Season Over?

[DearneValleyRover]

The FA are hardly a ringing endorsement of integrity.

Hence the complete overhaul, they are the only governing body for Football in this country, if they were run properly we would have better clearer rules. The EFL are the member clubs it’s board has zero power so we have what we have seen since lockdown and other poor decision making as it’s the clubs themselves who vote. The FA is impartial but run by the old tie brigade unfortunately

 

[Shrimper92]

See you soon

 

[Gassy]

Gassy from getting good news on the Training complex -- What about todays announcement from the CEO regarding a new stadium plan is actively being worked on and we should here news in the next few weeks. Do you reckon the family have sold their shares ( Not including Wael ) to the consortium and we could be heading for a really bright future ?

How're you feeling now, George? We're in a really good place right now, aren't we?

- Wael takes 100% ownership of the club
- Writes off £18.4m worth of debt
- Leaves the club debt free
- Work started on a new training complex
- Potential stadium project to be announced in the next few weeks if all goes well

I'm honestly a bit speechless tbh

 

[GEORGE]

How're you feeling now, George? We're in a really good place right now, aren't we?

- Wael takes 100% ownership of the club
- Writes off £18.4m worth of debt
- Leaves the club debt free
- Work started on a new training complex
- Potential stadium project to be announced in the next few weeks if all goes well

I'm honestly a bit speechless tbh

I saw the breaking news tonight. Cannot believe it. Incredible. Looks like we are getting a brand new stadium as well -- Probably next to the railway station. Especially when a lot of clubs are tightening their belts we seem to be on a spending spree. Also we seem to be looking at a lot of players with good pedigree for the Third div anyway. I wonder what Indian Dan thinks after his remarks about our owners last week. Lots of humble pie being eaten in Bristol tonight. Long may it continue.

 

[Gassy]

I saw the breaking news tonight. Cannot believe it. Incredible. Looks like we are getting a brand new stadium as well -- Probably next to the railway station. Especially when a lot of clubs are tightening their belts we seem to be on a spending spree. Also we seem to be looking at a lot of players with good pedigree for the Third div anyway. I wonder what Indian Dan thinks after his remarks about our owners last week. Lots of humble pie being eaten in Bristol tonight. Long may it continue.

Fingers crossed on the stadium! Trying to keep my feet on the ground for now though!

Tbf, it wasn't too long ago on here that L2 fans (including some one or 2 from Swindon from memory) were saying we're the next Bury. Humble pie from many I think. Wasn't too long ago the supporters club reported the owners to the EFL for not being fit owners

 

[Indian Dan]

Be honest here, guys. Your fans were just as sceptical about Wael.

Let’s see how this actually pans out. It is strange, though. For the smount of debt he’s clearing he could have bought Sunderland!

 

[Gassy]

Be honest here, guys. Your fans were just as sceptical about Wael.

Let’s see how this actually pans out. It is strange, though. For the smount of debt he’s clearing he could have bought Sunderland!

Tbf I don’t think many thought we’d be the next Bury, as Wael seems a passionate guy about the club. But the debt was alarming, without doubt.

It’ll be an interesting few years now. We’ve changed strategies completely and only seem to bring in players 22 or younger in the aim to develop them and sell them on.

It’s going to be exciting, one way or the other.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

I find it all a bit strange given that no one knows when next season will start, no revenue streams to base a budget on etc.

 

[Indian Dan]

Tbf I don’t think many thought we’d be the next Bury, as Wael seems a passionate guy about the club. But the debt was alarming, without doubt.

It’ll be an interesting few years now. We’ve changed strategies completely and only seem to bring in players 22 or younger in the aim to develop them and sell them on.

It’s going to be exciting, one way or the other.

Playing Devil’s Advocate here. What’s in it for Wael? He’s bought out his family’s debt, committed to building a new ground/training ground yet whatever debt you are accruing on a month by month basis still remains as you are still losing money as a club. From what I understand he has little personal wealth so I presume he’s either borrowed the money and/or got other investors involved.

I hope it pans out well for you.

 

[Gassy]

I find it all a bit strange given that no one knows when next season will start, no revenue streams to base a budget on etc.

Apparently the training ground was started due to Covid slashing the prices in costs, so they're taking advantage of the market. If the Fruit Market site is also true, I suspect that Covid drove the asking price down as well.

It's either brilliant, or incredibly stupid.

Playing Devil’s Advocate here. What’s in it for Wael? He’s bought out his family’s debt, committed to building a new ground/training ground yet whatever debt you are accruing on a month by month basis still remains as you are still losing money as a club. From what I understand he has little personal wealth so I presume he’s either borrowed the money and/or got other investors involved.

