What does shortfall mean?

[Iron Webbo]

From the Soap box:

 

http://p219.ezboard.com/My-Eeyore-Moment...cID=11821.topic

 

"My Eeyore Moment - Peter Webb's Programme Notes....

 

Well, that put a dampener on things didn't it.....never read such a page of doom and gloom for a long time....is he an EastEnders script writer....

 

How serious is the shortfall?

 

Why are no other sponsors coming forward?

 

Where do we stand for the remainder of the season?

 

Player sales?"

 

[The Town Crier]

 

 

hmmmm` it makes interesting reading, Chelmsford are a club with a great pedigree. If they concentrate on that and not the team, then they will come through this all the stronger.

 

The members have seen it all before, they will iron things out.

[GazzaBTFC]

I thought that the inherited" debt was all theirs?

 

Oh well, concerntrate on ourselves and leave them to themselves (I note that they can't help themselves when drawing comparisons, tho - and nice bit of paranoia from Peter Foster - LOL).

 

 

 

 

[Iron Webbo]

Having read the article in full I fear there are grounds for concern. The news that the club continues to be heavily burdened by debt should be a major worry. Were it I, a major priority would be the clearance of said debt rather than, for example, financing a promotion push. For me, talk of not being able to sustain the players effort adds to the worries. Of course, it's nice to have an expensive team, but I prefer a scenario of no debt and expenditure forecast matching and based on predicted income. I'm sure Peter Foster with his accounts experience would support my philosophy.

 

But for me the most worrying statement was towards the end and rang loud alarm bells: "We are indeed entering difficult economic times and we cannot necessarily rely on the generosity of others to continue supporting the club financially." This is as clear a warning as it gets for me. Paul Hopkins did tremendously well to get the Club back to Chelmsford. I realise it's nice to have a successful season this year, but for City fans who endured the eight wilderness years, it should be more important to have lots of seasons for many years to come, in Chelmsford.

 

Good luck to my friends at Melbourne.

[jl]

Whilst I'm all for a bit of Chelmo bashing, especially just in advance of their twice-yearly failure to beat us, I think we need to remember that most clubs would struggle to survive without the generosity of their "board" and as such many of us lead quite fragile existances.

 

I'm sure most of the "real" Chelmo fans would prefer to take a bit of short-term pain to ensure the long term future of their club.

[Uncle Urchin]

you are of course correct jl as mostly all clubs at our levels are subsidised by directors/shareholders/sponsors known to shareholders...including braintree who are at least 500 fans away from being self sufficient which makes lee's post above somewhat surprising...

 

unless of course he has reduced his wage bill to 750 quid a week.....no doubt he will enlighten us shortly...

[The Town Crier]

 

 

 

 

Being accused of creative accounting by UU is somewhat of an Alanis Morissette...dont'ya think.

 

 

jl is always right, (His job requires it ) most clubs rely on sponsorship, advertising and/or donations to survive, which is all legitimate income. It's how that income is spent that sorts solid clubs from the YoYo's

 

 

[GazzaBTFC]

I've given up with Chelmo bashing...for now. I'm all for it generally but I think we should concerntrate on our season and getting up the league. Leave the Chelmo Chav's to their own.

 

JL is quite right but as TC said, it's how you use the cash that matters.

 

 

[Iron Webbo]

Originally Posted By: Uncle Urchin

you are of course correct jl as mostly all clubs at our levels are subsidised by directors/shareholders/sponsors known to shareholders...including braintree who are at least 500 fans away from being self sufficient which makes lee's post above somewhat surprising...

unless of course he has reduced his wage bill to 750 quid a week.....no doubt he will enlighten us shortly...

Unc, I'm not denying that Braintree benefits from sponsorship or donations, merely emphasising that with all income included, it is foolish to spend more than you have. If you don't, you remain debt free and make a small trading profit like Braintree. The worst example of the alternative path is perhaps your own club a few years back. Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a pop at you Unc., but even you must accept that a few lessons were learned by the demise of the old Hx - so much so that AFCHx is now florishing once again.

[The Town Crier]

 

Just read through the chelmo thread and there seems to be a divide as to the meaning of said Chairmans notes.

 

Some are of the opinion that the words are being used as a weapon to frighten members into giving Peter Webb full control.

 

 

Eveneing IW...and what lessons did you learn. I learn't that there are more important things in life than a fast buck.

[Uncle Urchin]

Originally Posted By: Iron Webbo

Unc, I'm not denying that Braintree benefits from sponsorship or donations, merely emphasising that with all income included, it is foolish to spend more than you have. If you don't, you remain debt free and make a small trading profit like Braintree. The worst example of the alternative path is perhaps your own club a few years back. Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a pop at you Unc., but even you must accept that a few lessons were learned by the demise of the old Hx - so much so that AFCHx is now florishing once again.

no problems lee always happy to discuss past mistakes and indeed many people learned much from them...but the principle is surely the same...if the money comes from elsewhere other than club activities (as it did at hx) then there is a risk of the same thing happening to any club benefiting from 'donations' however they are wrapped up...its all very well putting directors donations into projections but we all know that they can stop instantly if said director experiences difficulties...

