Board index ‹ Super League ‹ Salford City Reds - scarletturkey.com ‹ John Wilkinson selling up

SCR-SeaDiver wrote:

I am surprised no one has commented on the editorial page in the RLE by Martyn Sadler where he would like
Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand to be persuaded to buy the club -

On the possible sexist point regarding females and soccer on the other thread,just for a bit of controversy,there have been female CEO's appointed at soccer clubs with the latest being Carolyn Stillwho made the news,again,fairly recently

She'll do for me!

[Chico]

SCR-SeaDiver wrote:

I am surprised no one has commented on the editorial page in the RLE by Martyn Sadler where he would like
Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand to be persuaded to buy the club -

Looney toon stuff was that. Particularly as they are Wigan fans.

As a former player under SAF who may not get back into management at a senior level but who 'demands'
perfection,particularly when it comes to preparation and training Roy Keane would certainly gain column inches in the press and raise the profile of the club as well as pleasing the RFL
if it leads to expansion into Ireland (north and south)
He has shown an interest in the oval-ball game beyond these shores and slightly
nearer home

[bewareshadows]

theredshed wrote:

I think you have to look also at the appeal and potential of the sport to investers. Top flight football is in a different stratosphere financially compared to Rugby League. And as much as it hurts to say, Rugby Union is on a different level also when you consider their clubs get substantially more from Sky.

A lot of blame is rightly directed at the clubs but should the rugby league not be held more accountable for the poor health of our game? For instance they couldn't even find a proper sponsor for Superleague and had to reluntantly agree to a few rugby players/teams being displayed on a small number of HGV lorries. If the RFL can't find a real sponsor for an established, professional and televised sport it doesn't inspire you with confidence that they negotiated the best possible deal with sky, does it?

I think another thing you have to consider is all clubs must be struggling to attract anywhere close to the levels of sponsorship they were getting pre 2008. Plus I've heard stories in the game of companies agreeing to sponsorship deals and then not being able to pay. This must surely affect the best laid plans or budgets.

I thought there was another cash deal on the table to sponsor SL. But the management did not want it.

If anyone heard the interview with JW today on the radio could they post any salient points,please ?

With todays rumours in the press and elsewhere and my delay in reading the RLE could any info.from tomorrows
rugby press,of relevance,also be added to this forum,please ? Thanks.

[Chico]

SCR-SeaDiver wrote:

If anyone heard the interview with JW today on the radio could they post any salient points,please ?

In short: the club are looking for new investors but the rumour about John not being at the helm these days is false.

John Wilkinson wrote:

‘When we moved from The Willows to the City of Salford Stadium, we knew it was going to be different; the demographics of the club completely changed. Of course, at the old Willows ground we had many things that were to our benefit: brewery contracts, stand sponsorships. I could work with The Willows in that structure.

‘Coming to the new stadium, it's all changed. We're really reliant on what comes through the turnstiles. We really need, ideally, 8,000 supporters and dine 500 every game. We knew this and it was always our intention to bring in some consultants to really look at our business because positions in the company had changed. We have to look at things differently now as we are more of a marketing and sales organisation.

‘[After the consultation] there's been some recommendations we have taken on-board, apart from me not running the club and the board — I don't know where that's come from, I don't know who's made that up. That is not the case at all.

‘[However] I'm getting up to 68 years of age and I'm looking to find investors to come into the club because I can't go on indefinitely. I don't think Howard Clague [who has been at Salford for 22 years] wants to be the chairman. Howard has told me he loves the club and everything but that we need to look to bring new people in, which is sensible to do at this stage.’

Q. Was David Tarry let go as a result of the findings from the consultation process?

John Wilkinson wrote:

‘Yes, there was a duplication there. And, as I've said, we've now got to look at this club as sales & marketing led.’

Q. Is there a role for a Chief Executive in the old fashioned sense?

John Wilkinson wrote:

‘ Possibly not now. It's not just at Salford. You look at most clubs now: Hull haven't got a chief exec, St. Helens haven't got a chief exec, Wigan don't — they work differently. So there has been many changes.

‘I've worked with David Tarry for 30 years but, you know, there has to be changes along the way. ’

Q. And do you think there will be any changes in the next 12 months, in whatever form: financial, restructure etc?

John Wilkinson wrote:

‘I think as far as the staff are concerned, no. We'd love to bring new investors in — there's no question. We are looking, we are talking to people in Salford and just outside the city.’

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18577880

Thanks Chico:
At last some comments from the board! :