David Johnston's Netcafe

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Darlo_CR
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David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by Darlo_CR » Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:26 pm


bga
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by bga » Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:30 am

Darlo_CR wrote:
Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:26 pm
Live now: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/dj-chat ... nt-affairs
I am surprised last night's Netcafe hasn't generated more comment on here? DJ's comment about Commercial Director very interesting it reads. "The Club made the decision not to continue with a full time Commercial Director after the Financial performance did not justify the expenditure". It then goes on to say that going forward "We have structured a commission based incentive that ensures costs are only incurred when commercial sales are delivered." It seems a little surprising this wasn't the basis to start with?

Other than that some really interesting questions and some positive answers from DJ. Clearly the club is in good hands.

LoidLucan
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by LoidLucan » Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:10 pm

Interesting that DJ is again stressing the need to have our own ground (or shared ownership) where we can generate much more revenue to drive the club forward. Obviously the now much-delayed SV is again mentioned as a possible route with us eventually being handed a plot to develop a ground after using the main pitch at first. However, I see there is still an issue over primacy of tenure at the Arena. Also it's clear that the SV plans will now have some dark clouds hanging over them in a completely different financial world and with a deep recession looming. Will anyone really be interested in developing a hotel, garage and shops on the site and will there be the money to do it? But the clear revenue restrictions on us at BM are also laid bare by DJ.

And there is the suggestion that private involvement would be needed to develop our own plot (obviously due to the huge sums involved) with the lure of a yield paid to the investors. Without this, it's very difficult to see how we could build a new ground from scratch and try to maintain a competitive side at the same time.

Also pertinent to see that during this difficult time there has been zero help from the FA and League in our hour of need. But our financial situation is sound due to our success with BTB, using the furlough scheme effectively and also taking HMRC holidays for the moment and securing grants and loans. Also we pay by the game at BM so we won’t start until football resumes. The rugby club must have been be suffering badly in this virus world with the revenue streams shut down.

Interesting times ahead...

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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by bga » Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:45 pm

I agree to an extent Loid Lucan with what you say about DRC. As Rugby and Football normally stop in April they're probably used to having two/three very lean months as regards to Revenue and budget accordingly. I think we have always been fascinated to know what percentage of their income comes from the football side. Only way to find out is to join the club and look at their last accounts!

LoidLucan
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by LoidLucan » Sat Jun 13, 2020 1:02 pm

They lost the revenue from our remaining 4 home games that bit the dust and all the various functions that must have been lined up over the past few months. A closed bar and function rooms plus no income from your tenant can't be good news.

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theoriginalfatcat
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by theoriginalfatcat » Sat Jun 13, 2020 1:38 pm

He's very good D.J. :clap:

We are lucky to have him and he said last night that in 18 months time he will have a lot more time to spend on the Darlo side of things - which should give us a lift when it's most needed.
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JE93
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by JE93 » Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:41 pm

bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:30 am
Darlo_CR wrote:
Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:26 pm
Live now: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/dj-chat ... nt-affairs
I am surprised last night's Netcafe hasn't generated more comment on here? DJ's comment about Commercial Director very interesting it reads. "The Club made the decision not to continue with a full time Commercial Director after the Financial performance did not justify the expenditure". It then goes on to say that going forward "We have structured a commission based incentive that ensures costs are only incurred when commercial sales are delivered." It seems a little surprising this wasn't the basis to start with?

Other than that some really interesting questions and some positive answers from DJ. Clearly the club is in good hands.
That was the basis to start with. I seem to remember the rather more hysterical portion of our fan base throwing their toys out of the pram when it was revealed that John Tempest earned commission from sponsorship deals he brought into the club. But it is the only sensible way to run at the moment. No costs incurred until corresponding sales are made. And while we are limited by the commercial opportunities at BM we need to be getting to the £150k+ potential DJ was talking about before we can really say we are being limited by our surroundings.

On the rest of the netcafe, as always very impressed with DJ, his vision and his commitment to the club. The next step (developing a permanent home and moving towards hybrid/full time model) will be the hardest in the clubs history. But have absolute confidence in the man who is at the tiller.

