Boy from Brazil Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I would like to know if after the DET & RD interviews and questions with Mr Glick is everyone still happy with him and Appleby running OUR club for the Hedge funds in the U.S.A. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimacked Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Here are Slick Glick`s written responses to some of our questions.... Derby County president and chief executive Tom Glick offered to answer Rams fans' questions. Here is the first installment... IN March, you spoke of Shaun Barker-type signings. Supporters would contest that none of the players recruited since then fall into this category – established Championship performers who markedly improve the team. Why has the club not delivered these players? Question asked by Ian Redfern, Ronnie and Natalie, Jon Wragg, Simon Brandon, The Hall family Tom Glick: We believe the squad has been strengthened and a net investment has been made in the transfer market during the summer window. We did a lot of our business early, signing six players before anyone else in our division had signed anyone. In terms of a “Shaun Barker type feeâ€, what we actually said is that if the right player was available and we thought he was good value, we would be prepared to spend in excess of a Shaun Barker-type fee. In actual fact, we did pursue a player in the summer and made a bid that was well in excess of the fee paid for Shaun Barker. We didn’t get that player as another club bid even more than us in the end, at a level which went above our valuation. In every potential transaction, there is a level at which you should be willing to walk away from the deal, and that was the case with this one. That said, we are happy with the recruitment this summer and we have improved our squad over last season. This was our key objective, whether it came through transfer fees, free transfers or loans. What is the current debt, including the mortgage on the ground and training ground, how much is Derby County paying off each year and when will the debt be wiped out. Also, what is the current wage bill? Question asked by Mark Hutley, Martin Soar, Stephen Goodwin, Andy Mellor TG: The club has an interest-only £15m term loan with the Co-Operative Bank that is due to be repaid in 2016. The Co-Operative have used the stadium as security for the loan, which is why we have described it as a mortgage on Pride Park. We think it’s a good mortgage and we will be sticking with it. There is no immediate plan to further reduce it, given that we have already brought it down from £31m and the current loan is serviceable through the operations of the club. However, it is worth pointing out the club hasn’t made a profit for the past few seasons and it is highly unlikely we will be making a profit this year. Those losses are covered every year by additional investment from our owners, who allow us to run the club without adding to its debt. As for the wage bill, it will fluctuate depending on our activity in the loan market. It will be between £9m and £10m this season. How long has the kit deal with adidas got to run and are the club looking to extend the deal? Question asked by Charlie Peaceful TG: It runs through the end of the 2011-12 season, so we have one more season left after this season is concluded. Adidas are an excellent partner and the club is currently looking at its plans beyond 2011-12. How much money has been raised by the sale of season tickets this season and where exactly has this money gone? Question asked by Ros Sutton TG: [B]Season ticket money, as with all money generated, such as shirt sales and sponsorship, is part of the club’s working capital and is used to run the club. In the past few seasons, our outgoings have exceeded our incomings significantly, and it will be the same at the end of this season. The shortfall is met by our owners. Gate receipt tickets, on its own, accounts for a bit more than £6m of our income. You hinted in pre-season that you had a transfer kitty in excess of the figure paid out the previous season for Shaun Barker. Does this kitty remain intact for when the transfer window opens again in January? Question asked by Simon Pallett, Arthur Lovatt, David Gormley, Stuart Owen, Chris Barnett, Bob Barkess, The Hall family TG: We don’t operate a “kitty†with our player recruitment. Our strategy is to improve and grow the squad within our business model. This allows for getting targets the manager identifies as improving the team for the present and future, and who also provide good value for the club. Our activity in January will be dictated by how the squad is shaping up at that time. For example, if we have Steven Davies and Miles Addison back on the pitch at that stage, it would affect what areas we would look at to strengthen and when. We believe we have a competitive squad right now, and we are primarily focused on (1) pushing this squad to continue raising its performance while winning matches and (2) getting some of our talented injured players healthy and contributing on the pitch. How far down the line are we in the negotiations on Kris Commons’ contract? Question asked by Dave Cholerton, Alan Clarke, Ian Jillians, Mark Marriott, Jon Wragg, Chris Hall, Brendan Philiskirk, Mark Henderson TG: We don’t intend to negotiate any of our contract extensions in the public domain. It is being dealt with at the moment. We have gone on the record with our strong interest in extending Kris’ contract and this remains the case. As a supporter of the Rams since 1948, I have seen many different owners and managers come and go. How can you convince us that the current owners are different and are they really here for the long haul? Question asked by Trevor Atkinson TG: Ultimately, we will be judged on our actions and our record, so there is no specific promise I can make other than to say we came here to make Derby County a sustainable Premier League team and we don’t intend to go anywhere until we have achieved that goal. Our owners are passionate about this club and are as hungry as the supporters to see it back in the top flight. They enjoy and feel privileged being part of Derby County. We have a plan and strategy to achieve our aim, and we are steadfast in sticking with it for the long-term good of this club. I sit in the north east corner