Professionalising 'little old Cheltenham'

[hookyrobin]

I know a lot of attention at the moment is focused on how the team is run (for obvious reasons), but I've been thinking about how the club is run as a whole. During our brief dip into the National League, it struck me how professional many of the clubs were in terms of the set-up; often in an unflattering comparison to us.

This is no shade on the people employed at the club who work incredibly hard, but we've kept a very similar structure and incredibly small staff since becoming a league club, and I think a lot of people find their experience and interaction with the club underwhelming - a lot of the complaints we hear at the Robins Trust are people suggesting that very little is offered by the club beyond the bare minimum of opening for a football match and providing only the essentials you'd expect.

On a day to day basis, most of the management is handled by various club board members. As I understand it, the Directors are all voluntary, apart from Paul Godfrey, who is full-time, but has a huge burden of work as a result. I've had a number of conversations over the past few years about how the club would benefit from creating a post at the top of the club to to report to the board and to coordinate all of the day-to-day, operational and strategic work - so that there are clear lines of delegation and responsibility. And the guys on the Robins Report asked David Bloxham directly about a CEO (if I remember rightly), but DB didn't sound at all convinced. I know a CEO was briefly in post and it wasn't seen as something that added much value, but I thought I'd take a look at which other clubs operate with the very shallow Board <> Staff model that we use.

Caveats:

• I created this list myself, so some people might have recently left their post - all errors are mine.

• It's a bit open to interpretation, I know CEO and COO are different roles, but I've marked 'yes' here if the CEO model essentially appears to be in use, even if the title is 'COO', Managing Director, etc.

• There are a few 'interesting characters' on this list, but my post is about the idea of having this kind of role at our club - not whether it should be filled by the spouse of the owner...

Does the club have a CEO?

Premier League
Arsenal - Yes - Vinai Venkatesham
Aston Villa - Yes - Christian Purslow
Bournemouth - Yes - Neill Blake
Brentford - Yes - Jon Varney
Brighton and Hove Albion - Yes - Paul Barber
Chelsea - Yes - Tom Glick
Crystal Palace - Yes - Phil Alexander
Everton - Yes - Denise Barrett-Baxendale
Fulham - Yes - Alistair Mackintosh
Leeds United - Yes - Angus Kinnear
Leicester City - Yes - Susan Whelan
Liverpool - Yes - Billy Hogan
Manchester City - Yes - Ferran Soriano
Manchester United - Yes - Richard Arnold
Newcastle United - Yes - Darren Eales
Nottingham Forest - Yes - Vacant (Dane Murphy just stepped down)
Southampton - Yes - Martin Semmens
Tottenham Hotspur - No - Daniel Levy (Chairman) assumes the role
West Ham United - Yes - Karren Brady
Wolverhampton Wanderers - No - Jeff Shi (Executive Chairman) assumes the role

Championship
Birmingham City - Yes - Ian Dutton (Managing Director)
Blackburn Rovers - Yes - Steve Waggott
Blackpool - Yes - Ben Mansford
Bristol City - Yes - Phil Alexander
Burnley - Yes - Paul Fletcher
Cardiff City - Yes - Ken Choo
Coventry City - Yes - Dave Boddy
Huddersfield Town - Yes - Dave Baldwin (Managing Director)
Hull City - Yes? - Tan Kesler (Vice-Chariman) - but looking for a new CEO
Luton Town - Yes - Gary Sweet
Middlesbrough - Yes - Neil Bausor
Millwall - Yes - Andy Ambler
Norwich City - Yes - David McNally
Preston North End - Yes - John Kay
Queens Park Rangers - Yes - Lee Hoos
Reading - Yes - Nigel Howe
Rotherham United - Yes - Paul Douglas (Chief Operating Officer)
Sheffield United - Yes - Stephen Bettis
Stoke City - Yes - Richard Smith (Managing Director) & Simon King (Chief Operating Officer)
Sunderland - Yes - Steve Davison (Chief Operating Officer)
Swansea City - Yes - Julian Winter
Watford - Yes - Scott Duxbury
Wigan Athletic - Yes - Malachy Brannigan
West Bromwich Albion - Yes - Ron Gourlay

