www.altyfans.co.uk
General Category => Altrincham FC First Team => Topic started by: cheshire cat on January 18, 2021, 09:50:12 PM
-
The league have announced its loans rather than grants for the rest of the season.
Much wailing at Chester because they aren't allowed to accept loans as a fan owned club.
It looks like it's squeaky bum time.
-
I think it's worrying for everyone, not just Chester.
The National League was supposed to start on the basis that fans would attend, then, when this didn't happen, that clubs would receive grants rather than loans. Wealdstone and Concord Rangers have gone public too, with the latter's chairman, Ant Smith (not our newly signed midfielder :) ) saying that he would be 100% behind any club who refuses to play on Saturday.
I believe there is a meeting on Wednesday, but this could be big, and no doubt there will be a statement from our board in due course - a considered statement rather than a panicked tweet, I am sure.
-
I didn't mean to imply only Chester are affected. Kings Lynn chairman has also spoken out. It will cost a comparable amount in Furlough payments than it would to carry on with grants.
-
This could change the outcome for a lot of clubs. Gosh.
-
I wonder how flexible furlough works for players?
-
Would need to see the terms of the loans, but, tbh, unless there is a 50 year interest free payback, i cannot see that as sustainable.
We already have businesses going bust, i can see more clubs going the same way, which is tragic as football has been one of very few things to sustain people's morale.
-
I'd welcome a statement or (preferably a zoom) where fans can hear updates on financial information, plans for the stadium (it's totally fine if they've been paused, but if some work has commenced it'd be great to know, or if what it takes for them to re start)
-
I'm talking about this on Radio Manchester in about 15-20 minutes if anyone's interested.
-
Didn't we get stung over loans in the past (admittedly with the value of the stadium as collateral)?
This is deeply worrying, but hardly surprising.
-
No grant no play. If the TV money was withdrawn from the big boys they’d not be playing either. This is a complete shambles but hardly surprising given whose implementing the “plan” (?). If they’d been honest upfront about this devious plot I’m confident clubs wouldn’t have wasted their time travelling up and down the country fulfilling their league fixtures if they knew what was in store. In the greater scheme of things the £11 million is small change weighed against the devastation loan repayments would bring. I don’t see them being long term either. If they were long term they’d be giving grants instead. The government isn’t interested in money being repaid beyond their term of office.
-
No grant no play. If the TV money was withdrawn from the big boys they’d not be playing either. This is a complete shambles but hardly surprising given whose implementing the “plan” (?). If they’d been honest upfront about this devious plot I’m confident clubs wouldn’t have wasted their time travelling up and down the country fulfilling their league fixtures if they knew what was in store. In the greater scheme of things the £11 million is small change weighed against the devastation loan repayments would bring. I don’t see them being long term either. If they were long term they’d be giving grants instead. The government isn’t interested in money being repaid beyond their term of office.
I would like to hope our club put measures in place throughout the season for no-fans all year, covid-breaks, increased testing.
We've seen a new Director, Hulme cash and a run culminating in Portsmouth away. We've taken on more FT staff than we've ever had. I'm hoping all plans were made with a plan to not have any fan for large parts of the season when budgets were set.
We - unlike a lot of clubs - have at least 2 long term fans on the board in Bill and Neil (nothing against LL, Rob and other but they won't have to experienced the turmoil of the clubs financial problems as fans) means we should be in a far strong position to know what is at stake.
We should seek to see the season out - to avoid the impact it'll have on sponsors, ST sales and other investments in year's to come. Obviously if safe to do so. Securing a comfortable 11-13th place finish would set the groundwork for our push on the FL rather than finishing 6th with half the games to go.
-
No grant no play. If the TV money was withdrawn from the big boys they’d not be playing either. This is a complete shambles but hardly surprising given whose implementing the “plan” (?). If they’d been honest upfront about this devious plot I’m confident clubs wouldn’t have wasted their time travelling up and down the country fulfilling their league fixtures if they knew what was in store. In the greater scheme of things the £11 million is small change weighed against the devastation loan repayments would bring. I don’t see them being long term either. If they were long term they’d be giving grants instead. The government isn’t interested in money being repaid beyond their term of office.
I would like to hope our club put measures in place throughout the season for no-fans all year, covid-breaks, increased testing.
We've seen a new Director, Hulme cash and a run culminating in Portsmouth away. We've taken on more FT staff than we've ever had. I'm hoping all plans were made with a plan to not have any fan for large parts of the season when budgets were set.
We - unlike a lot of clubs - have at least 2 long term fans on the board in Bill and Neil (nothing against LL, Rob and other but they won't have to experienced the turmoil of the clubs financial problems as fans) means we should be in a far strong position to know what is at stake.
We should seek to see the season out - to avoid the impact it'll have on sponsors, ST sales and other investments in year's to come. Obviously if safe to do so. Securing a comfortable 11-13th place finish would set the groundwork for our push on the FL rather than finishing 6th with half the games to go.
Can't disagree but if you were one of the bottom three clubs your priorities might be different.
-
Wonder what the position of the Club is with regards to the three options outlined by the NL?
PS. Wouldn't expect official comments from the Club at this stage, obviously.