which, before the seating category changes, was classed as category D and is now category C. I am concerned about a possible vast increase in season ticket prices. This season, I paid £270 for my season ticket in the Early Bird scheme. According to my renewal letter of March 2010, the price for the same seat would increase from £270 to £445 after the Early Bird date. Is this a misprint? How can you justify me paying £270 one day then £445 the next day for the exact same seat? Question asked by Kevin Bell TG: We are fully aware that this issue will affect a number of our season ticket holders and we will be consulting and communicating with the fans affected by the change as we finalise our season ticket pricing for next season. We want to keep our prices affordable and competitive, as we have done for the past three seasons at Pride Park Stadium. No final decisions have yet been made on pricing in these sections for next season. I have been a season ticket holder in East Stand lower since Pride Park opened in 1997. My seat has always been a category C ticket. As of next year, my seat will be a category B ticket. This means the price of the season ticket will rise by around £80. What is the reason behind changing the category of my seat? If you operate the principle of “pay what you paid last yearâ€, as you have done for the last few seasons, will I still be paying category C prices? Question asked by James Bromhall TG: As with my answer to Mr Bell, we haven’t finalised our season ticket prices for the 2011-12 season yet but when we have, any changes that affect you and any other supporters, we will communicate directly with you. I can promise you that all of these considerations are being taken into account before any final decisions are made for next season. I am concerned about the situation with Robbie Savage, that his media commitments are having an adverse effect on his performances and commitment to the club and I’m not convinced he’s projecting the right image for Derby County. Is the club prepared to accept it until his contract runs out? Question asked by Fergal Keaveney TG: Robbie is our club captain and an important player for us. The manager is insistent that Robbie’s media commitments will never be allowed to interfere with his football and when Nigel picks his team on a Saturday, his only consideration is who is playing well enough to get the shirt. In that respect, Robbie is identical to every other member of the squad. Robbie does have his own media persona outside of his role of being a player at our club and I think most people watching or listening to him can separate the comments he makes as a Derby County player and the comments he makes as Robbie Savage the media pundit. What is the five-year business plan at Derby for GSE? Question asked by Graham Quirke TG: Within five years, our owners expect to be back in the Premier League and between now and then, we intend to build a squad season-on-season that is capable of competing for promotion, on a responsible and sustainable budget. What are the owners' ambitions for the club, the time-line and the measures you need to put in place to achieve them? Question asked byJonathan Edwards, Carl Gregory TG: Similar to the question above, we intend to return to the Premier League within the next five years and then to establish ourselves in the top flight. We believe our model of making the team better season-on-season, in line with the plans of our manager and his coaching staff, will achieve that goal. Derby County have managed to assemble a decent team but how do they progress when there are so many loan players? What happens when these players go back to their own clubs? Question asked by Ken Gilbert TG: One of our aims this season was to reduce the dependency on loan players, given the number of short-term additions we made last year to cover injuries. The six signings we made early in the summer were all permanent transfer deals. However, we have always felt that one or two long-term loan players could make an important contribution to our squad, particularly if they add extra quality. Alberto Bueno is a perfect example of this. He is a player who adds that bit of “star quality†to our ranks, and a season-long loan was the best deal to bring him to Derby. Financially, Bueno is a significant deal and we believe he is worth it. The other three loans we have taken are different because they are specifically giving us options in an area where we are temporarily short. With Chris Porter and Steven Davies missing in the early part of the season, we needed to use the loan market to find cover in that position. Having Sefki Kuqi, Luke Moore and Ryan Noble here at the moment also allows us to have a close look and assess if they are players for whom the manager would consider making a longer term Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimacked Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Here is the second batch of responses he gave..... DO we have the money to hold on to our best players and push for promotion over the next few seasons? Question by Robert Chaffe Tom Glick: Yes, absolutely. We want to build and grow this squad, that is our plan. Our financial situation is healthy, given the significant reduction in the club’s debt since the owners took over. So, we can dictate how we shape and mould this squad into one that can consistently challenge at the top end of the Championship. This will mean extending the contracts of our key players to keep quality and continuity. That said, Nigel Clough and his staff will also be predicting the future level of performance that we are likely to expect from each player and will include this when judging whether or not to extend a contract. They have done a magnificent job in recruiting the right sort of characters and quality players that will grow with us and want to be part of our present and future. After the Hull City game, Johnny Metgod stated that fans must be realistic and that the current squad was probably not capable of a top-half finish. This suggests that we can expect little or no improvement this term. Do you consider this very modest level of ambition to be acceptable and where in the table do you expect Derby to finish? Question by Ian Redfern TG: Johnny and all the coaching staff are extremely ambitious and like all of us want to see Derby County