have you seen this

[Urchin fan]

check out the statment issued about Hornchurch F.C. <a href="hhttp://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/135.html" target="_blank">hhttp://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/135.html</a>

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

This looks like good news, does it not?

 

Maybe we won't have a 10point deduction afterall?

[Voiceofreason]

Pretty sure we wont lose any points chaps!!!

 

SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!

[and1inthetree]

cut & pasted for the terminally lazy...

 

I thought Northwich Victoria were deducted 10 points for going into administration, not for breaching the wage cap? I also thought that the administration points deducted thingy applied to us also. Could be wrong though, and usually am.

 

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION AT HORNCHURCH FC

 

By John Moules, Football Conference Chief Executive

 

Sporting Sanctions and Approved Playing Budgets

 

Since the demise of the company funding Hornchurch Football Club became public knowledge last week, publicity surrounding that action has been considerable and in many cases inaccurate. While there can be no doubt the future of the football club is an immediate concern there are some positives to be taken on board from the club's current situation.

 

In real terms the company funding Hornchurch have met the financial commitments of the club, which means they have limited creditors and while any creditor is unfortunate for those involved the club do not have as such 'major creditors'. The club and playing staff are probably the largest and most urgent group of creditors at present and their position is seen as a priority.

 

Over the past two years Hornchurch have risen from the lower levels of the national game to almost achieving their owner's ultimate aim of progressing the club to the Football League through the structure over a five-year time scale. What the club's achievements to date clearly demonstrate is that it is not always failure that leads to the demise of a business or a football club; sometimes success, unless proper business plans are in place and adhered to, can have the same effect and often with more devastating results.

 

Telford United and Hornchurch Football Clubs are almost unique, as businesses: they were both having their most successful periods in the game with attendance levels doubled, progressive club infrastructures to full-time staff, playing and spectator facilities being developed, and enjoying profile in the world's best known cup competition, the FA Cup, where they both featured 'live' on national television against higher opposition.

 

Where then did it all go wrong, and who is to blame?

 

One column repor last week, asked if the introduction of wage capping 'was just a ploy to impress The FA, and the Football League, or are the Conference serious about the measure?'. The column went on to say: 'If so, they ought to make sure it works somewhat better in the future'.

 

The Conference are serious and have put in practise its determination, by still being the only competition to implement 'Sporting Sanctions' and 'Approved Playing Budgets'. At this stage the Football Conference remains the only competition to activate the sanctions provided for in the rules, as in the case of Exeter City last season, which was far from simply 'playing lip service' as it was an extremely costly action for the Conference, and more recently the implementation which brought the deduction of 10 points from the playing record of Northwich Victoria this season. These are strong, responsive, and positive actions by the competition, which clubs demand.

 

As Conference South and Conference North were new competitions, it was felt inappropriate to implement financial constraints such as 'Approved Playing Budgets' on member clubs in their first season of operation, so Hornchurch along with the other 43 member clubs were not subject to 'wage capping' as some reports would seem to indicate.

 

All 44 Clubs provided copies of audited annual accounts and budgets for the season. The FA's 'Fit and Proper' persons rules introduced at all levels of the game this season would not have prevented Telford or Hornchurch failing as both the companies funding the clubs were successful businesses with multi-million pound turnovers at the time when they entered into agreements to fund the respective football clubs.

 

The implementation and application of sound financial management rules for playing budgets and day-to-day operational costs for clubs in membership of the Conference has always been and remains a priority of its Board of Directors and Member Clubs, despite the seeming failure or willingness of the rest of football to take a similarly strong view, as was demonstrated last season when the Conference was left to go it alone in its initial costly implementation of sporting sanctions with regard to Exeter City.

 

Determined to act responsibly and provide leadership and guidance, the Conference Board reviewed the policies for sporting sanctions and approved playing budgets with various expert bodies and other football organisations, which resulted in the introduction of new rules and procedures this season, with the full backing of all 66 member clubs. The new rules provide for both clubs and the competition to seek a decision from a wholly independent body, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, for cases involving a breach of financial rules and regulations by a club and where implemented by the competition.

 

While there can be no doubt that the survival of Hornchurch is a priority for those remaining at the club today, the long term future must be based on sound business practices of planning and budgeting for both success and failure.

 

One of the plus points to emerge as an immediate result of the Hornchurch situation was the club's infrastructure, which included a strong and successful under-19 youth education and development programme, encouraged by the Conference, which enabled the club to fulfil its immediate fixture commitments and has provided some valuable breathing space to find a short/long term solution for their future. The youngsters responded magnificently by recording a 1-0 victory over Arlesey Town in the FA Trophy to set up a second round tie away to either Cinderford Town or Cambridge City, who replay this week.

 

This Saturday Hornchurch face a real test of character with an away tie in The FA Cup First Round against former Conference club Boston United of League Two.

 

While there will inevitably be many twists and turns over the next few weeks at Hornchurch, football again has an opportunity to assess its financial policies and take on board the experience real events provide. One can but hope that the events will help focus the minds of those responsible for the overall well being of the game to act quickly to protect clubs at all levels.

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

And the gold medal for the worlds longest post goes to.......

[Bridge]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

I knew i shouldn't of had that beer at lunch time!!!!

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

Quote:

Where then did it all go wrong, and who is to blame?

Oh, I think we all know the answer to that one!!

[pabird]

The statement appears to indicate that the club have been left with negliable debt

If that is true then the club has a very real chance of progress

"Progress" fans will have to make realistic judgement of what the club are able to achieve both short and long term

Worst case 1)- drop a division or two and then make a natural progression back to a realistic level

best case 2)- A solid business man backer is found who supports the club and the team hold onto to C-South or only drop back one level

 

You will lose support over time but the gradual support you gain you can make both genuine and long term

 

Good Luck