Funding success?

As well as what has been happening off the field I wanted to write about some of the decisions and struggles we deal with as we try to give Gordon as good a budget as we can, in order to be competitive in this year’s Ryman Premier League.

Let’s face it, last season’s near miss from the play-offs and the FA Cup run should encourage us that it shouldn’t take much more for us to achieve greater success this season. The apparently marquee signing of Scott Fitzgerald and the other notable signings help build the expectation.

We all read about other Clubs in financial troubles, cutting their budgets. We also know that there are more players than ever before available as the pro clubs particularly let more and more promising players go. Remember though some of our opponents can make some fairly significant cuts to their budgets but still comfortably pay more than us. It just shows what the gap was before.

It wasn’t just the performance on the field that was good last season, our financial performance was exceptional. As always with a Club budget some things were much better than expected (FA Cup prize money being an obvious example) but other things did not perform as well as hoped, such as our commercial efforts in a particularly difficult market and even the lack of Saturday games meaning crowds and income down on what they might have been. However, prudent management meant we more or less broke even last season, for pretty much the first time in many many years (other than the year Jermaine was sold to Leeds). You can see the important role 100:400 played last season.

Our goal at the end of last season was to keep the budget at the same level as last season. When we set the budget we knew that we could not confirm that we could continue to afford this level of investment through the season. This is a worry. We have built up an excellent reputation among players as a club who always pay players on time and who have never thrown money at the start of the season and then cut the playing budget hard after the FA Cup exit. We treat people the right way and as a result players are interested in us even if we can’t compete with some of the other offers they receive.

Some generous donations meant we could confirm to Gordon that we would achieve the playing budget that we wanted and, according to our forecasts, have some money in the bank for the start of next season. Our goal is now to raise both the amount that will be there for the start of next season and we are working hard to do that, as well as – if we can – the playing budget for this season.

I’ve said previously that after 100:400 last year I didn’t want the Club to ask Supporters to put their collective hands in their pocket so soon. I am acutely aware of how difficult it is for many people and the Club has no right to expect people to keep supporting the team with extra cash. However, by the same token, I’ve also regularly said that we are one of the original ‘fans’ clubs so to some extent the quality of the team on the field will always be impacted by how much supporters want to help. In that vein, I am delighted that Dominic and Jez amongst others have launched TaskForceTen. The money they raise will be a big help to the team Gordon can put out – and it is genuine supporter led activity for which we are very grateful.

The Club works very hard to generate funds. There are certain monies we need to have simply to run a football club at the level we are, keep the stadium in reasonable working order etc. Most of the money we receive is earmarked for the playing side – this is the way it has always been and will always be – there should not be any doubt about this, though we must continue to be prudent and not chase success that cannot ever be guaranteed.

We continue to be tough on costs and without wanting to sound like a broken record it is all about income. The more we can raise commercially, through the gate or through other means ultimately the more we can put into trying to have a successful team.

It is a constant balancing act – and ultimately it is about trying to raise significant new income streams. This is easier said than done but I am content that we are mobilising as many people as we can to give this a very good go. If anyone else has some ideas or some time and can help generate more income please come and talk to me. I believe Gordon has the budget to fashion a competitive team this season, and I am excited to start watching them tomorrow night. See you there.

Thanks to so many

Rather than write a new post thanking so many people I thought I might post my article due to be in today’s match programme. So if you are not at the game or didn’t get a programme read on.

Programme notes for Carshalton game (ever so slightly updated)

A warm welcome to all for our final game of this memorable season, and a special welcome to all our successful juniors, both boys and girls who are with us today.

In many respects I can’t really believe how quickly this season has passed. So much has been packed into it, as always at Wealdstone, both on and off the pitch.

The good news is that coming into the 42nd game the season is still alive with hopes of getting into the play-offs resting on today’s results here, at Boreham Wood, at Kingstonian and at Aveley.