competing for promotion to the Premier League. The manager has been unequivocal in his aims for this season. He wants to improve again, which means we will be competing in the top half of the Championship. This progression would mean we would be one of the teams that can challenge for a play-off spot. All of us believe this is possible and are working towards this every day. Of course, to do this we need to get our best players fit and regularly available for selection. When Steven Davies and Miles Addison are back on the pitch it will take us up another level. A fit Stephen Pearson and Chris Porter make Derby County a stronger force in this league. How long do you foresee this financial re-building/stabilising process for the football club lasting? One more season, five more seasons? Question by Tim West TG: It’s not a process, it’s a method of operating. Football, as with every industry, is having to get its house in order. In that respect we are ahead of the game. Our objective is to also compete at the top of the division while being financially responsible and we are convinced that this is possible. This season’s squad is a good example of that and our squad will continue to get stronger going forward. How is it possible that year after year Derby County seem to have a huge number of injuries. Can a different training regime overcome this? Question by Loren Aandahl, Ian Graves TG: Some of the injuries we have had are simply down to bad luck. Steven Davies’ knee ligament injury is a sad but perfect example of this. He was just desperately unlucky. The injuries we have had have been varied, which suggests it has nothing to do with the training or preparation methods. However, we do place a big emphasis on sports science and have invested in that side of the club to help combat these problems to give us the best chance of getting our best players on the pitch consistently. Our head physio, Neil Sullivan, and fitness coach, Steve Haines, are extremely dedicated and have made intelligent changes to our regimes with emphasis on injury prevention and innovative rehabilitation. And we should remember we have some success stories. Stephen Pearson came back ahead of schedule. Miles Addison and Steven Davies are also making excellent progress. Why is it that there are owners involved in this club who seem to be wealthy when it comes to investing in American sports teams but none of their wealth is coming into Derby County? Are there plans to bring any other investors in or to sell the club? Question by Phil Broughton TG: They have invested significantly and continue to invest in Derby County. However, we run our club in line with a particular plan and strategy now, and that is how these guys run their clubs in the United States as well. Their other teams are sustainable business models and clubs that emphasise good practice and responsible governance. This is the model they want to see work here and that is what we are working hard to achieve. Our owners have been crucial in helping us shape this plan and are putting their hands in their pockets to finance it. Could you provide details on the percentage holdings of each individual investor and could you explain if the original documented investment of £50m included arrangements for the recent ‘cash call’? What were the results of the cash call? Is the Martinovich situation having an adverse impact on this and why was it decided not to inform customers that some investors were part of a hedge fund? Question by Chris Howe TG: Consistent with Football League practice we have identified all owners who hold a 10% stake or greater in Derby County. These are listed on our website and have been in the public domain for some time now. In terms of the overall investment from the owners, we are not getting drawn into specific figures, other than to say their investment has been significant and is ongoing. They have put in extra money each season since they originally invested and will continue to do so. Mr Martinovich’s situation has not had any impact on the funding or operating of Derby County. The club stated it is no longer in a position to offer Rob Hulse the same terms he was previously on because of a different financial plan. Why is it that players like Hulse who were signed while the club was under the ownership of the current board of directors and in the same league as at present, are now seen as too expensive? Question by James Shaw TG: With any contract extension we look at various factors, such as the player’s age, his availability to play and contribute regularly and if he fits into the manager's future plans. The decision not to offer Rob a contract on the same terms was not a financial one. We have a plan on how we intend to grow and shape this squad in the future and Rob didn’t fit into that plan. Players have different values at different times in their careers. How can we, as the 12th best supported club in the country, not be able to make signings other than free transfers and loans? Question by Lee Clarke TG: We have made signings that have resulted in a net investment in the team this summer. Free transfers and loans can still help play a part in improving the team and it would be wrong for us to ignore that market. Ultimately our goal is to make the team better and secure targets that the manager and his coaching staff believe will do that for us. We are up front about the fact those acquisitions will be made within a framework the club can afford and sustain but that includes permanent transfers that involve a fee, as well as free transfers and loans. This summer we have utilised all those markets and at the same time, we believe, made the team and squad stronger. We have had an open fans’ forum in recent seasons. Will there be a fans' forum? Question by Matt Hiller, Brendan Philiskirk TG: Yes, absolutely. We are looking at dates now and will communicate that shortly. Where do you see the club in two years’ time? Question by John M Scott TG: Competing for promotion to the Premier League. We believe that is something we can be doing in that time frame. When you look at the squad we have now and the exciting way the manager and his coaching staff have them playing, we think that is achievable. We are now playing some of the most attractive football that we have seen for many years. It would be nice to see the replays