1983 Cup Final Money

[Brovion]

I think everythng went pearshape when Wickenden died in a plane crash. I heard that Bamber was the face of Albion but Wickenden was the brains behind the operation. After he died the board, the board, influenced by Bamber, went on to make poor business decisions and the debts just spiralled.

I've often thought that. Never had any proof and the evidence is circumstantial, but the financial decline of the Albion seemed to start when Wickenden was killed. I think even at the time it was acknowledged by the fans that Bamber was the Ideas and People man, and Wickenden (who'd built up Townsend Thoresen Ferries) was the man who could harness the good ideas and had the strength of character to tell Bamber to ditch the bad ones.

Like I say, no proof, but I wonder where we'd be if Wickenden hadn't died?

 

[BigGully]

Foster actually refused to go at first.

Thats called negotiation .........

 

[Return of the Rev]

so where did the money go?

 

[Brovion]

so where did the money go?

Mainly on meeting the club's contractual obligations (bonuses etc) and covering the losses accrued that season (as the league crowds were at times less than half the budgeted break-even figure). Any residual, if indeed there was any, was quickly swallowed up next season paying 1st division wages on 2nd divison gates. See the earlier posts about contratcs.

Happy now?

 

[Brightonfan1983]

At least a couple of the squad were on 10 year contracts, at first division wages, if memory serves.

TEN years? Bloody hell.

 

[ROSM]

when the goldstone was being cleared ahead of demolition, a certain former liberal mp placed all historical records concerning players tax liabilities and salaries into a skip on newtown road.

I believe some details emerged in the argus but many others are certainly held by the lucky people who 'removed' them from public view.

From what I saw of them, I think the cup final money (100k at an average of £10 even divided 3 ways would have only seen c300k after costs coming to the club plus some commercial spin offs) would have not even covered the hole caused by crowds being way below the 20k required to break even.

As for the man utd fans in our end, I think Stan Flashman had some good stories on that bit

 

[Return of the Rev]

when the goldstone was being cleared ahead of demolition, a certain former liberal mp placed all historical records concerning players tax liabilities and salaries into a skip on newtown road.

I believe some details emerged in the argus but many others are certainly held by the lucky people who 'removed' them from public view.

From what I saw of them, I think the cup final money (100k at an average of £10 even divided 3 ways would have only seen c300k after costs coming to the club plus some commercial spin offs) would have not even covered the hole caused by crowds being way below the 20k required to break even.

As for the man utd fans in our end, I think Stan Flashman had some good stories on that bit

I dont think stan even saw those tickets,i think there was a more direct route,did we play united in a friendly the following season?

 

[Deleted User X18H]

I dont think stan even saw those tickets,i think there was a more direct route,did we play united in a friendly the following season?

Before the following season July 83. Townsend Thoresen Cup.

 

[The Large One]

Thats called negotiation .........

No. I mean the deal was done, without his consideration. He was driven to Birmingham... and then for a while refused to sign. He didn't want to leave Brighton.

 

[Deleted User X18H]

No. I mean the deal was done, without his consideration. He was driven to Birmingham... and then for a while refused to sign. He didn't want to leave Brighton.

And now on CBBC...... Jackanory with Christoper Biggins.

Fozzie wanted to play in the Prem (First Division) he still had the chance of more England appearances.

 

[Icy Gull]

Should I be pulling up a chair at this stage?

 

[Deleted User X18H]

Should I be pulling up a chair at this stage?

Only to watch the Golf. Lewis Glover 66/1

 

[ROSM]

And now on CBBC...... Jackanory with Christoper Biggins.

Fozzie wanted to play in the Prem (First Division) he still had the chance of more England appearances.

I have heard Foster tell the same story that TLO is relating so unless Fozzie is being a revisionist it could well be true.

As for further England appearances - do me a favour. He was effectively banned from the England set up for taking the FA to court to try and overturn the cup final ban.

Now here's a question for all good anoraks. Which Albion related institution did Foster slag off in his post transfer interview with Tony Millard on Southern Sound?

 

[BigGully]

No. I mean the deal was done, without his consideration. He was driven to Birmingham... and then for a while refused to sign. He didn't want to leave Brighton.

I think we forget or some might be too young to fully appreciate just how dominant these players were in terms of their own playing status and especially in Steve Fosters case his own personality.

It was a time when these players were literally bigger than the club !

They were recognised performers in the top league and each an International.

Sitting on multi million pound contracts the club could no longer afford, the club needed them off their books whilst receiving a necessary financial boost in terms of any transfer fees.

This wasn't a time of naive football players, each by now knew their own worth and were unlikely to accept a deal that they themselves did not benefit too.

So quite reasonably they were likely to enjoy a leaving fee and a signing on fee whilst maintaining a lucrative income.

It may well be that Foster didn't want to leave Brighton ( the town or the club ), but ultimately Foster would of done it his way and good luck to him for that.

 

[Deleted User X18H]

I have heard Foster tell the same story that TLO is relating so unless Fozzie is being a revisionist it could well be true.

As for further England appearances - do me a favour. He was effectively banned from the England set up for taking the FA to court to try and overturn the cup final ban.

Now here's a question for all good anoraks. Which Albion related institution did Foster slag off in his post transfer interview with Tony Millard on Southern Sound?

Squash Club at Corals.

 

[ROSM]

Squash Club at Corals.

wrong - he'd already been banned by then for watering the plants in a unique manner

 

[BensGrandad]

So quite reasonably they were likely to enjoy a leaving fee and a signing on fee whilst maintaining a lucrative income.

.

It would have been financial suicide if he had asked to leave and thus lost the signing on fee etc. Remember they were earning decent money then but nothing in comparison to what they would have been on today in a similar situation.

 

[Deleted User X18H]

wrong - he'd already been banned by then for watering the plants in a unique manner

No! He pissed on the floor in the bar

 

[Deleted User X18H]

Johnny Vinnicombe and the Argus.

 

[TheFatBallBoy]

Who remembers an albion fan trying to clump fozzie when he was playing for pompey?