Jason Whittingham

[Hodgie1978]

It does make you wonder what others things they could do to save money if we enter non league.
Could we invest in a 4g pitch and hire it out.
Loads of non league clubs do it such as Tamworth.

[Keith]

I'm not sure exactly how it differs, but I'm sure that the funding for Football League academies is substantially more than National League. Perhaps someone knows for sure?

If I'm correct, then I'd expect the academy would probably close, to save money.

Without a 'Not a Penny More' campaign...
Whittingham will continue to take money out of the club, bleeding it dry.
We will have a squad that is barely capable of mid-table, at best. Most likely, we'd face another relegation battle.
All available income will go towards paying the interest on the debt, or, the debt itself.
Income substantially down due to lower crowds generally, cheaper tickets, no TV money, no Carabao Cup, no Bristol Street Motors. Parachute payments won't go anywhere near covering this reduction in cash.
We may have options on players for another season, and a couple of two year contracts, BUT, what if they have relegation release clauses? I've no idea if they do, but any sensible agent would have got one in place. So we may have no players to start next season.

We will at best, just about survive in National League. But, I think the likelihood is, we will be relegated again.

Once in National League North, there is no way back. Income would not cover loans and interest, let alone a squad.

At this point, we go under.

With a 'Not a Penny More' campaign...

We force the issue. Whittingham either accepts we're serious, and then becomes motivated to sell at a reasonable price, while he can still get something for his asset, or, he clings on to the bitter end, pulling cash out as much as he can, until we go into Administration. Administration would most likely come if we can't pay HMRC. If we go under, the Administrator would sell for whatever they can get, with HMRC being the primary debt. Whittingham may get something back, but at least he's gone. We can hope, he'd see the writing on the wall, and bail out. But, if he forces the issue, then we go under a season earlier.

If we get to National League North, we're screwed, there is no way back, as the debt will simply be too big to furnish, and even interest payments wouldn't happen.

Obviously, some people may convince themselves that Whittinham is not going to take an extortionate amount of interest out of the club, he's adding it to the price of the club and he has interested parties who are willing to pay that amount, so there is no need to worry...

Other people may look at the evidence and conclude that Whittingham is a lying bullshitter who only cares about how much money he can get out before we inevitably go under, one way or another.

The first group of people will be there to watch Morecambe get thrashed at home to Solihull Moors.
The second group will exercise the only power they have.

Either way, we face an existential crisis. One I expect us to lose, unless something massive changes soon. So, I'd rather not give any more of my money to Whittingham.

[Keith]

It does make you wonder what others things they could do to save money if we enter non league.
Could we invest in a 4g pitch and hire it out.
Loads of non league clubs do it such as Tamworth.

But where does that investment come from? If we found an investor, who put down a 4G pitch, then we go bust, does the 4G pitch transfer to the Christie Trust? Nice idea, but until things change, I don't see anything positive happening.

[Keith]

Our only realistic route for survival in the Football League is Reading being expelled. Then, only one side is being relegated from League Two.

BUT...

Let's be realistic, if Reading miss their deadline and the Football League could choose to expel them, but in doing so, keep us, with the mess we're in, or, give Reading another stay of execution, what would you expect them to do? If it was me making the decision, seriously, I'd keep them, and let us go out, then deal with Reading next season. If Carlisle overtake us, and we finish bottom, then the EFL can lose us and Reading, but keep Carlisle, who have wealthy backers.

Or, we could win four of our next five games???

[BerlinWaller]

I'm not sure exactly how it differs, but I'm sure that the funding for Football League academies is substantially more than National League. Perhaps someone knows for sure?

If I'm correct, then I'd expect the academy would probably close, to save money.

