Fans Forum
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- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:12 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
Fans Forum
Any updates other than the ground? It all seems very quiet. Much quieter than normal
Re: Fans Forum
Went along last night, another standing room only affair.
MJ gave his usual polished but slightly terrifying update. Main take aways, debt is down from 260k or so to 60k which is great progress, but the 7000 reduction in total attendances last season was a big problem. (although no mention was made of the modest price increases last season that will have mitigated some of this)
He talked about the importance of focussing on activities that create most cash, ie gate revenue, commercial and sponsorship - and less on those with lower margins - food and beverage etc. I can see this upsetting a few but to be honest in think it is bang on.
Some frustration that we've only sold a few hundred Sunderland tickets, and a reminder that in the coming days they will give Sunderland the remaining ones to sell so we don't lose the revenue.
The BM plans were discussed and the artists impressions shared. You'll have seen them by now. we are close to being able to finalise the plan and costs, I think parking is the outstanding issue.
Season tickets are just above 400 against 600+ last season, nobody is quite sure how the like for like figure for early July stacks up.
Martin Gray talked football for a while. Very clearly think the three new players are all improvements. Been trying to get Portas for two years and Hatch was keen to come along and the deal was easy to make. Alluded that we got a small fee for some of the departing players. No decision yet made on Hopson, will get a chance in pre season like everybody else.
Leon Scott ahead of schedule and might be back on the pitch in the next few weeks. Salford rumoured to be paying players up to £600 a week so expect it to be a competitive season.
Overall a reasonably positive evening, you can tell the board are pleased with progress (and rightly so) but very nervous about perceived apathy creeping in. Very keen for the die hards that were present to spread the good word to others and try and get everyone pulling in the right direction. Board were really complimentary to the various volunteers, old and new, that have stepped up too.
I was pleased with what i heard but am nervous that we will see a likely further erosion in our gates next season as fatigue sets in. Hopefully this will be compensated by a couple of good cup runs and some good crowds against the likes of Spennymoor etc.
MJ gave his usual polished but slightly terrifying update. Main take aways, debt is down from 260k or so to 60k which is great progress, but the 7000 reduction in total attendances last season was a big problem. (although no mention was made of the modest price increases last season that will have mitigated some of this)
He talked about the importance of focussing on activities that create most cash, ie gate revenue, commercial and sponsorship - and less on those with lower margins - food and beverage etc. I can see this upsetting a few but to be honest in think it is bang on.
Some frustration that we've only sold a few hundred Sunderland tickets, and a reminder that in the coming days they will give Sunderland the remaining ones to sell so we don't lose the revenue.
The BM plans were discussed and the artists impressions shared. You'll have seen them by now. we are close to being able to finalise the plan and costs, I think parking is the outstanding issue.
Season tickets are just above 400 against 600+ last season, nobody is quite sure how the like for like figure for early July stacks up.
Martin Gray talked football for a while. Very clearly think the three new players are all improvements. Been trying to get Portas for two years and Hatch was keen to come along and the deal was easy to make. Alluded that we got a small fee for some of the departing players. No decision yet made on Hopson, will get a chance in pre season like everybody else.
Leon Scott ahead of schedule and might be back on the pitch in the next few weeks. Salford rumoured to be paying players up to £600 a week so expect it to be a competitive season.
Overall a reasonably positive evening, you can tell the board are pleased with progress (and rightly so) but very nervous about perceived apathy creeping in. Very keen for the die hards that were present to spread the good word to others and try and get everyone pulling in the right direction. Board were really complimentary to the various volunteers, old and new, that have stepped up too.
I was pleased with what i heard but am nervous that we will see a likely further erosion in our gates next season as fatigue sets in. Hopefully this will be compensated by a couple of good cup runs and some good crowds against the likes of Spennymoor etc.
Re: Fans Forum
Yeah I thought overall it was very positive.
Like you say there are warnings but I'd expect that - in fact I would be concerned if there were none. I think it is up to us supporters now to try and spread the message about what is happening at the club. Personally I think its the best its been in a very long time. We just need to get that across to people and if people try and run us down then we need to pull them up if we can - easier said than done I admit.
I really do think getting back into Darlington will help but obviously its catch 22. We need people to keep supporting us. I feel as if we are on the downhill now and just need to keep going. Bishop is a pain (especially for those of us who don't have a car) but if we can put up with it for a little longer we will be done. We've just got to keep supporting them as it clearly has a massive impact on the progression of the club and the playing budget.
Like you say there are warnings but I'd expect that - in fact I would be concerned if there were none. I think it is up to us supporters now to try and spread the message about what is happening at the club. Personally I think its the best its been in a very long time. We just need to get that across to people and if people try and run us down then we need to pull them up if we can - easier said than done I admit.
I really do think getting back into Darlington will help but obviously its catch 22. We need people to keep supporting us. I feel as if we are on the downhill now and just need to keep going. Bishop is a pain (especially for those of us who don't have a car) but if we can put up with it for a little longer we will be done. We've just got to keep supporting them as it clearly has a massive impact on the progression of the club and the playing budget.
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- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:12 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
Re: Fans Forum
Thanks for the update guys. Childcare dictates I can't attend. Normally twitter helps out, but last night there was media silence until the official website announced the stadium details.
If we can be debt free by the end of next season (looks possible) and back in the town. That achieved in three years will be nothing short of remarkable.
This seems the first fans forum where the gloom hasn't been dominant.
I just hope we can keep the attendances at the same level this year. And it not slip again.
If we can be debt free by the end of next season (looks possible) and back in the town. That achieved in three years will be nothing short of remarkable.
This seems the first fans forum where the gloom hasn't been dominant.
I just hope we can keep the attendances at the same level this year. And it not slip again.