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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by bga » Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:16 pm

JE93 wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:41 pm
bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:30 am
Darlo_CR wrote:
Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:26 pm
Live now: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/dj-chat ... nt-affairs
I am surprised last night's Netcafe hasn't generated more comment on here? DJ's comment about Commercial Director very interesting it reads. "The Club made the decision not to continue with a full time Commercial Director after the Financial performance did not justify the expenditure". It then goes on to say that going forward "We have structured a commission based incentive that ensures costs are only incurred when commercial sales are delivered." It seems a little surprising this wasn't the basis to start with?

Other than that some really interesting questions and some positive answers from DJ. Clearly the club is in good hands.
That was the basis to start with. I seem to remember the rather more hysterical portion of our fan base throwing their toys out of the pram when it was revealed that John Tempest earned commission from sponsorship deals he brought into the club. But it is the only sensible way to run at the moment. No costs incurred until corresponding sales are made. And while we are limited by the commercial opportunities at BM we need to be getting to the £150k+ potential DJ was talking about before we can really say we are being limited by our surroundings.

On the rest of the netcafe, as always very impressed with DJ, his vision and his commitment to the club. The next step (developing a permanent home and moving towards hybrid/full time model) will be the hardest in the clubs history. But have absolute confidence in the man who is at the tiller.
I meant the basis to start with when the Commercial Director was appointed. It seems we reverted back to that original basis now, but not during time of his appointment, perhaps I'm wrong?

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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by JE93 » Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:25 pm

bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:16 pm
JE93 wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:41 pm
bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:30 am
Darlo_CR wrote:
Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:26 pm
Live now: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/dj-chat ... nt-affairs
I am surprised last night's Netcafe hasn't generated more comment on here? DJ's comment about Commercial Director very interesting it reads. "The Club made the decision not to continue with a full time Commercial Director after the Financial performance did not justify the expenditure". It then goes on to say that going forward "We have structured a commission based incentive that ensures costs are only incurred when commercial sales are delivered." It seems a little surprising this wasn't the basis to start with?

Other than that some really interesting questions and some positive answers from DJ. Clearly the club is in good hands.
That was the basis to start with. I seem to remember the rather more hysterical portion of our fan base throwing their toys out of the pram when it was revealed that John Tempest earned commission from sponsorship deals he brought into the club. But it is the only sensible way to run at the moment. No costs incurred until corresponding sales are made. And while we are limited by the commercial opportunities at BM we need to be getting to the £150k+ potential DJ was talking about before we can really say we are being limited by our surroundings.

On the rest of the netcafe, as always very impressed with DJ, his vision and his commitment to the club. The next step (developing a permanent home and moving towards hybrid/full time model) will be the hardest in the clubs history. But have absolute confidence in the man who is at the tiller.
I meant the basis to start with when the Commercial Director was appointed. It seems we reverted back to that original basis now, but not during time of his appointment, perhaps I'm wrong?
Fair point.

The issue here was that for the club, it was a case of nothing ventured nothing gained. Had bringing someone in on a full time paid basis provided huge increases in revenue in excess of additional cost, it would have been a great move. We tried it for a year and the accounts show the ends didn't justify the means. So my understanding is the position was made redundant because you cant ask a salaried employee to accept a commission only job as 'reasonable alternative work'. And then you roll into all the wonderful employment law minefields of redundancy and unfair dismissal etc.

bga
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by bga » Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:50 am

JE93 wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:25 pm
bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:16 pm
JE93 wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:41 pm
bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:30 am
Darlo_CR wrote:
Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:26 pm
Live now: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/dj-chat ... nt-affairs
I am surprised last night's Netcafe hasn't generated more comment on here? DJ's comment about Commercial Director very interesting it reads. "The Club made the decision not to continue with a full time Commercial Director after the Financial performance did not justify the expenditure". It then goes on to say that going forward "We have structured a commission based incentive that ensures costs are only incurred when commercial sales are delivered." It seems a little surprising this wasn't the basis to start with?

