Support your family Club

[ShotOnTarget]

Across many different threads the current BOD are criticized for matters financial as well as management. At least some of the criticism is warranted.
Regarding the financial issues, it seems that different supporters want different things, including :-

• Investment in players
  Better management of the playing area
  Better catering
  Drinks and pies to reward travelling supporters
  Better business administration
  Better communication with supporters
  Better ground facilities
  Better stewarding
  New stadium

Given that there isn't likely to be a magic money tree hidden amongst the resident horse chestnut trees, what would people prefer to see prioritised ?

The ones in red either cost nothing or are low cost for likely returns in either goodwill, profit (however modest) or both.

Also, I am unsure that criticism of financial management is exclusively about what money is spent on/not spent on.

[WTF]

Across many different threads the current BOD are criticized for matters financial as well as management. At least some of the criticism is warranted.
Regarding the financial issues, it seems that different supporters want different things, including :-

• Investment in players
  Better management of the playing area
  Better catering
  Drinks and pies to reward travelling supporters
  Better business administration
  Better communication with spporters
  Better ground facilities
  Better stewarding
  New stadium

Given that there isn't likely to be a magic money tree hidden amongst the resident horse chestnut trees, what would people prefer to see prioritised ?

New stadium is paramount for the long term future of the club. I dread to think of the money wasted in the upkeep of the ground in the last 20 years....

[abee]

I don't get to matches for personal reasons and I only read the mood on Shotsweb where I acknowledge posters represent a small percentage of the total support base which is probably about what.......seven thousand perhaps?

My take is that most supporters are realistic about the financial situation unless they've been attacking the board and shouting 'Get your cheque books out' at matches. I'm not aware of that but then I wouldn't be.

Of your list and for starters I would simply place 'Better communications with supporters' and 'Better business administration' as two areas which could cost nothing if the board was increased by the appointment of at least two supporters who had these areas of expertise.

So my answer to your question is that 'Investment in players' and 'New Stadium' can probably be removed from your list until the club at least gets some of the basics right and injects some professionalism into the way the club is run off the field.

Supporters go to matches to follow the team and I've never heard anyone say 'I'm not going to football anymore because the hamburgers are rubbish'. Whether improving the catering pays for itself is something for Brian and Richard to think about once fingers crossed Shahid recognises that the board needs help and they (or others if they are unwilling or unable) are on the board.

They can then tell us what they decide through the much improved communications that they will bring!!!

[IanShots]

Fact is, if the current board are not in a position to really take the club forward they could put the club up for sale? They never do though.

[Silasgoldeen]

Fact is, if the current board are not in a position to really take the club forward they could put the club up for sale? They never do though.

depends what the goal is though. If the cost of "taking the club forward" is losing £1m every year (with no guarantees) but you can bring about a degree of stability while only losing a fraction of that, which do you choose? Which is more responsible stewardship, for that matter?

And equally, who's going to buy into this business model to pour their £1m+ down the drain? I'm sure it's not that black/white and it's possible to consistently beat the system, but these days that probably relies on data science and an amazing recruitment network. Otherwise you're waiting for a happy philanthropist who doesn't mind losing a few million quid (and I'm sure league two isn't any more lucrative).

[IanShots]

Fact is, if the current board are not in a position to really take the club forward they could put the club up for sale? They never do though.

depends what the goal is though. If the cost of "taking the club forward" is losing £1m every year (with no guarantees) but you can bring about a degree of stability while only losing a fraction of that, which do you choose? Which is more responsible stewardship, for that matter?

And equally, who's going to buy into this business model to pour their £1m+ down the drain? I'm sure it's not that black/white and it's possible to consistently beat the system, but these days that probably relies on data science and an amazing recruitment network. Otherwise you're waiting for a happy philanthropist who doesn't mind losing a few million quid (and I'm sure league two isn't any more lucrative).

On your second point I believe this stock answer to the sale question lacks thinking!

