Paolo positive after summit (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

I Thought the problem was someone spent way too much money and our club couldn't afford it.

""" So whos fault was it then ???

EMBARGO after only 11 games,,

Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

Oh my, this old chesnut's just not going away is it? Bored stupid with it, and even more bored by the mud slinging that inevitably follows from the keyboard warriors. They're sorting it, what's done is done.

Personally, I think this is much more responsible reporting on behalf of Sam and the Adver. It's great to know that discussions were positive and that we're moving forward as a club and not pointing fingers after every major and minor incident. Also nice to see PDC reflected as a reasonable and articulate bloke instead of the rabid lunatic football professor that some of the nationals like to hold him up as.

How hard is it for some to understand
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A budget of X was set in pre-season
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PdC (approved by the board) spent Y
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Z was then left in reserve for emergency loans to cover injuries etc
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The Tribunal then set the fee and said all had to be paid up front
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This reduced our income figure to a lev that the Z spent became 66.5% instead of its previous 6X% - WITHOUT it moving the spending
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This was because the full fee up front was not budgetted for - as said above in the article the "blame" lies in many places and is not as simple as pointing a finger
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(Though thinking about I'm not sure how this should effect it as even if it was only 50% now you still Debit PnL 100% and then Credit Cash 50% and Payable 50% - unless it is cash flows looked at)
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PdC's view was I did my part and stuck to the AGREED budget - but the series of injuries is effecting us and we need the embargo lifted to get cover in
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As the board COULD remove it by an equity injection - he was angry it was left in place as he felt it meant the plan to push for back to back had changed
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The board obviously didn't want to just pump extra in for what ever reason (probably fully justifiable - ie already pumpe in £10m+ or don't wan't to start Equity increaaes as get out of jail move)
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They have now met and discussed the "new plan" and it seems all are happy
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This should now be the end of it and we should return our focus back to football and Macclesfield and the FA Cup in particular
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I would like to see a mix of youths and experience
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Think we need a strong spine to ensure we keepes focussed
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For me this would be a good mix
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Wes
N.Thompson Flint Troy McEveley
L.Rooney L.Thompson Macca RDV
Collins Storey
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Then have a strong bench "in case"
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Bedwell Ritchie Ferry Miller Roberts Williams Benson

Tosh man, ....would you prefer if they stay away completely?

By the way I haven't changed my view and still think equity should have removed it (especially if loans still exist on the balance sheet) and given PdC the Z portion only back so he was free to work with the agreed budget

Swindon1984 wrote:
Oh my, this old chesnut's just not going away is it? Bored stupid with it, and even more bored by the mud slinging that inevitably follows from the keyboard warriors. They're sorting it, what's done is done.

quite right - it was summit and nothing

the real Tosh man wrote:
Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

London Red wrote:
By the way I haven't changed my view and still think equity should have removed it (especially if loans still exist on the balance sheet) and given PdC the Z portion only back so he was free to work with the agreed budget

I think the problem I have here LR is that did they not know that they would have to pay out the whole lot in one go as the decision had gone to the panel?
---.
If that was not the case then someone missed something somewhere as I can't believe that it is only us who has to pay 100% as a result of the panel (which it isn't) and it can't have been a total unknown to everyone i.e. there must be a statement somewhere that say's if you go to the panel then you have to pay 100% immediately.
---.
We also got Collins for a lot less than they wanted so that was a relief.

When Paolo says the embargo has damaged his team performance even on Tuesday's game, I don't think he is refering to the individual mistakes, but as a team we are conceding too many goals at home. One win in the league at home in 2 months, 1 win from 5 games, 10 points dropped against teams in the lower half of table, which ever stat you look at, it supports his claim, injuries and lack of quality in reserve has caused him problems.

With Williams and Thompson returning I think we are over the worse and starting on Saturday to kick start a running streak would lift everybodies spirits after the disappointment of being knocked out on tuesday.

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote:
Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches.
---.
It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game.
---.
A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

I thought they changed the rules and that the payment method was OK when the relative transfers were agreed.

If that is not the case then we slipped up,
but who are the panel members who hake such decisions. If they are the representatives of football clubs I would bet that they are premier league clubs.
The rich get rich and the poor can go hang.

I thought they changed the rules and that the payment method was OK when the relative transfers were agreed.

If that is not the case then we slipped up,
but who are the panel members who hake such decisions. If they are the representatives of football clubs I would bet that they are premier league clubs.
The rich get rich and the poor can go hang.

Reading between the lines I can see something happening that would get the embargo lifted within 2 weeks.

Positive news is that Thommo will be back in the squad this weekend . Not so positive is that Macca is out with a possible hamstring tear. If it is a tear then he will also be out of THE BIG ONE on Tuesday.

BREAKING NEWS, The Saudi billionaire has been named as Sheik Ma Bigwad Dollah and will be introduced to tomorrows sell out crowd at the C.G.

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment?
.
yeah, that's right.....

SAPFAN also said:
.
"It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game."
.
Maybe STFC should consider the effects of the current economic situation on some of its lifelong fans before doing stupid things like allowing ST holders to buy an extra ticket for their big game mates when the likes of the Villa game come around?
.
Now that really would show that the club was in touch with it's real fans!

SAP - I don't think we are the only club - otherwise surely there could be a legal case to be had
.
However - the up front payment maybe new this season and that is why we got caught out (though as I said above still not sure how that works as all has to go to PnL this year)
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How we got there is not that important - it's how we move on from there which is
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All sound to be on the same page now so that's good and hopefully an end to this whole episode
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I do agree points have been dropped by it (we could/should be top now) but there is enough time and games to make them back up - would be different if this happened in Feb/Mar
.
As long as we do some clever moves like last Jan we could power on and seal automatic still

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment?
.
yeah, that's right.....

Made me chuckle!

adver jurnolist wrote:

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment? . yeah, that's right.....

Made me chuckle!

Could well be the case but it is what it is, one of the benefits of being a season ticket holder is being able to purchase extra tickets or tickets in advance, and half the reason why some have a season ticket (getting first dibs on away tickets almost swings it for me to buy a season ticket even though due to location I'd only probably make every other home game). If the facility's there people will use it, and who can blame them? The club makes the decision on ticket allocations.

Not sure I buy this not being able to afford season ticket thing either - as a NON-season ticket holder I spend more pro-rata buying by the game than if I had a season ticket - remember you can pay monthly and so on. Can't we just be happy we had a packed ground and decent revenue? Or would it be better if we didn't have a cup game against Villa, a memorable night and STILL had a poor gate for an unattractive game against Macclesfield?

Some are die hard fans, some are regulars at the county ground but have other commitments which prevent them going as often as they'd like (I fall into this camp to be honest) some follow from their armchair and turn up occasionally, some don't support the town but went cause it was a big game and seemed more worthwhile than watching Sky for the third night in a row that week - who really cares once you're in the ground and cheering on YOUR team? I couldn't give a toss why the bloke next to me showed up.

