[Mr Mercury]

Mr_Pleasant, on 20 July 2014 - 08:17 AM, said:

I went to that game too. Me and me dad left as injury time started. It was 1 all at the time. To be fair, Dereks ability on the football pitch made it seem a fair bet that missing him score was unlikely to ever be an issue.

Long time ago now mate!

[the original blue pill]

MDCCCLXVI, on 19 July 2014 - 07:55 PM, said:

The first feedback I've received is that there'll be no new money for players.

But I stress - no new money.

My interpretation.

The Manager was handed a budget last season then allowed further licence on the understanding any subsequent signings must be financed by player exits or from this year's balance sheet.

All of which was left in the hands of Chris Turner.

A Board meeting which Cook attended last Spring confirmed as much.

However PC has since lined up deals to bring in recruits that go beyond the given funding, resulting in Dave Allen understandably saying he's loaned all he's prepared to and it's now down to other Board members to bridge the gap.

Money they apparently refused to sanction last week.

So here's where we are.

Chesterfield FC have a wage bill in line with quite a number at our level, though unfortunately it's been pretty much allocated to the current squad. Therefore unless our boss can unearth another gem or two on the cheap we're relying upon Gnanduillet and Doyle up front.

The blame game?

The Chairman has chucked in the best part of eight million - at least two more than he planned because the package he initially bought into fell significantly short of reality - so can't really be criticised for saying 'enough's enough'. The bloke to whom he handed the day-to-day running of the Club appears to've dropped a major b*ll*ck, failing to understand the impact of the contracts he brokered going forward. The CEO has done some positive work in terms of supporter engagement, yet this has to raise questions regarding his wider competence. Allen's fellow Boardmembers, it would seem, aren't prepared to extend their involvement in CFC. Those paying elevated prices to sit in the stands can pass their own judgement on that. The Manager has had a season and a half to build his own squad, and whilst he's delivered everything asked of him (and more!) issues over our striking options remain prominent. Infact we're arguably weaker in that department than twelve months ago.

Me?

I'll take one point above the bottom four - hell, make that one goal if I knew where it was gonna come from - here and now.

Thanks for that Chris well written,looks like we will be shopping back at Netto then.

[Mr Mercury]

the original blue pill, on 20 July 2014 - 08:26 AM, said:

Thanks for that Chris well written,looks like we will be shopping back at Netto then.

To expand on that analogy the likes of lidle, netto etc are really giving the big boys of Tesco, Sainsburys Morrisons etc a B****Y nose at the moment.
So ya never know!

[Beelzebub]

BodieUK, on 20 July 2014 - 07:49 AM, said:

All I'd say to the board right now if there is a reluctance to fund the club further - We have a manager with some great potential. He plays football the right way and can bring the best out of absolutely everyone - yes he does have his negative points but name a manager that doesn't? He is one that we want to keep hold of and if he doesn't get the backing, he will jump at the first change he gets...PC deserves a bit more respect IMO.

If you were working to a budget, and your board gave you conflicting instructions as to its size causing you major problems in managing your resources to remain within it, would you be happy? Would you seriously consider looking for a job elsewhere where the goalposts wouldn't be moved after you'd already taken the penalty kick? We are in real danger of losing PC.

The club needs to make a statement clarifying the current position pdq. The uncertainty is leading to endless speculation on here and elsewhere which is doing nobody any good. The sooner we know where we are we can start dealing with it.

We have a very good squad but a squad with limited numbers, lacking a striker. Will there be any more signings? Having listened and read everything on the subject, the answer seems to be yes as the budget has not been fully spent, but it does not stretch to the better quality player(s) we had been lead to expect.

We should have enough to survive even with no new signings but the feel good factor from winning the league has needlessly evaporated. This can only have an adverse affect on support and finances and those in charge at the club need to take a serious look at themselves. They have allowed it to happen, I am certain they did not plan it this way but they are responsible. They need to take a firm grip and keep their customers informed and on board.

DA is in a very difficult position. He owns the club and it owes him considerable sums: for him to gave any chance of recovering this we have to be successful and at the least maintain our current support. If the stories flying around at the moment are not total fabrication , he is going to have to invest more in the short term for his long term benefit.

[the original blue pill]

Mr Mercury, on 20 July 2014 - 08:41 AM, said:

To expand on that analogy the likes of lidle, netto etc are really giving the big boys of Tesco, Sainsburys Morrisons etc a B****Y nose at the moment.
So ya never know!

In terms of analogy,Chesterfield football Club,will be moving back in a time warp Merc.IE shopping at Netto.

[dim view]

freelander2, on 20 July 2014 - 07:32 AM, said:

First & foremost, the business model needs a complete review, it's clearly unsustainable & has been for the past four seasons.

