There are dozens of reasons why the two parties want to keep it quiet, but the cynic in me says that the clubs (Swans and Ospreys) aren't paying that much into the management company, and with the current atmosphere of austerity, and cutbacks being made in services, well they would keep it under their hats wouldn't they? The councillors wouldn't want it known that they are letting out a valuable facility relatively cheaply.......they'd be out on their collective ear, and lose their cushy little number, and why would the clubs risk a backlash from the local population, if it came out they were only paying a peppercorn rent? If the management company are paying the going rate, why not be open and honest about it? I get suspicious when football clubs (any club) and politicians get into deals, and want to keep the details "secret".................if it's all open and above board, and the going rate is being paid.........why not release the details, then there could be no suspicions of "nests being feathered"
It's quite simple aber, the swans pay what legally is due, there are audited accounts showing this , but what the accounts don't show are details about what the actual figures are, all you get on released accounts are totals and stuff in general. The FOI request was to the council as they are a public body, and you can ask for information from them, which they must give to you if requested. But there are exceptions and commercial confidentiality is one of them. I recently got off a council parking ticket using a FOI request and asking for the details of a lot of things that they couldn't provide me (if anyone is interested I can provide the wording used ) The point is though, that the council has invested little if anything into this venture, they provided the land, the retailers provided the cash to build everything. The money for the lease of the stadium is paid by the clubs to TMC whatever that is, but the TMC is making losses which the clubs are covering. The clubs can only pay what's due, no matter what that is, the council and clubs entered into contracts, all parties knew what that is! The clubs can't be blamed if the council were naive with this, to be honest it's their problem not the clubs.
FFS, The reason that the management company is losing money (not SCFC stealing from the local community) is that the stadium is not being managed properly - simple. The stadium is a multi purpose, multi user facility. Not only is it used by the Swans and the Ospreys, but it is also used for conferences, pop concerts, private functions, meetings, business outlets, youth football and rugby matches, Wales matches, rugby league, Llanelli football have played there etc etc So to jump up and down and say that the Swans are stealing from the local community is crass and infantile. The Clubs are renting the ground for a song so I assume that the business plan was based on profits from (a) the Swans matchaday revenue (b) Ospreya matchday revenue and (c) profits from all other events You are all clever enough to know that some areas of the business will make profit and some will make loss. I will leave you make a calculated guess where the main losses are coming from.
And aber nor can certain Cardiff fans criticising the swans on here know the exact details, there are contracts and are being abided by all parties, we can only go on what is released publicly and go on that information.
who gives a flying fk who is paying, tell me one person who knows exactly where every pound of their tax goes, i pay i get a refund, my tax dollars may be going to set up an aboriginal drunk rehab clinic, i dunno, dont care
It's on a need to know basis, and you don't need to know!..................... please log in to view this image
whats wrong with a council helping to finance a stadium (and hence a team).......how many visitors does it bring in......how much cash does it generate.......how many people do they employ......would the relevant councils from newport, wrexham, halifax, southport etc have done more given hindsight.......if swansea didn't have a football/rugby team, who would go there?......whoops...only joking but you see my point?
I think you will find that its a lot more common than first thought, all new stadiums have grants and lenient councils giving permissions etc for them, its the way to go as well imo. I would like to see every ground and club who play professional football upgrading their stadiums or having new ones, I know its controversial in some cases, but honestly the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
swans don't owe a penny, ospreys don't owe a penny, the peanut sum was generated by the stadium managers that has a council member as one of them who made a hash out of 3 different events held at the stadium, nothing to do with either club whatsoever,
I have been to a lot of grounds in the eastern block, and they don't look like that! And aber I think a majority of swans fans are thankful, but we don't have to go around saying so every 5 minutes ! So I don't think it's ****ing sick that we don't show our appreciation everywhere .
Only takes a small can of worms to get them biting. http://mahakhalid.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/hook-line-sinker.gif
No Rhondda I have been contributing to the thread , if you consider it biting so be it, but you are replying to a thread about my club on your forum, tell me who is biting ? Who are the ones obsessed ?
Every day I thank Swansea City Council for helping to bring Premiership football to Swansea and Wales
I think you'll find this thread is on the Cardiff board, should have gone to specsavers. Bet you still bite
