Adver News: Town to publish 'healthy' audit results

[Reg Smeeton]

No I know exactly what you mean. Lower league team sells saleable players on regular basis to fund further players for development. We'd save ourselves a lot of grief if we all took the long view. We're a bit like those small organic producers that keep getting screwed by the big supermarkets. It is what it is.

It's not true that lower league teams sell players on a regular basis... yes, they'd like to, but more often than not don't have players good enough....to use my Scum example again, it's probably been 12/13 years since they sold a player for more than 100K, and why they were so keen to bite our arm off, for 200K for Constable.

We did alright out of the Fitton regime, because they invested a bit, to get a better sort of player like Cox, Ritchie, Flint,even Austin who we sold for decent money.

Luongo seemingly fits the template, but I fear if we drive down costs on the playing staff we'll also drive down the ability to acquire saleable assets.

[kerry red]

You're right, Reg. Not thought about it really, but even the evil Scum are top of L2 they still haven't got a player worth a sou.

In some way, I suppose, some sort of grudging nod goes their way.

[Red Frog]

It's not true that lower league teams sell players on a regular basis... yes, they'd like to, but more often than not don't have players good enough....to use my Scum example again, it's probably been 12/13 years since they sold a player for more than 100K, and why they were so keen to bite our arm off, for 200K for Constable.

We did alright out of the Fitton regime, because they invested a bit, to get a better sort of player like Cox, Ritchie, Flint,even Austin who we sold for decent money.

Luongo seemingly fits the template, but I fear if we drive down costs on the playing staff we'll also drive down the ability to acquire saleable assets.

Your example of Luongo seems to indicate Power will invest when he thinks he can turn a profit. Given the club doesn't generate enough income to fund purchases, the only other option is back to the benefactor route, and we've seen the perils of depending on that.

You of all people should be able to come to terms with the pains and pleasures of supporting a small club whose means will typically make anything above about 8th in Div 3 an over-achievement.

[Reg Smeeton]

Your example of Luongo seems to indicate Power will invest when he thinks he can turn a profit. Given the club doesn't generate enough income to fund purchases, the only other option is back to the benefactor route, and we've seen the perils of depending on that.

You of all people should be able to come to terms with the pains and pleasures of supporting a small club whose means will typically make anything above about 8th in Div 3 an over-achievement.

I commend Power for his honesty, he's said he's here to turn a profit, and unlike McCrory intends to hang about a bit longer before taking his slice and running. He's also said he's not interested in redevelopment, but will need success, by which he must mean canny player recruitment to turn that profit....so let's see what happens in January...

[Paolo69]

I commend Power for his honesty, he's said he's here to turn a profit, and unlike McCrory intends to hang about a bit longer before taking his slice and running. He's also said he's not interested in redevelopment, but will need success, by which he must mean canny player recruitment to turn that profit....so let's see what happens in January...

Not having a go Reg but when did he say he was here to make a profit? I just thought he said he wants to set up a sustainable football club. I appreciate this may well involve selling players on (at some point if the deal is right. Eg. Flint) and that he may well want his "loan" back from underwriting the current shortfall. Might just be a difference in interpretation?!

[suttonred]

He said in an interview he's not here to lose, money, he's a business man, therefore vis a vis he's here to make some, and good luck to him, because if he does it means we've had some good times.

[RobertT]

Luongo seemingly fits the template, but I fear if we drive down costs on the playing staff we'll also drive down the ability to acquire saleable assets.

Reg, your points were good until here to some extent.  Yes Luongo is the perfect model of investing a little in potential and prepping for a future re-sale.  However, as Power brokered the deal to buy him, it hardly backs up a claim of him driving down the ability to acquire players like him again.

Also, earlier you mentioned about the only time we have flirted with the 2nd tier since the 60's being when we spent money we didn't have.  96-99 maybe, but the early 90's were actually self funded to a large extent, by doing exactly what we did under Fitton - selling assets once or so a year and investing in potential.  The accounts at this time in fact show we were running around break even and even threatening a profit.  I do get your point that 2nd tier football is not our historical home though.

[Flashheart]

We are currently a 3rd tier club where resources are concerned, at least until somebody can figure out how to take advantage of the large catchment area we have.

However, somebody like Lee Power might be able to make the best possible use of those resources to amplify their effectiveness. I think he said something along the lines of making a 3M quid team on a 1.5M quid budget. In addition there are clubs out there with more resources than we have but are managing them poorly, effectively allowing smaller and better managed clubs to leapfrog them in terms of being able to build a good squad.

Of course, whether or not Power can do what he says he can do remains to be seen. He's done a pretty good job so far though.

[Reg Smeeton]

Reg, your points were good until here to some extent.  Yes Luongo is the perfect model of investing a little in potential and prepping for a future re-sale.  However, as Power brokered the deal to buy him, it hardly backs up a claim of him driving down the ability to acquire players like him again.

Also, earlier you mentioned about the only time we have flirted with the 2nd tier since the 60's being when we spent money we didn't have.  96-99 maybe, but the early 90's were actually self funded to a large extent, by doing exactly what we did under Fitton - selling assets once or so a year and investing in potential.  The accounts at this time in fact show we were running around break even and even threatening a profit.  I do get your point that 2nd tier football is not our historical home though.

You seem to have forgotten that in 1990 we were relegated 2 divisions, for spending money we didn't have by fiddling the taxman and so fiddling transfer tribunals, to enable the acquisition of the likes of Colin Calderwood. Yes, we worked the sell a player get in replacement game well, but in the early years we were paying players money we didn't have, which enabled the acquisition of those players.

[kerry red]

But all the so-called smaller clubs, or maybe unfashionable is a better term, have progressed to the PL on the back of either a brand new ground or a redeveloped one.

Reading, Hull, Swansea, Cardiff, Blackpool

Unless we are all fairly happy with our historical lot we will continue to be a L1 club with the occasional short foray into the Championship.

Doesn't overly bother me, TBH, but how long wil our 8500 or so average remain at that level if we just stagnate

[stfc2012]

Am I right in thinking, as today's Adver suggests, the short quote from Shah yesterday was indeed the actual commentary for the audit? I may be wrong. But if it is, why did this game so long? And does it tell us anything we didn't know? There are many posters good with matters relating to accounts etc and I am sure, if possible, they will grab the original and pass on their thoughts. Any thoughts?

[Simon Pieman]

Shah's commentary in the Adver is mostly events which have happened since 31st May 2013, which is the date of the audited accounts.

I'm wondering when the results will be published?

[london_red]

Shah's commentary in the Adver is mostly events which have happened since 31st May 2013, which is the date of the audited accounts.

I'm wondering when the results will be published?

Supposedly not long, you'll probably know better how long these things take?

Shah released a simplified commentary yesterday having sent the full audit to Companies House, where it will soon be available to view

[Simon Pieman]

Should be within a 2 or 3 days of receipt.

[horlock07]

Christ if it's taken her so long to put that commentary together I hope we are not paying her by the hour!