as far and at the moment it looks like we'll end up with a very unbalanced squad. I completely agree that we will be in for a rough ride, especially if we all sit back, point fingers, shout at each other and accept the situation - I'll be doing what I can to help.
|
|
|
Post by tonya on Apr 13, 2018 21:08:33 GMT
Average this season: 1,830 Excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley: 1,702 From MB's first game (still excluding Wrexham, Tranmere and Bromley): 1,600 Last time in the North: 2,582 This season we've had 18 games over 1,500, but only 8 over 1,700, so I'd probably feel more comfortable starting at 1,500 and aiming to adjust upwards, depending on what the early season ticket sales look like. A quick survey of existing season ticket holders to determine if they are likely to renew would be useful to provide some more guidance on the numbers rather than waiting for actual sales - I will be renewing and continuing to support the club despite everything, I'd like to think the majority who are also hardened to a lifetime of misery also will. What has the last time in the Conference North got to do with the price of milk? The reason the attendance was so big back then was because there was a feel good factor around the club after consecutive promotions, which was continued by more good performances. The playing budget next season compared to the Conference North winning season will be SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. The standard of football will be nowhere near the same. We’re in for a VERY rough ride next season. I’m predicting bottom 8, with the dreaded “conecuticw relegations” a very realistic possibility. Unfortunately you may well be right. Unless we come out with an intent for immediate promotion and not some long term plan we have serious issues. So long as the right decisions are made and the right personnel are in place on and off the pitch, with a realistic budget we have a chance.....and Young as manager perhaps.
|
|
|
Post by spencerwhelanleftpeg on Apr 13, 2018 22:00:36 GMT
Add in poor recruitment, poor management and poor working practices and poor performance review. Who in the structure holds people to account? The membership can't, as we don't get told enough to do that effectively. That's why we get all this rumour and conjecture. Give us facts. We can then do our own due diligence. Yes, yes and yes. Being honest, for all the stick the Calvin is getting...to me it's LK that has to take a huge amount of responsibility for the failures as the Finance Director. I mean honestly some of the failures are items you learn within the first year as an accountant. I struggle to understand how so much has gone wrong, is is a huge lack of communication across the board? Hmmm I don’t think you had to be a genius to come to the conclusion that they are both liabilities and will destroy our club.
|
|