Update from the Board of Directors
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
I,ve no doubt that the board will get us to where we need to be back playing in Darlington,that is after all what we all want.let it be sooner rather than later.
- theoriginalfatcat
- Posts: 6770
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:40 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
No move this season then! I'd much rather have this scenario than being forced into an unsuitable partnership - I wonder if we'll get any detail about what the issues are, this would be interesting.
Profile pic
Feethams the Panda. 28 Jan 2012.
Now extinct!
Feethams the Panda. 28 Jan 2012.
Now extinct!
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
I doubt it fatcat especially as Legal Advisors were presumably involved in this carefully worded statement. At least where know where we stand (or play!) this season. I have faith the Directors will do whatever it takes to get us a fair deal.theoriginalfatcat wrote:No move this season then! I'd much rather have this scenario than being forced into an unsuitable partnership - I wonder if we'll get any detail about what the issues are, this would be interesting.
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
No surprise there really, the ring fencing of the money raised should stop some whinging tho
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
-
- Posts: 14109
- Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:13 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Staying at HP for the remainder of this season was a no brainer. It's too late in the year to do anything much with a new pitch.
- QuakerPete
- Posts: 1196
- Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:51 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
It makes sense because you can't establish a new pitch in winter no matter what else. That window is closed
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Exactly.QuakerPete wrote:It makes sense because you can't establish a new pitch in winter no matter what else. That window is closed
It's become increasingly clear as the weeks tick by that there is no move this season, and really, who would want to move mid season anyway?
The two parties need to work together and get it all sorted, and it needs really to be all agreed by March at the latest.
Then it gives us hopefully enough time to build and be ready for the following season, and gives us a little bit of time to raise an extra 50 grand or so, should we be in a position where we look like we could have a chance of promotion and need the ground to be conference north standard.
Without wanting to be negative, reading between the lines I feel that there is stalemate and there has been for a while - I'm not sure where the breakthrough is going to come from.
-
- Posts: 12155
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:08 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
- Location: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
This has been coming for a while, so it's not really a surprise.
Least this gives 5/6 months to come to an agreement with the Rugby Club, if we get promotion this season - When does the ground need to be up to standard? Is it the following March after going up?
Glad all the money has been set aside and will shut some people up.
Least this gives 5/6 months to come to an agreement with the Rugby Club, if we get promotion this season - When does the ground need to be up to standard? Is it the following March after going up?
Glad all the money has been set aside and will shut some people up.
- QuakerPete
- Posts: 1196
- Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:51 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Also, it gives both clubs some breathing space, particularly DFC, in terms of what they want to achieve at Blackwell or in exploring other avenues if need be
-
- Posts: 2786
- Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:24 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
- Contact:
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Shock, horror.
Shall we got a head start on "Coming home 2016/17"? And 2017/18 just incase?
Shall we got a head start on "Coming home 2016/17"? And 2017/18 just incase?
love it! wrote:Considering we are Darlington 1883 I'm happy that we are named correctly
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
On a positive note I'm very happy that the raised funds have been placed into escrow. I was worried they'd end up being eaten into....they still might but in order to do that we'd need some formal agreement
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
It would be great to get everything ready for early next season and get a money spinner for the opener (obviously if everything works out ok).
I wonder, now that we're staying, whether it's viable to sell car park season tickets?
I wonder, now that we're staying, whether it's viable to sell car park season tickets?
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
I have always thought , and think even more now that a move to blackwell meadows is bad for our club. DRFC have had internal squabbles going on for years. Some of them dont want us there. The chance of them pulling out of the agreement to share mid season is very real , if the wrong ppl get to run their club.
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
if the deal is done neither party will be able to pull out like that. There will be a long term lease and legal agreements on other issues to prevent exactly what you are worried about.sasha44 wrote:I have always thought , and think even more now that a move to blackwell meadows is bad for our club. DRFC have had internal squabbles going on for years. Some of them dont want us there. The chance of them pulling out of the agreement to share mid season is very real , if the wrong ppl get to run their club.
-
- Posts: 1260
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 8:40 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
It seems DFC hoped to have DRFC play on another pitch to permit an upgrade for football, but have so far failed.
