by Stranded »
07 Mar 2024 08:30
On another note - the news over the past few days - there are 2 readings into it
1. The club truly is utterly screwed and money will definitely run out in the next couple of weeks unless they can source funding or
2. This is all part of a plan to try and get some momentum going. Over the past few days, Howe goes on a podcast and gives a relatively optimistic view of things - process moving forward (but slowly) and hoping to deliver something by end of March/April time. Puts a deadline out in the open.
He then asks a trusted colleague, who a lot of fans do like/trust (not all but most) to put out a statement via the official site, thanking fans for patience, making it clear again there are interested parties but some are more interested in the real estate. This pushes out the message that this is about the club but look at what you get with it - nice stadium and incredible facilities.
Finally, use the channel you've created with a fan group and (either with or without their agreement) push the narrative that the club literally has no money left and needs investment urgently. This could have the impact of letting prospective owners know that if they don't move fast then the club will be gone and that lovely real estate wil suddenly not be worth anywhere near as much - and redevelopment of either may not realistically be a possibility for any other use than it currently has.
So yeah, it's probably 1 but if there is a deal "close" but taking a while to get final things in place, the the above could create the urgency needed. But probably not and we'll all be either enjoying the delights of Combined Counties football or be done with it next season.