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Post by mildrover on Mar 3, 2022 21:26:10 GMT
This was the theme of Eddie Hagerty's article in the programme last night in the From the Boardroom column. He asked 'if some kind soul would start a thread on the message board entitled Where Will We Be in 5 Years' Time'
As the resident kind soul I have done that.
Eddie went on to say that this would give everyone the opportunity to get involved and have their say. So over to everyone.
Ronnie
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Post by rovers on Mar 3, 2022 23:40:34 GMT
Having not seen the programme I can only guess what was written but:
It seems, with each passing year, the margins between survival and the lowland league become smaller and smaller. So three questions come from that sentence. 1) Should our aim always be survival? 2) How do we prevent ourselves falling/slipping down like Berwick or East Stirlingshire? 3) If we go into the lowland league, what will happen, do we drop further, get promoted or stay put for the future?
As is always the answer, money dictates everything. It seems to me lowland league clubs (and lower) pay more dosh than us to get a better quality player. So we either pay more for players (and run ourselves into the ground) or produce players (the u-23s is maybe a source/juniors. We are centrally-based - surely this is a pull for part-time players). Or we increase revenue?
Increasing revenue can either happen through sponsorship or bodies in the stadium. Maybe there is another way, I am not sure.
But the question asked, and it is a good question, fills me with dread.
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Post by tommysermanni on Mar 4, 2022 7:17:14 GMT
I've made no secret of the fact I see us dropping out of league football in the next season or so in fact it seems inevitable.
I don't even think it's the worst thing that can happen to Rovers. At the moment we have a groundhog day every season where we are hoping for a team to be worse than us so we can secure second bottom spot.
Functioning as a well run and financially prudent Lowland League Club may not be the worst outcome.
My worry about that is playing in the Lower League and on a smaller budget we would attract players of a lesser calibre and would be unlikely to secure league football again.
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Post by bucky on Mar 4, 2022 11:43:56 GMT
The obvious thing to say is it’s hard not see the club in the deadend LL. It would be an uncertain future- certainly less money for players I’m assuming there would be reliance on the u21 set up which has been tried (and failed) before when Brian Reid first came in. Also a question mark over the stadium with less and less money to maintain it. To avoid the LL I think we need a steady investment in the team - I’m not sure where that is going to come from.
On the upside - in 5 years time the Shetland Islands will bound to have a Fax machine and Nanook can get his AGM papers on time 🤣
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Post by samtennentjnr on Mar 4, 2022 12:41:18 GMT
Haven't got around to reading the programme yet but strangely was thinking about this when i was staring off into the middle distance on Tuesday night.
It does seem inevitable at some point in the next 5/10 years our time may come to play in the lowland league, I don't think its quite as dreaded as it once was TBH- would it change much for us really ? Would diehards stop coming ? Do Casual fans come for the glamour of league 2 ? The number of away fans would probably drop although with more local teams maybe this would make up for some of the poor travelling supports we get from up north (can't blame them).
My main issue with the lowland league is that it's a complete joke at the moment with the colts in it. It needs to get rid of them to get some of its respectability back, wouldn't be totally against a direct promotion place for the winner of the LL v HL play off. Although it might mean we are more likely to go down it makes it a bit more manageable to get out.
Thats the negative side. Ideally in 5 years time I'd like to see us maybe sneaking our way into League 1 again. I know we have a tendency to always look inwards at how bad we are but this league is much of a muchness this year and it was similar last year. The fact the last two years we have managed to go on great runs at the end of the season with some late squad additions show the quality gap isn't massive.
There is absolutely no reason that with the right manager / players / attitude that we couldn't get into the playoffs even on our budget. Best way to avoid the Lowland for a few more years would be to put an entire division between us and it.
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Post by stewmelrover on Mar 4, 2022 13:36:25 GMT
Agreed: the LL is dreadful at the moment with the 'Glasgow Giants' and their pointless 'B' teams.
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Post by rovers on Mar 4, 2022 14:56:57 GMT
This was the theme of Eddie Hagerty's article in the programme last night in the From the Boardroom column. He asked 'if some kind soul would start a thread on the message board entitled Where Will We Be in 5 Years' Time' As the resident kind soul I have done that. Eddie went on to say that this would give everyone the opportunity to get involved and have their say. So over to everyone. Ronnie What is answer?
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Post by Nanook on Mar 4, 2022 15:42:00 GMT
What chance is there of getting the article in question posted on here? We are being asked to discus an article we have not read, and if you are geographically challenged then can not see long term.