Secondly, we need someone who understands numbers & financial control. Also the same person needs to be a strong individual with the ability to say no to some of the whimsical requests.

Clearly additional funding is required, but points 1 & 2 need to happen, otherwise we'll deteriorate further.

I hope that the announcement might say summat like.....

'the Board, having made substantial, necessary, long term investments in the current playing squad, do not feel that signing additional player(s) whose salary takes us into a new higher level of speculative expenditure is prudent this season.'

I think the business model is right but has suffered a giant kick in the goolies from the relegation and Sheridan episodes. Indeed it could even have looked a lot worse had DA/CT not negotiated the Sheridan payoff brilliantly whilst recruiting PC.

So, PC can have some sensible signings, but has to buy in to the plan. I would be able to live with that as I can honestly see the business plan kicking in from increased gates, selling the odd player, and other profitable activities. The reason it will kick in is that the shrewd investment in the current squad has put us in a very strong position for consolidation.

If the announcement is different in nature, then we are up Xxxx Street.

[BozaSpireite]

Goku, on 19 July 2014 - 09:45 PM, said:

For the record I don't expect Championship football at all. A nice mid table finish would do me fine.

100% agree , I feel let down by the club if this is what is happening we were told the same mistakes weren't going to happen "lesson learned" no ones asking for us to spend big money to get us promoted just a side to be competitive in league 1, our strikers last season were terrible , Doyle best out of lot but never going to score 15/20 in this league , good bye feel good factor , fed up town fan

[Beelzebub]

dim view, on 20 July 2014 - 08:50 AM, said:

So, PC can have some sensible signings, but has to buy in to the plan. I would be able to live with that as I can honestly see the business plan kicking in from increased gates, selling the odd player, and other profitable activities. The reason it will kick in is that the shrewd investment in the current squad has put us in a very strong position for consolidation.

Yes. The scouting team has an excellent record identifying recruits, and PC seems to have the knack of getting the best out of players, so this seems the best way forward. All the speculation and talk of very expensive signings gas done us no good whatsoever. Managing expectations is absolutely crucial and they seem to have been raised to unrealistic levels this summer.

[Tha Knows...]

Beelzebub, on 20 July 2014 - 08:45 AM, said:

If you were working to a budget, and your board gave you conflicting instructions as to its size causing you major problems in managing your resources to remain within it, would you be happy? Would you seriously consider looking for a job elsewhere where the goalposts wouldn't be moved after you'd already taken the penalty kick? We are in real danger of losing PC.

The club needs to make a statement clarifying the current position pdq. The uncertainty is leading to endless speculation on here and elsewhere which is doing nobody any good. The sooner we know where we are we can start dealing with it.

We have a very good squad but a squad with limited numbers, lacking a striker. Will there be any more signings? Having listened and read everything on the subject, the answer seems to be yes as the budget has not been fully spent, but it does not stretch to the better quality player(s) we had been lead to expect.

We should have enough to survive even with no new signings but the feel good factor from winning the league has needlessly evaporated. This can only have an adverse affect on support and finances and those in charge at the club need to take a serious look at themselves. They have allowed it to happen, I am certain they did not plan it this way but they are responsible. They need to take a firm grip and keep their customers informed and on board.

DA is in a very difficult position. He owns the club and it owes him considerable sums: for him to gave any chance of recovering this we have to be successful and at the least maintain our current support. If the stories flying around at the moment are not total fabrication , he is going to have to invest more in the short term for his long term benefit.

presumably there will be some signings given the squad size, though I don't agree the current would survive in L1, not a hope in hell imo. DA says it's not about what a venture costs, its all about that venture will make. Big challenge coming up on that one.

[ELTON 2020]

Beelzebub, on 20 July 2014 - 09:02 AM, said:

Yes. The scouting team has an excellent record identifying recruits, and PC seems to have the knack of getting the best out of players, so this seems the best way forward. All the speculation and talk of very expensive signings gas done us no good whatsoever. Managing expectations is absolutely crucial and they seem to have been raised to unrealistic levels this summer.

To be honest, the lester, Bowery, Morgan boden partnerships with Leon Clarke and west art were better than what we have now imo

[Trigger]

the original blue pill, on 20 July 2014 - 08:47 AM, said:

In terms of analogy,Chesterfield football Club,will be moving back in a time warp Merc.IE shopping at Netto.

Netto are apparently going to start trading again in partnership with sainsburys so I heard on the radio the other week. So he won't need to go back in time to go shopping.

