I know I’m not alone in being seriously pissed off with where Gloucester are heading. Let’s not get this wrong. I don’t think any serious fan resents the Greene King money. Everyone with half a brain knows “The Shed” will NEVER be called “The Greene King Shed”. So the money is welcome. Stowfords extra input is welcome. Every penny coming Gloucester’s way is welcome. Because, let’s face it, it can all only help. Can’t it?
Except it isn’t helping. Is it.
Fearns didn’t sign. Surely he would be the Marquee to replace the overpriced Hook. But he’s not coming. As a Marquee he would have been £300k+…….”PLUS”, in capitals. And he’s not coming. So we have the money we would have spent on him…….not spent. And we have the compo we got for him……not spent.
Most cameras at Kingsholm point one way. At The Shed…..
How much do you think Greene King paid for that sponsorship? Probably the most iconic club stand in world rugby? Everyone knows “The Shed”. Where has the money gone? Where is it planned to be spent?
Where has the money for Kvesic gone? Where has the money for Kalamofoni gone?
Players out. Laidlaw (not cheap). Hook (£300k Marquee). Kvesik. Batley. Latta. McNulty. Ma’afu. Protheroe. D Thomas. Lindsay. Kalamafoni. Y Thomas. P D-J. Dawidiuk……14 gone.
Players in. Balmain. Rapava-Ruskin. Williams. Vellacott. Polledri. Denman. Woodward. Clarke. Evans. 9 in.
Nett loss of 5 but of the 9 in? 4 from the academy or Hartpury so, really, 5 in for a 14 loss. a nett loss of 9. The Academy and Hartpury lot were already on the fringes and have just stepped up to their first full time (cheap) contracts.
Just as an aside….in 2012 the number of employees was 223. In 2016 it was 335. In 2012 the wages bill was £5,951.716. In 2016 it was £9,371,371. In 2012 the average wage was £26,689. In 2016 it was £27,974. In 4 years the wage bill had grown £3.5 million or almost 60%. Where have we added 113 staff on an average wage of £28,000?
So, many premiership wages no longer being paid. Huge sponsorship coming in.
One of the first things StQ did when he brought Gloucester was to start looking for another investor. A BIG investor. An Altrad. I said at the time he was looking to increase the value of his stock portfolio for as limited investment as possible. I have not been proved wrong. He wants others to increase the value of his stock portfolio with their investment. Maximum returns for lowest risk, or as he put it………… “I just want the right partners who understand the financial model and are in it for the long term”.
Some still try to tell me StQ cares about Gloucester. Don’t piss on my feet and tell me it’s raining. StQ, in my opinion, cares only about StQ and his bottom line. Prove me wrong. Show me different.
I’m self employed. Therefore I simply cannot commit to a Season Ticket, or what is now called “Membership”. I simply do not know what commitments I have from one week to the next. But I will get to as many home & away games as I can. Usually at least 6 games a year, usually at least 2 away games. So, no, membership has never been good value for me. Because, you see, I know what my movements are a few days ahead of a game. so if I’m available I can buy tickets on the Thursday for £26, early bird discount and all. Happy days. Except now I can’t. Now a Cat A game will cost me £45 + £2 unless I book it 2 weeks ahead.
Gloucester sold out 3 home games last season. Just 3. Do they really think I will pay £47 (plus parking and refreshment of £20+) when I can stream every game in HD? Would I rather be in The Shed? Of course I would, but not at (£67+) those prices.
The very first game of the new season will be at The ‘Holm against the current Champions. Games twixt Gloucester & Chiefs are inevitably incredibly close affairs and pulsating, exciting rugby…..But I lay money there will be less than 13,000 there.
“Membership” this season was punted as including “Pre-season Friendlies” but ultimately there were no such games listed as “Pre-season Friendlies”. Another piss take.
And let’s not forget that a corporate decision taken in 2015 meant that Gloucester played a “home” fixture against Bordeaux away, at Sixways where we lost by a single point in front of less than 5,500 fans. You will never, ever convince me that we wouldn’t have been playing Champions Cup rugby had that game been played at Kingsholm in front of a crowd twice that number……I have no doubts that Muggo left Gloucester’s employ that day thinking it was probably just as well.
And bearing that in mind StQ says…………
“While some Gloucester fans say over my dead body twice as many are asking why we aren’t”. Really StQ? Show me the numbers. Because by my calculations twice as many are saying “No”. Twice as many are saying they want home games at home.
I love Gloucester. It’s MY club. In very much the same way it’s YOUR club. But we are not being listened to. We are now an encumbrance. StQ is here for the money alone. Humphreys, Jonny Bell & Trevor Woodman are clinging on to jobs where they have achieved nothing and have no shame.
I do believe Ackerman will make a huge difference. He wont tolerate idiots. Next season will see a clear out. I think money will be spent on cheaper Africaans imports who are more effective but cost significantly less but already sign up to the Ackerman/Bok ethos.
I sincerely believe Gloucester have reached a nadir. I have £20 at 80/1 in favour of that. But I think our rise will be down to a clear out of existing coaches and DoR and Ackerman taking control…..and StQ rubbing his hands in monetary inspired glee.
Vaughan is now very much StQ’s puppy. StQ is very much ONLY interested in the bottom line. You & I are a hindrance to that.
Just the facts Ma’am, just the facts.
winnyssite 