League 2 relegation thread 14/15

[StagsForLife]

We went up on 1.8M I believe. Had about 35 players on our books.

 

[1884 Belmont]

Noticed earlier that Tranmere can no longer even equal the number of points they went down with last season, in League ONE - that's absolutely shocking.

Sorry, but I don't see how they can stay up now playing two of the division's best home and away sides, unless they do something miraculous like Hereford three years ago (when they nearly escaped after getting 6 points out 6 against two automatic promotion-chasing sides) and both Cheltenham and Hartlepool slip up.

What really took the biscuit is that L1 squad all had 40% pay cuts in their contracts, but our old owner cut the budget so much that we couldn't even afford to keep them on that reduced rate and most of those responsible for our relegation earned themselves nice pay deals elsewhere (Wallace to Sheffield United, Lowe to Bury, Robbo/Akpa Akpro to Shrewbury). We were left with the very worst of our L1 squad and a want away keeper who eventually stayed because he couldn't get a 1st choice position elsewhere.

I cannot stress how unprofessional the running of this Football Club had become by the end of the Peter Johnson reign. Unfortunately, the parting gift of that reign was this season's squad and the Palioses have been trying to put all the off field problems right at the same time as trying to sort the playing squad. It's been a disaster, but Peter Johnson's running of this club was nothing better than non-league and it's coming home to roost.

 

[1884 Belmont]

About £1M+ i think. In the 2013/14 season FGR had the 2nd biggest budget behind Luton. I would expect that maybe only Bristol Rovers have a bigger budget than FGR and Eastleigh this season. Next season expect Bromley, Barrow, Fylde and Whitehawk (should they be promoted) to have top 10 budgets, they might even be top 6 depending on whether their owners want an immediate challenge top end . I don't know what Tranmere have budgeted this season but if you slip down you may well have to budget just as much or more to even compete for 5th.

We went up on 1.8M I believe. Had about 35 players on our books.

Holy Fuck - our budget this season was £700k! (Admittedly, it has been significantly increased in January and Palios has already said we will have a top 5 budget next season). I don't know if we could compete with that!

 

[shoddycollins]

The Barrow chairman was on BBC Radio Cumbria before the kick-offs today and he seemed to be targeting league football.

 

[LondonOrn]

The Barrow chairman was on BBC Radio Cumbria before the kick-offs today and he seemed to be targeting league football.

About bloody time too, they've been out of the League since 1972 (still the same club IIRC, unlike Accrington and Bradford PA that had to reform) but they've never come close to winning promotion from the Conference since then.

 

[hellogregory]

The Barrow chairman was on BBC Radio Cumbria before the kick-offs today and he seemed to be targeting league football.

Yeah right. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[shoddycollins]

About bloody time too, they've been out of the League since 1972 (still the same club IIRC, unlike Accrington and Bradford PA that had to reform) but they've never come close to winning promotion from the Conference since then.

Yeah think so... they had 2500 fans at their game today.

 

[StagsForLife]

I like his thinking. I'm assuming its a plan to boost our goals by knocking 8 past them again.

 

[Reginald Fodstain]

The thing that summed up today was the Oxford team (and Matt Hill and Ian Hume) clapping the Kop. The rest of our shower of shite fucked straight off out of there. Gutless isn't even the word.

 

[AdamStag]

What do you class as 'moneyed' though? What would a typical Conference Budget be at the top end?

You'd need to have a budget of a million at least.

 

[Optogas]

I have actually enjoyed this season after the initial hurt, anguish and betrayal ( The cat and kids still hide when the football on the radio is on....) It feels like football of the 80's, like you as a supporter matters, the team cares and they our proud to represent your club. However would prefer to escape asap. We were lucky all the players we wanted rid off were out of contract and got released (Bizarrely tranmere signed several). We built the new team on good youth, proven conference players and a few ex-league old hands. Believe our budget is about 1 million as opposed to the three million we blew on getting relegated. This is a tough, tough league the teams at the top are usually on a par quality wise, the teams at the bottom experts at parking the team coach in front of the goal. I got to be honest I think whoever comes down would be better off dying on their ass away from home and getting relegated quicker than doing what the gas did of only dropping last gasp on the final day. Torquay with less quality started stronger and more positive even though they faded badly. We had the team but as supporters we let the team down the first few games by outrageous behavior. Be supportive accept your board ballsed it up big time, rebuild and get behind them otherwise you may be here for a long time. Hi my name is optogas, I support Bristol Rovers and im a non-league-supporter. My god the shit team meetings have worked.