[Spiwriter]

martatcross, on 20 July 2014 - 08:03 AM, said:

If you spend the wage budget then theres nothing left. If you have 100 quid in your pocket and go to Tesco's you can only spend 100 quid. I dont blame Paul Cook I think we may have to start looking at who allowed him to bring in young prospects on contract who are raw but can improve over a quality player who as a track record. Maybe we need to look at who allowed Paul Cook to extend contracts without doing the Maths?

Could not agree more, Our salvation may be in a successful start to attract bigger crowds. Mondays board announcement will be along the lines crowds of 8000 - happiness crowds of 7000 - misery MIcawber economics..

[metallilad]

Goku, on 19 July 2014 - 08:15 PM, said:

I'm glad you lot are happy going into the season with our current team. Hopefully you won't be complaining when we do a 2011.

Whilst I can understand your reaction Goku I would've thought that you'd realise that the financial stability of our club is far more important than possibly another relegation. The fact is that mistakes yet again have been made, that whatever happens next season we don't become a south yorkshirite and start ringing radio stations up shouting for everybody's head.
Let's just accept this roller coaster ride for what it is, hope that PC can perform the miracle that we know he's capable of doing.

[Tha Knows...]

metallilad, on 20 July 2014 - 10:03 AM, said:

Whilst I can understand your reaction Goku I would've thought that you'd realise that the financial stability of our club is far more important than possibly another relegation. The fact is that mistakes yet again have been made, that whatever happens next season we don't become a south yorkshirite and start ringing radio stations up shouting for everybody's head.
Let's just accept this roller coaster ride for what it is, hope that PC can perform the miracle that we know he's capable of doing.

Relegation makes no financial sense, not worth the risk. It will resurrect the fan mindset of the saltergate days re a perceived lack of ambition and it's a downward spiral from then on. Invest properly now and capitalise on the momentum.

[SpireRam]

Spire-Power, on 20 July 2014 - 10:12 AM, said:

Relegation makes no financial sense, not worth the risk. It will resurrect the fan mindset of the saltergate days re a perceived lack of ambition and it's a downward spiral from then on. Invest properly now and capitalise on the momentum.

That's how I view it.
You'd think it was common sense if anything, especially after last time.
I don't understand the constant need to let us down.
After a record number of season ticket sales too, it's just a kick in the balls for everyone who bought into this plan that we will build and strive to get better.

[metallilad]

Spire-Power, on 20 July 2014 - 10:12 AM, said:

Relegation makes no financial sense, not worth the risk. It will resurrect the fan mindset of the saltergate days re a perceived lack of ambition and it's a downward spiral from then on. Invest properly now and capitalise on the momentum.

You can say the "invest properly now" thing all you want but to be able to balance the books Mr Cook has got to do some wheeling & dealing. It's obvious that Mr Allen ain't gonna bankroll the club anymore so it's now down to Mr Cook to prove his worth.
I'm not particularly bothered if we do go down, go up or stay in league one because at the end of the day I will cheer a goal in whatever division it is. All that matters to me is that we have a football club that I can take my son to watch.

[clarevoyant.]

Elton John 1866, on 20 July 2014 - 09:20 AM, said:

To be honest, the lester, Bowery, Morgan boden partnerships with Leon Clarke and west art were better than what we have now imo

Yes you're probably right, it was the 2 man midfield and 2 man defence that was the problem

[Tha Knows...]

metallilad, on 20 July 2014 - 10:24 AM, said:

You can say the "invest properly now" thing all you want but to be able to balance the books Mr Cook has got to do some wheeling & dealing. It's obvious that Mr Allen ain't gonna bankroll the club anymore so it's now down to Mr Cook to prove his worth.
I'm not particularly bothered if we do go down, go up or stay in league one because at the end of the day I will cheer a goal in whatever division it is. All that matters to me is that we have a football club that I can take my son to watch.

Cook has proved his worth so far dont you think? Allen may need to invest more as he wont prosper by taking this club backwards. You might not be bothered if we're playing in the Conference but it's not really the way forward.

[trickytrevsfanclub]

metallilad, on 20 July 2014 - 10:24 AM, said:

You can say the "invest properly now" thing all you want but to be able to balance the books Mr Cook has got to do some wheeling & dealing. It's obvious that Mr Allen ain't gonna bankroll the club anymore so it's now down to Mr Cook to prove his worth.
I'm not particularly bothered if we do go down, go up or stay in league one because at the end of the day I will cheer a goal in whatever division it is. All that matters to me is that we have a football club that I can take my son to watch.

Agree. There's nothing wrong with being a yo yo club, at least you get a promotion season every couple of years and they're always fun.

[Rodney's Moustache]

Westbars Spireite, on 20 July 2014 - 08:04 AM, said:

I don't see any millionaires on there personally.

Only two bob millionares