So the best memories may be yet to come, but whatever happens it will take something very special to beat the fortnight back in late October / early November that followed us winning at Aylesbury, beating Harrow and then culminating in what was such a great day against Rotherham. It took us 23 years to get to the First Round of the FA Cup, hopefully we can do it again next year. Other highlights include getting to a Cup Final (if not the penalty shoot out), and a Leeds United themed set of memories that include the pre-season friendly, the pride of Jermaine’s performances against Manchester United and Tottenham though also the disappointment of realising he was not going to be sold after all. I bet they wish they had done now!

As always, and in his testimonial year we need to salute our manager Gordon Bartlett with his excellent team behind him. Gordon puts so much time into the Club and yet his passion burns as brightly now as ever. In this packed last week of the season a bumper crowd celebrated Gordon’s testimonial on a great Wednesday evening – it was all so well deserved. I am delighted that Leo Morris will be celebrating his testimonial next season.

It has been a hard season in many respects, especially with the challenges of the weather and Fingers particularly has done an amazing amount of work, often with little recognition or reward. The pitch remains a big issue for us and one we will look to get right – though it will take time and money and patience.

Off the field there are so many people to thank as always – so I won’t even try and thank everybody – other than divide it into three groups.

First to my Board of Directors for all the time, effort and energy they give without much thanks – but in some respects with everyone’s thanks. We have so much going on at the Club and I really believe that with the right breaks anything is possible and much of that is due to the work of a few on the Board.

Secondly to everyone who helps, whether on match days or not, in the Social Club, the Supporter’s Club, the Stewards, the ball boys, those who help with the Board Room hospitality, the press, the programme, the tannoy, the photography, the gate, the Reserves, the Youth, the Juniors, the catering, the kit, the works in the ground and so on (apologies if I missed you out). So many people, giving up their time to help our Club. That is why so many others will always be jealous of what we have in abundance – passion, a desire to succeed and a love of the Club. Dare I say, more of the same next year please?

Finally, a huge thank you to all our supporters, young and old.  Thanks to everyone who contributed to 100:400, to all our Club sponsors, match sponsors, kit grid donors, match ball donors and so on. Thanks to all those who travel home and away, or even just to home games. You have been immense and of course, we need you all, as much as ever, starting in August when we do it all over again.

But you know, as much as we need volunteer labour down at the ground through the summer months, and we do, I urge you all to take the opportunity to spend some time with your loved ones and get some brownie points because the new season will be with us before you know it.

Have a great summer

The state of affairs

I wanted to update you on exactly where we are currently with the 100:400 initiative and the implications for this season’s finances at the club.  This is pertinent now given the start we have made to the season and also now that we know that we will not be receiving any bonus funds from a Jermaine Beckford transfer.

Firstly I am delighted at the response we have had to the 100:400 scheme that we launched at the end of last season. It was a huge ask for all of us to achieve the minimum target figure of £40,000 by the start of this season and it is fantastic that we are so close – as I write we are just over £1,000 short. So we only need around 3-4 more people to come forward and sign up to hit this initial target.

The absolute necessity of achieving this funding is that without it we would simply not be able to put the current team out on the park.  All the progress we made on the playing side last season would have counted for nothing. Even so we are still not able to compete with the majority of other clubs at our level and Gordon Bartlett continues to have his hands tied and remains frustrated by a lack of available finances.

The reality is that 100:400 helps to give us a workable base.  But it certainly hasn’t improved the playing budget; in fact people need to understand that our budget is significantly less than last season.

So this 100:400 money is absolutely vital. We will of course be continuing our efforts to raise income from commercial and other activities and some progress has been made but we all know how difficult the general economic climate is.

I will be very clear that we did not budget this season or have any expectation for any transfer monies from Jermaine’s possible transfer – it would have been irresponsible to have done so, even though it has been subject to widespread speculation.  However we are all aware that such a move would have transformed our finances and provided a massive boost.  As we know this will now not happen now, if ever and we must put those thoughts to the back of our minds.

What this ‘non-event’ shows is that we can only count on the things that we can control, prudent financial management, balancing our books and raising our own funds to enable us to continue to fund our exciting young team and push on to generate success on the pitch that we all crave.

So we must redouble our 100:400 efforts and continue our self-sufficiency. I have said before that the board will not spend money that we don’t have as we are not prepared to risk the long term future of the Club, at such an important time for the possibility of short term success.

