Peterborough post match reflections

[NorthWestCorner]

It’s about time people stop doffing their cap to TS. He saved the club and built a new ground and gave us many years of success. But, he has not done anything to build the infrastructure or management set up that is required to build a sustainable club in this day and age.

I’ve spent some time recently with a few up and coming division one and two teams through work and I can tell you they are streets ahead commercially and corporately from where we are. In fact, the company I work for approached RUFC at the end of 2024 with the intention to create a partnership. The conclusion from our team was that there was no mechanisms in place to deal with RUFC and that it was a waste of time. I must admit it was a sad time to be a Miller to hear that.

So, Tony, many thanks. We cannot repay the debt and you save the club but it’s time to step aside. For those worrying what we might end up with, fear not. What we currently have is causing more damage than you would like to admit.

[NorthWestCorner]

FAO Scum and NWC.

Come on now fellas enough. Let's cut out the school yard name calling and look to interact with each other. It's a new year, a fresh start if you like so let peace exist and just move on.

You don't have to read each others posts but, should you do so then at least respect the other persons views/points even if you don't agree with them. Emotions are running high at the moment and we all want to vent our spleen but let's not make it personal to one another. UTM.

Thanks Brin - noted and I will be sure to adopt my language

[mellowmiller]

It’s about time people stop doffing their cap to TS. He saved the club and built a new ground and gave us many years of success. But, he has not done anything to build the infrastructure or management set up that is required to build a sustainable club in this day and age.

I’ve spent some time recently with a few up and coming division one and two teams through work and I can tell you they are streets ahead commercially and corporately from where we are. In fact, the company I work for approached RUFC at the end of 2024 with the intention to create a partnership. The conclusion from our team was that there was no mechanisms in place to deal with RUFC and that it was a waste of time. I must admit it was a sad time to be a Miller to hear that.

So, Tony, many thanks. We cannot repay the debt and you save the club but it’s time to step aside. For those worrying what we might end up with, fear not. What we currently have is causing more damage than you would like to admit.

It's not often we're on the same page but I completely agree with you on this.
The commercial set up at the club is woefully weak, so many opportunities have been missed and revenue is fairly static.

The current board is vomprised of people who are too comfortable in their roles and are seemingly afraid to make waves. This will no doubt be highlighted once again when Paul Douglas gives his predictable answers to carefully selected questions posed by Radio Sheffield. It's also interesting to note that Tony Stewart is once again avoiding this media opportunity.

A new owner could be a catalyst for the club to progress and those who say "be careful what you wish for" are usually afraid of change and naturally expect the worst. Well something needs to change because the current situation at the club is unacceptable in every respect.

[ragingpup]

It's not often we're on the same page but I completely agree with you on this.
The commercial set up at the club is woefully weak, so many opportunities have been missed and revenue is fairly static.

The current board is vomprised of people who are too comfortable in their roles and are seemingly afraid to make waves. This will no doubt be highlighted once again when Paul Douglas gives his predictable answers to carefully selected questions posed by Radio Sheffield. It's also interesting to note that Tony Stewart is once again avoiding this media opportunity.

A new owner could be a catalyst for the club to progress and those who say "be careful what you wish for" are usually afraid of change and naturally expect the worst. Well something needs to change because the current situation at the club is unacceptable in every respect.

I understand this pov and I would like to think that there would be such a buyer and catalyst. But I'm not sure why anyone would want to buy the club in the location and especially the growth potential where the public wouldn't fill the ground in many championship games. I'm sorry, but I don't think we're an appealing prospect for anyone either wanting a commercial investment or even to invest for a modest challenge at a higher level. To do this, you would have to be willing to underwrite significant losses which you are unlikely ever to recover. So why would anyone buy the club with this in mind?

It looks to me that Stewarts's number 1 objective is to keep the club secure financially. He took what seemed to be the extent of risks that he says willing to take under Taylor and then Evans and unfortunately it didn't work out, whilst still keeping the club solvent and hence we are we are having not found a manager to follow Warne in making a good fist of a good budget for this level but several managers since demonstrating that to make a very good fist on even this budget is far from easy.

But I very much agree that Stewart doesn't help the situation by a lack of communication on the matter either to say that he is happy to sell the club if a safe and reliable buyer could be found or to talk of why his own future plans (after his death etc) are better than anything other than a fantasy buyer could provide. The lack of comms on this are damaging, especially when a good number of us are appreciative of the difficulties in running a club in our competitive area, with our limited fan base and our number one concern is to not take risks and end up having no club to support.