Think some are only content when being at the county ground's a clique where they and only they feel like "true" supporters. Anyone who buys a ticket and turns up at the match supports the club financially - my old man for example started taking me to see the town as a nipper - he's a lifelong supporter of another club whom I won't name (and it's not any of our local rivals or a premiership side) but by bringing himself and me along he still supported the town in his way - and created a new generation of Swindon supporters in his wake. I don't see how anyone loses out of that. Tuesday gave the club extra revenue, it won't be a sell out every week, deal with it.

Good times ahead - let's stop the sour grapes and whinging and enjoy!

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment?
.
yeah, that's right.....

Is that referring to my guest?
...
If it was then HAH!!..my guest used my Dad's ticket who couldn't make it in the end.
---.
Hmmm!?

London Red wrote:
SAP - I don't think we are the only club - otherwise surely there could be a legal case to be had
.
However - the up front payment maybe new this season and that is why we got caught out (though as I said above still not sure how that works as all has to go to PnL this year)
.
How we got there is not that important - it's how we move on from there which is
.
All sound to be on the same page now so that's good and hopefully an end to this whole episode
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I do agree points have been dropped by it (we could/should be top now) but there is enough time and games to make them back up - would be different if this happened in Feb/Mar
.
As long as we do some clever moves like last Jan we could power on and seal automatic still

I was just curious about the immediate payment ruling really - it does seem a bit unfair on the lower league clubs although you'd hope that they would have to be informed at the start of the process otherwise what happens if they can't afford it several weeks into the season.
---.
As you say we can still make a big push for the title and just hoping that the second tranche of money will be released to Paolo in January given that we stay near the top.
...and I'm with you in that automatic is still very much a strong possibility - we just need one or two elements of strengthening and the flexibility after January....although I'd hope Paolo would get any loans on a longer term basis in January so that they can bed in.
---.
I still find it difficult to blame the embargo on dropping points as all the injuries happened so close together and we wouldn't have had time to bed someone into the team in time...but do agree with you that flexibility is important.

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment?
.
yeah, that's right.....

Is that referring to my guest?
...
If it was then HAH!!..my guest used my Dad's ticket who couldn't make it in the end.
---.
Hmmm!?

....and he is also a season ticket holder - just in case you ask!
---.
So stick that in your pipe and smoke it smart4rse!! :-)
===.
Come on Folks lets FILL the CG tomorrow....well maybe the Town End at least :-)
---.
Normally I'd be worried about this sort of game but I can't see anything other than a comfortable win tomorrow. We could play a 4-1-5 formation tomorrow as I get the feeling that midfield won't be needed again as per the games against them last season.

I didn't think that reading yesterdays article Black was at the meeting. Turns out he was. That may be significant, from the re assurance point of view, which is welcoming.
I thought yesterday that from what I could see it was a positive meeting, and I also notice that our manager is staying tight lipped on some topics of that meeting, which I'm pleased about. My view is that there well may be prospective investors on the horizon, and nobody is going to do or say anything which may compromise that . Hopefully this is all good stuff.
A win tomorrow and another on Tuesday would certainly bring a lot of smiles. A good place to be right now.

An update on any recent meetings with SBC would be nice about now, as I believe there was one last week.

Stilloyal wrote:
Reading between the lines I can see something happening that would get the embargo lifted within 2 weeks. Positive news is that Thommo will be back in the squad this weekend . Not so positive is that Macca is out with a possible hamstring tear. If it is a tear then he will also be out of THE BIG ONE on Tuesday.

I agree stilloyal the fact Paolo called it positive meeting speaks volumes. Could an announcement be imminent I wonder?

the wizard wrote:
I didn't think that reading yesterdays article Black was at the meeting. Turns out he was. That may be significant, from the re assurance point of view, which is welcoming. I thought yesterday that from what I could see it was a positive meeting, and I also notice that our manager is staying tight lipped on some topics of that meeting, which I'm pleased about. My view is that there well may be prospective investors on the horizon, and nobody is going to do or say anything which may compromise that . Hopefully this is all good stuff. A win tomorrow and another on Tuesday would certainly bring a lot of smiles. A good place to be right now. An update on any recent meetings with SBC would be nice about now, as I believe there was one last week.

Yep, some encouraging news on ground redevelopment would be very encouraging. Was having a quick look round on my last couple of visit to the County Ground and couldn't help thinking if we had a bigger home end (joined up to the North/South stands to fill up the corners and keep the cold out!) it would look stunning. Still very much in favour of redevelopment rather than relocation but that's just my view. The ground's got history, just couldn't see it being the same if it were somewhere else. Increasing capacity and seating quality etc would only be one part though, brightening up the concourses, getting decent caterers in, making the place a more attractive place to be before a match would all increase revenue - as it stands at the moment I normally try and stay in the pub as long as possible before a game as there's really little else to do at the county ground before kick off.

Wolves want Cassidy back when his loan ends,so Tranny will miss his goals!we should keep an eye on him to see what happens!!!!!As for the summit no one saying anything!so for the fans,it's as clear as Mud!!!!!!!!!

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment? . yeah, that's right.....

Is that referring to my guest? ... If it was then HAH!!..my guest used my Dad's ticket who couldn't make it in the end. ---. Hmmm!?

The clue was in the question. I said season ticket holder(s) as in plural...
.
Who's the smartarse?
.
As for 1984's comments - read my post directly under the one you highlighted re the club deciding ticket allocation then post your thoughts on that?
.
As for not buying the 'can't afford a season ticket' argument, again, try reading posts properly. Some of us can not afford a season ticket yes, but also cannot afford to pick and choose at the moment either. I have a wife who is a lifelong fan, and a 6 year old who is now also Swindon mad, so it's not a case of 1 season ticket either!
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As you say, it is as it is regarding ST holder choices, governed by the decisions the club make, I have nothing against ST holders and would be one if finances allowed.

3500 tickets sold as yesterday they are expecting 6000.

seems to be a bit of a season ticket holder bashing going on. I got my mate tickets as a season ticket holder. to be honest it was a few days after they went on general sale that they sold out anyway so that to me says if someone wanted a ticket desperately they could have got one.

Swindon1984 wrote:

the wizard wrote:
I didn't think that reading yesterdays article Black was at the meeting. Turns out he was. That may be significant, from the re assurance point of view, which is welcoming. I thought yesterday that from what I could see it was a positive meeting, and I also notice that our manager is staying tight lipped on some topics of that meeting, which I'm pleased about. My view is that there well may be prospective investors on the horizon, and nobody is going to do or say anything which may compromise that . Hopefully this is all good stuff. A win tomorrow and another on Tuesday would certainly bring a lot of smiles. A good place to be right now. An update on any recent meetings with SBC would be nice about now, as I believe there was one last week.

