Non-league football solution

[goodboy]

Non-league football clubs

I keep hearing there is no money in non-league football and I believe there is.

As a scout/consultant, I see a lot of chairman overstretch the budget or milk the clubs but there is a way to success without throwing money at it especially with so many good free players around.

I'm thinking about taking over a struggling club (Conference North or below) with help from likeminded people to show how it should be done.

I have placed many players at non-league & a few at professional clubs & my skills are to find the best talent.

Open to ideas?

 

[Opinion87]

Championship Manager? Completed it. I got so good at it they offered me a role in the England set-up. I took Woking from the Conference to the Champions League in 6 seasons, that kind of stuff doesn't go unnoticed.

I'm available.

 

[Mr D]

Ok so you see what they are doing wrong.
You think you can do better. Without throwing money at it.

Perhaps find a club that hasn't used your ideas before? May take some research to be sure.

 

[goodboy]

Championship Manager? Completed it. I got so good at it they offered me a role in the England set-up. I took Woking from the Conference to the Champions League in 6 seasons, that kind of stuff doesn't go unnoticed.

I'm available.

Wow sounds good

 

[goodboy]

Ok so you see what they are doing wrong.
You think you can do better. Without throwing money at it.

Perhaps find a club that hasn't used your ideas before? May take some research to be sure.

I would of i had the money but thanks for the advice. This game Is not rocket science so you spend only what you can afford & find ways to grow by innovation, thinking outside the box.
I run a academy for players who get released by pro clubs & then I re-invent them & put them back in to pro/semi pro sides. So many good players get released ( Jamie vardy) as too short or attitude or not fit enough.
So many Jamie vardies out there.
I talk from experience & as a ex derby county player

 

[tony84]

Do you not have contacts within the industry who would be suited to this? I would love to get involved with a club and I suppose many men would, but in reality most never will.

 

[goodboy]

Do you not have contacts within the industry who would be suited to this? I would love to get involved with a club and I suppose many men would, but in reality most never will.

Hi tony! Yes I have contacts in the game but football is stuck it it's ways.
They tend to keep it that way even if they are losing. They are not open to change due to ego's as they know everything.
I have been in 2 non league boardrooms.
As long as you have a good team around you & work with honesty/integrity & not in it for a quick buck then you can do a Leicester city & with success comes huge reward but many are short sighted.
Many people have money but no plan & I have the plan but not enough money.
That's why as a group it's much easier to do.

 

[Martin Patfield]

Business acumen seems to stop at the door to a football club. You wouldn't run a normal business at a loss yet the majority of football clubs are. Absolutely ridiculous.

I support Aldershot. Grown up with the "new" club as it went bust in 1992. It went back into administration not that long ago again.

What exactly are you going to do differently and grow and enhance a football club?

Clubs like Harrogate, Fylde, Chorley, Tamworth, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc you will not change and the first ones I've mentioned have come up the leagues having spent a buck or two.

Hyde spent and spent, got to the Conference and gone bang pretty much since relegation.

 

[Mr D]

I remember reading about when Karren Brady took over Birmingham City.
A big club, lots of supporters, a well known name. And nothing was done prior to her along over regarding those advantages.
In business terms a well known brand, lots of customers who have used the company and a viable business.

Businesses often copy each other, one learns how to do something better, cheaper, get more market share etc then tends to spread over time.

Can the small non League clubs use some of the same techniques, can they gain more support?
You would expect some methods and ideas to filter around.

Process issues? Ego / personality issues by those in charge?
Supporter apathy?

 

[goodboy]

Business acumen seems to stop at the door to a football club. You wouldn't run a normal business at a loss yet the majority of football clubs are. Absolutely ridiculous.

I support Aldershot. Grown up with the "new" club as it went bust in 1992. It went back into administration not that long ago again.

What exactly are you going to do differently and grow and enhance a football club?

Clubs like Harrogate, Fylde, Chorley, Tamworth, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc you will not change and the first ones I've mentioned have come up the leagues having spent a buck or two.

Hyde spent and spent, got to the Conference and gone bang pretty much since relegation.

Exactly my point

 

[goodboy]

Business acumen seems to stop at the door to a football club. You wouldn't run a normal business at a loss yet the majority of football clubs are. Absolutely ridiculous.

I support Aldershot. Grown up with the "new" club as it went bust in 1992. It went back into administration not that long ago again.

What exactly are you going to do differently and grow and enhance a football club?

Clubs like Harrogate, Fylde, Chorley, Tamworth, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc you will not change and the first ones I've mentioned have come up the leagues having spent a buck or two.

