Question Fix the North Bank now?

[Blues4LifeDan]

When I asked this question I wasn't sure it would actually happen. Fair play to COSU!

 

[Scamps]

I think unless they get Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS team in there today, there is zero chance of getting it up to the required standard (For full occupation) in just 2 weeks.

Hopefully they can get at least some of it up to scratch in time to accomodate 1,000+ Charlton. They'd likely bring 2,000+ if it was available to them.

Perhaps theres more chance of Block X being opened?....That will be a useful addition and allow more home fans in.

You was wrong Smiffy

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I think a lot of us have had to reassess and have been surprised. Surprised how quickly they've done it, surprised they've spent the money and some are surprised that so many fans are buying tickets. Some on here suggested this wasn't a big tie. 6k already sold in the home end. Add 1.9k from the away fans and it's a great tie.

COSU should nearly make their money up from the works from ticket sales of this tie and potentially the boxing day match from home fans going into those areas. If we miraculously get through, we will definitely make the money back. Utb!

 

[BEERMONSTER]

Where there's a will there's a way! Congratulations to all those involved in achieving this. I know for some their attention is always on what's happening on the pitch, but what an example of what COSU are trying to achieve for our Club!

 

[Tommy2holes]

Thats exactly what you have claimed in the last few weeks. Slagged COSU over it and threatened not to come to RH if results don't improve. Announced on here that we should forget the stadium and improving facilities. until we are back in the EFL.

Slagged Cosu no.

Just saying that investing in roots Hall in the national league is counter productive. Whereas investing in the team and getting into the EFL is vastly better for the finances.

If its possible to do both then great but I can't see an extra couple of thousand flooding in because we have nice burgers and beers, but I can if we are playing efl football..

 

[BoyWonder2]

I think a lot of us have had to reassess and have been surprised. Surprised how quickly they've done it, surprised they've spent the money and some are surprised that so many fans are buying tickets. Some on here suggested this wasn't a big tie. 6k already sold in the home end. Add 1.9k from the away fans and it's a great tie.

COSU should nearly make their money up from the works from ticket sales of this tie and potentially the boxing day match from home fans going into those areas. If we miraculously get through, we will definitely make the money back. Utb!

No they won’t.

The gate receipts for this tie are split 45% to us, 45% to Charlton and the remaining 10% to the FA towards prize money etc.

With the increased away turn out, they will in turn mean additional staff, a larger police presence (which comes out of our pocket) and so forth.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

No they won’t.

The gate receipts for this tie are split 45% to us, 45% to Charlton and the remaining 10% to the FA towards prize money etc.

With the increased away turn out, they will in turn mean additional staff, a larger police presence (which comes out of our pocket) and so forth.

Yes, that's why I listed three things that could make up the money?

I listed this tie, the boxing day tie and hopefully progression in the cup with the winning prize money. Of course, progression in the cup is hopeful but the other two factors will help.

 

[BoyWonder2]

Yes, that's why I listed three things that could make up the money?

I listed this tie, the boxing day tie and hopefully progression in the cup with the winning prize money. Of course, progression in the cup is hopeful but the other two factors will help.

Well, as I’ve just mentioned elsewhere, we’ve spent more on the works now to get it done before Charlton then we would have on the normal plans.

The other things will help, and the work will pay for itself in the long run, and the Charlton game will help, but won’t pay for it.

We can’t bank on another plum home cup tie, although a certain ex-chairman used to put us reaching round three in the yearly “budgets”, whereas COSU haven’t budgeted for a cup run as such. Meaning the Charlton game is all money we weren’t expecting, whereas under a certain ex-chairman, this money would have already been spent on other things.

 

[rigsby]

Slagged Cosu no.

Just saying that investing in roots Hall in the national league is counter productive. Whereas investing in the team and getting into the EFL is vastly better for the finances.

If its possible to do both then great but I can't see an extra couple of thousand flooding in because we have nice burgers and beers, but I can if we are playing efl football..

That was Ron's plan for Championship football. It was Bury's plan as well......And ever other club that have nearly gone bust.

Yes I get there are plenty of fans who think good owner is a wealthy idiot who just wants to waste his fortune on them. Thankfully that's not COSU. If they want to look after the real fans and not just the "ill come if we are top" types then good on them..... They have made this business plan clear....So best get used to it.

 

[Tommy2holes]

That was Ron's plan for Championship football. It was Bury's plan as well......And ever other club that have nearly gone bust.

Yes I get there are plenty of fans who think good owner is a wealthy idiot who just wants to waste his fortune on them. Thankfully that's not COSU. If they want to look after the real fans and not just the "ill come if we are top" types then good on them..... They have made this business plan clear....So best get used to it.

I said investing. Not just throwing money at big name earners.

The model is to sign young players with potential from leagues below and hopefully improve and sell on.

It's a model that is sustainable and gets the club known as a place to shine and that won't stand in the way of progress.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United head coach Kevin Maher cannot wait to see Shrimpers fans back in the North Bank.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[Medway Blue]

I said investing. Not just throwing money at big name earners.

