Stadium/ground improvements

[stonematiz]

We appear to have some fancy new dugouts on the riverside, i'd love to send some pictures of them but I don't know how. They are in the background of the latest post match interview www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBaEIq9Cq3M

[pienificentgenco]

How nice they have put sorting the benches ahead of sorting the toilets.

[OldBoy73]

Oct 25, 2024 19:28:12 GMT pienificentgenco said:

How nice they have put sorting the benches ahead of sorting the toilets.

I’m with Swordy here. Fans are the clubs last consideration.

[Benny]

I didn’t even know you could get grants for toilets, or that it is such a slow process.

[meerkat87]

Didn't think you would have to get a grant for something like that, takes the piss if you ask me

[stonematiz]

In an article from the BBC 6 months ago, Bob Gouldson says that “The [prize] money has also provided upgrades for the food hut, and a new toilet block for the town end, as well as the TV gantry.” the fact that we are now applying for grants for the toilet block could suggest that we either are saving this money for something bigger, or we have massively overspent on players.

[nick]

It is a strange one stonematiz

Like you and others of the same view it seems the massive influx of money seems to have dissipated into thin air.

The owners say a large slice of it has gone on the new 3G surface.

I have no reason to dispute that, but we had all previously assumed that monies had been put away in seasons beforehand to cover this inevitable spend.

Apparently not so.

Wonder what would have happened without the windfall. Lets not go there.

Nothing wrong with applying for grant aid if it is available, but it does feel a shade disappointing that after the club's success on the field we are relying on hand-outs to get a decent toilet block.

I suspect that our playing budget may be rather heavy at the mo and it could be that some of our profits from last season are shoring it up.

Whatever, the club finances are bound to be in a better state than for a while and that should at least add to the attraction for new investors.

[smokey74]

Replacing the pitch would/should have already been budgeted for, so unless the cost had doubled or trebled in the last year - the money from Cup run could not have spent on this. 

If the money has gone on players this season, then there is a serious need to look at our recruitment process and management team judged by results so far.

Given the owners open desire to sell the club, will we see an significant increase in loans repayments?



                                                                          

         

[sarflondonstone]

Is it more likely that the new pitch would've required the owners to put their hands in their pockets to fund it, and the FA Cup run meant that they could instead fund it out of the winnings?

Not a criticism, btw - they've put an awful lot in, and not sure many of us would've done any different..

[pwoodstone]

The pitch wasn’t budgeted for or it was spent ends where at the time. They said this when they launched the lotto.

The grant - we why pay for something when there is money available to claim.

The money from last year - they’ll have surely taken some for themselves as “the club” owes them quite a bit. It makes the sale to another party easier and cheaper I assume.

As for spending in general, you don’t spend loads then looking to sell. I guess it’s as simple as that.

[pwoodstone]

It is a bit odd to be starting the season unprepared in that way. The segregation I get, the toilets is a bit poor.

[Sword65]

Oct 26, 2024 9:41:22 GMT stonematiz said:

In an article from the BBC 6 months ago, Bob Gouldson says that “The [prize] money has also provided upgrades for the food hut, and a new toilet block for the town end, as well as the TV gantry.” the fact that we are now applying for grants for the toilet block could suggest that we either are saving this money for something bigger, or we have massively overspent on players.

We have massively overspent on players and coaches and support staff and hangers on.

[pwoodstone]

Oct 26, 2024 14:38:21 GMT Sword65 said:

Oct 26, 2024 9:41:22 GMT stonematiz said:

In an article from the BBC 6 months ago, Bob Gouldson says that “The [prize] money has also provided upgrades for the food hut, and a new toilet block for the town end, as well as the TV gantry.” the fact that we are now applying for grants for the toilet block could suggest that we either are saving this money for something bigger, or we have massively overspent on players.

We have massively overspent on players and coaches and support staff and hangers on.

I’d be surprised

[pienificentgenco]

Oct 26, 2024 13:37:22 GMT pwoodstone said:

The pitch wasn’t budgeted for or it was spent ends where at the time. They said this when they launched the lotto.

The grant - we why pay for something when there is money available to claim.

The money from last year - they’ll have surely taken some for themselves as “the club” owes them quite a bit. It makes the sale to another party easier and cheaper I assume.

As for spending in general, you don’t spend loads then looking to sell. I guess it’s as simple as that.

It's completely ridiculous (but not unexpected) that the pitch wasn't budgeted for - it's replacement should not have been a shock. These things have a replacement cycle. EVERYTHING seems to be reactive with this club, there is a total lack of forward planning.

It's like every kit launch - announce the kit and then it's weeks before people can buy it. Anyone with a basic grasp of marketing could see you need to seize those opportunities whilst there is interest - launch it at the pre season supporters evening and flog a load there and then!

[daveu]

Oct 26, 2024 12:50:35 GMT smokey74 said:

Replacing the pitch would/should have already been budgeted for, so unless the cost had doubled or trebled in the last year - the money from Cup run could not have spent on this. 

If the money has gone on players this season, then there is a serious need to look at our recruitment process and management team judged by results so far.

Given the owners open desire to sell the club, will we see an significant increase in loans repayments?



                                                                          

         

The previous disastrous season in the NL cost the club a lot of money. Only time since 2012 they’ve made a loss, which unfortunately ate into the money set aside for the new pitch, so the FA cup money was a godsend but didn’t go as far as some people were expecting.