I hope it pans out well for you.

Well Wael has always wanted to own a club and evolve it slowly into a Championship/beyond team. We all know that he doesn't/didn't have the funds to do that. His father, who owned the bank (apparently worth about 2 Billion - but I'm unsure) recently died, so I'd imagine Wael has inherited a decent sum.

The losses apparently have dropped by 25% this year, until Covid hit anyway. So realistically we're probably back where we were last season. They have been making huge changes behind the scenes to cut the losses, after all - we weren't losing that much until the new owners came in.

We're basically getting rid of anyone above 28 in the club and investing in younger players. I guess we're looking to build a Peterborough type model in the longer run where we buy in and develop our own youth players. We've now got an academy in London, as an example, to take advantage of young talent there.

Wael did say in a letter yesterday that he wanted (and will) keep majority control in BRFC, and stated the rumours of a takeover are categorically untrue. I think they probably were true, until Wael now has the ownership he's wanted. Probably the truth is that Wael will hold 51%+ when the new investment comes in to build the stadium. Wiping out the debt simply makes us more investable. Which is what I think is happening here.

Let's see. We're Bristol Rovers, it can and most probably will (like always) all go tits up.

 

[Camborne Gills]

I saw the breaking news tonight. Cannot believe it. Incredible. Looks like we are getting a brand new stadium as well -- Probably next to the railway station. Especially when a lot of clubs are tightening their belts we seem to be on a spending spree. Also we seem to be looking at a lot of players with good pedigree for the Third div anyway. I wonder what Indian Dan thinks after his remarks about our owners last week. Lots of humble pie being eaten in Bristol tonight. Long may it continue.

Would that be Filton Abbey Wood station?

 

[Luke Imp]

From the outside looking in, it does seem a little weird to go from one extreme to the other!

 

[Luke Imp]

How are everyone's ST refunds/donations going, btw? 85% of our lot have responded to far and 80% of those have converted to shares so that will have helped the Club a lot.

Notice that Posh, despite all the money they spend, aren't offering refunds at all and can either get it knocked off their next two ST's or donated to the youth academy (which presumably saves the club money, which can be used elsewhere).

 

[GEORGE]

Would that be Filton Abbey Wood station?

Temple Meads

 

[GEORGE]

From the outside looking in, it does seem a little weird to go from one extreme to the other!

If you read the statement from our owner you will then realise how it is being done.

 

[thewwfc]

How are everyone's ST refunds/donations going, btw? 85% of our lot have responded to far and 80% of those have converted to shares so that will have helped the Club a lot.

The club haven’t announced the numbers so it’s difficult to tell really. Anecdotally (from our forum) a lot of people seem to be waiving the refund, but of course it’s unlikely that someone’s going to shout about it if they did want their money back.

People’s noses have been put out of joint somewhat though by the club announcing significant price rises for next season just after many had chosen to waive their refund, which seems to be a little clunky from a communication perspective.

Our new owner has said quite openly for a while that prices were going to have to rise, but I guess it could have been better handled. The club has already done a partial u-turn on some of the price rises (eg kids’ tickets).

 

[Guernica]

How are everyone's ST refunds/donations going, btw? 85% of our lot have responded to far and 80% of those have converted to shares so that will have helped the Club a lot.

Notice that Posh, despite all the money they spend, aren't offering refunds at all and can either get it knocked off their next two ST's or donated to the youth academy (which presumably saves the club money, which can be used elsewhere).

Don't like Posh or their ownership but that's ridiculous, owned by 3 millionaires and all the spouting about integrity for the past two months and they do that? Hypocritical and judging by the statement with it, they don't give a damn about their fans. DMAC only retweeting people in support of him and seemingly doesn't have the decency to enter a conversation with those calling him out on this decision.

Thank God, the Imps are led by decent people and are fan centric with transparent accountability. Not interested in the slightest with huge overseas investment/dictatorship.

 

[Indian Dan]

I’m happy to call out shitty owners - even our own - but in the long run it’s really only the fans that matter. No amount of moaning - or fawning over - will change much. We have to suck it up and hope they don’t do too much damage.

Gone are the days when I believed anything spouted by an owner. They’re in it for one reason only - themselves. No pointing deluding yourself.

 

[Millerbri]

Rotherham fans are given 3 options regarding what's left of 2019-20 season tickets. (5 home matches)
1 you can donate it to the club scheme (United Rotherham) who will not keep it but use it to pay for tickets to allow key workers and families that can't afford to attend matches to be able to see a game next season.