The model is to sign young players with potential from leagues below and hopefully improve and sell on.

It's a model that is sustainable and gets the club known as a place to shine and that won't stand in the way of progress.

The club is currently projected to lose £1.5m this year. That's money COSU members are already having to put hands in pockets to cover. The money they're already putting into the playing budget is, arguably, throwing money at it when the projected loss is that large.

What they're spending on the playing budget at this point is already calculated risk.

Adding another £200k, £300k, £500k to the playing budget to get a promotion that is never guaranteed (even with Wrexham spending), thus increasing the club's losses to £2m+ per year, would be crossing into the realms of blind risk, perhaps even stupidity.

People clearly got used to the way the previous owner ran the club - i.e. not properly budgeting, spending way more money than he had, and taking big risks for short-term success in order to feed his own ego. We all need to get our heads around levels of risk.

Pumping even MORE money into the club so that it can spend even MORE money that it doesn't have, when the funders' resources are limited, in order to aim for short term success and a promotion that is never guaranteed, is mental. Sorry, it just is.

Once things fully settle and the football department can get a couple of unhindered transfer windows in, we'll be in a better position. The budget as it is at the moment, mixed with a better-than-division-average scouting network and a high-performing culture should see us competing in the top 7 and in the promotion mix.

I struggle to see why that wouldn't be enough for some. It's easy to tell somebody to spend money when that money isn't yours or the club's, but I guess that's being a football fan.

The stuff that they're spending money on is future proofing our infrastructure to bring in more revenue. Good, long term vision and strategy.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Well put @Medway Blue .
It astonishes me that people think strengthening and improving the playing squad can be readily done. Barry Fry's model was to get in 40 players, hope for 15 good and bin the rest. Rat's model was to sign a "name" and hope he performs like Stan or Fred. Neither is very likely to bring long term success or stability.
The sale of Cards shows TL and co will not damage the wage structure, and the dismissal of OK shows they will preserve a united dressing room.

 

[SUFCGoals]

Well, as I’ve just mentioned elsewhere, we’ve spent more on the works now to get it done before Charlton then we would have on the normal plans.

The other things will help, and the work will pay for itself in the long run, and the Charlton game will help, but won’t pay for it.

We can’t bank on another plum home cup tie, although a certain ex-chairman used to put us reaching round three in the yearly “budgets”, whereas COSU haven’t budgeted for a cup run as such. Meaning the Charlton game is all money we weren’t expecting, whereas under a certain ex-chairman, this money would have already been spent on other things.

I want you to come on our podcast and tell us all these weird anti practical things Ron would do!

 

[rigsby]

The club is currently projected to lose £1.5m this year. That's money COSU members are already having to put hands in pockets to cover. The money they're already putting into the playing budget is, arguably, throwing money at it when the projected loss is that large.

What they're spending on the playing budget at this point is already calculated risk.

Adding another £200k, £300k, £500k to the playing budget to get a promotion that may then not actually come, thus increasing the club's losses to £2m+ per year, would be crossing in the realms of blind risk, perhaps even stupidity.

People clearly got used to the way the previous owner ran the club - i.e. not properly budgeting, spending way more money than he had, and taking big risks for short-term success in order to feed his own ego. We all need to get our heads around levels of risk.

Pumping even MORE money into the club so that it can spend even MORE money that it doesn't have, when the funders' resources are limited, in order to aim for short term success and a promotion that may not happen immediately, is mental. Sorry, it just is.

Once things fully settle and the football department can get a couple of unhindered transfer windows in, we'll be in a better position. The budget as it is at the moment, mixed with a better-than-division-average scouting network and a high-performing culture should see us competing in the top 7.

I struggle to see why that wouldn't be enough for some. It's easy to tell somebody to spend money when that money isn't yours or the club's, but I guess that's being a football fan.

The stuff that they're spending money on is future proofing our infrastructure to bring in more revenue. Good, long term vision and strategy.

This is great post that explains the plan clearly. Especially to those who's biggest business negotiation so far has been "Would like French fries with that sir"

So next time we lose and the COSU don't know what their doing group emerge from the shadows. Can this be used as an automatic reply to save them hi-jacking every thread.

Yes I'm all for opinion and debate but we don't need to be going round in weekly totally repetitive loop. Lets embrace and support improvements. Strikers are for Christmas. Ground improvements are for life. Support your club, your team and get your hand in pocket at the new bar when you get the chance.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

The FA should do the decent thing and hand us the trophy now out of respect.

I like that - very amusing. Made me smile. [thumbs up]

 

[Swiss Tony]

This is great post that explains the plan clearly. Especially to those who's biggest business negotiation so far has been "Would like French fries with that sir"

So next time we lose and the COSU don't know what their doing group emerge from the shadows. Can this be used as an automatic reply to save them hi-jacking every thread.

Yes I'm all for opinion and debate but we don't need to be going round in weekly totally repetitive loop. Lets embrace and support improvements. Strikers are for Christmas. Ground improvements are for life. Support your club, your team and get your hand in pocket at the new bar when you get the chance.

Agreed Riggers but you failed to mention the onions are now fully back on the menu also.

