Time to Admit Defeat and Start Again?

[Duffman]

So this has been on my mind for a week or two and with the latest developments I think I'm fairly set in my mind as to what I'd like to happen. The current club is a mess. Not just post-takeover but as an entity it's been on the decline for years. Even if we get over this current mess and PMG can take back his shares or a local businessmen can chuck in an obscene amount of money just to keep the club hobbling a long for a few more months, we're still left in the same situation as 9 months ago.

I completely understand people's attachment to the club. People close to the club who have put in so much time and money over the years will be devastated. I started typing a list of names but there are dozens I could name. I would feel for them if the club was to fold but what is a football club?

I'm led to believe a football club is about community and fans. Something the current club/business has failed to nurture, communicate with or engage with for many years. I genuinely believe folding the current business and starting a supporters trust club backed by passionate people and businesses with the club and community at heart is the only positive result we can get from this fiasco. At the moment it appears people who are putting in time and money into a club they care about are getting no reward for their efforts and they're fighting a losing battle.

I quite frankly couldn't care less what level we drop down to. League football has been nice but on the whole a little dull. For me, I would still be going to "Morecambe" games and cheering on the lads. The players might not have names on the back of their shirts and we might not get 30 seconds of highlights on Channel 5 at 9:45pm on a Saturday night but we'd get our club back.

I'm perhaps looking through rose tinted glasses at the idea of a Morecambe Town FC but I can't help drawing the conclusion it would be a success (perhaps easy to say compared to the current situation). Only people with genuine interest in the club would be around to start again.

Of course there are negatives. We'd most likely lose Jimbo as our manager and most, if not all, of the players and probably Graham, head chef, and his pies. But where would Morecambe FC be in 10 years and where would Morecambe Town be?

I know this won't be everyone's cup of tea but I do feel, if it's at all possible*, for the long-term it could be the only way forward.

*Disclaimer: I've no idea what would happen with the ground or if we'd be able to use it. I also don't know what steps of financial implications there are reforming a club.

[Seasider9601]

I, for one, certainly do miss the Non League scene. We had so many great days.

Indeed, as I type this on my lunch break I'm wondering in my head whether to go to either:

Barrow v Lincoln City, Kendal v Radcliffe or Colne v Lancaster tomorrow night.

A "Morecambe Town FC" in the North West Counties League (for example) would most certainly be a club I would support and hope to get involved within.

IF, of course, the worst happened....

[Duffman]

I too also miss the non-league scene so my feelings are possibly a little bit swayed. But I also think reforming the club in non-league has it's advantages. There won't be any vultures swarming and owners looking to do deals with err.... interesting characters(?).

I would also assume we wouldn't be able to switch ends during the game like we used to do.

[Phil Anderer]

I've only ever been to one non-league match, that being Halesowen Town against some other team totally forgotten in the mists of time, so I have no history of non-league to remember. That doesn't make me a glory hunter, by the way. We were introduced to Morecambe by friends at the start of the first league season, and went to so many games we became season ticket holders and have been ever since. I would continue to support the club if we did end up out of the league, but it's not a prospect I would embrace with the enthusiasm being expressed here by some. If we can survive the current mess and remain in the league, we need to pull together and continue to support the club in its current guise, including, if at all possible, supporting the owner and board, whoever they may be. I would hope that, with the Trust in full operation, we would be able to enforce a more co-operative, communicative approach from the board, whilst obviously I would expect commercially and transfer sensitive information to be kept out of the public domain. Let's not give up hope just yet please; my glass is still (just about) half-full, even if I'm only drinking Earl Grey at the mo.

[marky No.1]

I, for one, certainly do miss the Non League scene. We had so many great days.

Indeed, as I type this on my lunch break I'm wondering in my head whether to go to either:

Barrow v Lincoln City, Kendal v Radcliffe or Colne v Lancaster tomorrow night.

A "Morecambe Town FC" in the North West Counties League (for example) would most certainly be a club I would support and hope to get involved within.

IF, of course, the worst happened....

Im off to AFC Fylde on Saturday, looks worth a visit, even got a proper sports bar

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[marky No.1]

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[Seasider9601]

A Sports Bar ???!!!!!

Looks pretty good too..... bet that pulls the punters in.

[Christies Child]

AFC Fylde have gained from the massive financial imput of a single benfactor who wanted to take over at Blackpool but failed to do so, turning his attention to AFC Flyde. However it makes me wonder if in the years to come even they could be in a similar position as ourselves where the owner says enough is enough and wants to recoup some of his investment.

Our current position is one that I fear could be replicated at other clubs on a more regular basis.

Even Fleetwood could face an identical situation one day as and when the owner and his company decide that he's put enough money into the club.

[marky No.1]

A Sports Bar ???!!!!!

Looks pretty good too..... bet that pulls the punters in.

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[black morse]

A Sports Bar ???!!!!!

Looks pretty good too..... bet that pulls the punters in.

Bradleys-bar-at-Mill-Farm-2.jpg

Bradleys-bar-at-Mill-Farm-3 (1).jpg

Not many customers

[Gone_Shrimping]

A Sports Bar ???!!!!!