Other than that some really interesting questions and some positive answers from DJ. Clearly the club is in good hands.
That was the basis to start with. I seem to remember the rather more hysterical portion of our fan base throwing their toys out of the pram when it was revealed that John Tempest earned commission from sponsorship deals he brought into the club. But it is the only sensible way to run at the moment. No costs incurred until corresponding sales are made. And while we are limited by the commercial opportunities at BM we need to be getting to the £150k+ potential DJ was talking about before we can really say we are being limited by our surroundings.

On the rest of the netcafe, as always very impressed with DJ, his vision and his commitment to the club. The next step (developing a permanent home and moving towards hybrid/full time model) will be the hardest in the clubs history. But have absolute confidence in the man who is at the tiller.
I meant the basis to start with when the Commercial Director was appointed. It seems we reverted back to that original basis now, but not during time of his appointment, perhaps I'm wrong?
Fair point.

The issue here was that for the club, it was a case of nothing ventured nothing gained. Had bringing someone in on a full time paid basis provided huge increases in revenue in excess of additional cost, it would have been a great move. We tried it for a year and the accounts show the ends didn't justify the means. So my understanding is the position was made redundant because you cant ask a salaried employee to accept a commission only job as 'reasonable alternative work'. And then you roll into all the wonderful employment law minefields of redundancy and unfair dismissal etc.
Q our Resident Employment Law Specialist...……………...this could run for a long time!

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QuakerPete
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by QuakerPete » Sun Jun 14, 2020 10:25 am

LoidLucan wrote:They lost the revenue from our remaining 4 home games that bit the dust and all the various functions that must have been lined up over the past few months. A closed bar and function rooms plus no income from your tenant can't be good news.
Presumably the rugby club still have their bills / ground loans to pay in the meantime. I wonder what their underlying finances are like when the football contribution is taken away?


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Darlo Dodger
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by Darlo Dodger » Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:39 pm

bga wrote:
Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:50 am
JE93 wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:25 pm
bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:16 pm
JE93 wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:41 pm
bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:30 am

I am surprised last night's Netcafe hasn't generated more comment on here? DJ's comment about Commercial Director very interesting it reads. "The Club made the decision not to continue with a full time Commercial Director after the Financial performance did not justify the expenditure". It then goes on to say that going forward "We have structured a commission based incentive that ensures costs are only incurred when commercial sales are delivered." It seems a little surprising this wasn't the basis to start with?

Other than that some really interesting questions and some positive answers from DJ. Clearly the club is in good hands.
That was the basis to start with. I seem to remember the rather more hysterical portion of our fan base throwing their toys out of the pram when it was revealed that John Tempest earned commission from sponsorship deals he brought into the club. But it is the only sensible way to run at the moment. No costs incurred until corresponding sales are made. And while we are limited by the commercial opportunities at BM we need to be getting to the £150k+ potential DJ was talking about before we can really say we are being limited by our surroundings.

On the rest of the netcafe, as always very impressed with DJ, his vision and his commitment to the club. The next step (developing a permanent home and moving towards hybrid/full time model) will be the hardest in the clubs history. But have absolute confidence in the man who is at the tiller.
I meant the basis to start with when the Commercial Director was appointed. It seems we reverted back to that original basis now, but not during time of his appointment, perhaps I'm wrong?
Fair point.

The issue here was that for the club, it was a case of nothing ventured nothing gained. Had bringing someone in on a full time paid basis provided huge increases in revenue in excess of additional cost, it would have been a great move. We tried it for a year and the accounts show the ends didn't justify the means. So my understanding is the position was made redundant because you cant ask a salaried employee to accept a commission only job as 'reasonable alternative work'. And then you roll into all the wonderful employment law minefields of redundancy and unfair dismissal etc.
Q our Resident Employment Law Specialist...……………...this could run for a long time!
Not so much of a minefield where the period of employment is less than 2 years. See for example:
https://www.landaulaw.co.uk/faqs/what-i ... sal-claim/

bga
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by bga » Sun Jun 14, 2020 4:04 pm

Darlo Dodger wrote:
Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:39 pm
bga wrote:
Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:50 am
JE93 wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:25 pm
bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:16 pm
JE93 wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:41 pm


That was the basis to start with. I seem to remember the rather more hysterical portion of our fan base throwing their toys out of the pram when it was revealed that John Tempest earned commission from sponsorship deals he brought into the club. But it is the only sensible way to run at the moment. No costs incurred until corresponding sales are made. And while we are limited by the commercial opportunities at BM we need to be getting to the £150k+ potential DJ was talking about before we can really say we are being limited by our surroundings.

