Turbulence (then calm sailing, then turbulence) thread.

[Jaundice]

I am hardly going to pay someone the courtesy to find articles for them when they couldn't be bothered to read what I had to say. But thatnks Adz the articles were interesting and should be read to get a true context of those quotes.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/...-in-gosford-charlesworth-20141204-12091z.html

Central Coast Mariners' owner Mike Charlesworth says he wants to keep the club in Gosford for the "next 100 years" but admits they must radically expand their supporter catchment on Sydney's North Shore if they want to survive in the A-League.

"Unfortunately, we're at the bottom of the TV ratings, which affects our commercial value and our appeal to sponsors. We simply need to do something about that. We want to be a bigger club.
"We don't have a commercial model that is sustainable today – we have a population base of 300,000 over a large geographic area and it's very challenging. All we're doing is expanding that footprint. We want to build a new supporter base and it will take a long time."

"We've always wanted more substantial investment but in the past nine years, the only two people to get involved have been myself and Kevin McCabe – two Englishmen," he said.
"Are we actively seeking investment? No. But would we talk to potential investors? Of course. We'd like to share the pain, because, right now, it is painful."

"We need to work harder in the community but I think this perception is a little bit skewed in terms of the so-called 'good old days'."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s-about-ambition/story-fnk6pqot-1227145348430

The club’s owner, Mike Charlesworth, says there are two simple answers: financial necessity and pure ambition.
When Charlesworth took over ownership of the club 18 months ago the Mariners were, “roughly in $4 million worth of debt from the previous administration”.
“We’re losing less money today than we were a year ago,” Charleworth said.
“The business model is there, but we can’t lose more money - no business can continue if it’s losing money.”
Last season the Mariners played one game at North Sydney Oval, this season they will add a game at Manly’s Brookvale Oval, but going forward Charlesworth says the club will play a maximum of four matches in northern Sydney.
The average crowd at Central Coast Stadium this season is just 7619 and Charlesworth says it’s crucial for the club to build a new supporter base that will ensure the Mariners stick around for years to come.
He insists the move is not at the expense of the Central Coast community, but admits there is a danger of isolating the club’s local fans.
“We’re investing heavily in the Central Coast,” he said.
“We’re building the Centre of Excellence up in Tuggerah and we’re investing huge amounts of money in local jobs. We’re willing to commit 10, 11 games a year to be played at Central Coast stadium.
“Of course they’ve got questions and so they should, they’re football fans of the club and long may they continue to be, but from a purely commercial point of view we need to broaden our supporter base.
“We need more people attending the games and watching on TV. To really make the club financially viable we have to do something and that means doing a job in the northern Sydney region, where there are 50,000 registered players with no real affinity to any club and we’d like them to be Mariners supporters in years to come.”
But how realistic is it to expect those based in northern Sydney to adopt a Central Coast club?
“It’s a process and I think it will take several years and a lot of hard work, but it’s something we need to do,” Charlesworth said

 

[rbakersmith]

The OSC has released Mike Charlesworth's response to their letter to him (this response was discussed in Monday's meeting):

Dear Erin

Thank you for your email dated the 4th December.

Let me firstly address the subject around our Northern Sydney strategy and why this is important for the clubs sustainable future. The club under different management teams have continually lost money since the clubs inception. In not one year did the Club even get close to breaking even and I'm happy to show the audited reports from each year.

In fact my initial investment in the club and Centre of Excellence back in January 2011 paid debts resulting from year 1 and my subsequent investments have kept the club alive and in most years kicking goals. Under the new management team put in place in January 2014 the single most important goal was to create a model that could retain the clubs survival and prosperity for 100 years based on the Central Coast.

In earlier years the Mariners have played a number of home matches outside Gosford to take advantage of potential cost savings, likewise other professional sports clubs commonly do the same, ie Adelaide United playing future games in Darwin and in the AFL Hawthorn playing matches in Tasmania. It should also be noted that 10-11 games in any one location across Australia is statistically the ultimate number of matches to commercially drive revenues. In previous 6 to 7 seasons our home attendances have tended to drop off towards the end of the season when quite often we have played vital play off matches. This is down to the fans budgets and a belief that there is potentially too much content for such a small geographic population that the Central Coast holds.

A question could be asked to the supporter club, where would you ideally want additional games (1, 2 or 3) played outside Gosford if the costs continue to be favourable? NSO is only 1 hr away from Gosford on a good run and the commercial opportunities around this region far outweigh those of the Central Coast. Likewise growing our fan base in this region from over 1000 members today to a target of 5000 is achievable unlike other Cities around Australia.

