Palace - just had a very interesting conversation

[Giraffe]

Just spoke to a close friend of one of the Palace owners.

Interesting conversation, key points:

For next few years the club's only ambition is not for results on the pitch but to become financially solvent.

New ground plans will never happen. Totally resigned to making the best of Selhurst (but realising that is a very difficult job).

Keeping transfer fees and wages under tight control.

Trying to attract a larger fanbase. Hugely disappointed by last season's attendances. Worried that Crawley, Brighton and Charlton are a more attractive proposition for the next generation of fans, plus the general trend of new kids supporting Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs etc.

Know that they are now a long way behind the likes of Brighton in terms of their ability to attract players due to wage structure, ground, area and manager!! (In their words, Gus is gold dust on this front)

And finally, the board have been disappointed with the signing of Murray as he has not settled well with his team mates and Doogie is struggling to manage that. But will stick with Doogie as he is good at bringing young players through which is the cheap and preferred option.

 

[Hove Seagull]

Just spoke to a close friend of one of the Palace owners.

Interesting conversation, key points:

For next few years the club's only ambition is not for results on the pitch but to become financially solvent.

New ground plans will never happen. Totally resigned to making the best of Selhurst (but realising that is a very difficult job).

Keeping transfer fees and wages under tight control.

Trying to attract a larger fanbase. Hugely disappointed by last season's attendances. Worried that Crawley, Brighton and Charlton are a more attractive proposition for the next generation of fans, plus the general trend of new kids supporting Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs etc.

Know that they are now a long way behind the likes of Brighton in terms of their ability to attract players due to wage structure, ground, area and manager!! (In their words, Gus is gold dust on this front)

And finally, the board have been disappointed with the signing of Murray as he has not settled well with his team mates and Doogie is struggling to manage that. But will stick with Doogie as he is good at bringing young players through which is the cheap and preferred option.

We would have told them, if they had only asked!

 

[Hotchilidog]

That conversation actually reveals the owners not be as stupid as they look or sound. It seems like they have their priorities straight. I guess life will be pretty dull for Palace fans for foreseeable future, but at least it looks like they'll have one.

 

[Seagull73]

Just spoke to a close friend of one of the Palace owners.

Interesting conversation, key points:

For next few years the club's only ambition is not for results on the pitch but to become financially solvent.

New ground plans will never happen. Totally resigned to making the best of Selhurst (but realising that is a very difficult job).

Keeping transfer fees and wages under tight control.

Trying to attract a larger fanbase. Hugely disappointed by last season's attendances. Worried that Crawley, Brighton and Charlton are a more attractive proposition for the next generation of fans, plus the general trend of new kids supporting Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs etc.

Know that they are now a long way behind the likes of Brighton in terms of their ability to attract players due to wage structure, ground, area and manager!! (In their words, Gus is gold dust on this front)

And finally, the board have been disappointed with the signing of Murray as he has not settled well with his team mates and Doogie is struggling to manage that. But will stick with Doogie as he is good at bringing young players through which is the cheap and preferred option.

Very interesting this. I wonder why the new ground thing is dead in the water considering they were looking at the National Athletics Stadium? That's not being utilised by anybody now, and without the new ground, they are going really REALLY struggle to attract a new fanbase. We are the prime example of that...!

 

[Titanic]

But I thought they were all BILLIONAIRES? What are they playing at??

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

You know shits bad when they are worried about CRAWLEY stealing their fanbase

 

[Hove Seagull]

But I thought they were all BILLIONAIRES? What are they playing at??

Will be when they sell Zaha. Have you heard how much he's worth!

 

[c0lz]

Everything is now being done on the cheap.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Sounds like a sensible approach for them, don't want them to overspend again and go into another administration after all.

 

[itszamora]

They are being sensible, but I'm not sure it's what some of their more deluded supporters want to hear.

 

[Biscuit]

For next few years the club's only ambition is not for results on the pitch but to become financially solvent.

Keeping transfer fees and wages under tight control.

Trying to attract a larger fanbase.

I think this should be applauded.