 

[rigsby]

Agreed Riggers but you failed to mention the onions are now fully back on the menu also.

What's the point in onions if we don't have 6 strikers all with proven track records of 20 a season.

 

[Tommy2holes]

The club is currently projected to lose £1.5m this year. That's money COSU members are already having to put hands in pockets to cover. The money they're already putting into the playing budget is, arguably, throwing money at it when the projected loss is that large.

What they're spending on the playing budget at this point is already calculated risk.

Adding another £200k, £300k, £500k to the playing budget to get a promotion that is not guaranteed to come (even woth Wrexham spending), thus increasing the club's losses to £2m+ per year, would be crossing in the realms of blind risk, perhaps even stupidity.

People clearly got used to the way the previous owner ran the club - i.e. not properly budgeting, spending way more money than he had, and taking big risks for short-term success in order to feed his own ego. We all need to get our heads around levels of risk.

Pumping even MORE money into the club so that it can spend even MORE money that it doesn't have, when the funders' resources are limited, in order to aim for short term success and a promotion that is never guaranteed, is mental. Sorry, it just is.

Once things fully settle and the football department can get a couple of unhindered transfer windows in, we'll be in a better position. The budget as it is at the moment, mixed with a better-than-division-average scouting network and a high-performing culture should see us competing in the top 7 and in the promotion mix.

I struggle to see why that wouldn't be enough for some. It's easy to tell somebody to spend money when that money isn't yours or the club's, but I guess that's being a football fan.

The stuff that they're spending money on is future proofing our infrastructure to bring in more revenue. Good, long term vision and strategy.

A very well written post and highlights the crucial fact.

I still don't believe it's possible for us to break even in the national league.

I'd love to be wrong.

Will infrastructure change, matchday options improve finances? Of course.

A cup run or selling a player or two will also help, but unless we regularly sell players for several 100k and or get prem sides in the cup away from home, then it still won't be enough.

This football club needs league football.

It needs the TV money and extra 1-2 million that brings.

It needs to see the away end full several times per season and or at least 500+ often, instead of 80 or so we are currently seeing.

I still maintain that regaining league status is a far better income model than any improvements we make off the pitch at national league level.

With the exception of maybe grimsby and Bromley almost all of those that have gone up and flourished in the EFL have spent money to do so.

We could have the best facilities in the league and excellent match day choices but ultimately its what's on the pitch and league position that dictates the state of finances.

I'm not suggesting we should buy players on big money but we do need to seriously hoover up the best from this division and below and find another 3 or 4 GSMs per season. He has been excellent and will have real sell on value, having only cost a small fee. This is the model we were promised and that seems to have faded away.

 

[Tommy2holes]

The club is currently projected to lose £1.5m this year. That's money COSU members are already having to put hands in pockets to cover. The money they're already putting into the playing budget is, arguably, throwing money at it when the projected loss is that large.

What they're spending on the playing budget at this point is already calculated risk.

Adding another £200k, £300k, £500k to the playing budget to get a promotion that is not guaranteed to come (even woth Wrexham spending), thus increasing the club's losses to £2m+ per year, would be crossing in the realms of blind risk, perhaps even stupidity.

People clearly got used to the way the previous owner ran the club - i.e. not properly budgeting, spending way more money than he had, and taking big risks for short-term success in order to feed his own ego. We all need to get our heads around levels of risk.

Pumping even MORE money into the club so that it can spend even MORE money that it doesn't have, when the funders' resources are limited, in order to aim for short term success and a promotion that is never guaranteed, is mental. Sorry, it just is.

Once things fully settle and the football department can get a couple of unhindered transfer windows in, we'll be in a better position. The budget as it is at the moment, mixed with a better-than-division-average scouting network and a high-performing culture should see us competing in the top 7 and in the promotion mix.

I struggle to see why that wouldn't be enough for some. It's easy to tell somebody to spend money when that money isn't yours or the club's, but I guess that's being a football fan.

The stuff that they're spending money on is future proofing our infrastructure to bring in more revenue. Good, long term vision and strategy.

A very well written post and highlights the crucial fact.

I still don't believe it's possible for us to break even in the national league.

I'd love to be wrong.

Will infrastructure change, matchday options improve finances? Of course.

A cup run or selling a player or two will also help, but unless we regularly sell players for several 100k and or get prem sides in the cup away from home, then it still won't be enough.

This football club needs league football.

It needs the TV money and extra 1-2 million that brings.

It needs to see the away end full several times per season and or at least 500+ often, instead of 80 or so we are currently seeing.

I still maintain that regaining league status is a far better income model than any improvements we make off the pitch at national league level.

With the exception of maybe grimsby and Bromley almost all of those that have gone up and flourished in the EFL have spent money to do so.

We could have the best facilities in the league and excellent match day choices but ultimately its what's on the pitch and league position that dictates the state of finances.

I'm not suggesting we should buy players on big money but we do need to seriously hoover up the best from this division and below and find another 3 or 4 GSMs per season. He has been excellent and will have real sell on value, having only cost a small fee. This is the model we were promised and that seems to have faded.