There has been much speculation about the Mariners ‘moving’ home. This has been fuelled by a small number of self-serving individuals who simply don’t have the clubs best long term interests at heart. We intend to negotiate with Gosford council around a long term commitment to playing a minimum of 10-11 games a season in Central Coast Stadium. We are also one of the biggest investors in the Coast creating subsequent employment through the ongoing development of the Centre Of Excellence that is now constructing a 10,000 metre office building, gymnasium and indoor futsal court with a hotel, Mariners club and conference centre planned for construction in late 2015 early 2016. We are arguably one of the biggest investors in the region right now, this is not the sign of a club leaving town !

In reference to our community work in the region, this has increased since the Graham Arnold era however I do accept the level of player activity is not what it was during the Lawrie days. We are looking at this but appreciate your ongoing feedback on how we can improve as a community clubwhich I agree is vital.

Working with the OSC is important along with engaging fans to bring their friends and family along to games in Gosford on an ongoing basis. This is also the responsibility of our fans today not just the club, we need to be averaging over 10000 fans to non derby games just to break even on match day and this clearly is our target.

I do welcome negative as long as its measured feedback and look forward to attending even if it is by Skype the forthcoming meetings with the OSC.

Mike Charlesworth

 

[Paolo]

The OSC has released Mike Charlesworth's response to their letter to him (this response was discussed in Monday's meeting):

we need to be averaging over 10000 fans to non derby games just to break even on match day and this clearly is our target

Whilst i agree this should be the aim...it is also the shifting of the goalposts once again. Bruce said 9k, mike said 10k, now its 10k for non derby games which when you take into account derby games would be a season avg over 11k

 

[bikinigirl]

...it is also the shifting of the goalposts once again

. frustrating ain't it

 

[adz]

Yep a consistent message would be nice. The CEO was talking 9-10 or 10-11 home games at CCS, now it's just 10-11.

Would alo be good to know if anything is being done about corporate support, and expectations of the community to push the product.

 

[bikinigirl]

The OSC has released Mike Charlesworth's response to their letter to him (this response was discussed in Monday's meeting):

. i am glad that the OSC have received a response ... and in writing ... which is rather novel. congratulations to all involved on both sides

. but i am less enthused by the content of the response. the letter from the the OSC spoke about the damage being done to the fanbase and the need for engagement in the community. the response doesn't really address either

. the response, to me, is a statement of 'we are going to take games away - how far do you want them from home?' charlesworth claims moving games is to save money (not make money) ... i am intrigued as to how much they could possibly save - but it seems little thought has been given to how much it may actually cost

 

[rbakersmith]

. but i am less enthused by the content of the response. the letter from the the OSC spoke about the damage being done to the fanbase and the need for engagement in the community. the response doesn't really address either

I'm sure the OSC would have discussed this during the meeting, and I'm sure we'll hear more on this in subsequent updates.

One point I thought was interesting was the drop-off in attendances around the end of the season. Obviously converting fans to members resolves this somewhat, but maybe something could be done around those last couple of games to draw people in - say two for one GA tickets, or even allowing members to offer up their "Bring a Friend" passes.

FWIW I think the club have been a little more proactive on the Coast this week, between the SMS, poster campaign and actually getting out and about (they were at Terrigal and The Entrance today giving away freebies including tickets). There was even a notice about the game on one of the message boards on the F3, which I haven't seen in a long time.

 

[bikinigirl]

One point I thought was interesting was the drop-off in attendances around the end of the season.

. he makes mention of play-off games - and fans budgets ... i am not surprised there is a drop-off considering the coast's demographics and the FFAs desire to cash in on the finals with their ticket pricing

. season tickets are reasonably priced, but with one-off games costing multiples of a regular season game - the decision can be easy if finances are tight ... or difficult if you have to try and pick the one finals game you can afford to go to (maybe with a family in tow). not charlesworth's fault but it is an explanation ... and i don't think it because of too much content

FWIW I think the club have been a little more proactive on the Coast this week, between the SMS, poster campaign and actually getting out and about (they were at Terrigal and The Entrance today giving away freebies including tickets). There was even a notice about the game on one of the message boards on the F3, which I haven't seen in a long time.

. refreshing

. but i am intrigued by mike's reference to a 'small number of self-serving individuals who simply don't have the clubs best interests at heart' ... who are they? and are they the ones that have inspired the club to take the actions you mention above?

 

[nearlyyellow]

One point I thought was interesting was the drop-off in attendances around the end of the season. Obviously converting fans to members resolves this somewhat, but maybe something could be done around those last couple of games to draw people in - say two for one GA tickets, or even allowing members to offer up their "Bring a Friend" passes.

Nice bit of lateral thinking there rbs. Hope they take note.

FWIW I think the club have been a little more proactive on the Coast this week, between the SMS, poster campaign and actually getting out and about (they were at Terrigal and The Entrance today giving away freebies including tickets). There was even a notice about the game on one of the message boards on the F3, which I haven't seen in a long time.

