[Mr Mercury]

Quaker, on 22 November 2019 - 08:22 AM, said:

I agree with your points to a certain extent and I can only speak for myself but I think attendances will initially increase once a takeover goes through irrespective of the quality of football. I also think that increase will be maintained until the end of the season at least.

For the new owner(s), that's when the hard work will begin, a clean slate and I would imagine many people losing jobs unfortunately. The club hasn't adjusted enough to life in non league in my opinion, it seems we still have this "we are a big club in this league" mentality. The fact is we are a struggling side in rubbish league, the club itself has been run in such a poor way we are where we are but all will not be lost.

I guarantee if the sale goes through I will once again become a season ticket holder, something I haven't been for nearly half a decade.

Make no mistake, it won't be easy but its doable once we accept where we are and have a good business plan to get us moving forward unlike the current owner who just throws money at it with no viable plan.

Personally, I would like to see a new manager if we start afresh but Sheridan's payoff, I imagine, would be difficult to finance.

Would I invest in a takeover? Unfortunately I don't have the financial clout to do so but I would support any fan that did.

You look at our attendances, season ticket sales and the hospitality potential then we have the essentials to be as financially viable as any L2,and probably most of L1, clubs. Understandably the income will have dropped this last couple of seasons but the biggest issue here over the last few years hasn't been bringing money in it's the way it's seemingly been haemorrhaged up against the wall.

[Close but no prawn sarnies]

Quaker, on 22 November 2019 - 10:29 AM, said:

I can't argue with that mate, we most certainly do have the infrastructure to do well if its run correctly. I do believe the new owners (if they materialise) will have their sights set on next season. They wont be daft and will take nothing for granted like the last lot. I think they will definitely be cutting their cloth until the ship can be steadied and a gradual momentum moving forward can be achieved. I believe it will all be down to numbers going through the gate, building bridges with sponsors and reigniting lounges and concourses. This will have a knock on effect on the pitch.

It won't happen overnight but when it does it will be a welcome breath of fresh air, not just at the Proact but the whole town.

The removal of Ashley Carson and the whole board will be a massive step forward in the eyes of us mere minions.

Totally agree and the crowds would doubtless improve on the back of ownership changes BUT that would only be sustained if the on pitch performances improved.

The gamble for any prospective buyers is estimating the crowds and income and raising finance accordingly. Its a big gamble requiring deep pockets.

[metallilad]

Let's also take into account that if new owners came in and asked for help from supporters by either volunteering time or donating a few quid then as long as we have faith in them, then I would imagine that people would help out.

[Mr Mercury]

Quaker, on 22 November 2019 - 10:29 AM, said:

I can't argue with that mate, we most certainly do have the infrastructure to do well if its run correctly. I do believe the new owners (if they materialise) will have their sights set on next season. They wont be daft and will take nothing for granted like the last lot. I think they will definitely be cutting their cloth until the ship can be steadied and a gradual momentum moving forward can be achieved. I believe it will all be down to numbers going through the gate, building bridges with sponsors and reigniting lounges and concourses. This will have a knock on effect on the pitch.

It won't happen overnight but when it does it will be a welcome breath of fresh air, not just at the Proact but the whole town.

The removal of Ashley Carson and the whole board will be a massive step forward in the eyes of us mere minions.

You make a good point re the Sponsors, or current lack of them, something I'd completely forgotten about. I dread to think how much sponsorship income has been lost these last few years due to lack of trust and faith in the current set up, the plummeting out of the league and the current malaise. Hopefully when this lot do eventually go it would herald an influx of returning and hopefully new sponsors, and although rates would have to reflect the current non league standing of the club it could be a welcome financial shot in the arm!

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

I've a good friend who supports Mansfield. He told me how Haslam made the MTFC brand so toxic most local businesses refused to be associated. Well, unless the deal offered was so ridiculous they'd have been daft to turn it down. However whilst there was no magic post Haslam wand those previously snubbing sponsorship and advertising were suddenly ready to return.

The parallels with CFC are obvious.

I also agree with much of the above. Whilst only promotion will see six and seven thousand crowds again a post Brown CFSS style scenario, with an honest yet financially limited regime needing every pound possible, would see those currently starving out Carson and Co back to the fold. Infact the wider community could once again respond if the trust so crassly and casually trashed by this crew was restored.

Speaking for myself I'd book hospitality for the first game after a takeover - though with the caveat of not encountering any Carson cronies in the lounges. Then I'd be back every game whilst making a point of buying the snap, ale and merchandise I've been boycotting for years. I can't be unique in that attitude. I just need my club back first.

[isleaiw1]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 22 November 2019 - 05:00 PM, said:

I've a good friend who supports Mansfield. He told me how Haslam made the MTFC brand so toxic most local businesses refused to be associated. Well, unless the deal offered was so ridiculous they'd have been daft to turn it down. However whilst there was no magic post Haslam wand those previously snubbing sponsorship and advertising were suddenly ready to return.

