Sorry for replying to my own message but
.....<br><br>&gt; The Sligo Champion - 25-10-00<br>&gt; <br>&gt;
Crisis-stricken Rovers warn of 'drastic steps'<br>&gt; <br>&gt;
by: Leo Gray<br>&gt; <br>&gt; For the second time in
a month crisis-ravaged Sligo Rovers have sent out
distress signals warning that they will be forced to take
drastic steps within weeks if there isn't an immediate
response from the public.<br>&gt; <br><br>I have to say
that I am getting very fed up of Rovers constant
attempts to shift the blame for their problems onto the
"public". For "public" read supporters. Why is it that we
never hear phrases like "business plan", "strategy",
"maximisation of resources", "leadership", "accountability",
"credibility" and "AGM" from the ubiquitous Mr. Michael Leyden
????? Maybe, just maybe the supporters have no
confidence in our great leaders !!!<br><br>&gt; With weekly
losses topping £4,000 and an ever escalating debt adding
to their financial worries the club, in a grim
message to supporters, has said it simply cannot continue
with its current policy for much longer.<br>&gt;
<br><br>Well I'm glad to see that the club has opened a line
of communication with the supporters because in the
past this hasn't happened. And that's sarcasm, in case
you missed it. <br><br>&gt; "We are talking about
weeks rather than months before drastic action will be
necessary". warned club PRO Mr. Michael Leyden.<br>&gt;
<br>&gt; Although the club is reluctant to specify the
cost cutting measures under consideration, it is
understood that some players could be asked to take a cut in
wages while others could be put up for sale.<br><br>Is
it too much to expect some honesty in the middle of
this subliminal message. What is the extent of the
problem (yes we all know we have a problem), what exactly
is the club planning to do about it and when can we
expect a two way debate on the direction the club should
take ??<br><br>&gt; <br>&gt; "We hope it won't come to
that but the situation is very serious and we simply
can't continue to endure the level of losses we are
experiencing at present". said Mr Leyden<br>&gt; <br>&gt;
Rovers plight was emphasised yet again last Sunday when
the gate receipts for their clash with St. Francis at
the Showgrounds ammounted to just £1,000. A small
number of committee members had to dip into their own
pockets to make up a shortfall of over £4,000 to pay
players wages.<br>&gt; <br><br>I'm sorry if I sound
ungrateful but this is no way to run a football club
!!<br><br>&gt; In a last ditch bid to avert a downgrading of the
club <br><br>Now what the hell does that mean ??? The
cynic in me thinks that we are being downgraded to
bankrupt !!<br><br>Rovers have launched a series of
fund-raising initiatives including a new 300 club which seeks
to attract subscriptions of £10, £15 and £30 a month
from supporters. Subscribers will be entered in a
monthly draw for top prizes.<br>&gt; <br><br>So what we
are being offered in the form of a solution is an
extension of the very "hand to mouth" policy which see's us
in this position !!! Imaginative and resourceful.
<br><br>&gt; Other fund raising ventures planned for the
coming weeks include a race night, a supporters dance, a
massive bingo session and a sponsored walk.<br><br>This
is all very fine and noble in the short term. And I
have given my backing to some of this but what we are
crying out for a long term business plan. Rather than
whinging to the Champion about lack of support I would
like to hear what Mr. Leyden is doing about that ??,
the business plan that is !!<br><br>Slan,<br>Jim