Visited Marske back in 2022, and North Shields at the start of this year. I like the ingenuity of the Marske volunteers, they don't have an oven or fry top in their catering, so instead used slow cookers to make pulled pork burgers. One of the best meals I've had at a ground while travelling. North Shields were trying to raise money to bring their ground up to Step 4 standards when I was there, but they failed in that and were forced to be relegated. I'm going to guess they didn't get any of the money from that crowdfunder. They were lovely, and I'll remember the fun but fair banter their fans gave to Stocksbridge that day.
Some nice memories there Adam, certainly I feel some trepidation around a few clubs financially as the year turns, I have a nasty feeling we'll be seeing a few more like this in the next 12 months
At times Matt I feel there should be more regulation on clubs lower down and their spending, all too easy to take over a club, spend to get up, don't want to spend more when you do get up which has to happen with increased costs, club and fans then suffer.
I guess regulation - maybe a regulation board that has power to agree budget based on the sustainability…. Wouldn’t want the bureaucracy that can come with it… so clubs like Chatham can continue to grow at the rate they wish but just so unsustainable investment isn’t going to allow a club to crash, burn and then potentially disappear.
Sadly, you’re right. Many more clubs over the next season or two at least will fail as the economy tightens. Perhaps, in our modern world, there are too many clubs in a market not large enough to support them all?
Or is it a case the clubs aren’t tapping into the market and attracting people to come and watch?
Difficult one Roland, always been able to service this many clubs. I think there are a few who struggle to tap into the right markets, some are paying out more than they can afford just to keep up, fine margins game on and off the pitch.
Visited Marske back in 2022, and North Shields at the start of this year. I like the ingenuity of the Marske volunteers, they don't have an oven or fry top in their catering, so instead used slow cookers to make pulled pork burgers. One of the best meals I've had at a ground while travelling. North Shields were trying to raise money to bring their ground up to Step 4 standards when I was there, but they failed in that and were forced to be relegated. I'm going to guess they didn't get any of the money from that crowdfunder. They were lovely, and I'll remember the fun but fair banter their fans gave to Stocksbridge that day.
Some nice memories there Adam, certainly I feel some trepidation around a few clubs financially as the year turns, I have a nasty feeling we'll be seeing a few more like this in the next 12 months
It’s sad to hear of this happening. There should be more resources from the top of the game filtering through to sustain the grass roots level.
At times Matt I feel there should be more regulation on clubs lower down and their spending, all too easy to take over a club, spend to get up, don't want to spend more when you do get up which has to happen with increased costs, club and fans then suffer.
What else would you like to see happen?
I guess regulation - maybe a regulation board that has power to agree budget based on the sustainability…. Wouldn’t want the bureaucracy that can come with it… so clubs like Chatham can continue to grow at the rate they wish but just so unsustainable investment isn’t going to allow a club to crash, burn and then potentially disappear.
Sadly, you’re right. Many more clubs over the next season or two at least will fail as the economy tightens. Perhaps, in our modern world, there are too many clubs in a market not large enough to support them all?
Or is it a case the clubs aren’t tapping into the market and attracting people to come and watch?
Difficult one Roland, always been able to service this many clubs. I think there are a few who struggle to tap into the right markets, some are paying out more than they can afford just to keep up, fine margins game on and off the pitch.