Staying Full-time?

gateman49 · Post by **gateman49** » 11 Feb 2016, 10:41

See:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35547839

Richinns · Post by **Richinns** » 11 Feb 2016, 11:07

If we have the desire to get straight back up again then we it is a must for me. Trouble the board will have is guessing the gate - from which they make their budgets from. If the team is winning most weeks then I think we can support full time football however, if not, then I suspect the gate will drop to a level which will cause a part-time club.

A risk might have to be taken on this in order to recruit the best players available at this level and to get the team winning again and the gates supportive of a full time club.

eddyh · Post by **eddyh** » 11 Feb 2016, 11:40

Entry price is going to be interesting as well. I can't see anybody paying more than £10-12 to watch the shocking standard it will be so even if crowds hold at 1500 which I think is massively optimistic then the budget will be significantly reduced. This is my biggest frustration at the managerial gamble that was taken as we simply had to stay in this league to have a decent chance of rebuilding

northlondongull · Post by **northlondongull** » 11 Feb 2016, 11:53

As Richinns says, if we do go down then it will be a case of predicting the gates for next season which could be easier said than done as the club has not played at such a low level since the 1920s. Personally I cannot see us attracting above 1000 average as a Conference South club which would drive the budget down significantly.

On one hand being part time does have advantages in that we would be able to pay players who would have an opportunity to supplement their income by working during the week. However some of the figures which I have heard for Torquay players this season fall into the part-time category anyway. With Truro moving to play and train in Torquay next season there may be serious competition for local part-time players and our decision may in some way be influenced by the level which Truro are playing at. Stating the obvious, we would be at a serious advantage at the level below as a full time outfit. The levels of organisation and fitness would surely put us in a strong position to push on and get back to the dizzy heights of the National League.

Does anyone know how many clubs at the level below are full time? I am not sure but I would think that there are not too many professional teams below tier 5.

Remaining full time would be quite a big statement from the club and would hopefully be a decision which was rewarded by the fans. Perhaps with the right drive and some winning form, my prediction of not above 1000 average above could be bettered significantlyâ€¦

Post by **Colorado Gull** » 11 Feb 2016, 11:59

The team we have right now would be a mediocre, mid-table Conference South side at best. Not sure where any sort of money will come from to improve the side, so I can't see how we will survive as a full-time football club. As eddyh said, paying a maximum of £10-£12 would be more than enough for supporters to watch us play in the South and if we are mid-table, then no more than 1,000-1,500 will turn up.

wodger of awabia · Post by **wodger of awabia** » 11 Feb 2016, 12:41

Is this BBC Sport article an example of "spin"?
Have the club got more money than we think, enough to provide full time football?
Assuming that most of the income will be from gate money, will this be enough as admission charges will have to be reduced?
Are the board actively searching out employment & accommodation for attracting the better part time players?

Well I don't know do I ?

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » 11 Feb 2016, 12:55

I would expect us to average around 1200 next season. If you look at what we have this season, that's a reduction of around 400-500 people. Of course, we have to brace ourselves for there to be next to no income from away fans. If the "Hayes & Yeading Massive" can't be bothered to bring more than a minibus to Bishops Stortford, we'd be lucky if they take a car load to Torquay. Midweek nights, I'll be surprised if we get any from some of the games.

Also, given that it's between £20 and £15 for a ticket this season, I don't think it will be unreasonable to cut that back to £15/£12 for next season. As a reference, Bishops Stortford charge £12 for a "Grandstand" seat but the facilities and view aren't even close to being on bar with the Bench. Even if £15 puts us higher than other clubs in the division, to our fans that's a reduction so hopefully will maintain an attendance above 1000.

With any luck, Ebbsfleet and Maidstone will get promoted from Conf South this season. That will leave the next highest average attendance as around the 700-mark, with most clubs averaging a 300-400 gate. Even if we lose a chunk of the support, we will almost certainly still be the best supported club in the division, so will have to take advantage of that.

The comparisons with Truro are interesting, as yes we will now be plucking from the same group of players - namely release-ees from City and Argyle. What we need to do is market ourselves as the biggest club in the division and a more realistic proposition of career progression to these players. You'd hope that - if we can offer the same money as Truro - a player would choose us over them given he'd be playing in front of 1000 fans every other week compared to Truro who I think will do well to average 250 being so far from home.

