How have you come to the conclusion that is the purpose? At the most recent of the smaller meetings Sepalla was reported as being very clear that we weren't going back to the Ricoh. From what has been said by the club this forum is to cover historical events and how we have ended up in this situation which in my opinion does very little to resolve anything.
I think the question in the interview he stumbled over was why had fixed assets value changed. I think that was when he suggested the Fans Forum
The reasons why fixed asset values have changed from 1.9m to 554k are:
Intangible assets (players registrations, trademarks and business goodwill) dropped from £952k to £79k. Each year trademarks are "depreciated" over their economic lives of apparently 10yrs value 2012 was £3051 and 2013 £2669. Players contracts are depreciated over the length of contracts. In 2012 player contracts had a net value of £948k by 31/05/13 after additions of £112k this value had been written down including disposals to £76k. Goodwill had no value in either year
Tangible (property and equipment) assets dropped from £962k in 2012 to £475k in 2013. Property (just Ryton I think) in the view of the directors dropped from a value of £785k to £360k in May 2013 they provided an additional write down above depreciation of £408k to do that. Equipment dropped from £176k to £115k after depreciation and write offs of equipment.
It is easier to understand when you look at the accounts than I can explain here. But there was no great mystery and a director of any company really ought to understand what happened and why. The question itself on CWR was a nothing one really but it made ML stumble and fluster. His solution was let someone else explain at a fans forum. Passed the buck
The financial questions shouldn't be answered by ML, he is definitely no financial genius. Hope they bring Steve Brookfield and equip him with a license to answer any questions truthfully.
But even more important - I really hope the audience will let the directors speak without interruption. If they're not allowed to finish their sentences how will we get any answers?
Problem is Godiva, I actually think that some of Sisu actually quite like being interrupted so they don't have to finish the answers to the questions they are being asked.
Indeed.
What better way to sidestep being pressed on a point, then the distraction of someone announcing they won't set foot in Sixfields!
I think that more mud-slinging from one side against the other is the last thing we need at present.
I can't see that there are more than two options:
1) The parties get together and agree a deal that brings us back to the Ricoh - whether temporarily, until the new stadium is built, or permanently.
2) We stay at Northampton for the foreseeable future.
I believe that the second option would be disasterous, so we should avoid anything that reduces the (already slim?) chances of the first.
I can see why they're doing the mudslinging. In terms of motivation to negotiate, there is none on the council/ACL so far... if they're to be believed that the Ricoh can do perfectly well without the club.
That is admittedly assuming there's no desire to negotiate from that side however... and isn't how I'd play it either, as it alienates other stakeholders in fans. That's always SISU's problem though; objectively you can see where they're coming from, but the strategies are done with a remarkable lack of awareness and/or consideration.
Perhaps it is, as you imply, an attempt to win over support from the fans who will then pressurise CCC/ACL. If so, then in my opinion, they're on a loser. Even if (post election - and how big an issue did it prove to be there?) CCC would really respond to some upsurge of opinion, I can't see that upsurge coming. The whole saga has been too messy and SISU do not have the aura of a wronged virgin.
In
In, indeed
We're into the realms of speculation (but hell, speculation is what this board's about) but the value of the club doesn't just increase from nothing to something if SISU unite the stadium. If these shenanigans open up the thought of the stadium being sold to the club, and makes that a possibility to someone other than SISU, it makes the club worth a little more as a result.
Whether enough is an entirely different question... but it's a thought to grasp on to
Byng to the rescue?
I'd rather someone who's met the internet!
But yes, that kind of principal.
In, indeed
A little sideline of mine - my campaign to encourage more use of two letter words.....
We no do it!
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