Yep, some encouraging news on ground redevelopment would be very encouraging. Was having a quick look round on my last couple of visit to the County Ground and couldn't help thinking if we had a bigger home end (joined up to the North/South stands to fill up the corners and keep the cold out!) it would look stunning. Still very much in favour of redevelopment rather than relocation but that's just my view. The ground's got history, just couldn't see it being the same if it were somewhere else. Increasing capacity and seating quality etc would only be one part though, brightening up the concourses, getting decent caterers in, making the place a more attractive place to be before a match would all increase revenue - as it stands at the moment I normally try and stay in the pub as long as possible before a game as there's really little else to do at the county ground before kick off.

I was talking about the ground at the match the other night. I think it would be better for a new ground to be built. I feel the team would get a much bigger following if it wasn't such a pain to get to games. Parking is shocking, public transport is shocking. I know many from Swindon find it easy to get to games but I reckon over half the following at the moment are from other areas and its a ruddy nightmare to get to games. Make it more accessible and more people will come.

I'm a season ticket holder and will be at the game Sat. However I won't be there Tuesday night as the 800 mile round trip to Renfrewshire is a bit long midweek.

oh and interstingly sat opposite me in my office in Erskine is another town fan who will be attending tomorrow.

Swindon1984 wrote:

adver jurnolist wrote:

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment? . yeah, that's right.....

Made me chuckle!

Could well be the case but it is what it is, one of the benefits of being a season ticket holder is being able to purchase extra tickets or tickets in advance, and half the reason why some have a season ticket (getting first dibs on away tickets almost swings it for me to buy a season ticket even though due to location I'd only probably make every other home game). If the facility's there people will use it, and who can blame them? The club makes the decision on ticket allocations.

Not sure I buy this not being able to afford season ticket thing either - as a NON-season ticket holder I spend more pro-rata buying by the game than if I had a season ticket - remember you can pay monthly and so on. Can't we just be happy we had a packed ground and decent revenue? Or would it be better if we didn't have a cup game against Villa, a memorable night and STILL had a poor gate for an unattractive game against Macclesfield?

Some are die hard fans, some are regulars at the county ground but have other commitments which prevent them going as often as they'd like (I fall into this camp to be honest) some follow from their armchair and turn up occasionally, some don't support the town but went cause it was a big game and seemed more worthwhile than watching Sky for the third night in a row that week - who really cares once you're in the ground and cheering on YOUR team? I couldn't give a toss why the bloke next to me showed up.

Think some are only content when being at the county ground's a clique where they and only they feel like "true" supporters. Anyone who buys a ticket and turns up at the match supports the club financially - my old man for example started taking me to see the town as a nipper - he's a lifelong supporter of another club whom I won't name (and it's not any of our local rivals or a premiership side) but by bringing himself and me along he still supported the town in his way - and created a new generation of Swindon supporters in his wake. I don't see how anyone loses out of that. Tuesday gave the club extra revenue, it won't be a sell out every week, deal with it.

Good times ahead - let's stop the sour grapes and whinging and enjoy!

I've dipped my toes in and out over the years as regards being a ST holder and accepted the consequences, good and not so good. But for anyone to suggest that "lifelong" fans were deprived Villa tickets just doesn't stack up because tickets were available all the way through to phase 3 which put them on general sale (phase 1 being ST holders and phase 2 those who only had to produce just one stub from either Burnley or Colchester to get preferential treatment). The club couldn't have been any fairer, without making it extremely complicated. Game over and move on but agree that tomorrow will be a small gate but that is the nature of the tie and is the way for every club in the land, not just STFC.
COYR

avo wrote:
SAPFAN also said:
.
"It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game."
.
Maybe STFC should consider the effects of the current economic situation on some of its lifelong fans before doing stupid things like allowing ST holders to buy an extra ticket for their big game mates when the likes of the Villa game come around?
.
Now that really would show that the club was in touch with it's real fans!

You are out of touch! I'm a season ticket holder and have been for many years. My mates are also Season ticket holders so no big game hangers on there. Yes I do buy extra tickets for these big games normally for my daughters or wife who love the atmoshere these matches generate and and is a really good day out for them however, they are not generally football fans let alone fans of Swindon town FC...Obviously...all income is beneficial for the club but you can see why the gates drop so much straight after a big game as the non football supporters like my lot dont come.

Not sure there's a great deal of benefit in creating a season ticket holder v. pay per game divide? The club took the conscious decision to increase matchday prices to make the season ticket more attractive, thereby improving certainty of income and cash-flow. That succeeded (a few hundred more tickets sold) but in doing so they have been left with a product (third tier football at £25 a pop) that is unattractive to most ,consumers'. Would be silly to think they weren't aware of that but they now have the problem (along with most other businesses in the current economy) of stimulating growth without alienating the core customer. Can't help thinking the ticket for a friend initiative might be a precursor to movement on some or all of the matchday prices post next Tuesday... Hope it is - the product is worth watching at present!

London Red I think you're getting your letters confused. What I think you mean is a budget was set consisting of:

fees and wages A
contingency for in year moves B
Equals 65% of turnover C

All perfectly reasonable so far...

Without wanting to disappoint those who have heard from a good source that PDC has spent a years budget in two months all that has subsequently happened is that a few hundred thousand of unexpected transfer fees has now been added to A effectively making B a negative number...(slightly more complicated in that turnover (and hence C) has undoubtedly gone up with the Villa takings but the net position is the same)

I think we had all hoped that projected turnover and hence C would have gone up after beating Villa making B a positive number once more but it hasn't. That takes us back to the sponsorship / equity route to increase C but also to the obvious blocker of why would anybody invest equity in an operating unit if the benefits were being realised in a holding company under a different ownership... If PDC is now smiling then it may be some progress has been made on that front - I think we all hope so...

And to get back to the football LR (not knocking but I do find your posts most entertaining) I do think your central midfield plans for tomorrow - a schoolboy and a man with a walking stick - may need revisiting? Think we might get away with that against Cashes Green Reserves but Macclesfield are a serious set up.

We are desperately short of ball winning midfielders at present - it may be this is the time to have a look at TAH in that role? I know that will be met with hoots of derision from those who believe a Ferry / Bostock partnership would pass us into the Premiership (and who would then be screaming to change the centre backs after we had been taken apart) but football is a two way game and you have to win the battles before you stage the ballets!!

If anyone has a programme for the Town v. Coventry match which they would be happy to part with, please let me know as they sold out on the day and the shop has none left.

Cheers

anyone have info on the rumour regarding a saudi billionaire takeover? sounds too good to be true

stfc4ever!! wrote:
anyone have info on the rumour regarding a saudi billionaire takeover? sounds too good to be true

Yea see my post above, He is called Sheik Ma Bigwadda Dollah and he will be introduced to a packed County Ground tomorrow.

stfc4ever!! wrote:
anyone have info on the rumour regarding a saudi billionaire takeover? sounds too good to be true

Taken from yesterdays replies on the Patey article, I'll let you draw your own conclusions.