League One
Accrington Stanley - Yes - David Burgess (Managing Director)
Barnsley - Yes - Khaled El-Ahmad
Bolton Wanderers - Yes - Neil Hart
Bristol Rovers - Yes - Tom Gorringe
Burton Albion - No
Cambridge United - Yes - Alex Tunbridge
Charlton Athletic - Yes - Peter Storrie
Cheltenham Town - No
Derby County - Yes - Stephen Pearce
Exeter City - Yes - Justin Quick (Chief Operating Officer)
Fleetwood Town - Yes - Steve Curwood
Forest Green Rovers - Yes - Henry Staelens
Ipswich Town - Yes - Mark Ashton
Lincoln City - Yes - Liam Scully
Milton Keynes Dons - No
Morecambe - Yes - Ben Sadler
Oxford United - Yes - Tim Williams
Peterborough United - Yes - David Paton
Plymouth Argyle - Yes - Andrew Parkinson
Port Vale - Yes - Colin Garlick
Portsmouth - Yes - Andrew Cullen
Sheffield Wednesday - Yes - Paul Aldridge
Shrewsbury Town - Yes - Jamie Edwards
Wycombe Wanderers - Yes - Rob Couhig (Chairman and CEO)

League Two
AFC Wimbledon - Yes - Danny Macklin (Managing Director)
Barrow - Yes - Levi Gill
Bradford City - Yes - Ryan Sparks
Carlisle United - Yes - Nigel Clibbens
Colchester United - Yes - Steve Bradshaw
Crawley Town - Yes - Chris Galley (Director of Football and Interim CEO)
Crewe Alexandra - No
Doncaster Rovers - Yes - Gavin Baldwin
Gillingham - Yes - Paul Fisher
Grimsby Town - Yes - Debbie Cook
Harrogate Town - Yes - Sarah Barry
Hartlepool United - Yes - Steve Hobin! (Chief Operating Officer)
Leyton Orient - Yes - Mark Devlin
Mansfield Town - Yes - Carolyn Radford
Newport County - No - (Did previously have)
Northampton Town - Yes - James Whiting
Rochdale - Yes - George Delves (Chief Operating Officer)
Salford City - Yes - Nicky Butt
Stevenage - Yes - Mike Pink
Stockport County - Yes - Simon Bellamy
Sutton United - Yes - Adrian Barry
Swindon Town - Yes - Rob Angus
Tranmere Rovers - No - (though Mark Palios is sometimes listed as Executive Chairman)
Walsall - Yes - Stefan Gamble

National League
Aldershot Town - No
Altrincham - No
Barnet - No
Boreham Wood - Yes - Charlie Hunter
Bromley - Yes - Mark Hammond
Chesterfield - Yes - John Croot
Dagenham & Redbridge - Yes - Steve Thompson (Managing Director)
Dorking Wanderers - No
Eastleigh - Yes - Tom Coffey (Chairman and Chief Executive)
FC Halifax Town - No
Gateshead - No
Maidenhead United - Yes - Jon Adams
Maidstone United - Yes - Bill Williams
Notts County - Yes - Jason Turner
Oldham Athletic - Yes - Darren Royle
Scunthorpe United - Yes - Lee Turnbull (Chief Operating Officer)
Solihull Moors - Yes - Anne-Marie Eden
Southend United - Yes - Tom Lawrence
Torquay United - Yes - George Edwards
Wealdstone - Yes? - Nick Symmons (Executive Director Operations)
Woking - Yes - John Katz
Wrexham - Yes - Fleur Robinson
Yeovil Town - Yes - Martyn Starnes
York City - Yes - Alastair Smith

So, in League One, it's only us, Burton and MK Dons who don't operate with a CEO. Alongside Crewe, Newport and Tranmere that makes only six of us in the EFL. Interesting to see (but pretty obvious) that the non-CEO model is more common in the National League.

After all that, I'm interested in whether others think a change of structure, and shelling out on a permanent full-time post to help pull all of the threads at the club together could solve a lot of the 'little old Cheltenham' issues.

I might be in a very small minority in even being interested in this, it's pretty niche, I'll admit!

