I hope you didn't mind me having an opinion on this Starbug.

I believe that Leigh's ability to build towards and survive at the highest level will be determined by how the overall business develops and is managed in direct comparison to its closest rivals (in a financial sense). Turnstile revenue will be one part of a complex equation.

To state the obvious - attendances need to increase and are very important but will shortly be a much lower proportion of our total income - noting the 5 fold increase in Sky money from next year and hopefully coupled with growth in all the other areas of our business.

In my view our chances of moving forward will be highly dependant on our club being able to punch above its weight (in a business management sense) in next years middle 8 group, in comparison to our rivals. Most of these rivals will have a bigger overall financial pot to work with than us - fact.

My point was that those SL clubs coming into the middle 8 will potentially come with baggage that will hopefully weigh them down giving us a chance to further close the gap. We can also anticipate that the gap will be further closed by our club by going full time.

The main point of my previous post was to suggest that we shall never have a better chance to realise the dream of a sustainable business competing at the highest level. The only other option is to find a mega-millionaire backer who can be trusted to deliver a sustainable future for our club.

In my opinion - if we believe the only way forward is a threefold increase in attendances within the next year or so then, if we are being honest with ourselves, we may as well throw in towel now.

Sounds like we should just pack in now, Neil-stop wasting everyone's time before the inevitable financial implosion causes the LSV and everything with it to tumble into a bottomless pit of doom to the centre of the earth.

best hiding under our duvets until it's all over.

//p.

Good interpretation of the current situation.

We are setting realistic goals and are working as best we can within budget and current staff level constraints trying new and improved things to get numbers through the gate as the retained profit from bums on seats is high so it is important.

Across the business great strides are being made all the while a rigid budget set by our Finance director and agreed by the board is being adhered to so we have to be realistic about what we can and can't do at this point in time.

Regards average gate for next season 12 months ago people would have laughed had we stated the average would be above 2k this season

Let's aim for the moon; even if we miss well land among the stars that's what I say.

Opinions are what message boards are for, yours seem almost out of the BOM s ' mantra ' .which one of them are you?

I havent suggested a threefold increase is possible within a year, but without it Leigh will never be a susstainable competitive SL club, to suggest otherwise would be to essentially say the bulk of current SL club are complete idiots, because they all suggest a 10,000 average IS what is required

Yes next season the cash through the gates will be a smaller % of income, but that extra income is entirely relevant to on field performance, something the board have limited control over, their 100% responsability is the clubs performance, and no matter how much they concentrate on improving corporate sales it will always be bums on seats that decide where a club is on the pro RL ladder

Andy, if you miss the moon it will take a million years to reach the nearest star, aim for the stars and you'll pass the moon on your way

A simple question, setting aside the ' Sugar Daddy ' situation, which clubs are the most successful?

Which clubs attract the most corporate and biggest sponsors?

Answer, those with the biggest crowds
Now if you disagree, fine, explain to me this ' complex equation '? , if it involves ' special relationships ' with the LSV? Dont bother ,I've heard that one before

In response to Starbug's further comments - I don't feel any need or obligation to identify myself or to offer any explanations to anyone.

However to put everyone's mind at rest and to avoid anyone getting carried away with any crazy conspiracy theories - I shall explain. I am quite simply an avid Leigh fan with some commercial experience through my employment and have followed the club home and away for over 30 years.
My wife is highly amused at Starbug's demand to know which member of the BOM I am.

I am most certainly not a Member of the BOM and have never at any time met or spoken to a single member of the BOM.

My opinions, expressed on the Forum, are nothing more than what I consider to be commercial common sense - arguably a commodity sadly lacking in our game and in the management of our great club for far too long. If Starbug feels my opinions run close to those of the Leigh BOM then I am delighted because that supports my belief that they are doing an excellent job and deserve the fans unwavering support as they address the very difficult challenges ahead.

I am equally delighted that Andy Mazey has decided to publicly acknowledge my interpretation and to expand upon the club's current position. This is despite my recent suggestion via this Forum that he should cease posting on here. My delight is absolutely nothing to do with a personal ego trip. In my opinion it confirms that the club - assessed in terms of a professionally managed business - is in a better place that it has ever been, certainly in the time I have been a fan and probably in its entire history.

That's much as I read the situation too.

However, if Starbug, or anyone else for that matter, has any good ideas, then hopefully the BOM will have the time to evaluate them, to see whether they can run with any of them.

Its a fans forum for fans, the ones I will believe/respect on here, are the ones who feel no need to hide behind their usernames.
Whilst you don't have to show who you are, you get better respect when people know WHO it is that is THEY ARE replying to etc

I also would NOT POST something on here that I wouldn't say to someone face to face.

Quote: Alan "That's much as I read the situation too. However, if Starbug, or anyone else for that matter, has any good ideas, then hopefully the BOM will have the time to evaluate them, to see whether they can run with any of them.'" Hi Alan We wont ever turn away anyone wishing to put forward ideas. As an example I have recently put forward to Rob, Amanda and the board a list of ideas from one of our touchdown club members and I will be giving him feedback on our evaluation of each idea individually. As he will testify I sat down with Starbug 12 months ago and he presented me with some of his ideas. Many of them great ideas and we have tried to use some of them were possible within the budget we have had at our disposal and will do more so as the business develops moving forward with increased staff levels, resources and hopefully budgets for marketing and advertising. Anyone with any ideas they wish to put forward is always welcome and my email address is andy.mazey@leighrl.co.uk Thanks Andy

Quote: Alan "That's much as I read the situation too. However, if Starbug, or anyone else for that matter, has any good ideas, then hopefully the BOM will have the time to evaluate them, to see whether they can run with any of them.'" Hi Alan We wont ever turn away anyone wishing to put forward ideas. As an example I have recently put forward to Rob, Amanda and the board a list of ideas from one of our touchdown club members and I will be giving him feedback on our evaluation of each idea individually. As he will testify I sat down with Starbug 12 months ago and he presented me with some of his ideas. Many of them great ideas and we have tried to use some of them were possible within the budget we have had at our disposal and will do more so as the business develops moving forward with increased staff levels, resources and hopefully budgets for marketing and advertising. Anyone with any ideas they wish to put forward is always welcome and my email address is andy.mazey@leighrl.co.uk Thanks Andy

I think you should try and give other teams more of a chance.

I am just a fan with a half full glass posting on a rugby league fans forum alongside thousands of others.
An opinion is an opinion - most people have one on most subjects - if I am so minded on Leigh Rugby matters then I occasionally express mine on the fans forum as well as in the pub.
My objective, along with most other people who post, is simply to make reasoned contributions to the debate in a positive, constructive and respectful manner.
So long as I operate within my Code of Practice I don't need to feel accountable to anyone.
I am frankly not sensitive enough to care too much about who believes me or who respects me.