Here, as promised is an overview of the conversation I had will Alun Doull. CRFC Ltd's Finance director back in December. I hope you find it of interest...
Meeting with Allan Doull
Here are Mr Doull's comments.
Clearly all he said was not recorded so I cannot "Prove" any of it.
1. Actual crowds are 65 - 75 % of the announced figures. The announced figure includes all tickets issued - Season tickets or whatever. Stressed this is "normal practice" in sports accounting. The fact that many ST holders were not using their tickets and were quite likely to reconsider the "value" of buying one next season did not seem to be as important to Mr Doull as the money through the till now. (This seems a little odd to me as we need to build a committed following)
2. Approx 85% of last season's ST renewed. ST sales are approx 25% up on last season. Many of the new STs have decided to try the stadium and / or would not have bought one at CAP (straw poll of new ST holders). (ATTR again the "new" was stressed rather than people who have walked away)
3. Club is trading, financially, more successfully this season than last with corporate business "very positive". Club accepts that profit will be secondary to building attendances over a few years and they expect to lose money over the short medium term. This, it is believed, will be "repaid" when the crowds grow over the longer term. (ATTR - It will be interesting to see the Accounts covering this season when they come out [in 2011]as they will show how we are trading this season compared to last)
4. Acknowledgement that communication has not been good enough.
5. Club were not aware of the issues regarding the "supporters' Bus". Club was under the impression that the buses were waiting at the final whistle to take supporters back into town. They did not realise that there was a wait for the buses to turn up.
6. The club gets 11% of the profit from the food and drink outlets on CB match days the rest goes to compass. This is the same arrangement as CCFC get. If outside events e.g. a concert or the like is arranged Compass will get all the money on such occasions.
7. We pay 25% of match day costs. This is capped so if costs were to go "through the roof" there is a limit to such costs.
8. CCC is putting immense political pressure on CAC to sell CAP. It WILL happen. CRFC Ltd is looking at plans for a new ground and clubhouse for the RFC side. The plan is to include a training facility. There is also a plan to get a clubhouse for the regional side near to the SdR.
9. The Club is "concerned" about the atmosphere at the stadium.
10. Club is optimistic as to Academy players coming through from U18 squad approx 11 will be offered contracts.
11. We will buy if the price and terms are right.
12. The Robinsons: Nicky left due to "non-financial" issues. Jamie left as he saw himself going down the pecking order.
Mr Doull also spoke "off the record" so I cannot reprint those items here.
1) So he's not that really bothered about ST holders not renewing? I find that odd as well.
2) Hasn't it been mentioned on here somewhere, that premier seating ST's are now included in the total number sold at CCS, even though this type of ticket wasn't available at CAP? Therefore this would skew the figures.
As for the straw poll; mmmm?
3) So, financially, they are doing better than last season, but expect to lose money over the short to medium term? That's another mmmmm? from me.
They also expect attendances to increase long term. Did he say how they would make this happen? And how long is the "longer term"?
4) Agreed.
5) The bus has always been there for me at the end of a game. There again i'm quick off the blocks. I suppose if you're not one of the first lot, you have to wait till one of the buses returns.
6) 11% is peanuts I would have thought.
7) Is the rent capped by any chance?
8) Why don't CCC just feck off and die?
They help out CCFC, at the same time as announcing 300 redundancies. Bunch of tw*ts if you ask me.
This new clubhouse; will it be a "standalone" clubhouse or a bar and a room etc as part of a bigger building?
9) What did they expect FFS? Haven't they heard of the Liberty?
10) Good news.
11) Goes without saying. Shame they didn't think like that when they agreed to the god awful rental deal.
In terms of the proposed clubhouse no further details were forthcoming. However, I would guess the clubhouse is a main issue affecting the Athletic stadium not presently meeting the criteria for the WP.
time will tell.
Some things that Mr Doull said both on and off the record have panned out some not exactly.
The acid test in the 2011 AGM of CRFC Ltd where the income levels refered to will be confirmed or otherwise.
I wondered about the clubhouse because the land adjacent to CCS is being developed by having a sporting something or other built on it.
While you're at it, how far from the pitch does a clubhouse have to be?
Back to point 1.
If he didn't seem that bothered about people renewing their season tickets, this would explain why there have been all the deals and freebies available. That is he doesn't give a monkeys about current season ticket holders. How can a financial director have an attitude like that? How is this good for attracting new and better sponsors?
It doesn't make sense to me.
Distance wise, I'm not sure. I don't think it can be on the the SdR site though (not because WP regs). Carmarthen's is not on site but quite close so there is a bit of latitude.
Re ST holders. As long as there are some retaining exixting is not priority. Of corse such short term attitudes spell disaster more often than not.