Red Huw says...
12:01am Fri 2 Nov 12


Ha ha!!!! Love the way the usual suspects on the Thisis forum fell for my Saudi Billionaire story. Keep telling us all what PdC should do & I'll keep feeding you the truth! xxx

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

London Red wrote:
SAP - I don't think we are the only club - otherwise surely there could be a legal case to be had
.
However - the up front payment maybe new this season and that is why we got caught out (though as I said above still not sure how that works as all has to go to PnL this year)
.
How we got there is not that important - it's how we move on from there which is
.
All sound to be on the same page now so that's good and hopefully an end to this whole episode
.
I do agree points have been dropped by it (we could/should be top now) but there is enough time and games to make them back up - would be different if this happened in Feb/Mar
.
As long as we do some clever moves like last Jan we could power on and seal automatic still

I was just curious about the immediate payment ruling really - it does seem a bit unfair on the lower league clubs although you'd hope that they would have to be informed at the start of the process otherwise what happens if they can't afford it several weeks into the season.
---.
As you say we can still make a big push for the title and just hoping that the second tranche of money will be released to Paolo in January given that we stay near the top.
...and I'm with you in that automatic is still very much a strong possibility - we just need one or two elements of strengthening and the flexibility after January....although I'd hope Paolo would get any loans on a longer term basis in January so that they can bed in.
---.
I still find it difficult to blame the embargo on dropping points as all the injuries happened so close together and we wouldn't have had time to bed someone into the team in time...but do agree with you that flexibility is important.

Surely you should expect to pay the fees up front, and then it's a bonus if the trubunal decides you can pay by instalments? The rules (they are easy enough to find) say quite clearly that the Compensation Committee can order a payment of any amount and in any manner it sees fit. If the club didn't know that or chose to ignore it - and it has to be on e or the other - then we have only ourselves to blame. We got ourselves into a transfer embargo by ignoring or being unaware of the rules - and of course by spending a lot of money. I really don't see what the fuss is about, as the whole thing just shows how fortunate we are compared to most of our rivals. And anyway, who knows whether a couple of new players would have translated instantly into more points? For all we know, they might have just added to the wage bill without adding anything useful to the team. It wouldn't be the first time.
.
Last Saturday and Tuesday proved how good we can be without signing any more players. It's embarrassing to hear this talk of the embargo doing permanent damage to our promotion prospects. And how on earth can people have a go at Black, Arbib or whoever for not putting more money in? Are they supposed to stick their hands in their pockets every time we breach the spending limit, just so that we can do it all again?

How many fans complainig about people only going to the big games will go and watch James Bond at the cinema, but will not go again for 5 years, same thing. People will only go to the Wyvern to see big shows or only what they want to see this is natural. There will always be some keener than others, regular fans have to accept this fact.

Life is all about choices, and some are difficult to make. Details of tomorrows game were only announced recently by nature of the competition, but like many others I made a decision weeks ago and have something else planned. I'm sure the club will survive. It has its share out of my pocket, S/T , programme, shirt every season, scarves, drinks in the LL, half time teas etc etc. Add to that the odd bit of match day parking, and then add what it costs in fuel to and from games etc. . I don't want to know the total, probably frightening.

What I am doing is Christmas family shopping, although the family don't know, they think I'm at the game. My one chance to do something when they are not around me. Thank you STFC for getting a home game.

BillyLucas4me wrote:
I thought they changed the rules and that the payment method was OK when the relative transfers were agreed.

If that is not the case then we slipped up,
but who are the panel members who hake such decisions. If they are the representatives of football clubs I would bet that they are premier league clubs.
The rich get rich and the poor can go hang.

You and I have had our disagreements NS but I am fully with you on this one. The missing piece in our jigsaw is a combative midfielder. McHale and Douglas at their best are examples from the past that spring to my mind. But it's no good anyone bleating that the transfer embargo prevents us from signing one, when we've spent a fortune already.
.
McCormack might just do the job but his discipline is suspect. I fear that rash challenges and yellow cards would be all too frequent.

Den - I did say they should convert the loans on the BS (if not already done)
.
This involves no extra funding as the money already in the club
.
It also puts them in no worse off position - as they will never get the loans back but are more likely as Equity (thus the recent discussions)
.
All it would do is "boost" income and allow the budget which was there to be utilised
.
True we may not have seen the benefit all signings are a risk
.
However - even our poor ones like Montano have yielded points before turning sour - he scored on his debut remember - its normally that little boost of fresh blood which spurs everyone on
.
Anyway it's all in the past now so can't be changed - only the future can
.
The big questions now are is Williams fine or did Tuesday set him back?
.
Macca is a blow but not vital as we have 4 other CBs now Thompson is back to free up Devera
.
Looks like my team above can't happen now - so it will be Ferry and Miller AGAIN
.
Not complaining at them - just they can't seem to get a rest as Miller played in his last planned one
.
I guess same back 5 and forward line
.
Just now L.Rooney Ferry Miller RDV in the middle
.
Bench now Bedwell Ward Ritchie Roberts Storey Benson Williams

Sorry not Storey he is starting L.Thompson on there instead

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment? . yeah, that's right.....

Is that referring to my guest? ... If it was then HAH!!..my guest used my Dad's ticket who couldn't make it in the end. ---. Hmmm!?

The clue was in the question. I said season ticket holder(s) as in plural... . Who's the smartarse? . As for 1984's comments - read my post directly under the one you highlighted re the club deciding ticket allocation then post your thoughts on that? . As for not buying the 'can't afford a season ticket' argument, again, try reading posts properly. Some of us can not afford a season ticket yes, but also cannot afford to pick and choose at the moment either. I have a wife who is a lifelong fan, and a 6 year old who is now also Swindon mad, so it's not a case of 1 season ticket either! . As you say, it is as it is regarding ST holder choices, governed by the decisions the club make, I have nothing against ST holders and would be one if finances allowed.

Fair play, don't have kids myself and athough I brought the missus to a town match once, she's not into football at all and has no interest in returning (it was a defeat at home to Colchester, not the best advertisement I guess!)

Aware that some take the whole family and it's a consideration I didn't take into account with my comments.

As for access to the ground, I just like it being in the town centre, and as I tend to get the train back for games it's handy being in the centre - could drive back and park if we were somewhere out in the beyonds, but am partial to a sherbet or two before a match :-) Good and bad points on both options, and all will doubtless be considered by the club in due course.

See we have an FA Cup kit again - sponsored by The People again
.
At least time they have opted for Red to avoid any fiasco like last time
.
Hopefully this year all people will see is the extra £££ from their sponsorship - bet we got more this year after last years campaign

Something else we agree on Den.... now all we need to find is a high level departure in recent weeks....

