Our Club's Future

[jandm]

Hi.Although I have only read many posts about our team over the last few years I have at long last decided to subscribe and get involved now that I have retired and got more time.
Most of my golf crowd are 'Well fans with a few also members of the Society and I was disturbed on Wednesday to hear from them their pessimism about our Club's future and in particular about the involvement of the Society.
Not being a member I could not contribute or comment, only be alarmed.
Their comments centred around the fact that at least once maybe more, money has been transferred to the Club during the season and that the outlook for the Society's ambition of taking control is not good.
They seem to have been of the opinion that the money raised would be there to fill the gap in the close season and would be replaced as the next season progressed, not to be used during the season.They are also disturbed that should the next target not be met then there will not be sufficient funds to repay its members

[bheron]

First of all, welcome to the board, I hope we see many more post from you from now on.

In answer to your question "Are we in trouble" I am sure the answer is YES !.In saying that however, we are ALWAYS in trouble. As a provincial club so close to the two Glasgow clubs, we struggle to get fans in through the gates. We have survived in the past, by a mixture of selling players, cutting the playing pool & so on. Will we survive to be honest I don't know. But all we can do is make sure we give the team our full backing, for as long as we are around.

[Handsome_Devil]

There's no doubt the club walks a very fine line financially. There's also no doubt the Society needs a lift somehow to go from raising small amounts at a time to capturing more money from businesses or rich fans, if we have any.

However, it's also obvious that people sitting this one out because they don't think it will work starts a cycle of difficulty for the Society as negative views, less money/impact then makes more people reluctant. That's not a criticism of yourself, just how I see it.

I wouldn't take gossip from your golf mates as gospel. You said yourself they don't bother involving themselves and "at least once maybe more" regarding the investment does not suggest they have an idea of what's going on.

Finally the AGM is tonight - I hope after that there is some proper news or at least some vision to discuss.

[steviex]

First of all, welcome to the board, I hope we see many more post from you from now on.

In answer to your question "Are we in trouble" I am sure the answer is YES !.In saying that however, we are ALWAYS in trouble. As a provincial club so close to the two Glasgow clubs, we struggle to get fans in through the gates. We have survived in the past, by a mixture of selling players, cutting the playing pool & so on. Will we survive to be honest I don't know. But all we can do is make sure we give the team our full backing, for as long as we are around.

Yes we will survive but the liklihood in the longer term must almost certainly be part time football. We cannot sustain a club on the level we do on the p1ss poor support we get. I admire those who are in the society but I am one of those who just can see how it can work on such a small fan base and anything I've ever known to be run by committee invariably never achieves buugger all. I don'

[Wellup4it]

We're in no worse position than every other Scots provincial club no need to be overly pessimistic. Money is tight but there again it always has been.

Don't panic.

[skippy91]

Don't think anyone is panicking at the moment, but I really feel we are potentially only a few seasons away from part-time players. We have performed extremely well over the past 4 seasons and I have fully enjoyed the time, but with all this came no real increase in attendances at FP. Can you imagine the slump if or when we have a few seasons at the ar5e end of the table. I know some will argue that success is measured in silverware, but not always...cup runs and trophy success can be down to luck as anything else. We have been reasonably successful over the previous seasons without actually raising any more revenue. Maybe the new chap will have big ideas to drive us forward, lets hope. Only consistent finishing in the top 3 of the league will crowds steadily increase marginally over numerous seasons. I can not see us maintaining our league position season after season.

[WoodyG]

Don't think anyone is panicking at the moment, but I really feel we are potentially only a few seasons away from part-time players. We have performed extremely well over the past 4 seasons and I have fully enjoyed the time, but with all this came no real increase in attendances at FP. Can you imagine the slump if or when we have a few seasons at the ar5e end of the table. I know some will argue that success is measured in silverware, but not always...cup runs and trophy success can be down to luck as anything else. We have been reasonably successful over the previous seasons without actually raising any more revenue. Maybe the new chap will have big ideas to drive us forward, lets hope. Only consistent finishing in the top 3 of the league will crowds steadily increase marginally over numerous seasons. I can not see us maintaining our league position season after season.

It wasn't always as good as this you know. These are the glor

[eaststandloyal1931]

Don't think anyone is panicking at the moment, but I really feel we are potentially only a few seasons away from part-time players. We have performed extremely well over the past 4 seasons and I have fully enjoyed the time, but with all this came no real increase in attendances at FP. Can you imagine the slump if or when we have a few seasons at the ar5e end of the table. I know some will argue that success is measured in silverware, but not always...cup runs and trophy success can be down to luck as anything else. We have been reasonably successful over the previous seasons without actually raising any more revenue. Maybe the new chap will have big ideas to drive us forward, lets hope. Only consistent finishing in the top 3 of the league will crowds steadily increase marginally over numerous seasons. I can not see us maintaining our league position season after season.

It wasn't always

[skippy91]

I know these are the Glory days... thats my point. Pony is saddled up and ready to go.

[steviex]

[quote="eaststandloyal1931"]Don't think anyone is panicking at the moment, but I really feel we are potentially only a few seasons away from part-time players. We have performed extremely well over the past 4 seasons and I have fully enjoyed the time, but with all this came no real increase in attendances at FP. Can you imagine the slump if or when we have a few seasons at the ar5e end of the table. I know some will argue that success is measured in silverware, but not always...cup runs and trophy success can be down to luck as anything else. We have been reasonably successful over the previous seasons without actually raising any more revenue. Maybe the new chap will have big ideas to drive us forward, lets hope. Only consistent finishing in the top 3 of the league will crowds steadily increase marginally over numerous seasons. I can not see us maintaining our league