Dim Cais how far from the pitch does a clubhouse have to be?
Close enough that Mrs Jenkins from Butetown doesn't have to catch more than two buses from Friday afternoon bingo in Canton to the ground to hoover the players lounge!
Excellent news about a regional clubhouse being built near by. I understand that some people who were unhappy about drinking standing up around the compass bars were travelling back into the City to use Cardiff's club house. It will be nice having somewhere closer by that we can call home.
It is not a £regional clubhouse. It is a club house for the club: ALL of the club. It will be part of any move of the Rags to the athletic stadium. If that does not happen then other plans will be looked at.
ATTR It is not a £regional clubhouse. It is a club house for the club: ALL of the club. It will be part of any move of the Rags to the athletic stadium. If that does not happen then other plans will be looked at.
Thats not what you said in your initial post?
"8. CCC is putting immense political pressure on CAC to sell CAP. It WILL happen. CRFC Ltd is looking at plans for a new ground and clubhouse for the RFC side. The plan is to include a training facility. There is also a plan to get a clubhouse for the regional side near to the SdR."
Blues R Us4
"8. CCC is putting immense political pressure on CAC to sell CAP. It WILL happen. CRFC Ltd is looking at plans for a new ground and clubhouse for the RFC side. The plan is to include a training facility. There is also a plan to get a clubhouse for the regional side near to the SdR."
Jesus wept. You're not one of those people who doesn't understand what he is supporting, are you?
Blues R Us4
"8. CCC is putting immense political pressure on CAC to sell CAP. It WILL happen. CRFC Ltd is looking at plans for a new ground and clubhouse for the RFC side. The plan is to include a training facility. There is also a plan to get a clubhouse for the regional side near to the SdR."
Jesus wept. You're not one of those people who doesn't understand what he is supporting, are you?
Eh?
ATTR states that "CRFC Ltd is looking at plans for a new ground and clubhouse for the RFC side"
and then goes on to say
"There is also a plan to get a clubhouse for the regional side near to the SdR"
My maths isn't great but I make that two clubhouses, one for the Cardiff RFC side and one for the regional side.
Exactly. I thought people were able to understand the issues.
The WP stipulates a clubhouse at / near the ground. One of the ideas behind moving to the athletic stadium is that there will be a clubhouse close to the SdR so there will be a clubhouse "on site" for the club's members to use after regional games as well as Rags games. Building two clubhouses would have a serious cost impact, so ONE clubhouse for the ONE club that CRFC Ltd is makes sense. Of course if people wish to perpetuate the myth of two clubs.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:11:12:15:03 by ATTR.
ATTR Exactly. I thought people were able to understand the issues.
The WP stipulates a clubhouse at / near the ground. One of the ideas behind moving to the athletic stadium is that there will be a clubhouse close to the SdR so there will be a clubhouse "on site" for the club's members to use after regional games as well as Rags games. Building two clubhouses would have a serious cost impact, so ONE clubhouse for the ONE club that CRFC Ltd is makes sense. Of course if people wish to perpetuate the myth of two clubs.
So when you said that there were plans to build a new ground and clubhouse for the RFC side and a new "regional clubhouse" You didn't mean 2 clubhouses or that the "regional clubhouse" was for the "region"
Is there any other part of you initial post that you think you may need to expand on?
I'm sure I read somewhere that Sophia Gardens and the Athletics stadium have already been dismissed as being too costly?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:11:12:28:48 by Blues R Us4.
The club wants a clubhouse near to its ground. if both sides play close to each other one clubhouse for the one club will be the more most cosrt effective weay of doing that. If the two sides do not play close together (as now) then the desire to rectify the lack of an "on hand" club house at the SdR would involve a second club house for our one club.
I see no reason to make any futher explanation of mr Doull's comments I and all but one person who have read then have had no problem understanding them so far.
ATTR The club wants a clubhouse near to its ground. if both sides play close to each other one clubhouse for the one club will be the more most cosrt effective weay of doing that. If the two sides do not play close together (as now) then the desire to rectify the lack of an "on hand" club house at the SdR would involve a second club house for our one club.
I see no reason to make any futher explanation of mr Doull's comments I and all but one person who have read then have had no problem understanding them so far.
Thanks, so "a new ground and club house" for the RFC side
AND
"There is also a plan for a new regional club house"
equates to one club house?
It doesn't - does it?
I appreciate your own explanation of how things might turn out but that's not what you told us, Doull said.
So you really think that Thomas would build two clubhouses side by side: do you really?
If the two continue two play a distance apart then maybe they would build one for the regional team.
To explain in simpleton terms.
