Flynn talks

[andgarod]

Although it is skysports it is a interview in text not video
https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... the-robins

I think there is some optimism

[Si Robin]

A really good read that.

I find myself warming more and more to Flynn the longer he's at the club. If he can translate that attitude to on pitch performances then we could really be onto a winner.

[DWx3]

I agree, Si. Flynn and Cheltenham are a good fit for each other. When he came in we were at the start of a new cycle with lots of rebuilding to be done. He's the safe pair of hands that we need and has realistic expectations about what a club with our resources can and can't do. I'd predict a strong season flirting with the play offs before really kicking on next year.

[Ihearye]

Agree on both, he doesn't come across as a mercenary using ctfc as a stepping stone

[Robin]

Sounds like a sprinkler system and 3G pitch the priority down at seasons then. There is talk the new ownership will be looking to improve that area so we could see tangible progress there fairly quickly.

[longmover]

Clubs that are sustainable should be praised from the rooftops but its the unsustainable clubs (the ones that make the most noise) that get the most exposure.

[Jerry St Clair]

Clubs that are sustainable should be praised from the rooftops but its the unsustainable clubs (the ones that make the most noise) that get the most exposure.

Couldn’t agree more.

Alas, sustainability isn’t sexy.

[Jerry St Clair]

Great interview.

He says that “the board are staying on”. Am I reading too much into that, or does that mean that Garlick will keep the current Board in place to run the club on a day to day basis?

The sprinklers at Seasons. Sounds like these might be the root cause of “Injury Town FC” over the past three or four years.

[Robin]

Great interview.

He says that “the board are staying on”. Am I reading too much into that, or does that mean that Garlick will keep the current Board in place to run the club on a day to day basis?

The sprinklers at Seasons. Sounds like these might be the root cause of “Injury Town FC” over the past three or four years.

That's an interesting pick up, from what I've heard there is at least one Director leaving his role but it would make sense if the majority stayed on at least for a while. What is vital is that Paul Godfrey is wrapped up and cherished, he is Mr Cheltenham Town.

[Robin]

Clubs that are sustainable should be praised from the rooftops but its the unsustainable clubs (the ones that make the most noise) that get the most exposure.

Agree but how many clubs are sustainable now, the vast majority of clubs rely on benefactors or they drop down. I said it before but clubs like Bromley and Barnet are on a limited life cycle because of clubs like Salford who in theory they should be able to compete against but can't because of the silly money being invested. It's the same with Wrexham, Stockport, MK all throwing huge money around chasing a dream when clubs like Brentford and Brighton did it reasonably the right way building a base with some financial injection.

[longmover]

Clubs that are sustainable should be praised from the rooftops but its the unsustainable clubs (the ones that make the most noise) that get the most exposure.

Agree but how many clubs are sustainable now, the vast majority of clubs rely on benefactors or they drop down. I said it before but clubs like Bromley and Barnet are on a limited life cycle because of clubs like Salford who in theory they should be able to compete against but can't because of the silly money being invested. It's the same with Wrexham, Stockport, MK all throwing huge money around chasing a dream when clubs like Brentford and Brighton did it reasonably the right way building a base with some financial injection.

Brighton paid over £500m to be at that prem table, but agree it has been done with a reasonable amount of lets say 'caution', Brentford are screwed and will be in league one soon, it will be interesting to see how they fair when they drop.

[Lord Elpuz]

Excellent thread, with thoughtful and positive comments from fellow Nesters. I agree entirely that Michael Flynn has been a very good fit for the Club - he has completely understood the culture here and has diligently carried out his duties without ever throwing dolly’s out of the pram if financial constraints have been a blocker to his ambition. He more than deserves his chance to take the Club forward with whatever opportunities arise from the new investment.

In terms of Board retention post takeover, I also believe retaining our current Board would be a very sensible option. I think our Board would maintain that prudent approach, mindful of the fact that other Clubs have become intoxicated on cash injections. Many will recall what happened to Rushden and Diamonds.

The important thing is to build the future steadily and competently, investing (as detailed in the article) in the Seasons Training Facility, and the new Main Stand - things that improve the capability of the squad, attracting high calibre recruits, whilst simultaneously creating the financial environment that produces income from new revenue streams at the Stadium, which will generate new fans and sponsor interest in the Club, as it begins to be viewed as being very progressive and worthy of support.

It is the Fan base that is crucial to this. We have taken 18,000+ fans to big Cup games and Finals, the Cheltenham catchment has enormous potential and needs to be tempted to become regular supporters. With the right vision and build, this is achievable. Mike Garlick will have done his homework.

[Shade]

Excellent thread, with thoughtful and positive comments from fellow Nesters. I agree entirely that Michael Flynn has been a very good fit for the Club - he has completely understood the culture here and has diligently carried out his duties without ever throwing dolly’s out of the pram if financial constraints have been a blocker to his ambition. He more than deserves his chance to take the Club forward with whatever opportunities arise from the new investment.