This season's move possibilities were effectively ruled out in May/June, because there was an authorities requirement to repair the intended pitch prior to starting any football games and DFC had no access with no deal in place.
As per last season a deal should be signed off 2-3 months ahead of some lucrative pre-season friendlies at BM.
This season's move possibilities were effectively ruled out in May/June, because there was an authorities requirement to repair the intended pitch prior to starting any football games and DFC had no access with no deal in place.
As per last season a deal should be signed off 2-3 months ahead of some lucrative pre-season friendlies at BM.
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
I mean...that isn't what any of the statements have said...but ok.Neil Johnson wrote:It seems DFC hoped to have DRFC play on another pitch to permit an upgrade for football, but have so far failed.
This season's move possibilities were effectively ruled out in May/June, because there was an authorities requirement to repair the intended pitch prior to starting any football games and DFC had no access with no deal in place.
-
- Posts: 12155
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:08 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
- Location: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Another load of spouted crap.
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Appears that way - Jenny Chapman has said "we do need a plan B".Quakerz wrote:
Without wanting to be negative, reading between the lines I feel that there is stalemate and there has been for a while - I'm not sure where the breakthrough is going to come from.
https://twitter.com/JennyChapman/status ... 1360854018
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
We need a plan b for one main reason and that is to say to the rugby club 'here is the cut off point, this is when plan b becomes plan a and you will struggle on in a venue ten times bigger than you need'.
They can dig their heels in if they know they are our only chance.
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
They can dig their heels in if they know they are our only chance.
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Dial A for the Arena.
I think this is going to drag on for years and hold the club back, and then we'll eventually end up back at the Arena anyway.
So stop wasting time and dial A now.
I think this is going to drag on for years and hold the club back, and then we'll eventually end up back at the Arena anyway.
So stop wasting time and dial A now.
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
They are not interested, QuakerzQuakerz wrote:Dial A for the Arena.
I think this is going to drag on for years and hold the club back, and then we'll eventually end up back at the Arena anyway.
So stop wasting time and dial A now.
-
- Posts: 1751
- Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:42 am
- Team Supported: Darlington
- Location: Stockton-on-Tees
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
I agree with Quakerz here. Lets face it Blackwell Meadows is as good as dead in the water now (being realistic) so we need to go with a decent offer to Mowden, one which wont destroy us financially and may help them out too. Who knows they may be onside.Quakerz wrote:Dial A for the Arena.
I think this is going to drag on for years and hold the club back, and then we'll eventually end up back at the Arena anyway.
So stop wasting time and dial A now.
Come on Darlo!
Smoke me a kipper....I'll be back for breakfast!
Smoke me a kipper....I'll be back for breakfast!
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
They might come around if they aren't breaking even.AnthonyP wrote:They are not interested, QuakerzQuakerz wrote:Dial A for the Arena.
I think this is going to drag on for years and hold the club back, and then we'll eventually end up back at the Arena anyway.
So stop wasting time and dial A now.
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Sad that the deal seems to be dragging on and on, each time it's not positive news it seems as though it will never happen.
The arena would be the obvious plan B but there's no obvious signs that we're needed. Always conflicting evidence coming out as to their financial position.
Maybe it is time to ask the council about which pieces of land may be available for developing. This is a last resort. Any ground of the standard we'd need would be at least 2.5mil god knows where this money would come from but it would be ours and we would be in full control.
At this point we need to get some kind of progress whether that be BM being ruled out. Knowing we have approached Mowden, or looking at alternative pieces of land.
The arena would be the obvious plan B but there's no obvious signs that we're needed. Always conflicting evidence coming out as to their financial position.
Maybe it is time to ask the council about which pieces of land may be available for developing. This is a last resort. Any ground of the standard we'd need would be at least 2.5mil god knows where this money would come from but it would be ours and we would be in full control.
At this point we need to get some kind of progress whether that be BM being ruled out. Knowing we have approached Mowden, or looking at alternative pieces of land.
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
They won't. Timescales aren't on our side with that one unfortunately.Quakerz wrote: They might come around if they aren't breaking even.
