So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 8:36 am  

You'll have to excuse my ignorance as I'm basing my question and figures on what I've read on here and been told. I'm still curious as to where all the money went from last seasons prize money. Firstly can someone officially state what we received in total. From what I remember it was a pretty big sum and it was paid in instalments wasn't it? Happy to be educated on the matter but I've seen quite a number of people ask the same question and don't think I've ever seen an answer.

I did think it would be a catalyst to move us forward but it didn't really see an upturn in player recruitment standards so the money can't have gone there, if anything we went backwards in that department so where did the money go? Backroom equipment, staff? What makes it worse is we are now if rumours are true struggling to keep our head above water money wise so to go from winning 750k? To being skint I am curious as to where it all went, did we pay off debts, rent? Buy back shares from ex directors?

Re: So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 8:55 am  

The club invested in a new web site, and a new computer system for the office

Re: So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:20 am  

Malfax wrote:

The club invested in a new web site, and a new computer system for the office

That is a logical spend if needed and may account for £10k, but doesn't answer Waddy's questions, isn't it about time someone from the club explained what is going on?

Re: So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:35 am  

Dbvada wrote:

That is a logical spend if needed and may account for £10k, but doesn't answer Waddy's questions, isn't it about time someone from the club explained what is going on?

I couldn't agree more. I've not renewed any of my families season tickets. I was awaiting the summer bash fixture and maybe something positive from the club. Nothing has been forth coming so we will just pay on the gate this year.

The year before last we dinned 5 times and the club seemed engaged and on a flight path to something significant. Last year, performance poor, communication even worse, stand closures, unquashed rumours etc and the potential to not open south stand for some games and still no clear message from the club as to where money has gone etc. Needless to say we didn't dine once, even though the wife asked repeatedly I couldn't justify spending £150 for a few hours of a bite to eat and a game of poor rugby.

I really do fear for the club at this moment in time but without clear messages coming out from the club, my money is safer in my pocket.

Re: So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 11:13 am  

Computer system! You can pick up a refurbished PC on-line for £80 a pop. Add to that, companies now offer dirt cheap productive software to run HR, payroll etc.
Plus the website and maintenance contract can be no more than a bucket collection.

I personally believe Abbotts departure has begun the collapse of the house of cards.

It's time for our directors to be honest with their support base. Don't alienate them, as there are no other supporters to replace them at this moment in time.

Re: So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 11:59 am  

Paying directors loans back

Re: So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 12:40 pm  

The Sleaze wrote:

Paying directors loans back

In the past a number of directors have not asked for loans to be paid back. I believe that was the case with both the two gentleman who helped save the club at different times, Pierson and Posner, and other past directors like Harvey and Sweeney. I also understand that present directors Steele and Riley have written off amounts, which for them were relatively large against their personal wealth. In all cases that is admiarable, and as fans we should be thankful that they have given far more to the club than I could afford.

If other people have loaned the club money, and there must have been significant amounts given the accounts, with the intention of wanting the cash back in "better times", then that is also fine, we should thank them for doing so - given there was always a high chance of getting nothing back.

However, the club have a responsibility to fans to be more open on both the present predicament and where the income (£750k?) went if they don't wish to be criticised for producing what looks like a sub standard team in 2017.

Re: So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 1:01 pm  

Clubs do not receive the money as a lump sum but in 12 monthly installments, also income was reduced at the end of the season due to fall in crowd numbers when the team wasn't performing well and failed to reach middle 8's. This impinged on income.

Re: So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 1:05 pm  

Whilst the figure was £750k the club will have planned for a smaller figure so the cash being discussed is only the difference between the two sums. Potentially we are talking a couple of hundred thousand ( I know it sounds like a lot, and in my bank account it would be) but for the club it isn't. Also given the drop in gates this year some of the money would have been used to balance that out so all in all not a vast amount to play with.
New computers etc. Money to reserves and a larger, though in the end less competitive, squad and the bulk of it is gone.

Re: So where was last seasons prize money spent? : Mon Oct 24, 2016 2:04 pm  

Norman Bates wrote:

Whilst the figure was £750k the club will have planned for a smaller figure so the cash being discussed is only the difference between the two sums. Potentially we are talking a couple of hundred thousand ( I know it sounds like a lot, and in my bank account it would be) but for the club it isn't. Also given the drop in gates this year some of the money would have been used to balance that out so all in all not a vast amount to play with.
New computers etc. Money to reserves and a larger, though in the end less competitive, squad and the bulk of it is gone.

All that is possible, but on the assumption they have paid less win bonuses, didn't really sign any big names, had increased new sponsers, sorted out te he rent debate, had a lower paying budget and crowd fall was only marginal the gap could be £300-£400k.

It is frankly useless speculation unless they tell us!