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Norgethistle

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Posts posted by Norgethistle

  1. RAITH had us sussed, doubled up on Fitzy and stopped our wing play and ended our threat till we went 3-5-2.

    The goal a mistake by Neilson losing his man, their only other 2 attempts were 2 goalkeeper errors, coming out then stopping and getting left in no man’s land, and the poor kick out from a poor back pass.

    We could have sneaked a point at the end but it would only have papered over cracks.

    2 center half’s out

    no decent keeper with 1 injured, with 1 just returned from injury 

    Back up striker injured

     

    I honestly think he needs to start getting Stanway and MacKenzie and Diack more into the team, as currently it’s stale and lack of competition isn’t helping.

     

    Our form isn’t only abysmal it’s worrying as we may not only be 1 point from falling out the playoffs after Saturday but could also be only 8 points away from falling into the wrong playoff if results go wrong.

    • Like 1
  2. 1 hour ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

     

    Dools was brought in to achieve this Target of Winning the League - he failed scraped into the Playoffs - missed promotion - now so we are clear his Target was Promotion by Winning the League - so he failed on that + failed on Promotion 

     

      

    Sorry you’re making this up now.

     

    You have an agenda against certain board members and a big chip on your shoulder over your friend McCall getting let go last year. 
     

    I’m off this thread as it’s pointless 

     

     

  3. 7 hours ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

    So as previously stated the options are a) Stick with Dools no matter what b) or appoint another "Legend" with zero management experience 

    How come other Championship Teams manage to sack Managers and not have to appiont inexperienced "legends" ?  

    Are there finances so much better than Thistles ?  

    Maybe the Manager isn't the Core Problem ? 

    The option is give him a bit of time, like McCall was given, even after a relegation 

  4. 11 minutes ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

    We got £500K Investment - we are forcasting a £150K loss - we got a very positive report at the AGM on Finances - so its not correct that we have "No Money" according to the AGM ?     

    Jim we are trying to build up cash reserves of which we had none. We may have money but none available to spend.  Cash income isn’t steady over the season it’s front end loaded (Season tickets and sponsorship) and tail end loaded (prize money).

    Our outgoings though are continual, and we can get unexpected hits to this via postponements due to weather etc, or game’s getting moved to Fridays to suit TV (which we get nothing extra for except less hospitality and less walk up fans especially away fans).

    The building of reserves builds us a safety net for the peaks and troughs of income vs expenditure.

  5. 3 hours ago, Third Lanark said:

    Not that he should be sacked currently but To be fair the mistakes made in the livi cup game have ended up costing the club several hundred thousands of pounds.  That’s a very expensive mistake alone.  That several hundred thousand pound’s could have been used for all manner of things to help the club

    I’m not sure where the several hundreds of thousands comes from. We got around £200k against Rangers because Ibrox was full and game was on TV.

    Parkhead is rarely half full for cup games against lower league opposition and game may not have been selected for TV.

    Yes it cost us money, but all managers make mistakes or get outfoxed by opposition managers which makes their decision the wrong one. Sacking a manager every time they made a decision would have teams changing managers fortnightly. He got it spot on against County, did we offer him a rise? 

    We can’t go calling for his head in one cup game as decisions cost us money, where the previous cup game his decisions made us money.

  6. 19 minutes ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

     - so normal management practice applies - you make decisions - they fail - your replaced - thats how Business Works 

    That’s maybe how business worked in the Victorian age, but not in the 21st century.. 
    Every person at every level makes mistakes except 2 categories, liars and folk who do nothing.

    If a culture is bred where a mistake gets you booted, then mistakes are hidden, decisions never taken and you can’t keep staff or attract staff. Plus company basically stops as no one will make that call due to it potentially being their last.


    The encouragement to learn from mistakes and be open about them is written into the guiding policies for most businesses within their 9001/9100 systems, HR and ethical protocols. 
    In all the businesses I deal with I have never seen a culture of make a mistake and be fired, continually make them yes, break cardinal rules yes, but not have a culture where folk are terrified to make a decision in case it’s wrong then they are gone.

    And as an ex Shop Steward the movement would never had allowed that to exist either.

    • Like 1
  7. 4 hours ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

    OK - a lot of people seem to forget - we are first & foremost a Football Club - our Core Mission is to play at the Highest level possible - Morton are doing just that - whilst they have a Generic Plan ( which is actually very impressive & practical ) that Plan is Promotion - there appointment of Dougie Imrie has been successful - so there looking for Promotion this Season - same as we are - same as we did last Season 

    They are a smaller Club than Thistle showing ambition  

    The Morton fans were wanting Imrie sacked before Xmas

  8. 29 minutes ago, allyo said:

    Might be worth considering that it's mostly the same defence

    And there lies the problem.