 

[Giraffe]

Sounds like a sensible approach for them, don't want them to overspend again and go into another administration after all.

To be fair it sounds very much like the Dick Knight approach. The club is being mothballed effectively. The only concern I would have if I was a Palace fan (other than remembering to wash now and again) would be that with no new ground how can they ever be more than a run of the mill lower Championship team. But I guess a poor existence is better than no existence at all. Ask Pompey!

 

[Mackenzie]

Sounds like a good plan, but I fail to see how they'll increase their fan base with that strategy.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Seems a very realistic outlook. Probably at complete odds with the expectations of their fans but they would do well to try to live within their means. They have a decent academy so are probably better placed than many Clubs to focus on home grown talent. They probably have to accept they will do well to survive this season, in reality they look more and more like an average League 1 Club.

Too many Clubs continue to have champagne tastes but brown ale budgets. We should never forget just how lucky we are to have a benefactor like Tony Bloom - without him we would be in a dire state, maybe worse. Looking at the thread showing photos from the Amex tours underlines just how dream like our current position is compared to even 2-3 years ago. It is so important to get the Club into a strong financial position, it would be easy to spray money all over the place on transfers. Clubs like Leicester have learned that instant success is not a gimme. Will be interesting to see how many Clubs adopt a shit or bust approach to get to the Premiership at all costs, fail and plummit down the Divisions or don't survive.

Life under the FFP rules will be a harsh reality for many Clubs who may have to accept they will never be able to compete at a higher level and rise above League 1 or 2 but at least might help them survive.

 

[beorhthelm]

Very interesting this. I wonder why the new ground thing is dead in the water considering they were looking at the National Athletics Stadium? That's not being utilised by anybody now,

because its in another borough which is hostile towards football, it is still currently in use by athletics and it would be very expensive? a couple of years time, if there's an athletics stadium still in Stratford and weeds grow around the track at Crystal Palace, there might be a change of heart. right now its a fantasy. seems Parish and co have finally realised that. if they can get the local council onside theres scope to improve the Smellhurst ground, at least enough to make it look decent and not a cow shed.

 

[leigull]

But I thought they were all BILLIONAIRES? What are they playing at??

What difference does that make when they want the club to be solvent and not bankrolled by large inputs from individuals which can't be guaranteed as sustainable? They should be applauded for that.

Saying at the start of the summer that they were 'going to go for it' in terms of promotion may have been a little unwise though. They do seem to need some media training after their recent tweets.

 

[Brovion]

They are being sensible, but I'm not sure it's what some of their more deluded supporters want to hear.

Indeed, a welcome outbreak of sanity from the club owners. I hope they can keep to the plan when the more vociferous, ignorant fans (and all clubs have got them, including us) start asking where the new signings are and why aren't they challenging for promotion? (And the self-same fans will be the first to say "It isn't our fault!" if the club got into trouble again).

IF that conversation is true then fair play to Palace; if they can keep their heads they'll be doing football a big favour.

 

[brightonrock]

I *GUARANTEE* seaside will be along shortly to say this conversation never happened.

 

[Decode]

Are Brighton and Crawley really a threat in terms of new fans? Can't see it myself, live and grew up and now work in a School in South London, its all Chelsea nowadays really.

 

[paulie]

Indeed, a welcome outbreak of sanity from the club owners. I hope they can keep to the plan when the more vociferous, ignorant fans (and all clubs have got them, including us) start asking where the new signings are and why aren't they challenging for promotion? (And the self-same fans will be the first to say "It isn't our fault!" if the club got into trouble again).

IF that conversation is true then fair play to Palace; if they can keep their heads they'll be doing football a big favour.

It's a balance though isn't it. I'm pleased that they are building for the future on a sound economic footing, but would still like to think we could compete this year with a few decent, cheapish signings.

I guess if Brighton hadn't done it the right way in the past, then TB wouldn't be so happy to bank roll the club, which he's doing with spectacular results (grrrrrr!). Palace have had over-ambitious owners in the past who've messed up, big time, and this lot have committed to getting it right. As you say, the challenge is if we lose our first 5 games.