2. You can have the refund put into an account (Millers Wallet) which can be spent in the club shop or used towards 2020-21 season tickets.

3. You can claim a refund.

Season tickets remain the same price for the 8th year running, which is an amazing offer TBF.
The same price as we paid when the new stadium opened.

All 3 of us in my family went with option 1, which seems to have been the most popular choice so far but I suppose it depends on your own financial position.
There is no wrong option, it's all about circumstances.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

How are everyone's ST refunds/donations going, btw? 85% of our lot have responded to far and 80% of those have converted to shares so that will have helped the Club a lot.

Notice that Posh, despite all the money they spend, aren't offering refunds at all and can either get it knocked off their next two ST's or donated to the youth academy (which presumably saves the club money, which can be used elsewhere).

We find out our options tomorrow

 

[Luke Imp]

If you read the statement from our owner you will then realise how it is being done.

I've skim-read it, but I'm still reading it as there was '£m' of debt and now there's effectively none.

 

[Luke Imp]

The club haven’t announced the numbers so it’s difficult to tell really. Anecdotally (from our forum) a lot of people seem to be waiving the refund, but of course it’s unlikely that someone’s going to shout about it if they did want their money back.

People’s noses have been put out of joint somewhat though by the club announcing significant price rises for next season just after many had chosen to waive their refund, which seems to be a little clunky from a communication perspective.

Our new owner has said quite openly for a while that prices were going to have to rise, but I guess it could have been better handled. The club has already done a partial u-turn on some of the price rises (eg kids’ tickets).

How much have they gone up by? £500 for an adult ticket in what I'm guessing it your main stand does seem expensive!

 

[thewwfc]

How much have they gone up by? £500 for an adult ticket in what I'm guessing it your main stand does seem expensive!

Not sure of the percentages (and it depends on where you sit, and whether it’s a full adult ticket/junior etc) but it seems we’ve gone from one of the cheapest in the division to the most expensive.

I guess us having cheap tickets hasn’t really expanded the fanbase that much, and you could argue we’re always going to struggle with a limited playing budget, even more so after the hit of no income for months, but it seems a risky strategy to me.

 

[Boz]

Rovers have given fans the option of no refund, money to local charity or vouchers. While it would cost a quarter million to refund everyone cash, they recognise that some have been hard-hit by the Covid crisis so will do a cash refund on specific request.

As a final decision over legal action regarding our demotion hasn’t been taken, yet, posting this here!

 

[Camborne Gills]

Temple Meads

Must be a newer proposal i haven't read about. Obviously much better for those coming by train. Can think of about 5 pubs within walking distance.

 

[GEORGE]

Must be a newer proposal i haven't read about. Obviously much better for those coming by train. Can think of about 5 pubs within walking distance.

Its the " Fruit Market " one

 

[Gassy]

Must be a newer proposal i haven't read about. Obviously much better for those coming by train. Can think of about 5 pubs within walking distance.

I feel for fans coming now by train. Parkway is f*cking miles away. Let’s be honest, it’s a terrible stadium in a terrible location.

If a new one happens and it’s in the city centre then it’ll be f*cking perfect. A few people not happy with parking as they’re used to parking within half a mile at the Mem - but I think I’d happily sacrifice parking for a new stadium with train links, in the centre with near unlimited bars.

 

[Indian Dan]

Hope I’m still alive to see it!

 

[Camborne Gills]

I feel for fans coming now by train. Parkway is f*cking miles away. Let’s be honest, it’s a terrible stadium in a terrible location.

If a new one happens and it’s in the city centre then it’ll be f*cking perfect. A few people not happy with parking as they’re used to parking within half a mile at the Mem - but I think I’d happily sacrifice parking for a new stadium with train links, in the centre with near unlimited bars.

Going to the Mem currently isn't the worst. A couple of pubs just down from Montpelier station, one of which is pretty cheap, and a fair few up Gloucester Road, but it is a good 30 minute walk and uphill to the ground (even more now with my dodgy leg).
Having a new build near TM would be much better, more time for post match bevvies for starters.

As it is, the Mem is still better than Sixfields (if they go up)

 

[Luke Imp]

How are everyone's ST refunds/donations going, btw? 85% of our lot have responded to far and 80% of those have converted to shares so that will have helped the Club a lot.

Just coming back to this, about 90% ended up converting their refunds into shares in the Club or donated them to the Trust, which was a good effort and saved a the Club a decent sum (£300k+).