[Fuller]

I'd like to see it, but it won't happen. same as any meaningful ground improvements.
"Little old Cheltenham" indeed....

[longmover]

This was mentioned on the Bloxom interview and he was pretty adamant this wouldn't work and couldn't see what the CEO would bring to the club, read into that what you will.

[asl]

CEO? Do we even have a Media Manager, now...?

Sent from my SM-G9860 using Tapatalk

[Jerry St Clair]

Thanks for putting that together Hooky. Really interesting and definitely not a niche area. Very many of us are concerned about the club's off the pitch structure.

Even Gloucester City have a CEO, I believe (Jay Marriott)?

Milton Keynes, while they don't have a CEO, do have a whole slew of exec directors/managers in comms, marketing, sales and finance positions. So, they are much more professional than us. Burton do appear to have a very similar structure to us so are definitely the nearest comparison. But we are exceptions, that's for sure.

[Si Robin]

CEO? Do we even have a Media Manager, now...?

Sent from my SM-G9860 using Tapatalk

Good point - for a club that pay so little anyway (hence the struggles for a goalkeeping coach and analyst this season), where's the money coming from to pay a CEO?

[Robin]

A CEO would likely cost us £70-80k realistically, if not more. Whilst it's relatively small amount that's probably the wage of a first team footballer for us, so which is more important? Equally do we need a CEO or a bigger commercial team, what would bring more to the club?

Don't get me wrong ideally we should have a CEO and have Mickey Moore and the Commercial Lead reporting into that role. Also very interesting that much smaller clubs have such a role in place though.

[longmover]

CEO? Do we even have a Media Manager, now...?

Sent from my SM-G9860 using Tapatalk

Good point - for a club that pay so little anyway (hence the struggles for a goalkeeping coach and analyst this season), where's the money coming from to pay a CEO?

They found the money for a striker and presume the purchase of the Seasons may have needed a deposit. there seems to be a resentment to step outside the 1950's, for whatever reason.

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

I was a little disappointed when Bloxham dismissed the CEO idea. His uncertainty about why we would want one is perhaps valid if we are thinking of a CEO in the same way BP do, but obviously we wouldn’t be.

I think a hands-on CEO like small consultancy or agency has would work. Someone to be the face of the business and get things done.

For example, the Board I am sure have plenty of contacts at potential sponsors and suppliers, but are too busy to dedicate time to them. The Board could however introduce them to the CEO, who could spend day in and day out to go to business development meetings or represent the Club at events.

Cakebridge place and ‘talks with the Council’ have been mentioned. Who is doing that? Surely the Board are all too busy. A CEO could work with some urban designers on basic sketch options (often done pro bono or low cost if pre-RIBA stage) and then be round the Council presenting ideas, discussing options: building progress and momentum.

A CEO overseeing some part time facilities staff who maintain the stands and replace old posters. A CEO meeting potential catering and shop suppliers who come to pitch to us. A CEO traveling to other venues and clubs to see what they offer hospitality-wise. Someone for marketing staff (when/if hired) to refer too.

We could each write a to do list for a CEO tomorrow. For me it comes down to managing/directing people working on the ground, bringing in sponsorship and better suppliers, managing marketing staff, presenting ideas/updates to the Board, following up on opportunities brought by the Board and speaking at events etc.

Does Season’s have a manager? Is there a strategy in place for increasing revenue there? And who deals with commercials and finance at the academy? A CEO can get a handle on all these things.

We don’t need a fancy CEO with an MBA, just someone with good dynamic leadership skills and strategic thinking.

[Si Robin]

It's not resentment, it's a genuine question.

The wage for a CEO could be spent on a player. Is a CEO a necessity? Given we go through Media manager's like a fat kid goes through cake, if we appointed one on the pittance wages we pay our club staff, then it probably wouldn't be long before we're looking for a replacement, year on year on year.

If we were to get one, and paid them handsomely enough, and we continue in the same mould, there will be some questioning the need for it.

It's not resentment, it's a genuine question.

