Robins Report Podcast

[Si Robin]

It did come up. I asked about what they could do, what plans they initially had, and what they're hoping can be done.

They initially wanted a car park, but the groundwork required is too expensive. We have a licence for 3 years and even say, £10 per car, over that period would not make the club any profit. The fan zone idea was next and that would be done in conjunction with Iglu - so not just passing it off to Iglu for them to make as much as they can off it, but a contract in place for the club and Iglu to share profits.

I think there is an appetite for it, at the moment you have the Nest and Parklands. I love Parklands personally, but it's not everyone's cup of tea - it's also on the brink of being closed down by the council. The Nest gets rammed with simply a couple of hundred people. So a large marquee with heaters, etc... could well be the way to go.

[Ihearye]

It did come up. I asked about what they could do, what plans they initially had, and what they're hoping can be done.

They initially wanted a car park, but the groundwork required is too expensive. We have a licence for 3 years and even say, £10 per car, over that period would not make the club any profit. The fan zone idea was next and that would be done in conjunction with Iglu - so not just passing it off to Iglu for them to make as much as they can off it, but a contract in place for the club and Iglu to share profits.

I think there is an appetite for it, at the moment you have the Nest and Parklands. I love Parklands personally, but it's not everyone's cup of tea - it's also on the brink of being closed down by the council. The Nest gets rammed with simply a couple of hundred people. So a large marquee with heaters, etc... could well be the way to go.

every day is a school day!

[Jerry St Clair]

I'm so pleased the car park idea didn't happen. Such an unimaginative use of space. A fan zone will be so much better if done well.

[plymrob]

Had to look up what a fan-zone is. Then asked the question does it draw down income. Nothing much on that that I have found.

I did find this: Some common features of fan zones include:

Food and beverage vendors selling concessions such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and beer
Merchandise vendors selling team and event-related items such as t-shirts, hats, and souvenirs
Interactive games and activities such as inflatable obstacle courses, carnival games, and photo opportunities with team mascots
Live music or other performances by local bands or DJs
Event theming to create an immersive environment with branding throughout.
Autograph signings with players, sportspeople or other celebrities
Event-specific activities, such as a baseball batting cage or a football penalty kick booth.
Post-event fireworks displays

Is Cakebridge Place the location we will all go to for all of the above.. (If allowed)?

Maybe just keep a gazebo in the car park please...? Sorry guys (and girls). Maybe fanzones still belong a few leagues above and beyond us for now...? That's no lack of ambition, just realism.

[Ihearye]

It did come up. I asked about what they could do, what plans they initially had, and what they're hoping can be done.

They initially wanted a car park, but the groundwork required is too expensive. We have a licence for 3 years and even say, £10 per car, over that period would not make the club any profit. The fan zone idea was next and that would be done in conjunction with Iglu - so not just passing it off to Iglu for them to make as much as they can off it, but a contract in place for the club and Iglu to share profits.

I think there is an appetite for it, at the moment you have the Nest and Parklands. I love Parklands personally, but it's not everyone's cup of tea - it's also on the brink of being closed down by the council. The Nest gets rammed with simply a couple of hundred people. So a large marquee with heaters, etc... could well be the way to go.

Was giving this some thought on my morning walk parklands benefits from the car park being beside it (I would guess). Given that is there any access from the current car parking beside parkland, to what would be the proposed fan zone?
Btw how much is a pint in parkland?

[Si Robin]

It's cheaper if you're a member, but I can't remember the exact price off the top of my head.

A quick look on Google Maps shows a fenced off area between the car park and the back of the PRE which would be the way across to the proposed fanzone.

[WhaddonIrregular]

Had to look up what a fan-zone is. Then asked the question does it draw down income. Nothing much on that that I have found.

I did find this: Some common features of fan zones include:

Food and beverage vendors selling concessions such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and beer
Merchandise vendors selling team and event-related items such as t-shirts, hats, and souvenirs
Interactive games and activities such as inflatable obstacle courses, carnival games, and photo opportunities with team mascots
Live music or other performances by local bands or DJs
Event theming to create an immersive environment with branding throughout.
Autograph signings with players, sportspeople or other celebrities
Event-specific activities, such as a baseball batting cage or a football penalty kick booth.
Post-event fireworks displays

Is Cakebridge Place the location we will all go to for all of the above.. (If allowed)?

Maybe just keep a gazebo in the car park please...? Sorry guys (and girls). Maybe fanzones still belong a few leagues above and beyond us for now...? That's no lack of ambition, just realism.

