I went to the Supporters Forum and here are my observations. Panel was Richard Gough (Customer Services), David McNally, Grant Holt, Ewan Chester (new Chief Scout). Neil Adams was in the Chair.
Asked about the season the phrases used by the panel were to "give it a go" (GH), "win more than we lose" (DMcN). Not just consolidate.
Finances - much the same as we've heard before. Our debt level is not sustainable in the Championship. We're seeking investment - if we can't find it DMcN says we need a Plan B. Promotion would of course be one solution.
Ticket admin fee - is to help cover costs of issuing tickets.
Other increases - DMcN says we need to raise revenue where we can hence extra seats - and would consider putting more in next year eg 500 or 1000. Only major increases eg top tier City Stand if in Prem. Best value seats will always be to season ticket holders.
Player budget - first aim of the budget was to give PL a competitive player budget for the season - from there other revenue has to be found to pay for it. Turnover last season was circa £17m, aim for new season is £22m.
Scouting -the new network is one scout in Scotland (tbc), North (Stuart McCall), Midlands (Alan Durban), South (not sure of the name but ex Head Scout at Spurs, Pressland poss surname). No European scout, Flecky to scout non league. Aim is to work ahead of the next transfer window to have a list ready for PL in areas he wants to strengthen.
Academy - we are looking at opening further satellite centres to produce more home grown talent. Current ones are in Hertord and Cambridge.
Holt fitness - not match fit as too much pre-season missed, will be training hard this week and hopes to be in the squad for Watford. Asked about opponents this year he said he was looking forward to Forest at the City Ground and "sticking it up them" - clearly not happy how he was treated there.
I'm sure there's other stuff too but this is all I could recall quickly.
Posted By: Jethmeister, Aug 1, 19:22:07
Written & Designed By Ben Graves 1999-2025