The wage for a CEO could be spent on a player. Is a CEO a necessity? Given we go through Media manager's like a fat kid goes through cake, if we appointed one on the pittance wages we pay our club staff, then it probably wouldn't be long before we're looking for a replacement, year on year on year.

I'm not against it - I personally don't know enough about what they do to comment fully. I do know that our wage structure for the non-playing staff is shite though.

[longmover]

It's not resentment, it's a genuine question.

The wage for a CEO could be spent on a player. Is a CEO a necessity? Given we go through Media manager's like a fat kid goes through cake, if we appointed one on the pittance wages we pay our club staff, then it probably wouldn't be long before we're looking for a replacement, year on year on year.

If we were to get one, and paid them handsomely enough, and we continue in the same mould, there will be some questioning the need for it.

It's not resentment, it's a genuine question.

The wage for a CEO could be spent on a player. Is a CEO a necessity? Given we go through Media manager's like a fat kid goes through cake, if we appointed one on the pittance wages we pay our club staff, then it probably wouldn't be long before we're looking for a replacement, year on year on year.

I'm not against it - I personally don't know enough about what they do to comment fully. I do know that our wage structure for the non-playing staff is shite though.

A CEO would be more beneficial to the club than some of the "players" we have on the books .

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

It's not resentment, it's a genuine question.

The wage for a CEO could be spent on a player. Is a CEO a necessity? Given we go through Media manager's like a fat kid goes through cake, if we appointed one on the pittance wages we pay our club staff, then it probably wouldn't be long before we're looking for a replacement, year on year on year.

If we were to get one, and paid them handsomely enough, and we continue in the same mould, there will be some questioning the need for it.

It's not resentment, it's a genuine question.

The wage for a CEO could be spent on a player. Is a CEO a necessity? Given we go through Media manager's like a fat kid goes through cake, if we appointed one on the pittance wages we pay our club staff, then it probably wouldn't be long before we're looking for a replacement, year on year on year.

I'm not against it - I personally don't know enough about what they do to comment fully. I do know that our wage structure for the non-playing staff is shite though.

A CEO would be more beneficial to the club than some of the "players" we have on the books .

Exactly. And given our current size and needs it’d probably be a role which is a mix of CEO/COO/CCO/CTO/CXO all in one.

I would speculate one reason the Club don’t want to invest in the role, as it will only make a difference if there are other staff for the CO to delegate too. No point coming up with a great strategy and action plan if no staff to deliver it.

[Robin]

It's not resentment, it's a genuine question.

The wage for a CEO could be spent on a player. Is a CEO a necessity? Given we go through Media manager's like a fat kid goes through cake, if we appointed one on the pittance wages we pay our club staff, then it probably wouldn't be long before we're looking for a replacement, year on year on year.

If we were to get one, and paid them handsomely enough, and we continue in the same mould, there will be some questioning the need for it.

It's not resentment, it's a genuine question.

The wage for a CEO could be spent on a player. Is a CEO a necessity? Given we go through Media manager's like a fat kid goes through cake, if we appointed one on the pittance wages we pay our club staff, then it probably wouldn't be long before we're looking for a replacement, year on year on year.

I'm not against it - I personally don't know enough about what they do to comment fully. I do know that our wage structure for the non-playing staff is shite though.

A CEO would be more beneficial to the club than some of the "players" we have on the books .

Presumably you are talking about squad players who are likely earning relatively low wages of maybe £40-60k a year, some maybe less than that. What sort of CEO is going to come to us on those sorts of wages? I honestly think it could cost us £100k per annum with bonuses.

I feel RCS is on the right track it's not just the cost of the CEO it's the staff underneath him (or her) that will need to be appointed.

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

Are staff costs (CEO or otherwise) captured in the salary cap regulations L1 and L2 have to follow?

[andgarod]

Firstly a paid club CEO or COO might upset some of the volunteers who dont seem to appear in the shareholders list from a few weeks ago

I am all in favour of a CEO or COO as long as not an old mates thing

Cant Russ be promoted to this

As long as the CEO or COO can score 20 goals a season I will be happy

[asl]

There were complaints last week about the number of non-playing staff we seem to have, already. Can you imagine if we were to employ another suit?

