STFC Transfer Rumours

[RobertT]

I’m assuming that Flynn has a good idea of what players are being paid around the league.

Agreed, but that's a historical number.  It would not be a surprise at all to see the average wage jump this season given the increased Revenue coming into L2, plus some inward "investment", vs. the teams in it last season.

[UTR]

Agreed. Someone made a good point previously that 1-3 clubs with inflated budgets can cause a temporary lift in wages in a division, however, when there’s 7-8 teams playing in that ball park then that’s just the new average base for competing clubs in a division. You either have to join the pack or hope to feed off the scraps that are left when the big hitters have taken what they want, which isn’t ideal.

[JoeMezz]

Just out of interest how many of the "big spenders" actually get promoted every year? Can't imagine Orient, Stevenage, Northampton, or Carlisle were big spenders?

[UTR]

Just out of interest how many of the "big spenders" actually get promoted every year? Can't imagine Orient, Stevenage, Northampton, or Carlisle were big spenders?

I’d be interested to know that too. Mansfield are a good example of big spending with 0 returns.

However this season with a large amount of them (7-8+) I feel there’s a good chance that most of the promotion spots will be taken up by them. Of course there’s always the dark horses, Walsall look to be building well but I guess it’s debatable if they now fall into the big spenders category or not.

[RobertT]

It's tough to know for sure - the accounts released are for the season ending 2022.

Orient's total spend in 2021/22 was 7.8m, running a loss of over 2m.  Doubt they spent less last season, so they were spending top end money for a club in L2, over 1m more than us.

Northampton earned less than us, ran at a loss but had player sales, so ended up spending around 6m in 21/22.  Just below our number I think.

Stevenage are tough to determine as they only produce small business accounts, so no P&L.  However, they are not retaining losses in the Balance sheet, so you'd suspect they spend far less if they are not pumping in loans to make upa a shortfall.

Carlisle spent less than us in 21/22 - and for anyone at our club wondering what true openness and transparency look like, take a gander at these https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2023/january/club-audited-annual-accounts-202122/

Fair play to Carlisle.  If I spent an hour or two working through these I'd had a very good understanding of their business.

[RobertT]

And for Wrexham, which are the big fish in the league causing some ripples in wages no doubt.  They lost nearly 3m on close to 6m in Revenue in 21/22.  It's highly likely they earned more in 22/23 and spent more and they are planning on close to 20m total income for this season, if that helps anyone.  Basically, they can outspend everyone in the bottom two divisions and might have a bigger budget than Luton spent to get to the Premier League.

[Nemo]

Wrexham are just a totally unique case worth writing off, it's the "other" seemingly high spending teams that are raising eyebrows. Where are Walsall getting money from? Gills, Stockport, FGR and Notts County are all owners investing reasonably large sums.

[RobertT]

Stockport had a massive investment at the end of 2022, then a full season of crowds at our level.  Something like 8m in share capital was issued and paid off their loans.  They've essentially been put in a very strong position.

[RobertT]

Walsall out spent us, just in 2021/22.  They were taken over by a USA company who purchased the ground for the club.  I'd suggest, given we are a year behind, they will outspend our 22 level - and every hint from our club is that we have not increased spending significantly.

[RobertT]

FGR are at our level and Ecotricity enable that through sponsorship.

Gillingham are in the same position as Stockport I think, having had investment in January - and they got that at the same time as a huge revaluation of their ground.  Assume that enables them to get finance/secure loans etc.

[Bob's Orange]

I guess we're gambling that it can't be. There are clearly 5-6 clubs with significant budgets and the desire to spend them out there at the moment, but they will only want so many players, and of the other 18 or so clubs, I'd be very disappointed if we weren't in the top few of those - so maybe around 8th or something overall in the division for budget. It's just right now most of the players we're talking to are waiting to see if those six big money clubs will come in for them. Hopefully.

Although the evidence against that is Wimbledon signing 9 players, Barrow signing 7, Colchester 8 and Grimsby 10... none of whom are in the 5-6 moneyed clubs I was thinking of (Wrexham, Notts Co, Stockport, Gills, Bradford, maybe Walsall who seem to be doing okay for themselves)

Grimsby got to the 1/4 finals of the FA Cup last season so I assume have a bit of a cup windfall that may boost their budget a bit this season?

[Peter Venkman]

Grimsby got to the 1/4 finals of the FA Cup last season so I assume have a bit of a cup windfall that may boost their budget a bit this season?

That and around 5k season tickets sold too, Colchester have always had a wealthy backer and Walsall always seem to find funds for several new signings each season.

[tans]

Wrexham are just a totally unique case worth writing off, it's the "other" seemingly high spending teams that are raising eyebrows. Where are Walsall getting money from? Gills, Stockport, FGR and Notts County are all owners investing reasonably large sums.

I see Ollie Palmer gave an interview saying they will get promoted and all championship players want to play for them. Their arrogance shows no bounds

soapy tit wank

[fuzzy]

I see Ollie Palmer gave an interview saying they will get promoted and all championship players want to play for them. Their arrogance shows no bounds

soapy tit wank

They're all just star struck fan bois who want to spend some quality time in the changing room with Ryan and Rob.

[Peter Venkman]

They're all just star struck fan boyos who want to spend some quality time in the changing room with Ryan and Rob.

Corrected