This is how you progress a football club

[flourbasher]

I honestly don't think TS will ever let other investors in as that would potentially dilute his overall control which is not a palatable situation for an autocrat.
He may consider selling up altogether if he's getting tired of going round in ever-decreasing circles (isn't he in his late 70s now?) but it's highly unlikely that any prospective buyer will meet his asking price unless they've got a lot more money than sense.
Stagnation r us ☹️

Yes I would agree with what you’ve posted there.
Any decent offers he had have probably sailed into the sunset now we’ve had another appalling season in the cshiip on our CV and this season isn’t looking very promising either

[KerrAvon]

If your net worth was nine figures, your age fast approaching 80, would you? Would it need to be an investment where ROI was a key decision point?

I wouldn't put money into a football club whatever my age or circumstances. Why would I given the abuse that would flow my way as soon as supporters took the view that I wasn't putting enough in?

On the subject of abuse, I wonder whether the people on here who are making specific and derogatory comments about Stewart's character could sustain them if sued for defamation?

[UlleyMiller]

I wouldn't put money into a football club whatever my age or circumstances. Why would I given the abuse that would flow my way as soon as supporters took the view that I wasn't putting enough in?

Having spent the past few decades listening to/reading myriad fan bases knocking the town, club, supporters, and (because of how it apparently works - even amongst some of our own) 'our' inability to effectively deal with the grooming cases. I'd like to think the bulk of 'abuse' would be water off a duck's back. As a fan, should I be in a position to buy the club and have enough left over to sustain an incredibly comfortable lifestyle and in the knowledge my family are set, I'd happily squander chunks of it in something which matters hugely to me.

On the subject of abuse, I wonder whether the people on here who are making specific and derogatory comments about Stewart's character could sustain them if sued for defamation?

I've not seen any comments on here which I'd think to be well over the line (not to say they're not there, I just haven't seen any). I would imagine not, but equally I think when an owner deploys those tactics it's as damaging to them, unless they're looking to depart anyway (unless the comments run into incredibly specific areas).

[RU66]

I'd never knock TS might be misguided on the football side of the club. Rotherham public had the chance to take us forward get the ground capacity increased but couldn't even fill the existing home seats when we on the up Wembley & keeping us up with Evans then Warnock doing same.

[KerrAvon]

Having spent the past few decades listening to/reading myriad fan bases knocking the town, club, supporters, and (because of how it apparently works - even amongst some of our own) 'our' inability to effectively deal with the grooming cases. I'd like to think the bulk of 'abuse' would be water off a duck's back. As a fan, should I be in a position to buy the club and have enough left over to sustain an incredibly comfortable lifestyle and in the knowledge my family are set, I'd happily squander chunks of it in something which matters hugely to me.

I have become pretty immune to abuse because of my work (there are situations where I enjoy it because it tells me that i have done a decent job), but I still wouldn't want to spend my money on people who are incapable of acknowledging the efforts of others.

In the final analysis, clubs reach a natural level that is determined, in the main, by the number of supporters who come through the turnstiles. That natural position is distorted sometimes (and, perhaps, increasingly so) by the involvement of wealthy backers. It happened at Wigan in the past and is happening at Wrexham at the moment (to name just two examples).

My point on this thread is that to hold out securing wealthy and generous backers as a business model for success is just bonkers.

[UlleyMiller]

I have become pretty immune to abuse because of my work (there are situations where I enjoy it because it tells me that i have done a decent job), but I still wouldn't want to spend my money on people who are incapable of acknowledging the efforts of others.

You've never gone through the joys of parenthood?

In the final analysis, clubs reach a natural level that is determined, in the main, by the number of supporters who come through the turnstiles. That natural position is distorted sometimes (and, perhaps, increasingly so) by the involvement of wealthy backers. It happened at Wigan in the past and is happening at Wrexham at the moment (to name just two examples).

Very broadly speaking there's some truth in that, but sound management and seriously committing to continuous improvement can be the difference of a tier or occasionally two. We'll never be elite, and if we ever reached the dizzy heights of the top tier it's going to require more stars aligning than I think possible right now and would obviously be short-lived, but I look at clubs like Burnley and Preston as two examples of clubs who achieve attendances which aren't out of our reach if we stopped the nonsense excuses against expansion. Both have become very solid tier two teams but spent the bulk of the 80s and 90s in the bottom two divisions.