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Having just seen the three managers interviews the Tranmere and Cheltenham managers look like they have had the stuffing knocked out of them, Ronnie seemed chirpy though

 

[LondonOrn]

We had the team but as supporters we let the team down the first few games by outrageous behavior.

What sort of outrageous behaviour was that? I know you didn't start very well, but I assumed that was because you were adjusting to a new league and still suffering a relegation hangover.

 

[Optogas]

What sort of outrageous behaviour was that?

We had the problems on the day we got relegated, fighting, horse punchers rumours a couple punched Jon-joe the toole. Then at the start of the season we had a couple of fans try to punch the braintree players, at another game they got on our team coach and told the players what they thought in no uncertain terms of the performance and some other little incidents. Mostly all by guys in their late 40's early fifties who really should know better!

 

[hellogregory]

Having just seen the three managers interviews the Tranmere and Cheltenham managers look like they have had the stuffing knocked out of them, Ronnie seemed chirpy though

Ronnie is always light hearted.

 

[Duffy]

I have actually enjoyed this season after the initial hurt, anguish and betrayal ( The cat and kids still hide when the football on the radio is on....) It feels like football of the 80's, like you as a supporter matters, the team cares and they our proud to represent your club. However would prefer to escape asap. We were lucky all the players we wanted rid off were out of contract and got released (Bizarrely tranmere signed several). We built the new team on good youth, proven conference players and a few ex-league old hands. Believe our budget is about 1 million as opposed to the three million we blew on getting relegated. This is a tough, tough league the teams at the top are usually on a par quality wise, the teams at the bottom experts at parking the team coach in front of the goal. I got to be honest I think whoever comes down would be better off dying on their ass away from home and getting relegated quicker than doing what the gas did of only dropping last gasp on the final day. Torquay with less quality started stronger and more positive even though they faded badly. We had the team but as supporters we let the team down the first few games by outrageous behavior. Be supportive accept your board ballsed it up big time, rebuild and get behind them otherwise you may be here for a long time. Hi my name is optogas, I support Bristol Rovers and im a non-league-supporter. My god the shit team meetings have worked.

Difference is you've bounced straight back and have had a very good season, the vast majority of clubs come down with fans expecting them to do well and it's a huge let down when reality kicks in and your manager is sacked within four months. Second season onwards it just starts to drag with depressing midweek games in the middle of winter with 10 away fans and the worst refs in the world.

 

[Habbinalan]

I've read a lot of comments on here and its predecessor TFF (and also the Conference forum, wherever that has got to) about just how bad the Conference is for ex-league teams, but specifically what is it about that division which makes it worse than getting relegated to any other league higher up the pyramid? Apart from the usual factors, worse football, shit grounds, fewer home/away fans etc?

In simple terms two things, especially for a big club with big overheads and expectations like Tranmere:

1) Money - Tranmere are lucky to have a buffer, with assets and little debt, but work out what income will disappear even compared to this rubbish season. If you spend the assets or lend against them to chase promotion and fail, they are gone. Which brings me to...

2) 2 up 2 down - only one automatic promotion for the champions then the lottery of play-offs for the other.

My message is don't give up until it is done. It may be painful to prolong the agony but all of us have the players to win matches against any team in this division. It sounds like a major part of the problem for Tranmere has walked. Stranger things have happened than Tranmere turning over Bury at home.

Having said that, I think they'll be re-acquainted with Holker Street next season and get beat.

 

[Optogas]

Have said for years needs to be three up/three down from league 2 admitedly never thought we would drop, but needs to be fairer on aspiring clubs. That said if Tranmere and Harlepool drop and the monied Barrow, Bromley, Fylde and Whitehawk come up hard to see who the obvious 4 for relegation are. Going to be awful down here next season still hoping to get out though.

 

[Flaxman's Alibi]

As a supporterer of a club that's hung its arse far too close to the trapdoor this season, it might sound odd, but I'd still advocate a third promotion slot from the Conference.

That might sound like a lamb voluntarily skewering itself to the kebab stick but no other single act would make the drop in to the pit of non-league more hopeful.

