| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? 22:44 - Feb 21 with 8802 views | HullDale |
After 33 games, we sit rock bottom of the EFL on 21 points, 6 points from safety having played 2 or 3 games more than most of the teams around us. W5 D6 L22 GD -25. We're the only team in Lg2 not to have won a single game in the last 5.
For reference, last season Scunthorpe were on 23 (W4 D11 L18 GD -32) and Oldham were on 31 (W7 D10 L16 GD -17)
We are losing ~£1m per year, with a small fanbase unable or unwilling to sustain that kind of financial performance. We have a battle hardened (& therefore rightly suspicious) fanbase with a battle hardened & probably battle weary board. We're likely unable to leverage our enviable assets (such as the ground) because of the layers of protection we've had to wrap around them to protect us from outside predators.
Off the field performance is seemingly a struggle as much as on the field, and a 'volunteer army' scheme that was due to be announced in January, & then by last Thursday, to help reconnect with the fanbase & to support the club still hasn't materialised (& it isn't all down to red tape, as evidenced here : https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/23334246.young-carlisle-united-fans-give-half )
The fanbase seems to be split between factions of apathy and acceptance, denial, or frustration seeping out through unacceptable personal abuse, threats and intimidation. Where once in the stands people would be passionately arguing about the right way forward, instead there are empty seats or faces numb with acceptance.
Over the years, we've seen scores of clubs relegated. On or off the field they all seemed (looking from the outside in) to be going down with a fight. Where we are now that doesn't seem to be the case. I don't know if this is how relegation is supposed to feel (who knows what actually happens at the centre of a black hole?) but it feels raw, it feels numb, and it feels weirdly like we have just accepted it & given up.
We have a board who deserve our praise and thanks for saving the club from Morton House but who now captain what feels like a listless ship, we have a manager who sounds like a broken man, we have a silent captain and a seemingly mercenary squad of players without the desire, talent or work ethic to at least give us hope.
So, are we now in a position where we pay the price for previous years of self service and mis-management? Where we suffered a managed relegation and are still feeling the repercussions? Where fans may believe we're facing one battle too many in the war to have a sustainable EFL club? Where losses both on and off the pitch mean RAFC is too far gone in its current guise?
Have we lurched to one crisis too many? & its time to reset what RAFC could be, is, and will be?
Up The Dale. |  | | |  |
| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 16:55 - Mar 25 with 1769 views | D_Alien |
| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 16:50 - Mar 25 by HullDale |
I'll answer my own question. Yes.
On the pitch & off the pitch we are a disaster.
It makes me angry. It makes me sad. But more than anything else, I'm totally disillusioned.
Is there a chance that there may be an investor in the wings, who has agreed to buy the board out at their £2.35, but is waiting until we are relegated to sweep up the remaining available shares at a discounted rate once we are officially a non league club?
Does anyone know the non-league equivalent of the EFL owners and directors test? Should we be worried? |
There's a thread where these questions are due to be addressed
Possible supporters meeting with the Trust by 442Dale 19 Mar 2023 11:11As requested in the other thread, set up for any potential updates if this idea progresses.
Copy of the last post after the Swindon game for anyone else who hasn’t already seen:
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Thank you to those who have already indicated that they’d be supportive of a supporters meeting with the Trust. To update, there were some really positive discussions amongst fans today who’d like to use such an opportunity so the the Trust can engage with fans in a different way and look at areas of uncertainty that they could then take forward on the behalf of members.
It’s not coming from a negative standpoint, more what can be established in terms of issues that supporters have which can be represented to help the club. This is not about creating division, whinging or shouting the odds, it’s about ensuring all fans have a better understanding of their football club.
For those only seeing this for the first time, if you’re in favour of a meeting for Trust members at a future game (Walsall on Good Friday has been suggested and looks a good idea), please reply YES.
From there, we can then look at topics for discussion to create a structure for the meeting should this move forwards.–
Let's use this process to require the Trust and the BoD to re-open the lost channels of communication |  |
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| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 17:14 - Mar 25 with 1645 views | 442Dale |
| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 16:55 - Mar 25 by D_Alien |
There's a thread where these questions are due to be addressed
Possible supporters meeting with the Trust by 442Dale 19 Mar 2023 11:11As requested in the other thread, set up for any potential updates if this idea progresses.
Copy of the last post after the Swindon game for anyone else who hasn’t already seen:
–
Thank you to those who have already indicated that they’d be supportive of a supporters meeting with the Trust. To update, there were some really positive discussions amongst fans today who’d like to use such an opportunity so the the Trust can engage with fans in a different way and look at areas of uncertainty that they could then take forward on the behalf of members.
It’s not coming from a negative standpoint, more what can be established in terms of issues that supporters have which can be represented to help the club. This is not about creating division, whinging or shouting the odds, it’s about ensuring all fans have a better understanding of their football club.
For those only seeing this for the first time, if you’re in favour of a meeting for Trust members at a future game (Walsall on Good Friday has been suggested and looks a good idea), please reply YES.