Hyde spent and spent, got to the Conference and gone bang pretty much since relegation.

Play decent football for a start & with decent players.
I remember watching solihull moors v Chester over a year ago & I was watching long balls & football headers tennis & I thought to myself I need to
Make this change.
I don't blame all the negative thinking as that's how we are programmed.
People said Leicester will drop down again from Prem & vardy will fail in the Prem, mahrez is too scrawny.
I'm looking for positive people to join me to make this change, I have the plan, players, contacts, networks, we are halfway there already.
I have placed players from league 2 to non league & sorry on every in league 1 too.

We can find a few clubs who are struggling & we need to come up with a plan for the finance collectively.

 

[tony84]

Not sure what sort of figures you are looking at but feel free to give me a shout if it looks like it might go forward.

 

[James Martini]

Non-league football clubs

I keep hearing there is no money in non-league football and I believe there is.

As a scout/consultant, I see a lot of chairman overstretch the budget or milk the clubs but there is a way to success without throwing money at it especially with so many good free players around.

I'm thinking about taking over a struggling club (Conference North or below) with help from likeminded people to show how it should be done.

I have placed many players at non-league & a few at professional clubs & my skills are to find the best talent.

Open to ideas?

Taking over as a Ron Noades-type chairman/manager or a chairman who doesn't interfere in team selection and signings?

I know for a fact not many managers worth their salt would put up with interference from the boardroom.

There are a lot of things to consider here, the club's location being one. For example, it's far easier to get players if the club is based in a conurbation like London or the North West where loads of big club cast-offs are willing to drop down without having to relocate.

You would ideally need to get young players in to develop and sell on at a profit, if you can get a youth team to produce them from within - even better. Sell potential signings the idea of your club being a stepping stone to a bigger club, as long as they apply themselves.

If money is scarce, put performance-related incentives into players' contracts, eg bonuses for goals, wins, clean sheets, pay rises/falls for promotion and relegation, minimum release fees if a bigger club comes calling and negotiate a sell-on percentage if they do.

Try to keep customers on the premises of the stadium by having good food and drink, so their money goes into the club's coffers. As I say, lots of things to consider if you can get this idea off the ground.

 

[Bronco78th]

I remember watching solihull moors v Chester over a year ago & I was watching long balls & football headers tennis & I thought to myself I need to
Make this change.

Oxford City Fan here....looking forward to the FA cup 1st round game vs Solihull Moores on Saturday.

Football is full of sh*sters, most clubs have seen it, Oxford City are still recovering from being screwed over by an american who was running a boiler room scam in the US...now serving 12 years in Florida State Prison. Our Managing Director hung himself at the club he loved as a result. leaving the club itself in 1.5 million pound in debt. a club that draws around 3 - 400 hundred fans a week thats a huge black hole.

But with with new stewardship, alot of hardwork and several extremely dedicated people thinking outside the box who put their heads on the line we are paying it off. Believe the debt has come down to 90k or so....still massive but increasingly manageable....helped ofc by 3 good FA cup runs in 3 years going to the 1st round, second round for the first time ever and again this year 1st round proper each time. We just controversially got rid of our manager though....

One thing Oxford City are trying to do.....is at least play football...not head tennis...doesn't always work....but we are trying and when it does work its bloody entertaining.

Had a boardroom experience at Oxford United the other week as a birthday treat, my dad managed to sort out as he knows the General Manager. The GM claims that only 2 football league clubs are turning a profit. Hence why the premiership is the holy land.....every premier league team is making a profit because of the TV revenue.

Oxford United are screwed because they have to pay Kassam 1million a year to rent the stadium, so until they can get rid of that elephant in the room somehow, it is unlikely they will ever make money.

 

[James Martini]

Had a boardroom experience at Oxford United the other week as a birthday treat, my dad managed to sort out as he knows the General Manager. The GM claims that only 2 football league clubs are turning a profit. Hence why the premiership is the holy land.....every premier league team is making a profit because of the TV revenue.

One of those must be my club (Bristol City) after announcing close to an £11m annual profit for 2018/19, thanks largely to selling home-grown talent and making around £1m per home game of matchday revenue from the stadium.

Best of luck against Solihull Moors on Saturday.

 

[ecommerce84]

Oxford City Fan here....looking forward to the FA cup 1st round game vs Solihull Moores on Saturday.