The rules (they are easy enough to find) say quite clearly that the Compensation Committee can order a payment of any amount and in any manner it sees fit. If the club didn't know that or chose to ignore it - and it has to be on e or the other - then we have only ourselves to blame.

Would like to see Louis Thompson get some time but doubt he will. Wouldn't be surprised to see

Wes
Devera Ward Flint N Thompson
Roberts Ferry Troy RDV
Storey A Rooney

Whoever on the bench but maybe not Williams if there's any risk.

Would give Ferry a rest too so maybe he and Miller do a half. Benson for Storey? Collins for A Rooney?

Can't see L Rooney being involved but you never know, could give Roberts or RDV a rest although RDV should be fresh enough.

Would rest Jay for this one get him fresh for Tuesday.

Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah.....


Fill in the words from the usual moans on the following...

Where are all the supporters gone.....

Transfer Embargo.....

Billionaire takeover....

My dads bigger than your dad......

It also puts them in no worse off position - as they will never get the loans back but are more likely as Equity (thus the recent discussions)

LR - Think this fails to take account of the interest payments currently coming out of fans pockets and being trousered by millionaires... I'm as big a fan as any of what has been achieved under this ownership but realistically why would anyone pass up guaranteed income for jam tomorrow?

Anyone seen this yet. Very odd. http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/sport/footbal
l/article-2226832/Pa
olo-Di-Canio-Steve-K
ing-prepare-FA-Cup-t
ie.html

Red Army wrote:

Swindon1984 wrote:

the wizard wrote:
I didn't think that reading yesterdays article Black was at the meeting. Turns out he was. That may be significant, from the re assurance point of view, which is welcoming. I thought yesterday that from what I could see it was a positive meeting, and I also notice that our manager is staying tight lipped on some topics of that meeting, which I'm pleased about. My view is that there well may be prospective investors on the horizon, and nobody is going to do or say anything which may compromise that . Hopefully this is all good stuff. A win tomorrow and another on Tuesday would certainly bring a lot of smiles. A good place to be right now. An update on any recent meetings with SBC would be nice about now, as I believe there was one last week.

Yep, some encouraging news on ground redevelopment would be very encouraging. Was having a quick look round on my last couple of visit to the County Ground and couldn't help thinking if we had a bigger home end (joined up to the North/South stands to fill up the corners and keep the cold out!) it would look stunning. Still very much in favour of redevelopment rather than relocation but that's just my view. The ground's got history, just couldn't see it being the same if it were somewhere else. Increasing capacity and seating quality etc would only be one part though, brightening up the concourses, getting decent caterers in, making the place a more attractive place to be before a match would all increase revenue - as it stands at the moment I normally try and stay in the pub as long as possible before a game as there's really little else to do at the county ground before kick off.

I was talking about the ground at the match the other night. I think it would be better for a new ground to be built. I feel the team would get a much bigger following if it wasn't such a pain to get to games. Parking is shocking, public transport is shocking. I know many from Swindon find it easy to get to games but I reckon over half the following at the moment are from other areas and its a ruddy nightmare to get to games. Make it more accessible and more people will come.

Moving the ground AWAY from the centre of town (bus station, train station, etc) makes it EASIER for people out of town to get to? Heard it all now!

Redevelopment, not relocation, please.

Two from renfrewshire...that is one L of a day trip...makes my 240 mile round trip from East Mids pale into insignificance..I have a further problem with a disabled better half..sure there are many other longer distance supporters with similar problems re..attending regularly...

True LR. It's all in the past now. And if PDC didn't keep moaning about it, boring old f@rts like me wouldn't keep moaning about him moaning about it.

the wizard wrote:
Life is all about choices, and some are difficult to make. Details of tomorrows game were only announced recently by nature of the competition, but like many others I made a decision weeks ago and have something else planned. I'm sure the club will survive. It has its share out of my pocket, S/T , programme, shirt every season, scarves, drinks in the LL, half time teas etc etc. Add to that the odd bit of match day parking, and then add what it costs in fuel to and from games etc. . I don't want to know the total, probably frightening. What I am doing is Christmas family shopping, although the family don't know, they think I'm at the game. My one chance to do something when they are not around me. Thank you STFC for getting a home game.

Wow now then everybody hands up all those who wanted to know that the Wizard of Witney is playing Secret Santa and bunking off the game! Wow cue shock horror! much wringing of hands deceiving everyone into thinking he's gone to the match - lets hope he doesn't bump into any of the family who think he's at the game pmsl!

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment? . yeah, that's right.....

Is that referring to my guest? ... If it was then HAH!!..my guest used my Dad's ticket who couldn't make it in the end. ---. Hmmm!?

Neh nah nee nah nah!! and by the way wasn't Avo referring to s/t holders instead of the one who thinks he's the only S/T that matters sometimes. You'll be taking your ball home next! About time you appreciated that not all fellow supporters are able to spash out willy nilly ad infinitum to attend matches like you are able to without being concerned about expense.Pity you again reverted to type by being insulting and calling Avo an arsehole -looked in the mirror lately Ian?

North Stand - they are interest free loans so they are getting Nil return on them
.
SWP has clearly said until the loans are either converted or written off they will not get any new investment - without that the loans are worth Nil
.
So would you swap Nil for future potential Dividends or Sales Proceed?
.
I know I would as at worse that is still worth Nil!
.
Also can't believe anyone would claim our board are trousering the hard earned money of our fans
.
Black is paying about £1.5m a season just to stop the club going in debt
.
That is on top of the Millions spent clearing the Tax Bill, CVA and numerous legal case to prevent Millions more being taken out (to the tune of about £9m)
.
That's all after the privilege of paying over £2m to buy the club in the first place
.
If anyone is being fleeced it is the board themselves!
.
Now before anyone says is that a contridiction to my view that they should have put a bit more in
.
I say No as firstly I think it could be done with no extra cash - however if it did need extra we are taking about 1% of the amount spent already and if they are serious about getting to the Championship to start to have a chance of getting any of it back that is a small amount to pay
.
Obviously it could be argued it is just good money after bad - which could be valid - just depends on your view on how possible it is to go up and how profitable we will be if we do
.
Both I think are possible with careful investment - yes it would be investment as it is on players who mostly are growing in value

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment? . yeah, that's right.....

Is that referring to my guest? ... If it was then HAH!!..my guest used my Dad's ticket who couldn't make it in the end. ---. Hmmm!?

The clue was in the question. I said season ticket holder(s) as in plural...
.
Who's the smartarse?
.
As for 1984's comments - read my post directly under the one you highlighted re the club deciding ticket allocation then post your thoughts on that?
.
As for not buying the 'can't afford a season ticket' argument, again, try reading posts properly. Some of us can not afford a season ticket yes, but also cannot afford to pick and choose at the moment either. I have a wife who is a lifelong fan, and a 6 year old who is now also Swindon mad, so it's not a case of 1 season ticket either!
.
As you say, it is as it is regarding ST holder choices, governed by the decisions the club make, I have nothing against ST holders and would be one if finances allowed.