Sent from my SM-G9860 using Tapatalk

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

There were complaints last week about the number of non-playing staff we seem to have, already. Can you imagine if we were to employ another suit?

Sent from my SM-G9860 using Tapatalk

What were the complaints?

[Anteros]

The board would be worried a CEO would want to spend a load of money. If they were ambitious they may want to employ more people and invest in different ventures.

[Robin]

Nesty wrote a thread about us having too many staff, he wasn't sure what they were all doing and that we never used too need this in the past. A few responded that comparatively we have a light coaching staff and a full time goal keeping coach, and two assistant coaches is still quite lean (I believe Barnsley and MK Dons have 3 performances analysts each to our one by comparison). I don't know conclusively but I believe our commercial arm is even leaner and heavilly reliant upon students (on work experience), volunteers and some relatively low paid staff.

[London Exile]

I was a little disappointed when Bloxham dismissed the CEO idea. His uncertainty about why we would want one is perhaps valid if we are thinking of a CEO in the same way BP do, but obviously we wouldn’t be.

I think a hands-on CEO like small consultancy or agency has would work. Someone to be the face of the business and get things done.

For example, the Board I am sure have plenty of contacts at potential sponsors and suppliers, but are too busy to dedicate time to them. The Board could however introduce them to the CEO, who could spend day in and day out to go to business development meetings or represent the Club at events.

Cakebridge place and ‘talks with the Council’ have been mentioned. Who is doing that? Surely the Board are all too busy. A CEO could work with some urban designers on basic sketch options (often done pro bono or low cost if pre-RIBA stage) and then be round the Council presenting ideas, discussing options: building progress and momentum.

A CEO overseeing some part time facilities staff who maintain the stands and replace old posters. A CEO meeting potential catering and shop suppliers who come to pitch to us. A CEO traveling to other venues and clubs to see what they offer hospitality-wise. Someone for marketing staff (when/if hired) to refer too.

We could each write a to do list for a CEO tomorrow. For me it comes down to managing/directing people working on the ground, bringing in sponsorship and better suppliers, managing marketing staff, presenting ideas/updates to the Board, following up on opportunities brought by the Board and speaking at events etc.

Does Season’s have a manager? Is there a strategy in place for increasing revenue there? And who deals with commercials and finance at the academy? A CEO can get a handle on all these things.

We don’t need a fancy CEO with an MBA, just someone with good dynamic leadership skills and strategic thinking.

Great post.
I’ve been discussing this with a mate, if the club cannot afford these roles then why not reach out to the supporters? Surely there’s no harm in asking for support, after all, we all want the best for CTFC.
With the areas you’ve highlighted (which are probably the most talked about) why not form two voluntary working sub groups, one for ground & facilities and the other for commercial.
Members of these sub groups could then be tasked with going out and garnering support for these areas in a similar way how any CEO might have.
Ultimately anything would have to be signed off and rubber stamped by the Directors but it would relieve the Board of these pressures.

[Fuller]

I was a little disappointed when Bloxham dismissed the CEO idea. His uncertainty about why we would want one is perhaps valid if we are thinking of a CEO in the same way BP do, but obviously we wouldn’t be.

I think a hands-on CEO like small consultancy or agency has would work. Someone to be the face of the business and get things done.

For example, the Board I am sure have plenty of contacts at potential sponsors and suppliers, but are too busy to dedicate time to them. The Board could however introduce them to the CEO, who could spend day in and day out to go to business development meetings or represent the Club at events.

Cakebridge place and ‘talks with the Council’ have been mentioned. Who is doing that? Surely the Board are all too busy. A CEO could work with some urban designers on basic sketch options (often done pro bono or low cost if pre-RIBA stage) and then be round the Council presenting ideas, discussing options: building progress and momentum.

A CEO overseeing some part time facilities staff who maintain the stands and replace old posters. A CEO meeting potential catering and shop suppliers who come to pitch to us. A CEO traveling to other venues and clubs to see what they offer hospitality-wise. Someone for marketing staff (when/if hired) to refer too.

We could each write a to do list for a CEO tomorrow. For me it comes down to managing/directing people working on the ground, bringing in sponsorship and better suppliers, managing marketing staff, presenting ideas/updates to the Board, following up on opportunities brought by the Board and speaking at events etc.

