Matt chaired meeting. New account to be opened for money raised for tax debt. Flyers were given out Mr hobbins snr stated legal fees are on going. Not many attended.
I agree there wasn't even a tannoy about it was there. Are things moving forward on the investor front, otherwise I'm struggling to see how we are going to pay the debt off in time. Our Cup run will help as we will beat Braintree next week.
I believe investment side of things is not looking good.
In that case I think we are in real trouble. Russ and co have raised about 10k via the sponsorship but I would doubt that more that 10k more has been raised. If we have to pay 67k, then that is a hell of a gap. Given that we have budgetted for a loss for the season, we are presumably losing money each week.
If no investment is looking likely - are we going to have to stop paying the wages? Otherwise I can't see that we will be around come Christmas.
Sorry to be so gloomy but despite lots of ideas I see nothing actually happening. As JGFC has said, I can't ring West Ham or Spurs and ask for a friendly.
Only going by what Dogkilla is saying. We have been looking for investors or new owners for years, the chances of coming up with something in the next couple of months will be tough, especially some-one who will come in and clear our debt.
Chelwing is right-the lack of information in the public domain isnt good in terms of how much the gap is and what is on the table rather than being promised.
The fact that not many people knew about the meeting to me is indicative of the situation we are in, no one truely knows.
I have a fear that the outcomes for us unless someone comes in are not good. Again I hope I am wrong
As Russ has said, now is not the time for Finger Pointing or being negative. Save that for IF the time comes.
If this is all off of Dogkillas post then i have to agree with MarkX .Barry said to me the Investors are still in discussion with the club about taking over.
Negativity like this serves no purpose at this time and can only have a bad effect on several things including the players, if it isnt nipped in the bud.
Unless some of you have news that others of us that have spoken to the club dont have then i would suggest its wise to stay postive and give ourselves the best chance of getting through this.
If any of you truly believe the club arent doing everything they can to sort this then i would say have a word with yourselves.
10 weeks left before we all get the chance to go ballistic if it isnt sorted. In the meantime give the players the support and dont open any cracks with a pnuematic drill please.
If they leave Benefit games till its too late and have a huge effort till its too late then that will be there for all to see. Until it goes pete tong, keep the faith and get behind the players.
The last thing they need is reading unfounded crap that could unsettle them. Thankfully Mark and I have been told that investment talks are ongoing. Do you expect anyone to just say heres 100k give me the deeds and keys and lets rock and roll? Due dilligence will be going on by Investors.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
Dogkilla was at the meeting so I think it is unfair to say that his comments are unfounded. I don't want to be negative but I see little point in waiting until it is too late and then say oh dear.
We need an honest appraisal of where we are at - something many people are asking for. I don't think we can just put out heads in the sand and just think all be ok on the day.
My suggestion is to 'actually ask' when you are at the ground
I dont go to the meetings either as I travel a fair distance to the games BUT a hunt down Barry and ask him outright and upfront at every game....why...because I want to know
Am I confident we will get through this......YES!!! Actually I am and IF I am right then a lot of the initiatives that are ongoing right now will stand us in good stead when it comes to the runnings costs from now onwards
I spoke to Barry Saturday and he said Investor talks are ongoing still and Accountants are considering things. But that sponsorship wasnt looking too fruitful at the moment.
It seems MarkX was told similar by Barrie.
It does seem that a poorly advertised meeting (Not advertised) has led to some missundertandings and a feew people being negative.
Either that or the investors pulled out in the 5 minutes that passed in between me talking to Barry and this meeting taking place.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
We owe 67k 8k and a little more is probably coming off that soon.
We need 1 or 2 DECENT friendlies to pull in 30-40k so you are looking at 1500-2000 crowds for both or a sell out against a very strong top team.
We need investment.
If we get neither of the above turn the lights out. If we get friendlies , smash the debt down and get it to a workable figure then we may get investors. Me personally i dont understand why benefit matches werent the first thing on the agenda. 67k becomes 52k becomes 40k etc quickly and people can see the moneys coming down.
Time is of the essence raising 15k with 1 week to go is pissing in the wind if the debt is 50k.
Benefit games will give all a big boost as it will show things being done and the debt being lowered. Need them Pronto and dont be afraid to schedule 2 or 3 of them over the next 10 weeks. Each one should bring in an absolute minimum of 10k each or 30k for a big gate.
As Nicky Brigden used to scream.... "Do it"
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
Dogkilla was at the meeting so I think it is unfair to say that his comments are unfounded. I don't want to be negative but I see little point in waiting until it is too late and then say oh dear.
We need an honest appraisal of where we are at - something many people are asking for. I don't think we can just put out heads in the sand and just think all be ok on the day.
Chelwing can you show me where in Dogkillas post it said the club said investment isnt looking good? I saw him post that HE doesnt believe investors are looking good etc.
LISTEN... We will have friendlies we will beat Braintree we will pay off the debt before the deadline and we will go close to getting promoted this year.
