Steve >>Not wanting to sound like I just passed a degree in accounting ... but ! Crowds were obviously up by 100+% of what we have now Shirt and merchandise sales also were worth millions We got lots and lots of Sky tv money at a few million a time Each game we played in the CL would have been 5 million plus Sponsorship brought in a crapload too And finally corporate must have been worth a few coppers too Just needed a bit of guts and belief<<
Not enough. Players' wages were 90% of turnover - so even at the best of times we were in deep trouble. We'd borrowed against the value of the playters in the tranfer market. Once the transfer market collpased (Bosman, ITV Digital) we were in trouble. Just like house prices collapsing in the early 90s. >>Arsenal, Man Yoo, Chelski attract the kind of investment that now maintain stability The formula is the same for any football Club, Business or indeed Charity<< Actually it wasn't in our case. Chelsea and Arsenal are private companies, not PLCs. So is ManU now - though it wasn't at the time. But ManU's turnover was so much greater than ours (bigger ground, better merchandising set-up, CL every year) that they could afford the wage costs. The PLC model just doesn't work in football. >>Don't bother trying unless you are going to explore something to its maximum potential based on Risk assessment, market research and by also adding a sh*t load of common sense, otherwise you are simply wasting everyone's time<< Ridsdale did none of this >>Sometimes, like Mr Ridsdale, his Risk assessment went out of the window and no contingency plan was in place in the eventuality things went t!ts up, as indeed they did. But I for one wasn't moaning when visiting some of Europe's finest stadiums, as a footballing supporter of Leeds for over 30 years of my 40 years on Earth, I can safely say that the buzz of Europe, home and away is the biggest thing I miss I just wonder how close were were to becoming one of the big players<< Miles away, unless an Abramovich/Glazer type takeover happens. Which frankly is more likely now. We're as close now to being a big player as we were then, if you think about it. At the end of this season we'll be the best bargain in Football - massive city with only one club; (fairly) recent success; decent fan base and recognition beyond Leeds. And...no debts! Bates knows this and will seek to exploit the position next June. >>I'm not saying we were by any stretch of the imagination 'lucrative' but what we did have was 'potential' The accounts were in the public domain, and our company policy wasn't questioned until... the horse was a few fields away<< Accounts are always at least 18 months behind where you are - and I'm not sur the true picture regarding players' wages was spelled out in them... >>We all listened to the expert Scotsman (name escapes me) who was telling us of the pitfalls, week in week out on the radio waves and local press<< Bill Gerrard. Also Alan Sugar said we were"a busted flush" and very clearly stated that Ridsdale had got it horribly wrong. We should have taken him on as a consultant.. "Ridsdale..you're fired!!" ;-) >>As a business, those that had long pockets and half a brain exploited the club for self gain, especially an accountant that was named Judy in his spare time<< Name names!! >>Mr Bates, I'm just thankful he exists because IMHO if he didn't we wouldn't have a ground, a club, or a team to support As Yorkshiremen, we are famous for being Moaners, thick skinned and very opinionated.. I'm proud of where I'm from, proud of my roots and one day I hope to be proud of my club again I feel like its been raped, thrown in the spin dryer and then aired for all the public to have a good laugh at Until someone who is passionate about what Leeds United is in charge of the club, we will remain a laughing stock to the entire footballing world Not to worry Just find us a Scottish manager and captain and we'll be back where we belong in no time !<< Personally I'd settle for two Londoners at the moment - Curbishley & Derry. Mark _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist oh alright then :-)
