The Consortium

[Maverick]

So does that mean then that the club would remain without assets Rob?  

Not sure how that makes for an attractive proposition for potential investors if so.

I am all for community projects which benefit the local community, but only as long as it includes ongoing sustainability for the club as well!

[RobertT]

So does that mean then that the club would remain without assets Rob?  

Not sure how that makes for an attractive proposition for potential investors if so.

I am all for community projects which benefit the local community, but only as long as it includes ongoing sustainability for the club as well!

The club has no claim on the freehold as it is.  the development would be designed to provide ongoing revenue generation options for the club at no cost to them.  That's the best they would get out of any deal which uses Council property, unless they buy the land.

[Batch]

You could also ask what hope have the current board got for any ROI ? If there is none as Maverick suggests how can they possibly even hope to keep the club going?

[mattboyslim]

These community intiatves in the past at other clubs are mutually benificial, the council helps fund the development, alongside private money, and then the profits are split accordingly.  The council owns the land, but the club owns profit making assets, ie improved conferencing facilities, hotels or whatever.  Should be undoubtedly benifical to both parties provided it's well executed, which I guess with the current regime at both STFC ad SBC is something of a stumbling block.

[Maverick]

Yeah I realise the Council holds the freehold Rob - just trying to understand the proposal ... to see it in the context of what someone would be investing in ... if there is little return on investment, and even then only in the long term ...... why would a consortium wish to invest?  I guess I am trying to understand their motivation.... very few businessmen are altruistic!

[Piemonte]

The attraction would be a sustainable football club. Whilst it may not have any assets the improved revenue generation from conferencing etc should mean the club could break even or thereabouts based on current expenditure.

[Maverick]

Ok Piemonte - I can see that - but what is in it for them?  We end up with a sustainable football club (which we all want), but how many years would it take them to get back their initial £x million investment, let alone with interest?

[RobertT]

they may not want a return on their investment.  He came on board before and gave money before any formal agreement was even in place and said he didn't want to get involved in the Ground development at that time.

I would suggest contacting Mike Wilkes directly or seeing if any of these questions are answered by the manifesto.

[The_Plagiarist]

In its current 'form' if you like, on a day to day basis, The football club is cash positive. From an operational standpoint. Highest gates in the league, one of the average wage bills.

The CVA apart, what other debts does the club have?

Answer: NONE. They were all consolidated into the CVA as a result of the last administration.

The debts Mr Starnes refers to are the ITV Digital collapse (5 years ago) and any other debts to the Wills Family. Can then Sir Seton truly be referred to as a Benefactor, or is he indeed just another creditor. :shock:

[RobertT]

SSW and St Modwen (using SSW's land) are indeed current creditors.

The club is trading (according to them) at a loss this season.

[stfctownenda]

Maverick were you one of the people who when King was in charge who said 'is there anyone really better we can have?'.  Bill Power is a lover of football and with his finance and Devlins & Wilks knowhow we can turn this club from a club on its knees to one that hits profit, this board have had 5 years in charge and although we are grateful for the Wills family for keeping us in existance it is very clear they have taken us as far as they can and are not moving forward.  Do not fear change, POWER IN  

[herthab]

I am as interested in the goings on at the Club as most supporters, but I can't help thinking that some people are trying to find out a bit too much, a bit too quickly.

I've signed up for the Trust, but I don't think that gives me any rights to know all the details with regard to the Consortiums proposals.

Until a new Board is in place, none of us are gonna know if they are the ones to push this Club on or not and constant questioning isn't gonna help.

At the end of the day, the current board are inept and I am in favour of a change, be that a fans consortium backed by Bill Power, or a takeover by Bill Power and his partner(s).

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing and we are never going to know the full picture until the deal's done and maybe not even then......

[Maverick]

Yep stfctownenda I was indeed one of those who thought that Kingy was about as good as we could get given our situation at the time  

However I was proved wrong as we got in Wise/Poyet and now Sturrock.

I am happy to admit I was wrong.

I am not sure who agreed to them coming here or who finally arranged it, but clearly the present Board approved both sets of appointments.

These are positives which I am grateful for.  There have been precious few!

[SwindonTartanArmy]

Wasnt it the trust who came up wit hthe latest proposal for the redevelopment of the CG? The one by the club was basically luaghed out of the planning office, but the trust one was taken on board IIRC.

[Maverick]

Yes STA it was the Trust and I believe Rob Tuck contributed as well.

Although it seems to be the only credible plan to date - I am unsure as to its current status or indeed Swindon Borough Council's attitude to it in terms of whether they would be prepared to support it and if so when.

Perhaps Justin Tomlinson can enlighten?