THEN we need to sort out some solid foundations for Jamie for next year and bring in revenue streams to compete whilst staying on budget.
Altogether now... Jamie Days Red Army
We are fortunate that League Clubs help us out and we have 10 weeks. Listen if we had 4 friendlies vs say XIs from Tottenham, Fulham, West Ham and QPR we would raise 30,000 if only 750 turned up to each.
We will get there, we would have to be completely devoid to not get there.
SO KEEP THE FAITH, we have 10 weeks not 10 days. and the players will still be in the FA Cup in December anyway.
Can we all be a bit positive please. Listen if inside 4 weeks the club havent arranged one or two decent friendlies. I will phone Redknapp and Co myself and get them to send a team down.
-- Edited by JgFc on Monday 20th of September 2010 12:13:10 PM
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
Investment talks are still continuing so please do not begin negative thinking at this present time. Lets all keep supporting the events that have so far been organised, and believe me, everything is being done behind the scenes to beat this present situation.
We all realise that some large sums of money still needs to be found to achieve the total sum required, and both Barrie and Barry are doing their best to get something organised on this, so it is not all doom and gloom as some may believe. It does take time to plan these events.
So far, everyone has done well, many supporters have helped by donating, plus organising the band nights, the photo shoot, the auction, quiz nights etc.
Finally,on the field, Jamie and the team have been superb, so we must send out the message to them, that the club will beat this financial crisis, as long as we stay positive.
I am positive we shall win the day, and this will begin a new era where WUFC will become a stronger and more self sufficient club.
If only i could have conveyed my posts like Eric has done.
We will do it. The players will do it and the Hobbins will do it.
Keep the faith and get behind them players as they continue to be superb we need to keep them on a straight line with no distractions and unfounded negativity will not help.
Cant some of you post your sister wants Andy Pugh's babies or something?
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
Gentlemen i was at meeting and mr hobbins snr stated investment was no further and i said believed it is not looking good. I dont see this as negative . Mr hobbins also stated getting a friendly is not as easy as you think.
It terms of a friendly, considering our small and limited squad, would a Benefit Match between two pro teams at PVR ie. Arsenal XI V Crystal palace XI not be more benificial?
1000 arsenal fans? 500 palace? 500 wings?
2000 total if promoted properly ?
JGFC, the Arsenal match was arranged, not by Hobbins or Daisy, but by Patsy. So it may be best if you contact clubs direct.
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Only thing with that Chris is you then need 2 teams to agree to a date. I dont mind what it is.
lets be fair if you can get Westlife, Danny Dyer, Joe McElderry and Will Young playing for a celeb X1 then you would get a big crowd.
Could we contact people like Lashings, The Bunburys and any Celebrity Football Teams? Its an avenue we can go down for sure.
What ever we arrange we need to try things.
The thing with a Welling V Chelsea XI, Spurs, West Ham, Villa, or similar is Jamie can use it like a training session 18 players put in 3 trialists or youngsters from the academy and give everyone 45 mins or play a strong team first half and then make loads of subs.
Hull Sent a team to Canvey, Bradford played down in the South West so we dont have to ask all the local teams only.
We would have built up some strong contacts over the years and if we ask them nicely and point out a strong side will wipe out half of our debt in one go and go along way towards survival i think at least one decent team will fancy a game and want to help.
There must be a good 10 or so big clubs south of Birmingham and North of Southampton who would listen to us and if we did get a Spurs or Chelseas then they have a massive fan bases. Give a months notice so we can market it and it will be a huge help.
We have Time Chris we arent saying ooh next wednesday please.
-- Edited by JgFc on Monday 20th of September 2010 05:13:52 PM
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
Ive lost Adies number if someone pms me it or gives him mine i would have a chat with him, if he couldnt get a side down he may have contacts for other taht would or who dont have a reserve team.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
Fair point about Jamie using trialists but I don't think the celebrity game is a goer.
Remember the game about 4 years ago between the supporters team and an 'arsenal celeb XI'. The only one I recognized was the bloke from the 'Kev, Bev, Kev' adverts.
They are not reliable as if they have a couple of sherbets in Chinawhites and get a better offer there are no comebacks- as there would for a pro team. This was reflected in the attendance for that game- about 100 and most of those came to see me in my dragons costume!
-- Edited by Chris on Monday 20th of September 2010 05:23:12 PM
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Why aren't the CLUB sorting out a friendly or two? We have been talking about it on here since the whole sorry mess unfolded but for all this we still have nothing planned. I don't want to be negative but surely the club should be talking to Charlton, Millwall, Gillingham, Arsenal, West Ham etc and pretty damn soon? How about approaching Tescos who have a new store in Welling due to open in October, would be a good marketing ploy to do something with the local footy team....
The Tescos Stadium Welling let them put their colours in the main stand in the seats and re paint the crush barriers and give vouchers out on the entrance tickets. £25k for a 3 year stadium naming or 75k for the shirts and the stadium for 3 years, blimey even 50k would be good. Also get them involved in the youth and community schemes. Have we asked macron they sponsor Eastbourne Borough for 30k a year.
