We were caught, and fined. If we are caught again...the penalty will be really bad as repeat offenders. Probably send us into admin...and out of the league. That would not be good for anyone. You are right, the madness does have to stop... but can only stop at top. Fining QPR 10 million, bankrupting Bury, and docking points off Wednesday, Reading etc in the Championship isn't going to affect the PL. All of whom assume they will never be in the Championship and if they are...only spend a season there anyhow
Many, many clubs have spent money in a risky attempt to gain success. I'd rather we did this than just settle for a complete lack of ambition.
It really does feel like there is 'something else going on'. No signings after Lowe. Desperate need of a striker who can score. Threadbare squad. No reassuring noises from the hierarchy. However, they are investing in the training ground which could equally be viewed as ambition or making the club more attractive to new owners. Either way, I think there is stuff going on we are not yet aware of.
This. Those who complain about 'lack of ambition' should consider how much of their own money they'd be prepared to donate towards the new player fund and potential new fines.
You said "most other clubs get around it". Unless you can quote one example, that seems like wishful thinking and, potentially, a pathway to oblivion. Beth has quoted a decent list of those who have failed with this strategy and, therefore, it would seem the odds would be very, very heavily stacked against us.
Big difference between over spending and spending nothing. Maybe if our DoF bought in some decent players, a striker that could actually score or some youngsters we could make money on. What happened to the million we got for the snake leaving?
This is morphing into a 'why are we in a mess' chat. David Mc links the empty seats and the fans' frustrations with the poor performances ina chicken and egg scenario. Assuming there is some truth in that, I've never understood why they don't do more 'kids for a quid' or something similar if bought with an adult ticket or some other deal. Surely better to have bums on seats, potential new fans and perhaps a better atmosphere. I do realise that would be dependent on some half decent performances which seems a tall order atm!
They get away with it by spreading payments over many years. Apparently some are on 8 year contracts which means only one eighth of the cost is counted plus depreciation over the length of contract. UEFA knew this was happening but have let them get away with it and a new rule of 5 year maximum contracts starts next season. Once again the Scum get in before rules are changed...
Why haven't we done what the scum have been doing for the last 2 seasons ? Buy players and put them on 8 year contracts hence spreading out the fees over that time and avoiding any FFP issues. We didn't have to be spending the ridiculous amounts they have been, but say we bought a striker for 3 mill and spread it over a 5 or 6 year deal, that surely wouldn't have put us in jeopardy. But instead we gave Nico a new 4 year contract and paying the hopeless twat a monthly salary for not playing a game. Our whole hierarchy has been utterly clueless in transfer dealings for a very long time. Too late now of course as the tools at FIFA and UEFA have finally spotted the flaw in their cunning plan and have changed the rules for the start of next season.
So it seems as though this is as good as it gets..struggle every season,barely compete,little cash to spend due to FFP,God awful Football on show..which has been the staple diet for many years ..tbh I couldn't give a flying **** about the new training ground being built,I want to see a little progress now,not being greedy just a decent match now and then with players who play for the shirt..bloody depressing Club we have..and wouldn't it be nice to see the upper management actually do something..bleeding useless the lot of em!!
l can only think we are a tax deduction. It’s not as if they show any real emotion whether we win or lose. l’ve thought for some time now, they want us sitting mid table each & every year.
Because he other 90 clubs didn't spot it either... There is also downside obviously... you buy a pup or the player of your dreams smashes his ACL on day 1.... you are still paying millions for the next 8 years. Build that up...and you are paying millions for players you fo not own or play
There are no recent revenue figures available for tickets sales because of Covid, but let's estimate 15,000 crowds paying £30 a pop for 23 games - that's £10.35m. Add a bit on for merch and call it £11m. That's still less than half the club's wage bill.
Realistically, based on those figures, we are a league1 club. If the wage bill needs slashing by such an amount to continue then that's what we should be planning for and maybe the owners are. It's a sorry state of affairs. Since being relegated we have not finished higher than 9th. We are actually punching well above our weight finishing there. These owners who got us in this mess can **** off as far as I'm concerned.
Other teams seem to make progress despite having small stadiums and attendances. What about TV revenue and advertising? Why not sell the naming rights to our stadium if it can bring in some cash. We’re an attractive London club with a good history and a decent fan base - maybe our board need to stop being so small minded.
The ability of the EFL and EFL teams to raise good monies for what is a competitive league is pi$$ poor to be fair. Including the TV rights. The EPL is a million miles ahead of everything going on. I’m guessing most teams are jumping at any opportunities offered for sponsorship rather than setting suitable guidelines for a season of advertising and TV exposure and haggling hard. We as a central London operation should be prime but our deals seem League 1 standard from the outside.