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.
