so the current attendance is 9k average and we are going down ........ you want to base on a budget attendance of higher and spend money a self sufficient CCFC simply doesn't have or might never have............ and expect that to pass even the FL cursory scrutiny. The budget can be flexed but there are only two opportunities to spend it July to August and January. By time we get to July CCFC will be well aware of the uptake of ST's and therefore likely walk up sales too, to spend money they haven't got just risks total disaster. Now if SISU fund further that might be different..... they might fund a shortfall in an emergency requiring repayment on player sale but invest for the future? Sorry Italia the worst thing they can do is budget for 10000 knowing the likely figure is 5000
Good points and well made OSB! My concern is that the clubs leadership have only one business model, which has failed to deliver the positive outcomes surely they would want & to blindly follow their current mantra will not change our fortunes. The saying goes about repeating the same thing and expecting a different result!
In terms of managing the "risk" there are a couple of scenarios which I think should be considered by the leadership:
Are CCFC prepared to commit 55% of income to the playing side, which is the maximum allowed under FFP? If so, they need to make this very clear to the fan base, as currently there is no transparency regarding elements of the business model.
n.b. Before anyone jumps on this stating it could adversely affect our negotiating position for players.....I do not advocate a GBP figure on this being circulated.
Currently, due to alienation of the fan base, a very low "take up" in ST sales of circa 2000 is a realistic projection and should be the basis for the projected budget. This would lead to a very difficult recruitment and development period for the manager & a potential further spiral downwards in the clubs fortunes.
However, if the club can look like they are serious about returning the club to Div 1 at the first attempt, then it's still possible that the ST sales could be significantly higher. A start would be to retain the best of our talented academy graduates and add some seasoned players in key positions.
Additionally, we know there are numerous ways of massaging the FFP figures to give wriggle room for MR, if required, but this would need extensive contacts with external stakeholders to realise.
Fundamentally, will the club commit to 55% of income for the development of the team and that budget under MR's control?