In terms of Board retention post takeover, I also believe retaining our current Board would be a very sensible option. I think our Board would maintain that prudent approach, mindful of the fact that other Clubs have become intoxicated on cash injections. Many will recall what happened to Rushden and Diamonds.

The important thing is to build the future steadily and competently, investing (as detailed in the article) in the Seasons Training Facility, and the new Main Stand - things that improve the capability of the squad, attracting high calibre recruits, whilst simultaneously creating the financial environment that produces income from new revenue streams at the Stadium, which will generate new fans and sponsor interest in the Club, as it begins to be viewed as being very progressive and worthy of support.

It is the Fan base that is crucial to this. We have taken 18,000+ fans to big Cup games and Finals, the Cheltenham catchment has enormous potential and needs to be tempted to become regular supporters. With the right vision and build, this is achievable. Mike Garlick will have done his homework.

Yes, putting some money into the marketing budget and employing a few more people behind the scenes would be a huge boost just for starters. Imagine seeing a billboard or two around and a presence in the town centre.

[Robin]

I'm not convinced the town centre advertising is the way forward, better to go to big Gloucestershire businesses offering tickets and potential hospitality which could inturn then lead to sponsorship. We should also increase the schools stuff, imagine if we could have a 150 young kids from schools every Saturday home game and the long term benefits that would bring? Just go to two different junior schools around Chelt, Glos, Tewks and maybe Evesham there must be more than enough. Ensure there is a fan zone with enough stuff to keep them busy and maybe a tour of the ground and lunch provided.

[horlickfanclub]

Who chaperones the 150 school students? Teachers don't work Saturdays. Kids for a quid with a paying adult works fine.

[Shade]

It's not a one or the other thing, Robin. A presence of any sort, in the town, to remind people there is a football league club less than a mile away won't hurt. Hell, even bus advertising that goes through town is better than nothing/current. There are a lot of people out there for whom CTFC is a fleeting thought once in a while, if ever. Spotting an ad might just make them think, "hmm, maybe next Saturday..."

[Robin]

Who chaperones the 150 school students? Teachers don't work Saturdays. Kids for a quid with a paying adult works fine.

We have a football in the community scheme, that can chaperone and there is no reason we cannot offer parents to come too. If we don't try things we will never grow the fan base. This would potentially add 100 to the average attendance short term and some will come back and become regulars growing us over time.

[Robin]

It's not a one or the other thing, Robin. A presence of any sort, in the town, to remind people there is a football league club less than a mile away won't hurt. Hell, even bus advertising that goes through town is better than nothing/current. There are a lot of people out there for whom CTFC is a fleeting thought once in a while, if ever. Spotting an ad might just make them think, "hmm, maybe next Saturday..."

Yes sorry I wasn't trying to shoot you down, only questioning if this has the greatest impact. I do like the idea of bus advertising I see if with the rugby team so would be great if we can do the same. I do feel the core is not just advertising in Cheltenham but also Tewkesbury and Gloucester.

[Jim]

It's not a one or the other thing, Robin. A presence of any sort, in the town, to remind people there is a football league club less than a mile away won't hurt. Hell, even bus advertising that goes through town is better than nothing/current. There are a lot of people out there for whom CTFC is a fleeting thought once in a while, if ever. Spotting an ad might just make them think, "hmm, maybe next Saturday..."

I agree - we have those banner/flag type ads throughout the town for the races or major festivals, even the panto. Imagine those for CTFC in the build up to the season, pushing for season ticket sales to drum up interest and excitement. One thing Daniel Storey mentioned in his piece on Cheltenham when he was doing the 92, is that you would never know from walking around the town that there was an EFL game on that day or even a major club there.

[ctfc-fan]

Agree with Robin (I need a sit down!!) in that I don’t believe town centre is the way to go. The odd casual passing person won’t just suddenly change their plans to go to the football, it has to be directed at the right target audiences.

[Robin]

It's not a one or the other thing, Robin. A presence of any sort, in the town, to remind people there is a football league club less than a mile away won't hurt. Hell, even bus advertising that goes through town is better than nothing/current. There are a lot of people out there for whom CTFC is a fleeting thought once in a while, if ever. Spotting an ad might just make them think, "hmm, maybe next Saturday..."

I agree - we have those banner/flag type ads throughout the town for the races or major festivals, even the panto. Imagine those for CTFC in the build up to the season, pushing for season ticket sales to drum up interest and excitement. One thing Daniel Storey mentioned in his piece on Cheltenham when he was doing the 92, is that you would never know from walking around the town that there was an EFL game on that day or even a major club there.

Even a brown few signs in town pointing to the football ground would be a start, surely very low cost and the council would support it. Could also have some flags/advertising at the bottom of Whaddon Road, it's a different scale but the roads around Stamford bridge all make it feel very Chelsea.

