SC in the EDP

[TonyM]

Todays EDP article by SC is well worth a read https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/23991391.linnets-owner-stephen-cleeve-lays-bare-financial-reality/

I guess by now most have already made up their minds about SC, the man, and how his tenure at the club should be viewed but, as ever, he does make some interesting points and the question "if you set out to run a club prudently how do you fund the playing budget whilst fielding a competitive team?" is at the heart of all that is wrong with football across the pyramid.  Personally I think an independent regulator for football will help (something SC hasn't supported up to now) but equally there needs to be an acceptance by both fans and players that the current model is broken.  The real question is how it gets fixed and will that be in a controlled and measured way (unlikely) or continue with lots of individual clubs going to the wall while fans of other clubs bury their head in the sand or complain about their club not betting the house on the next no 9.

Obviously all of that is 'big picture' stuff and Lynn fans face an uneasy few weeks (and maybe months) with SC's admission that he is "not able to fund all of this season’s further deficit".  I personally can't see there being a Southend style situation where fans pay wages whilst also campaigning for a change in ownership (for those that don't like SC imagine what it must be like having Martin as an owner?) as we are smaller and fans groups are considerably less organised.  Probably the most likely and easiest option would be to sell the few assets we have that could raise some cash (Crowther, Hargreaves, Barrett and Cybulski?) and again fans have to be realistic and realise the situation we are in, I never want to repeat the feeling I had standing on the terraces at the Walks watching Retford knowing the old club was about to be wound up in the High Court days later.

Whilst I have had my disagreements with SC over the years, I genuinely hope that somehow he can find a way to dig the club out of the situation it is currently in.

[Colin Fuller]

My earlier post re the manager and the owner backing him with possible new signings seems irrelevant now in the light of today’s EDP revelations. On the evidence available it seems Lynn FC are facing a similar demise to 2009. I have followed football and reported it as a journalist for many years and it seemed so obvious that the club did not have the infrastructure to succeed long-term when plans to turn to full-time status were announced.
Yes, professional football is a mess and has been for years.  Now, apart from the biggest clubs, who themselves are largely reliant on their TV masters, the lower ranks must come to their senses and start living within their means.
The pyramid system at Lynn’s level is not working when clubs are travelling vast distances for matches. That should change to more regionally friendly leagues. The Holy Grail of promotion to the Football League from non-league is a dubious ambition. Remember Rushden and Diamonds?
As for Lynn, a team playing at Southern League level and living within budget is surely preferable to the owner and supporters than no team at all.
H

[rod]

My earlier post re the manager and the owner backing him with possible new signings seems irrelevant now in the light of today’s EDP revelations. On the evidence available it seems Lynn FC are facing a similar demise to 2009. I have followed football and reported it as a journalist for many years and it seemed so obvious that the club did not have the infrastructure to succeed long-term when plans to turn to full-time status were announced.
Yes, professional football is a mess and has been for years.  Now, apart from the biggest clubs, who themselves are largely reliant on their TV masters, the lower ranks must come to their senses and start living within their means.
The pyramid system at Lynn’s level is not working when clubs are travelling vast distances for matches. That should change to more regionally friendly leagues. The Holy Grail of promotion to the Football League from non-league is a dubious ambition. Remember Rushden and Diamonds?
As for Lynn, a team playing at Southern League level and living within budget is surely preferable to the owner and supporters than no team at all.
H

Colin, i am in complete agreement with you on this. Even divisions One and Two should revert to the old concept of Division's Three North & South which would reduce costs. Non league should be part time below National League. I think it can best be described as common sense and living within one's means. KLTFC has been an accident waiting to happen since day one of the current regime and as a long term supporter rather than customer i am not at all surprised that once again we find ourselves 'on the brink'.