It's not hard these days.. everything there is to know and sometimes more is posted on a club's messageboard including what was said at various meetings, press articles and speculation..

Personally speaking I have great admiration for what is happening at Barrow. I have no issues with buying success because every team would do it given the opportunity. But other than that it should be a level playing field.

The accounts for 2008 were released about a month ago and were debated on the Fax forum.

Only real points of interest were that DJ's input to the club amounted to £83k in personal loans and a total £137k of oustanding committments on the club (debts) including the loans made by DJ.

Not too bad I suppose considering the current economic climate, particularly when offset by capital asset of approx £5m. I appreciate that we will have had a hike in wages this year, but we have also had an increase in crowds of approx 1000 per game and approaching another 1000 on the club lottery which generate another £150k+ between them.

The £800k turnover figure was based around a set of figures on attendances, lottery membership and sponsorshiop and appears to have been accepted as a reasonable estimate of club turnonver in 2009.

Think the pa figures were:

Central funding: £100k
7000 club lottery memberships: £360k
Gates 2350 ave x 10 games x £10 ave: £235k
Cup Games: £40k
Merchandising: £40k
Sponsorship. (Club, ground, players): £50k

As you can see the standout revenue stream for us is the club lottery which has kept the club in existance for the last 20+ years.

I could post a link if any of you would like to sign up?

Some of you will have to find someone else as your hate figure, as your favourite victim, Des Johnston will be undergoing a quadruple heart bypass at Blackpool Hospital tomorrow. He'll be stepping down from the BOD for approx 3 months (all being well).

As big a cock as we all think he is, I'm sure we all wish Disco Des a speedy recovery.

Shame on you for trying guilt trip us like that using Des's ill health. Is it really beyond the realms of your intellectual capacity, to understand that this is all just banter?

All the best for a speedy recovery Des.

Reading some posts I wouldn't say ALL was just banter.
Not trying to 'guilt trip' anyone - just posting goings-on at Crazy Park.

I'm sure he'll be back and I'm sure he appreciates your best wishes for what is a major operation.

For god sake, give it a rest . I understand your envy of Barrow's recent success, but this constant attempt to unpick the club is boring and nothing short of obsessive. The fact of the matter is, Des is doing the best for his club, as all chairmans do. The only difference is Des is more successful. Try focusing on your own club rather than spending this offseason crisitiscing others. Lable barrow as the 'most hated club outside of super league' as much as you please, it will gain NOTHING. See you next year

Best and most succesful by what means though? And surelt success depends on what the Chairman's aims actually are!

Eh???????????

I will have a go at deciphering this.

By what means is clear enough. The current expenditure is sustainable as shown from the club accounts published and the RFL are happy with the club accounts. Non Item!

The second point, do you mean if a club chairman is working towards the development of the club or as I suspect you are implying, building a legacy for himself. If thats his plan he's gonna have to stick around a lot longer than any of us expect or he himself has stated. It takes a lot in a game as fickle as ours to build a legacy.

Whatever people opinions of him are, he's been a breath of fresh air in the club and has raised the profile of the game in the area. Would we all not forgive our chairmans foibles and occasional gaffs for more publicity?

Yaawwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Next please with inane drivel.

IS THIS THREAD STILL GOING .......................................

I actually think its a valid point. I would think that whilst its nice to win the odd thing at this level, what all the top Championship clubs are aiming for is a SL licence. So by labelling Des as more successful, then it very much remains to be seen. I would have thought that if Des wants a licence for Barra, then he should have upgraded the floodlights no questions asked, and also built a recognised and extensive youth development structure. All those sort of things cost money and although Des may or may not be impessing some with the strength of the Barrow 1st team, there are a lot of other things Des could be spending money on, but it doesn't appear that he's willing to do that. Without Steve O'Connor at Widnes, it would be very doubtful that we would have been running an u16's u18's and u21's, but he's been prepared to make the investment as well as ensuring we've been competitive on the pitch. He's also made a heavy investment to a stadium that was already good enough for SL. Everything about SO'C says professionalism - Dessie boy gives the impression hes a flash harry and no-one outside Barrow is that impressed by him.