The thing that concerns me is that the comments made by TS years ago about giving Rotherham it's 'Eiffel Tower' are now seemingly a way to describe a very elaborate polishing of a turd. The ground is a great platform to showcase a modern club, but while everyone marvels at that, we've seemingly not had the same desire to make our training facilities of an equal standard, and our youth academy is underproducing. I have nothing but praise for what happened over a decade ago but we're not pushing very much forward now. A make-do attitude can easily see us following the path followed by Doncaster and Bradford.

My point on this thread is that to hold out securing wealthy and generous backers as a business model for success is just bonkers.

Agree. Investment should be continuous, sustainable, effective, and ultimately fan/community-led.

[Townerslovechild]

TLC, with the greatest respect to yourself, I've been waiting for the 'Without Tony Stewart blah blah blah post' and you've delivered.

I have personally raised the plaudits by the gross to Tony Stewart over the years but for me, they stop now as we are going nowhere. I'm not calling him out to sell up and leave but, to 'see the light' and allow other investors in, like some have tried before only to be rebuffed. It's not healthy and there's only one winner out of all of this and fans deserve better.

Brin,it`s not "Blah blah....",it`s the truth,maybe read the rest of my post as well,Mr Stewart deserves our respect,but it is unlikely that he will get his wish of Rotherham in the Prem,or even competing in The Champ without a big chunk of money coming in,which will mean other people involved in the running of the club.
During his tenure at the helm we had an amazing time,maybe we have been spoilt a bit,this season is how it used to be for long periods,maybe Evo can get us going again.
The "Problem" would be if we actually got promoted again,what then ?

[flourbasher]

Oxford United are 14th.
They made some very good signings and discarded some sick notes in the close season
It,s only November and it’s not easy as we’ve found out but it can be done and they’ve had a very solid start

[kentmillerman]

I have become pretty immune to abuse because of my work (there are situations where I enjoy it because it tells me that i have done a decent job), but I still wouldn't want to spend my money on people who are incapable of acknowledging the efforts of others.

In the final analysis, clubs reach a natural level that is determined, in the main, by the number of supporters who come through the turnstiles. That natural position is distorted sometimes (and, perhaps, increasingly so) by the involvement of wealthy backers. It happened at Wigan in the past and is happening at Wrexham at the moment (to name just two examples).

My point on this thread is that to hold out securing wealthy and generous backers as a business model for success is just bonkers.

Spot on.

[Brin]

Brin,it`s not "Blah blah....",it`s the truth,maybe read the rest of my post as well,Mr Stewart deserves our respect,but it is unlikely that he will get his wish of Rotherham in the Prem,or even competing in The Champ without a big chunk of money coming in,which will mean other people involved in the running of the club.
During his tenure at the helm we had an amazing time,maybe we have been spoilt a bit,this season is how it used to be for long periods,maybe Evo can get us going again.
The "Problem" would be if we actually got promoted again,what then ?

TLC, he has my respect too for what he as achieved and given us at our club but, he's too stubborn to open the door and let others onboard, providing further financial support, to help drive us forward and make us a sustainable Championship side.

There's pride, (in what he's created and rightly so), and then there's taking stubborn to a new level, which in the end is taking this club nowhere. Do you think that's a good model in todays football world? I've already seen on here and heard from close fellow fans they are making this their last season as it has become so stagnant, boring and embarrassing of late to watch us attempt to play hoofball.

I have previously posted where I was pleased with the business model Tony Stewart operates under and maintaining the best he can, a club more closer to the black than the red line in finance. That's all well and good so long as we are being entertained on the pitch. Losing to two loer placed LOWER league clubs paints an awful picture and you too must not be enjoying what you're watching of late.

Your words of, ''Mr Stewart deserves our respect, but it is unlikely that he will get his wish of Rotherham in the Prem,or even competing in The Champ without a big chunk of money coming in, which will mean other people involved in the running of the club'', that's where the problem lies ......he won't let anyone in!