Negativity

Firstly, Williams reason for opting for Gillingham was based on location. He wanted to be close to home where his friends and family are. Gillingham is also a team he's had a desire to play for at some point in his career. These are factors outside of the clubs control and very compelling for a player. The fact we we offered Williams a three year deal on significantly more than he was on at Swindon is a statement of intent and a clear indication of our financial competitiveness at this level. There are conflicting reports as to whether Gillingham offered more or not as some reports suggest the Gills matched Bradford's offer - if true, then it's another indication of the financial level we are competing at.

It is this latter point which I will finish on. Bradford City have a very strong turnover for League 2 - probably the highest. I suspect our profit/loss margins are back in the black for last season and that is a strong foundation to be operating a football club on. We don't need to inject capital in addition to the income we already generate whilst in League 2. There are a handful of clubs who may have bigger budgets - and only through capital injection - but we are probably in the top 5 and there in lies the point. We are at the top end of competitive budgets, it is not therefore critical for Rupp to provide a cash injection at this stage. Budgets do not gurantee you promotion. Take a look at all 4 clubs promoted last season, I very much doubt any of them had a budget bigger than the likes of us, Salford and Stockport. Pause and think about that for a second!

If and when we are in League 1, Rupp may need to put his hand in his pocket and he will most definitely need to if and when we are in the Championship, but for now it isn't required. He's operating us on a very competitive yet sustainable model. That is a very positive position to be in. Bradford City itself is also a compelling sell for most prospective players which gives us an added advantage over everyone else - unless you get all star struck by "The Class of 92" and "Hollywood actors"!

 

Agreed it is not sustainable in the long term. But Hughes still has some pulling power and Cook has accepted a contract, keeping many happy and optimistic for the time being.

There is still plenty of time to be pleasantly surprised and a few good payers are recruited and Hughes has learnt over the summer to be a bit more flexible in tactics. I hope my sudden bout of "positivity" lasts and wno't be posting on this thread again for a while.

 

Although I understand the sentiment of your point, I would also argue the club needs to be recognised - and applauded - for operating on a business model which is not only sustainable, but one which also generate a significant amount of income. Income which makes them one of the most financially competitive in League 2. We are not therefore 'stuck' in this regard, it's just a really difficult division to get out of, but we have made progress. Let's hope this coming season we take it to the next level and secure promotion.

 

I don't want to think of us not getting up this coming season, although Hughes had us close most weren't happy with the product on display.
Let's hope with better players this season no matter what system he plays it will be easier on the eye and certainly at home have us up off of our seats.
If he can't would he still be around for season 2024/25 I doubt it.

 

The Williams example proves that we can compete and we do have financial clout, but there has to be a limit as to what the manager or the CEO thinks a player is worth. If Gillingham offered £30K a week should we have offered £31k? No, because he isn't worth it.

 

We don't need to inject capital. We'll.its not a choice is it we have an owner who is not going to inject capital.

There is nothing to suggest we are back in the back, we are streamlining the squad currently that does not suggest that's the case.

Stuck in no man's land (league 2) with this owner. What happened to lawn saying the new owners could fund us at championship level.

They don't even fund us at league 2 level, the club itself does while owner just sits back counting his money praying for a sale ASAP.

 

It's not the owner who is holding us back. We have enough resources to get promoted without a sugar daddy. The issue is we have a manager who was happy to play for penalties in a play off semi final.

 

I reckon he won't be our manager come new years day 2024.

 

And then what? Another 2 years of rebuilding with a new manager.?
Don’t worry by the end of September if it’s not going well, it won’t be Sparks that needs to tell him the football is shite, it’ll be the fans.
We really need to start the season well on the front foot with attacking football. Anymore tippy tappy cautious build up crap and he’s in big trouble

 

Let's keep this simple. We have one of League 2's biggest budgets and the size of the budget does not guarantee you promotion. See the promoted teams from last season as a case in point. What is the need for Rupp to swell the coffers further?