I think a fan zone could include some of those things, some regularly, some occasionally.
A bar, some screens to watch the lunchtime game, some food options (possibly different options to what is on offer inside the ground), and something for the kids to do.

Let's face it, the 'point' of a fanzone is so that the money we spend on a matchday goes into the club rather than at the Kemble, the Sudeley, McDonalds and KFC.

At the moment there's not really a reason to turn up much before 2:45 on a Saturday. If we can get people in the footprint from 1:30 or even earlier, that could be several thousand pounds more income per match.

[Jerry St Clair]

Good point about the access. Cakebridge is super convenient if you’re in the PRE, not so much if you’re in the CF.

[Robin]

It did come up. I asked about what they could do, what plans they initially had, and what they're hoping can be done.

They initially wanted a car park, but the groundwork required is too expensive. We have a licence for 3 years and even say, £10 per car, over that period would not make the club any profit. The fan zone idea was next and that would be done in conjunction with Iglu - so not just passing it off to Iglu for them to make as much as they can off it, but a contract in place for the club and Iglu to share profits.

I think there is an appetite for it, at the moment you have the Nest and Parklands. I love Parklands personally, but it's not everyone's cup of tea - it's also on the brink of being closed down by the council. The Nest gets rammed with simply a couple of hundred people. So a large marquee with heaters, etc... could well be the way to go.

I've said it before but the Nest isn't really fit for purpose and the club should be looking to take over the land and use of Parklands. THey could let it out to the current charity but it would give the fans more options and benefit the club with revenue it doesn't currently have. We also need some of that land to rebuild the home end.

[Robin]

Had to look up what a fan-zone is. Then asked the question does it draw down income. Nothing much on that that I have found.

I did find this: Some common features of fan zones include:

Food and beverage vendors selling concessions such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and beer
Merchandise vendors selling team and event-related items such as t-shirts, hats, and souvenirs
Interactive games and activities such as inflatable obstacle courses, carnival games, and photo opportunities with team mascots
Live music or other performances by local bands or DJs
Event theming to create an immersive environment with branding throughout.
Autograph signings with players, sportspeople or other celebrities
Event-specific activities, such as a baseball batting cage or a football penalty kick booth.
Post-event fireworks displays

Is Cakebridge Place the location we will all go to for all of the above.. (If allowed)?

Maybe just keep a gazebo in the car park please...? Sorry guys (and girls). Maybe fanzones still belong a few leagues above and beyond us for now...? That's no lack of ambition, just realism.

Lincoln did it and it's been a key factor in them more than trebling their fan base. So yes it can work especially with success of the field. At the moment there is very little and we lag behind more league one teams (where we want to be) and even some league two.

[plymrob]

Not sure Lincoln and Cheltenham is a very fair comparison....?

Changing tack, and in the meantime, I recently saved this view of 'Prescot Cables' main stand. It just rang a bell with me...!

So that is non-league...

[ctfc-fan]

It did come up. I asked about what they could do, what plans they initially had, and what they're hoping can be done.

They initially wanted a car park, but the groundwork required is too expensive. We have a licence for 3 years and even say, £10 per car, over that period would not make the club any profit. The fan zone idea was next and that would be done in conjunction with Iglu - so not just passing it off to Iglu for them to make as much as they can off it, but a contract in place for the club and Iglu to share profits.

I think there is an appetite for it, at the moment you have the Nest and Parklands. I love Parklands personally, but it's not everyone's cup of tea - it's also on the brink of being closed down by the council. The Nest gets rammed with simply a couple of hundred people. So a large marquee with heaters, etc... could well be the way to go.

I've said it before but the Nest isn't really fit for purpose and the club should be looking to take over the land and use of Parklands. THey could let it out to the current charity but it would give the fans more options and benefit the club with revenue it doesn't currently have. We also need some of that land to rebuild the home end.

One thing wanting Parklands but the council may well have other ideas, given they’re trying to evict them.

[Si Robin]

Episode #112

On this weeks pod, @SimonGardiner84 is joined by @MarkHalliwell1 & @Hoppo101 to discuss…

- Another away win!
- BSM qualification all but done?
- The interview with the chairman
- Cup football takes centre stage

#ctfc

https://open.spotify.com/episode/391Drs ... 58a0284ea5

[Si Robin]

Not sure Lincoln and Cheltenham is a very fair comparison....?

Pre-empting Robin's response - David Bloxham actually said that Lincoln are a team that we should aspire to be like. They were a club bumbling along in mid-table of the National League averaging around 2,500-3,000 fans until they received investment in the summer after we won that division and had an unbelievable season of success (winning the National League themselves and making the quarter final of the FA Cup).