On the rest of the netcafe, as always very impressed with DJ, his vision and his commitment to the club. The next step (developing a permanent home and moving towards hybrid/full time model) will be the hardest in the clubs history. But have absolute confidence in the man who is at the tiller.
I meant the basis to start with when the Commercial Director was appointed. It seems we reverted back to that original basis now, but not during time of his appointment, perhaps I'm wrong?
Fair point.

The issue here was that for the club, it was a case of nothing ventured nothing gained. Had bringing someone in on a full time paid basis provided huge increases in revenue in excess of additional cost, it would have been a great move. We tried it for a year and the accounts show the ends didn't justify the means. So my understanding is the position was made redundant because you cant ask a salaried employee to accept a commission only job as 'reasonable alternative work'. And then you roll into all the wonderful employment law minefields of redundancy and unfair dismissal etc.
Q our Resident Employment Law Specialist...……………...this could run for a long time!
Not so much of a minefield where the period of employment is less than 2 years. See for example:
https://www.landaulaw.co.uk/faqs/what-i ... sal-claim/
Are you Spen in disguise?

quakersfan
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by quakersfan » Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:21 pm

I’m glad we have DJ in charge BTBH nothing really new came out on Friday. Reading between the lines Craig did very well selling the board space which has increased rapidly but compared to previous years when we secured Virgin & Ebac he didn’t have any big ticket to sell as we don’t own our own crowd. Who knows what the future holds.

bga
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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by bga » Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:26 pm

quakersfan wrote:
Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:21 pm
I’m glad we have DJ in charge BTBH nothing really new came out on Friday. Reading between the lines Craig did very well selling the board space which has increased rapidly but compared to previous years when we secured Virgin & Ebac he didn’t have any big ticket to sell as we don’t own our own crowd. Who knows what the future holds.
Go then tell us who does "Own our crowd"?

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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by Darlofan97 » Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:40 pm

quakersfan wrote:
Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:21 pm
I’m glad we have DJ in charge BTBH nothing really new came out on Friday. Reading between the lines Craig did very well selling the board space which has increased rapidly but compared to previous years when we secured Virgin & Ebac he didn’t have any big ticket to sell as we don’t own our own crowd. Who knows what the future holds.
Commercial profits fell dramatically in 18/19 compared to 17/18.

Sponsorship deals usually carry over the accounting years too.

I presume instead of “crowd” you mean “ground”. I think there is clearly a bit more to it that that.

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Re: David Johnston's Netcafe

Post by eddie-rowles » Mon Jun 15, 2020 7:32 am

bga wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:30 am
Darlo_CR wrote:
Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:26 pm
Live now: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/dj-chat ... nt-affairs
I am surprised last night's Netcafe hasn't generated more comment on here? DJ's comment about Commercial Director very interesting it reads. "The Club made the decision not to continue with a full time Commercial Director after the Financial performance did not justify the expenditure". It then goes on to say that going forward "We have structured a commission based incentive that ensures costs are only incurred when commercial sales are delivered." It seems a little surprising this wasn't the basis to start with?

Other than that some really interesting questions and some positive answers from DJ. Clearly the club is in good hands.
CD role was tried but didn't work all explained at AGM earlier in year. We know we need our own ground so keep buying your euromillions tickets until SV or another site comes available, we can look at a loan and work out what fans will have to pay on top of season tickets taking care not to follow FC united or others difficulties.
It is worse than we thought, NL could not run a pi** up in a brewery wether it is fixture backlogs, filming game rights or helping clubs the FA boys in the blazers couldn't care less, we are on our own.

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