So what's the answer...

This with an interested owner or liquidation

 

As for what I'd do as CEO. That's tough to answer because any incoming CEO has to do a full drains up and assess every aspect of the club before they really know how to act. And there'll be stuff we don't know about from the outside. But based on what we know, in probably this order:

1. Have a completely frank conversation with Rupp and make clear that the current approach is much more likely to see the club fail and his 'investment' go up in smoke than anything else. Demonstrate he has 2 options - cut his losses and sell, or inject the capital to fund a serious rebuild of the club. No half measures, no 'flowering up' of what's happening at the club.

2. Establish a plan for raising capital. Either through investment from Rupp, or outside financing. Determine the optimal balance for capital funding, costs to service the debt, and revenue forecasts.

3. Implement a right sized executive structure to oversee the football and commercial departments of the club, covering the men's, womens and junior sides.

4. Establish a footballing strategy that outlines the principles of how we play, recruit and develop talent, to act as the yard stick for all manager, coaching, scouting and player recruitment. Within that, I'd set boundaries for the age profile and size of the squad to focus on quality over quantity, and players under the age of 27.

5. Quickly determine whether existing resources fit the vision. Alexander wouldn't fit, so I'd be taking steps to ensure planning for next season starts now.

6. Revamp the recruitment approach, aligned to point 4. Seriously invest in data driven approach to recruitment. Move away from the old world 'little black book' mentality of how we sign players.

7. Establish our role as a strategic 'feeder club' and create partnerships with the power clubs in the North West to offer a competitive arena for loans to test players in front of large crowds. Explore whether there's a role we could play by partnering with clubs in Scandinavia and North Europe who's own football model looks to sell talent into the UK. Embrace the role of developing and selling talent as a platform for young players.

8. Ensure we have strong ties to the local community. Charitable initiatives, apprentice schemes for football and non footballing talent, fans forums etc.

9. Resolve the ground ownership situation - a difficult but not insurmountable issue.

It's a long list, but the crux is - its not rocket science. An experienced CEO would give us a shot and therin lies the rub. A CEO acts in the best interests of the organisation they're accountable for and will even act against their own interest if it benefits their business. They'll challenge and manage their Board, not simply act as an order taker. That's a CEO. Sparks is acting as a business manager, because that's his level.

 

The CEO is probably doing what he should do making major corporate decisions etc.. In charge of overall development. He needs to take a step up and discuss with Stefan Rupp ER SPORTS GROUP explaining what is required . If not backed he needs to step down and leave . Quit a few of the crew I know will not be attending home and away games until management and coaching improved and the team sorted out .

Anyway for me today it’s Cougartime Keighley v Dewsbury 1895 Cup and a couple pints ..

 

I mean imagine owning a club where 16,000 people are helping to hide your complete fook up and you simply dont care about them ?????

Hes had this for years where folk have helped him keep his hands in his pockets , well fook him the Twit created this mess its about time this Twit started to help rebuild it.

If he aint willing then simply dont purchase a thing from the club till hes gone lets see how he likes it

 

Congratulations, you've got the job, when can you start ..?

 

The guy is that arrogant he thinks he doing a great job

 

5 years of something not working needs change. Can't just keep praying for a miracle home run. As it stands we are club just making up the numbers, what's the point if you aren't going to be one of the ambitious clubs?

 

That is because he has no intention of listening! Who knows what he tells Rupp!

 

It'll never catch on....

 

How many people are gonna keep putting up with it ?????
Start of the season the whole aim is to self sustainable and nothing else ?????

You all have the power to make a change you keep buying into this joke then dont come moaning when this shit continues to happen.

And if Rupp aint listening to Sparkes or Sparkes is bullshitting it then let them try and get around thousands of missing season ticket holders.

I know folk simply cant turn away from it i get it but the club YOU LOVE are being shafted for fun by a bunch of folk who dont care about you who take you for mugs

 

Ryan Sparks may have improved the commercial side of the club but his almost relentless sacking of managers and their replacements leaves many supporters questioning his position at our club.
Why isn't he held accountable for his actions and more to the point why doesn't our illusive owner go public Infront of the fans and explain the reasoning behind letting Sparks carry on in the CEO position.
My only conclusion is that he quite happy to let Ryan take the wrap whilst he sits somewhere in his office reading car magazines.
You ask what the answer is to the mess we are in.
Well until we change personal at the very top nothing will change everyone knows that the sackings will continue whilst Mr Ryan Sparks is exempt.

 

Brings money in on the commercial side only to waste it on sackings or signing crap footballers on long deals.

 

Can't argue with any of that especially the length of contracts dished out I mean Andy Cook on a three year deal absolutely crazy decision.
Bet Andy was laughing his head off.

 

For me the answer is change of ownership that is the route of all this mess. If Rupp wasn’t here Sparks wouldn’t be here, Niether would Gent or GA.

It needs the root removing and it’s Rupp. It’s going to be difficult and we as fans are going to feel uncomfortable as I think we’ve all been too forgiving for too long. Tide is turning and we owe a great deal to likes of City Vent , and others who are trying to be proactive. I guarantee they’ll be the right side of history when Rupp goes. Hope it’s not too late and material damage done is not long lasting .

 

One way to improve things is to appoint a chairman who the CEO and manager have to answer to for there actions and results with the power on Rupps behalf to hire and fire which would put pressiure on them to perform like the majority of clubs and business do. David Baldwin part time would be ideal as he accepts no excuses and has high expectations

 

Start by not spending any more of our hard earned money on this club. That includes not renewing our season tickets..

Don't aid and abet this shit show any more.

 

Yep.

It needs someone with vision at the very top. They might be struggling now, but you can't knock the energy and drive that has gone into Forest Green Rovers. Bradford City needs someone with that focus.

 

mmm, not sure about that as an example .....

 

You knew the question , so don’t be coy .

Me I have zero idea , just waiting for that multi millionaire Bradfordian to come along , but we know that will be a long wait. The next choice would be a scarf bearing stonking rich US family bearing gifts and hope, or what about a stinking rich European who knows zero about football.

Hang on…….

No one unfortunately , can name the alternative, because they don’t have a clue , it’s not defeatism rather pragmatism.

 

That won’t go down well on here!