Does Season’s have a manager? Is there a strategy in place for increasing revenue there? And who deals with commercials and finance at the academy? A CEO can get a handle on all these things.

We don’t need a fancy CEO with an MBA, just someone with good dynamic leadership skills and strategic thinking.

Great post.
I’ve been discussing this with a mate, if the club cannot afford these roles then why not reach out to the supporters? Surely there’s no harm in asking for support, after all, we all want the best for CTFC.
With the areas you’ve highlighted (which are probably the most talked about) why not form two voluntary working sub groups, one for ground & facilities and the other for commercial.
Members of these sub groups could then be tasked with going out and garnering support for these areas in a similar way how any CEO might have.
Ultimately anything would have to be signed off and rubber stamped by the Directors but it would relieve the Board of these pressures.

Brilliant idea London Exile.
Wonder if any of our board read this forum?
If they do would they take any notice of your suggestion?
You’d like to think so.

[Ihearye]

I was a little disappointed when Bloxham dismissed the CEO idea. His uncertainty about why we would want one is perhaps valid if we are thinking of a CEO in the same way BP do, but obviously we wouldn’t be.

I think a hands-on CEO like small consultancy or agency has would work. Someone to be the face of the business and get things done.

For example, the Board I am sure have plenty of contacts at potential sponsors and suppliers, but are too busy to dedicate time to them. The Board could however introduce them to the CEO, who could spend day in and day out to go to business development meetings or represent the Club at events.

Cakebridge place and ‘talks with the Council’ have been mentioned. Who is doing that? Surely the Board are all too busy. A CEO could work with some urban designers on basic sketch options (often done pro bono or low cost if pre-RIBA stage) and then be round the Council presenting ideas, discussing options: building progress and momentum.

A CEO overseeing some part time facilities staff who maintain the stands and replace old posters. A CEO meeting potential catering and shop suppliers who come to pitch to us. A CEO traveling to other venues and clubs to see what they offer hospitality-wise. Someone for marketing staff (when/if hired) to refer too.

We could each write a to do list for a CEO tomorrow. For me it comes down to managing/directing people working on the ground, bringing in sponsorship and better suppliers, managing marketing staff, presenting ideas/updates to the Board, following up on opportunities brought by the Board and speaking at events etc.

Does Season’s have a manager? Is there a strategy in place for increasing revenue there? And who deals with commercials and finance at the academy? A CEO can get a handle on all these things.

We don’t need a fancy CEO with an MBA, just someone with good dynamic leadership skills and strategic thinking.

Great post.
I’ve been discussing this with a mate, if the club cannot afford these roles then why not reach out to the supporters? Surely there’s no harm in asking for support, after all, we all want the best for CTFC.
With the areas you’ve highlighted (which are probably the most talked about) why not form two voluntary working sub groups, one for ground & facilities and the other for commercial.
Members of these sub groups could then be tasked with going out and garnering support for these areas in a similar way how any CEO might have.
Ultimately anything would have to be signed off and rubber stamped by the Directors but it would relieve the Board of these pressures.

Brilliant idea London Exile.
Wonder if any of our board read this forum?
If they do would they take any notice of your suggestion?
You’d like to think so.

There must be a wealth of experience among regular supporters and ones with good contacts not only locally but nationally. I can think of 2 or 3 that I know who would have the ability to fill the criteria. Given the demographic of our support, there is a strong possibility a good few have spare time on their hands.
Of course whether they would want to do it is one thing and whether the club would want it, is another, but worth a general 'could you help' call?
If money is an issue, even an 'agency' CEO would soon eat away at the coffers. I wouldn't imagine we would be lucky to get similar for something in the region of £2000 per day. I am currently working with similar levels who are billing in the region of 15,000 per day

[andgarod]

I hope Dave Beasley at least reads this
Dont forget that Baker said the RNF was toxic

There is a shareholders meeting on 9th March
I am sure someone can raise it then

[paperboy]

Going off topic and it's been mentioned before, but fan owned Exeter showing how things can be achieved.

