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Post by newrook1885 on May 28, 2025 6:46:14 GMT
You can research that quite easily. For instance, Horsham list a GM and a Stadium Manager on their website. I know the former CEO (he left in March) at Cray Wanderers quite well too and they are looking to replace him. The Aveley CEO is also the Isthmian League’s Vice-Chair. Dulwich employ a full time secretary… But presumably, those clubs they work for are not skint reduced to desperately requesting cash and can afford them? The encouraging thing in the email, is there is apparently a new governance model we are being asked to vote on coming up. High hopes that we will soon see some long overdue common sense, and the new direction of fiscal prudence that four of the five new directors promised in their manifestos. Pellsfan is absolutely right, praising your financial management for the year based on 37 weeks when you have significant income and not 52 is simply bizarre. Good practice if you are fundraising to actually bother to publish the up to date accounts, which were always previously published with commendable regularity. july66.blog/2025/05/28/is-there-finally-a-fan-owned-pulse-at-lewes-fc-but-please-cut-the-crap/You might want to remove repeatedly asking for the accounts to be released. Just checked companies house, they were released a couple of months ago. |
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Post by nicorijnders on May 28, 2025 6:48:31 GMT
I don't think it's unusual for non-league football clubs - or sporting clubs in general - to take part in fundraising activities of some kind over the close season (or otherwise). I'd almost suggest it's more common than not.
What I do find strange is the determination of a lot of people on this forum to take the worst possible interpretation of anything the club communicates or does. Do we actually think it's likely that the board didn't realise that there was a close season?
I bought tickets for the cricket in Hove and for an event at the Dome over the last week and they both nudged for fundraising as part of the checkout process, so presumably they'll both be going out of business soon.
I'd welcome more explicit communication about the club's financial position - especially for those of us not versed in deciphering accounts - but both this statement, which references the club breaking even over the season, and the recent interview John Peel gave about the competitive budget for the men's team suggests that things are more stable financially than has been understood for a while. The email explicitly states that the club expect this to be the last time that they need to raise funds in this way.
I think everyone knows that the club has incurred financial shocks both internal and external- the email also details additional costs in energy, increased refereeing costs etc that are outside of the board's control.
It also doesn't seem accurate to characterise the email as an SOS or to suggest that the club won't continue to operate if sufficient funds aren't raised. I think it's worth making this distinction because this is obviously something that happens at clubs occasionally.
On the subject of a Section 75 claim, this would give coverage for good and services transactions but I wonder how this would apply to a purchase of "ownership" for an institution that is liquidated.
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Post by stuartnoel on May 28, 2025 7:38:20 GMT
You can research that quite easily. For instance, Horsham list a GM and a Stadium Manager on their website. I know the former CEO (he left in March) at Cray Wanderers quite well too and they are looking to replace him. The Aveley CEO is also the Isthmian League’s Vice-Chair. Dulwich employ a full time secretary… But presumably, those clubs they work for are not skint reduced to desperately requesting cash and can afford them? The encouraging thing in the email, is there is apparently a new governance model we are being asked to vote on coming up. High hopes that we will soon see some long overdue common sense, and the new direction of fiscal prudence that four of the five new directors promised in their manifestos. Pellsfan is absolutely right, praising your financial management for the year based on 37 weeks when you have significant income and not 52 is simply bizarre. Good practice if you are fundraising to actually bother to publish the up to date accounts, which were always previously published with commendable regularity. july66.blog/2025/05/28/is-there-finally-a-fan-owned-pulse-at-lewes-fc-but-please-cut-the-crap/I have no idea on the financial situation of other clubs nor is it an endorsement of the respective merits of having the role. Just providing some context to the question asked. |
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Post by everyotherweek on May 28, 2025 9:57:04 GMT
I asked the question, so thank you for answering. It still seems odd that we are paying good salaries at a time when we are also asking for extra help from supporters; they, of course, are the only people who ever remain unconditionally loyal to a club. Managers, players and staff will come and go, often when a better offer arrives, as most of us would in our careers.