Did you not see the smiley in the post which you quote here!?...not everyone is posting aggressively unlike someone's self-appointed policing comment. Maybe go back and read the post with a smile on your face and also see why I was giving it the kiddy nah nah so to speak.
Lighten up as I posted as a joke not as asteroid harrumph!'

Malkym wrote:

the wizard wrote:
Life is all about choices, and some are difficult to make. Details of tomorrows game were only announced recently by nature of the competition, but like many others I made a decision weeks ago and have something else planned. I'm sure the club will survive. It has its share out of my pocket, S/T , programme, shirt every season, scarves, drinks in the LL, half time teas etc etc. Add to that the odd bit of match day parking, and then add what it costs in fuel to and from games etc. . I don't want to know the total, probably frightening. What I am doing is Christmas family shopping, although the family don't know, they think I'm at the game. My one chance to do something when they are not around me. Thank you STFC for getting a home game.

Wow now then everybody hands up all those who wanted to know that the Wizard of Witney is playing Secret Santa and bunking off the game! Wow cue shock horror! much wringing of hands deceiving everyone into thinking he's gone to the match - lets hope he doesn't bump into any of the family who think he's at the game pmsl!

No longer in Witney, and clear reason given for not being at the game, Malkym.

Malkym wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment? . yeah, that's right.....

Is that referring to my guest? ... If it was then HAH!!..my guest used my Dad's ticket who couldn't make it in the end. ---. Hmmm!?

Neh nah nee nah nah!! and by the way wasn't Avo referring to s/t holders instead of the one who thinks he's the only S/T that matters sometimes. You'll be taking your ball home next! About time you appreciated that not all fellow supporters are able to spash out willy nilly ad infinitum to attend matches like you are able to without being concerned about expense.Pity you again reverted to type by being insulting and calling Avo an arsehole -looked in the mirror lately Ian?

But out for once in your life eh!
Cut out the stalking and come and introduce yourself to me instead of hiding behind you farcical self-appointed police status!
If you took time to read the other post you'll see that your quote is way off the mark and quite offensive 'as usual' and as per the norm you change the words to suit...read correctly using the right word it is a smiley jokey comment - but then OHDEAR Jock knowns best!!
You always put your foot in it without truly understanding the nature of the conversation....get a life and butt out off mine unless you're man enough to own up to who you are!

Malkym,

Also, you were late, I figured you would have bitten on that a long time before, bait laid, and it was taken, bite.

Guess we'll have to disagree LR... Like most on here I've not seen recent accounts for either company. I'm pleased to have these investors along (we were in one hell of a mess previously) but they are wealthy and well advised individuals and I would be rather disappointed if they hadn't renegotiated the VAT bill forward and even more so if they weren't using interest payments to generate tax losses... in both cases that's fans (easier to stomach if you call it customers) money meeting the bills. Nothing wrong with that and glad to have these guys on board as I said but they are not Madjeskis or Whelans and we shouldn't be shy about that....

Fitton said just before they took over they were in discussions with HMRC - he refused to say publicly but it was certainly implied if they didn't do a deal the takeover wouldn't take place - so they saved the club/themselves money there
.
They don't need interest payments to off-set tax. We have a shareholder equity balance of negative £11m which has come from years and years of losses - these losses will provide the club with tax "relief" as it will be years and years before they are used up
.
In fact they have continued even under this board - last set of accounts added another £1.3m to those losses
.
Believe me these guys are NOT making any money out of it (yet) - especially as until the special resolution proposed this month is passed it does not allow directors to be paid

PaisleyRed wrote:
oh and interstingly sat opposite me in my office in Erskine is another town fan who will be attending tomorrow.

Respect

Oi Den! wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

London Red wrote:
SAP - I don't think we are the only club - otherwise surely there could be a legal case to be had
.
However - the up front payment maybe new this season and that is why we got caught out (though as I said above still not sure how that works as all has to go to PnL this year)
.
How we got there is not that important - it's how we move on from there which is
.
All sound to be on the same page now so that's good and hopefully an end to this whole episode
.
I do agree points have been dropped by it (we could/should be top now) but there is enough time and games to make them back up - would be different if this happened in Feb/Mar
.
As long as we do some clever moves like last Jan we could power on and seal automatic still

I was just curious about the immediate payment ruling really - it does seem a bit unfair on the lower league clubs although you'd hope that they would have to be informed at the start of the process otherwise what happens if they can't afford it several weeks into the season.
---.
As you say we can still make a big push for the title and just hoping that the second tranche of money will be released to Paolo in January given that we stay near the top.
...and I'm with you in that automatic is still very much a strong possibility - we just need one or two elements of strengthening and the flexibility after January....although I'd hope Paolo would get any loans on a longer term basis in January so that they can bed in.
---.
I still find it difficult to blame the embargo on dropping points as all the injuries happened so close together and we wouldn't have had time to bed someone into the team in time...but do agree with you that flexibility is important.

Surely you should expect to pay the fees up front, and then it's a bonus if the trubunal decides you can pay by instalments? The rules (they are easy enough to find) say quite clearly that the Compensation Committee can order a payment of any amount and in any manner it sees fit. If the club didn't know that or chose to ignore it - and it has to be on e or the other - then we have only ourselves to blame. We got ourselves into a transfer embargo by ignoring or being unaware of the rules - and of course by spending a lot of money. I really don't see what the fuss is about, as the whole thing just shows how fortunate we are compared to most of our rivals. And anyway, who knows whether a couple of new players would have translated instantly into more points? For all we know, they might have just added to the wage bill without adding anything useful to the team. It wouldn't be the first time.
.
Last Saturday and Tuesday proved how good we can be without signing any more players. It's embarrassing to hear this talk of the embargo doing permanent damage to our promotion prospects. And how on earth can people have a go at Black, Arbib or whoever for not putting more money in? Are they supposed to stick their hands in their pockets every time we breach the spending limit, just so that we can do it all again?

Spot on Den. Would Storey have played if the embargo had been lifted?

As someone said in an earlier post, what exactly is the problem? I don't see one with exception of someone prepared to invest in the redevelopment of the ground. On that basis the moves on the Board will probably make sense. Just a shame we had to lose JWray in the process.

Cup run no.2 about to take off?

melnursesear. wrote:
Two from renfrewshire...that is one L of a day trip...makes my 240 mile round trip from East Mids pale into insignificance..I have a further problem with a disabled better half..sure there are many other longer distance supporters with similar problems re..attending regularly...

More respect! And love the name.

PaisleyRed wrote:
I'm a season ticket holder and will be at the game Sat. However I won't be there Tuesday night as the 800 mile round trip to Renfrewshire is a bit long midweek.