    Holt was our best defender by a country mile last season, and Neilson is this season, but Holts a better defender than Neilsen, add to that Milne isn’t the same player since his injury and Muirhead is another year older and slower.

    Then we have the keeper situation, not one of the 3 I’d say are first choice material, would anyone play them in front of a Cerny, a Tuffy, an Arthur or a Murdoch? 
     

     

  9. 3 minutes ago, JAGSMAN1968 said:

    and last season he only lost 1-0 to Cove and Hamilton at home. 

    Shaky peg time??

    Last October into November 
    18 goals in 5 games
    4 at Aberdeen 
    4 against Queens Park
    4 at Ayr
    3 at Raith
    3 at Dundee

    Then 2 at Morton 

    It still doesn’t make last 4 games any better conceding 13 goals

     

  10. 26 minutes ago, Jimmy McD said:

    A big problem we have is that we don't have players that can challenge the the recognised starting 11  for a place.. Back 4 regardless of how many goals we loose , not going to change.  Midfield always the same,  Lawless..B.G. Fitzy.. nobody to challenge them... Big problem...

    We’ve changed midfield by bring McBeth in, limited in defense as O’Rielly is injured.

  11. 20 hours ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

    So I take it you have never watched Barca ? They run ( at pace) for 90 minutes - there movement off the ball is constant - there fitness levels are that of a 10,000m Runner 

    If your flagging earlier -its down to fitness - you lose pace -and you lose concentration because your in Oxygen Debt ( less Oxygen to the Calves -less Oxygen to the Brian )  - you then lose Goals as a result 

    Jim they have the ball, they let the ball do the work for them.

    We end up chasing it which as any footballer will tell you takes more energy both physically and mentally 

    Plus Barca have a state of the art training facility, employ a team of sport scientists, nutritionists, physio’s, coaches for every aspect of the game, their back room wage is probably on a par with the value of our club 

  12. 2 hours ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

    My Concern is that lack of a dedicated Fitness Coach - we seem to Flag later on in the Games - which tends to suggest heavy legs 

    Our expectations are the Play Offs its as simple as that 

    Its unlikely in any Season we will have the Cash to win the League outright - so it has to be Play Offs as a target   

     

     

    Flagging earlier is also down to game management, knowing when to break the game up and slow it down instead of running about daft for 90 minutes especially if you’re chasing it

    • Like 1
  13. 4 hours ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

    When I mentioned it is hardly the point 

    The simple fact is that if Tranche 2 is meaning that the Club is looking for funding for items that should have been included in the AGM Budgets then that's a significant issue 

    Because if Tranche 2 is refused - that means that there is no allowance in the Budgets for these items 

    If it turns out that items like Stadium UpKeep are part of Tranche 2 Funding-  then TJF have to decide how they act as Stadium Repairs and major Capital Spend are factored into normal Budgeting ( even if its staged over a couple of Years) 

    So the only thing that Tranche 2 would be used for is for a significant investment that Guarantees a Major revenue return over circa 2-3 Years 

    And for the avoidance of doubt you are looking at a Return of Capital Employed of at least 10% per Year for the £500K "investment" that means you also pay back the Capital Sum of £500K 

    I wait with baited breath as to that Cunning Plan 

     

    As explained at the AGM, any proposed tranche 2 would be spend on potential improvements, that’s not essential and budgeted maintenance.

    An ROI doesn’t mean an ROI to the investor if same deal as Tranche 1, it means club starts generating more in areas, or pays less out in others, both affecting balance sheet positively. Current deal on Tranche 1 means investor gets none of their cash back till the club has significantly more cash in the bank than it ever has had in its history, and as cash goes back to investors, shares are returned to the club.

    If a proposal comes through, then Trustees would want to ensure terms are right, and it’s being put to a use that should either generate revenue or lower spend.

    Several “ideas” for that potential spend were put to the shareholders on the night and WJ has also shared that slide on here.

    If a proposal came through that had favorable terms and was being spent in correct way then Trustees would communicate that to beneficiaries prior to a vote, again if terms were poor and it was proposed to be squandered on a beer and sandwich marquee or having us temporarily living out with our means using this ASA supplementary budget, again Trustees would communicate this to the beneficiaries prior to a vote.

    There is no secret, no hidden deals, Jim and you know enough of us on TJF board to know we would never be any boards puppet and our ultimate responsibility is to the members, they are the ones we stand next to at Firhill, before our tenures, during, and after and no way would we sacrifice that or the long term future of the club, we are fans who have been trusted with a vote for a short spell of time to represent the members and beneficiaries. That’s something I and the rest of this board don’t take lightly, and it’s not “Playing with other folks money” it’s trying to protect the club we love, the club that’s now supported by the 4th generation of my family and the same with others. It’s our history, my dads, my Granda’s and my daughter, nephews and every other Thistle fan in same position were doing this for, not for ties, comps or kudos.