It rather seems as if we commit to costs and then try to raise the money, rather than having a budgeted income and then assessing how to spend it, while always retaining funds for contingencies.
I may be entirely wrong of course; hopefully having a finance person on the board will clarify things.
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Post by stuartnoel on May 28, 2025 11:01:22 GMT
I asked the question, so thank you for answering. It still seems odd that we are paying good salaries at a time when we are also asking for extra help from supporters; they, of course, are the only people who ever remain unconditionally loyal to a club. Managers, players and staff will come and go, often when a better offer arrives, as most of us would in our careers. It rather seems as if we commit to costs and then try to raise the money, rather than having a budgeted income and then assessing how to spend it, while always retaining funds for contingencies. I may be entirely wrong of course; hopefully having a finance person on the board will clarify things. For a club at our level (or even at Step 4) it would be impossible to run with a staff of volunteers, despite what some may think, unless that group could dedicate hours each day to the cause. From experience I know how much unpaid and often unthanked hard work goes on behind the scenes which at times amazes me when there’s frequent criticism aimed at some of them. Without them, we’d have no club. But that isn’t to say there also needs to be a balance of paid roles, people with the expertise to deliver certain functions and be accountable as such. Some of the current woes are caused by individuals who volunteered their time having to step away for a number of reasons and nobody being found to fill the void. |
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Post by everyotherweek on May 29, 2025 5:02:22 GMT
I asked the question, so thank you for answering. It still seems odd that we are paying good salaries at a time when we are also asking for extra help from supporters; they, of course, are the only people who ever remain unconditionally loyal to a club. Managers, players and staff will come and go, often when a better offer arrives, as most of us would in our careers. It rather seems as if we commit to costs and then try to raise the money, rather than having a budgeted income and then assessing how to spend it, while always retaining funds for contingencies. I may be entirely wrong of course; hopefully having a finance person on the board will clarify things. For a club at our level (or even at Step 4) it would be impossible to run with a staff of volunteers, despite what some may think, unless that group could dedicate hours each day to the cause. From experience I know how much unpaid and often unthanked hard work goes on behind the scenes which at times amazes me when there’s frequent criticism aimed at some of them. Without them, we’d have no club. But that isn’t to say there also needs to be a balance of paid roles, people with the expertise to deliver certain functions and be accountable as such. Some of the current woes are caused by individuals who volunteered their time having to step away for a number of reasons and nobody being found to fill the void. Absolutely, volunteers are the lifeblood of non-league and many, many organisations. We have certainly seen some of the more 'exotic' directors leave without staying the course or, seemingly, making much of an impact. I have asked before if there was a reason for this, but no response. Of course that may be down to privacy. I guess the skill is getting the balance right between volunteers and any paid roles. Recent events suggest that we haven't. |
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Post by sedlescombe on May 29, 2025 17:12:56 GMT
For a club at our level (or even at Step 4) it would be impossible to run with a staff of volunteers, despite what some may think, unless that group could dedicate hours each day to the cause. From experience I know how much unpaid and often unthanked hard work goes on behind the scenes which at times amazes me when there’s frequent criticism aimed at some of them. Without them, we’d have no club. But that isn’t to say there also needs to be a balance of paid roles, people with the expertise to deliver certain functions and be accountable as such. Some of the current woes are caused by individuals who volunteered their time having to step away for a number of reasons and nobody being found to fill the void. Absolutely, volunteers are the lifeblood of non-league and many, many organisations. We have certainly seen some of the more 'exotic' directors leave without staying the course or, seemingly, making much of an impact. I have asked before if there was a reason for this, but no response. Of course that may be down to privacy. I guess the skill is getting the balance right between volunteers and any paid roles. Recent events suggest that we haven't. if I understand correctly your question….why did the club attract “exotic” directors who didn’t stay the course? well from my very limited perspective during the short period where I attended the meetings we had a brilliant bunch of directors who supported the club, had its interests at heart and were prepared to work hard - and who btw could be seen at most of the games - to what seemed to me as a club to a with a certain media profile on a regional and national stage that attracted all sorts of media types with careers to advance and cv’s to enhance. That is a very helicopter view and there were also very good local people standing as well, people from the outside can bring new ideas and a fresh perspective, there are no absolutes here but how successful the perspective they brought may be reflected in our current position. It’s likely that age has passed and what I have heard from the new owners gives me hope for the future. |