Football is full of sh*sters, most clubs have seen it, Oxford City are still recovering from being screwed over by an american who was running a boiler room scam in the US...now serving 12 years in Florida State Prison. Our Managing Director hung himself at the club he loved as a result. leaving the club itself in 1.5 million pound in debt. a club that draws around 3 - 400 hundred fans a week thats a huge black hole.

But with with new stewardship, alot of hardwork and several extremely dedicated people thinking outside the box who put their heads on the line we are paying it off. Believe the debt has come down to 90k or so....still massive but increasingly manageable....helped ofc by 3 good FA cup runs in 3 years going to the 1st round, second round for the first time ever and again this year 1st round proper each time. We just controversially got rid of our manager though....

One thing Oxford City are trying to do.....is at least play football...not head tennis...doesn't always work....but we are trying and when it does work its bloody entertaining.

Had a boardroom experience at Oxford United the other week as a birthday treat, my dad managed to sort out as he knows the General Manager. The GM claims that only 2 football league clubs are turning a profit. Hence why the premiership is the holy land.....every premier league team is making a profit because of the TV revenue.

Oxford United are screwed because they have to pay Kassam 1million a year to rent the stadium, so until they can get rid of that elephant in the room somehow, it is unlikely they will ever make money.

I’m a Gloucester City fan - I was hoping you’d join us in moving to the North this season as I’ve always enjoyed our games against you (and the Mrs’ family live in Oxford so it’s an easy free pass to a game if I drop her off there )

It is tough at our level, there has been a lot of clubs with large financial backers recently who are seemingly happy to burn through the cash to get promoted.

We have had problems with being homeless for 12 years too which has obliterated our fan base.

You guys were properly done over, what happened to Colin was awful, a very sad thing to happen to a small club.

Fingers crossed both of our clubs are on the up and I’ve no doubt we’ll meet in the next season or 2 when they have to shift one or the other of us around again!

 

[goodboy]

One of those must be my club (Bristol City) after announcing close to an £11m annual profit for 2018/19, thanks largely to selling home-grown talent and making around £1m per home game of matchday revenue from the stadium.

Best of luck against Solihull Moors on Saturday.

Bristol City are one of the very few that are in profit but yes it's a good biz model & it does work if done properly

 

[Anon2718]

Non-league football clubs

I keep hearing there is no money in non-league football and I believe there is.

As a scout/consultant, I see a lot of chairman overstretch the budget or milk the clubs but there is a way to success without throwing money at it especially with so many good free players around.

I'm thinking about taking over a struggling club (Conference North or below) with help from likeminded people to show how it should be done.

I have placed many players at non-league & a few at professional clubs & my skills are to find the best talent.

Open to ideas?

How much would your total expenditure be in year 1 from purchasing the club, buying players and the related costs that come with that, their salaries, the training and admin staff, the cost to maintain and upgrade the facilities, insurance and then what is your expected revenue?

 

[Bronco78th]

I’m a Gloucester City fan - I was hoping you’d join us in moving to the North this season as I’ve always enjoyed our games against you (and the Mrs’ family live in Oxford so it’s an easy free pass to a game if I drop her off there )

It is tough at our level, there has been a lot of clubs with large financial backers recently who are seemingly happy to burn through the cash to get promoted.

We have had problems with being homeless for 12 years too which has obliterated our fan base.

You guys were properly done over, what happened to Colin was awful, a very sad thing to happen to a small club.

Fingers crossed both of our clubs are on the up and I’ve no doubt we’ll meet in the next season or 2 when they have to shift one or the other of us around again!

Indeed. Your stadium problems just keep going on and on.... Came to Evesham last year I think, December game, as nice as the club house is, its pretty soulless and bloody freezing!

The potential move to the North had a negative effect on us I think, we managed to retain most of the team from last season but gave them bumper pay rises to account for extra travel in the North, only to be told a couple of weeks later we are staying South after all......while the vast majority of people were relieved the money men were a touch annoyed at paying out extra for no reason whatsoever.

Sadly in some respects the club haven't learnt from the past failings. The fans always knew the American was what he was. But the board failed to listen...and now after a couple of years of relative stability (finances aside) we suddenly get rid of manager Mark Jones after his achievements. Obviously something has gone on behind the scenes and the rumours have been swirling but the club have, as in the past, failed to address the fans as one formal front and nipped any questions the fans have quickly, which is abit annoying....especially as we don't exactly have many fans in the first place.

Ironically we have got 7 points from 9 since his sacking so maybe it was a good decision......

Im sure our paths will cross again at some point and good luck for the rest of the season!

