Colchester

[Timmy58]

Just listened to LB`s views on the game. Talk about deluded. IMO this is getting really worrying. Is it time for change? Possibly another assistant manager from our existing coaches.

I have to disagree with you about the managers assessment of the game. I don't want to hear him criticising individuals but he was quite clear that we didn't play well enough. No sense of delusion there for me. And to respond to Mike SB and his constant demands for having managers, in our case Lee Bell, doing everything from running the first team, sorting the tactics, checking around the country for players and probably making the tea and the sandwiches on the day. In the modern day what Mike suggests is utterly impractical and ain't ever gonna happen.

[MikeSB]

I have to disagree with you about the managers assessment of the game. I don't want to hear him criticising individuals but he was quite clear that we didn't play well enough. No sense of delusion there for me. And to respond to Mike SB and his constant demands for having managers, in our case Lee Bell, doing everything from running the first team, sorting the tactics, checking around the country for players and probably making the tea and the sandwiches on the day. In the modern day what Mike suggests is utterly impractical and ain't ever gonna happen.

Timmy, I am a wholly practical person who looks at how things work. There is no way any team shoild have more than one manager and if you want to compare the old days LOL then Bill Nicholson of Spurs in the 60's ran the whole club and he won the double. Managers just need to have players to do a job on the pitch and then let them carry on and do that job. Don't stand in the technical area with three or four other managers and assistants barking at the players. Go and look at all them non players at the away Stockport match, seven or eight and a GK coach? God forbid. Goal Keepers do not need coaching, they are good or rubbish.

We have an academy idea that we have 3 year olds playing or 8 year olds or 15 year old's all costing millions per season and then we wait and wait and wait to see if they are good enough 10 years later, Its utter *******s imv. Yet we are still signing loan players? Why? I read there are 3500 young players in our academies and lucky if 5% make the grade and so lets do away with ours and save a million quid a year and then just sign other players from academies that are free ie 95% of them. In fact I don't think they should allow loan players anywhere near clubs as we are just training them and getting nothing from them at the end. Go and sign a winger or CF and then allow him to play as a winger or CF. Nobody told me how to play wing half. I knew how to play the game like thousands did in the old days.

I mean what is the job of the assistant manager and Kenny Lunt and how much money do they cost the club?

[lukcour]

Timmy for some reason has a history of being loyal to CAFC management. He does not care how many of our players are unhappy with as another poster said "playing drivel". He never once commented about the dreadul performances in the second half of last season that the supporters had to sit and miserably suffer/

All together now lets support our Management, and applaud the drivel they produce.

[LordK]

All, can we move on from The Academy, costing the first team money. Delving into finances shows that basically the Premier League subsidize the Academy probably 85%. The investment demands we have to have Academy graduated players in the first team squad. Unless wrong they are counted as Crewe originated until 24yo. These academy subsidies, cannot be used for 1st team use and without the Academy, this cash (significant >£1m per annum), the Academy goes away. The Dario days of we need a sale to fund the Academy have long gone. In theory any benefit for a sale of an academy player helps the 1st team finances. I hate that Premier and Championship teams look overseas rather than down the leagues and that needs a change in Visa requirements, which would encourage home grown development. Brighton is a major success with Academy players and sales and they rose through the division's.
The EFL requirement in League 2, (I maybe a year out), is 50% of turnstile revenue only is allowed to fund 1st team squad playing staff. This increases to 60-65% in League 1. So other than loanees, the only way to stick to the rules and have more money available to strengthen the squad is footfall through the gates. We are lucky geographically and also unlucky having major competition for attendees within 25 miles. But Stockport and Wrexham with investment and marketing buck the trend and increase membership and attendance. I feel sure that 50% of you will disagree with these facts, but let's get it aired!!!!

So lets introduce a rich USA investor, say, as with Burnley, with ex NFL player, JJ Watt, )who pumped in $30m and this provided them 3 x players for 1 x year). At our level that level of investment would fundamentally change the Ownership and Board (who do have the team interests - it cannot be financial return, having to write a cheque every season!), coupled to the whole setup.