[asl]

Even a brown few signs in town pointing to the football ground would be a start, surely very low cost

When I asked that question:

The cost to have a brown tourist sign erected in the UK can vary significantly, but you can expect to pay anywhere from £8,000 to £40,000. The exact cost depends on several factors, including the type of road (single/dual carriageway vs. motorway), the size of the sign, and the number of signs needed. Additionally, there are often non-refundable application fees, and you will be responsible for future maintenance and potential replacement costs.

[Robin]

Wow, how can they justify £8k (I presume the larger costs are for bigger motorway based signs). It can't possibly cost more than £100 make one of these. I know we are all excited but we cannot be wasting money like that and using the investment needs to be on what would generate the best return on investment. I fear a few signs would help but likely wouldn't lead to more than a few dozen people deciding to go who normally wouldn't.

[asl]

It's not the cost of the raw materials to make a sign, obviously - it's the cost of the administration, form-filling, suitability reports, H&S assessments, etc.

[Ihearye]

It's not the cost of the raw materials to make a sign, obviously - it's the cost of the administration, form-filling, suitability reports, H&S assessments, etc.

And making sure it is erected by a diverse group of people

[horlickfanclub]

Who chaperones the 150 school students? Teachers don't work Saturdays. Kids for a quid with a paying adult works fine.

We have a football in the community scheme, that can chaperone and there is no reason we cannot offer parents to come too. If we don't try things we will never grow the fan base. This would potentially add 100 to the average attendance short term and some will come back and become regulars growing us over time.

At many games junior football clubs attend and I believe the community scheme organises that. The clubs provide registered chaperones. Maybe you don't understand how many are needed Robin but it would be logistically , legally and financially not viable to operate your scheme. . As I said ,kids for a quid does the job and add to that the junior teams scheme.

[Garby74]

Best way to get more fans ....play decent football and win matches.

First timers...returners....casual fans....doesn't matter.

The die hards are already attending.

[Henry The Dog]

A number of small improvements can add up to a much bigger thing, like communication or interaction. I’ve bought tickets for the weekend and you have to buy through the Cambridge website register etc. Today I've had an email from Cambridge welcoming me to the stadium with lots of information etc. Simple bit of communication but a nice touch.

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

Agree with Robin (I need a sit down!!) in that I don’t believe town centre is the way to go. The odd casual passing person won’t just suddenly change their plans to go to the football, it has to be directed at the right target audiences.

Not all marketing is designed to make people suddenly change plans and attend. Some is just about raising brand awareness.

Someone who never thinks about the club, or doesn’t know anything about it, may, after being exposed to advertising may say to a friend ‘maybe we should go at some point’. Some of those people may attend and some of them may become regulars.

[ctfc-fan]

I’m fully aware of that, being in business myself, but the RoI would be very poor IMO. If you’re a well supporter Championship or Premier team then maybe so, but not League 2 Cheltenham.

[Shade]

Brand awareness HAS to improve. Opposition fans have said in the past how utterly s#!t it is that there is no sign of a football league club anywhere.

Maybe some murals on some walls, or street furniture painted, if a few signs and ads will be too much for the new majority shareholder...

[Jim]

We need more 'top of funnel' marketing or we'll never maximise the fan base. The ROI will be there, it's just hard to track.

They only things I see around town are a sticker in the window of the butchers on Bath Road and a flag in the window on the record shop!

[theidlerich]

It's not the cost of the raw materials to make a sign, obviously - it's the cost of the administration, form-filling, suitability reports, H&S assessments, etc.

And making sure it is erected by a diverse group of people

Recent local pothole mend: two mending pothole [ 6 or 7 with white liner]; two more H&S arrived to check progress and their work, then two more arrived to check on everyone. Incidentally only the one pothole was filled in. leaving the other 5 or 6. The make up of race, gender and suitability for the staff involved were not noted!

What happened to the little parade of infant/junior school walking around the pitch edge prior to the game; that is one way to introduce a small group to the footy spectacle? [Also H&S bureaucracy precludes many school trips].

[longmover]

Agree with Robin (I need a sit down!!) in that I don’t believe town centre is the way to go. The odd casual passing person won’t just suddenly change their plans to go to the football, it has to be directed at the right target audiences.

Not all marketing is designed to make people suddenly change plans and attend. Some is just about raising brand awareness.

Someone who never thinks about the club, or doesn’t know anything about it, may, after being exposed to advertising may say to a friend ‘maybe we should go at some point’. Some of those people may attend and some of them may become regulars.

Just look down the road at fgr, you may not like it but their brand awareness is worldwide, ours is not even Cheltenham wide.

[Robin]

Totally agree on the lack of marketing and it's a big reason are crowds are struggling to break 4500. We need to become the football club of North Gloucestershire/South Worcestershire, one that everyone has some pride in even if they follow other sports or dare I say it a 'big team'. If we can land that then we could easily see average crowds of up to 6000 with that new stand and that's sustainable league one football with off the field income too.