If you would like to sign up for 100:400 see Jez Albert or Nick DuGard on match days or email jeremy.albert@jetsetflights.co.uk or nickdugard@fsmail.net.  Remember you don’t have to contribute the full £400 it can be less or more but all donations help our efforts to keep a competitive team out on the park and pushing for success. If you have previously pledged a contribution please now see Jez or Nick to confirm it.

100:400 latest

Unfortunately this article didn’t make it into the Watford programme (great effort Adam by the way) but I am assured it will be in the Leeds issue.  Anyhow I thought I would reproduce it here, the latest news on our 100:400 drive.

100:400 update

Through the summer our 100:400 fund has been creeping up to the point where we are in touching distance of our goal, of raising £40,000 – money which will go directly to the playing budget.

At the time of writing we have had just a fraction under 95% of the total pledged, which equates to just under £38,000.  So we are very close.

This means two things.  First we now need to start turning the pledges into money.  Already about £15,000 has been collected but please it will help enormously if people can come forward to make their donations.

Secondly, whilst achieving the £40,000 mark will be a great result and a wonderful boost for everyone we won’t stop there and will look to carry on to make the fund as big as we can – so we can channel more funds into the playing budget.

Please don’t wait to be asked – come forward and contribute – it does directly influence what you will see on the park this season.

We are doing all we can through our commercial operation and through all other means to bring new funds into the Club but your individual contributions help no matter how big or small.  Remember 100:400 was set up to encourage 100 people to donate £400.  But we will accept donations of whatever level, whether £400, more or less.  It all helps and we are very grateful to everyone who has contributed.

Thanks for your continued support

A great day

The sun shone and we enjoyed another comfortable win over our local rivals.  6-0 at home and 3-0 at Earlsmead isn’t a bad return for this season.

It occurs to me that for many years we couldn’t beat Borough so while we are in the ascendancy, as we have been for a little while, let’s make sure we enjoy it because no doubt, like everything in football, it will change.  But hats off to the players, and especially to Greg Ngoyi for a great hat trick for the two performances this season.

I must also say how fantastic the Wealdstone support looked today, with more and more old faces appearing.  Steve Edwards’ pictures capture it well.   Our home crowds are up 40% this season and we can maintain that sort of improvement next year it really will make a big difference.

In recent years we have been used to the season going down to the penultimate or last game.  The difference this year is we are challenging at the right end of the table.  Looking at the current positions and games remaining I still think it is unlikely we will end up in the play-offs – but it is not impossible.  Of course we have to win at Dover on Saturday which will be a very tall order as they showed their aberration on Saturday against Boreham Wood was only temporary by today winning at Maidstone.  Hornchurch’s game in hand could also prove important but don’t forget our goal difference is almost worth an extra point.  Whatever happens on Saturday to be in with a shout in the 41st game of the season is a tremendous achievement.

So of course that leads me onto next season and the importance of hitting the targets we have set for 100:400.  So far we are 2/3 of the way there – not including anything from today.  We need to get the other third – and then some if we can – if possible by the end of the season so we can give Gordon enough to keep this side together so we can compete at the level we aspire to next season.  We are going well but we need the extra – so please come forward if you have not already done so.  If you needed persuading why, hopefully today provided that persuasion.

Enjoy today, and together, we can enjoy many more days like it.

A summer of discontent?

I was listening to the non league show podcast yesterday and taken by the rumours about the number of clubs supposedly on the brink of going out of business.  Will this be a summer where clubs fall by the wayside or will it be one with many rumours with no substance?

One chairman said to me at a recent home game that he had heard up to seven clubs in our division were in some sort of financial trouble.  Did he include those in constant trouble or those hit now by the credit crunch, sponsors withdrawing, crowds getting smaller and income decreasing?

I don’t know how it will all pan out but it will be interesting.  We know of Weymouth’s problems, the Non League Daily website have been reporting on Maidenhead’s significant budget cuts, rumours now about Team Bath and Fisher’s travails are also well reported.  We also read in Saturday’s programme about Maidstone’s problems.  Our own issues are well known but our problems are manageable at present – crucially we don’t owe any money and we are used to budgeting at a comparatively low level.  I do wonder when some clubs are cutting budgets from what lofted perch they start cutting from – remember a 30% cut for some clubs will still give them considerably more than us.