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Post by pellsfan on May 29, 2025 22:17:07 GMT
I don't think it's unusual for non-league football clubs - or sporting clubs in general - to take part in fundraising activities of some kind over the close season (or otherwise). I'd almost suggest it's more common than not. What I do find strange is the determination of a lot of people on this forum to take the worst possible interpretation of anything the club communicates or does. Do we actually think it's likely that the board didn't realise that there was a close season? I bought tickets for the cricket in Hove and for an event at the Dome over the last week and they both nudged for fundraising as part of the checkout process, so presumably they'll both be going out of business soon. I'd welcome more explicit communication about the club's financial position - especially for those of us not versed in deciphering accounts - but both this statement, which references the club breaking even over the season, and the recent interview John Peel gave about the competitive budget for the men's team suggests that things are more stable financially than has been understood for a while. The email explicitly states that the club expect this to be the last time that they need to raise funds in this way. I think everyone knows that the club has incurred financial shocks both internal and external- the email also details additional costs in energy, increased refereeing costs etc that are outside of the board's control. It also doesn't seem accurate to characterise the email as an SOS or to suggest that the club won't continue to operate if sufficient funds aren't raised. I think it's worth making this distinction because this is obviously something that happens at clubs occasionally. On the subject of a Section 75 claim, this would give coverage for good and services transactions but I wonder how this would apply to a purchase of "ownership" for an institution that is liquidated. This is all commendably positive and optimistic, but have you read the accounts to which NewRook refers? I'll willingly admit to not being much of a financial expert, but they look at first glance like a bit of a sh1t-show to me. Perhaps someone (LewesRook,maybe?) can reassure us all that everything's as 'rosy' as you suggest... |
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Post by nicorijnders on May 30, 2025 8:56:11 GMT
Haha, I definitely didn't say "rosy"!
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Post by pellsfan on May 30, 2025 17:25:58 GMT
Comparatively speaking, your comments could turn out to be precisely that – given various uncertainties around the 'going concern' issues in the accounts!
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robm99
Isthmian South
Posts: 812
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Post by robm99 on May 30, 2025 18:45:15 GMT
Didn't the email contain a phrase very similar to "if there's going to be a club next season" or did I imagine it?
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firstroundproper
Sussex County Division Two
Yes it would be nice to know who will profit from this sell-off. Not "owners" apparently.
Posts: 170
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Post by firstroundproper on May 30, 2025 21:47:52 GMT
But presumably, those clubs they work for are not skint reduced to desperately requesting cash and can afford them? The encouraging thing in the email, is there is apparently a new governance model we are being asked to vote on coming up. High hopes that we will soon see some long overdue common sense, and the new direction of fiscal prudence that four of the five new directors promised in their manifestos. Pellsfan is absolutely right, praising your financial management for the year based on 37 weeks when you have significant income and not 52 is simply bizarre. Good practice if you are fundraising to actually bother to publish the up to date accounts, which were always previously published with commendable regularity. july66.blog/2025/05/28/is-there-finally-a-fan-owned-pulse-at-lewes-fc-but-please-cut-the-crap/I have no idea on the financial situation of other clubs nor is it an endorsement of the respective merits of having the role. Just providing some context to the question asked. |
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Post by nicorijnders on May 30, 2025 22:08:26 GMT
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lewesrook
Sussex County Division Two
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Post by lewesrook on Jun 27, 2025 17:32:55 GMT
The club asked for financial help (£120,000) a month ago to get through the summer. Several areas were suggested: lifetime ownership, donations, sponsorship and merchandise. With fans worried about the situation please could the Board issue some figures showing how much has been raised in each area, to reassure us. Many thanks.
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Post by pellsfan on Jul 5, 2025 12:14:19 GMT
Now, what's the usual line that gets wheeled out? 'Commercial confidentiality' or something similar...
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