The one automatic promotion spot makes it a grim living for supporters of once proud members of the FL.
York, Cambridge and now Wrexham looked at the thickest edge of a decade to return, despite having competitive seasons.

In no other division, other than the Premier, is the budget of your club usually so vital (though perhaps Barnet are bucking the trend?). Another automatic spot would instantly breathe life in to so many once happy clubs.

And if you finished third bottom in League 2?
Well, your team is probably worse than Eastleigh or FGR anyway then.

 

[Duffy]

In simple terms two things:

1) Money - you are lucky to have a buffer, with assets and little debt, but work out what income will disappear even compared to this rubbish season for you. If you spend the assets or lend against them to chase promotion and fail, they are gone. Which brings me to...

2) 2 up 2 down - only one automatic promotion for the champions then the lottery of play-offs for the other.

Don't give up until it is done. It may be painful to prolong the agony but , like most of us, you have the players to win matches against any team in this division. It sounds like a major part of the problem has walked. Stranger things have happened than Tranmere turning over Bury at home.

Having said all that, I think you'll be re-acquainted with Holker Street next season and get beat.

Yes the tv money at league level makes a huge difference, we only just achieved promotion before probably going part time and the owners walking away. The two up is an absolute killer and obviously makes a huge difference next to being relegated between league within the football league.

 

[Optogas]

Yes the tv money at league level makes a huge difference, we only just achieved promotion before probably going part time and the owners walking away. The two up is an absolute killer and obviously makes a huge difference next to being relegated between league within the football league.

The tv money is a huge blow, BT gives a team £7000 for showing a live match. Bizarrely though you will be on tv a lot more on Bt sport then you will in league 2.

 

[Optogas]

We had to change are wage structure entirely most of the players our on a thousand a week or lower now. Some of the players look good but usually have an obvious flaw which is why they are in this league. Matty Taylor is an amazing all round striker except for the fact that he creates tons of chances but contrives to miss the majority he should be on 30 odd goals but is on 16.

 

[Habbinalan]

The tv money is a huge blow, BT gives a team £7000 for showing a live match. Bizarrely though you will be on tv a lot more on Bt sport then you will in league 2.

TV money yes but secure funding for the youth teams and Premier League share-outs are even bigger, as is the FL prize money.

 

[Optogas]

TV money yes but secure funding for the youth teams and Premier League share-outs are even bigger, as is the FL prize money.

Oh and losing players to pointless internationals,not just a premiership problem that happens to us in non-leagueland England 'C' games take your best players, just before important games of to malta and such like.

 

[Master D]

You generally need a massive budget, £1m+ to win the Conference. Last 2 years there has been a drop in overall quality in the league though I reckon.

 

[Gladders]

To guarantee the title you need to be spending the most (say between 1m and 1.5m depending on other clubs) and have a competent manager, or spend a lot more than anyone else and have an average manager.
To be competitive top 5 you need to spend probably 800k plus or get lucky, there's generally always a side that challenges the top 5 all season with lower budgets but they usually fall away in the final month or two.

If Tranmere are only spending 700k now then be prepared for either a long time in the conference, get lucky or make a big loss sticking to 700k should be enough to challenge but don't forget crowds will be lower and you will lose about 700k from the FL, after whatever parachute payments teams get. Plus as already mentioned there are several clubs about to be promoted that will spend plus 4 of the current top 5 so at least 3 current clubs will still be spending around 1m next season

 

[1884 Belmont]

Cheers for the replies. Just to clarify, £700k was what the previous regime gave us to mount a promotion push this year (don't laugh). Since the new owners came in, we have invested heavily.

 

[Master D]

Or you have a decent, mid-ranged budget, £600-800k and sneak your way into the playoffs and hope and pray that you produce your 3 best performances of the season when it really matters.

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Are you re

Ronnie is always light hearted.

Are you related?

 

[Gladders]

Not necessarily. A canny manager who puts together a decent side containing players that know the division worked for us. Most important was making sure we beat all the teams we should have beaten; our record against the top five was fairly poor in our promotion season.

Having said that you might need the cash to win it, as there is always at least one team chucking money at it. We came up with Crawley...

Difference is you were a side rising up the pyramid where it is generally easier to keep winning and have the team spirit to do well, completely different to a side falling down the leagues.