The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Looking out my window at sub zero temperatures, looks as though the football fixture list will be decemated yet again this week. This must bring about some seriously worrying times for Football Club Chairmen in terms of cash flow.

Looking at our own situation is dire - only 2 home games in November (7th and 14th) and just 3 home games in December (1st, 12th and 28th) and one of those only bringing in 690 odd people. We haven't got another home game until 23rd Jan !!!!! How the hell are we coping? The flow of cash into the club must be reduced to a trickle at the moment. KC must really be digging deep at the moment and surely praying that Tomlin goes somewhere for a good few quid, or that Jacko nets him some money.

I'm sure there are many clubs in the same position and it does make me wonder how so many smaller clubs can stay afloat when games get cancelled as they have been recently - cash flow is everything for a small business and we must be really struggling at the moment. I wonder how many others are facing serious financial problems over the coming weeks, especially if this cold snap continues.

Even more reason for people to get down to the club and buy thier Scum tickets early! I know we dont get to keep the money but it doesn't matter if we hold onto it for a while

What makes it even worse is that 2 of the games we've missed out on would have brought bumper attendanes and far higher gate receipts than we usually take. I'm sure the away side take some of the gate receipts, albeit it only a small percentage (unlike the FA Cup where they are split 50-50), so we probably missed out on a decent sum from the Oxford away game, not to mention a 3000-3500 attendance at the home game.

My Mrs wanted to buy me a new home shirt for Christmas, but they didn't have any in the club shop - sometimes we don't help oursleves do we? I'm not having a go at the club shop here, I guess its difficult for them to gauge though, they don't want to be left holding stock rather than cash, but then they can't generate sales if they don't have the stock - who'd be a retailer eh?

I just hope KC has deep enough pockets and a jovial bank manager for a few weeks more

PigmanRDFC wrote:My Mrs wanted to buy me a new home shirt for Christmas, but they didn't have any in the club shop - sometimes we don't help oursleves do we? I'm not having a go at the club shop here, I guess its difficult for them to gauge though, they don't want to be left holding stock rather than cash, but then they can't generate sales if they don't have the stock - who'd be a retailer eh?

I just hope KC has deep enough pockets and a jovial bank manager for a few weeks more

I know its now post christmas but i went down earlier and they seemed to have some then, if that helps any?

As you say it is always difficult for them to guage, but i struggled to get one at the start of the year when they came out, whcih to me seems silly. This is the time when everyone wants them, and if they dont sell them imediately, then they can keep hold of them for the two years until we change again. Having said that i am aware that it is much easier to be sitting here saying that!

............plus, when you read this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 440180.stm

it shows how important a good cup run can be. It was such a shame we lost to Brighton as we did. Had we won that game (and we deserved at least a draw) I would have felt quite confident of beating Torquay, even though it was away from home. Then we'd have been looking at a trip to Villa Park!!!! Probably a live TV appearance as well.............just shows how small the margins of success and failure are doesn't it?

davealbon wrote:What makes it even worse is that 2 of the games we've missed out on would have brought bumper attendanes and far higher gate receipts than we usually take. I'm sure the away side take some of the gate receipts, albeit it only a small percentage (unlike the FA Cup where they are split 50-50), so we probably missed out on a decent sum from the Oxford away game, not to mention a 3000-3500 attendance at the home game.

Dave in League games we don't "share" any of the gate with the away side. We meet all expenses of the game and then hopefully bank some profit. In the FA Cup it is a 50-50 share after expenses are taken out.

I agree Piggers a tough time for all football clubs, that's why you need a secondary income like corporate facilities, sports centre etc.... fortunately we have both but they are perhaps not marketed to get the best use out of them.
There are however numerous clubs who rely solely on there match day revenue, god help them!

bedforddiamond wrote: fortunately we have both but they are perhaps not marketed to get the best use out of them.

Hasn't that always been the case ever since they were built?

PigmanRDFC wrote: jovial bank manager

Let's hope he's a Leeds fan, I don't know one who isn't still delirious right now, pretty sure they'd agree to anything.

bedforddiamond wrote:Dave in League games we don't "share" any of the gate with the away side.

Fair enough, dunno where I got that idea from then! :oops: