Think about this quite often and my opinion was yes we should have and built again from scratch. Looking at the dismal times since administration I wonder what position we would be in it that had happened. I am pretty sure the fans would be 100% more behind the club than the shambles as it is now and would take a guess we would be competing at the high end of League 1 with everyone enjoying the games. Who knows we may have had someone like Mr Backhouse come in to give a helping hand but that's just a hoping comment.
What do others think of this scenario ?
Well if we had gone to league 1 back then we would have been positively building to get back into the championship for the past few seasons and has been said we would probably been enjoying the rugby. Instead we have spent the last few seasons slowly making our way to league 1, not enjoying the rugby very much and being frustrated by the often calamitous way the club has been run in that time. As right now unless the club leadership don't take immediate action to turn things around, league 1 is where we will surely be at the end of the season. But then again we're only fans, what would we know? But I think we all know a lot of us won't be around for much longer if things don't change - a fact I believe is already unfolding in front of our eyes.Think about this quite often and my opinion was yes we should have and built again from scratch. Looking at the dismal times since administration I wonder what position we would be in it that had happened. I am pretty sure the fans would be 100% more behind the club than the shambles as it is now and would take a guess we would be competing at the high end of League 1 with everyone enjoying the games. Who knows we may have had someone like Mr Backhouse come in to give a helping hand but that's just a hoping comment.
What do others think of this scenario ?
Think I prefer liquidation now as fed up of the crunchie rugby played at the club.
It wouldn't have been as romantic as you make out. Not to mention the council would likely not have been so forthcoming given the amount of money they were owed. What happened was ultimately the right thing (the only thing) that was realistic.
While their handling of communications and other aspects hasn't been great, the board have at least kept things ticking along free of financial strife, creating stability there. I think unfortunately there just hasn't been the nous to move forward and beyond that, and clearly the wrong appointments have been made.
I genuinely feel like there's a culture of fear and paranoia that has besieged the club for the past 5-10 years, and whether that is a contributory factor to this apparent stand off between the club and those outside of it, I don't know.
The number of directors has decreased over the years, and the ones that are left are the ones that are keeping it going. I'm sure there are people who would like to run it / join / help, but maybe they don't have the money to buy out the existing directors; of course in the absence of a money man coming from somewhere and taking the lot!
On the other hand it would have rid the culture the curse or whatever has effected the club for a long time IMO it is much easier to build when everything is harmonious, the council may have got behind a newly formed club and investors would have no stigma around investing but that's my opinion and nice to see it from a different angle in your post.It wouldn't have been as romantic as you make out. Not to mention the council would likely not have been so forthcoming given the amount of money they were owed. What happened was ultimately the right thing (the only thing) that was realistic.
While their handling of communications and other aspects hasn't been great, the board have at least kept things ticking along free of financial strife, creating stability there. I think unfortunately there just hasn't been the nous to move forward and beyond that, and clearly the wrong appointments have been made.
I genuinely feel like there's a culture of fear and paranoia that has besieged the club for the past 5-10 years, and whether that is a contributory factor to this apparent stand off between the club and those outside of it, I don't know.
The number of directors has decreased over the years, and the ones that are left are the ones that are keeping it going. I'm sure there are people who would like to run it / join / help, but maybe they don't have the money to buy out the existing directors; of course in the absence of a money man coming from somewhere and taking the lot!
Should have liquidated and stayed liquidated🙁
Think James has that spot on .
The Vicar
Think about this quite often and my opinion was yes we should have and built again from scratch. Looking at the dismal times since administration I wonder what position we would be in it that had happened. I am pretty sure the fans would be 100% more behind the club than the shambles as it is now and would take a guess we would be competing at the high end of League 1 with everyone enjoying the games. Who knows we may have had someone like Mr Backhouse come in to give a helping hand but that's just a hoping comment.
What do others think of this scenario ?
You wouldn't have said yes come March 2019 when we was saved and that game v Fev. Then that Semi v Leigh etc. I'm not too sure. What I do think though is should it happen again with the current regime and total lack of any balls by the current board we won't be saved.
I will also say Backhouse isn't the answer. If he had the desire and money he thinks he has, he would have done so somewhere by now. He isn't a Widnes fan so he isn't waiting for us. He could have easily done what Oldhams buyers have with say Crusaders or Bradford when he had chance.
And who is actually out there to carry out this wonderful rescue at the club?
We're not a glamour club and we live on our reputation but we're not an attractive proposition for investors. We need a Widnes loving billionaire but that isn't going to happen.
I think James is right tbh, council would have told us to f off imo. Not sure what the consequences of that would have been re forming the club?? But and a massive but, we are staring into the abyss as it stands right now. Can't remember who it was on here stated quite clearly last season, if you think the 2023 season is/was a shambles just wait for 2024! Unfortunately his words look like he had inside info and the noises coming out of the club pre seson re recruitment etc was pure bull shoite. Sad times currently
The council might have told a new club to go and rent a pitch on Leigh Rec.Either that or share with Runcorn Football.
Suppose there was also the danger of going basically 12 months without a Widnes Rugby League Team if we restarted the following season- who is to say that wouldn't have left us in a similar if not worse position?
But anyway, as long as we don't say anything that may upset the Politburo on Lowerhouse Lane, that's the main thing....
It wouldn't have been as romantic as you make out. Not to mention the council would likely not have been so forthcoming given the amount of money they were owed. What happened was ultimately the right thing (the only thing) that was realistic.
While their handling of communications and other aspects hasn't been great, the board have at least kept things ticking along free of financial strife, creating stability there. I think unfortunately there just hasn't been the nous to move forward and beyond that, and clearly the wrong appointments have been made.
I genuinely feel like there's a culture of fear and paranoia that has besieged the club for the past 5-10 years, and whether that is a contributory factor to this apparent stand off between the club and those outside of it, I don't know.
The number of directors has decreased over the years, and the ones that are left are the ones that are keeping it going. I'm sure there are people who would like to run it / join / help, but maybe they don't have the money to buy out the existing directors; of course in the absence of a money man coming from somewhere and taking the lot!
Can't remember if we spoke about this recently James, but what are the actual assets? We rent the Stadium, rent a market stall as our 'Viking Superstore' (open Wednesday to Saturday), and we have a hamper of kit to play in. The Players are paid from the scant RFL funding, and I'd think any Sponsorship monies pay the CEO and remainder of Player salaries. So a stake in the club (mooted at £25k) actually buys you a season ticket and a 'hatful of nothing'
Paulie xx