It [isounds like [/ithe directors are doing plenty of good work behind the scenes. It would seem to be a big task though with only 3 directors, very few employed staff and apparently very few volunteers mobilsed just at present.



Financial stability is good if the club can gradually increase its level of expenditure whilst still breaking even.



But getting the crowds up is a bit of a chicken and egg thing. What comes first? The crowds and then the money and then the quality players? Or money first? It's right to put in place a sustainable business model - but those putting themselves forward as rugby league club directors have also traditionally put their hands in their pockets to finance one or two top signings to really fire up the other good work that lays a firm foundation.



In Keighley's case, periods of success and fervour have been kick-started by a signing of a high profile player that's fired up people's support and team performances:-



Ted Spillane (NZ) in the 1930's (leading to Keighley getting to Wembley)

Mick Clark (GB-from Leeds) in the 1960's

Trevor Skerrett (GB-from Hull) in the 1980's

Joe Grima (NZ-from Widnes) in the 1990's.



What is the chance of the directors making a one-off personal financial commitment to sign that calibre of player today to leverage up on all the other good work and kick-start the road to Super League in 2018 in a big way?

The new club website should be up and running at some point this week I'm lead to understand. The clubs ambition and any information in regards to Super League will most possibly be on the page dedicated to a new stadium/upgrade of Cougar Park.

If I came across aggressive I apologise but the link up with Cas just twangs me.As I've said before on here I don't want to see Chase etc at CP,£uper League does not interest me.By the way,if Rangi Chase was in the team which poor soul would be the water carrier?



The lads who pull on a Keighley shirt will give total commitment ,but the Cas players will not as they are just here to get back to match fitness or need game time etc.



For the last two seasons I held a season ticket,but this time round I have not stepped foot into CP,and will not until we are an independent club again,and I might also add its not just me who has stopped going to CP for the reasons I have put.

Just to highlight this sad situation ,Lee Briers will play for Swinton in their next game .



Oh dear,what is happening to the game ?

In the hypothetical instance that a quarter of the free season ticket holders decide to show up for a game next season what procedures does the club:



1. Have in place to ensure that those who have paid for tickets in advance ie Season Ticket holders, don't get turned away from the ground when it's full.



2. Have to ensure that there is a satisfactory ratio of safety staff in relation to customers so that if an incident occurs we don't have another Hillsborough on our hands?



As an aside is there anything in the Rugby League Rulebook that forbids clubs from producing more tickets for a game than a grounds capacity? The reason I ask is Elgin City in Scottish Football were hit with a huge fine for [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20520382over selling tickets for a game against Glasgow Rangers.[/url



What is the club's strategy as regards retaining young fans when they make the transition into adulthood? In my opinion this is a far bigger threat to the clubs long term future than not having enough kids going.

Have you got a message for the stay away supporters and can you explain the harm this is doing to the club?



Are the club struggling to pay the bills at the present time?

Look at Cougarmania version 1 (I'm sure had it's downsides, but I'll use it as a referral point here). The directors went to press with their plans and backed it up with something tangible the fans could relate to and bought into the process. Examples being, the signing of Grima, development of the ground, albeit that function area was put in the wrong place. They followed Grima with a host of signings thereafter. It was done with a purpose and in line with the plan. A new coach then arrived (Larder) making RL sit up and take note. Then followed big name signings and the rest is history.



I'm not saying that model should be followed as the game has moved on since then, but other than saying we aim for SL in 2015 or 2018 what else is there? What is the plan? Do you have one?



Without wanting to be disrespectful to the current directors, i think the SL dream is seen by many as a bit of a joke. What is being done to support this plan and make supporters believe and buy into the journey?



We've lost several big names I assume to cut costs. The model has been cut to it's lowest possible point, what now.



I just think the club has to work on it's PR because at the moment, without wanting to be cynical, the mention of a new stadium, players added over a period of time is just words and I'll believe it when I see it.



I'm sure I remember our Chairman mentioning SL in 2015 and running round naked if that wasn't achieved? Did I dream that?

Had these sent to me over e-mail from Gary. Unfortunately, I can't quote due to me being on a mobile phone. So, I've labeled them by topic.



MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE:

The match day experience is a very interesting topic and people will have different views. For one thing I visit all the Championship clubs for our away games and, in general, none of them have a match day experience as good as the Cougars....and some Super League match day experiences are little better.



However, having said this it is our desire to entertain but never forgetting that the centrepiece of the match day is the first team performance against the opposition. Around this centrepiece we are currently delivering the following each match day:



- in the Hall of Fame bar and Executive Suitea DVD of a previous game against the opposition of the day or, failing that, sport on the TVs or, failing that, music

- music from around 215pm in the stadium (the non-working speakers are due to be fixed before the next match)

- pre-match speech and excellent food in the Executive Suite

- an outside organisation at the Royd Ings Avenue end showcasing something, E.g. The fire brigade at the last match and Airedale Hospital at the match before

- Freddie there all the time. Freddie has been ever present all the way through March and April and will be through the season. He has instructions to be at the Royd Ings Avenue end from 220pm until 250pm whereupon he waves and performs in front of the main stand until the end of the match

- Half Time draw

- Music per player every time they score

- Post match speeches and post match raffle

- a pre-match and half time singer whenever one's available (the young lady for the Warrington match was superb)

- sponsor events such as Colin Appleyards cars at the Warrington match

- burger van and ice cream van (when the weather's better) plus the Project 6 cafe and Freddie's grill



Last year and the year before we delivered Piccolo's nursery for kids to be looked after pre-match. This was delivered FREE by Piccolo's which was incredibly kind of Lisa and Pete and at no small cost to them. It has been withdrawn this season because there was little or no feedback as to whether this service was good or wanted. Although positive comments have been made since it was withdrawn.



