" used in order to continue the growth of our club"
There's the line that tells you the club will spend the money how it wants, new car for the CEO, raises for xy and z, couple of new positions in the office so we look like a "pro" company on paper
Not saying any of that will happen but now there's absolutely nothing to stop it happening
As I recall Backhouse walked away from the club as they would not tell him what his money was going towards or even which players they were after
Got a feeling lots of VIQI members will do the same
Cue the happy clappers accusing of total negativity, but is the club going to have full control over any said monies?
If so, are we all happy with this? As fans, haven't we been royally trousered in the past?
Thing is, the £££ whether it is through VIQI or directly given to the club through a new scheme is still going to be spent by the same CEO/Board. It isn't like Jason Shaw was spending the VIQI money on players he personally signed.
Club haven’t even announced what it is yet and already the knives are out 🤣🤣
Thing is, the £££ whether it is through VIQI or directly given to the club through a new scheme is still going to be spent by the same CEO/Board. It isn't like Jason Shaw was spending the VIQI money on players he personally signed.
But the Viqi committee had to agree and authorise the money so at least there was some control independent of the club.
I get what you are saying and I guess we have to trust the club to do the right thing with the money but if it does indeed go on debt or a new company car or something equally as ridiculous feel the fans will stop paying. We have been shafted before.
I would be interested to know how many times (if any) viqi refused a request for cash by the club and the general circumstances if they did.
I suppose that's the central point of the issue, we have been badly burnt by bad ownership/executives twice in the last 15 years.
It's quite difficult to imagine the current set of directors doing similar but I guess some independent oversight is a good thing.
It will certainly be sad to see the end of VIQI, it has effectively saved Widnes RLFC from oblivion. Its voluntary management group have done a massive service to the club and the town.
I, like many more, was ‘encouraged’ to increase my subscription on that black weekend to ‘save the club’. The big decider, for me at any rate, was that the VIQI funds were kept apart from club funds which at that time were at the mercy of the administrators, and would be used to strengthen the team.
That fundamental difference needs to be recognised.
I do not question the honesty of our Board or our staff but it is simply protecting the club and subscribers from a future meltdown and ensuring that the VIQI budget continues to focus on development rather than day to day expenditure.
If there is no difference then all that I, a pensioner, will be doing is paying more than double for my Season Ticket! In that case why not just raise the price of all Season Tickets?
The more you think about it the more it seems that there has been a difference of opinion between VIQI and the Board, which is a pity. That needs to be explained before any new fund is launched.
There will be ways around this problem by organising our internal finances appropriately. A small sub-committee could ensure that the funds were properly directed and preserved for team development.
I understand that Featherstone have a similar system to VIQI and iirc St Helens have made their finances bullet proof in some way. They may hold an answer.
As I say there will be ways and I am sure that a reliable financial consultant could point the way.
I do wonder whether we are seeing the after effects of the ad hoc nature of the consortium/VIQI which was, in my view, thrown together very quickly due to circumstances 3 years ago.
It is one thing all pulling together to steer the ship away from the iceberg, it's another one altogether having a coherent long term plan for getting the club at least to being a high level Championship team again.
I do wonder, again only opinion, whether there is a lack of coherent thinking or a lack of a shared vision: also I guess it's easier for those in the club to have a controlled fan group happy clapping them for finishing 8th in the league than a more independently minded one asking serious questions.
@cj91 Spot on CJ. I think there is a major concern for me.
Accountability - an independent body, like VIQI, acts as a reasonable counter balance. Being independent and having leverage - in this case financial serves to ensure that the club remains accountable to the supporters.
I take the point that with VIQI their own levels of accountability were subject to concern but that is a separate issue.
I also appreciate that the finances provided to the club were then actually used by the club but there has always been an implied understanding that VIQI had a say in how the funds were used and that they would cease providing financial support if they were unhappy (which may be the case now ?).
I have concerns that the club wants to take over the idea of the revenue stream but that might be tricky. At the very least those people contributing to VIQI will need to be asked if they wish to transfer to the new (club run) alternative. I suspect some / most might but I for one would want to know what my cash was going to pay for, on a regular basis.
it seems to me that VIQI, which was essentially a fan based and run independent entity with the good of the club at heart was, and still is, a much better proposition than another contribution made directly to the club. As has been said, over the past few years the owners and managers of the club have displayed a desire to ‘protect their own interests’ above those of the club and paying fans.
@cj91 Spot on CJ. I think there is a major concern for me.
Accountability - an independent body, like VIQI, acts as a reasonable counter balance. Being independent and having leverage - in this case financial serves to ensure that the club remains accountable to the supporters.
I take the point that with VIQI their own levels of accountability were subject to concern but that is a separate issue.
I also appreciate that the finances provided to the club were then actually used by the club but there has always been an implied understanding that VIQI had a say in how the funds were used and that they would cease providing financial support if they were unhappy (which may be the case now ?).
