Has anyone actually heard the club have a cash flow problem or are people just surmising again?

Has anyone heard that they havnt?
If they havnt why do this offer?

Mines half full

Oh dear ........ seems a bit foolhardy to be getting access to next years money .......
Let's hope it's nothing more than just offerin g the fans a good deal .....

Although , are they short of cash or not because I have left 4 messages over the last 3 or 4 month at the club (2 via phone and 2 via email) about doing some fundraising , providing the money to get it started and promoting it myself then giving ALL the profit to the club / squadbuilder and no one has bothered to get back to me.....not a huge amount to be made , a couple of grand over the season probably....not to be sniffed at though.
Also went into the club 'shop' at the last home match to buy a club replica shirt , there wasn't anything much on show - what there was was just dumped on a tatty old book case and the owd lass in there didn't have a clue what she was doing to be honest (no disrespect to her , sure she was doing her best). What happened to the Lady that was doing the club shop for the last few years ? So , needless to say , I didn't get the shirt I wanted and the club lost out again.

Whats happening GARY ? Care to explain why my 4 messages haven't been answered ????

This intiaitive is too hasty and comes across as though the club is in desperate need of cash. If the club gets the money in 2012 the temptation is to spend it now and not budget properly through 2013.The club should exercise prudency and this promotion does not adhere to this concept.

Surely they are just making a great offer to the fans - I thought this sounds like a good idea didn't even consider they had cash flow problems. I know of one of the directors who is involved at Cougars and he certainly wouldn't have cash-flow problems. Still think a lot of people are just to quick to jump to conclusions before knowing what's correct.

It could just be a short term thing, not necessarily something to be particularly alarmed about. We were supposed to play Leigh on Sunday, we aren't. So the club needs to find funds to pay for things that otherwise would have been paid for out of that game's gate money, wages, suppliers etc. Hence this offer, hence the funday.

I really don't see any other logical reason for instigating a season ticket deal so soon.

Question - Will the Cougars be playing Championship Rugby next season?

Question - Will you be watching them if they are?

Question - Is there anyway you can afford this offer?

If you answer all these affirmatively dont even consider the other reasons they may be doing it, just go for it.

I for one will be trying to find a way along with my wife ( a saving of £210 pounds) - no brainer

Very worrying Cougars! With the game like it is, changing year in year out how can you possibly make a decison on how many games they will be. Like what happened this year with the Challange Cup game. Too be honest this could put people off buying season tickets at all next year. It sounds like the club need the money for something now. (maybe the heirarchy of the team)

End of the day its 9 months away its a bit silly really.

Oh dear, it was only a matter of time. Could i be saying told you so.
No matter how you try and paint the whole thing over this clearly smells trouble.

Stealth, the club would have known when the fixtures were out that we only had swinton at home this month as the Leigh game was away, so the only revenue was only ever going to be the swinton game. This only makes our club look to the whole rugby league and the town that we are in financial difficulties, in my opinion anyone that buys a ticket now is only helping to harm the club because if you buy a ticket now or in june or when ever the other deals come out you are helping put the club in an unstable position for next year. whats wrong with struggling through now rather than taking money from next year when that can be used for new players etc.

Mr Fawcett cannot be trusted with 10p of our money, he will destroy this club FACT.

old boy cougar I think youve hit the nail on the head ... I for one will not be renewing my season ticket so soon and think this whole episode smacks of "up creek and knackered paddle" I for one hope to god this club of ours is not about to hit the skids YET AGAIN. Prove me wrong please

Agreed, I will be buying one towards the end of the month, for all those people having a go at the club, yes these are hard times, yes there is little income in May especially, yes it means less income next year as the cougars get the money now but the club like any business must choose the best path forward, I don't believe I'm hurting the club by providing it with money when it is needed and saving myself a few quid in the process

And one final message, we will be here next year and the club WILL honour the season ticket should any problems develop, just like they honoured it the last time we got in trouble

If I'm wrong then I'm wrong, but I get (potentially) a good deal and the club get some cash, end of.


Worst case, I'm not well off but if things go pear shaped then I may lose £120, well worse things have happened!

Stop moaning, find the cash, support your club and enjoy next season

Cougars til I die

Well , it's bound to raise some questions done so early , BUT , like someone said earlier , it's a bloody good deal and a total no brainer , think i'll have to empty the copper bottle early lol

Rather than speculate and cause unrest amongst fans like some, I thought it might be a good idea to approach Gary himself to get his take. I'm sure there are those who will read whatever they want into this, but below is a copy of Gary's reply. There would appear to be no cash flow issue and the club are just trying to work smarter. Maybe this should be applauded rather than criticised. Clearly there are those with Axe's to grind and those that just want to stir things up. Happy reading......

"Simply put we are in an unusual situation that we KNOW that we will be in the Championship next season whatever happens - this is unprecedented. As a result, why should the club wait to sell season tickets until October. We know where we are going to be already and as the club's running costs are much higher in Spring and Summer than Autumn and Winter then it makes sense to get the money in now rather than wait until November when the club's running costs drop to virtually nothing. Obviously, I can't do this offer next year as it is a unique situation so this is the only time the club will be able to do it."

"The offer will end on 31st May and I'm putting the offer out to "pump prime" the season ticket sales, generate a bit of positive excitement and show a bit of loyalty from the club to our loyal fans. As I said, there's no reason why we should leave it until November/December as this will also allow us to spread the administration related to the production of season tickets as well. It makes it easier for the club rather than us rushing around trying to service everyone within a tight timescale."

"Just one further comment. Strategically I'm looking to convert the fan base to a membership oriented format (monthly payments) such as in the NRL rather than a chunk of money landing when we sell season tickets. This will spread the costs for the fans and produce predictable revenue streams for the club. Obviously this will take some time."

Thanks for getting a reply. Decent response.

It's a great deal but I still think the club getting season ticket money for NEXT season is dangerous. I will consider this though.

How did you contact him?