I would like to see a club ran on business level, but it would be that, a club. Nobody would purchase a club like BCFC as it does not own its main asset i.e Ashton Gate. The ground has been placed into a holding company by Steve Lansdown to prevent such a scenario. When things go badly wrong, and they have it would be odd not to ponder why.
I am secretary for our local Cricket Club. I lend the club money, and sometimes I give it money. To pay bills, to improve facilities, and sometimes to pay for star players accomodation and 'expnses'. I am an astute businessman, affluent some would say, and yet I throw money at the local Cricket Club, knowing I won't get it back. In percentage terms, its probably no more or less of my earnings than it is to Steve Lansdown and BCFC. Probably more. I do this because I want them to succeed and I am willing to do my best. Other clubs have more money, and we need to compete. I am a fan, and though i harbour hopes that they will one day be able to stand on their own two feet, whilst I can help, I will. As nobody else - local firms, government etc. - will financially help the club. Funnily enough we were also relegated last year. But with my investment in the youth set up, I hope that in the next couple of years, I can turn off the money tap, as we can have our own players and not have to buy some in. I bet this is the same story at thousands of local Cricket, Football, Rugby clubs up and down the land. And yet we think it strange that SL does the same thing, just on a larger scale. I admire him and know that if I had his money; if any of us had his money; we would probably spend it in exactly the same way. The way we want to.
Very true Glen,i have run my own business for twenty five years now,i invest and spend as i see fit."Just invested £90.000 into the business: Steve can and will invest what he wants,but you as a business man do have to question where money has been spent,certainly i do. The question that concerns me more than any why invest in DJ when we had perfectly good keepers,why invest in two strikers when defenders were needed. I do think the club has to take a close look at itself,hopefully learn from the problems for next season. They finally have a excellent manager,we now need a team to go alongside that,simply the most expensive team ever assembled has been very poor indeed.
Personally, I think SL has been let down by those investing his money. At the Cricket Club I rely on our Captains to tell me who is worth it and who isnt. They dont want me interfering with their jobs. Football Managers would be the same. There is an element of trust. I wonder if I might be swayed like he was - an ex-England keeper, coming off the back of a season where he single-handedly kept Portsmouth out of relegation before Christmas. Maybe someone who could help the younger players and bring a bit of 'Hollywood' to the team. Its a gamble, but then so is signing Craig Bellamy, or Marlon King. I really might be tempted
Well said GlennGregory. I am totally certain that if I ever came up on Euromillions for a massive win, then my 50% after her indoors has had a few new frocks, would go toward MY FOOTBALL CLUB, BRISTOL CITY. And like Glen Gregory, I wouldn't bet against other really die hard City fans doing the same. Thanks to Steve Lansdown. Yes he's made mistakes, but where would we be without him?
