Is it just me but it’s seems sometime since we have heard anything on the new road, the ground improvements and the % change in Trust ownership. It would be good to hear if any progress is being made or if there on hold.
Yup, think the trust should be able to do a bit better than "it's with the lawyers" for the agreement but presumably everything else has to wait on that.
A sale depends on a willing buyer, a sale at a profit probably additionally depends on proving some increase in income, profitability or stable costed expansion plans, not sure any of that looks too likely just yet.
With the prospect of administration being able to wipe out all debts there are probably more financially attractive options at the "pay £1 and promise a clean up" end of the market. We're a better bet for a stable purchase but might be a lot more expensive and it's difficult to see huge growth without large investment.
Looking at the accounts at Companies House for Wycombe Wanderers Limited, and Feliciana EFL Ltd (the Couhig's company), it all seems to be quite small potatoes, with shares of around £4m in play.
On that basis, I reckon a decent rollover National Lottery win would cover the likely cost of buying a controlling interest in the club.
I'd better get some tickets for Friday's Euromillions draw ...
There are quite enough worrying situations in the world just now without worrying about the future of Wycombe Wanderers. Much as we’d all love to hear reassuring news.
@perfidious_albion no sensible businessman should expect a ROI from buying any club, whether football, rugby, or any other sport. We've all seen how that ends in tears before bedtime.
It's basically an ego trip, where you can sit in the Directors' box munching prawn sandwiches and sipping gin and tonic, and beaming with pride when your team wins.
Most of the clubs in the EFL are loss-making, and rely on wealthy backers to keep them going.
I was informed by a reasonable source, that Ian Lenagan had been sniffing around. Lenagan is the ex PNL chairman and owner of Wigan Warriors. He is also a major shareholder in Rugby League outfit London Bronco's, who currently share with Wimbledon.
It's a tongue in cheek reference to them labouring under the delusion that they are a much bigger club than us, despite being in the Conference far more recently than us.
You and me know this is stating the bleeding obvious. But the Couhig mantra was (is?) “we look for businesses with ‘dripping taps’ we know how to fix them” they came in believing they knew stuff that other club owners didn’t. Maybe the still do, it’s just a lot harder than anticipated, not least because the English football ‘business model’ does not have the economies of scale available to American franchises.
Also see the brief segment on the latest "Pre Match Drills" on WWTV where Rob C talks to the squad & clearly states the deal with the Trust & the new lease will be signed this week, he also re-iterated his belief that we can get promoted via the play offs this season.
Hang on? We're not going to be buying a massive greenbelt plot of land and creating some epic complex of football pitches, gyms and other buildings in the next 18months or so, with some unexplained funding?
How is the terrace becoming structurally unsafe exactly? I’ve heard this mooted before. At the end of the day it’s literally just concrete with roof on top. And the roof could be removed if it had to be.
Although not very likely this bit might actually be the most likely tbh, it looked like this was part of a complex including film studios that did get permission. May well be that having the variety of uses helped that get approved, and while we don't own the training ground we can take our rent elsewhere at some point. Would need the developers to build it though you'd imagine.
A thousand people jumping up and down on it every couple of weeks should help. Right, stop all the threads about improving the atmosphere, everyone stand still.
Looks like the move to 90% ownership by the Couhigs happens today according to Rob’s comments yesterday on Pre Match Drills. New pitch, further improvements at the training ground, more medical support and comments about being 100% committed to club. Interesting viewing.
Comments
Yup, think the trust should be able to do a bit better than "it's with the lawyers" for the agreement but presumably everything else has to wait on that.
I can't see it happening under the Cohigs as it doesn't make financial sense. I think it's more likely the club will be sold sooner rather than later.
A sale depends on a willing buyer, a sale at a profit probably additionally depends on proving some increase in income, profitability or stable costed expansion plans, not sure any of that looks too likely just yet.
With the prospect of administration being able to wipe out all debts there are probably more financially attractive options at the "pay £1 and promise a clean up" end of the market. We're a better bet for a stable purchase but might be a lot more expensive and it's difficult to see huge growth without large investment.
Well nothing has sent over to the council for planning permission so the stadium update is currently a non-starter.
