Well I'm not on Facebook, but I'm pretty clueless and I was in the pub last night so I guess I'm qualified to reply.

What I do know is that the Government is about to start requiring the repayments of a substantial Covid loan we took out to get through those two traumatic years. This will be a substantial drain on our revenue budget and cause us major issues cash flow wise. The club are currently attempting by meeting the government to re-phase the loan repayments but the situation is not good. I also know that any thoughts that the next balance sheet out turn is going to be favourable is wide of the mark we might be on a more even keel but that's all. On the bright side we have more sponsors and sponsorship income than we have ever had as a club and a lot of hard work by Clark and Co has put us in that position.

I also know that although there have been encouraging soundings no talks have as yet taken place with the football Club over our stadium Lease which is up for review in 2027. In short we are in a hole and it's only thanks to Adam that we are still afloat. We should support him all we can and It's quite ironic really that the number of Dobbins fans coming out of the woodwork to attend what looks to be one of the most one sided Derby games for years are actually providing our club with a financial boost. I also know that all clubs are mindful of the fact that the IMG out turn coming when it does deems avoiding the drop this year as critical, as the team that does go down could well be sunk.

On the sticking with you club stuff well for many reading this however bad things are and we have seen a worse times than these (but I accepts that compared with the 70's and 90's the stakes are so much higher now) we just stand by our club because you can't go anywhere else. Rugby League is a community sport and unlike Football where the pub is bursting with lifelong Man U and Liverpool supporters who have never been anywhere near Anfield and Old Trafford, we support our local family team and do it through thick and thin (and as of now extremely thin). So the club does need us to hold the line if we can, although I totally accept that for some economic difficulties do come into play and its not realistic to expect fans to not put food on the table to spend £150 plus to take the family to Warrington or £80 a month for season passes to see that garbage served up.

But sport is subjective and if you feel so aggrieved that you want to stop paying your direct debit for any other reason than your current economic state then so be it. Im lucky I can afford it but Ive paid my direct debit for the last three years and yet ( due to none rugby circumstances) only been able to attend a handful of games, but I do it because I love the club and after my family and my own well being are catered for they are my next and first priority's for they were my granddads club, my dad club and they are my children's club too. That's just the way it is, fool that I am, but I guess what I'm trying to say is we are in a hole on the field which only exasibates the hole we are in off it, for it's a self perpetuating situation. Crowds go down income goes down the clubs debts go up!

As someone said on here we have a great coach a great academy a loyal owner and many hard working staff but unfortunately for now despite a fabulous training set up where we have some brilliant players (when they want to be) who get everything they need they re still woeful out on the field. they have all they need including for many the ability to be so much better. they deserve a wake up call but withdrawing your support might damage them in the short term but in the long term it could render us all having no club to support.

Great read

I've written 2023 off, I expected an up and down year but its been worse than expected. How good our recruitment is for 2024 is key to whether I renew next year or not, its been a long time since ive felt consistently entertained going to the MKM and the atmospehee is poor. I dont mind losing tight games where the fans have been singing away but 50 point defeats where everyone is sat moaning and booing is another thing.

Im also personally at my limit for the 'back the club in these hard times' rhetoric, the club didnt have to spunk its highest salary ever on a past it with a bad reputation Josh Reynolds as just one example of financial stupidity in recent times.

Problem with AP he can say what he wants in the public domain but he's turned down investment(MKM) into the club as he wants full control.

I usually pay in full but decided this year to flip to the DD, no regrets there. FC is part of my DNA and will remain so as long as I breath. no-one has a devine right for success, yes the fans deserve better, but it looks like we are going to have to suck it up this year and hope for better times ahead under TS. I have spoken to AP on a number of occasions including before the Leigh game, he is desperate for success, without him we are a middling championship team at best. I personally believe things will improve after the 1st May contract decisions and we will fair better in the second half of the season. In the long term the academy will be our saviour.

Having served my apprenticeship as a young boy on the Gordon Street terracing in the 40's I have followed this club continually apart from a period when I was working away from the city. I'll be there on Friday and every home game thereafter. I don't travel to away matches any longer but have done my stint at Barley Mow, Clarence Street etc. Like everyone else I'm not enjoying this year but as long as they do their best they'll have my support. Its up to the players now.

Well said lads

I think one thing for sure with this club is that there will always be a strong core of supporters who will back this side till death. This club has given me some of the best days of my life and have made lifelong friends along the way, does it hurt seeing a squad that clearly doesn't show the same love to the badge as much as we do? Absolutely. But that will never deter us. We are in a dark patch, certainly the darkest I can recall, however I was way too young to appreciate the hardships of the 90s.

It's hard, I have walked away from a few games in recent years thinking 'is it worth it?' but of course it is, simply could not imagine not going to the match, home or away. Patience is wearing thin with some and its completely understandable but we are needed more than ever. We will laugh at this rough patch in a few years time when Tony has taken us to Old Trafford

It’s difficult when going through this periods of thinking what’s the point, but I think you’d be surprised by how much it’s ingrained in everyone of us. I remember walking out of craven park the day we got relegated with all manner of thoughts and it affected me for a while, but tried to remember it’s just a game but certainly feels more. The reaction of our fans was unreal, and if the worst happened to FC (which it won’t) then I’d expect a similar response. Hull folk, it’s in our blood and this city the sport is in our blood. Supporting when things are good is easy, but both teams support excels when things aren’t.

Sport is cyclical, some longer than others but you’ve got to temper the bad with some contextual understanding, which is difficult when serving up poor performances. But seeing your mates, going with family, belting out your club song is almost who we are. Yes you could save money but to do what sit on the tele and listen to how awful everything is on the news with a takeaway. It’s not just the team but you’re supporting the community, the relationships and the people. I understand some peoples situations are difficult and not one size fits all but for me is probably why we turn up week in week out and frankly I wouldn’t have it any other way, as I’m sure many on here agree and so would my FC supporting mates.

Plus if worst case does happen Batley is a beautiful part of the world for a visit

Well said.

I went to Rochdale for a CC game once and came off the M62 too early (my directions were a post-it stuck to the dash back then), had a beautiful drive on the back roads so there is always that to look forward to!

Not thinking about relegation too deeply just yet but it can also be a new opportunity for the club, as all playing contracts are null and void and we can start again. The IMG points lost for say having a 9th placed average finish to say a 12th placed one following relegaton isnt that much either. The league finishes will drag down our score even if we stay up.

The big question would be the ground rent and how many of our costs are fixed and how many only apply if crowds are above a certain level. I seem to recall years ago it was sold to us if crowds were below approx 7.5k then the stadium is fairly cheap to play at as we get free stewarding etc, its only when crowds are above that where additional income is shared. But without seeing this mysterious lease who knows.

I also think most fans and sponsors would back us in the Championship, if youve been loyal enough to sit through the last few seasons and didnt request a Covid refund you are pretty loyal to the cause already.

But anyway we are going to beat Rovers and go on an impressive run (oops ive left the gas on )

The away days in the championship are probably better than the ones in super league.... Toulouse, London, York, Newcastle, Sheffield...every cloud!

https://find-and-update.company-informa ... download=0 Last years accounts just released tonight. Finances look a complete disaster !!!!!!

https://find-and-update.company-informa ... download=0 Last years accounts just released tonight. Finances look a complete disaster !!!!!!

Summary:

Loss for the year c650k
Cash erosion c400k
New borrowing c500k
Technically insolvent
Cash run rate <12m
Liquidity ratio c0.44 (excluding accrued income)

Note that Tax creditor has jumped significantly which could indicate entering into a TTP arrangement with HMRC