the point I was making is that braintree (like most clubs) is wholly dependent at its current level on what is quaintly termed sugar daddy support...regardless of whether our fans like it or not...if they want success on the field they have to have outside money off it..self sustaining clubs at our level are mostly a thing of the past and will never return....broadly put an average gate of 400 pays a 1000 quid wage bill and the overheads....most clubs outside the conference don't even average 300...most clubs at our level pay out more than that....

tis the way it is and if the fans were to understand better the need for more support and the reasons why then they perhaps would rally to the flag more...too many clubs don't comunicate with their fans and they think that all is well when its frankly not...we do and just for the record the old Hx is still alive and well and thriving.....a 2 year old limited company was lost in the mayhem in 04.....doesn't make it right...just a fact...

merry xmas to you all and good luck next season..

[Uncle Urchin]

Originally Posted By: The Town Crier

Being accused of creative accounting by UU is somewhat of an Alanis Morissette...dont'ya think.


jl is always right, (His job requires it ) most clubs rely on sponsorship, advertising and/or donations to survive, which is all legitimate income. It's how that income is spent that sorts solid clubs from the YoYo's

it may be legitimate income TC but the point in question is that it is dependant on the generosity of others and therefore not self suffiency...

oh and I didn't accuse anyone of anything TC....you must have been reading another post by someone else...

[theabbeyabbott]

fight fight....

[Iron Webbo]

Originally Posted By: Uncle Urchin

Originally Posted By: Iron Webbo

Unc, I'm not denying that Braintree benefits from sponsorship or donations, merely emphasising that with all income included, it is foolish to spend more than you have. If you don't, you remain debt free and make a small trading profit like Braintree. The worst example of the alternative path is perhaps your own club a few years back. Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a pop at you Unc., but even you must accept that a few lessons were learned by the demise of the old Hx - so much so that AFCHx is now florishing once again.

no problems lee always happy to discuss past mistakes and indeed many people learned much from them...but the principle is surely the same...if the money comes from elsewhere other than club activities (as it did at hx) then there is a risk of the same thing happening to any club benefiting from 'donations' however they are wrapped up...its all very well putting directors donations into projections but we all know that they can stop instantly if said director experiences difficulties...

the point I was making is that braintree (like most clubs) is wholly dependent at its current level on what is quaintly termed sugar daddy support...regardless of whether our fans like it or not...if they want success on the field they have to have outside money off it..self sustaining clubs at our level are mostly a thing of the past and will never return....broadly put an average gate of 400 pays a 1000 quid wage bill and the overheads....most clubs outside the conference don't even average 300...most clubs at our level pay out more than that....

tis the way it is and if the fans were to understand better the need for more support and the reasons why then they perhaps would rally to the flag more...too many clubs don't comunicate with their fans and they think that all is well when its frankly not...we do and just for the record the old Hx is still alive and well and thriving.....a 2 year old limited company was lost in the mayhem in 04.....doesn't make it right...just a fact...

merry xmas to you all and good luck next season..

Then it would appear we are close to agreement.

As to the Chelmo situation, I am just an outsider looking in, but my perception is that it is either, as TC suggests, being used to facilitate a change to the club's stucture or that promises and commitments made may not now be met. Either way, grounds for concern.

Those same grounds for concern do not exist at Cressing Road nor (as far as I am aware) at New Lodge or The Bridge. Perhaps we are making progress after all, eh?

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[Iron Webbo]

Originally Posted By: The Town Crier

Just read through the chelmo thread and there seems to be a divide as to the meaning of said Chairmans notes.

Some are of the opinion that the words are being used as a weapon to frighten members into giving Peter Webb full control.


Eveneing IW...and what lessons did you learn. I learn't that there are more important things in life than a fast buck.

Morning TC. True about that fast buck, it usually is a lot slower than we imagine. For me the most important lesson of all is to enjoy. And when one stops enjoying it, to do something about it!

Have a good Christmas.

[The Town Crier]

Originally Posted By: Uncle Urchin

Originally Posted By: The Town Crier

Being accused of creative accounting by UU is somewhat of an Alanis Morissette...dont'ya think.


jl is always right, (His job requires it ) most clubs rely on sponsorship, advertising and/or donations to survive, which is all legitimate income. It's how that income is spent that sorts solid clubs from the YoYo's

it may be legitimate income TC but the point in question is that it is dependant on the generosity of others and therefore not self suffiency...

oh and I didn't accuse anyone of anything TC....you must have been reading another post by someone else...

UU,
OK, a veiled accusation then, 500 fans, small profit, £750 etc...


Of course they are dependant on, its called income, thats how business and budgeting works is it not...only spend what you can afford.
Or are you suggesting that clubs should ignore their income and just spend bar and gate receipts.

I have no idea what your cryptic last sentence is about, please enlighten us.

[Cherry Blue]

Shortfall is when little Nigel falls over !!

[Brightside Bloke]

Classic

[Ryan.c]

What's all this then? Chelmsford in financial meltdown?

 

Ho, Ho, Ho - Merry Xmas Claret people!

 

 

[GazzaBTFC]

Cruel Ryan but fair