Thoughts please
Lord K

[MikeSB]

All, can we move on from The Academy, costing the first team money. Delving into finances shows that basically the Premier League subsidize the Academy probably 85%. The investment demands we have to have Academy graduated players in the first team squad. Unless wrong they are counted as Crewe originated until 24yo. These academy subsidies, cannot be used for 1st team use and without the Academy, this cash (significant >£1m per annum), the Academy goes away. The Dario days of we need a sale to fund the Academy have long gone. In theory any benefit for a sale of an academy player helps the 1st team finances. I hate that Premier and Championship teams look overseas rather than down the leagues and that needs a change in Visa requirements, which would encourage home grown development. Brighton is a major success with Academy players and sales and they rose through the division's.
The EFL requirement in League 2, (I maybe a year out), is 50% of turnstile revenue only is allowed to fund 1st team squad playing staff. This increases to 60-65% in League 1. So other than loanees, the only way to stick to the rules and have more money available to strengthen the squad is footfall through the gates. We are lucky geographically and also unlucky having major competition for attendees within 25 miles. But Stockport and Wrexham with investment and marketing buck the trend and increase membership and attendance. I feel sure that 50% of you will disagree with these facts, but let's get it aired!!!!

So lets introduce a rich USA investor, say, as with Burnley, with ex NFL player, JJ Watt, )who pumped in $30m and this provided them 3 x players for 1 x year). At our level that level of investment would fundamentally change the Ownership and Board (who do have the team interests - it cannot be financial return, having to write a cheque every season!), coupled to the whole setup.

Thoughts please
Lord K

In this media age, the Chairman could do a youtube video and explain to all the fans and even non fans where all the money comes from and where it goes but CAFC like to keep secrets from everyone so nobody knows what happens. Lots of teams have lower gates than us who can sign better players than us and so how do they do it?

Nobody has told me that the days of Dario has gone and all we hear is that CAFC is a development club but that was not the aim for over 100 years and so who decided we need a Cat2 academy where 95% of lower league clubs would not touch that category with a bargepole

[MikeSB]

In this media age, the Chairman could do a youtube video and explain to all the fans and even non fans where all the money comes from and where it goes but CAFC like to keep secrets from everyone so nobody knows what happens. Lots of teams have lower gates than us who can sign better players than us and so how do they do it?

Nobody has told me that the days of Dario has gone and all we hear is that CAFC is a development club but that was not the aim for over 100 years and so who decided we need a Cat2 academy where 95% of lower league clubs would not touch that category with a bargepole

I was going to add that Cat4 Academy is the best bet as the academy is just for 17-21 year olds and we don't need all the crap coaches and dictates that the PL/FA insist in when its higher even though they could be putting more money in and anyway the academies countrywide including ours are not producing anything like the quality they did in the old days. WTF wants to see 12 year olds playing and under 21 year old playing?

[MikeSB]

When you are an academy club like we are, then it should be discussed the whole time.

[MikeSB]

Cat2 Academies 2025

AFC Bournemouth, Barnsley, Brentford, Bristol City, Cardiff City, Charlton Athletic, Colchester United, Coventry City, Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood, Hull City, Millwall, Norwich City, Peterborough United, QPR, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Swansea City, Watford, Wigan Athletic.

See how few L1 and L2 clubs there are and so the question is WHY if Cat2 is almost wholly supported financially by the PL/FA?

[jimmyboldon]

In this media age, the Chairman could do a youtube video and explain to all the fans and even non fans where all the money comes from and where it goes but CAFC like to keep secrets from everyone so nobody knows what happens. Lots of teams have lower gates than us who can sign better players than us and so how do they do it?

Nobody has told me that the days of Dario has gone and all we hear is that CAFC is a development club but that was not the aim for over 100 years and so who decided we need a Cat2 academy where 95% of lower league clubs would not touch that category with a bargepole

Perhaps if you went to the fans forum (twice a year) where you could ask absolutely any questions you want to, or listened to the Railway Men podcast on which C G appears every close season for over a hour, you would have answers to your questions.
I assume you do neither of these?

[MikeSB]

Perhaps if you went to the fans forum (twice a year) where you could ask absolutely any questions you want to, or listened to the Railway Men podcast on which C G appears every close season for over a hour, you would have answers to your questions.
I assume you do neither of these?

No I don't as didn't know when any of these programmes are on and don't even know what a podcast is etc.