From there, we can then look at topics for discussion to create a structure for the meeting should this move forwards.–
Let's use this process to require the Trust and the BoD to re-open the lost channels of communication |
And, as per that thread, the Trust have a week to put together information to indicate the next steps - this will be in their April newsletter.
Ahead of that, they could do with making a statement via their website so that all their members are aware it will be addressed. No fans should be wondering another week that there are plans in the pipeline.
Also, more importantly, the board HAVE to make a statement by Monday at the latest. Some may argue what would they say, but that’s on them to work out, but they owe fans explanations of where we are as a club. Saying nothing is unacceptable. |  |
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| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 18:18 - Mar 25 with 1494 views | James1980 |
| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 17:14 - Mar 25 by 442Dale |
And, as per that thread, the Trust have a week to put together information to indicate the next steps - this will be in their April newsletter.
Ahead of that, they could do with making a statement via their website so that all their members are aware it will be addressed. No fans should be wondering another week that there are plans in the pipeline.
Also, more importantly, the board HAVE to make a statement by Monday at the latest. Some may argue what would they say, but that’s on them to work out, but they owe fans explanations of where we are as a club. Saying nothing is unacceptable. |
When the current board took over the reins what were the alternatives? I assume no one who genuinely cares about the club thinks we should have let Morton House have the keys. So what were the other options and could they be made to work now? |  |
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| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 18:21 - Mar 25 with 1479 views | 442Dale |
| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 18:18 - Mar 25 by James1980 |
When the current board took over the reins what were the alternatives? I assume no one who genuinely cares about the club thinks we should have let Morton House have the keys. So what were the other options and could they be made to work now? |
Nobody will ever forget the work the board did in taking over and their role in ensuring the hostile takeover was kept at bay.
It’s about how we have evolved as a club. | |
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| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 18:44 - Mar 25 with 1402 views | 49thseason |
| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 18:21 - Mar 25 by 442Dale |
Nobody will ever forget the work the board did in taking over and their role in ensuring the hostile takeover was kept at bay.
It’s about how we have evolved as a club. |
Its not evolution, its simply a lack of options because there is no money to speak of to fill the £30k a week loss. They cannot renege on contracts, they cannot force people into the ground, shareholders dont want to find a couple of thousand quid a year each. What can they do? Finding someone to underewrite the £1-2m a year loss is all there is left.so, a couple questions for the Directors....
1. Have there been or are there any serious conversations with potential investors?
2. Given the virtual certainty of relegation are those conversations still active?
3.Do you still believe a deal is possible? |  | | |
| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 18:55 - Mar 25 with 1357 views | todmordendale |
It’s the toothless way that the club has descended to this level that is upsetting.
Clueless and useless.
Very saddened.
It’s only a few years ago that we matched the Spursy lot, Man U at old Trafford and Toon Army.
What has become of the club that was heralded ‘ Better than watching Barcelona’
Tripe | | | |
| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 19:00 - Mar 25 with 1336 views | James1980 |
Much of our own making but it does feel like what could go wrong has gone wrong this season. I know they are not a popular concept but the what ifs are numerous. | |
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| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 15:34 - Mar 27 with 1025 views | Dale_4_Life |
| A Moment of Clarity - Is RAFC a Club in Crisis? on 23:42 - Feb 21 by TalkingSutty |
It's a crisis but not as big as the crisis that we have just been through and won. The Chairman and Directors have had a torrid time and paid a lot of money for the pleasure. It's a club that has been deliberately neglected for years by self serving individuals so none of us should be too surprised that we are where we are. When there's turmoil off the pitch it's always reflected on it. The downward spiral will stop but it will need proper footballing decisions to be made and it's no good feeling sorry for ourselves, throw off the cloak of doom and gloom and let's start planning the fightback this week.
We need a new manager quickly who is up for the fight and knows what he is doing, somebody who can ignite the fans and the club, players who care and are willing to run through brick walls and we need to see an attacking style of football and goals. All of that is achievable without having a top two budget. The National League needs to be embraced, it's a new exciting challenge and a very good standard, three up and three down will make it even better. It's amazing how a winning team who we can all associate with can suddenly lift a club and it's fans and that should be the focus now. If we are going to enter the National League with a cloud hanging over us all then we will continue on our downward trajectory so that needs to change.
This relegation isn't good but it follows on the back of the biggest victory we have ever had, most clubs our size would have succumbed to the MH takeover and gone out of existence. The fact we didn't was down to a tremendous collective effort from all of our fanbase and those in the Boardroom past and present. We've proved we can win battles when we stick together and that's what we need to do now, don't become disheartened because things will change for the better on the pitch and then we can all start enjoying the football again. At the moment it's our turn to be relegated, it's not the end of the world though, far from it. I'm already looking forward to next season and the new challenges and new grounds, also visits to Halifax and York etc. [Post edited 21 Feb 2023 23:52]
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I have only just seen and read this thread.
This is where i am in a nutshell. | | | |
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