Have copied this over from another thread about the threat to Clyde which seems relevant.
Broadwood, no thanks. Not in Coatbridge. What is the point of a Coatbridge team that is not in Coatbridge?
It would be a wrench leaving Cliftonhill, but good point that NLC might be in the market for any spare ground as replacement for the proposed demolition of the high flats.
Quid pro quo, NLC could build a purpose built stadium at Kirkwood Sports Barn, or elsewhere in Coatbridge, with a cash amount going to Rovers.
Get onto your local councillors, all parties, get them involved.
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Post by mildrover on Mar 4, 2022 23:32:38 GMT
What chance is there of getting the article in question posted on here? We are being asked to discus an article we have not read, and if you are geographically challenged then can not see long term. Have copied this over from another thread about the threat to Clyde which seems relevant. Broadwood, no thanks. Not in Coatbridge. What is the point of a Coatbridge team that is not in Coatbridge? It would be a wrench leaving Cliftonhill, but good point that NLC might be in the market for any spare ground as replacement for the proposed demolition of the high flats. Quid pro quo, NLC could build a purpose built stadium at Kirkwood Sports Barn, or elsewhere in Coatbridge, with a cash amount going to Rovers. Get onto your local councillors, all parties, get them involved. Good point Nanook about original article. Maybe someone with more technical knowledge than me can post Eddie’s original article in this thread.
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Post by cliftonbill on Mar 5, 2022 9:22:45 GMT
Here is Eddie’s article in full:
What Does the Future Hold? This is a bit of a scary question, for a number of reasons, not least global warming, war in Europe and the current pandemic. Yes, we live in interesting times. But I would like to direct this question with regards to the future of our beloved Rovers. Where will be in 5 years’ time? More to the point, will we still be playing senior football? The current trend in Scottish Football of excessive resources being directed to lower league clubs, with a very active pyramid system, leaves us in a treacherous position, where one bad season could lead us to dropping out of senior football. Over the past 5 years the club has led a precarious existence, rooted to the bottom end of League 2. Our existence as a senior professional club has at times depended on the outcome of an individual game. I still remember, vividly, our game against Stirling Albion when we set a yet to be equaled achievement, of being awarded 6 points in one day. Also our visit to Berwick Rangers, where we had to win to escape the dreaded playoff game, which could have led to falling over the proverbial cliff edge. A Former Existence In a former existence, I used to work in a senior secondary school, with a number of young people, who for various reasons had been excluded from classes. There was a definite pattern of behavior, with these children. After the temper tantrums and hysterical outbursts, there were floods of tears and a return to some rational behavior after about 15 minutes. That is when I tried to intervene and get some resolution to the issues which had sparked the behavior which led them to arrive at my door. One strategy that I used on a number of occasions, was to ask these pupils: “Where will you be in 5 Years’ Time? The responses were generally positive and full of hope and ambition, with a fewnotable exceptions. One wee guy answered, that he would like to be in the Army. When I asked him why, he openly stated that he liked playing with guns. I didn’t pursue that line of enquiry This initial questio led to a more detailed programme, with some pupils being provided with a Five Year Diary, to map out their future, and crucially to act on it. This involved looking at appropriate routes to work: writing CV’s, contactingcolleges, doing informal work placements and so on The main outcome of this strategy was that it gave these young people real hope and a sense of control over their own destiny. As a community I think we also need to have this discussion. But with an emphasis on M0VING ON AND UP, well away from our current position. To this end I am asking some kind soul to start a thread on the Message Board entitled. “Where Will We Be In 5 Years’ Time? This will give everyone the opportunity to get involved and havetheir say. The challenge that we face is considerable, so it is important that we pull together as a Community and work towards maintaining our position within the SPFL. I have every confidence, that with your help and support, we can achieve this end. C’mon the Vers!
Eddie Hagerty
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Post by arfcdm on Mar 5, 2022 22:29:50 GMT
We either find funds/sponsorship through whatever means possible to compete properly or it's almost inevitable that we will become victim of bottom spot at some point.
I always feared going down but not so much now. So long as we can survive and compete in games weekly then so be it.
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Post by mildrover on Mar 7, 2022 13:37:35 GMT
Good on Eddie for starting this important discussion. On another thread there is a discussion about putting down an artificial pitch. Maybe that debate belongs under this thread. Good to hear views from a number of people. It would be good to hear from BOD on their vision for the club.
