MichaelD wrote: ↑Thu Jan 05, 2023 9:21 pm
Nine teams have higher average attendances than Hitchin at the moment, and nearly all clubs do good work in their communities. So not sure how things are going to be any different. Hitchin did actually find money from thin air to bring the ground up to the required standard. So, perhaps there is somebody out there somewhere who is willing to invest substantially in the club. However, such a person would probably be told to go elsewhere as who knows what their motives might be.
I think if someone wanted to invest money in the club, then they should approach the club whom I'm sure would be happy to discuss their offer, motives and terms.
I use the word 'terms' because some investors will expect a return.
Good point about the club raising money to bring the ground up to standard. The Supporters Trust has been raising money to assist the playing budget for nearly twenty years and would no doubt welcome substantial investment in the playing budget from a benefactor, via the Trust.
Neil wrote: ↑Thu Jan 05, 2023 5:03 pm
This is the basic flaw of non-league football. As it stands, many clubs cannot afford wages unless they are propped up. Many have a wage-to-income ratio that goes beyond 100% of income.
There is no control over wages and most financial accounts are not transparent because the clubs opt for the bare minimum.
Clubs that run their ship prudently deserve credit, but you are right, they cannot be truly competitive. Similarly, fan-owned clubs find it hard to be competitive.
There is a way to change this and that is to impose salary caps and insist upon more transparency around financial reporting. At a certain level, wages should be scrapped - most cannot really afford to pay wages, it is a completely false economy.
Absolutely agree - scrap the "pyramid"! Dover and Gloucester City also about to hit the buffers.
MichaelD wrote: ↑Thu Jan 05, 2023 9:21 pm
Hitchin did actually find money from thin air to bring the ground up to the required standard.
The fans of Hitchin found the money - it came from a crowd funder, not from thin air. Although not a route to go to now tbf.
Thank god there are men like Grant Biddle who are prepared to invest in non-league clubs. Very few clubs are going to prosper solely on their income. The argument is made that clubs with financial benefactors are going to ultimately crash and burn, but for every club that does, twenty or more do not. Just look at the National League South and count the number of teams that were once at Hitchin's level.
Grant Biddle also makes some good points about the massive gap between Level 3 & Level 2. Hitchin could get promoted this season, have they planned for such a scenario?
MichaelD wrote: ↑Sat Jan 07, 2023 8:10 pm
Thank god there are men like Grant Biddle who are prepared to invest in non-league clubs. Very few clubs are going to prosper solely on their income. The argument is made that clubs with financial benefactors are going to ultimately crash and burn, but for every club that does, twenty or more do not. Just look at the National League South and count the number of teams that were once at Hitchin's level.
Grant Biddle also makes some good points about the massive gap between Level 3 & Level 2. Hitchin could get promoted this season, have they planned for such a scenario?
Or do as I do and count the number of teams we have played in the league during the last 30 years.
Many playing much lower and some have ceased to exist all together.
The lack of ambition mentioned by a few..... Fact is way I see it is we should be thankful we are still at the level we are due to careful management of the finances and of course the trust,
Im sure Coalville share your views and couldn't blame them for feeling cheated if the 45 grand that was owed was put towards there promotion push. Couldn't even win the league without paying tax!