PaisleyRed

If I wore a hat, I would take it off to you.
I have just got back from a week spent in Wemyss Bay in your neck of the woods - only wish I could have spent longer up there.

The journey back (M6) was something I wouldn't even wish on an Oxford supporter.
For you to make the journey down on such a regular basis really makes me privileged to be part of such a special club with some extremely dedicated fans. Good on you.

Last step wrote:

Red Army wrote:

Swindon1984 wrote:

the wizard wrote:
I didn't think that reading yesterdays article Black was at the meeting. Turns out he was. That may be significant, from the re assurance point of view, which is welcoming. I thought yesterday that from what I could see it was a positive meeting, and I also notice that our manager is staying tight lipped on some topics of that meeting, which I'm pleased about. My view is that there well may be prospective investors on the horizon, and nobody is going to do or say anything which may compromise that . Hopefully this is all good stuff. A win tomorrow and another on Tuesday would certainly bring a lot of smiles. A good place to be right now. An update on any recent meetings with SBC would be nice about now, as I believe there was one last week.

Yep, some encouraging news on ground redevelopment would be very encouraging. Was having a quick look round on my last couple of visit to the County Ground and couldn't help thinking if we had a bigger home end (joined up to the North/South stands to fill up the corners and keep the cold out!) it would look stunning. Still very much in favour of redevelopment rather than relocation but that's just my view. The ground's got history, just couldn't see it being the same if it were somewhere else. Increasing capacity and seating quality etc would only be one part though, brightening up the concourses, getting decent caterers in, making the place a more attractive place to be before a match would all increase revenue - as it stands at the moment I normally try and stay in the pub as long as possible before a game as there's really little else to do at the county ground before kick off.

I was talking about the ground at the match the other night. I think it would be better for a new ground to be built. I feel the team would get a much bigger following if it wasn't such a pain to get to games. Parking is shocking, public transport is shocking. I know many from Swindon find it easy to get to games but I reckon over half the following at the moment are from other areas and its a ruddy nightmare to get to games. Make it more accessible and more people will come.

Moving the ground AWAY from the centre of town (bus station, train station, etc) makes it EASIER for people out of town to get to? Heard it all now!

Redevelopment, not relocation, please.

If you go to any new stadium like Southampton, Huddersfield they are on the outskirts of town. generally there are footy special buses to the ground if needed.

Redevelopment in that location may be handy for some but the club will never grow. It will always be a small club with a small following. Getting pubic transport to swindon is a nightmare we have to drive. It takes an hour by car but if we go by train we dont get home till 8pm.
Build facilities like they have at Huddersfield in a decent location with parking and decent access more fans will come.
If they redevelop the county ground there is not a lot they can do with it. they maybe able to build a better stadium but it's not going to generate the return the investors want.

Just my opinion

Red Army wrote:

Last step wrote:

Red Army wrote:

Swindon1984 wrote:

the wizard wrote:
I didn't think that reading yesterdays article Black was at the meeting. Turns out he was. That may be significant, from the re assurance point of view, which is welcoming. I thought yesterday that from what I could see it was a positive meeting, and I also notice that our manager is staying tight lipped on some topics of that meeting, which I'm pleased about. My view is that there well may be prospective investors on the horizon, and nobody is going to do or say anything which may compromise that . Hopefully this is all good stuff. A win tomorrow and another on Tuesday would certainly bring a lot of smiles. A good place to be right now. An update on any recent meetings with SBC would be nice about now, as I believe there was one last week.

Yep, some encouraging news on ground redevelopment would be very encouraging. Was having a quick look round on my last couple of visit to the County Ground and couldn't help thinking if we had a bigger home end (joined up to the North/South stands to fill up the corners and keep the cold out!) it would look stunning. Still very much in favour of redevelopment rather than relocation but that's just my view. The ground's got history, just couldn't see it being the same if it were somewhere else. Increasing capacity and seating quality etc would only be one part though, brightening up the concourses, getting decent caterers in, making the place a more attractive place to be before a match would all increase revenue - as it stands at the moment I normally try and stay in the pub as long as possible before a game as there's really little else to do at the county ground before kick off.

I was talking about the ground at the match the other night. I think it would be better for a new ground to be built. I feel the team would get a much bigger following if it wasn't such a pain to get to games. Parking is shocking, public transport is shocking. I know many from Swindon find it easy to get to games but I reckon over half the following at the moment are from other areas and its a ruddy nightmare to get to games. Make it more accessible and more people will come.

Moving the ground AWAY from the centre of town (bus station, train station, etc) makes it EASIER for people out of town to get to? Heard it all now!

Redevelopment, not relocation, please.

If you go to any new stadium like Southampton, Huddersfield they are on the outskirts of town. generally there are footy special buses to the ground if needed.

Redevelopment in that location may be handy for some but the club will never grow. It will always be a small club with a small following. Getting pubic transport to swindon is a nightmare we have to drive. It takes an hour by car but if we go by train we dont get home till 8pm.
Build facilities like they have at Huddersfield in a decent location with parking and decent access more fans will come.
If they redevelop the county ground there is not a lot they can do with it. they maybe able to build a better stadium but it's not going to generate the return the investors want.

Just my opinion

I agree that the Galpine (or whatever Huddersfield is called these days) is a good role model for us. Not too farfrom the centre, modern but with a bit of style and originality and with thecapacity to accommodate bigger things.

On that basis something new on the front lawn would not fit the bill. It woud be more like the Rebok, an iconic structure visible and accessible from the M4.

I prefer the former.

the wizard wrote:

Malkym wrote:

the wizard wrote: Life is all about choices, and some are difficult to make. Details of tomorrows game were only announced recently by nature of the competition, but like many others I made a decision weeks ago and have something else planned. I'm sure the club will survive. It has its share out of my pocket, S/T , programme, shirt every season, scarves, drinks in the LL, half time teas etc etc. Add to that the odd bit of match day parking, and then add what it costs in fuel to and from games etc. . I don't want to know the total, probably frightening. What I am doing is Christmas family shopping, although the family don't know, they think I'm at the game. My one chance to do something when they are not around me. Thank you STFC for getting a home game.

Wow now then everybody hands up all those who wanted to know that the Wizard of Witney is playing Secret Santa and bunking off the game! Wow cue shock horror! much wringing of hands deceiving everyone into thinking he's gone to the match - lets hope he doesn't bump into any of the family who think he's at the game pmsl!

No longer in Witney, and clear reason given for not being at the game, Malkym.

Do I care where you are?.I rather like the sound of W of W :).and why on earth do you think me or anyone else gives a flying fig whether you are at the game or not for goodness sake.

Is it perhaps because you are seeking absolution for not being there? and by telling everybody on here why you're missing the game it's like the cleansing of your soul?

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

Malkym wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

avo wrote:

SAPFanSTFC wrote:

EastleazeRed wrote:

the real Tosh man wrote: Who's fault is it? Well let's see, how about the people of Swindon who only turn up in numbers when the likes of villa are in town?