I have concerns that the club wants to take over the idea of the revenue stream but that might be tricky. At the very least those people contributing to VIQI will need to be asked if they wish to transfer to the new (club run) alternative. I suspect some / most might but I for one would want to know what my cash was going to pay for, on a regular basis.
it seems to me that VIQI, which was essentially a fan based and run independent entity with the good of the club at heart was, and still is, a much better proposition than another contribution made directly to the club. As has been said, over the past few years the owners and managers of the club have displayed a desire to ‘protect their own interests’ above those of the club and paying fans.
RV we really do not and probably never will know what has happened between the club and VIQI, did we ever really know where the money got spent anyway ?. At the end of the day the club needs to spend the cash on what is needed and that might not be players. I don't see a problem with that as long as they let contributors know where it is spent.
...In my view, the independence of VIQI from the Club was one of its strengths, in that it decided on behalf of its members what was contributed to the club to help player retention/acquisition. The transparency of the VIQI with its own members is another question...
...In my view, it would be a mistake for the Club to want to run the scheme or to use any funding for the day to day running of the Club...
...with representation from the Club, but independent of the Club...
...One sure fire way of losing contributors is to allow the club to treat the income generated as another income stream to be used at their discretion...
Agreed, @frankg.
In a sense, and in the simplest terms, VIQI was like a 'Beaumont' with independent cash, to be spent for the good of the club but not automatically available to Administrators should the club fall that far again. If that step is lost, as I have said previously, it is just a voluntary increase in Season Tickets that many will refuse.
Personally I wouldn't worry about the precise function that the cash was spent on, that can always be manipulated by accountants in my experience, but the point is that it is considered and a decision made rather than it being a fait accompli for the Board.
Other clubs that haven't experienced Administration might need to look at their systems!!!
I really hope that sense will prevail and any differences be sorted amicably. After all that the club and supporters have been through it would be such a shame to fail now.
Sad day I feel, VIQI has been absolutely magnificent, run by volunteers and without the financial input the club may not still be here
i think a lot of people will not subscribe to the club (unknown) funding, appreciate funds are in place for next season but I fear for the future
i will carry on paying until august and await announcements, I am sure I am not alone in this action
Looks like the club have already made their decision. I think they're missing a trick NOT asking those who currently pay, how they would prefer it to be done.
"Following the announcement from VIQI that they have decided to formally close as of 1st August 2022, we would like to confirm that new plans are in development for supporters to continue to help contribute to the club financially and continue the growth that we have worked hard on in recent years.
We greatly appreciate the hard work done by the supporters of VIQI in raising a huge amount of money for the club, and would like to take this opportunity to thank every single supporter who donated towards VIQI to help maintain our club as we recovered through a hugely difficult period in our history.
VIQI aimed to ensure our club’s financial stability and contributed hugely towards doing so. Having achieved that goal, we are now striving towards the heights that we all know this great club can reach.
When Widnes Vikings entered administration, our magnificent
supporters were desperate to give funds to their club to save it from the brink of extinction. The current Widnes Vikings Board felt that VIQI could achieve this swiftly as it had an independent bank account to safely collect donations from fans. VIQI would represent the amazing generosity of more than a thousand supporters coupled with and the actions of the Widnes Vikings Board and initial investors and shareholders at the Vikings.The new system being introduced will be an improvement on the previous scheme. The club have experienced challenges with that system, as we have sought clarity on fundamental information such as membership numbers and drop off-rates, the monthly income received by VIQI, and its overall funding levels held.
This new system will be completely transparent with our members with regards to membership and donation figures. Supporters will be able to donate in the same way as they did with VIQI, via a membership scheme that feeds directly to the club to ensure that all funds are used in order to continue the growth of our club and strengthen our playing squad.
Widnes fans have amply demonstrated in recent times their determination to support the club when considerable setbacks have occurred. The Widnes Board are hopeful that the fans will assist the club again by ensuring the continuation of the support which has steadied the ship financially, to take this next step and grow together as a club and as a town.
We are dedicated to finding new ways to support the ongoing growth and success of Widnes Vikings and are excited to work with you, our supporters, to achieve the best future that we can for the club that we all love.
Details of the new donation system will be announced in the coming weeks as we look to take the next step in bringing the successes this club truly deserves together, in the clearest and best way possible.
Widnes Vikings Board of Directors"
https://widnesvikings.co.uk/a-message-from-widnes-vikings-regarding-viqi/
No way would I pay into that. It's a recipe for disaster. For example, pay an extra £20 a month into the abyss, not knowing where the money is being spent, it means you are technically paying £440 for your season ticket (if you are a ST holder, that is)! At least with VIQI, there's some control over the funds.
Paulie xx
I’ll likely continue to pay into the new system. Happy to put my trust in the current board to use the money for the benefit of the club. But I think the likelihood is that there will be less money going into the club that was coming in via VIQI. Hope I’m wrong.
I’ll likely continue to pay into the new system. Happy to put my trust in the current board to use the money for the benefit of the club. But I think the likelihood is that there will be less money going into the club that was coming in via VIQI. Hope I’m wrong.
You're not. You only have to read this thread to see that.