Maybe if looked toward how American sports are managed it could help.

I believe if they put more realistic salary caps in place it would attract more investment in to the sport.

More clubs would have a shot at glory for a start.

Investors might have a chance of getting a return.

A percentage of profit could be allocated to ground improvements, youth development etc.

Having a collective bargaining agreement for merchandise. All kits made by the same manufacturer, with a single online shop covering every club, reducing costs. The profit could then be distributed equally amongst all clubs.

It seems to work over there.

You're nearly there , I'll let you know how I go on

As I pointed out earlier there are not huge savings to be made

That has to be the main focus of all clubs outside SL , we either increase our support and revenue streams or we die

i think points deduction is another very good idea.

i might be miss understanding this.are you saying [for instance]widnes sell 2500 shirts keighley sell 300 shirts the profits should be split 50/50

That's exactly what happens in the NFL.

They have a deal with Reebok and whether you're the biggest franchise or the smallest, you get the same amount. (Very uncapitalist for the US, I know)

With the League operating as one it gives them massive buying power to the point that with the volume of merchandise being sold the likes of Reebok would pay the league to be an official kit supplier. Buying in bulk also tend to make items cheaper and therefore more profitable.

This puts an onus on the kit supplier to recoup that payment which means they'll be marketed better and on sale in large chains like JJB. The likely outcome being more kit being sold and everybody benefiting.

I know the logic sounds bizarre, but in the US it really does work.

dont know mate.dont think we could sell enough shirts to weald that kind of power

You'd be surprised, if all 22 semi pro teams were involved it would create a hell of a lot of bargaining power. Admittedly it wouldn't be the NFL by any stretch of the imagination but I reckon you'd looking at around £1m worth of merchandise per year at least.

Not quite what I had/have in mind but something in between

I don't know about the merits of the shared profits idea one way or t'other, but we can't JUST have an on-line shop, surely? A retail outlet at the club is a must, I would've thought.
We do try and reach new fans, a few of us on here go around putting up flyers before the home games, but it has to be said that a bit of consistency on the fixture list would help here; you might get a person to a game, and then by the time the next home match comes around, they've lost interest due to the length of time in between. Or one's on a sunday, the next one is three weeks on thursday or whenever, and that makes it harder for those potential new supporters to remember or commit to.
Maybe as well as posters, we need an active, easily approached supporter's club, with contacts in all our various outlying areas?