Zbairn

I think sometimes they only expect a diddy team to get so far in the cup. Therefore, there are league fixtures on "cup days" and the list will be re-arranged if the team progresses in the cup. If the team gets knocked out of the cup, the arranged league fixture is already there.

Non news ...charges have been dropped. ""new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case." Anyone trying to stir this crap up again is just at it ! Lets stick to current club admin and football stuff.

Agreed...... but we need to think of ways that the Club can maximise revenues from the parts that it effectively owns within the Stadium. Not much point if it just fills the Council's coffers and the Club dont get anything as payback.

Just trying to figure out where cost savings can be had. Everyone talks about how can we raise extra cash (particularly through the FSS / Patrons Groups who have really helped over the last year)... ....but the flip side of the coin is how can we also save cash ? Sometimes hard questions need to be asked !

Cheers for the clarification ! Happy with that explanation !!

You can also add players and managers to that. Maybe even SA, given that you call him a Fifer. Perhaps even some past directors and employees that have been castigated by one and all.

fair Do's

I'm sure they would love that ! The point I'm making is that we have 2 staff for ticketing and retail. I have no clue what the detailed job descriptions are.....I'm only asking the question if this is sensible and if anyone can enlighten me, given that a lot of the ticketing is now online and a bit of retail is with Greaves. I'm sure that those ITK can provide some answers.

I'm trying to look at things in the round....where we can cut overheads. Reducing the KM Stand rent and the Council's take would be a big help. I also think there are some complications in terms of who supplies what during match day for hospitality, in that the club have to accept some form of Council contract for the catering / bar. ...all of which possibly reduces our take.

I might just actually do that next time I personally see him. Do you have any other questions that you would like asked when I'm at it .....or are you absolutely happy with the way the club currently operates ?

Possibly. To have a CEO on around (rumoured) £50k for a club our size and turnover is perhaps a wee bit excessive. I think we depend on many volunteers but I'm not convinced that the full time admin staff we have are possibly as efficient as they could be. We have 2 in retail and ticketing. Our ticketing system is now pretty much automated and we have passed a bit of our shop sales over to Greaves (another potential loss of cash given over to someone else that I wouldnt have, if I'm being honest). I'm not sure what else they do during the week. Maybe someone can enlighten me. According to the website we also have 5 in operation, plus 2 in Commercial (who we really need !!! ) It's only one facet of where we should maybe look at cost savings !

To find another Sandy Alexander with deep pockets will be nigh on impossible. Yes, we need to increase the FSS membership, but to get over 600 in its first year is pretty good going. To put in over £7k a month is not to be sneezed at, particularly given our current financial issues. The idea of fan ownership is twofold i) to try and generate regular income, which is happening (more would be better) and ii) to give all fans a say in the running of the club. We currently achieve that with Patrons and FSS being the majority on the BoD. The issue of historical debt is well documented and we have done well this season between Patrons, FSS, those willing to give loans and increased commercial activity...not to mention retention of season ticket numbers / fans attending, which is pretty amazing given the fact of how we have performed the last few seasons. Hopefully we can run at a more stable fiscal situation next season if we get promoted. However, one point I would like to make though, is that we have not yet addressed the situation of our overheads. That is what is crippling the club financially...... not the income we generate. We seriously need to look at where we can reduce costs. We need to see where we can work more efficiently with less staff. We need to have words with the councIl. We need to get SA to agree to donate the SS back to the club (I think he has now almost received in rent what the cost of building was). There needs to be more creative thinking in how we can achieve less outgoings than what we currently pay.

I’m sure it’s down on the inside. Still up on the outside?

The Imperial Car sign has been down for a wee bit now. Think the current guys in the club made sure it was dismantled pronto, alongside other non payers?

As far as I am aware, to join the PG you need to have invested a minimum of £10k worth of shares and “proxy” them to the PG. This may be shares you already own, bought, or topped up to make the £10k threshold. There is the possibility some have bought more or added in more over and above the £10k making the actual break down of numbers and who put in what difficult to define. no matter what, £10k for a piece of paper from the club is pretty philanthropic. The emotional ties to the club must be pretty strong for those who have invested. As for the SA / MR argument, yes they have made some absolutely shocking decisions, but that does not take away what they have done for FFC in the past and the fact they are just fans like the rest of us…..albeit with a bit more free cash to spend.