    • Like 2
  14. 4 hours ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

    You No What your correct - thats the real reason -nothing to do with the fact we are Running at a loss and have to decide where we put our Money into 

    I look forward to your suggestions on how the Club funds a Competitive First Team -whilst putting money into the Women's Team ( and possibly a Youth Academy next Season ) and turning the current losses into a Profit 

    The woman’s team and academy don’t take cash from the club.

  15. On 1/24/2024 at 9:25 PM, Jordanhill Jag said:

    There is a train of thought that you do away with Youth Academies -and pick up players who didn't cut it at the larger Club Academies into your development Squad 

    The problem with Youth Academies is that smaller Clubs try and copy larger Clubs ( in fact this problem extends way beyond Youth Academies ) but smaller Clubs simply don't have the Finances 

    Lambie was never interested in Youth Development 

    It would be interesting to get an actual cost benefit analysis of money out to money in - as for Players moving to the first team - unless we sell them the advantages are limited

    We have a benefactor this Season which we are grateful for ( for how long ? ) - in reality it demonstrates that the Club Finances are even more precarious than being suggested

    As the other Clubs in our League finance there Youth Set up from the Club Budget - ours is outsourced 

     

     

    Lambie had the benefit of a transfer window opened all season so he could wheel and deal.

    As for externally funded academy’s Ayr United’s is externally funded and a separate company to the club (Main funding comes via SFA, ScotGovt, Lottery & William Grant Foundation). 
     

    An academy not only generates cheaper first team players, it also cements the clubs place in the community 

  16. 16 minutes ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

    Yes I was at the AGM-  10% Growth in Season Ticket Sales does not equate to increased Revenue - simply Regular attenders purchased upfront - it helps Cashflow early in the Season & Signings - not much else 

    Ref the Toilets - See here is the problem - TJF have bought into this "Hospitality & Sponsorship" is the Growth Area Chat Hook Line & Sinker - OK how is spending Money on Hospitality Areas & the 71 Club Going to Increase income -If So by how much - what is the return period for that capital expenditure - I take it a Cost Benefit Analysis was carried out ? Or was it simply someones opinion ? 

    Let me explain some Commercial Reality  ( and as Half the Board are Reading this - feel Free to lift and  pass it off as your own Strategy 🙂)

    Hospitality - lets say its averaging 60% Capacity over the Season - that's circa 120 People - max available Growth is 80 People - As it only holds circa 200

    So we get another 80 People for 20 Games at around £85 exc VAT 

    But we have a Meal - Free Bar - Waiting Staff - Catering - other Staff-  PA announcer - Sales & Marketing Overhead etc etc etc all to pay for - its resource heavy  - so actual Revenue is nearer £45 - BUT the majority of those going go to the Games anyway - so you have moved the £22 Matchday Entrance - over to Hospitality Revenue numbers - all your Doing is shuffling around Money from your existing Customer base with a small uplift-  after all your overhead is taken off - so the actual impact on the overall bottom line isn't that much - its not "New Money " 

    So Reality its 20 Games  x 80 people x £45 Profit  - £22 Match Ticket   = £40,480.00 ( Figures are for demo purposes - but they are not far away ) 

    OK So lets Look at Fan Revenue 

    We have a Stadium - lets say we average 3500 Per Home Game - now if its 3500 or 6000 Fans - your  overhead remains the same  - as you have the same overhead due to H&S Turnstyles Stewarding etc 

    You increase average attendances by 10%  - its straight profit 350 People x £22 Matchday Ticket  x 20 Games = £154,000.00 

    Now your Running at Breakeven over the Season :D

    So back to the Toilets - Research shows that Clean & Decent Toilets are a High Priority for Female Fans - our % of Female Fans is relatively low - so with the right Marketing & Strategy there is opportunity to grow - another 350 doesn't seem an impossible number 

    Your opportunity for Growth via increased Fans is circa another 5000 available seats  - Your Opportunity for Growth in Hospitality is 80 available Seats  - you may open up other Hospitality Areas but there is significant refurb Costs - Refurbing the Ladies Toilets isn't anywhere near expensive   

    So Your Welcome🙂- Two Minutes & I just removed the forecasted loss of £150K for this Season & made refurbishing the Ladies Toilets a priority - where before no one on the Club Board or TJF Board were remotely interested - now HGT will need to take action ref the Ladies Toilets  :D

          

       

     

        

    Jim if hospitality suites can be used more than twice a month as they stated they are looking into then that could double or treble the hospitality revenue.

    Gaining or retaining fans is of course where we all want to get to, results on the park help more than anything else on that matter hence not butchering the budget completely.

    Season ticket means guaranteed income, not hoping we get those extra 300 walk up fans, they have already paid and hopefully they bring friends. 
     

    Im not disagreeing with fixing toilets, they are overdue, but the other initiatives pay for these if done right

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