Ronnie
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Post by jordancampbell on Mar 7, 2022 19:20:47 GMT
A really interesting - and thought provoking - topic that merits lengthy, informed, and honest discussion.
As most of you will know, I was elected to the BoD in February 2021 and, it’s fair to say, my eyes have been very much opened to the challenges of running a League 2 club in 21st century Scotland.
I’m of the opinion that one of the most important things we need to try and do is get more bodies through the gates *consistently*. This has been achieved, somewhat sporadically, over the years by reducing prices/pay what you can and unprecedented once-in-a-generation success on the pitch…which almost killed the club. It goes without saying we can’t allow the latter to happen again, but could the former be explored by the powers that be? (worth reading up on the German model of pricing; £12/13 may not seem like a lot to some, but can be a huge amount to others!)
Geography also plays a huge part in our ability to sustain success/draw the crowds in. Coatbridge is a wonderful old town with a rich industrial past. The people are - overwhelmingly - friendly and Cliftonhill is an accessible place to watch the beautiful game. But, sadly, in a town of circa 45k, we often struggle to get 1% at our games. Grim. I don’t think the majority of the town couldn’t care less, but I don’t think the ‘soft spot’ that many claim to have (yet head for Parkhead/Ibrox) is quite soft enough…and there lies a huge problem. A quick count of how many buses leave Coatbridge on a Saturday when Celtic/Rangers and we are at home speaks for itself. I’m not quite sure this can ever be changed, but would love to see it happen in my lifetime.
The pyramid system, although welcome and healthy for the national game, is the biggest challenge ARFC has faced in a very, very long time. Kelty are perhaps the best example of how it can work for some…but definitely not all. Knowing our fans as I do, I’m not convinced that a ‘sugar daddy’ would be welcome at Cliftonhill. Staggering success on the pitch (PM’s play-off triumph with a hugely limited budget) is sustainable and a welcome bonus at a club our size, but winning the league comfortably and overspending on wages (putting the club on the precipice of extinction) is certainly something that the current BoD would ever allow. A quick look at Queen’s Park, and the change in the way that they’re ‘operating’, gives food for thought too. Despite their success, crowds have stagnated and some have vowed never to return again. Interesting. Changing the principles and values of a club is rarely popular with the fanbase. Let’s be honest. There are a whole raft of LL/Junior/East of Scotland league clubs who are *desperate* to take our place. Most of these have readymade infrastructure - good crowds, social clubs, wealthy benefactors) and seem set to climb the pyramid (Pollok, Darvel, Bonnyrigg etc.) Where their ambition leaves us? Well, in a fight to retain our place in the SPFL with a smaller budget. But fight we will…and look up we must. L1 isn’t a fanciful dream, it can (and has) been done.
I could go on, but feel the above covers my most pressing concerns. The successes can’t be ignored.
We’ve survived two torrid seasons when we looked destined to go down. Incredible fight was shown and we worked within our budget to achieve this.
The ongoing success of the Community and Supporters Trusts which do an astronomical amount of work to help the club, the wider Coatbridge community, and, of course, our own fanbase. Huge thanks to both. Their financial support to the club is also crucial.
Our media team is an incredible success and they continue to deliver top quality content week in, week out with great humour and intelligent insight.
The amount of volunteers who knock their pan in to keep the lights on. Their goodwill is appreciated beyond comprehension and their commitment unrivalled.
I suppose, in short, what I’m trying to say is this:
In 5 years time, we will be 145 years old. We will be in existence. We will be winning games, drawing games, losing games. People will still care; people will work as hard as they can to keep the club thriving and surviving. I believe that we’re a resilient bunch and, channeling that, can kick on and look upwards. Keep the faith!
Jordan.
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Post by stewmelrover on Mar 7, 2022 19:42:52 GMT
Excellent post. Totally agree. Sorting the #ahem# share issue might also help...
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Post by rovers on Mar 7, 2022 22:47:38 GMT
A thought about boosting attendances. I remembered Edinburgh City had a scheme if a supporter of Hibs/Hearts produced a season book at the gate they got a concession price. I had a Google there and found the below. It would be worth knowing if it had an effect for city in 2016/17 season.
"03/08/2016 Hearts and Hibs season tickets holders
Edinburgh City can confirm that supporters of both Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian Football Clubs who attend our home league games and produce their season ticket for their respective clubs at the gate will be permitted entrance for a concession price for that game, please note this is for full paying adults only, normal concession prices will still be applicable for the over 65's, U18's and U12's."
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