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Post by welshwingwizard on Nov 1, 2021 11:17:37 GMT
@runandmonkey... Will you be attending the Fans Forum?... If you are perhaps you would be kind enough to ask the important questions that I will be posting on here later in the week. I see that this site is slowly turning into a platform for individuals to undermine and belittle the personal opinions and suggestions of other members. All I will say is... Please take off your rose tinted glasses and stop pretending that everything is OK, this is exactly what the BOD want you to think!!! and why they go to exceptional lengths not to be questioned, challenged and criticised. If you take the time to listen to people who have been involved with the club over many years, who really care about the club and will be around to pick up the pieces when needed then you may actually learn something. Fair point yogi. I go home and away and speak to some long standing passionate wimborne fans who have the same frustrations that are voiced on here.I always feel that we have to tread carefully because of perception but as I said it is only what I hear at matches. |
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Post by rumandmonkey on Nov 1, 2021 11:58:30 GMT
Completely agree. Hopefully we can get some clarity on a few things.
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Post by yogi on Nov 1, 2021 14:46:07 GMT
Here is my list of questions for the Fan Forum:
I am sure that those in attendance would have asked many of the questions listed below but it never hurts to be prepared, if someone with spare time would like to detail the BODs responses to these questions I will read them from the comfort of my sun lounger.
1.) Do we have the playing budget to be competitive in the Southern League Premier South league? If not, why not.
2.) What are the objectives for this season, and will these be achieved?
3.) Why has there been no official opening match of the New Cuthbury?
4.) Why have the stands at New Cuthbury not been named / sponsored?
5.) Why are we charging supporters to park? and what other options are being sought to prevent a repeat of the situation we observed at the Poole Town game?
6.) Have we got a Commercial Manager and what are his or her targets and objectives?
7.) What investigations took place into the water logging and abandonment of the WSM game?
8.) Why was the original Fans Forum on the club’s official website taken down? / Why was the question-and-answer section never activated on the new website, and are the club aware that this has led to an unofficial fan’s forum being created?
9.) Why do the club “block” the Twitter accounts of fans?
10.) Why are the BOD so against fan involvement and ideas?
11.) Why have “Weplayfootball.com” been relived from managing the 3G pitches and who and how are these now being managed?
12.) How were the 3G pitches funded and what impact does the expenditure / income have on the playing budget?
13.) The club has been advertising for a Clubhouse Manager, has this position been filled and what are his or her objectives and targets?
14.) Who is responsible for maintaining the playing surface both now and in future seasons
15.) Why did the club advise the youth team that it would be charging them for after match catering (Chippenham game) leading to the management of the youth team funding food and drinks?
16.) Does the “Football Academy cost the club money and what are the long-term objectives of this scheme / what are the benefits for WTFC.
17.) How long is the lease on New Cuthbury?
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Post by minstermann on Nov 3, 2021 7:32:28 GMT
Some great questions there Yogi. I'm not sure you will get some of the business sensitive one's answered e.g. Q's 1,11,12 I have been supporting the club for over 30 years. I am not close to the BoD but do know several people who are close. As such I can give you what I have heard from them in relation to some of your questions:- 1] It's generally accepted we have the lowest budget in our League.
7] I've heard the contractors will come back to try and suss out the drainage problems. They are coming back to try out some sort of machinery which vibrates the ground in order to loosen up any compaction lower down in the substrata. I've also been told the 3G pitch isnt perfect with regard to drainage either 8] DorsetDave and Graham Dunn had a meeting with Tony Grant and Wayne Jones after the Forum attached to the club website was taken down, to try and persuade them to re-instate it. But apparently the decision had been made at a Board meeting weeks before and the reason given was criticism of the club being posted. Tony and Wayne did say they would set up a Q&A section on the club website - but that a Fan would have to run it, and then submit Q's received to a Director who would then reply to the Fan running the Q&A section to relay answers on. Don't know if this 'offer' is still open. 11] They weren't generating enough income for the club 17] I believe this is in the Public Domain that the club would manage the site for the Council for 25 years at a peppercorn rent. Obviously my answers above are not gospel but just what I've heard so I can't guarantee them. It would be nice to get answers from the 'horse's mouth' on Monday
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Post by welshwingwizard on Nov 3, 2021 12:23:00 GMT
Some great questions there and thanks for your take on some of them minster.
I would add that a opening game was muted with afcb I believe but nothing came of it.
I would love to know how the clubs finances are given the good attendances and money received from the venue being used as a covid centre. I have noticed the bar is booked out for a few private functions including a comedy night this Friday which is great to hear.
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Post by Admin on Nov 3, 2021 13:12:36 GMT
Clive is worth his weight in gold. Always helpful and knowledgeable. Always seems to be there working. And before you ask - No he's not the one who has given me information. He's very diplomatic if you try to get information out of him about the club [Which we should be getting from the BoD really}
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Post by welshwingwizard on Nov 3, 2021 13:25:56 GMT
Agreed.
I popped over a couple of times with my partner in the summer and he was very welcoming and very friendly.
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Post by yogi on Nov 3, 2021 13:47:41 GMT
Completely agree with you comments with regards to Clive, why therefore have the club been advertising / interviewing for a Clubhouse Manager.