[RU66]

We know our fan base isn't enough to compete in the championship. Getting more difficult to as each season passes. In my time watching us only time we did have was when Tommy Doc was the manager remember being at a night game then at Millmoor was something like 17,000 there.

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

I actually agree with Grist on this. Be very careful what you wish for.

The Wrexham bubble will burst. It?s not sustainable.

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney have sold part of their Wrexham stake to US Private Equity Group, Apollo Sports Capital.
Reynolds & McElhenney still remain the majority & controlling owners.

Apollo Sports Capital also own Spanish football club Athletico Madrid.

[mellowmiller]

I understand this pov and I would like to think that there would be such a buyer and catalyst. But I'm not sure why anyone would want to buy the club in the location and especially the growth potential where the public wouldn't fill the ground in many championship games. I'm sorry, but I don't think we're an appealing prospect for anyone either wanting a commercial investment or even to invest for a modest challenge at a higher level. To do this, you would have to be willing to underwrite significant losses which you are unlikely ever to recover. So why would anyone buy the club with this in mind?

It looks to me that Stewarts's number 1 objective is to keep the club secure financially. He took what seemed to be the extent of risks that he says willing to take under Taylor and then Evans and unfortunately it didn't work out, whilst still keeping the club solvent and hence we are we are having not found a manager to follow Warne in making a good fist of a good budget for this level but several managers since demonstrating that to make a very good fist on even this budget is far from easy.

But I very much agree that Stewart doesn't help the situation by a lack of communication on the matter either to say that he is happy to sell the club if a safe and reliable buyer could be found or to talk of why his own future plans (after his death etc) are better than anything other than a fantasy buyer could provide. The lack of comms on this are damaging, especially when a good number of us are appreciative of the difficulties in running a club in our competitive area, with our limited fan base and our number one concern is to not take risks and end up having no club to support.

Raging, I completely agree we're not a particularly attractive proposition on the face of it and it's also not clear what exactly would be on offer in a potential sale.
Clearly if the stadium is not part of the package then it's hard to see why anyone would be interested.
However, there were rumours some time ago of an American bid which seemingly fell through quite late in the process.
We don't know if any of this is true and the club has never communicated anything about it but American investment is becoming an increasing feature in the EFL and there could well be further developments from that area if TS really wants out and is prepared to put a realistic package on the market.
Whether American influence in the English game as a whole is a good thing probably warrants an entirely different debate.......

[ragingpup]

Raging, I completely agree we're not a particularly attractive proposition on the face of it and it's also not clear what exactly would be on offer in a potential sale.
Clearly if the stadium is not part of the package then it's hard to see why anyone would be interested.
However, there were rumours some time ago of an American bid which seemingly fell through quite late in the process.
We don't know if any of this is true and the club has never communicated anything about it but American investment is becoming an increasing feature in the EFL and there could well be further developments from that area if TS really wants out and is prepared to put a realistic package on the market.
Whether American influence in the English game as a whole is a good thing probably warrants an entirely different debate.......

Be good if the club would confirm or deny any of this rumour. I just can't imagine for the life of me why any American invester would even consider us over our neighbours across Yorkshire and beyond. I remember the grim days of 3.5k average supporters at Milmoor on the 30 years before NYS. The last 12 years have been a massive step up from then, and I'd love it's to push on further but it needs huge investment to even get into mid championship level. I simply don't see where this could come from without a big gamble on our existence. Just my opinion of course

[uttis]

Talking about the future anyone any ideas how this rumoured new hotel plan fits into things? Didn’t TS have plans going in to build at the side of NYS? Has anything come if this and if so when?
If he’s wanting out how does building a new hotel at side of the ground stack up

[Old_time_miller]

We know our fan base isn't enough to compete in the championship. Getting more difficult to as each season passes. In my time watching us only time we did have was when Tommy Doc was the manager remember being at a night game then at Millmoor was something like 17,000 there.

You forget how cheap it was to watch football then, no sky subs, no expensive mobile phones, subscription this and that, you name it. Even beer was cheap.
The demographic of Rotherham and the diverse things there is to spend money on, plus the cost of living for a large section of this town, means too many who could be extra fans see the std of football which is now stereotyped and stale, with little creativity like watching a battle of attrition in midfield. It simply isn’t attractive enough, except to the diehards, and that will deplete.

You cannot get blood out of a stone.

Fans ambition may not be matched by the club, because it is not at all cost. One post said we are not building something sustainable, of course we have. Financial.
Climbing football status is another thing.