on a giant screen at Pride Park. Whatever happened to that idea? Question by Gaz Willis TG: We have communicated our interest in doing this but we have made choices to spend money on the squad and in improving the stadium elsewhere. It is something we would like to add to Pride Park Stadium but I am unable to give you a time scale just yet. You talk a lot about the high wage bill at the club. How does your salary/expenses compare with chief executives at other clubs? Question by Ronald Freeman TG: My salary is in line with what other Chief Executives in football earn. Peter Gadsby promised £5m for players. Why will the investors not match this? Question by Ian Jillians TG: Our investors continue to put their hands in their pockets to fund this club in line with the business plan and model we have communicated to the supporters. We believe our model is the most responsible way to run this club and gives it the best chance of sustainable success for the present and the long term. This club has endured failure for far too long and we don’t want any success we have in the future to be fleeting. How much as a percentage of DCFC was owned by the hedge fund that defaulted on the capital call this summer? Question by Mark Marriott TG: Mr Martinovich has a comparatively small investment in the club, made at the time of the takeover in 2008, and his issues have not affected the funding or operating of Derby County and will not affect it in the future. If we either gain promotion automatically or by the play-offs, what financial implications will it mean as regards wage structure and player investment so that Nigel Clough is fully armed for the Premiership? Question by Ray Phillipson TG: The plan and strategy we have in place is to make Derby County competitive when the club returns to the Premier League. Last time the club got promoted, the experience was not a happy one. We won’t allow that to happen again. However, what recent seasons have shown us is that it’s the teams who make the right decisions in the transfer market, coupled with investment in the team that stay up and kick on from there. Stoke, Birmingham and Wolves are all good examples of this. They made clever decisions in the transfer market and enjoyed successful seasons off the back of it. Will we see some development around the ground with Starbucks now established and Greggs arriving more recently. Are there further plans to regenerate the area with more facilities? Question by David and Helen Richards TG: Greggs and Starbucks have proved extremely successful and popular with people who are based at Pride Park during the week and weekends. We continue to seek smart ways to utilise the space we have and improve the complex. To that extent we are always exploring ideas in how to improve and enhance the facility. As a percentage of turnover, how much does the club spend on player wages? Question by Andrew Williams TG: Just below 60%. As we get closer to the Premier League, are there plans in place to increase the stadium's capacity? Question by David and Helen Richards TG: No. We believe Pride Park Stadium is a great facility and is the right size. How come on the Fifa computer game Derby's kit sponsor is not on the shirt? Question by Charlie Peaceful TG: Buymobiles.net does appear on the new FIFA 11 game. I just picked it up and will be trying it out this weekend! 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Stimacked Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Just a few things to pick through there. Player Wages account for 60% of turnover! No overall plans to increase spending when we are in the championship. Despite there claims of wanting to become established in the Premiership. The plan is Looks like years and years of the same underfunded squad developement! To be sustainable in the championship and just above mid table is the business objective. Anything more is a bonus. They have obviously changed their tack since they gave Jewell a bigger margin for error in the transfer market assuming he would take us straight back up. Since that plan failed miserably. Clough has been left with little funding since he took over and this is what he has to put up with. and they are claiming that this current transfer policy is what they had in mind all along. Its easy to say we would be a great team if all our injured players were fit. Problem with their football business model is that it seems like only a few clubs are aiming to operate in a sustainable business way. Maybe Watford and Preston are others in this division on a similar path. There is little chance we can really compete with the likes of QPR and Cardiff, and now Leicester. Ipswich and Forest and probably Leeds and Sheffield United are also on a different footing and are playing the risk game, Pompey are also able to bring in players we can not despite their recklessnes. Investing money on better players and wages and hoping this reaps rewards faster is the normal approach in this division. Generally these clubs forking out more on players and wages will succeed. We will be left by the wayside unless by some miracle Clough manages to pull off another Blackpool like miracle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenportram Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Don't see how Forest are playing the risk game. They only signs madjewski. Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I wouldn't say we can't compete with those teams, Blackpool did and are doing alright without playing the risk game, it's the type of players you bring in not how much they cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangerous Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Adam Pearson is also to blame for the financial situation.He rubber stamped some stupid deals that the fool jewell requested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy from Brazil Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 I was asking more of " are you happy with Glick & Co still" I am not and would like to see the Yanks out of DCFC. I am sure their is a few billionaires out there who would look at Derby County as a good investment. Were did they say it would take 5 yrs(saying now in interviews) to get back to the prem when they originally took over... They also say in their interviews and questions that they are running the club at a