We seem to be in a league surrounded by clubs that most of the time get smaller crowds than us but are able to take on better players. That means there are owners out there putting money in. And Woking

Simple point is that if you don’t put the club up for sale you can’t make the comment that nobody would want to buy it.

[brian bloomfield]

I think with the correct management team and strategic planning you can at least get a playoff place with 1.2m including management and PAYE. The most difficult thing is picking the right manager and planning for continuity and succession planning. Which is why I believe, managing the manager is one of the most important aspects of running a football club.

[WTF]

I think with the correct management team and strategic planning you can at least get a playoff place with 1.2m including management and PAYE. The most difficult thing is picking the right manager and planning for continuity and succession planning. Which is why I believe, managing the manager is one of the most important aspects of running a football club.

You are spot on Brian

[abee]

I think with the correct management team and strategic planning you can at least get a playoff place with 1.2m including management and PAYE. The most difficult thing is picking the right manager and planning for continuity and succession planning. Which is why I believe, managing the manager is one of the most important aspects of running a football club.

There are two issues here Brian and being blindingly obvious they are on field and off the field activities.

The second is fairly easily improved and I’ve suggested how at zero cost in earlier posts. Until you pointed it out I had never noticed the link on the official website to the Supporters Club where as you say communications to its members and the general support base seems to have dried up.

That is just a comment. It must be hell to try and run the Supporters Club and recruit volunteers to give up their time for very little thanks and no reward. However having had my attention drawn to the lack of recent communications from the Supporters Club I can see why the main board has such an easy time of it when they should be getting peppered with questions and suggestions.

I presume that the Supporters Club has no regular meetings with the board or receive any invitations to the main board meetings after the confidential stuff is out of the way and to be blunt they don’t seem to be close to achieving much of their Mission Statement.

The whole club seems to lack energy and spirit but as far as the losses are concerned then I thought that the club was being run on a break-even basis now. Without substantial cash injections that is the only way to keep the club ‘fit for purpose’ in the hope that someone comes in at a future date who is prepared to invest and support.

I’m with you on ‘managing the manager’.

[abee]

I think with the correct management team and strategic planning you can at least get a playoff place with 1.2m including management and PAYE.

But who's to do it?

[Silasgoldeen]

Fact is, if the current board are not in a position to really take the club forward they could put the club up for sale? They never do though.

depends what the goal is though. If the cost of "taking the club forward" is losing £1m every year (with no guarantees) but you can bring about a degree of stability while only losing a fraction of that, which do you choose? Which is more responsible stewardship, for that matter?

And equally, who's going to buy into this business model to pour their £1m+ down the drain? I'm sure it's not that black/white and it's possible to consistently beat the system, but these days that probably relies on data science and an amazing recruitment network. Otherwise you're waiting for a happy philanthropist who doesn't mind losing a few million quid (and I'm sure league two isn't any more lucrative).

On your second point I believe this stock answer to the sale question lacks thinking!

We seem to be in a league surrounded by clubs that most of the time get smaller crowds than us but are able to take on better players. That means there are owners out there putting money in. And Woking

Simple point is that if you don’t put the club up for sale you can’t make the comment that nobody would want to buy it.

Not sure it "lacks thinking" (thanks!). I think you're partly conflating supporters' desires (progress) and the board's. I'm sure ownership of Aldershot Town is a prestige thing, a bit of community standing, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if maintaining the status quo fits with their goals perfectly. If he/they can stay 'as is' without it costing them anything alarming then there's probably no incentive to overreach and the whole thing is worth whatever money they have to personally find, within reason. The minute you get serious about 'ambition' you're well out of your financial comfort zone, so why try? If you can put a mid table team out there on a break even basis, why not do that? you get to keep doing what you like and it's not costing you a fortune. Seems good, right? (this isn't my view, but I presume it's the board's).

The supporter perspective is different, of course. All I'm asking is why would they try to sell if they're happy with things as they are? Which probably brings us back round to the lack of challenge points others have raised.

[brian bloomfield]

I think with the correct management team and strategic planning you can at least get a playoff place with 1.2m including management and PAYE.

