Agree with Mr Walnuts. SL in 1995 definitely finished this club as a major force.Widnes were in decline anyway but that was the death knell for us and we've never recovered despite the two stints in the competition.Seeing the line up confirmed in the morning papers and Widnes included in the 'first division' was devastating.The club were struggling to pull in 6000 anyway but v Dewsbury,Batley etc,nowhere near.
We need to employ someone whose job is to contact companies in the area, to get more sponsorship and hopefully find someone with money who would be interested in putting some of it into Widnes. I know there aren’t many about, but it wasn’t long ago Oldham were struggling to survive and hadn’t got a permanent ground of their own, and now they’ve found someone with plenty of money and they’re near the top of the championship, with more players than need, and having to give some out on loan.
So it can be done, but people aren’t going to ring up to ask to give money to the club, they need to be asked and persuaded to give some of their or their firms money to us.
It sounds as Andy Horabin is trying his best, he needs some help from someone who has experience of attracting firms/people/money to a club.
We need to employ someone whose job is to contact companies in the area, to get more sponsorship and hopefully find someone with money who would be interested in putting some of it into Widnes. I know there aren’t many about, but it wasn’t long ago Oldham were struggling to survive and hadn’t got a permanent ground of their own, and now they’ve found someone with plenty of money and they’re near the top of the championship, with more players than need, and having to give some out on loan.
So it can be done, but people aren’t going to ring up to ask to give money to the club, they need to be asked and persuaded to give some of their or their firms money to us.It sounds as Andy Horabin is trying his best, he needs some help from someone who has experience of attracting firms/people/money to a club.
If you pop into the Office at the stadium you will see the commercial/finance guy at his desk. So, we do already employ one, FV.
Paulie xx
@pascal mate how do to know that the new director ‘has done more’ than the other one who funded 20k when we were in admin and then joined the board as well?
again it’s just a divisive thing to say putting directors up against each other for supposed ‘contribution’ just because he’s gone knocking on doors doesn’t mean he’s invested as much as MT. And I don’t know either way for a fact in just stating.
the fanbase is torn and people are allowed differing opinions, but the constant digs and negativity doesn’t help anyone.
Criticising when the club does something bad or the players and coach make bad decisions is fine, but there’s a certain part of the fanbase that criticise everything and never seem to pipe up when the club win or do something good. That’s the toxicity. This last paragraph is not aimed at you as I’ve seen you praise the club when they do well.
We've done this conversation to death. Either someone with too much money on their hands fancies an aimless project or a fan of the club wins the EuroMillions. If those things don't happen, we're at our level; mid-table Championship.
To suggest the club could do more, investment conversations and game advertisement, is a bit naive. It already happens and doesn't make that much difference. The club ploughing a load of money into marketing isn't the missing link; everyone who wants to watch a game or could probably be persuaded to, already knows there's a game on a Sunday. It's not a secret.
Could the Board do more? I guess, a little bit, that's subjective and it wouldn't be revolutionary. Are we ripe for SL? You must be joking, not on the cards whatsoever. I'm grateful to the Board that we have a club at all.
The question is whether you support the team through thick and continuing thin. If not, St Helens and Warrington aren't that far away for you.
@pascal mate how do to know that the new director ‘has done more’ than the other one who funded 20k when we were in admin and then joined the board as well?
again it’s just a divisive thing to say putting directors up against each other for supposed ‘contribution’ just because he’s gone knocking on doors doesn’t mean he’s invested as much as MT. And I don’t know either way for a fact in just stating.
the fanbase is torn and people are allowed differing opinions, but the constant digs and negativity doesn’t help anyone.
Criticising when the club does something bad or the players and coach make bad decisions is fine, but there’s a certain part of the fanbase that criticise everything and never seem to pipe up when the club win or do something good. That’s the toxicity. This last paragraph is not aimed at you as I’ve seen you praise the club when they do well.
Bullshit if you can't take criticism then get out of the oven and find a new job. It is part of sport. Too many goody shoes who can not see we are going backwards. Less fans every season and people are just going to keep the club going. Gone from playoffs to probably 9th this year. The squad is getting weaker every season, and we haven't learned from our dual registration from Warrington last year. Going forward would be a top 6 team again which won't happen without proper investment and ambition from the club.
@pascal mate how do to know that the new director ‘has done more’ than the other one who funded 20k when we were in admin and then joined the board as well?
again it’s just a divisive thing to say putting directors up against each other for supposed ‘contribution’ just because he’s gone knocking on doors doesn’t mean he’s invested as much as MT. And I don’t know either way for a fact in just stating.
the fanbase is torn and people are allowed differing opinions, but the constant digs and negativity doesn’t help anyone.
Criticising when the club does something bad or the players and coach make bad decisions is fine, but there’s a certain part of the fanbase that criticise everything and never seem to pipe up when the club win or do something good. That’s the toxicity. This last paragraph is not aimed at you as I’ve seen you praise the club when they do well.
