The board need to stabilise the club

Historically we're a Mining town and before that we were Historicaly a Linen and Glass town. Things change and we now find ourselves top of L1 bottom of Championship level..but in terms of Stadium, Capacity and possible support we are a big club in this league and as pointed out we've had 2 playoff seasons and recently a playoff for the Prem. Not really a stretch to think we can play in the league above this one..

 

You can't say that lol, or you will be accused of being tin pot etc.
And you will also get told to go and support Sheff Wensdy instead etc.
And so on, again, and again, etc.

 

Football has changed massively since 1992. The wealth disparity between Premier league and the others has widened beyond recognition. In 1995 Blackburn spent around £15m and went on to win the league, nowadays that wouldn’t get you the a quarter of a decent premier league player. If you are not at the table of riches expectations have to be reset.

Our board (excluding Crynes) were tempted to invest off the sales pitch of Conway, the Moneyball claim and the idea that BFC were using data more effectively than other clubs to make cash in the lucrative English league. Some great data points, Stones , Hourihane, Winnall etc. The smallest amount of due diligence would have shown that despite these successes the club was a money pit, Patrick only getting out as a result of the Stones sell on. My own view was (and stated on here) was that they had a bit of a free hit, use the cash on balance sheet, have a punt on talent and hope it comes off and then sell off the back of short term success. If it fails then walk away.

What has transpired is that they had some success but the money gradually ran out. In effect Conway and Lee have left their investment, not taking up rights issues, and between Neerav, Crynes and JAQ they have taken control.

On taking control they asked us to judge them on their actions and offered a seemingly sensible approach of supporting the club and a gradual rebuild. They were it seems, saddled with an inept CEO but he too is now gone.

So as things stand they have implemented their new hires, CEO and DoF. We have to recruit a manager and rebuild a team for 24/25, it’s likely, unless massive cuts are made to the wage bill, more money will be needed to keep the club solvent, beyond transfer receipts.

I really don’t envy the board, they have big decisions to make on a club they thought they were buying probably to make a quick profit.

Spectemur Agendo

 

"... I really don’t envy the board, they have big decisions to make on a club they thought they were buying, probably to make a quick profit. "

And I think that is a BIG reason why fans don't and won't respect them. Because that is why they 'probably' took over in the first place... to try and make a quick and easy profit, out of our football club!.
But apparently, they can still do no wrong, no matter what!.

 

I envy them. All multi millionaires in their own right. Lets not play the violins too loudly.

 

Who has said it's unrealistic to be able to get to and compete in the Championship? No one. A lot of us recognise it's not a divine right though and has to be worked for.
You accuse me of saying stuff hundreds of times yet hundreds of times you and your noisy mates come out with comments like this.
Some of us just want a rational discussion not just a teddy throwing contest every time things don't go your way.

 

Just out of interest what's our current wage bill per annum £5m?? and what is our turnover VS operating costs including the wages, just top line stuff (sorry being a lazy git, but I know you know your onions very well)

 

Wage bill £9.3m
Turnover £9.5m
Operating loss £5.9m

 

Wow those figures are astounding, have we really got 6.1m loses on other operating costs? Are these fixed costs or due to Covid loan or other factors?

Also thought last season wage bill was around £5m
Thanks for the info BTW

 

I’m not saying it’s impossible. It’s definitely possible. but simply pointing out the expectation that we should based on history doesn’t really work.

 

Actually I was tounge in cheek pointing out that history means nowt and it's about today.
It's not expectation but recent reality that we have made play off places as av said and we do play at the top end of L1... if we continue to build and spend wisely there's no reason that we can't make the final rung on the ladder.

 

We are definitely currently a top end league one team. Could be a bottom end championship team with a bit better decision making. My concern is that we’d be a bit like Rotherham unless things when very well.