I feel with the introduction of the IMG system as a club we could either cruise along at a steady pace and realistically be a top 4 team in championship or the club could get together with the council and try and reinvent the club. A change of logo, music/comedy/comedian nights at the stadium, music events at the stadium like recently Elton John that could all raise funds. Obviously we need a competitive team on the field and all the other criteria like academy/women’s/wheelchair teams
the dolphins in the nrl built a casino next to the stadium to bring in funds and create a buzz. Ultimately money will bring a better quality squad and then it’s down to the coach and players to perform out on the field. I feel the clubs being like a part time social club and needs to redirect and start thinking about ideas to generate revenue to potentially attract a buy out so we can go up and compete against the best
We do not own the stadium. All concert proceeds go to the Council not Widnes Vikings. With the lack of Central Government funding the Council could probably not do much more than they do now for the club.
We need to face reality. We are not super league. We do not own the stadium; we have no leverage. We are very average but that aint no bad scenario.
If we became an attractive option to an investor or rich beneficiary maybe the club could purchase the stadium or 50/50 with the council. If we don’t dream big we’ll stay mid championship club
@mckviking so basically, just dream that a wealthy investor will come in?
@winny-ingram yes you do that mate 👍
I’m trying to generate a topic which forum members can make suggestions for our club to maybe consider regarding our revenue streams. I don’t know what the situation is in-house at widnes but hopefully they are striving to grow rather than going through the motions
@geoffw ok but why does the stadium not have a price for potential investors. Why do we accept it’s the council’s property indefinitely. The council paid for the stadium? What was price and was it in 1998?
The only amounts I can find online are £7.6 million for North, South and west stands so we can probaby assue at least £10 million for the whole stadium.
Back to the title - firstly do we want to return to SL ?
rumour now is SL could be back up to 14 within 2 seasons, as we are in the dummy run 16th that would not take too much to make 14th
then what ? Without extra investment we finish bottom 3 every year
the big question is what remains below the promised land
just be nice to watch good rugby that we win more than lose, I am old enough to have witnessed the great days and I doubt we will ever recreate those, we may have a good cup run here and there but that’s about it
Yeah,I do find it slightly humours that the people on here who have repeatedly used not having a rich owner as an excuse for failing at a PT level are now the most vociferous about a potential return to SL. If we can't beat a load of dead wood teams without a benefactor , what chance at the highest level.
@winny-ingram yes you do that mate 👍
I’m trying to generate a topic which forum members can make suggestions for our club to maybe consider regarding our revenue streams. I don’t know what the situation is in-house at widnes but hopefully they are striving to grow rather than going through the motions
The revenue streams are limited. The club have no assets to generate any money. They’ve made £3k off the partnership with the Council. I bet Halton Hornets and The Wids make that every weekend when there’s a game on.
At least the club tried to generate some finances, but when you’re only making £3k, you have to wonder if it is worth it.
As for Elton/Bryan Adams style concerts; as if Halton Council will be cutting the Vikings into their events. Widnes are just tenants.
@winny-ingram maybe if Widnes organized the event they could get a share of the profits. I hear what you’re saying 3k is a drop in the ocean when it comes to what we need but if we can hold events at the club midweek like line dancing or something then it all adds up, not wanting a phoenix nights set up but I’m sure the club can be more proactive when it comes to creating new revenue streams
@mckviking there will always be room for improvement, but Widnes have their hands tied. They have no venue in order to generate substantial funds. Any events organised at the stadium and HBC will take the lion’s share.
@winny-ingram I guess it has pro’s and con’s to it, we don’t have the cost of maintaining the stadium but we don’t have the stadium as an option for additional income
Could the club not rent out rooms at a discounted cost and hold events? I don’t claim to know what the financial situation is for the club but it seems to me that we need every bit of added income to build each season.
You're currently nowt more than a bang average team in the middle tier, who finished last term (albeit four wins) just one place higher than the Lions. Jealous? No!
Unlike us, you host games within the town that bears your famous name, and whilst being council owned, it's still a quality venue. Jealous? Yes!
Like it or nor, IMG's gradings are in, and whilst the chances of playing SL football are (beyond?) remote for us, they're higher for you, but don't hold your breath! Jealous? No!
Spelly.