P.S I assume you didn't enjoy the 7-1 back in 17, I live near High Wycombe so tend not to go out to the West so much, but I happened to have got myself to that game and im glad I did

 

[goodboy]

Taking over as a Ron Noades-type chairman/manager or a chairman who doesn't interfere in team selection and signings?

I know for a fact not many managers worth their salt would put up with interference from the boardroom.

There are a lot of things to consider here, the club's location being one. For example, it's far easier to get players if the club is based in a conurbation like London or the North West where loads of big club cast-offs are willing to drop down without having to relocate.

You would ideally need to get young players in to develop and sell on at a profit, if you can get a youth team to produce them from within - even better. Sell potential signings the idea of your club being a stepping stone to a bigger club, as long as they apply themselves.

If money is scarce, put performance-related incentives into players' contracts, eg bonuses for goals, wins, clean sheets, pay rises/falls for promotion and relegation, minimum release fees if a bigger club comes calling and negotiate a sell-on percentage if they do.

Try to keep customers on the premises of the stadium by having good food and drink, so their money goes into the club's coffers. As I say, lots of things to consider if you can get this idea off the ground.

Thanks mate. Good advice!

 

[goodboy]

How much would your total expenditure be in year 1 from purchasing the club, buying players and the related costs that come with that, their salaries, the training and admin staff, the cost to maintain and upgrade the facilities, insurance and then what is your expected revenue?

That will depend on the size of the club & the league it's in.
Conf north budgets are around £200k a year.
When we have a club then we re-structure the finances & as I said earlier we won't need to buy players, I have great networks & we will be a selling club.
We stay within our means & appoint a manager who we can work with.
We won't repeat Notts county's mistakes & let managers have their own way & take the club into the abyss.
I cant say too much here as some info is commercially sensitive.
If anyone is interested in forming a group of trouble shooters as we all bring valuable biz experience then inbox me with your info & we can talk.

 

[Opinion87]

That will depend on the size of the club & the league it's in.
Conf north budgets are around £200k a year.

So, say, a group of 40 people putting in £5,000.00 a year each? Not too crazy.

 

[goodboy]

So, say, a group of 40 people putting in £5,000.00 a year each? Not too crazy.

Not even that much, remember the club will already be generating income & have expenses. So we just balanced the books & break even within months & then try to generate profit.
There are some very clever people on here & beteeen a few of us I'm sure we can find ways inc new sponsors & then to sell on players will be a bonus.
Conf north players have sold for between 20k-100k to bigger clubs & this will be our specialty.

 

[Anon2718]

Can you name a club that has consistently turned a profit in the lower leagues using this approach?

 

[goodboy]

Can you name a club that has consistently turned a profit in the lower leagues using this approach?

Not many as for the reasons I mentioned above.
If they spend more the they earn then they won't make any profit.
The trick is to sell & not buy players.
I have some good connections for players plus a bit of biz knowledge & some common sense.

Not rocket science & i have been involved in this biz & seen it all.
How many times can clubs repeat the same mistakes & I'm sat there with my head in my hands but can't say anything to them as they won't listen.

 

[suzy_lcd]

Hi, I have messaged you please check your inbox.

Thanks

 

[Anon2718]

Not many as for the reasons I mentioned above.
If they spend more the they earn then they won't make any profit.
The trick is to sell & not buy players.
I have some good connections for players plus a bit of biz knowledge & some common sense.

Not rocket science & i have been involved in this biz & seen it all.
How many times can clubs repeat the same mistakes & I'm sat there with my head in my hands but can't say anything to them as they won't listen.

Where will you source these players that other clubs have overlooked and how much time and money will you invest in players to increase their value? How would you value a player?

 

[patery]

Im ok at football manager if you need a manager

 

[Anon2718]

I'm amazed that no club has hit upon this strategy as many clubs are not owned by Saudi billionaires. It would make you wonder why that is... Possibly putting together a business plan would attract the type of people you are looking for as I don't think you will attract the right type of people with vague ideas about buying low and selling high. If you had a time machine and went back 5 years and looked at the prospects you would have identified then and who you could actually get at this lower league club who ticked all the boxes for one reason or another the majority of which just didn't progress it's unlikely that you have some insight that no other club possesses to identify those whose value will increase to cover all the overheads and show a profit.... Basically you need to come up with a much more detailed plan of who and what you need to achieve your vision.

 

[goodboy]

How much would your total expenditure be in year 1 from purchasing the club, buying players and the related costs that come with that, their salaries, the training and admin staff, the cost to maintain and upgrade the facilities, insurance and then what is your expected revenue?

Thanks for your msg! Sorry for the delayed msg as been busy with work & football stuff.