Not necessarily, Burrell can play wide. If I remember correctly he started right wide against Dunfermline at EEP and gave their full back a torrid time.

Pitch inspection at 12!

Absolutely. The so called “gap” is only till the end of this season. Looking for a bit more stability in terms of finances for next season. I would also hope future budgets are dictated by playing in higher divisions where the cash really is. It’s no surprise teams like St Johnstone can play at this level based on paltry attendances (plus a sugar daddy owner, although it will be interesting to see what the future holds for them). PS the Mogwai track is Ritchie with a “t”

I’m sure KJ made the comment at the Sponsors night that the 400k had been found through the 10yr seasons, some new Patrons, loans and other individual investments. Would be nice to get that confirmed though. Heard that they are aiming for an additional 125k to allow a new pitch to be put down. They want to do that next year as there is a grant available from the SFA. Because of that, there will be no concerts in 2023.

Might be a wee bit controversial here, but I’d drop Kennedy for Burrell and Oliver for Henderson. I think McCann’s overlapping runs suffer due to Kennedy trying to beat 2 or 3 men on the wing and leaving no space for Leon to run into. In terms of balance, I think we wouldn’t suffer so much by losing Kennedy down the left hand side. However, we would gain by Burrell playing behind Alegra. His runs at pace from slightly deeper must give central defenders nightmares. With Morrison on the right, McCann bombing up the left, Alegria through the middle with Burrell just behind and occasionally pushing beyond gives us so many options. in midfield Henderson at last gives us some presence to make up for powder puff midgets.Oliver is not the answer. I’m in agreement with DF that Nesbitt needs dropped but till we get someone better I’d play him. At times he was like a rabbit in the headlights, as for their 2nd goal. Tackling is non-existent. Morrison in goals was woeful last night. Not just the 2 goals but his total performance was not confidence inspiring. In the 2nd half he padded a cross ball down which thankfully we cleared, he came rushing* out of his box at the Main Stand side when the defender was there to clear and moving forwards for a pass back potentially could have caused problems by significantly shortening the distance between him and defender. Too many poor decisions for me. Lastly, we need a proper old school, take no prisoners right back.

Where have I heard that before?

Don’t know how good the East of Scotland league is, but every time I see the Bo’ness result, some guy Daramola is banging in the goals. Another 4 tonight. Anyone got info on him? Worth a shout? Edited to add….just noticed it’s the 3rd division and it’s Bo’ness Athletic. Probably mince. more edits….just noticed he has already scored 40 goals this season. That’s some strike rate.

I think it's clear McGlynn has steadied the ship and possibly the best we could get unless we unearthed a budding Pep (very, very unlikely). After the shambles of previous managers, he was as good an appointment as we could expect. As DF stated, he is at best a L1 manager. I'm not convinced he would get us to the Premiership, but at the moment the priority is that we need to get out of L1. McGlynn has the capability of doing that. With respect to signings, I would say his have been way and above anything that we have seen for the last few seasons. We may not be setting the heather on fire, but there is now an optimism when we go to games that we will at least compete. I couldn't have said that over the last few years. Bottom line is that we know what we are going to get with McGlynn. My main worry is that whoever comes in next might be another Sheerin.

What would be quite nice from the club, if they were to post online various strip designs from O'Neills and let the fans choose by a vote. Particularly since we can get a bespoke strip. Maybe even get some designs from the fans in Better that than have one (or two) at the club deciding !

Back to footy matters. Some observations. PJ Morrison was abysmal with his kick outs and could have cost us a few goals. McKay is never a right back You can't play Hetherington and McGinn in the same team. Both were rubbish tonight. I've said it before that McGinn can't run. If in doubt, have a look at their 3rd goal. You can't play McCann and Kennedy together. McCann's wing back game is stifled with Kennedy hogging the wing. Nesbitt can't tackle a fish supper and in any physical game he disappears. Burrell is not a lone striker. He has pace but needs the right ball played behind the defence. He is most effective when played out wide. McGlynn got it totally wrong with his selection tonight. Played not to lose and the team didn't turn up till changes made in the 2nd half when they pressed much higher up the pitch. I'm still trying thaw out !