That season saw their crowds rise exponentially and they were able to keep them by offering them a decent matchday experience, including a fanzone.

So, actually, they are a very fair comparison for what we want to be.

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

Not sure Lincoln and Cheltenham is a very fair comparison....?

Pre-empting Robin's response - David Bloxham actually said that Lincoln are a team that we should aspire to be like. They were a club bumbling along in mid-table of the National League averaging around 2,500-3,000 fans until they received investment in the summer after we won that division and had an unbelievable season of success (winning the National League themselves and making the quarter final of the FA Cup).

That season saw their crowds rise exponentially and they were able to keep them by offering them a decent matchday experience, including a fanzone.

So, actually, they are a very fair comparison for what we want to be.

Lincoln population is 102,600, or 128,000 for the wider built up area.

An historic city with one of the world’s best cathedrals and excellent architecture, like Gloucester and Cheltenham combined.

Surrounded by a rural county but not too far from big cities in the midlands.

A famous annual event which is the best in the UK (Lincoln Christmas market).

A modern and growing university, with an agricultural and rural development focus.

A military history as proud as the Glorious Gloucesters, a key part of Roman, Tudor and Civil War history, and plenty of tractors and sheep.

It might not be as wealthy as Cheltenham but the Lincolnshire area is one of the UK’s most similar areas to Gloucestershire.

[asl]

I concur.

[longmover]

Not sure Lincoln and Cheltenham is a very fair comparison....?

Pre-empting Robin's response - David Bloxham actually said that Lincoln are a team that we should aspire to be like. They were a club bumbling along in mid-table of the National League averaging around 2,500-3,000 fans until they received investment in the summer after we won that division and had an unbelievable season of success (winning the National League themselves and making the quarter final of the FA Cup).

That season saw their crowds rise exponentially and they were able to keep them by offering them a decent matchday experience, including a fanzone.

So, actually, they are a very fair comparison for what we want to be.

fair pints Si but the similarity ends with the CTFC (current) board, Given significant investment I wouldn't want them anywhere near that money, I'd want to see some fresh faces and new ideas involved before anything gets spent. Recent history shows they (the current board) just aren't really at the races with modern day football.

[Si Robin]

Does it? Who knows what they could do if they had the money to do it?

The fact of the matter is, we don't know what this board is capable of if they had the investment to do something like build a new stand, or make the training ground state of the art, because they've never had the tools in which to do it.

I think what recent history actually shows is that they've kept the club on a sound financial footing despite calls for them to spend and be more "ambitious". That their boring handling of the finances means that the club is an attractive proposition for investors rather than a dumpster fire of debts and disappointment.

That doesn't mean they haven't made mistakes - of course they have. But Bloxham made a great point in his interview on Monday - in his first two years as chairman he didn't have to say a word in public because we were successful on the pitch. As soon as we hit a bump in the road, all of a sudden the board are complete shite and there is no communication from them and the club is an absolute mess, etc, etc...

[Jerry St Clair]

Yes, that latter point by the Chairman was a valid one, and not something I’d considered. I liked his honesty as well: “What can we do to market the club to the Town better?”. “I don’t know, I’m a lawyer, Murry was the marketing guru and we need a replacement.”

Many, many senior execs would have BSd that question. I’m pleased he didn’t.

[Malabus]

Another great episode.

[Si Robin]

Cheers Mal - I'm still finding my feet as the host, but think it's coming together slowly.

[Horteng]

Really good POD with David. Hopefully a few will get back in their box including some with involvement in the POD

Was there a reason the two that covered it were those two?

[Si Robin]

Tom is the main guy behind the pod and I’ve just taken on hosting duties.

Owen has taken a step back indefinitely, though is hoping to come back. Dan is new and the others all had other things going on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Malabus]

Cheers Mal - I'm still finding my feet as the host, but think it's coming together slowly.

Doing a great job. A natural!
Dan is a great addition to the team too.

[Horteng]

Tom is the main guy behind the pod and I’ve just taken on hosting duties.

Owen has taken a step back indefinitely, though is hoping to come back. Dan is new and the others all had other things going on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Really good. Thanks for bringing it to us.

[Jerry St Clair]

Just a word on the swearing, or lack of, on the pod. It's obvious you make a conscious effort to keep the language family-friendly, and I really appreciate that. It means I can let my 9 year old, who is a big fan, listen with confidence that he isn't going to expand his vocabulary too much

[horlickfanclub]

It did come up. I asked about what they could do, what plans they initially had, and what they're hoping can be done.