Without a 'Not a Penny More' campaign...
Whittingham will continue to take money out of the club, bleeding it dry.
We will have a squad that is barely capable of mid-table, at best. Most likely, we'd face another relegation battle.
All available income will go towards paying the interest on the debt, or, the debt itself.
Income substantially down due to lower crowds generally, cheaper tickets, no TV money, no Carabao Cup, no Bristol Street Motors. Parachute payments won't go anywhere near covering this reduction in cash.
We may have options on players for another season, and a couple of two year contracts, BUT, what if they have relegation release clauses? I've no idea if they do, but any sensible agent would have got one in place. So we may have no players to start next season.

We will at best, just about survive in National League. But, I think the likelihood is, we will be relegated again.

Once in National League North, there is no way back. Income would not cover loans and interest, let alone a squad.

At this point, we go under.

With a 'Not a Penny More' campaign...

We force the issue. Whittingham either accepts we're serious, and then becomes motivated to sell at a reasonable price, while he can still get something for his asset, or, he clings on to the bitter end, pulling cash out as much as he can, until we go into Administration. Administration would most likely come if we can't pay HMRC. If we go under, the Administrator would sell for whatever they can get, with HMRC being the primary debt. Whittingham may get something back, but at least he's gone. We can hope, he'd see the writing on the wall, and bail out. But, if he forces the issue, then we go under a season earlier.

If we get to National League North, we're screwed, there is no way back, as the debt will simply be too big to furnish, and even interest payments wouldn't happen.

Obviously, some people may convince themselves that Whittinham is not going to take an extortionate amount of interest out of the club, he's adding it to the price of the club and he has interested parties who are willing to pay that amount, so there is no need to worry...

Other people may look at the evidence and conclude that Whittingham is a lying bullshitter who only cares about how much money he can get out before we inevitably go under, one way or another.

The first group of people will be there to watch Morecambe get thrashed at home to Solihull Moors.
The second group will exercise the only power they have.

Either way, we face an existential crisis. One I expect us to lose, unless something massive changes soon. So, I'd rather not give any more of my money to Whittingham.

Makes me feel a bit sick and is a sign of the times but very well put Keith.

[redrobo]

Have to agree with BerlinWaller regarding Keith's assessment of the way things are and could be.

Very depressing and not like Keith to be so pessimistic.....BUT in truth even I'm slowly becoming a member of the pessimistic brigade....and that is something that after 67 years as a faithful supporter is heart breaking.....

The only crumb of comfort is that a number of former EFL clubs are making their way back from the doldrums of non league ie Macclesfield and Scunthorpe who had a home gate of over 8000 v Chester who took 1500 fans to the game....

[al1]

I think Whittingham is just too clever for everbody and always one step ahead,he must have very good advisors helping him!So far Bond Group seem to have avoided any sanctions over the Worcester Warriors scandal that they oversaw.

[Keith]

Makes me feel a bit sick and is a sign of the times but very well put Keith.

I hate to do this to you, I intended to write this earlier, but didn't get around to it...

Anyone who thinks this relegation will harm Derek's CV to a point of not getting employment elsewhere, needs to give their head a wobble! Okay, it won't look good on his Wikipedea page, but anyone who knows football, will understand what kind of shit-show he's had to deal with this season. From two contracted players, to getting an almost competitive squad, is nothing short of incredible.

As much as I'd like to see him stay, I would expect him to be going. Depending upon what jobs become available, another League Two club but I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up at a League One side. At very worst [for him] he may manage a National League side, but it would be one that has a decent budget and aspirations. Any club Chairman, looking for a manager who can get the best out of an average squad would be delighted to have him. Given a choice, why would he stay with us, with a bottom seven National League budget (if we're lucky)?

[redrobo]

DA is operating without a contract so could have 'walked' at any time this season.

He knows that we re-employed him when nobody else would despite there being vacant managerial positions elsewhere.

The National League is not that much different from EFL2 so a step down for him might not be that important...

It could well be that he needs to be involved in management so an opportunity to rebuild our club could be just what he needs. BUT as has been suggested it all depends on the finances available to him which hopefully may become clearer in the near future..

[BerlinWaller]

DA is operating without a contract so could have 'walked' at any time this season.

