Jim Rushe: hard times
Most of our commenters and contributors are Arsenal, Spurs, or Liverpool fans, and we do more than our fair share of complaining when it comes to injuries and not-having-any-money-to-spend. For now at least, we should be thankful that none of our clubs are in the mire that non-leaguers Northwich Victoria currently inhabit.
Owner Jim Rushe has put the entire squad on the transfer list; not a vindictive move to shock them after a run of poor form, mind you, but a decision taken because the club can’t afford to pay them all. Ergo, instead of pulling a Pompey and writing IOUs they can barely cover, they’re trying to offload them and hopefully generate enough income to survive.
“There’s no panic and this is not been done on impulse,” (Rushe) said on Monday. But the maths are simple; for whatever reason we are not attracting enough people through the turnstiles to watch the team play. The numbers are not high enough to support the wage bill.”
Even after a neat little FA Cup run and a difficult start to the Blue Square North season, Rushe concedes that they need to cut expenses to stay afloat, and this is the only way to realistically get it done. Here’s hoping they sort out their mess and continue to compete.
So, um, what happens when they sell the squad off? Do they hope that the member-less squad will attract more people through the turnstiles?
@Anon
I’d think that they’d use the money from the sales to generate enough money to pay other players. Maybe get some trialists in, or free agents or field teams of loanees.
Ok, that post there was totally mine.
Stupid internets.
I think Darlington had to do something similar over the summer, not sure if they had to transfer list everyone, but their squad had to be cobbled together in the manner you suggested.
“Maybe get some trialists in, or free agents or field teams of loanees.”
I’m sure the supporters are going to be absolutely thrilled.