Wouldn't be surprised to see NLN and NLS calling to end the season with the National preferring to play on given the preoccupation with the preservation of the promotion spots to League 2.
-
Clubs have told the National League their preference from 3 options:
1) Clubs take on long term low-interest loans
2) The League takes on the loan & gives clubs grants, with future League central payments to clubs then reduced
3) Suspend the season
I'd imagine we'd want 2,1,3 as we could always look to find other ways to fund other than loans (director loans, fan fundraising etc, sponsorship)
Clubs so far:
1
2 Chester Eastbourne Hemel
3 Darlington concord Tonbridge slough
Gloucester and Dorking say none - would rather lobby Gov or let clubs drop out with no punishment.
-
Clubs have told the National League their preference from 3 options:
1) Clubs take on long term low-interest loans
2) The League takes on the loan & gives clubs grants, with future League central payments to clubs then reduced
3) Suspend the season
I'd imagine we'd want 2,1,3 as we could always look to find other ways to fund other than loans (director loans, fan fundraising etc, sponsorship)
Clubs so far:
1
2 Chester Eastbourne Hemel
3 Darlington concord Tonbridge slough
Gloucester and Dorking say none - would rather lobby Gov or let clubs drop out with no punishment.
"as we could always look to find other ways to fund other than loans (director loans, fan fundraising etc, sponsorship)"
Hmm really...…….You would advocate director loans. In terms of sponsorship and fundraising, I admire your enthusiasm, but are we not doing this anyway and struggling as it is to find fans and local companies to hand over cash ?
-
I meant
Clubs have told the National League their preference from 3 options:
1) Clubs take on long term low-interest loans
2) The League takes on the loan & gives clubs grants, with future League central payments to clubs then reduced
3) Suspend the season
I'd imagine we'd want 2,1,3 as we could always look to find other ways to fund other than loans (director loans, fan fundraising etc, sponsorship)
Clubs so far:
1
2 Chester Eastbourne Hemel
3 Darlington concord Tonbridge slough
Gloucester and Dorking say none - would rather lobby Gov or let clubs drop out with no punishment.
"as we could always look to find other ways to fund other than loans (director loans, fan fundraising etc, sponsorship)"
Hmm really...…….You would advocate director loans. In terms of sponsorship and fundraising, I admire your enthusiasm, but are we not doing this anyway and struggling as it is to find fans and local companies to hand over cash ?
I meant contributions, just had loan in my head. Directors or new directors might want some of the share holdings available.
As for fan fundraising, I'd admire Bill and Lawrence's notion of not constantly going to the well, but it's been six months since the last fundraising efforts, if push came to shove, we've seen how quickly we can raise cash.
-
Fair points
Last fundraiser (I think) was to get us through end of season and to hopefully participate in the play-offs. We did of course participate and did quite well ;D...………..However not so sure there is the same sense of purpose right now - it will be the joys of watching us on TV and hopefully a top ten finish.
-
If I remember correctly the grant was £80K a month. If we need that kind of support for four more months that's a serious amount to try and crowdfund.
My understanding is the loans have to be paid back over ten years with nothing due for the first two. So we would still need to find £40K a year once repayments kick in.
-
Havant and Waterlooville have decided they're not going to play anybody for ten days on health and safety grounds.
-
Tail is wagging the dog.
League need to say what's happening, not asking
-
Tail is wagging the dog.
League need to say what's happening, not asking
The tail may be wagging, but I'm not sure that it's even attached to the dog.
-
15 out of 70 clubs supporting an end the season or suspensions
Very little matters however if these are regional clubs like Chester and York as any vote would be weighted in Conference clubs favour.
-
15 out of 70 clubs supporting an end the season or suspensions
Very little matters however if these are regional clubs like Chester and York as any vote would be weighted in Conference clubs favour.
I agree regional teams such as this and Fylde, Southport and Boston cant dictate how more superior clubs progress
-
Looking around the various boards a lot of people are still angry about how the money got divied out in September
-
North & South Suspended for two weeks.............
https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-two-week-suspension-to-n-65013
-
I'm not sure what that is going to achieve. I can't see spectators being allowed back until lockdown is removed so I would have thought the suspension should be a month at least.
-
I believe the thinking behind it is that it gives time to try to persuade the government into grants instead of loans. Could be wrong though 😉
-
Hope our new investors means we can kick on whilst others cut back.
-
Hope our new investors means we can kick on whilst others cut back.
Exactly!
-
Wonder if any national league north players are allowed to go on loan if the season ends for them
-
Wonder if any national league north players are allowed to go on loan if the season ends for them
Crossed my mind too
-
Fair point that, how about Jordan!!
-
Fair point that, how about Jordan!!
Think he's the first name to spring to mind also Cardwell at Chorley
-
Fair point that, how about Jordan!!
Think he's the first name to spring to mind also Cardwell at Chorley
certainly Jordan. Cardwell has 6 career goals to his credit.
-
Fair point that, how about Jordan!!
Think he's the first name to spring to mind also Cardwell at Chorley
Cardwell Hall Dudley Newby.
-
Glendon and Dudley from Chester would both improve us.
I'm not into former players returning. I'd rather focus on longer term options like Alistair Smith, who get so bought into what we're doing that they end up signing permanently.