Looks pretty good too..... bet that pulls the punters in.

Bradleys-bar-at-Mill-Farm-2.jpg

Bradleys-bar-at-Mill-Farm-3 (1).jpg

They have economised on the ceiling with the pipes on full public display.

[Phil Anderer]

They have economised on the ceiling with the pipes on full public display.

That industrial look's all the rage at the moment. Anyone visiting the Bowland Brewery Beer Hall at Clitheroe will see a fine example mixing the traditional old mill workings with some modern industrial touches.

[marky No.1]

They have economised on the ceiling with the pipes on full public display.

It does make you feel like you are actually in a sports/football bar though, rather than a waiting room.
I still think that people going to a function/wedding at a football stadium would quite expect to see pipes on the ceiling, memorobelia and an array of tv screens.

If you go to somewhere modern nowadays, there are pipes everywhere - it's cool (or rather its not )

This is what i would have had the vision of for our bar where the Hurley Flyer is

I’ve spent my whole life watching sporting events around the world and particularly following England. When I’ve not been able to attend in person then I’m usually glued to the TV at home with friends and family.

However, when I’m away from home on either business or pleasure, for some reason, finding a bar with the game I want to watch becomes a challenge. Whether it’s Florida, Majorca, Barbados or Bournemouth it just doesn’t seem to be easy. Invariably the hotel concierge will ‘have an idea’ but that’s it, so you end up calling various bars to check if the game you want to watch is on?

It is then in to a taxi and on your way to the chosen venue only to find out on arrival that American football, Ice Hockey, Basketball or something else has taken precedent and your game is on in some remote corner with no volume. Sound familiar – I’m sure it does.

I decided that if ever I had my chance I would change all that and Bradley’s is my vision of how a sports bar should be. We have four different zones which will allow us to play four different sports at the same time thus ensuring you can watch your game with your friends just as you would at home. At Bradley’s you will know everything at least a week in advance what’s on, when and in which zone. Just go into our website, one click and its easy – for a small fee, you can even reserve a table.

Combine this with great beer and simple fresh food at great prices and hopefully you’ll think you are in paradise. I know I would, so I’m looking forward to welcoming you and your friends to Bradley’s – let me know what you think especially if you think we can improve in any way!

I hope you enjoy the experience.

David

[P/T Indie]

I agree Duffman and have been saying it for a while I don't know even with new owners how you turn it around and get the people of the town/businesses behind us. The only way to do it is re launch as a community club and hope we get lots of good will and people wanting to throw there support behind us.

Even if we stay up this year we are avoiding the inevitable as even with new owners they would still make us cut our budget so we weren't having losses of 500K + a year, meaning eventually we will go down.

My concerns about starting again are does the town have enough appetite to support a club and help us get going again (can we really do it with say 500 - 700 fans) and would we be abler to afford the overheads to play at the globe or would we need to go somewhere else?

[Gone_Shrimping]

They have economised on the ceiling with the pipes on full public display.

It does make you feel like you are actually in a sports/football bar though, rather than a waiting room.
I still think that people going to a function/wedding at a football stadium would quite expect to see pipes on the ceiling, memorobelia and an array of tv screens.

If you go to somewhere modern nowadays, there are pipes everywhere - it's cool (or rather its not )

This is what i would have had the vision of for our bar where the Hurley Flyer is

I’ve spent my whole life watching sporting events around the world and particularly following England. When I’ve not been able to attend in person then I’m usually glued to the TV at home with friends and family.

However, when I’m away from home on either business or pleasure, for some reason, finding a bar with the game I want to watch becomes a challenge. Whether it’s Florida, Majorca, Barbados or Bournemouth it just doesn’t seem to be easy. Invariably the hotel concierge will ‘have an idea’ but that’s it, so you end up calling various bars to check if the game you want to watch is on?

It is then in to a taxi and on your way to the chosen venue only to find out on arrival that American football, Ice Hockey, Basketball or something else has taken precedent and your game is on in some remote corner with no volume. Sound familiar – I’m sure it does.

I decided that if ever I had my chance I would change all that and Bradley’s is my vision of how a sports bar should be. We have four different zones which will allow us to play four different sports at the same time thus ensuring you can watch your game with your friends just as you would at home. At Bradley’s you will know everything at least a week in advance what’s on, when and in which zone. Just go into our website, one click and its easy – for a small fee, you can even reserve a table.

Combine this with great beer and simple fresh food at great prices and hopefully you’ll think you are in paradise. I know I would, so I’m looking forward to welcoming you and your friends to Bradley’s – let me know what you think especially if you think we can improve in any way!

I hope you enjoy the experience.

David

There are 2 plots of land at the front where a supporters bar could be built but nobody with the money to do it now !

[Christies Child]

AFC Fylde are owned by the Chairman of Tangerine Holdings who started out as a Vetinary Supply business and in particular to the equine sector.

http://www.tangerineholdings.co.uk/

[marky No.1]

AFC Fylde are owned by the Chairman of Tangerine Holdings who started out as a Vetinary Supply business and in particular to the equine sector.

http://www.tangerineholdings.co.uk/

and that must have taken all of 3 minutes to find out what the owner does and where he comes from

[Seasider9601]

would we be able to afford the overheads to play at the globe or would we need to go somewhere else?