More likely that time will run out on Darlington Rugby Football Club and something happens at Blackwell, than time will run out on Mowden Park at the Arena.
-
- Posts: 275
- Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:14 am
- Team Supported: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
That doesn't feel like a good assumption to me.AnthonyP wrote:They won't. Timescales aren't on our side with that one unfortunately.Quakerz wrote: They might come around if they aren't breaking even.
More likely that time will run out on Darlington Rugby Football Club and something happens at Blackwell, than time will run out on Mowden Park at the Arena.
DRFC can operate at Blackwell on a shoestring if they need to, whereas the Mowden Balance sheet suggests that they are bleeding cash at an alarming rate.
Also, who says Mowden have spurned us? I've yet to see any evidence of this in statements from our Board.
-
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:37 pm
- Team Supported: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Wizardofos and ( allegedly) our MP have nailed 2 important issues. There is no evidence that The Arena issue is dead in the water and, yes, the club absolutely does need a Plan B .
My thoughts re The Arena are longer term in nature. Like many, I detest the place in its present form. But let's be frank, can anyone ever see a day when its seats will be full?! Far too big for DFC; far too big for Mowden RFC.
3 sides of The Arena are simply empty shells underneath the seating and supports. What's more, all new stadia ( probably most especially one built by GR) require ongoing maintenance/inspectiuns. God knows what state The Arena structure will be in 20,30 years' time. And this maintenance carries big costs.
Equally, who knows what state Mowden RFC will be in in 20,30 years' time? So, although it would take a huge amount of brokering in order to get all relevant parties ( e.g. Mowden RFC, Council, DFC, and...??) to at least get around a table "talk" possibilities" there IS a discussion which is very well worth having. Discussions can simply be in order to throw ideas around. If you don't have the ideas, you don't even know what is and what is not possible. Here are my reasons for believing that AT LEAST it's worth exploring the broad concepts:
* the BM deal just doesn't sound promising;
* if Mowden RFC possibly do some soul-searching allied to long term forecasting, they may find that maintaining a 25,000 stadium for 15,20,25 years and more is not exactly an ideal scenario;
* the Council may see that actually a " community sports hub" is just as -if not more- achievable with the land and facilities at The Arena compared with BM;
* the 3 "shell " sides of The Arena could be dismantled ( possibly even sold on) and in their place you could have , initially, 2 small terraces behind each goal and, over time, a much smaller covered area on the other side;
* the existing main Stand/ facilities would obviously be retained and there are ample offices, rooms, etc inside for 2 clubs AND facilities which could be used by the whole town ( e.g. there is scope to house Arts Centre type performances there and, if it is truly a community (sports) hub -many other community activities );
* an all weather pitch could cope with 2 clubs using it and could also cope with other (e.g. summertime) community sporting activities;
Yes, these solutions are imperfect because The Arena was ALWAYS imperfect. However, by going down such a route, it would then not be "The Arena as we knew it and came to hate "- it would be a totally revamped Arena whereby the town made a really good stab at making the best "silk purse" it could out of what will otherwise be, in years to come, a mess and a total embarrassment to the town.
This concept might be shot down but it's simply a lateral thought. It can easily be shot down by the " what about x,y and z ?" brigade. But, hey, Captain Sensible left this town years ago. It's not SUCH a daft concept. At least it's a Plan B. At least it could be explored .
My thoughts re The Arena are longer term in nature. Like many, I detest the place in its present form. But let's be frank, can anyone ever see a day when its seats will be full?! Far too big for DFC; far too big for Mowden RFC.
3 sides of The Arena are simply empty shells underneath the seating and supports. What's more, all new stadia ( probably most especially one built by GR) require ongoing maintenance/inspectiuns. God knows what state The Arena structure will be in 20,30 years' time. And this maintenance carries big costs.