I'm just worried how long the club will be able to continue using the terrace before it become structurally unsafe
Less than 40 days until the end of the season (regular season at least).
Suggest enjoy the football now. Who knows what the summer will bring.
Looking at the accounts at Companies House for Wycombe Wanderers Limited, and Feliciana EFL Ltd (the Couhig's company), it all seems to be quite small potatoes, with shares of around £4m in play.
On that basis, I reckon a decent rollover National Lottery win would cover the likely cost of buying a controlling interest in the club.
I'd better get some tickets for Friday's Euromillions draw ...
There are quite enough worrying situations in the world just now without worrying about the future of Wycombe Wanderers. Much as we’d all love to hear reassuring news.
Totally agree @DevC.
@bargepole as the owners have discovered buying the club is one thing, the return on investment running it is something else.
Thinking it is buying a place in the sun and discovering it’s a time share.
I think as soon as they get a half decent offer they'll be gone
One man’s ‘half decent’ is another’s ‘fire sale’!
@perfidious_albion no sensible businessman should expect a ROI from buying any club, whether football, rugby, or any other sport. We've all seen how that ends in tears before bedtime.
It's basically an ego trip, where you can sit in the Directors' box munching prawn sandwiches and sipping gin and tonic, and beaming with pride when your team wins.
Most of the clubs in the EFL are loss-making, and rely on wealthy backers to keep them going.
Think we are at the moment between a rock & a hard place. Saw this the other day and thought potentially, on a smaller scale, this could be us?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65042578
There is now a layer of tarmac on the access road, so maybe things are happening.
I was informed by a reasonable source, that Ian Lenagan had been sniffing around. Lenagan is the ex PNL chairman and owner of Wigan Warriors. He is also a major shareholder in Rugby League outfit London Bronco's, who currently share with Wimbledon.
No idea if he still has WWFC on his radar.
@ChasHarps please can you enlighten me, why are Oxford United known as PNL on this forum?
@bargepole it stands for Plucky Non Leaguers.
It's a tongue in cheek reference to them labouring under the delusion that they are a much bigger club than us, despite being in the Conference far more recently than us.
Talk of a new road always sounded utterly fanciful. Let alone short term.
Does that make it (shhhh) Layer Road?
American owners. Access road. Talking Heads 'Road to Nowhere' etc.
You and me know this is stating the bleeding obvious. But the Couhig mantra was (is?) “we look for businesses with ‘dripping taps’ we know how to fix them” they came in believing they knew stuff that other club owners didn’t. Maybe the still do, it’s just a lot harder than anticipated, not least because the English football ‘business model’ does not have the economies of scale available to American franchises.
Chance for someone to ask question(s) at tonight's Trust Board meeting
https://wycombewandererstrust.com/2023/03/next-trust-board-meeting-thursday-30th-march
File all of the above in the same filing cabinet as the new Training ground in Marlow, sharing with the athletic club.
you’ll find them under the “pie in the sky” folder.
Also see the brief segment on the latest "Pre Match Drills" on WWTV where Rob C talks to the squad & clearly states the deal with the Trust & the new lease will be signed this week, he also re-iterated his belief that we can get promoted via the play offs this season.
Hang on? We're not going to be buying a massive greenbelt plot of land and creating some epic complex of football pitches, gyms and other buildings in the next 18months or so, with some unexplained funding?
How disappointing.
How is the terrace becoming structurally unsafe exactly? I’ve heard this mooted before. At the end of the day it’s literally just concrete with roof on top. And the roof could be removed if it had to be.
Although not very likely this bit might actually be the most likely tbh, it looked like this was part of a complex including film studios that did get permission. May well be that having the variety of uses helped that get approved, and while we don't own the training ground we can take our rent elsewhere at some point. Would need the developers to build it though you'd imagine.
The concrete has to be held up, its not just a solid lump of concrete all the way to the ground, there are store rooms underneath
A thousand people jumping up and down on it every couple of weeks should help. Right, stop all the threads about improving the atmosphere, everyone stand still.
Looks like the move to 90% ownership by the Couhigs happens today according to Rob’s comments yesterday on Pre Match Drills. New pitch, further improvements at the training ground, more medical support and comments about being 100% committed to club. Interesting viewing.
Bounce around if you love Wycombe….