They realise that the SdR does not provide the "clubhouse atmophere they thought it would (in fact promised us!). they would like to have a clubhouse. By relocating the RFC side to the Athletic stadium it would allow a clubhouse (which would have to be built under WP regs) to be built to serve the club with only one set of running costs. This makes sense since it would be pretty stupid to have to build two clubhouses and incur two lots of running costs. Would it not?
ATTR So you really think that Thomas would build two clubhouses side by side: do you really?
If the two continue two play a distance apart then maybe they would build one for the regional team.
To explain in simpleton terms.
They realise that the SdR does not provide the "clubhouse atmophere they thought it would (in fact promised us!). they would like to have a clubhouse. By relocating the RFC side to the Athletic stadium it would allow a clubhouse (which would have to be built under WP regs) to be built to serve the club with only one set of running costs. This makes sense since it would be pretty stupid to have to build two clubhouses and incur two lots of running costs. Would it not?
Yes it would be expensive but it is also what you have suggested in your initial post.
I thought the Athletics stadium was a non-starter?
While we're at it, what is the WRU definition of a clubhouse?
Also;
What would the building need to include?
Who can use it?
Can it be just part of a building?
Can it be shared?
What would it be called?
ATTR So you really think that Thomas would build two clubhouses side by side: do you really?
If the two continue two play a distance apart then maybe they would build one for the regional team.
To explain in simpleton terms.
They realise that the SdR does not provide the "clubhouse atmophere they thought it would (in fact promised us!). they would like to have a clubhouse. By relocating the RFC side to the Athletic stadium it would allow a clubhouse (which would have to be built under WP regs) to be built to serve the club with only one set of running costs. This makes sense since it would be pretty stupid to have to build two clubhouses and incur two lots of running costs. Would it not?
Yes it would be expensive but it is also what you have suggested in your initial post.
I thought the Athletics stadium was a non-starter?
I suggested no such thing. The fact that you put 2 and 2 together and made 5 is not down to me nor the words of mr Doull.
ATTR [
I suggested no such thing. The fact that you put 2 and 2 together and made 5 is not down to me nor the words of mr Doull.
Come on ATTR, its in black and white (or black and blue)
8. CCC is putting immense political pressure on CAC to sell CAP. It WILL happen. CRFC Ltd is looking at plans for a new ground and clubhouse for the RFC side. The plan is to include a training facility. There is also a plan to get a clubhouse for the regional side near to the SdR.
"plans for a new ground and clubhouse for the RFC, ALSO a new clubhouse for the regional side"
If that is what he told you, then its open for interpretation but it certainly sounds like two clubhouses.
The Athletics stadium is a non starter, isn't it?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:11:16:26:14 by Blues R Us4.
THey need a clubhouse for supporters who go to the SdR.
If the Rags move they will need a clubhouse. By moving down to Leckwqith they can achive both aims by building ONE clubhouse for the ONE club. Can you not see?
Who told you that the Athletic stadium is a non stater?
Aren't CCFC selling off the land surrounding the CCS to raise some cashish, maybe a snippet of land close to the CCS can be bought/allocated for a clubhouse? The CCFC lads may want a slice of it also.
It would be interesting to see what is planned, if the developer has a brain he would take into consideration the sites proximity to the stadiums and take advantage of it.
ATTR THey need a clubhouse for supporters who go to the SdR.
If the Rags move they will need a clubhouse. By moving down to Leckwqith they can achive both aims by building ONE clubhouse for the ONE club. Can you not see?
Who told you that the Athletic stadium is a non stater?
Yes, thats very clear but thats not what Doull said, is it.
I'm sure that I read somewhere, during the CAC AGM, The Athletics stadium and Sophia Gardens had both been written off as possible new sites for Cardiff RFC as they were too expensive?
Blues R Us4
Yes, thats very clear but thats not what Doull said, is it.
I'm sure that I read somewhere, during the CAC AGM, The Athletics stadium and Sophia Gardens had both been written off as possible new sites for Cardiff RFC as they were too expensive?
That was similar to my understanding too.
Sophia gardens was too expensive as it would involve moving the astro turf pitch etc and the athletics stadium at present doesn't comply with WRU rules. Both would require a clubhouse as well to add to the expense.
Also at the AGM, the chairman didn't give the impression that "CCC is putting immense political pressure on CAC to sell CAP".
Blues R Us4
Yes, thats very clear but thats not what Doull said, is it.
I'm sure that I read somewhere, during the CAC AGM, The Athletics stadium and Sophia Gardens had both been written off as possible new sites for Cardiff RFC as they were too expensive?
That was similar to my understanding too.