Scouse the other thing from me is why no adverts on the Electronic billboards saying a game on. When I came to Widnes for a weekend there was no advertising and if I was new to the Town I would not know mate. The other thing why haven't we got a board like Warrington on outskirts of the Town. Welcome to Widnes home of the Widnes Vikings the first World Rugby league Champions. Just a few things club need to start improving.
On a positive I do understand why the board are not splashing out too much especially with the RFL changing the goal posts all the time. Oldham, Featherstone, Bradford and York are splashing the money and not guaranteed Super league. The RFL would probably add London who are near the bottom. I think this is done to death now and I do appreciate the efforts from the board, but I believe more still could be done. Even James Gordon known as Flash has offered his services and the club was not interested is a negative from the club. I feel Flash would give a good input and help on matters
@pascal the seasons not over yet mate! If we do finish 9th then we can pick apart the reasons why but let’s just see first eh 🤣
I definitely do not disagree that the dual registration decision was poor, for advertising in neither here or there with it as I don’t believe it would make that much of a difference personally but I understand where people come from that, if it’s not that expensive it can’t hurt. I don’t know the prices myself!
Having read a damning statement earlier this morning from Widnes FC (different situation) where they mention costs at the match day costs to play at the stadium have risen 300%. Again not overly criticising the council as we got away with a big bill in admin but the costs for training/playing will have a big effect on budget
@pascal the seasons not over yet mate! If we do finish 9th then we can pick apart the reasons why but let’s just see first eh 🤣
I definitely do not disagree that the dual registration decision was poor, for advertising in neither here or there with it as I don’t believe it would make that much of a difference personally but I understand where people come from that, if it’s not that expensive it can’t hurt. I don’t know the prices myself!
Having read a damning statement earlier this morning from Widnes FC (different situation) where they mention costs at the match day costs to play at the stadium have risen 300%. Again not overly criticising the council as we got away with a big bill in admin but the costs for training/playing will have a big effect on budget
Fair points Scouse mate I am just frustrated as love my club and feel jealous of all other teams having big investors and not us. 🤣 Leigh, Oldham, York, Featherstone and even North Wales Crusaders. 🤣🙈 Some of these teams in our area we need one. 👍💪 Hopefully we do get some new players but we are missing some grunt at prop forward. Losing Kirk and Reilly with no replacements is annoying. Hopefully some better news soon. 🙏👍
@pascal I agree mate, I’m very frustrated too! I also wish we had a rich benefactor I’ve always had a gripe with Leigh with Beaumont and Salford when koukash was there. Professional jealousy we’ll call it 🤣
Again I think you are one of the posters who are balanced in their opinion will give praise when needed and criticise when needed, who sometimes, post on emotion alone (which I’ve been guilty of myself)
I will always call out certain individuals on here who, if you went through their last 50 posts, are ALL negative and they never post when we win or when the club do something positive. But I’m a stalker supposedly when I just state the facts 👀. Overly criticising and complaining is just as damaging as overly supporting and refusing to accept when the club makes poor decisions
We've got York and Toulouse next. God almighty, can you imagine what this place is going to be like. Shoot me now.
@pascal I agree mate, I’m very frustrated too! I also wish we had a rich benefactor I’ve always had a gripe with Leigh with Beaumont and Salford when koukash was there. Professional jealousy we’ll call it 🤣
Again I think you are one of the posters who are balanced in their opinion will give praise when needed and criticise when needed, who sometimes, post on emotion alone (which I’ve been guilty of myself)
I will always call out certain individuals on here who, if you went through their last 50 posts, are ALL negative and they never post when we win or when the club do something positive. But I’m a stalker supposedly when I just state the facts 👀. Overly criticising and complaining is just as damaging as overly supporting and refusing to accept when the club makes poor decisions
Yeah I usually just say as I see it most times. I don't expect everyone to agree with me as we all have different options on players, and how things could be improved. I do like solutions to problems than just negative feedback. I love Foz as a player never seen a bad game in him, and I like robust players like Rhodri Lloyd. Kirk and Rambo I wasn't impressed with and hopefully we find two decent props to replace them. Anyway let's beat York. 🤣
@pauliewalnuts What is his actual job? What does he do? I know we haven’t got many staff, so I presume his job is a few things combined in the one title.
What we need is a person with experience , whose sole job is trying to get people/companies to part with their money and help the club out.
I suppose it depends if the club think it’s worth the risk of paying someone to do that job, with no guarantee it will work.
You have a serious problem.@pascal I agree mate, I’m very frustrated too! I also wish we had a rich benefactor I’ve always had a gripe with Leigh with Beaumont and Salford when koukash was there. Professional jealousy we’ll call it 🤣
Again I think you are one of the posters who are balanced in their opinion will give praise when needed and criticise when needed, who sometimes, post on emotion alone (which I’ve been guilty of myself)
I will always call out certain individuals on here who, if you went through their last 50 posts, are ALL negative and they never post when we win or when the club do something positive. But I’m a stalker supposedly when I just state the facts 👀. Overly criticising and complaining is just as damaging as overly supporting and refusing to accept when the club makes poor decisions