New beginnings - 25% Truth, 80% Bollocks

[Batch]

I forgot to read the email but I've not seen it promoted anywhere no

[RobertT]

I'm not sure the Trusts summary is thoughtful enough to be honest.  As a club, it shows we spent on the high end, after earning on the high end, but our wages were not the cause of the high spend and we were beginning to show the signs of financial distress on the liquidity front, plus we underperformed our expected position against our Revenue (probably because wherever the money went, it was not on the players).  That is a brief version, I've done the analysis in more depth before - no matter how many times you review the data, it doesn't look good.  The CEO would not be a sought after person in the football world.

[joeydubya]

For example a father & young son duo might have lunch in Burger King then have a drink on the CGH before going into the CG.

My wife worked on an event at Celtic Manor in Newport - they had a comicon event and the manager at the nearby McDonalds on the roundabout rang after the event to ask if they could have more notice as they were rushed off their feet. Following year they did that.. but they also had their own scalable burger meal at equivalent prices at the venue, and kept a good chunk of the customers.

[Batch]

But the Celtic manor doesn't resemble a prison exercise yard.

On a rainy December afternoon (or wherever sky move it to) would you rather be in the dry or packed into wet square. Maybe the have plans for that?

That said, looks like the refurbed  legends is supposed to provide better food options so there's that.

[DV]

My wife worked on an event at Celtic Manor in Newport - they had a comicon event and the manager at the nearby McDonalds on the roundabout rang after the event to ask if they could have more notice as they were rushed off their feet. Following year they did that.. but they also had their own scalable burger meal at equivalent prices at the venue, and kept a good chunk of the customers.

Well, yes - exactly.

It’s about making money and nothing else…and if it’s outside, it will struggle to do that because the weather tends to be shit.

Also, that gonna have to be a lot of burger, chips & drink sales just to break even.

Seems like a waste of time & money.

[Bob's Orange]

Well, yes - exactly.

It’s about making money and nothing else…and if it’s outside, it will struggle to do that because the weather tends to be shit.

Also, that gonna have to be a lot of burger, chips & drink sales just to break even.

Seems like a waste of time & money.

Done properly it could be a money maker. It will be interesting to see what the Tranmere one is like and what sort of money they bring in. Peterborough have also built one so there seems to be a bit of a theme of clubs having these type of facilities to make a bit of extra coin on match days. The Ipswich one is supposed to be very impressive. (Appreciate they are premier league now)

[Jimmy Quinn]

Bristol City have a decent one.

[Formerly Drummer Boy]

So I for some reason get the members and non-members versions of the TrustSTFC monthly email (I am a member) and I noticed that there was... a lot more in the members one, including this benchmarking report looking at the FY22/23 accounts we issued and comparing them to other L2 clubs... not quite sure why this hasn't been promoted more by them?

https://truststfc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Swindon-Town-Benchmarking-Report.pdf

Lots of detail but the tl;dr is:

- STFC costs and income are a little above the League 2 average, but not by a great deal
- Only seven clubs disclose wage data, but we're second bottom amongst those (Carlisle are bottom and they went up) - Northampton spent £1.3m more than us, Walsall £800k more. Northampton had £1m less revenue.
- Basically all of L2 is insolvent or nearly insolvent without owner support.

Have I missed this being put out somewhere?

The idea was to provide content that adds benefit of membership… 😂

[Nemo]

Right... I don't know, it may not be how everyone else feels but I feel that the Trust should be for educating and representing the whole fanbase. No problem with like, pens being member exclusive or whatever, but actual information about how the club is run and what the trust thinks of that? Not for me.

[DV]

Done properly it could be a money maker. It will be interesting to see what the Tranmere one is like and what sort of money they bring in. Peterborough have also built one so there seems to be a bit of a theme of clubs having these type of facilities to make a bit of extra coin on match days. The Ipswich one is supposed to be very impressive. (Appreciate they are premier league now)

I guess stadium location plays a part.

If there is nothing around your stadium within walkable distance they I get trying to create something to get people in there earlier and spending money.

…but when you’re 10 minutes out the Town Centre and there is literally a pub & a fast food restaurant within visible distance of said fan zone…

Again, surely it need to be covered for weather reasons

[RobertT]

Fanzones can be revenue makers, if they are done well.  As per DV's comments on weather, having cover is essential (I've added the Harlequins RFC proposed upgrade to their facilities, which includes pergola style covering that can be open or closed):



https://assets.ctfassets.net/r21395x2xyi6/2TmjSrUR7HOmkJyMJD4apm/e16bba2d2ce3744493a687db77f2ca59/Stadium_Map_Sept_23_-_FINAL.pdf

That appears to be an upgrade on existing facilities they have outside the ground at either end.  I looked at them because I am pretty sure this is the sort of thing Rugby is generally ahead of football at - finding ways of making money on food and drink.  Harlequins are also in London and the High St is probably the same distance as Swindon Town Centre, including a host of pubs.

[Steak supper]

 fan zones seem to work well in rugby and cricket , but I am not sure that this is the case in the bottom end of the EFL . Being a pissed up twat seems to be more acceptable in those two sports.

[tans]

Barnsley been naughty

https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/06/efl-statement/_aem_WGRuFTN9ebIgLFsjzHg0Vg

[Batch]

Good job that couldn't happen here

Link seems screwy https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/06/efl-statement/

[Bogus Dave]

Ground redevelopment update from Mr Morsehead sounds….whatever the opposite of exciting is