But who's to do it?

From a football management point of view you need to bring people in who have managed successfully at a higher club.

History tells us

Steve Wignall, coached under Ian at AFC, promotion from Isthmian Division 3 to Division 1 (Terry Owens)
George Borg, success at Enfield, took us to Isthmian Premier (Terry Owens 3 promotions in 6 years)
Terry Brown, success at Hayes, took us to the Conference League.(Karl Prentice)
Gary Waddock, managed at Championship level with QPR, took us to the EFL L2 (John McGinty)

Managers can come through the ranks like Danny Cowley, Adam Hinshelwood, Simon Weaver etc, but they are far fewer than the norm.

[abee]

I think with the correct management team and strategic planning you can at least get a playoff place with 1.2m including management and PAYE.

But who's to do it?

From a football management point of view you need to bring people in who have managed successfully at a higher club.

History tells us

Steve Wignall, coached under Ian at AFC, promotion from Isthmian Division 3 to Division 1 (Terry Owens)
George Borg, success at Enfield, took us to Isthmian Premier (Terry Owens 3 promotions in 6 years)
Terry Brown, success at Hayes, took us to the Conference League.(Karl Prentice)
Gary Waddock, managed at Championship level with QPR, took us to the EFL L2 (John McGinty)

Managers can come through the ranks like Danny Cowley, Adam Hinshelwood, Simon Weaver etc, but they are far fewer than the norm.

I was rather thinking about who on the present board did you think was going to manage the manager?

[brian bloomfield]

But who's to do it?

From a football management point of view you need to bring people in who have managed successfully at a higher club.

History tells us

Steve Wignall, coached under Ian at AFC, promotion from Isthmian Division 3 to Division 1 (Terry Owens)
George Borg, success at Enfield, took us to Isthmian Premier (Terry Owens 3 promotions in 6 years)
Terry Brown, success at Hayes, took us to the Conference League.(Karl Prentice)
Gary Waddock, managed at Championship level with QPR, took us to the EFL L2 (John McGinty)

Managers can come through the ranks like Danny Cowley, Adam Hinshelwood, Simon Weaver etc, but they are far fewer than the norm.

I was rather thinking about who on the present board did you think was going to manage the manager?

I presume Dean Wood as he's the only one with the metal.

[Rba]

depends what the goal is though. If the cost of "taking the club forward" is losing £1m every year (with no guarantees) but you can bring about a degree of stability while only losing a fraction of that, which do you choose? Which is more responsible stewardship, for that matter?

And equally, who's going to buy into this business model to pour their £1m+ down the drain? I'm sure it's not that black/white and it's possible to consistently beat the system, but these days that probably relies on data science and an amazing recruitment network. Otherwise you're waiting for a happy philanthropist who doesn't mind losing a few million quid (and I'm sure league two isn't any more lucrative).

On your second point I believe this stock answer to the sale question lacks thinking!

We seem to be in a league surrounded by clubs that most of the time get smaller crowds than us but are able to take on better players. That means there are owners out there putting money in. And Woking

Simple point is that if you don’t put the club up for sale you can’t make the comment that nobody would want to buy it.

Not sure it "lacks thinking" (thanks!). I think you're partly conflating supporters' desires (progress) and the board's. I'm sure ownership of Aldershot Town is a prestige thing, a bit of community standing, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if maintaining the status quo fits with their goals perfectly. If he/they can stay 'as is' without it costing them anything alarming then there's probably no incentive to overreach and the whole thing is worth whatever money they have to personally find, within reason. The minute you get serious about 'ambition' you're well out of your financial comfort zone, so why try? If you can put a mid table team out there on a break even basis, why not do that? you get to keep doing what you like and it's not costing you a fortune. Seems good, right? (this isn't my view, but I presume it's the board's).

The supporter perspective is different, of course. All I'm asking is why would they try to sell if they're happy with things as they are? Which probably brings us back round to the lack of challenge points others have raised.

Your last paragraph maybe they are waiting for a big ' windfall" from something ?
The directors .