Incoming

[MikeSB]

It just goes to show that we don't really know the ins and outs of what goes on with contracts etc. And nor should we. But we shouldn't be too quick to judge the club. I have seen some saying (not on this site) that we are a joke of a club. In truth, we are nothing of the sort. Probably one of the most stable clubs in the league if the truth be known.

I've said a long time Timmy that fans should know what the club pays the players and indeed the managers and coaches and also rans, simply to know how we compare with other clubs at our level. It does seem ridiculous that some clubs with even lower gates than us can pay a lot higher wages and some think that includes the National League. I suppose what I'm saying of course is that IF the academy is taking a huge slice of the money that is affecting how much we can pay the first team, then it may just be me, but the club still won't tell us anything about these things and why not? We all know what wages are in the public sector and even in the PL so why not....What has the club got to hide, other than they know fans would be reluctant to pay 27 pounds for each home match on match days and so would be pretty hissed off if they knew most of that money was going to the academy and management staff etc!..

Sherlock would argue they won't tell us as it would be hugely embarrassing and didn't the Directors have to cough up on a million pound loss? We know the FA/PL pay a lot to all academies but hardly anyone at our level is interested in Cat2 and my question is, why not if its so good? Maybe it isn't so good????? I suspect SH would also suggest the FA/PL pay almost all of the costs of the Cat2 academy and then it gets really embarrassing as where does the money go then?

[gazan]

Saw my mate who is an Alex employee in town today. Seems like I got it totally wrong. I won't mention actual figures but he told me McDonald was offered a contract with substantially more money on the table than last season. Harrogate have more than doubled that offer and two years aswell. Quite scary and worrying really, I didn't know that they had a sugar daddy and Concrete Rod must think Christmas has come early in his twilight playing years.

Of, course there's always the possibility that your mate misunderstood what he has heard. It may also depend on what he does at the Alex. I was once employed by the Alex but had no access to what was going on behind the scenes.
I do believe that Harrogate, being effectively a 'family' run club, do have a lower player budget than we do but I suppose they could be 'going for broke', over a player they've had their eyes on for a while (and if they are doubling an increased salary, then we couldn't have kept him and we would be able to find a replacement within that salary range). However, considering their relatively low income from gate receipts, their overall turnover must be very low and as we're operating at near the 55% allowed within the financial rules on our wage bill (albeit that figure is supposedly related to last year's outgoings) I find it hard to believe they can stay within the rules by doubling our potential salary to Mcdonald. Of course, they may have a high-returns revenue stream that pushes up their turnover etc.
However, I am only surmising based on 'things' we've heard so it could be true. Who knows?

[MeForCrewe]

Of, course there's always the possibility that your mate misunderstood what he has heard. It may also depend on what he does at the Alex. I was once employed by the Alex but had no access to what was going on behind the scenes.
I do believe that Harrogate, being effectively a 'family' run club, do have a lower player budget than we do but I suppose they could be 'going for broke', over a player they've had their eyes on for a while (and if they are doubling an increased salary, then we couldn't have kept him and we would be able to find a replacement within that salary range). However, considering their relatively low income from gate receipts, their overall turnover must be very low and as we're operating at near the 55% allowed within the financial rules on our wage bill (albeit that figure is supposedly related to last year's outgoings) I find it hard to believe they can stay within the rules by doubling our potential salary to Mcdonald. Of course, they may have a high-returns revenue stream that pushes up their turnover etc.
However, I am only surmising based on 'things' we've heard so it could be true. Who knows?

Yes Gazan, you could be correct, just passing on what I was told. My friend normally feeds me reliable information but we all know how rumours sometimes start. Anyway he's gone, I just hope that we get in a suitable replacement, a proper centre half for our division, as it would be madness to rely on Offord and the youngsters no matter how talented they are.

[whosbrianwilson]

I always find it difficult to believe when salaries are banded about. Disclosing someone's personal information is a severe disciplinary offence and since there will be an extremely limited number of people who actually know, it wouldn't be difficult to trace the origins.
Simple solution, don't believe the rumours, especially the one about Harrogate paying twice our offer for a 31 year old lg2 CH!!

[whosbrianwilson]

Tom Booth signed a new 2 year deal with a 12 month option. Certainly one for the future, not ready yet, but another 12 months and away we go with him.

[lukcour]

Harvey Davies 19 year old Liverpool Goalie sign season long loan. Sounds promising

[ShropshireAlex]

They'll feel they can push for a move for Trigger now - clearly no opportunities for him barring injury crisis.

[gazan]

Someone's got to want to sign him first!

[gazan]

No word on Finney or Billington.

[whosbrianwilson]

They'll feel they can push for a move for Trigger now - clearly no opportunities for him barring injury crisis.

Possibly Trigger will stay as no2 which would allow Booth to go out on loan at a level higher than Nantwich