The parallels with CFC are obvious.

I also agree with much of the above. Whilst only promotion will see six and seven thousand crowds again a post Brown CFSS style scenario, with an honest yet financially limited regime needing every pound possible, would see those currently starving out Carson and Co back to the fold. Infact the wider community could once again respond if the trust so crassly and casually trashed by this crew was restored.

Speaking for myself I'd book hospitality for the first game after a takeover - though with the caveat of not encountering any Carson cronies in the lounges. Then I'd be back every game whilst making a point of buying the snap, ale and merchandise I've been boycotting for years. I can't be unique in that attitude. I just need my club back first.

I can’t get to every game due to work, family and location, but if a takeover goes through I will personally fund a table of 8 (10?) in hospitality for non attendees under the current regime to encourage them back... beers not on me though!

Remind me when it happens!

[Blue5]

Here is a question, does the state of the club lend itself to a complete sale or a split / sell off of the club's main asset?

[isleaiw1]

Blue5, on 22 November 2019 - 08:09 PM, said:

Here is a question, does the state of the club lend itself to a complete sale or a split / sell off of the club's main asset?

I think the state of the club means it’s all or nothing. You could rent the conference / banquet facilities out to a seasoned operator at a fee plus % of revenue basis, but to sell the footballing side separately from anything else, it would require the owner to pay the buyers!

[Bobby Darling]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 22 November 2019 - 05:00 PM, said:

I've a good friend who supports Mansfield. He told me how Haslam made the MTFC brand so toxic most local businesses refused to be associated. Well, unless the deal offered was so ridiculous they'd have been daft to turn it down. However whilst there was no magic post Haslam wand those previously snubbing sponsorship and advertising were suddenly ready to return.

The parallels with CFC are obvious.

I also agree with much of the above. Whilst only promotion will see six and seven thousand crowds again a post Brown CFSS style scenario, with an honest yet financially limited regime needing every pound possible, would see those currently starving out Carson and Co back to the fold. Infact the wider community could once again respond if the trust so crassly and casually trashed by this crew was restored.

Speaking for myself I'd book hospitality for the first game after a takeover - though with the caveat of not encountering any Carson cronies in the lounges. Then I'd be back every game whilst making a point of buying the snap, ale and merchandise I've been boycotting for years. I can't be unique in that attitude. I just need my club back first.

I’d look at it differently. CFC is not a brand but the current leadership have made sufficient businesses and people think the Club is toxic. Hence the lower selling price. People will be hovering. Excellent though expensive to run ground for a lower League 1/2 club never mind this crap league. Very good potential support that can be enticed back as witnessed by your post. Are potential buyers waiting for the price to drop?

[Nitrous Oxide]

I find it odd that people continually talk of the banqueting side being the crucial part in any sale and yet people keep going to functions and making it a very good cash cow asset for the people we want out of the club to stay a bit longer. Stop going to these events and we just might get what we want a lot quicker.

[moondog]

Nitrous Oxide, on 23 November 2019 - 08:06 AM, said:

I find it odd that people continually talk of the banqueting side being the crucial part in any sale and yet people keep going to functions and making it a very good cash cow asset for the people we want out of the club to stay a bit longer. Stop going to these events and we just might get what we want a lot quicker.

The counter argument is showing it is viable is more likely to attract a buyer

The income doesn't offset the significant losses DA is incurring every week

[Nitrous Oxide]

Any buyer will know it's worth to them. They will also know it's past. It's the here and now that needs a hit.

[Westbars Spireite]

The Frank Bruno event appealed but I'll wait and see as I'm not going as it is.

[DIFH]

Nitrous Oxide, on 23 November 2019 - 08:06 AM, said:

I find it odd that people continually talk of the banqueting side being the crucial part in any sale and yet people keep going to functions and making it a very good cash cow asset for the people we want out of the club to stay a bit longer. Stop going to these events and we just might get what we want a lot quicker.

A lot of people aren't privy to the finite detail that appears on this board. A lot of people simply aren't bothered about these details and just do there own thing.

Should the take over happen there has to be a strong bond between the fans and the club.

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

metallilad, on 22 November 2019 - 03:28 PM, said:

Let's also take into account that if new owners came in and asked for help from supporters by either volunteering time or donating a few quid then as long as we have faith in them, then I would imagine that people would help out.

If new owners come in and need to start asking for donations to run the club I hope they don’t bid as the end will be soon

[Blue5]

Moondog,

If Ashley is keen to see the club sold to a local group, is there any reason why he has not gone public with what deal is available to a potential buyer?

[Westbars Spireite]

The value of the club went down a little more today. Be able to pay for it on a credit card at this rate.