We are not starting from scratch. I want to keep it simple. We will take over a club & even if they are in debt then we will turn it around.
They will already have a budget, accounts & everything in place.
We go in & re-structure everything to get it to break even & get into profit fast.
Most club she are losing money & some breaking even.
We reduce costs & increase income.
Things are moving fast now & I will have more news within weeks & then post on here & whoever wants to get involved can do. Most people can afford to pay between £5-£20 a month & in return will get tickets, scarves, badges,
Everything will Be done over social media
As easier to do & saves time.
There will be some negativity along with some positivity but we will be the 2nd attempt in the world I believe to do this crowdfunding & I'm a firmness believer that 2nd attempt is more succesfull by doing things better & avoiding the mistakes of the 1st group attempt ( my football club) great attempt but they didn't have the right footy people around them.

 

[goodboy]

So, say, a group of 40 people putting in £5,000.00 a year each? Not too crazy.

Good idea but not many can afford this & I would prefer £5-£10 a month to lower the risk for investors so they can sleep easy.
A bit of footy knowledge, contacts & biz experience & pinch of common sense & done with good intentions & there is a 90% of success.
I have seen the mistakes clubs are making & some are very very stupid mistakes.
100 year old problem is when you sack a manager & then he takes 6 of the best players with him to the next club.
Why would you repeat the same mistakes over & over.
I learn from a single mistake & mistakes of other so as never to repeat it.
We can sell 2 players quite easily every season to generate around £50k-£90k
I already run trials for non league clubs & I have a network of scouts across the country.

 

[goodboy]

Update:
Hi all. Thanks to everyone for their feedback.
I'm now involved with Redditch utd in southern Prem near Birmingham from 3 weeks ago & it's going really well.

They had 24 losses In a row & were losing 6-0 many times hence why we are bottom of the league.
Only 2 weeks ago we beat a very good side in nuneaton boro 3-2 for our 1st win in 26 games.
We were unlucky to lose 1-0 to hednesford a few days ago.
I Have introduced 2/3 good players already, with more to follow.

This will be a great project to get involved in if you are passionate about the game & want to get involved in this amazing project.

If you are interested in getting involved with redditch Utd fc in any capacity then PIng me with your email address.

To save your time & mine, it's best to have our talks at the ground so you can be sure that everything i have said is true & only serious people will turn up.

We need volunteers, sponsors, directors & investors?
The next step is to come & watch a game & then we can have a chat at the ground.

Our ground is one the best grounds in the country with a lovely 3G pitch.

Next game is this Saturday 3pm at home to a top team in bromsgrove sporting fc

Kind Regards Mr Ali

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

Hang on. Didn't you say you used to play for Derby County and you run an academy for footballers?

I hope I don't come across as racist here, but I don't imagine many "Mr. Ali's" have played for Derby County, or the top 3 leagues, or run academies.

And why have you changed from being a bit of a jack the lad to "Mr. Ali"?

https://www.thenonleaguefootballpap...-new-director-of-football-at-redditch-united/

seems legit....

 

[billybob99]

Hang on. Didn't you say you used to play for Derby County and you run an academy for footballers?

I hope I don't come across as racist here, but I don't imagine many "Mr. Ali's" have played for Derby County, or the top 3 leagues, or run academies.

And why have you changed from being a bit of a jack the lad to "Mr. Ali"?

There's only one Dele Ali, one Dele Ali.

 

[billybob99]

https://www.thenonleaguefootballpap...-new-director-of-football-at-redditch-united/

seems legit....

He knows what he is doing, which makes a change.

 

[Opinion87]

There's only one Dele Ali, one Dele Ali.

Not true. Ask Jose about his brother.

 

[Opinion87]

https://www.thenonleaguefootballpap...-new-director-of-football-at-redditch-united/

seems legit....

All. The. Lolz.

 

[Martin Patfield]

For **** sake.

I hate football.

I've missed 2 league games in a decade watching Aldershot and went to 75% of games before that.
There is little money in non league and the only way to get anywhere is with the ability to find a gem and sell them on with add on clauses also.

 

[marakana88]

I did the research for my dissertation at the university, regarding sponsorship in lower league football clubs. Businesses need to be aware that based on findings from this research, spectators who support lower league football clubs are more likely to buy sponsor’s products then those who support EPL football club and considering the fact that sponsorship of lower league football clubs cost less than EPL clubs, the returns of
investment (ROI) can be positive in the long term. Smaller businesses might
therefore benefit from sponsorship of lower league football clubs.