Sophia gardens was too expensive as it would involve moving the astro turf pitch etc and the athletics stadium at present doesn't comply with WRU rules. Both would require a clubhouse as well to add to the expense.
Also at the AGM, the chairman didn't give the impression that "CCC is putting immense political pressure on CAC to sell CAP".
Aye - I thought it was more of a "We're staying put" comment from the chairman, although I did get that second hand. Did you go DC?
Blues R Us4
Aye - I thought it was more of a "We're staying put" comment from the chairman, although I did get that second hand. Did you go DC?
Yes I did and "we're staying put" was basically the impression I got unless an offer was put on the table that just couldn't be refused and also they had somewhere to move to.
It was also mentioned that the bowls club would have to be relocated which would involve even more expense.
ATTR THey need a clubhouse for supporters who go to the SdR.
If the Rags move they will need a clubhouse. By moving down to Leckwith they can achive both aims by building ONE clubhouse for the ONE club. Can you not see?
Who told you that the Athletic stadium is a non stater?
Yes, thats very clear but thats not what Doull said, is it.
I'm sure that I read somewhere, during the CAC AGM, The Athletics stadium and Sophia Gardens had both been written off as possible new sites for Cardiff RFC as they were too expensive?
Try reading with a bit of logical thought! Both sides need a club house = the problem. Answer build one near to the SdR and relocate the other side to a ground so we only build ONE. Think about it. You need to learn what people mean not just read the words.
The Athletic stadium does not presently meet the criteria. If a clubhouse is bulit by the co for the WHOLE club then the cost will not be prohibitive on the Rags so that problem goes away. However, it is down to the membership.
The stadium was not written off and the club will consider any proposal that is put as they will have to move at some point.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:12:22:46:13 by ATTR.
ATTR THey need a clubhouse for supporters who go to the SdR.
If the Rags move they will need a clubhouse. By moving down to Leckwith they can achive both aims by building ONE clubhouse for the ONE club. Can you not see?
Who told you that the Athletic stadium is a non stater?
Yes, thats very clear but thats not what Doull said, is it.
I'm sure that I read somewhere, during the CAC AGM, The Athletics stadium and Sophia Gardens had both been written off as possible new sites for Cardiff RFC as they were too expensive?
Try reading with a bit of logical thought! Both sides need a club house = the problem. Answer build one near to the SdR and relocate the other side to a ground so we only build ONE. Think about it. You need to learn what people mean not just read the words.
The Athletic stadium does not presently meet the criteria. If a clubhouse is bulit by the co for the WHOLE club then the cost will not be prohibitive on the Rags so that problem goes away. However, it is down to the membership.
The stadium was not written off and the club will consider any proposal that is put as they will have to move at some point.
Logic has nothing to do with it, you're reading between the lines and making your own assumptions.
Doull said a ground and a clubhouse for Cardiff RFC Also a clubhouse for the regional side.
Now that is admittedly open to interpretation and the cheapest option would obviously be to have a shared facility but if they can't get somewhere close to SDR to build a new ground for Cardiff RFC, its not going to happen is it?
ATTR Obviously not. But then if it does not then I doubt that yo uwill see a clubhouse at leckwith.
Does anyone actually want a 'clubhouse' at Leckwith anyway? I can't stand the place as it is, and would certainly not hang around after games in that part of town. Soulless.
The Board think that a place near the ground to act as a focus is a good idea. A bit like it is done at ............................................CAP?
What a fabulous night out you would have at Leckwith!
Superb location with wonderful views of the stagnant river Ely and you can always get Bread and milk from Asda's on the long, long walk to any form of cizilization.
Hardly be a financial success stuck out in the A'hole of Cardiff would it!
What a hole the powers at be have dug for the loyal followers of this club/clubs.
Damn the working class!!!
The proletariat should be shot and the bourgeoisie can bulldose the hovels and build beautiful homes(in Leckwith) and eat cake!
bluebadger Damn the working class!!!
The proletariat should be shot and the bourgeoisie can bulldose the hovels and build beautiful homes(in Leckwith) and eat cake!
A whiff of grapeshot has been known to do the trick.
THe general issue of a clubhouse was not "off the record" details of the plan were. Do you see the difference. Just as in "SNK is not going to be the 10 next season" is on the record. but who was going to be instead was not.
Simple English.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:03:02:21:49:59 by ATTR.
Here's new the Ladies' clubhouse by the look of it.
Pica Pica on Westgate Street.
Great location too. The front door must be only about 30 yards from The Arms Park.
Will you be attending, Jules?
The Taurus lost its allure when it moved across the road years ago. There must be someone on here who can remember the sawdust on the floor in the old place where the steaks were cooked in front of you in real fire by a big sweaty hairy bloke.
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