loss,and the owners are putting money into the club when needs be. So what the hell are they doing at DCFC in the 1st place getting paid £1,5000.000 pounds a year in wages yet want to see the club cut back on wages and so on.... All i see is yankie blags all the time from them and i just get the feeling they are happy with DCFC in mid table championship as it keeps the cost down and they run a club with profits for them only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GboroRam Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Please god, don't let a billionaire buy us. I'm really hoping Liverpool nosedive to their deaths, which will probably trigger a lot of clubs hitting meltdown. If financial organisations belive a "big" club like Liverpool aren't immune, they'll **** themselves. United could easily hit the brown stuff. I'm optimistically waiting for football to fall apart. I don't want us to be spending left, right and centre because we've got a sugar daddy promising to bail us out. In answer to the question, I'm not particularly happy with the yanks - but I think the situation could be a lot worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiffy Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Gate reciepts of £6,000,000 seems low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenportram Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Gate reciepts of £6,000,000 seems low. Not this again On 2008/2009 with similar walk up prices and several big cup games we only just broke £8m. season ticket prices may have gone up this year but the vast majority were purchased prior to early renewal deadline and there were more in total on 08/09 so season ticket revenue will be about the same We are 4000 down on average attendances on that season which equates to just under £1m lost revenue over the season(if you take an average of £10 per ticket to take into account concessions) due to reduced attendances compared to 08/09 So taking the just over £8m start figure from 08/09 take off the cup revenue and the lost income from reduced attendances then £6m looks about right to mr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramblur Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Gate reciepts of £6,000,000 seems low. Difficult to say,smiffy.I presume he's speaking about this season's projection.I've no idea what happens to income from executive boxes (or however they're referred to these days).It may have to be added to this figure, or it may get lumped in with commercial revenues.You have to remember that figures quoted in the accounts will include cup revenues and that the last set of accounts would have been substantially distorted because of this. Was a bit surprised at the comment that there would again be a significant shortfall of income over expenditure this season,especially after consideration of the new solidarity payment and a reduced wage bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiffy Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Difficult to say,smiffy.I presume he's speaking about this season's projection.I've no idea what happens to income from executive boxes (or however they're referred to these days).It may have to be added to this figure, or it may get lumped in with commercial revenues.You have to remember that figures quoted in the accounts will include cup revenues and that the last set of accounts would have been substantially distorted because of this. Was a bit surprised at the comment that there would again be a significant shortfall of income over expenditure this season,especially after consideration of the new solidarity payment and a reduced wage bill.I just did some simple reckoning, 26000 average gate, 23 games, that works out at less than £10 per seat, per game. That does not include Cup games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezzyram Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Just a few things to pick through there. Player Wages account for 60% of turnover! No overall plans to increase spending when we are in the championship. Despite there claims of wanting to become established in the Premiership. The plan is Looks like years and years of the same underfunded squad developement! To be sustainable in the championship and just above mid table is the business objective. Anything more is a bonus. They have obviously changed their tack since they gave Jewell a bigger margin for error in the transfer market assuming he would take us straight back up. Since that plan failed miserably. Clough has been left with little funding since he took over and this is what he has to put up with. and they are claiming that this current transfer policy is what they had in mind all along. Its easy to say we would be a great team if all our injured players were fit. Problem with their football business model is that it seems like only a few clubs are aiming to operate in a sustainable business way. Maybe Watford and Preston are others in this division on a similar path. There is little chance we can really compete with the likes of QPR and Cardiff, and now Leicester. Ipswich and Forest and probably Leeds and Sheffield United are also on a different footing and are playing the risk game, Pompey are also able to bring in players we can not despite their recklessnes. Investing money on better players and wages and hoping this reaps rewards faster is the normal approach in this division. Generally these clubs forking out more on players and wages will succeed. We will be left by the wayside unless by some miracle Clough manages to pull off another Blackpool like miracle. In previous seasons QPR have invested alot of money on overpriced rubbish and had little success, not unlike the jewell era here. It pains me to say it but good management and judicious investment on good players by Colin Wa*ker has resulted in their current success and this should highlight to our board what a good manager and reasonable, sensible investment can acheive. As for Sheffield Utd, I work with many Blades fans and beleive me they are whingeing about their board and lack of signings even more than us. I have to agree about Pompey though, the fact that they can splash out on big fees and wages given their recent history stinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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