They initially wanted a car park, but the groundwork required is too expensive. We have a licence for 3 years and even say, £10 per car, over that period would not make the club any profit. The fan zone idea was next and that would be done in conjunction with Iglu - so not just passing it off to Iglu for them to make as much as they can off it, but a contract in place for the club and Iglu to share profits.

I think there is an appetite for it, at the moment you have the Nest and Parklands. I love Parklands personally, but it's not everyone's cup of tea - it's also on the brink of being closed down by the council. The Nest gets rammed with simply a couple of hundred people. So a large marquee with heaters, etc... could well be the way to go.

I've said it before but the Nest isn't really fit for purpose and the club should be looking to take over the land and use of Parklands. THey could let it out to the current charity but it would give the fans more options and benefit the club with revenue it doesn't currently have. We also need some of that land to rebuild the home end.

One thing wanting Parklands but the council may well have other ideas, given they’re trying to evict them.

They have just given an outside organisation the franchise for St Marks Community Centre. Will the same people be given Parklands ? Watch that space.

[Si Robin]

The Robins Report CTFC
@Robins_Report
Episode #113

On this weeks pod, @SimonGardiner84 is joined by @MarkHalliwell1 & @Hoppo101 to discuss…

- FA Cup Magic!
- Cup draw reaction
- BSM qualification sealed
- Bromley Previewed

#ctfc

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1hCjFr ... aa559f4d46

[Artemis]

Not sure Lincoln and Cheltenham is a very fair comparison....?

Pre-empting Robin's response - David Bloxham actually said that Lincoln are a team that we should aspire to be like. They were a club bumbling along in mid-table of the National League averaging around 2,500-3,000 fans until they received investment in the summer after we won that division and had an unbelievable season of success (winning the National League themselves and making the quarter final of the FA Cup).

That season saw their crowds rise exponentially and they were able to keep them by offering them a decent matchday experience, including a fanzone.

So, actually, they are a very fair comparison for what we want to be.

Exactly that. Getting supporters eating and drinking before (and after a daytime) game generates much needed revenue and if done well, a much better match day experience. It will increase attendances (especially if we're winning regularly at home)

[Si Robin]

The Robins Report CTFC
@Robins_Report
Episode #114

On this weeks pod, @SimonGardiner84 is joined by @MarkHalliwell1 & @Hoppo101 to discuss Town’s draw at home to 10-men Bromley & look ahead to a trip to MK Dons.

#ctfc

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7yW1I2 ... 98f5504dd2

[Jerry St Clair]

Glad to see a new RR account on Bluesky. And Halliwell is over there too.

[asl]

I only heard of that, yesterday. I joined Threads a while back but didn't get on with it.

[Si Robin]

We need your input. In our recording on Tuesday we’re going to be talking about our favourite regular season games, and we want to know yours.

The only rule is that we won’t accept Rushden and Yeovil in 1999.

Tell us your favourite, and why, and you’ll get a shoutout on the pod.

[London Exile]

We need your input. In our recording on Tuesday we’re going to be talking about our favourite regular season games, and we want to know yours.

The only rule is that we won’t accept Rushden and Yeovil in 1999.

Tell us your favourite, and why, and you’ll get a shoutout on the pod.

To be fair we’re spoilt for choice and this will be a great listen to hear the choices of others.
One of mine was the 3-1 home win over Grimsby late in the 2015/16 bounceback season. That was when I felt confident and relaxed we’d not lose top spot and get back to the FL.

[Jerry St Clair]

We need your input. In our recording on Tuesday we’re going to be talking about our favourite regular season games, and we want to know yours.

The only rule is that we won’t accept Rushden and Yeovil in 1999.

Tell us your favourite, and why, and you’ll get a shoutout on the pod.

Absolutely no doubt for me.

Cheltenham 3-0 Southend
10 December 2011

My first season watching Town and this was probably the peak moment of the Yates era.

Southend were going for promotion and had won 5 in a row. We were looking to the play offs and had won 4 in a row. It was a clash of two bang in form teams. It was a Saturday afternoon but, being mid-December it was dark at kickoff. To all intents and purposes it was Whaddon Rd under the lights.

In the end we comprehensively outplayed them from start to finish. It was 90 mins of almost perfect football.

Pack, Penn, Sunmerfield and Low in midfield

Jombati and Garbutt at fullback. Butland between the sticks

Great, great times.