Sure that is the club's doing? As I was going past Fountain Plaza at Erina on Christmas Eve the electronic sign on a trailer facing The Entrance Road had a message "Merry Xmas from GyG and The Mariners" on it. Surely not the Club's doing? (FYI GyG is an eats place in the Plaza). I didn't get an SMS and I haven't seen any posters either. So my contention is that fans are doing promotion as well, not just the Club.

 

[Big Al]

The club has research to back its arguements that make the replys look sound but there are major holes when it suits them. They never mention what these cost savings are or what the commercial benefits are as well as not properly answering the questions asked.

If they truelly believed what they say they'd be saying it loud and proud every day with financial figures to support the arguement.

There is just a stench that they created and can't extinguish no matter how hard they try

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Good work. I just did the same too. Here's mine:

Hi David,

I am writing to you today to share my views on the Central Coast Mariners moving games to Northern Sydney. I am a relatively new fan to football. I have only been a dedicated Mariners fan for the past three years although I was a casual supporter before that. I am a convert from Rugby League. I have lived on the Coast most of my life.

I am now a gold member with the Mariners and have brought in a large group of extended family and friends who all sit in the same bay. We all love football and the Mariners now.

A couple of weeks ago when the news broke that Mike Charlsworth wanted to move 4-5 games away from the Coast to North Sydney Oval like most fans, we were devastated. We were devastated not only because we would lose games but because we could see quite plainly the plan will not work and it could ruin our beloved club. There are just so many obvious reasons, many of them I have listed here:

•North Sydney Oval is not suitable for football from both a player and a fans point of view. There is a lot of complaints from coaches and players that the ground is not good for player welfare as well as the quality of football. The atmosphere and viewing experience for fans is very sub par as spectators are so far from the pitch and seating is poor. Parking is non-existent.

•The people of the North Shore on mass will not support a team called the Central Coast Mariners. They cannot relate to it. The North Shore is a different culture and identity than the Central Coast.

•Moving games to North Sydney will only alienate the dedicated Central Coast fans who have followed the team for years.


To us fans it seems like Mike Charlsworth has thrown in the towel regarding having a sustainable football team on the Central Coast. I admit I’m not a businessman but I feel like there are numerous opportunities that are being wasted or not fully utilised on the Coast. As you may be aware the relationship with Central Coast Football and the Mariners has pretty much broken down over the last year. If this relationship was strong the Mariners would have 12,000 players that could help drive crowd numbers to games.

For the casual fans most do not realise the games are on each week. I feel that better promotion of games on the coast can greatly affect crowd numbers. The Mariners need to engage their current fans and members and to treat them not as customers but as partners to help spread the word. All the fans I speak to would love to help but they are not being engaged in this way.

I believe the Mariners can be sustainable and profitable on the Coast if there is strong community focus. We have had average crowd of over 12,000 in the past. If done right we can achieve these results again. Sending more and more games to North Sydney will destroy the club that is so important to the identity of the Central Coast.

I appeal to you to do everything within your ability to help the Mariners remain on the Central Coast. There are many fans that feel the same way I do. Please visit the ‘Stand Up For the Mariners’ Facebook page to see all the passionate fans and the length they are going to keep the Mariners on the Coast.

Great letter. Very accurate assessment.

 

[BrisRecky]

well said Cap'n Awesome

 

[scoober]

Bye, bye Brookvale. So sad we won't play at the shitty ground. Guess I can go watch this game now and support my team in Gosford.

What will happen to the master plan mike?

 

[rbakersmith]

Bye, bye Brookvale. So sad we won't play at the shitty ground. Guess I can go watch this game now and support my team in Gosford.

What will happen to the master plan mike?

There's nothing stopping the club from playing at Brookvale in the future.

 

[sydmariner]

Suck on that MC (Thank you warringah council)

 

[scoober]

There's nothing stopping the club from playing at Brookvale in the future.

How long has Warringah council had to get the pitch up to scratch? it hasn't had a game played on it since September. Shit ground with a Rugby League surface, it will never be suitable for A-League.

 

[rbakersmith]

How long has Warringah council had to get the pitch up to scratch? it hasn't had a game played on it since September. Shit ground with a Rugby League surface, it will never be suitable for A-League.

There were National Rugby Championship games being played at Brookvale through to mid-October; had the North Harbour Rays made it to the final (and hosted) they would have been playing there until 1 November.

 

[VicMariner]

Here is the link for anybody wondering:
http://www.ccmariners.com.au/articl...s-to-mariners-home/1ne50byk8ltu71wonbthnqfls6

"after Football Federation Australia (FFA) management agreed with the Club that the Brookvale Oval surface would not be in an adequate condition"

Face saving backdown?

 

[Capt. Awesome]

Awesome!!! We have a something to be positive about.

Seems strange to cancel it. They haven't cared about playing surface in the past. Maybe Storie thought it was a bad move to have it go ahead.

 

[midfielder]

Just maybe the message is getting through ...