Equally, who knows what state Mowden RFC will be in in 20,30 years' time? So, although it would take a huge amount of brokering in order to get all relevant parties ( e.g. Mowden RFC, Council, DFC, and...??) to at least get around a table "talk" possibilities" there IS a discussion which is very well worth having. Discussions can simply be in order to throw ideas around. If you don't have the ideas, you don't even know what is and what is not possible. Here are my reasons for believing that AT LEAST it's worth exploring the broad concepts:
* the BM deal just doesn't sound promising;
* if Mowden RFC possibly do some soul-searching allied to long term forecasting, they may find that maintaining a 25,000 stadium for 15,20,25 years and more is not exactly an ideal scenario;
* the Council may see that actually a " community sports hub" is just as -if not more- achievable with the land and facilities at The Arena compared with BM;
* the 3 "shell " sides of The Arena could be dismantled ( possibly even sold on) and in their place you could have , initially, 2 small terraces behind each goal and, over time, a much smaller covered area on the other side;
* the existing main Stand/ facilities would obviously be retained and there are ample offices, rooms, etc inside for 2 clubs AND facilities which could be used by the whole town ( e.g. there is scope to house Arts Centre type performances there and, if it is truly a community (sports) hub -many other community activities );
* an all weather pitch could cope with 2 clubs using it and could also cope with other (e.g. summertime) community sporting activities;
Yes, these solutions are imperfect because The Arena was ALWAYS imperfect. However, by going down such a route, it would then not be "The Arena as we knew it and came to hate "- it would be a totally revamped Arena whereby the town made a really good stab at making the best "silk purse" it could out of what will otherwise be, in years to come, a mess and a total embarrassment to the town.
This concept might be shot down but it's simply a lateral thought. It can easily be shot down by the " what about x,y and z ?" brigade. But, hey, Captain Sensible left this town years ago. It's not SUCH a daft concept. At least it's a Plan B. At least it could be explored .
- Robbie Painter
- Posts: 2289
- Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:37 am
- Team Supported: Darlington
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Given AnthonyP's dad is our previous chairman he probably is well placed to know Mowden's view re renting Arena out to DFC.
No one actually knows the current state of finances at Mowden. The last published accounts are well out of date & aren't detailed enough to take a detailed view. Unless anyone has more up to date information we are only guessing.
What is clear though is that they have created far more activity at the site than DFC ever managed to do. I'm both impressed & saddened that they are pulling in crowds around the same level as us (1k+) for Saturday games. They seem to have rented out a number of spaces under the stand's to various companies.
No one actually knows the current state of finances at Mowden. The last published accounts are well out of date & aren't detailed enough to take a detailed view. Unless anyone has more up to date information we are only guessing.
What is clear though is that they have created far more activity at the site than DFC ever managed to do. I'm both impressed & saddened that they are pulling in crowds around the same level as us (1k+) for Saturday games. They seem to have rented out a number of spaces under the stand's to various companies.
Robbie Painter - http://twitter.com/RobbiePainter
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Jenny Chapman's tweet is worrying in 2 ways, firstly, it appears that BM is not going well, and secondly, that we haven't got a Plan B.
Someone said a few weeks ago, confirmed by Wizardofos, that the situation at BM had changed because they are running as an amateur team now, so they don't want us it would appear, and neither do MP it seems. The only option it seems is to get the money left by that Bishop fan and get Heritage Park done up. We would be still out of town, but surviving at least. I just don't see what other options there are.
Someone said a few weeks ago, confirmed by Wizardofos, that the situation at BM had changed because they are running as an amateur team now, so they don't want us it would appear, and neither do MP it seems. The only option it seems is to get the money left by that Bishop fan and get Heritage Park done up. We would be still out of town, but surviving at least. I just don't see what other options there are.
Last edited by Vodka_Vic on Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Update from the Board of Directors
Is there scope to not play in the arena but put stands etc around a training pitch over the back? We can still pay rent and move training and offices there instead of longfield. As has been said if Mowden believe they are financially secure they dont have to be remotely interested.
Whilst i still think BM is the better option, theres nothing like a little bit of leverage to get us a better deal and if that means cosying up with mowden for a meeting or two then so be it.
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Whilst i still think BM is the better option, theres nothing like a little bit of leverage to get us a better deal and if that means cosying up with mowden for a meeting or two then so be it.
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk