Robins Report Podcast

[Horteng]

The bit I don't understand is the trust going to the board with ideas but without the required financial backing to fund the ideas?

[Si Robin]

This is the point. What are the club doing to source the funding.

We're constantly told we need to make money away from the football pitch, then in the same breath we're told we can't afford to do anything to increase the chances of making more money.

I've got to be honest - I feel the club gets an almighty kicking on the pod and I'm not convinced it's entirely warranted. However, there is a lot more they could be doing and failing to even respond to the document until a couple of hours before the pod recording (because they were chased and told the Trust were coming on the pod) is very poor in my mind.

[Horteng]

This is the point. What are the club doing to source the funding.

We're constantly told we need to make money away from the football pitch, then in the same breath we're told we can't afford to do anything to increase the chances of making more money.

I've got to be honest - I feel the club gets an almighty kicking on the pod and I'm not convinced it's entirely warranted. However, there is a lot more they could be doing and failing to even respond to the document until a couple of hours before the pod recording (because they were chased and told the Trust were coming on the pod) is very poor in my mind.

I agree with all of that Si. I cant help but think we don't get full use of the current facilities and I fail to see why a new one would suddenly become overwhelmed with business and income.

I just don't see what clout the trust has without money behind them (That's not a criticism).

Advertising came up a lot on the POD. This is very expensive but could be seen as speculating to accumulate. I do feel the club is sat between a rock and a hard place at times however I also understand they aren't the most pro active. I sound like a broken record but to me the media coverage is poor. Without JP we could go days without hearing anything (good or bad news). Nothing exciting comes out. Nothing engaging.

[Ihearye]

This is the point. What are the club doing to source the funding.

We're constantly told we need to make money away from the football pitch, then in the same breath we're told we can't afford to do anything to increase the chances of making more money.

I've got to be honest - I feel the club gets an almighty kicking on the pod and I'm not convinced it's entirely warranted. However, there is a lot more they could be doing and failing to even respond to the document until a couple of hours before the pod recording (because they were chased and told the Trust were coming on the pod) is very poor in my mind.

So what was the response - for those of us who don't do podcasts (yes not even top of the pops podcasts)

[Ihearye]

This is the point. What are the club doing to source the funding.

We're constantly told we need to make money away from the football pitch, then in the same breath we're told we can't afford to do anything to increase the chances of making more money.

I've got to be honest - I feel the club gets an almighty kicking on the pod and I'm not convinced it's entirely warranted. However, there is a lot more they could be doing and failing to even respond to the document until a couple of hours before the pod recording (because they were chased and told the Trust were coming on the pod) is very poor in my mind.

I agree with all of that Si. I cant help but think we don't get full use of the current facilities and I fail to see why a new one would suddenly become overwhelmed with business and income.

I just don't see what clout the trust has without money behind them (That's not a criticism).

Advertising came up a lot on the POD. This is very expensive but could be seen as speculating to accumulate. I do feel the club is sat between a rock and a hard place at times however I also understand they aren't the most pro active. I sound like a broken record but to me the media coverage is poor. Without JP we could go days without hearing anything (good or bad news). Nothing exciting comes out. Nothing engaging.

I would have thought that an ability to provide a service or services which provided parking would have been a starting point. Always thought that Badhams chemist could have relocated down to the stadium and would have been benefited by the available parking. But just noticed the other day, there is a new one on Prestbury road with parking available. So that may no longer be a possibility. But there must be other possibilities. I know I can't see a (for example), management consultancy or financial services working out of Whaddon, but we just need a steady income from non football. Does anyone know how much the parking brings in during the week? I would hve thought with Zone 15 being extended, that would have been another chance to make money

[Anteros]

Agree. Really interesting
But do we have to be careful constantly bashing the board?
James young spoke well but discreditng the board and their flaws constantly to the fans I think was a bit vulgar
The past 3 years we have been in league 1 on a league 2 budget and which is fantastic achievement.
We don't want a massive exodus of the board...

[Si Robin]

This is the point. What are the club doing to source the funding.

We're constantly told we need to make money away from the football pitch, then in the same breath we're told we can't afford to do anything to increase the chances of making more money.

I've got to be honest - I feel the club gets an almighty kicking on the pod and I'm not convinced it's entirely warranted. However, there is a lot more they could be doing and failing to even respond to the document until a couple of hours before the pod recording (because they were chased and told the Trust were coming on the pod) is very poor in my mind.

So what was the response - for those of us who don't do podcasts (yes not even top of the pops podcasts)

That there is a board meeting on Friday in which it will be discussed.

[Ihearye]

This is the point. What are the club doing to source the funding.

We're constantly told we need to make money away from the football pitch, then in the same breath we're told we can't afford to do anything to increase the chances of making more money.

I've got to be honest - I feel the club gets an almighty kicking on the pod and I'm not convinced it's entirely warranted. However, there is a lot more they could be doing and failing to even respond to the document until a couple of hours before the pod recording (because they were chased and told the Trust were coming on the pod) is very poor in my mind.

So what was the response - for those of us who don't do podcasts (yes not even top of the pops podcasts)

That there is a board meeting on Friday in which it will be discussed.

Ta

[Jerry St Clair]

Exeter are hosting a corporate golf day for businesses next month.

£500 to field a team of four with a first team player joining you. Breakfast on arrival, and afternoon bbq and a q&a with Gary Caldwell. £250 to sponsor a hole. Coverage in the local media with your company branding on display.

A mate of mine, Cheltenham based but with clients in the south-west, is going down. Sees it as an opportunity to connect with other businesses and maybe sponsor the club.

Do we do anything like this?

[Fuller]

Exeter are hosting a corporate golf day for businesses next month.

£500 to field a team of four with a first team player joining you. Breakfast on arrival, and afternoon bbq and a q&a with Gary Caldwell. £250 to sponsor a hole. Coverage in the local media with your company branding on display.

A mate of mine, Cheltenham based but with clients in the south-west, is going down. Sees it as an opportunity to connect with other businesses and maybe sponsor the club.

Do we do anything like this?

We held a corporate golf day for a number of years. A relative of mine used to play in it.
Not sure why it stopped, but the club do still have the day at the cricket festival.

[Jerry St Clair]

Just been reading this article about the Royal Well bus station (bear with me!) and there has been a lot of talk of the need for a transport hub in the centre of town for years.

It’s so obvious that the North Place car park/Black and White bus station site is a wasteland and a prime site for redevelopment.

So, how about a new football stadium for CTFC with an integrated bus/transport hub as an enabling development? The site is about twice the size of the footprint of Whaddon road. Central location and, by definition, easily accessible because it would be a transport hub.

It would fulfill the desire to put the club at the heart of the community - a stadium in the town centre would be really visible, not tucked out of the way in Whaddon.

Fantasy pie in the sky or, at least, semi-achievable?

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/n ... source=app

[Robin]

I don't think the land would be big enough for a new stadium would it? Assuming it would hold 10,000 with corporate facilities I just can't see it fitting there.

[ctfc-fan]

It was talked about a while ago I think but the ideal place could be by the racecourse. Loads of parking, could be used for joint events such as concerts but would depend who ended up owning the ground as we wouldn’t want to be a tenant again else we lose revenue.

[Fuller]

We’re not going anywhere, and our stadium will look fundamentally the same in 10 years time.
Forget it.
Sorry to say.

[paperboy]

Newlands Park, home of Cheltenham Rugby might have been decent.
If Seasons had better access that might be a consideration too. That would make the natives really happy.
Can't see a new stand at Whaddon Road ever becoming reality unless someone bequeathed the club millions.

[longmover]

It was talked about a while ago I think but the ideal place could be by the racecourse. Loads of parking, could be used for joint events such as concerts but would depend who ended up owning the ground as we wouldn’t want to be a tenant again else we lose revenue.

The racecourse is very much a 'standalone' organization now, highly doubt they would want anything to do with anything else in the town.

the town works round the racecourse not the other way

[longmover]

if building a new stand is out of the question can't they just revamp the current one?

[Jerry St Clair]

I don't think the land would be big enough for a new stadium would it? Assuming it would hold 10,000 with corporate facilities I just can't see it fitting there.

The land itself seems big enough (slightly bigger than combined area of Whaddon Road, the car park, Cakebridge and the bowls club). But it is a slightly odd wedge shape. Incorporating Northfield Terrace would square it off and make a huge difference, but bringing compulsory purchases into play feels like a very long shot, so you're probably right.

[longmover]

the latest edition is a great listen, everyone speaks very well and can tell there's drive, passion and great ideas.

it seems 99.9% of the current boards time and resource is spent making sure we have a playing squad to compete in league two, this in itself is a big task for a part time board in a short space of time, they'll need lots of "help" to take on what the trust have proposed, I Just hope the board don't pull up the drawbridge on this and embrace it.

we all want the same thing for the club at the end of the day.

[Si Robin]

I finished listening back to the pod in the last half hour or so and I logged onto X a minute ago to see this:

Robins Trust
@robinstrust
We've been overwhelmed by the incredible response from the #CTFC fanbase since we released Building for the Future

Trust membership has increased by 47%

Thank you to everyone who has joined and who has commented and fed back to us since it was released three weeks ago.

Given that it has clearly enthused and animated our supporters, it's incredibly disappointing that we have not yet had a substantive response from the Club.

Our FED has told us a response will be coming to suggest a board to board meeting, but as of now no formal contact.
#ctfc

I like to try and give the board the benefit of the doubt - I have no doubt they're all supporters of the club and want what's best for it. But a lack of response, fully 3 weeks after they were informed of it, smacks of arrogance. They're basically saying that the fans don't matter.

On the podcast James Young makes reference to the beginning of last season when we played Portsmouth at home and the temperatures were set to be around 40°. The Trust suggested free water refills and an unnamed director said that supporters could just buy coke from the kiosks. This about sums them up.

As long as we continue to buy our season tickets, or rock up on a matchday, they could not give a shiny shite about us. They've got our money and so be it.

[Jerry St Clair]

There are two explanations for the radio silence:

1. As you say, Si, a dismissive arrogance.

2. No-one on the Board has the time to read and reply.

Both of which prove the point the strategy is making.

[Fuller]

This from less than a year ago:-
http://www.robinsnestforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=31409
Same old, same old…..

[Si Robin]

In terms of fan engagement they do the bare minimum and only what's mandated.

It's clear that there are a couple who are quite happy having their free lunches and free tickets to away games and whatever else they get and care more about their status on the club's board than working to actually move this club forward rather than remaining stagnant.

[QED]

The comms today was the push I needed to sign up to the Trust at last.

[Oldun]

It is totally unacceptable for posters to resort to offensive remarks about the BOD on here. Why the Board Members carry on serving in the face of such abuse is a mystery. Clearly Mr Bence has had enough and it will be amazing if others don't follow suit. They are volunteers doing this job in spare time. Get in there and offer to be a Board Member of you can do better!

[London Exile]

Another massive own goal from the board following the recent forum where questions were asked and the responses only served to raise more questions.
Following on from last summers debacle with the previous SLO being ignored this was an ideal opportunity to garner supporter enthusiasm and belief in the board.
To not provide a response or even look to set up a joint meeting is terrible.

[Oldun]

As matter of interest, what happens if the board decide en masse to resign? They have good reason to stand down after all the abuse.
What happens then?

[Jerry St Clair]

As matter of interest, what happens if the board decide en masse to resign? They have good reason to stand down after all the abuse.
What happens then?

The owners will appoint a new Board.

[London Exile]

As matter of interest, what happens if the board decide en masse to resign? They have good reason to stand down after all the abuse.
What happens then?

I agree there’s absolutely no need for personal abuse and it’s completely unnecessary. However, questions about the future have been asked that they have so far failed to answer or even respond to!
I don’t know if that’s a bit of a childish reaction to the criticism or they genuinely haven’t got the time. Both of which them go back to the question about how they can take the club forward if they don’t have the time as part time volunteers?

If they resign en masses then I would imagine the Trust could step in given they’ve created some plans and club ownership is something they’ve discussed.

[Si Robin]

It is totally unacceptable for posters to resort to offensive remarks about the BOD on here. Why the Board Members carry on serving in the face of such abuse is a mystery. Clearly Mr Bence has had enough and it will be amazing if others don't follow suit. They are volunteers doing this job in spare time. Get in there and offer to be a Board Member of you can do better!

Pray tell where the abuse is?

They want praise when we do well, they are not above reproach. The least they could have done is formally acknowledge the Trust's document. The only time they've said anything is when James Young chased them because the Trust were coming on the pod last week.

It's arrogance and shows exactly what some of them think about the fanbase.

[Oldun]

They may not be above reproach but they are not available for abuse. Read comments made suggesting that they're in it for the free tickets. Ridiculous and offensive.
No way does it show arrogance either. It shows that they are waiting until they have something to say. Nothing more than that.
As for shareholders appointing new board? Good luck with that . As if there will be a queue of souls lining up to be ready to take the abuse coming their way. Please be a little real!

[Si Robin]

They haven't even acknowledged it. The only thing that's been received is an email from David Bloxham saying it would be discussed in the board meeting last Friday - and only that because their hand was forced. Other than that, silence.

If it's not arrogance, it's just plain rude. It gives the impression that they don't care about the fans, just give the club your money and accept your lot.

[Robin]

It is totally unacceptable for posters to resort to offensive remarks about the BOD on here. Why the Board Members carry on serving in the face of such abuse is a mystery. Clearly Mr Bence has had enough and it will be amazing if others don't follow suit. They are volunteers doing this job in spare time. Get in there and offer to be a Board Member of you can do better!

This is such a tone deaf post. Nobody has posted offensive remarks on here but you will hear them if you talk to fans at games. I also haven't seen a single person on here question the board as fans but it's very clear they are failing to meet fan expectations when it comes to communication, setting a measureable strategy for success - these are the basics as custodians of a football club!

We need a CEO to address this or a shift in board members because the current crop seem incapable of doing it without help.

[Horteng]

Dont think the trust are helping themselves with the tweets and I can see the relationship turning very sour before its started.....

[Oldun]

Not sure about deafness but blindness seems a problem. Have a look at recent comment where it was decreed that board members are in place for free tickets and lunches. Polite? Respectful? I suggest not.
A couple of further questions...where are all the new board members queuing as they wait to be appointed by the Shareholders and where is the money and the investment they will be splashing?
Tone deaf? Hardly. Just an appeal for reality for the situation we are in and respect for those giving ( yes giving) time and energy to keep the club afloat and fighting.