I think they reached that point a while back....And yes, unfortunately we still need to dip into our pockets for a number of years to come. Long term if the fans don't back us then the debts will increase until you reach a point where we are not sustainable
Another update A board member has responded to the 'we're doomed' merchants.
No, the club will not be closing on the 31st July. However, there has been communication that the projects we need to undertake both to improve the facilities for supporters at the ground and drive up revenue which we need to survive long term, requires the supporters to back our plans by committing to season tickets and doing so earlier than usual. The take-up has been disappointing. The direct result of that has been the postponement of accepting the PTC grant to redevelop the SMRE bar for at least 2 months. Net result is that instead of returning to a ground with a refurbishment that is under way, you will return to find it exactly as you left it. We now have a headache as the summer is the busiest time of the year for construction projects in Manchester and many companies are fully committed already. This may cause further delays.
Longer term our business plan is based around a certain number of season tickets. If we don't reach those figures we either need to raise more money elsewhere or cut costs.
There is no immediate danger that the club will fold, certainly not on 31st July but we have huge bills to pay related to the build. Anyone who is a member can find the full repayment schedule in the members docs area. Paying back those debts is non negotiable and we have to raise the money. If we also want to invest in the team in an increasingly money driven league and to provide the services our supporters expect then we need to raise even more money. There are no rich owners at FC. This club belongs to all of us and we need to back the plans by investing in season tickets. And yes, unfortunately we still need to dip into our pockets for a number of years to come. Long term if the fans don't back us then the debts will increase until you reach a point where we are not sustainable but I have confidence we are turning things round.
If you haven't bought a season ticket then please do consider buying one now. If you don't go to all the matches then get one with less than the recommended donation. Anyone going to 10 of our 21 league matches would not lose money by buying a season ticket at the minimum £100. Its better for the club for you to buy the ticket at the £100 then to pay on the gate 10 times. Those attending more matches or willing to give the club a donation can pay more than £100. The recommended donation is £75 but those in a comfortable financial position can really help us by donating above that. for the first time this season we have introduced a concession season ticket priced at £65 (recommended donation £30). Remember concessions are not just age related but also adult students. A junior season ticket is remarkable value at £21 for 21 matches (recommended £9 donation). Then there are the 3 year season tickets which are for those who can put a little bit more in. Its not a question of creating a higher tier of season ticket holder but asking those who can help fund the projects we need to carry out now to do so by paying for 3 years upfront. The benefits we already have from this include a new club shop which you'll see when you come to BP and a laundry room which will mean we don't have to take all our kits off to a launderette to be cleaned.
and a laundry room which will mean we don't have to take all our kits off to a launderette to be cleaned.
Their former general manager made a career going around the country speaking at ''business breakfasts'', informing anyone who would listen how the FC UM model was the savior of the game and the perfect antidote to the evil Premier League and corrupt / unfit club owners - while all along trousering the clubs money and taking it to near bankruptcy.Haha, I am loving this. I had a mate who became an FC United fan, and quickly developed a 'holier than thou' attitude to all other football fans, all the while, still supporting Utd whenever they played City. His smugness knew no bounds. Would rather have Swales back in charge of the club than follow their blueprints.
Another update A board member has responded to the 'we're doomed' merchants.
No, the club will not be closing on the 31st July. However, there has been communication that the projects we need to undertake both to improve the facilities for supporters at the ground and drive up revenue which we need to survive long term, requires the supporters to back our plans by committing to season tickets and doing so earlier than usual. The take-up has been disappointing. The direct result of that has been the postponement of accepting the PTC grant to redevelop the SMRE bar for at least 2 months. Net result is that instead of returning to a ground with a refurbishment that is under way, you will return to find it exactly as you left it. We now have a headache as the summer is the busiest time of the year for construction projects in Manchester and many companies are fully committed already. This may cause further delays.
Longer term our business plan is based around a certain number of season tickets. If we don't reach those figures we either need to raise more money elsewhere or cut costs.
There is no immediate danger that the club will fold, certainly not on 31st July but we have huge bills to pay related to the build. Anyone who is a member can find the full repayment schedule in the members docs area. Paying back those debts is non negotiable and we have to raise the money. If we also want to invest in the team in an increasingly money driven league and to provide the services our supporters expect then we need to raise even more money. There are no rich owners at FC. This club belongs to all of us and we need to back the plans by investing in season tickets. And yes, unfortunately we still need to dip into our pockets for a number of years to come. Long term if the fans don't back us then the debts will increase until you reach a point where we are not sustainable but I have confidence we are turning things round.
If you haven't bought a season ticket then please do consider buying one now. If you don't go to all the matches then get one with less than the recommended donation. Anyone going to 10 of our 21 league matches would not lose money by buying a season ticket at the minimum £100. Its better for the club for you to buy the ticket at the £100 then to pay on the gate 10 times. Those attending more matches or willing to give the club a donation can pay more than £100. The recommended donation is £75 but those in a comfortable financial position can really help us by donating above that. for the first time this season we have introduced a concession season ticket priced at £65 (recommended donation £30). Remember concessions are not just age related but also adult students. A junior season ticket is remarkable value at £21 for 21 matches (recommended £9 donation). Then there are the 3 year season tickets which are for those who can put a little bit more in. Its not a question of creating a higher tier of season ticket holder but asking those who can help fund the projects we need to carry out now to do so by paying for 3 years upfront. The benefits we already have from this include a new club shop which you'll see when you come to BP and a laundry room which will mean we don't have to take all our kits off to a launderette to be cleaned.
Their former general manager made a career going around the country speaking at ''business breakfasts'', informing anyone who would listen how the FC UM model was the savior of the game and the perfect antidote to the evil Premier League and corrupt / unfit club owners - while all along trousering the clubs money and taking it to near bankruptcy.