How to make a profit as a Conference Club

[Harry J Allstars]

Altrincham did it rather well I thought.

 

At last night's AGM of Altrincham Football Club, chairman Geoff Goodwin pledged to stay at the helm "for as long as the rest of the board wants me here". Conscious that he has 40 of the 52 weekends this year committed to attending karting events with his son, Jay, a highly promising kart-driver, Geoff did not want to be seen as not fulfilling his duties. But the rest of the Board was more than happy to endorse Geoff as chairman even if he could not attend many Saturday games. "I'd like us to play on Tuesdays and Fridays in future" quipped the chairman.

Testimony to the success of the current board was that they declared a profit of £70,336 over the year to 31 May 2007. As manager Graham Heathcote said, "You can't let Geoff resign, he must be the only chairman in non-league to have produced a profit!" Vice-chairman Grahame Rowley underlined how well the Board worked together. He and Geoff Goodwin were both re-elected for a further three-year period whilst the remaining members of the Board (Andrew Shaw, Barry Pond, Derek Wilshaw, David Burns and Carole Hassan) all remain in office.

 

It was confirmed that income in the 2006-07 financial year had included the £75,000 sell-on monies for Ian Craney's transfer whilst this year, the club had already received the monies owing from the development of the Moss Lane car park. Outgoings had included the new floodlights, the new toilet block which is taking shape, the payment of historic debts as well as a small increase in the playing budget. The Board revealed that it had held a special meeting to consider going full-time but had concluded it was not viable. Graham Heathcote referred to one unnamed player who had recently moved between two BSP clubs and was on a weekly wage of £1,700.

 

Tribute was paid to Barry Pond, the club's commercial director, who is retiring but who pledged to remain "in the background" to support his successor. Without Barry's hard work the club's financial statement would not be so healthy. A welcome attendee at the AGM was former Altrincham and Liverpool chairman, Noel White.

 

After the formal meeting there was time for a brief question and answer session. Asked why the club had no reserves team, Graham Heathcote reiterated his belief that the standard of the local reserve leagues was not at a high enough level. He also pointed out that a reserve side cost money to run and its games added to the wear on the pitch which he described as one of the best in the league. Graham preferred to organize ad hoc games against good-standard local sides instead. He believes that youth team players should show their potential by the age of 18 and therefore future first-teamers should be spotted at that stage or picked up from other local non-league teams. As for keeping first-teamers fit after injury or lay-offs, he preferred to loan them out to local teams in competitive leagues as had happened with Pat McFadden at Radcliffe and Steve Aspinall at Ashton United. Graham had good relationships with a number of local managers where our players could be accommodated for loan periods.

 

Graham was particularly proud of the rise on the club's community profile, with teams now operating at all school ages. He was also pleased that an Easter Summer School was taking place at Moss Lane this year and that the Saturday morning skill sessions had been so successful.

 

Graham indicated that the football authorities were threatening to be tighter on ground improvement deadlines this season, with 31 March the date when a number of clubs have to have works completed. He also stated his belief that 10 points as a deduction for going into administration was far too little a punishment. He believes that relegation is the most appropriate sanction for going into administration.

 

Asked about new signing Carlos Roca, Graham said he had "genuine pace" but had not enjoyed the best of times since dropping into non-league after spells at Oldham Athletic and Carlisle United. Hopefully the move to Moss Lane will benefit both the player and the team. In terms of team-building Graham thought we had gone backwards as we are now reliant on five loan players and will have to rebuild this summer again. However, he paid tribute to the commitment shown by the loan players who had done well since arriving.

[Jeff]

This is the reply from someone I have been debating with. They think it would be a good idea to let everyone in for free as we can recoup on the money on food, drink, merchandising and corporate sponsorship.

It beggars belief.

 

'Worrying really:-

 

Quoting: Harry J Allstars

The Board revealed that it had held a special meeting to consider going full-time but had concluded it was not viable.

 

I think the only part time side in the BSP outside the bottom six is Histon.

 

Quoting: Harry J Allstars

It was confirmed that income in the 2006-07 financial year had included the £75,000 sell-on monies for Ian Craney's transfer

 

Fortunate one off jackpot.

 

Quoting: Harry J Allstars

received the monies owing from the development of the Moss Lane car park.

 

Not really a football activities income.'

 

[Newark Colin (BAFC)]

Alty struggling all season average attendance 1079, part time.

Ebbsfleet, in with a shout of the play-offs still in the Trophy, average BSP attendance 1081, full time.

 

Similar tale for last season, struggling part time Alty 1,166. Full time G & N , just missing out on the play offs, averaging 1,165.

 

Spot the difference.

[Stu M]

Originally Posted By: Newark Colin (BAFC)

Spot the difference.

There's more lazy slacker ba$tards in our town...?

[Jeff]

He met some on Saturday.

[Stu M]

Originally Posted By: Jeff

He met some on Saturday.

I thought Chris didn't go...?

[Jeff]

Haha!

 

He was lording it up in Austria.

[chris blanc]

OOh! You Bitch£s!!