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Post by Admin on Nov 3, 2021 18:38:35 GMT
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Post by yogi on Nov 3, 2021 20:55:44 GMT
I would imagine that a full time commercial manager would be looking for a salary of circa £30k, in return for that salary I would be expecting them to bring in £250k per annum... not an easy task in the current economic climate but necessary if we wish to compete at our current level.
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Post by silver on Nov 4, 2021 8:07:36 GMT
I would imagine that a full time commercial manager would be looking for a salary of circa £30k, in return for that salary I would be expecting them to bring in £250k per annum... not an easy task in the current economic climate but necessary if we wish to compete at our current level. I don't think that will be happening. The club have only ever had a self employed Commercial Manager, paid on a commission only basis. |
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Post by yogi on Nov 4, 2021 10:48:52 GMT
I would imagine that a full time commercial manager would be looking for a salary of circa £30k, in return for that salary I would be expecting them to bring in £250k per annum... not an easy task in the current economic climate but necessary if we wish to compete at our current level. I don't think that will be happening. The club have only ever had a self employed Commercial Manager, paid on a commission only basis. This may have been the case when we are in the lower leagues, but the club now plays at a higher level and operates out of a modern facility, therefore it has to look at itself as a private business and operate in a professional manner with salaried employees.. In the case of a Commercial Manager you have to speculate to accumulate. |
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Post by silver on Nov 4, 2021 13:14:11 GMT
I don't think that will be happening. The club have only ever had a self employed Commercial Manager, paid on a commission only basis. This may have been the case when we are in the lower leagues, but the club now plays at a higher level and operates out of a modern facility, therefore it has to look at itself as a private business and operate in a professional manner with salaried employees.. In the case of a Commercial Manager you have to speculate to accumulate. It just will not happen, I am talking about since the club has been in this league. To pay somebody as you suggest £30,000 pa plus pension, a company car and other benefits, forgetting commission would cost the club probably in excess of £50,000 pa. That is solely paying somebody a basic, without the club making a profit. How many advertising pitchside boards are available, say 20 at £600 a board gives a gross income of £2400, take out cost of board printing etc. could be left with £1500 profit. The CM would probably need to generate income in excess of £75,000 to cover his basic before the club makes anything. Where is that level of income to be generated? Stand naming £2000 if you are lucky and that won't be an annual income, that would be for 5 years or so. Bear in mind some stands may be named after club stalwarts free of charge. Hall hire for board meetings and functions won't generate that level or even if it does initially, if the club staff do a good job then word of mouth, referrals should look after a good portion of future income. I really cannot see where a club of Wimborne's size could justify that level of salary. Unless of course you can see something I have missed. |
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Post by yogi on Nov 4, 2021 14:01:19 GMT
A few ideas to get you started...
Better sponsorship deals for shirts, shorts
Electronic scoreboard with advertisements
Programme adverts
Social media / website advertising
3G pitch hire
Pitch hire
Club hire
Car boot sales
Lottery
Merchandising
Player sponsorship
Mascot packages
Match sponsorship
Match ball sponsorship
TV gantry sponsorship
Dugout sponsorship
Match day hospitality
The money is out there (as other clubs have proved) you just need to have the right people on board who are prepared to go out there and find it.
If you start out with a defeatist attitude you are doomed from the beginning.
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Post by silver on Nov 4, 2021 16:28:21 GMT
A few ideas to get you started... Better sponsorship deals for shirts, shorts Electronic scoreboard with advertisements Programme adverts Social media / website advertising 3G pitch hire Pitch hire Club hire Car boot sales Lottery Merchandising Player sponsorship Mascot packages Match sponsorship Match ball sponsorship TV gantry sponsorship Dugout sponsorship Match day hospitality The money is out there (as other clubs have proved) you just need to have the right people on board who are prepared to go out there and find it. If you start out with a defeatist attitude you are doomed from the beginning. 1. Shirt sponsorship has historically be done through a Patron's draw, which is minimal outlay to the club 2. Cost of electronic scoreboard and for one that did more than show the score would cost thousands. 3. Programme advertising is an area a CM would need to look at. 4. What's the point of Social Media advertising ......... half the fans are blocked!!  5. 3G pitch hire is being done on line, although it does need pushing. 6. Club hire is something I mentioned earlier. 7. Car boot sales could well create increased neighbour problems with parking, there is already enough issues there. 8. Lottery, not quite sure I understand what you mean by a lottery. 9. Merchandising by that I assume you mean what is bought in the club shop, that looks after itself on match days. 10. Player sponsorship is something that has been done by the club for years and never needed a CM. 11. See answer 10. 12. See answer 11. 13. See answer 10. 14 and 15. TV gantry and dugout sponsorship again like the stands is something that would be sold for a few seasons. 16. Match day hospitality has been done by the club for years, there is only so much people will pay. I have had a life time, over 30 years in direst sales (commission only) earning over £60,000 pa at times and I truly do know what this job is about. Knocking on doors, going round industrial sites generating business, sitting on the phone for hours cold calling etc. Most companies want a person who is motivated and committed. As soon as you give somebody a salary that is enough for them to live on, more often than not the drive goes. Also by employing somebody on £30k today will not generate any income for probably at least two months, so the club will be paying out a salary and car expenses for a considerable time with no return. Do you think they can or will do that? Also that is not guaranteed, what happens after say, four months the CM has failed, do you sack him and start again? I totally agree you cannot be defeatist, however you must be realistic in a very tough economic climate. There are more cost effective ways of generating income quickly and would not cost much at all. |
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