On top of this what we would like to deliver is:



- Cross bar Challenge

- Cheerleaders (we are looking for someone to lead this initiative and create a great cheerleading troop for the Cougars - can anyone help us with this?)

- an entertainment event before the match and at half time - e.g. Zumba or similar group dance, singer, acrobats, etc

- a warm up match or a warm down match to extend the day from either a local amateur side or our reserves (changing room logistics is the only thing that makes this difficult)

- speakers piped to each entrance so that the music can be heard as people approach the ground



I think this would fill the day once implement but if there are any other suggestions we are happy to consider them.



CLUB SHOP:

At the moment the club shop is open on match days between 130pm and 3pm. At all other times you can contact the club via phone or email and organise to come down to try on or purchase items when convenient for both parties. We are carrying some stock but probably 50% of the items will be to order with a maximum 2 week turnaround. Further, anyone can order replica tops from the online shop and directly call/email the club if they desire to order some merchandise for pick up or delivery.



Going forward we are close to agreeing a deal on 29 Brunswick arcade so we should be back there soon with a date TBA. However, to keep costs down we do need this staffing with club volunteers so if anyone is interested in helping out please contact the club. Further going forward the new online shop on the new website will have more product to purchase.

Briers scored the winning try in the game against Whitehaven and had a hand in three others.



Swinton now move above us in the table an drop us back into a relegation position.



Whilst there is still a long way to go, and we have matches in hand, it just shows what absolute nonsense the D/R system is.



Where is Rangi Chase when we need him?

The directors have loaned the club just over £150k to date. Whereas we are always on the look out for good players virtually all of them are tied up in contracts at this point in time. We will keep reviewing this and support our Head Coach in whatever way he sees fit within the boundaries of the salary cap the club has imposed on it via the RFL. Making a one off personal financial commitment to sign a calibre of player might seem straight forward but it isn't. The club has to stay within the salary cap imposed upon it. The salary cap is limited to the lower of £300k or 40% of turnover. Currently, our club does not turn over enough to achieve a salary cap at the £300k level. The maximum budget we'd be able to achieve based on turnover is much less than that. If the directors were to make a one off personal financial commitment to sign a high calibre player next year, that player would probably cost, say, £40k contract monies (assume he's a big star who really wants to play for Cougars!). All other things being equal the directors would have to loan the club £100k to sign the player (given the 40% restriction) and then immediately write off the loan to revenue so that the club stays within salary cap.



In reality wanting the club to do well on the back of signing stars is not sustainable. Building from the roots up and signing players with potential from the surrounding area and wider (which is very similar to what Marchy is doing) is the strategy. The situation is all about the strategy around the player pathway whilst growing the club's revenues to over £1m. If we turnover over £1m we can get dispensation from the RFL for a £400k salary cap which will enable to have the best of our local talent playing with the best of international talent on OUR pitch. Growing the club's revenues to over £1m is entirely feasible and it requires the fans to bring another person or two with them (each!) every game, for the club to sign more and more commercial sponsorship revenues (which is happening with 8 new sponsors signed over the past 3 weeks), for the fans and inhabitants of Keighley to book the function suites for their personal and business events whenever they have them and, when the club organises quality regular events like comedy nights, for the fans to come down en mass (for only a tenner each) and support it whilst having a good night (and not making some clever online comment about there only being 8 people there so there's no point in attending!). The dynamics are simple. More people down at the Cougars supporting and using the Cougar facilities = strong club = strong team).

That response is to me indicative of my perception of the how the directors think. There is an element of apathy in relation to attendances and an expectancy that fans will just turn up.



What have the club done to entice my mate to come down? Have they offered any incentive to entice a new supporter.



You've offered 20K of free season tickets, great idea in principle but it hasn't worked. Maybe entice Mum or Dad to come down and child will follow? New fans will not turn up on mass without marketing. Yes, we as fans can play our part, but what has the club done? You give me x amount of discounted tickets and I will happily distribute at work. I'm sure others would too.



Look at Swinton as a casing point. They were averaging around 500 in the first few games. They got over 1,172 against Leigh which probably was due to the travelling support. They have a £5 entry and get 1411 of a televised game, on a Thursday night against Haven. I accept they may not have hit the forecasted turnover through the gate that day (not far off though), but what about bar takings, food etc. They also posted a win so how many of those will convert to the next home game. Point is, they tried something and it got people down.



We all want success and all play our part, but the club need to do a hell of lot more in my view.



I like the idea about junior development. We have a very encouraging under 20's team, some of who I would like to see given some first team exposure. Dean looks like a very competent coach. My only point to that answer from the club is what has changed in 12 months? JD brought some marquee signings with him, but we've moved away from that model. Is that due to cost or Marchy's policy?



As for available players, from what I hear Cosgrove wanted to stay, but his loan deal came to an end. I think he did more than enough to warrant a contract. Was it a case of we couldn't get him permanently or didn't try?



Regarding comedy nights, IMO give them a miss. It's been tried and didn't work. Again, credit for the idea. What about trying it on a game day, say an hour or so before kick off. It might get people down earlier and then there's a potential increased spend behind the bar. Bar staff will be on duty anyway so no additional wages etc to cover.

I have given up sorry.................................................................................