He knows that we re-employed him when nobody else would despite there being vacant managerial positions elsewhere.

The National League is not that much different from EFL2 so a step down for him might not be that important...

It could well be that he needs to be involved in management so an opportunity to rebuild our club could be just what he needs. BUT as has been suggested it all depends on the finances available to him which hopefully may become clearer in the near future..

He is on a rolling contract which is different to working without a contract.

Derek will leave in the summer

[Redalert1970]

No one knows what the budget will be next season so yet again its all speculation

[Andy D]

Derek Adams is only on a one month roll on contract, if not mistaken?

[black morse]

DA is operating without a contract so could have 'walked' at any time this season.

He knows that we re-employed him when nobody else would despite there being vacant managerial positions elsewhere.

The National League is not that much different from EFL2 so a step down for him might not be that important...

It could well be that he needs to be involved in management so an opportunity to rebuild our club could be just what he needs. BUT as has been suggested it all depends on the finances available to him which hopefully may become clearer in the near future..

Unless we can force Jason out the budget will be no more and probably less than this season.

[Billy bodger]

So after reading all these posts should we have done the ‘not a penny more’ protest when we were in League One? With the safety net of League Two to fall back on.??

Now because of Whittingham we are going down, (unless??), even further and if the ‘not a penny more’ protest leads to administration next season because of points deductions there is a possibility we will end up in National League North.

Is it administration what is behind the ‘not a penny more’ protest in the hope it rapidly gets rid of Whittingham? That seems to be the likelihood whether it gets rid of Whittingham or with him still at the realm. I’m still convinced because of Company Law he won’t take too much of a financial hit. Please feel free to correct me.

As for rising from the Ashes we will need a multi rich millionaire investor like Macclesfield to start to work our way back, that is actually Intrested in Morecambe FC and we haven’t found one yet?

[Andy D]

So after reading all these posts should we have done the ‘not a penny more’ protest when we were in League One? With the safety net of League Two to fall back on.??

Now because of Whittingham we are going down, (unless??), even further and if the ‘not a penny more’ protest leads to administration next season because of points deductions there is a possibility we will end up in National League North.

i put it forward at a trust meeting, about doing it before last Xmas, to take a hit this season, to avoid back to back relegations.

So we could start in the NL debt free with parachute payments and way bigger fan base X 3 now, than the last time we were in the NL(Conference) and better chance of bouncing back.

[redrobo]

I'm sure the entire forum would appreciate an update from the BoDs.....PLEASE...or is it a case of nowt to say.....

[black morse]

I'm sure the entire forum would appreciate an update from the BoDs.....PLEASE...or is it a case of nowt to say.....

Probably!

[BerlinWaller]

How many updates do we need? The Directors only know what Whittingham tells them and they play no part in any deal. The updates have been the same for years now and we never learn anything new. This isn't having a pop at the Directors, they only know what the snake tells them

[black morse]

I think those calling for more updates are only hoping against hope that there is some good news out there.
I am sure that if there were any good news we'd be told by the Board.

[lancaster shrimp]

Is anyone or has anyone boycotted home matches? Or going to from next season if this rat is still here

[BerlinWaller]

Is anyone or has anyone boycotted home matches? Or going to from next season if this rat is still here

I won't be renewing my 3 season tickets or buying 3+ shirts. I won't be attending home games but will be attending as many away games as i can.

[Redalert1970]

I might get slated for it but I will be buying a season ticket plus both home and away shirts as usual plus going to lots of away games

[BerlinWaller]

I might get slated for it but I will be buying a season ticket plus both home and away shirts as usual plus going to lots of away games

Nobody is going to slate you for it, entirely up to you

[redrobo]

Let's suppose we are in a promotion place in the National throughout the season and Jason is still lurking in the background will fans still stay away or support the clubs push for promotion by attending home games?

Needless to say I'll still be there wherever we are in the league.

[Redalert1970]

Cant wait to see 1000 plus at Worthing and Yeovil on a Tuesday night in January next season