Graham has a few good words to say about the board.
As strange as it might seem I Just had to write an article in praise of our current Board of Directors, with particular reference to their financial stewardship of the club. Especially since Financial results were featured in "The Herald" dated 24th June 1993. This showed that for y/e 1992 Motherwell were the second most profitable club in the Premier League with a profit of 752,000 pounds. While at the other end Celtic had registered a loss of 3,2l0,000pounds. Since the article was written I noticed that our profit has now turned Into a loss of 305,650 pounds.
But in this time we have seen a major new stand built which puts the ground 80% of the way to meeting the Taylor Reports requirements. We still have a team in the Premier League, and have only sold one of our top players while holding on to other key players such as McCart, McKinnon and 0 Donnell.
One of the effects of the change in profitabtility was the enforced reduction In the number of playing staff during the summer which would help reduce operating costs, while barely reducing the on field performance. 1 an sure many would agree that the players who were allowed to go were no great loss, and the financial problems probably made the managers decision easier for bin.
To complete the ground development the club is only entitled to 600,000pounds more in Trust aid which would mean the club having to find an equal amount on their own, no small task I am sure you would agree. This my help explain to mnay of you why Motherwell have not made any big splashes in the transfer market, in the same way as Dundee and Hibs have. I am sure that in a year or two we will appreciate this effort as we sit in our own 15000 seater ground while others are either restricted to 2-3000 or sharing with others. I am also sure that this will be when we can steal a march on these clubs on the field as we will be able to strenghten when possibly they will not be in a position to.
One other area which I feel has to be praised in general is the clubs dealings in the transfer market. After losing Nijholt for 200000, two players have been bought for only 90000, and having seen Krivokapic 2 or 3 tines now I do not feel we will miss Luc too much. This is an area which shows how important raising our own players is, this does not appear to be too much of a problem with the performances of 0'Donnell, McGrillen, Burns etc. This is another area that the current board can take credit as prior to their arrival this was in place but not actively encouraged.
Some of the other factors which have affected the clubs financial position are reductions In items such as cash at the gate and season tickets, television money and pools money. The reduction in money through the gate can easily be explained by the closure of one end for 70% of the season, plus a reduction in Hearts and Hibs supporters travelling. The loss of Sky TV also must have had a major impact.
So as you can see, within the current financial climate our board is doing an excellent Job in ensuring our club goes from strength to strength, particularly as none of then appears to have the personal wealth of a Mercer or Murray. So next time you are giving the board a hard time give a thought for the external circumstances which prevent them making the club as big and successful as we all could wish.
G. Barnstaple
Visit the GLF archive. Hundreds of articles.