Some of you on here are criticising me given my previous stance on the NOPM campaign.
I know we are only 3 games into the new season and no consequence of the campaign will have developed by now however, Greg Clarke has said that his accountants have seen PROOF OF FUNDS to be able to put down an initial £10,000,000 to a new stadium AND funds to cover all losses while we ground share at Northampton. This stance has been echoed by TF and the F.A.
Now for the maths. If we sold out Sixfields every week, to make things easier, lets say 7000 every game for 23 games. Right, at £16 a ticket this would mean revenue of just £2,576,000 this season. Taking away now policing costs, stewarding costs and the rest that figure probably in the region of £750,000 to £1,000,000. That leaves a revenue of around £1,750,000. Compared to the around £50,000,000 they claim to have invested already, that number is pennies.
SISU have maintained that the club is not for sale. here is where my worry is. Without this revenue I think there is more chance of the club franchising and moving away rather than coming home. We all know that SISU have no intention of building a new stadium, they want the Ricoh. The council will not sell to "such an unethical company" and so they shouldnt. So what options does this leave? 1) Franchising the club and moving to a different location 2) Sell the club. Nothing over the past 6 years has suggested to me that SISU will sell the club. Somehow Joy and Tim have convinced their investors to keep investing. They would not suddenly pull the plug after investing so much capital, it just will not happen. If they did choose to sell the price would be astronomical considering their investments into the club, the price tag significantly higher than anyone will be willing to pay.
SISU have not even acknowledged the various protests and campaigns that have surfaced over the past few months. The fans have become divided and the gap between this division is only widening. The fans need some sort of leadership. This should have come from the trust, from the outset. I agree that the KCIC campaign was a good idea however I now see the trust withering away and not attempted to bridge the gap of disgruntled fans. This is why we need a change of direction.
I dont dislike the NOPM campaign by any stretch of the imagination however I feel it can be used as a scapegoat by lazy fans who just think that shouting NOPM will change everything.
We need a new direction, new leadership and begin to unite us fans again. We are much stronger together than we are apart. Arguing amongst ourselves shows us to be a mockery and actually shows SISU are winning. it is basically a carbon copy of Wimbledon/MK Dons.
While I agree we need SISU gone we also need transparency of our club at board level. This is why i suggested attempting to purchase Brody's 4% stake in the club and then to elect a fan rep to sit on the board. At least we have something which we can use as a catalyst to get things done. At least Fisher would have to listen to fans opinions and any wrong doings will be brought to light.
Other than that I suggested a mass pitch invasion Vs Sheffield UTD live on sky, just something to physically affect the runnings of the club in a way that cannot be ignored.
We need to constantly chnage our approach until we find the one that changes things. But firsts things first we need to be united, we need our trust to step up the mark.
I have given you all at least some evidence as why the NOPM campaign will not work, that is more than anything you can give me to suggest it will? other than "companies cannot operate without consumers" yes thats true, but i am 100% sure SISU would rather franchise the club than sell.
still love you all though