Agreed, there is nothing to confirm we are back in the black. However, based on the 2021/22 season we made a loss of only £299k. This season we averaged 3,000 more in attendance - majority of which is pay on the day income - secured the Morrisons sponsorship and didn't have Derek Adams to pay off. Additionally we made the play-offs, which brings a small windfall with it. There is a very real chance we made a profit last season based on these facts.

Remember, the reason we got relegated from League 1 was down to Rahic and his controlling nature over everything. He spent silly sums in an uncontrolled way, demonstrating money will be spent when needed. Just a shame it wasn't done so sensibly.

 

All the points raised regarding a financially well run club have merit. Would have been better though happening a division or two higher, before the ambition dried up.

 

Has the ambition dried up? The club is openly stating promotion is the aim, we have one of the biggest budgets, a high profile manager in place and competing for the best players at our level.

For me, that isn't a lack of ambition. We are in a fortunate position where our owner doesn't need to throw money at it like other clubs to be competitive in the transfer market. We are in an enviable position of being sustainable whilst being one of the best financed.

This dynamic might need to change if/when we make it back to League 1 and would definitely need to change at Championship level. Additional funding from Rupp would be required then.

 

I feel like I’ve gone back in time 10 years with ML and JR . So much for progress

 

I think you're missing the point. The aim of the game is promotion and to facilitate that you need to be competitive on all fronts - including financially. You don't need to have the biggest budget, just a budget that ensures you are competing for the top players for League 2.

Under our current business model, that is exactly how we are operating and competing.

Question for you. What would you do differently and why?

 

Sometimes it's just that one signing that gets rid of the negativity amongst some. I remember the season Stuart got us to Wembley, there was quite a bit of negativity flying around with Parky leaving and the club up in the air and then we brought Josh Cullen back on loan and it was the lift in spirits needed to turn around the doubters. Losing out on Williams the way we did hasn't helped but that wasn't the clubs fault, but I think the whole place just needs a positive boost after the poor way we approached the playoffs. A couple of decent players on board and the negativity will disappear.

 

Oh no I fully get what you’re saying. My point is wasn’t Rupp coming in to take us to the next level ? Away from the model mark and Julian operated in . But due to his lack of man management we regressed instead

 

You are correct in terms of Rupp and Rahic came in to take us to the next level, however, that was on the basis Lawn and Rhodes could not compete financially at Championship level, but were able to keep us competitive in League 1 - which is exactly what they did.

There was an expectation we would continue to progress and make it to the Championship and that was understandable - and we very nearly did. Rupp and Rahic did give us that additional financial clout. However, we all know what Rahic went and did and - as they say - the rest is history.

So we find ourselves in League 2, the first couple of seasons the damage from Rahic needed to be repaired limiting our financial capability. Now that has been sorted we have seen one of League 2's biggest budgets for last two seasons. There would be little value in Rupp throwing money at this level as I believe we have hit a ceiling in terms of the quality clubs at our level are able to attract.

When we are back in League 1, it will be interesting to see if Rupp then steps up with a cash injection. I think he will need to. When we make it to the Championship - and yes I believe we will - he most definitely will need to throw some money at it. That will be the true test of his support for driving this football club onwards.

 

Maybe he thinks he has taken us to the next level if the figure that was banned about when the crypto guys showed interest I believe £10mill was the quote.
You're correct we were given to believe after Julian & Mark make it quite clear they could not finance us in the Championship (remember where we were under those two) and anyone who took the club on after that would be capable financially of taking the club to the next level and being competitive, I can't actually remember them doing that during their time at Valley Parade (spending money to make a challenge for the Championship), maybe after that first season under McCall Rahic convinced Rupp he didn't need to spend any brass, leave the running of the club to him and Rupp took his word and believed him, as he did when he backed Rahic when he wanted McCall to walk away after the Wembley Final.
Having said that Rupp has stood by us during Covid and the departure of Rahic financing us during those times and like it or not brought in a pretty astute CEO in who is still learning on the job but looks to be doing very well.

 

A fair point and totally agree.

 

Agreed. And the closer it gets to the pre-season games with no news, the negativity will get worse.
We can’t wait around until first week in August hoping Palace or Plymouth will loan us Banks or Wright.