This is why I believe it is a great opportunity for us if we come up with the money to support our players now because our budget would become more competitive and we know we get excellent value for money anyway.

The other side to this is that players will also have to manage their own expectations – many might be surprised that the market at Ryman Premier and Conference South level won’t support the same level of wages that they’ve been used to, meaning there could be some bargains about.

Some interesting times ahead.

100:400 passes major milestone

Great news – we are 50% of the way there towards the 100:400 target.

In other words pledges are past £20,000 thanks to the Supporters Club confirming a substantial weekly donation for next season.  The hard work now gets even harder, the first 50% should be the easiest but now we will double our efforts to double the total.  When we get past the £40,000 total we will need to work even harder to generate more money – remember this is directly related to what you will see on the pitch next season.

Terry Stern left a message on the blog last night about the best way to donate.  Two things to say, firstly for those that can get down to Ruislip tomorrow evening from 8.00pm we have a session where Gordon and some of the players will be “meeting the supporters”.  I will be there to answer any questions on this scheme as well (and to take any pledges – or money).

The second thing to say is that Barry advises me that the most tax efficient way for the club to receive this money is through a share purchase.  So if people (as many are) wish this money to be for shares then that is fine.  Teamdraw is another popular route, with the benefit that the more we get signed into Team Draw the more the prize money can rise.

Two weeks in from launching tomorrow and half way to the headline target – let’s keep it going.

April fool?

I’m sitting in an office in Madrid this morning staring at the league table wondering if this is an April fool or not?

It is painful missing games at the best of times but it’s getting serious now and whilst we have five tough games left this season who could have believed we would go into April in a play-off position?

It brings the 100:400 scheme into even sharper focus of course.  If our budget is stretched for the Ryman League imagine what it will be for the Blue Square South.  More people pledging last night which was great – we need many more yet.

Next Thursday (9 April) we are holding an event at Ruislip which we are calling Meet the Supporters.  Actually this is a twist on the normal Meet the Manager event but Gordon was very keen to have the opportunity to talk to supporters and we will get some players to come down too after training.  I understand the Reserves may also be at home that evening so another chance to see them too.  Please try and attend if you can.

On to Maidstone on Saturday.  See you there.

A great response

I’ve been delighted by the early response to our 100:400 appeal.

In just 4 days our supporters have already pledged 25% of the £40,000 total.  Several people have told me that the “talk in the bar” is how we will hit the target easily- but to do that we need to see people turn talk into pledges and pledges into cash.  So please let us know.

There will be a page shortly on the club’s website where people can donate directly but otherwise please tell me, Jeremy Albert or Nick Dugard at a game or email or call us.  Let’s keep this thing going.

The team did their bit yesterday too.  I went into the changing room before the game and explained why we were doing this push for cash – that behind it all we believe they are the team that will deliver success to our club.   Three more points yesterday means we can start to dream but we have six tough games left so no getting carried away just yet.

To reinforce that the playing staff want this to be successful we are going to hold a special ‘Meet the Manager’ evening on Thursday 9 April in the Aquarium Bar.  This was at Gordon’s prompting as he wants to get across to supporters how far we’ve come and how far he feels we can go.  Some of the players will also come down to the club after training so we want this to be a rare opportunity for supporters to talk directly to the players and management – as I have always said we are all in this together and this type of event shows that.  Please put the date in your diary.

Radio Northwick Park were at the game yesterday as well and interviewed Gordon and myself.  So interest is rising, another good crowd, with an encouraging response to the England ticket offer meant a very good afternoon for all.

Let’s hope for more progress this week – on all fronts.

100:400 early update

I won’t do this all the time – but already I have received 4 pledges this morning.  Thanks guys.

It’s a great start – it’s only 9.30.

Remember we will gratefully accept any amount higher or lower than £400 – it all goes direct to the playing budget next season – and if we can receive more than the target then better still.

You can donate through a lump sum, regular weekly contributions or even through new teamdraw memberships – which of course gives you an opportunity to win the money back!