We would have looked pretty stupid if we only managed a gate of 6000 ! Same as when we were at wembley . Fact of life , the bigger better teams & bigger games will always attract bigger crowds. Thank god for the extra revenue i say !

Just watch tomorrow!!...only 3 or 4,000? A lot of season ticket holders I know aren't going....so people can't have a dig at everyone who only attends bigger matches. ---. It is down to STFC to attract a % of these people back again and lets not forget that a lot of them may have broken the bank just to get them and their kiddy to Tuesday's game. ---. A guest of mine is from Newcastle and lives down here now, after watching the game on Tuesday he's getting a season ticket next year and attending more this season

Is that the same season ticket holders that all got their 1 off mates tickets for Tuesdays game at the expense of lifelong fans who can't afford season tickets at the moment? . yeah, that's right.....

Is that referring to my guest? ... If it was then HAH!!..my guest used my Dad's ticket who couldn't make it in the end. ---. Hmmm!?

Neh nah nee nah nah!! and by the way wasn't Avo referring to s/t holders instead of the one who thinks he's the only S/T that matters sometimes. You'll be taking your ball home next! About time you appreciated that not all fellow supporters are able to spash out willy nilly ad infinitum to attend matches like you are able to without being concerned about expense.Pity you again reverted to type by being insulting and calling Avo an arsehole -looked in the mirror lately Ian?

But out for once in your life eh! Cut out the stalking and come and introduce yourself to me instead of hiding behind you farcical self-appointed police status! If you took time to read the other post you'll see that your quote is way off the mark and quite offensive 'as usual' and as per the norm you change the words to suit...read correctly using the right word it is a smiley jokey comment - but then OHDEAR Jock knowns best!! You always put your foot in it without truly understanding the nature of the conversation....get a life and butt out off mine unless you're man enough to own up to who you are!

Ohhhh!!! hacked off are we Ian Michael Charles King? "...read correctly using the right word it is a smiley jokey comment" -ahh well the written word doesn't always convey what the writer is trying to say eh good buddy! smiley symbol or not! Always a pleasure never a chore old chap!

mancrobin wrote:

Red Army wrote:

Last step wrote:

Red Army wrote:

Swindon1984 wrote:

the wizard wrote:
I didn't think that reading yesterdays article Black was at the meeting. Turns out he was. That may be significant, from the re assurance point of view, which is welcoming. I thought yesterday that from what I could see it was a positive meeting, and I also notice that our manager is staying tight lipped on some topics of that meeting, which I'm pleased about. My view is that there well may be prospective investors on the horizon, and nobody is going to do or say anything which may compromise that . Hopefully this is all good stuff. A win tomorrow and another on Tuesday would certainly bring a lot of smiles. A good place to be right now. An update on any recent meetings with SBC would be nice about now, as I believe there was one last week.

Yep, some encouraging news on ground redevelopment would be very encouraging. Was having a quick look round on my last couple of visit to the County Ground and couldn't help thinking if we had a bigger home end (joined up to the North/South stands to fill up the corners and keep the cold out!) it would look stunning. Still very much in favour of redevelopment rather than relocation but that's just my view. The ground's got history, just couldn't see it being the same if it were somewhere else. Increasing capacity and seating quality etc would only be one part though, brightening up the concourses, getting decent caterers in, making the place a more attractive place to be before a match would all increase revenue - as it stands at the moment I normally try and stay in the pub as long as possible before a game as there's really little else to do at the county ground before kick off.

I was talking about the ground at the match the other night. I think it would be better for a new ground to be built. I feel the team would get a much bigger following if it wasn't such a pain to get to games. Parking is shocking, public transport is shocking. I know many from Swindon find it easy to get to games but I reckon over half the following at the moment are from other areas and its a ruddy nightmare to get to games. Make it more accessible and more people will come.

Moving the ground AWAY from the centre of town (bus station, train station, etc) makes it EASIER for people out of town to get to? Heard it all now!

Redevelopment, not relocation, please.

If you go to any new stadium like Southampton, Huddersfield they are on the outskirts of town. generally there are footy special buses to the ground if needed.

Redevelopment in that location may be handy for some but the club will never grow. It will always be a small club with a small following. Getting pubic transport to swindon is a nightmare we have to drive. It takes an hour by car but if we go by train we dont get home till 8pm.
Build facilities like they have at Huddersfield in a decent location with parking and decent access more fans will come.
If they redevelop the county ground there is not a lot they can do with it. they maybe able to build a better stadium but it's not going to generate the return the investors want.

Just my opinion

I agree that the Galpine (or whatever Huddersfield is called these days) is a good role model for us. Not too farfrom the centre, modern but with a bit of style and originality and with thecapacity to accommodate bigger things.

On that basis something new on the front lawn would not fit the bill. It woud be more like the Rebok, an iconic structure visible and accessible from the M4.

I prefer the former.

Huddersfield and Southampton have respected tradition - and probably the wishes of the fans. Huddersfield are still in Leeds Road and Southampton are in St Mary's, in the heart of the city and where the club began. Hence "Saints". I'm with you Mancrobin. We are Swindon TOWN and that's where we should stay.

I'm with Den.

Ground redevelopment is a massive issue and not everyone is going to agree. But changing the location would be a terrible move. We don't need a new ground, we need a redeveloped one. It'd be hugely cheaper & would retain some charactar, for a start.

There are very, very few 'new' grounds that are much kop at all. Southampton isn't one of them. Horrible soulless plastic indentikit place.

Leicester is another example of losing a great ground to be replaced by an awful identikit place. Yuk. No thanks.

Last step wrote:
I'm with Den.

Ground redevelopment is a massive issue and not everyone is going to agree. But changing the location would be a terrible move. We don't need a new ground, we need a redeveloped one. It'd be hugely cheaper & would retain some charactar, for a start.

There are very, very few 'new' grounds that are much kop at all. Southampton isn't one of them. Horrible soulless plastic indentikit place.

Leicester is another example of losing a great ground to be replaced by an awful identikit place. Yuk. No thanks.

Think Saints have done ok actually, still walkable from the city and a decent ground, although not the most passionate group of fans on the whole.

The trouble with most of these new grounds is that they need to be full to have any real atmosphere. A good old football ground is like a good old pub - always at it's best when it's full but has the character to create its own atmosphere when it isn't.

Not a category The Grove is ever likely to win then eh! :

Malkym wrote:
Not a category The Grove is ever likely to win then eh! :

True. I wouldn't fancy it as a local but it's civilised and convenient for home games. Mind you, the service there on Tuesday was diabolical. I'll be giving it a miss for any "big" games in future. Come to think of it, the number of good pubs in Swindon has dwindled rapidly in the last few years, in favour of these ghastly big places that have nothing to distinguish them from each other.
.
Got to go. Got an important apppointment.