But that surely is not the point for me at any rate. I think the best site is youtube where its dead easy to log on and CG could do a youtube video if he wanted to. The club remains silent for most of the season and mostly non season. Also once a year is not what I cal good public relations and I have said that the management team could come on here and answer questions as could CG and this is supposed to be the Alex forum after all.

[LordK]

MikeSB

The latest I can find on the web (just to show you what Crewe Alex received, for the Academy) shows the level of investment by the Premier League. Since the year 2000, the actual amount has increased. I did have the 2022-23 figures somewhere, but I say it was around a 30% increase on the direct GBP 716,000.00 on this slide. That's where I had my GBP 1 million figure from.

https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/document/2020/12/16/c051173d-55da-409e-8ec2-8bf0291bf811/Premier-League-funding-to-EFL-clubs-Crewe-Alexandra.pdf

Cut and paste that into a browser, and it gives a pie chart of that year. That amount cannot be used for the first team squad.

LordK

[Timmy58]

Timmy for some reason has a history of being loyal to CAFC management. He does not care how many of our players are unhappy with as another poster said "playing drivel". He never once commented about the dreadul performances in the second half of last season that the supporters had to sit and miserably suffer/

All together now lets support our Management, and applaud the drivel they produce.

Mmm. I will ignore what feels a little like character assassination. I tend to support the club wholly. I didn't enjoy much of last season and the one before really. Aspects of it were decent but the second half of both seasons we fell away badly. Why was this? Managers must take some responsibility but can't be held responsible for factors such as injuries. However, I am not a fan of the managerial merry go round, I think it generally doesn't improve matters. I seem to recall Alex Ferguson went 5 years winning nothing at Manchester United and in todays climate he wouldn't survive that. Doubtless you will say that is an exceptional example but it does make the point that in the years that have followed they have had several different managers and each lasting no more than 3 years (less in many cases) and United are within half a season of changing again I reckon.
Lee Bell is clearly not everyones cup of tea but he is a relatively new manager and he is learning as we go. I am more than happy to see him continue and unless he gets us relegated (unlikely) I am happy to see him in charge for the foreseeable and beyond. Hope that clears things up.

[lukcour]

Mmm. I will ignore what feels a little like character assassination. I tend to support the club wholly. I didn't enjoy much of last season and the one before really. Aspects of it were decent but the second half of both seasons we fell away badly. Why was this? Managers must take some responsibility but can't be held responsible for factors such as injuries. However, I am not a fan of the managerial merry go round, I think it generally doesn't improve matters. I seem to recall Alex Ferguson went 5 years winning nothing at Manchester United and in todays climate he wouldn't survive that. Doubtless you will say that is an exceptional example but it does make the point that in the years that have followed they have had several different managers and each lasting no more than 3 years (less in many cases) and United are within half a season of changing again I reckon.
Lee Bell is clearly not everyones cup of tea but he is a relatively new manager and he is learning as we go. I am more than happy to see him continue and unless he gets us relegated (unlikely) I am happy to see him in charge for the foreseeable and beyond. Hope that clears things up.

I do believe that your last 2 sentences confirm my views. So how can you call it character assination? You are supporting LB and RD and totally ignoring the possible damage to a squad of players who excited our supporters for many a day. Only to see their excellent displays for 4 games ruthlessly crushed by our managers. Do you realise that their actions could easly lead to them and some of our players and Academy graduates losing their career and suffering financial difficulties at such a young age. But not once have you supported them.

[gazan]

MSB, to listen to the podcast (basically a radio programme you can listen to at any time online: you said you didn't know this) just Google The Railwaymen podcast. You'll find programmes going back quite a few years. Look especially for episodes where Charles Grant or even Lee Bell appears (but there are many other interesting ones, like, with ex-players - you might even hear my voice on the odd occasion&#128521.
Further, I take it you look at the official website. They announce fans forums on there.
I also receive "Inside Crewe", a monthly magazine where both manager and chairman have monthly columns and there are features by other members of the board, articles about the academy and items from the Railwaymen Supporters group and Peter Morse (the editor as well as co-commentator on Radio Stoke). You might try getting hold of a copy (the library might take it)

[gazan]

There seems to be a slight return of hyperbole and over-statement to the occasional post. Perhaps one or two need to dial things down a little and realise that most people on here are Alex fans. We all have different perspectives but those differences shouldn't suggest that they are bitter enemies, which is how it sometimes sounds.