HopeStreetWalker

We blew it when we sold Brockville without such long term business plan, options available. The council rather than helping bought into a cut of the income with the new stadium with none of the commercial effort to make it pay. The council to be fair played a blinder on this and it's a win win as far as they are concerned. Falkirk get into the financial mess they are charging into. Desperate for cash they could well sell there share in the stadium for a cash injection to stay afloat. Then Falkirk Football Club are left renting a stadium with no assets and therefore worthless to any buyer.

For diddies winning the Scottish cup. Owning the stadium outright. Being a fixture in the premier league. Having a stadium that covers its costs every week and contributes to team funds with business bookings and funeral teas. 2 Million in the bank for a rainy day fund. All done with crowds below Falkirk being a division lower. Lot to admire about St Johnstone.

John Prentice designed it in his first spell as Falkirk Manager so there is a case for having the new crest in particular since it came from our Cup winning captain. Just my opinion on using original crest. If we keep the new one so be it.

Always wanted the club to revert to the original crest. Highlander with sword and shield it's part of our history. Was on out cup winning strip and in a stained glass window above the main entrance to Brockville. Yes or No folks ?

The threat to our existence may not happen. But there is a very good chance of a repeat of the mid 1970's. 4 or 5 full timers rest part time, fewer fans turning up with fighting relegation a yearly misery. Avoiding relegation was a good season, if you did not experience it you are fortunate indeed.

There will be no movement budget wise or on signings until ownership is sorted out. The seller will want as clean a balance sheet as possible with no funds allocated tying the hands of the new owners. Fear it could be Deja Vu with a flurry of last minute dross signing nobody else wanted. Hope I am wrong.

That's the rub ! FFC don't own the stadium we are just part owners. That's why I opposed selling Brockville and not owning the new stadium outright. We have no assets and are more or less worthless. If new owners come in it is most likely for the stadium/land and then buying out the other partners. We are kidding ourselves to think otherwise.

Tragic case of what if ! He had the potential to play at the top level, had everything build, strength, pace and the skill.

The best example of ownership and one FFC should be looking at is how St Johnstone went about their business. Benign dictatorship by a fan and astute businessman and in their case Brown. Land gifted to the club to build a stadium and clear their debt. Stadiums main stand built with the purpose of earning money for the club. Funeral teas , Wedding receptions , Business conferences etc not only covers the costs but puts funds in week on week , month on month , year on year. One of their fans posted here they had 2 million quid in the bank as a rainy day fund so it works. We of course blew it big time by not being the owners of the new stadium outright. So the dream scenario is. Multi millionaire Falkirk fan takes over. Buys out the other part owners of the stadium and remodel the ground to give that atmosphere vacuum a bit of life. Bit of imagination in seating arrangements such as top rows of seating closed off to match anticipated crowd. Build 4th stand incorporating an inside pitch compliant with academy specifications, swimming pool , sauna , squash courts, sports halls for 5 a side , badminton , tennis etc. Tag on a hotel even better. The alternative is we sell out to some company and we will be no more than a line on a balance sheet with shareholders wanting a dividend every year and if that means borrowing money that's what they will do. The very future of the club is at stake in the next few weeks.

Suspect the financial tap is turned off until ownership is sorted out. The outgoing board will want a clean a balance sheet as possible and minimum funds committed. The last thing we require is a repeat of the last few years when signings are made 2 to 3 weeks before kick off. Beginning to think this will be the case again this coming season. This is an opportunity for Mutch , Laverty and Dunne as young players to establish themselves in the team. If they cannot do it now then let them go and get a chance elsewhere.

It's an opportunity for Laverty and Dunne next season. They are the players on the books what should be flying early on to make the attacking positions their own. As for our style next season, it all depends on who is willing to sign for us. Don't think this 2 year plan for the premiership with signings to take us there is realistic. Horses for courses to battle our way to promotion first, take stock. Then if lucky there could be a core of 6 - 7 players that have improved to build a side for the season after. That's the target Laverty and Dunne should be aiming for.

Resistance if futile ! You will be escorted to sector 001 Westfield Stadium Falkirk where you will be assimilated into the collective.

The money bit comes with having certainty and that depends on a settled structure running the club.

This 2 year plan spoken about with the signings hoped for in the next few weeks being good enough or the potential to be good enough to challenge for the SPL is a big ask. Players have short footballing careers 10 - 12 years at the best. Those that are available will want to sign for clubs at the highest level where they will get a regular game. 2 seasons in the lower divisions with no guarantee of promotion is going to put them off. So for the 2 year plan to work it's a mixture of astute signings with a point to prove, players wanting a comeback from injury, some old hands and if we are lucky a troubled genius that get's us on our feet when he gets the ball. That job can only start when the club is settled and can give certainty in the marketplace.

If as has been posted the Board read this forum then this is for you. Give the fans a timeline and what will be done and when therefore keeping them informed. Future club ownership. When will the budget for next season be announced. When will there be signings. If you don't know say so. Until then the rumour factory will be churning out wish lists and gossip.

We are not getting rid of them. Lang is staying on the board of directors.

When a concern or an individual buys a company it comes down to two basic thing that decide the value. Is it in debt ? What are it's assets ? The club is skint, own no property outright. Falkirk Football and Athletic Club as a concern is basically worthless. Whoever buys it will be judged on it's motif for buying. Fan buy out is the best security for it's future success not shareholder dividends. Being part of a company then we will be no more than a line on a balance sheet that will be looking to take money out the club. For that in the end is what the shareholders are investing in. Not owning the stadium is the biggest strategic mistake the club has made in it's history.

Fair enough ! Over the last few seasons we have made last minute signings with the impression which was proved right we were signing the dross nobody else wanted. We require to get our act together and get new signings done early. Suspect that won't happen as the turmoil and uncertainty regarding club ownership do not make Falkirk an attractive option at present.

What's the thoughts on signing Tam Scobbie ? Play him beside the Edge as a center back pairing. Ex academy, Falkirk fan, Captained the side, Experienced. He ticks a lot of boxes for what we require to build on and would give you 100% every game. With a bonus he is a hard little bugger ! something sadly missing last season.

David Weir came back from the US and ask Jeffries for a trial so there is talent available. The usual problem beset us when he moved on. International class all over him Hatley and the likes in his pocket every game. What do we do ? Goes to Hearts for pocket money and Hamilton in exchange. Banging head on desk at the sheer stupidity.

We are in a self inflicted mess that could put the club back decades to the mid 70 wilderness years and it was dire stuff believe me. No home grown young players. Signings that did not give a toss and just went through the motions run by a board with no vision or ambition Deja Vu folks. Year after year not one player on our books anybody wanted to sign. What happens in the next month will effect the club for years to come.

Will Vaulks approached Falkirk for a chance because the club had a reputation for giving young players a chance. That hard worked for status is gone and will take years to recover.

The club need to show they are treating the situation we are in as serious as it deserves. Who is going to own the club ? rumours abound and that is not good. Management team ? Signing th best quality players for next season that are available and willing to play in the division we are in. That means no more of the last minute signing nonsense Budget for next year ? Target and business plan for 1 , 2 , 3 years in the future.

Doesn't change the fact that you are commenting on a subject you know nothing about.

True ! But the build up, the hope, the dream, the day out, the thrill of the game. Yes we lost but applauded the winners as worthy winners on a great occasion.