The latter I would think.

Trimpell Club ?

On site Sports Bar, sorry, Social Club, already. Town centre location.

Like I say though, don't get me wrong please. I sincerely hope it doesn't come to this.....

[Shrimpy]

would we be able to afford the overheads to play at the globe or would we need to go somewhere else?

The latter I would think.

Trimpell Club ?

On site Sports Bar, sorry, Social Club, already. Town centre location.

Like I say though, don't get me wrong please. I sincerely hope it doesn't come to this.....

The slight lack of any kind of stands would put an end to that one!

Realistically the only place locally that we could play at would be Giant Axe. Any other venue would require us spending quite a bit of money in bringing the ground up to the minimum ground requirements.

[Keith]

would we be able to afford the overheads to play at the globe or would we need to go somewhere else?

The latter I would think.

Trimpell Club ?

On site Sports Bar, sorry, Social Club, already. Town centre location.

Like I say though, don't get me wrong please. I sincerely hope it doesn't come to this.....

I think that is entirely dependent upon what has happened to the Christie Trust? As this all unravels, I think we were entirely misled when the ground move occurred. I was under the impression that ALL the land belonged to the trust. Now I'm not sure if the trust actually exists? If the trust owns the land that the stands are built upon, then the buildings have almost zero value, if football ceases to be played there, in which case a re-formed or fans trust run club may have a chance to own & make use of them as they'd have no value otherwise. Alternatively, if the trust owns the land under the bike shed, then we're screwed and the trust was robbed from the town & fans in particular.

I genuinely believe we have enough skills on ShrimpsVoices alone in which to run a successful Football League club but the capital to own it is currently lacking. Our best worst hope is that PMG realises that he's been screwed and is now at the back of the list for creditors, so came to a position where his legacy is of some value and he works with the fans. Going under would leave him with exactly the same amount of cash but a legacy he wouldn't want. I'm still hoping that someone comes in at the last hour with a credible (and creditable) background to take over. But it's getting harder to see where the knight in shining armour is coming from

[J.S.]

would we be able to afford the overheads to play at the globe or would we need to go somewhere else?

The latter I would think.

Trimpell Club ?

On site Sports Bar, sorry, Social Club, already. Town centre location.

Like I say though, don't get me wrong please. I sincerely hope it doesn't come to this.....

I think that is entirely dependent upon what has happened to the Christie Trust? As this all unravels, I think we were entirely misled when the ground move occurred. I was under the impression that ALL the land belonged to the trust. Now I'm not sure if the trust actually exists? If the trust owns the land that the stands are built upon, then the buildings have almost zero value, if football ceases to be played there, in which case a re-formed or fans trust run club may have a chance to own & make use of them as they'd have no value otherwise. Alternatively, if the trust owns the land under the bike shed, then we're screwed and the trust was robbed from the town & fans in particular.

I genuinely believe we have enough skills on ShrimpsVoices alone in which to run a successful Football League club but the capital to own it is currently lacking. Our best worst hope is that PMG realises that he's been screwed and is now at the back of the list for creditors, so came to a position where his legacy is of some value and he works with the fans. Going under would leave him with exactly the same amount of cash but a legacy he wouldn't want. I'm still hoping that someone comes in at the last hour with a credible (and creditable) background to take over. But it's getting harder to see where the knight in shining armour is coming from

I was about to write something very similar to your first paragraph Keith. I think it's about time we heard something from the trustees. Does anyone know who they are?

[Keith]

I was about to write something very similar to your first paragraph Keith. I think it's about time we heard something from the trustees. Does anyone know who they are?

I've started a new thread so that anyone who has any info can post there.

[halfwayprawn]

AFC Fylde have had a person in charge with a vision of getting to the promised land ie the football league without cutting corners on their stadium and alienating fans also incorporating furnishings with what his customers want.No way would i like to see our club relegated for the( first time)fingers crossed and play the likes of Chorley, Nantwich, Sutton, i just think that time has passed and we would finally go extinct like Scarborough, Gretna,Northwich Vics.

[RedRedWine]

Anybody holding up AFC Fylde as a model club is bananas; they're completely bankrolled by an individual who could pull the plug at any moment or decide to stop investing. Their ground, although looking marvellous for a club of there stature, is in the middle of nowhere. By that I mean it's not even in Kirkham - which in itself is in the middle of nowhere. At a recent game they attracted a gate of less than 400.... they have no fans to alienate at the moment!

Unfortunately, because of the clubs structure, we are in a similar position. If we went bust, which looks a possability, we couldn't afford to operate on the same basis that we do currently; I.e all the non-match day stuff would go.... so why are we bothering with it now? Mr Cala looks like an absolute basket case - but I suspect that he's correct about the focus of the club being too driven towards off-the-field activities (Visitor article). We're told the hospitality stuff and events make money - it'd be interesting to see what overheads are allocated to this revenue stream, because I suspect they probably don't!

[halfwayprawn]

Build it and they will come(Field of dreams) even Marky no1 going on sat