Planning for League One

Agree. And we have to be ready to pay fees. Minimum of 1 quality striker and addition in that 10 role.

I'd hope we're looking at the best players available in League 2 and 'lesser' League 1 clubs. I.e. not the cast offs. If Notts Countt don't go up, Jatta for example. Only has a year on his contract, in the TOTY for L2. Could be an ideal sort of addition.

 

Likely because they were backing themselves to go up. Fair play.

But if they don't go up, he'll have 12 months left on his deal. Makes it a different proposition and likely a lower price.

But with all that said, if we're serious about making a dent in League 1, paying the best part of half a million for a quality striker is the sort of business we'll need to contend with. It's an area I'd hope Rupp will invest. I.e. it's an entirely different prospect putting money into transfer fees and buying assets, than putting money in to prop up running costs and wages.

Nows the time for Rupp to step up and materially invest in all aspects of the club - quality signings, the ground, training facilities. Or sell up. Because we're a hugely attractive proposition to an ambitious owner. With momentum now in full swing and the size of our fanbase, we could very well be taken on the sort of journey that clubs like Brentford and Bournemouth have been over the next 5-10 years.

 

There have been interested parties.

There's huge interest in football ownership from US private equity and venture capitalists. I'd be surprised if we're not on their radar, and with the footage going viral from yesterday, it might just be our time....

In any event, what's crucial is that we're run with ambition and investment. Enough treading water. It's time to grow, to push, and aim big. The city, the club, the fan base is ready for it.

 

I wonder whether the club are considering a weeks extension to the early bird price on STs. They could be bold and stick to their guns - but there'll be several thousand there yesterday who haven't signed up, and with a bit of a nudge could now do so for next season....

 

Yeah. There's an argument to say it's attractive enough to stick to the price they have. Either way it needs a real strong sales push over the next week or two. If they could get 5000 STs sold st an average price of £200, that's an extra million in gate receipts, plus probably near that amount in food and drink sales too. Plus the ability to charge more for advertising etc.

It's the time to double down. We need to break from any historic mindset of 'just stay up and consolidate'. Assert ourselves as a big L1 club from the off, and aim for the play offs minimum.