Exeter City need to shout about how well run they are

https://www.devonlive.com/sport/footbal ... ow-8209114

[asl]

Dont forget that Baker said the RNF was toxic

Used to post under the moniker 'chair' in the early days.

Blimey...The Nest is positively balanced compared with Facebook...

Sent from my SM-G9860 using Tapatalk

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

Dont forget that Baker said the RNF was toxic

Used to post under the moniker 'chair' in the early days.

Blimey...The Nest is positively balanced compared with Facebook...

Sent from my SM-G9860 using Tapatalk

If some on the Nest are toxic and acting as a toxin to the health of CTFC, then I think I’d self-proclaim as a volatile and reactive antitoxin trying to aggressively cleanse them from the system whenever they appear

[asl]

I see you more as chemotherapy, RCS...ultimately intending the best but wildly attacking everything in its path and making the recipients violently sick in the process...

Sent from my SM-G9860 using Tapatalk

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

I see you more as chemotherapy, RCS...ultimately intending the best but wildly attacking everything in its path and making the recipients violently sick in the process...

Sent from my SM-G9860 using Tapatalk

Haha I like that.

Some deliberately come hassling for another dose!

[Shade]

The Nest was a different place 10+ years ago. Even now, in times of 1 win in 2 months, there is some bickering but this thread shows that we're all still generally pushing in the same direction. Or WANT to push in the same direction. Some of the more devisive contributers, WUM's even, are no longer here to start wars.

[slinky_dog]

Do the same list with a financial viability question. “Is the club profitable”

We are one of the very few which tick that box. So we are getting that right and ultimately everything starts and ends with finance.

But I would recognise that those foundations do give us the opportunity to kick on, and I would recognise some of the criticisms in this thread.

It is a tiny business, and references to CEO, once one drops below the top half of the championship, is a grand title for something that in most business is little more than a depot manager! But I would recognise that it is a role which, done right, could contribute to the bottom line, give a better customer experience and ultimately make a difference on the pitch.

[hookyrobin]

There's been some very interesting points made - I appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts on this. I can see the argument that it would take the outlay of 2-3 players to fund this role. But I also think that a lot of the opportunities to raise further income aren't being tapped because we haven't got enough resources to do so.

There are some good suggestions for a middle way, taking advantage of the skillset among the fanbase and using volunteers. The problem I would worry about with this is that I've known people who've got involved, occasionally people who think it might lead to a useful link for their own businesses (this is more likely to happen when people volunteer, it's a contribution with a hope of a future benefit for some). Whatever the rights or wrongs of that, I know that contributing time has felt like a thankless task on several occasions (due to the myriad challenges that a CEO/COO figure could help tackle), and I've known people walk away because they feel disrespected and completely unvalued. This could be an issue that springs from the parameters of the volunteering roles not being clear - which is something that could be resolved.

We're all volunteers on the Robins Trust board and we're trying to help improve the capacity that the community around the club has to solve these problems and help grow and develop CTFC. But I think a much more overarching role 'steering the ship of the club' could pay dividends.

COYR

[Fuller]

Great post Hooky Robin.
Sadly too often I’ve also known of supporters who’ve offered to help out and then being sidelined very quickly. But as you say no reason with the right structure and strategy we could move forward with a common goal. That is to improve the club in every way possible.

[andgarod]

so this debate has been rolling on for over a year

The trust document seems to cover most points but has the board listened

[paperboy]

I'm probably in the minority in thinking that a CEO isn't necessarily a magic bullet.
We couldn't keep commercial personnel for any length of time for starters, but there's no denying that having lost two directors the board definitely don't have all the different skill sets needed.
A golden chance for supporters who think they can offer something to move us forward to make themselves known, possibly through Dave Beesley who has a foot in both camps.

[Si Robin]

I'm with you paperboy, and I posted as much upthread.

Whilst there are only a few clubs that don't have CEOs, that means all the clubs in turmoil also have one. FGR for example, and Carlisle.

I'm not saying we shouldn't have one, but I can't get away from the fact that as soon as we have one and they do ok, they'll be off at the first sight of bare leg from one of the bigger clubs and we're back to square one again.