If - and when - we do go down, the quicker we get our heads around Conf South the better. We will end up with a team about 80% full of kids whether we stay full time or not. That's how things are done in Conf South. Anybody who derides a signing because they'd rather it was a "29year old player with 100+ league appearances under him" will need shooting. We can't attract that sort of player now, let alone when we are a tier lower. In the event of relegation, I'd expect to see a side of players released from City, Argyle, Rovers etc, perhaps some decent players from the tier below and a smattering of local-league players as cover. We'll end up having to take a punt on players with something to prove (i.e coming back from long term injury) or unknown trialists from abroad looking for a foothold in the English game to bolster any sort of experience.

The more we can stay full time (and to me there is no shame in going "part-full time" if needs must) the better chance we will have of making our Conf South stay a short one. It's encouraging that the board are planning for this eventuality at this stage.

LesLawrencesAfro · Post by **LesLawrencesAfro** » 11 Feb 2016, 12:56

dannyrvtufc4life wrote:The team we have right now would be a mediocre, mid-table Conference South side at best. Not sure where any sort of money will come from to improve the side, so I can't see how we will survive as a full-time football club. As eddyh said, paying a maximum of £10-£12 would be more than enough for supporters to watch us play in the South and if we are mid-table, then no more than 1,000-1,500 will turn up.

Danny... I went to Farnborough on Saturday to watch them play Tonbridge Angels, the admission was £12 and that's in the Ryman Prem (a level below CS for those who have never looked that far down). At a guess, most clubs in the CS would be charging at least £12 (or more) next season.

Richinns · Post by **Richinns** » 11 Feb 2016, 13:29

I would happily carry on paying £20 is it meant the likelihood of seeing the team win, play some decent football for the level we are playing at and greaten the chance of promotion back to the Conference Prem is increased as a result.

At the moment going to Plainmoor is not the enjoyable experience it should be but I remember the feeling when we entered the Conference under Buckle and if we can get the excitement and a win percentage back to that level (albeit a league below) then the crowds will rise to this.

MF68 · Post by **MF68** » 11 Feb 2016, 17:42

Richins.......regrettably I think very few would pay £20 as you have said you would but your point about getting a winning team to watch thus attracting fans is very valid and likely.

Perhaps now, after some of the pie in the sky rubbish of 6000,8000,even 14000 stadiums, can people see the reality that is staring us in the face.
We are going down and we need to be pragmatic about it.
We dont need a new stadium, what we do need is a winning team that WILL get fans back to Plainmoor.

Great post Richins

Neal · Post by **Neal** » 11 Feb 2016, 18:46

Im quite happy to pay the same as this season, and will buy a season ticket at the same rate as I paid this season.

If you want the club to get back as soon as it can it needs money, quite simple, you reduce the income you reduce the chance of promotion.

To attract the players down here in conf south you gotta pay good money. So it will be upt to the fans to back the club, if they don't then we might spend some time in conf south. So its up to all of us to do our bit.

Burnhamgull · Post by **Burnhamgull** » 11 Feb 2016, 18:53

I think the reality is that we will not attract players from outside the South West once we're in the CS so we'll rely on the scraps from City, Argyle, Rovers and Yeovil.

The crowds will suffer initially and unless the club hits a rich streak of form, will continue to stay around the 1200-1500 mark. A continuation of this seasons poor form will see the crowds dip further. Ultimately, the club has to hit a winning streak early or Part Time status will be forced upon the club.

ST sales will prove interesting and perhaps the club will wait for the final number of sales to be declared before making a decision. On that subject, entrance fee's will have to be reduced.

DevonYellow · Post by **DevonYellow** » 11 Feb 2016, 19:09

Even if ticket prices are reduced, which they probably should be to keep the casual fans interested, there is always the player fund for those of us who want to help further. Best of both worlds if you like.

torq2u · Post by **torq2u** » 11 Feb 2016, 21:52

This really is a non-item of news. Steve Breed was quoted as saying ideally he would like the club to remain full-time, but making plans for part-time just in case. Sensible man. And the news is....?

hector · Post by **hector** » 11 Feb 2016, 22:52

There is no point investing in season tickets, simply to create more revenue, if that revenue is poured down the drain by persisting with managers, coaches, players who are simply not up to it.

The changes need to start now.

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