Play them off against morrisons and other local busnesses. Can we paint the fence in their colours? Get a flag up. Im sure theres loads we can use to sweeten them up. Do a coaching club saturday mornings for the shoppers kids etc.
If we market inventive packages and use a bit of nouse we should be able to bring money in. But we should be doing that already. Hopefully the commercial managers are getting some ideas.
Would be good if they registered on here and gave a bit of feedback.
Great idea the trooper. Its been done before , approaching them but are we clever enough to make it attractive to them and show them the benefits rather than just say oi give us 20k and sponsor us.
-- Edited by JgFc on Monday 20th of September 2010 06:46:53 PM
-- Edited by JgFc on Monday 20th of September 2010 06:48:14 PM
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
My worry is that the club have not broached even half the good ideas put on here, why not? Most of them are fairly obvious to the fans and even if no-one from the club reads the forum you would expect them to have come to a few of the same conclusions. Maybe we the fans need to set our expectations to the club and demand some answers and that they put forward some of our ideas. It's all very frustrating and time is running out.
A couple of quick points. I asked at the meeting how much was still required after adding everything collected and everything owed and Russ and Barry agreed it was about £49k
It was also mentioned they had been speaking to Paul Barron (now at Newcastle) and he said he would do what he can to help.
I have already spoken to Paul Barron, as I mentioned at the last meeting. He has kindly agreed to to send me an "Autographed Newcastle Shirt" for Patsy's Auction Night.
Also, Barrie spoke to him afterwards, so hopefully a suitable date can be agreed soon, so once something has been arranged, then Paul is willing to help us out in any way he can.
Another Welling United Legend is also being contacted, but there is no news on this at the present time.
just seen the post on the main page - from what is there it looks good imo and def will be getting a WUFC calendar! i wont be having the semi naked women calendar i usually have next year lol
The Tescos Stadium Welling let them put their colours in the main stand in the seats and re paint the crush barriers and give vouchers out on the entrance tickets. £25k for a 3 year stadium naming or 75k for the shirts and the stadium for 3 years, blimey even 50k would be good. Also get them involved in the youth and community schemes. Have we asked macron they sponsor Eastbourne Borough for 30k a year.
Play them off against morrisons and other local busnesses. Can we paint the fence in their colours? Get a flag up. Im sure theres loads we can use to sweeten them up. Do a coaching club saturday mornings for the shoppers kids etc.
If we market inventive packages and use a bit of nouse we should be able to bring money in. But we should be doing that already. Hopefully the commercial managers are getting some ideas.
Would be good if they registered on here and gave a bit of feedback.
Great idea the trooper. Its been done before , approaching them but are we clever enough to make it attractive to them and show them the benefits rather than just say oi give us 20k and sponsor us.
-- Edited by JgFc on Monday 20th of September 2010 06:46:53 PM
-- Edited by JgFc on Monday 20th of September 2010 06:48:14 PM
I approached Tesco when our financial plight first came to light, but their recent response said they would not be able to sponsor us / give money directly. They did, however, point me in the direction of the club applying for a grant from the Tesco Charity Trust. I've had a look at it and I don't think we'd fulfil the criteria. Perhaps if someone more qualified that me could look at the info at the below link...
Moo well done. for trying and contacting them, i think we could follow it up.
I think we would have more success if we (the club) had a load of bumpf printed and went to these people with organised packages that were flexible that showed the benefits to potential sponsors.
If it was all organised and laid our for them in print looking professional and back up by a presentation or meeting face to face.
If people just accepted requests then the world wouldnt need salesmen to nail deals.
As for the tescos grant , i say go for it.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
WSU look to be shaping up, well done. Well done to Eric for donating stuff too and DB for providing the shots for the calendar.
Not sure the commercial managers arranging a legends match for MAY NEXT YEAR should be high on the agenda.
They should be coming up with innovative and value sponsorship and advertising packages, hitting all shops and businesses in Welling, Bexleyheath, Sidcup and hey guess what even Dartford. Plus equally as important they should be getting contact details of all the businesses and shops and compiling a mailing list so we can mailshot them for upcoming opportunities easily.
I ask Barry on Saturday what the commercial managers had done and he didnt know. To my knowledge the main guy was in situ when we had the first meeting?? thats weeks ago.
I would be interested to hear what their methods are.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
how much have we got in in the past through sponsorship?
surely it isnt in the range of £50-100k? but tescos would actually be a good sponsor seeming they are just down the road and in a "supermarket war" with morrisons which is just across the street
how much have we got in in the past through sponsorship?
surely it isnt in the range of £50-100k? but tescos would actually be a good sponsor seeming they are just down the road and in a "supermarket war" with morrisons which is just across the street
J, I seem to recall that in the past we had a sponsorship deal which at the time was a non league record, £70k? and Welling Building Services comes to mind
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010