If what you say is so, OSB58, Why did SISU bring the Club back to the Ricoh? Don't forget they were going to Sixfields for 3 years poss 5 years! If it wasn't for being "Starved" of money(They allowed for... On a bad day 3.5k on the gate, and on a good day 7.5k.(Never once getting any where near 3k) You can't honestly tell me they brought the Club back for the "Sake of the fans"... They were IMHO being hit where it hurts the most, in the pocket.
That's your opinion and a valid one.
Personally I do not think that the finances ever made sense whether it was 1000 or 7000 fans. The cost structure of the club could never have been supported by any level of income they could derive from Sixfields that year or any other year - big losses were always going to happen which meant that SISU knew they would have to support it before they moved. The difference between the attendances they got and the max they could possibly get each week equates to less that £1m Turnover (before deduction of some costs) not huge numbers. Not all that stayed away were NOPM there were other reasons too
I also think that they were well aware of what they were doing and it had everything to do with hastening the demise of ACL and nothing to do with finding CCFC a new home. I think they would have supported the paltry numbers attending for another season or so had not a huge fly (wasp) appeared in the ointment.
Once that happened (many of us believed something was going on so SISU would have some idea well before CCFC return) it was important to get back to the Ricoh simply to avoid any extra "investment" (supporting losses) being wasted , to generate better incomes than Sixfields yes and to ensure a better financial income whilst other matters were/are dealt with but the plan to get the Ricoh had gone south so no point creating bigger losses by staying at Sixfields.
If they hadn't come back when they did then I would think CCFC could well have been bust by now or at very least relegated because the incomes at Sixfields could never work NOPM or not. There were no rights for CCFC at the Ricoh, no contract, they needed to prove a connection to the stadium to back up any possible future claims and they got a cheap rent in the process. As soon as SISU said we would like to come back there was no way ACL, CCC, AEHC were going to say no.
This whole series of events has nothing to do with the well being of CCFC but everything to do with obtaining a return for SISU/ARVO investors. The plan nearly worked because ACL were dangerously short of cash flow - but then along came Wasps
Just because TF said 3 years or 5 years doesn't mean that was the real intention. He would say that though wouldn't he. Building own stadium - would say that too. All about putting pressure on ACL and talking down their business. Funny how we can believe some of what he says and not other bits - when the reality is we should always question everything and anything he says or does
Just my opinion of course - and looking at it that way the importance of NOPM is not what you attach to it