Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12664 Location: Leicestershire.
Nobeerineasthull wrote:I agree Gordon. All credit to Rovers' directors for their financial support during a critical period. But how long will it continue and when it ends what will happen in its place?
Hull now has a sustainable business model, is trading at a profit and gradually repaying the directors loans. How are Rovers going to get to there from where they are now?
Exactly the right questions. A plan needs to be put in place, as does a back up. If revenues can't be raised (which'd be the obvious plan A, shorn of any detail), costs would have to be cut. If, for 2011, Galea's place was taken by Cook, with Taylor and a reserve player each taking a step up, I'anson replaced Cooke, Hall (for example) was brought in for Webster and Walker was replaced more cheaply, then the team would be weaker - but probably not catastrophically so. Huddersfield would have to run an amateur squad to get close to break even by trimming the squad budget, if the figures bandied about on here are accurate. You have to be realistic - if most other teams are willing and able to continue running at a loss to spend to the cap, and Rovers are not then it is going to be more difficult. As long as it is planned for and accepted by fans, I can imagine worse fates.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29811 Location: West Yorkshire
Cave Man wrote:How do you know that Hull KR are not also adopting that accounting technique with tangible assets at Nov 2008 being valued at £1,302,758, when to the best of my knowledge Hull KR do not own Craven Park?
But should Hull KR have spent as though they had the luxury of such revenue that can be achieved from such a facility? A bit of heart ruling head from the Hull KR directors over the last few years. The board must have known for a couple of years that the sums are not adding up?
The £482k added in 2008 could be the East Stand extension?
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29811 Location: West Yorkshire
Gordon Gekko wrote:Attendance wise historically Rovers have always had less than Hull so i don't see that as too significant in all honesty. The retail and merchandise side if the business is a work in progress but the facilities for corporates are virtually non existent.
I think you're being generous there. There is huge unserviced demand for Rovers merchandise which pretty poor at this time of year. Rather than spend £100k+ on Joel Clinton, why not spend a third of that on someone with the experience and customer insight to sort out this side of the business. Bizarre allocation of resources to not prioritise this revenue stream. Corporate facilities need capital investment, but a decent retail manager is far cheaper and could have a big impact. FC can turn over £1m on merchandise in a good year - madness not to prioritise it IMO.
Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12664 Location: Leicestershire.
Cave Man wrote:But should Hull KR have spent as though they had the luxury of such revenue that can be achieved from such a facility? A bit of heart ruling head from the Hull KR directors over the last few years. The board must have known for a couple of years that the sums are not adding up?
If it was been run purely as a business, then no, but I don't think it was. Sport can be a fun leisure activity too - remember? Without a bit of heart ruling head Rovers would still be becalmed in the lower leagues, I'm 99% sure of that. The years of sums 'not adding up' have, with franchizing coming in, been ones of necessary rapid growth. Losses were anticipated, that has been admitted - whether they have been dramatically worse than expected is unclear. That they can't continue forever, is something fans have to accept.
Out of interest, is your sig aimed at us or the overoptimistic amongst Hull fans or both?
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12664 Location: Leicestershire.
Mrs Barista wrote:I think you're being generous there. There is huge unserviced demand for Rovers merchandise which pretty poor at this time of year. Rather than spend £100k+ on Joel Clinton, why not spend a third of that on someone with the experience and customer insight to sort out this side of the business. Bizarre allocation of resources to not prioritise this revenue stream. Corporate facilities need capital investment, but a decent retail manager is far cheaper and could have a big impact. FC can turn over £1m on merchandise in a good year - madness not to prioritise it IMO.
Tbh, much as I would like to see a new prop, if it was a straight choice I'd be inclined to agree. IIRC, Rovers did appoint a new marketing manager not long ago, so hopefully things will get better.
New signings create optimism that will feed through into sales of merchandize too - though I offer that as mitigation rather than justification.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29811 Location: West Yorkshire
Mild Rover wrote:Tbh, much as I would like to see a new prop, if it was a straight choice I'd be inclined to agree. IIRC, Rovers did appoint a new marketing manager not long ago, so hopefully things will get better.
New signings create optimism that will feed through into sales of merchandize too - though I offer that as mitigation rather than justification.
Agreed you're going into your 4th SL season with a fanbase of 8,500 so you don't need Clinton to stimulate merchandise demand, it's already there but is not being met. You can't really spend £1.6m ish on player wages, completely skimp on retail expertise and then complain about lack of revenue.
Mild Rover wrote:If it was been run purely as a business, then no, but I don't think it was. Sport can be a fun leisure activity too - remember? Without a bit of heart ruling head Rovers would still be becalmed in the lower leagues, I'm 99% sure of that. The years of sums 'not adding up' have, with franchizing coming in, been ones of necessary rapid growth. Losses were anticipated, that has been admitted - whether they have been dramatically worse than expected is unclear. That they can't continue forever, is something fans have to accept.
Heart ruling head comes with admiration not criticism. I am sure there is no greater passtime in the world then owning and running the club you support and love. But, when does reality strike?
Mild Rover wrote:Out of interest, is your sig aimed at us or the overoptimistic amongst Hull fans or both?
My sig has been unchanged for about 6 years and serves to remind me and others to remove those club coloured spectacles now and again.
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Support Your Team Loyally Not Blindly.
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Joined: Sep 18 2005 Posts: 8742 Location: 2017 City of Culture
Mrs Barista wrote:Agreed you're going into your 4th SL season with a fanbase of 8,500 so you don't need Clinton to stimulate merchandise demand, it's already there but is not being met. You can't really spend £1.6m ish on player wages, completely skimp on retail expertise and then complain about lack of revenue.
I find myself in agreement with you on this one. Recent retail experience suggests that, in this area at least, we are still thinking in NL1 terms. It needs some priority, because as you rightly say, it doesn't require much investment, just some experience.
Right, I need to give myself a talking to, I don't want to ever have to begin a post like that again!
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29811 Location: West Yorkshire
The Goroka Gene-ius wrote::o I find myself in agreement with you on this one. Recent retail experience suggests that, in this area at least, we are still thinking in NL1 terms. It needs some priority, because as you rightly say, it doesn't require much investment, just some experience.
Right, I need to give myself a talking to, I don't want to ever have to begin a post like that again!
Don't beat yourself up. Even cabbages like me can see the bleeding obvious.
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But how long will it continue and when it ends what will happen in its place? 
Without a bit of heart ruling head Rovers would still be becalmed in the lower leagues, I'm 99% sure of that. The years of sums 'not adding up' have, with franchizing coming in, been ones of necessary rapid growth. Losses were anticipated, that has been admitted - whether they have been dramatically worse than expected is unclear. That they can't continue forever, is something fans have to accept.
