B2B
Active member
Thoughts for OUR future
I tried to post thsi earlier, but couldnt, so here goes again
In the light of the proposed merger between QPR and the Dons, is it not time to make a rational and cold hearted assessment of the future of BFC? In my opinion if this proposed deal goes ahead then I am in no doubt it will be the death knell of our club. Why?
For the very reason that, despite what I would want and contrary to what my heart believes, we are not a stand-alone viable entity any longer. BFC, as is, is heading in one direction – non-league oblivion. Without a miracle occurring (or the Vinny rumours being true) then we are dead. Plain and simple.
I have thought for a while now that our only future is to merge with another club and the two most obvious candidates are doing it by themselves!! If they do, AND build a new ‘West London Stadium’ then we are well and truly dead and buried.
This is not a knee jerk, irrational thought, but one that is based on ‘commercial viability’ rather than ‘emotive thought’. We simply could not prosper and survive in the circumstances that would result in the aftermath of the merged club.
The fact is, we are struggling to attract fans at the moment, due to years of terminal decline and under investment, followed by what has quite clearly been a rash spending policy of the present incumbent of the Chairman’s post. RN has simply killed off any hope we had of surviving well into the 21st century with his behaviour. Despite what we think of it (and I for one detest him and what has happened) this is reality. We must face the truth and do what we can.
I have spoken to numerous people about this and it scares me that people that I would consider to be loyal and ardent followers seem prepared to “roll over and die” with a clear feeling of apathy to the current plight of our club. The time has come to take a stand and face the music. Our actions will dictate if there is a club in as short a time as three years (in my opinion) and in the future for our children and their children. If we take no action then we are as good as finished.
But we need to ensure that whatever actions we take are for the benefit of BFC, our club, and not other factions that would love to pick the bones of the carcass. If, as I would like, RN leaves and yet retains the rights to GP then we would be paying him rent every year. Result = no club in a short space of time. If RN ‘sells’ to a holding company where he has connections, it is the same scenario. The only way to survive therefore would be to own the ground and get him out. (But what hope is there of this? Very little in my opinion).
Even if we do, then what? I do not have a few million lying around and I doubt the regular contributors here do either. So then what? Who will back a fans forum commercially with a club that has a shrinking fan base and by that stage a team with no assets? Very few indeed, if any.
So therefore what do we do? In my opinion, a merger is the only way that we can survive. Fulham and Chelsea are in the premiership. They will take all the floating fans for the foreseeable future. Then we have the new merged side, playing in our catchment area, with a modern stadium, far better equipped than us and adding to the demise of our club. Without joining in the/a merger I believe we will die.
I wish it was different but I do not see any other viable alternatives. Perhaps there are, if so then I will add my vociferous support to them in the hope that a BFC of the future will give someone else 20+ years of joy and heartache like it has me. Before mentioning the Bournemouth’s of this world, put it all in perspective. What premiership clubs do they have within a five-mile radius? What is the likelihood of them facing competition from another club within twenty miles (for us 10+) of the ground? Of those imaginary clubs, how many have chairman throwing money at them? Etc etc.
Sorry to sound pessimistic, and trust me I am normally of the ‘half full’ mentality but I am struggling to see other viable alternatives.
I will be there tonight and for as long as we have a BFC, no apathy from me – I will be one of the loudest at any protest and one of the most ardent supporters of any policy I view as for the best of the club.
Come on you Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeds!
In the light of the proposed merger between QPR and the Dons, is it not time to make a rational and cold hearted assessment of the future of BFC? In my opinion if this proposed deal goes ahead then I am in no doubt it will be the death knell of our club. Why?
For the very reason that, despite what I would want and contrary to what my heart believes, we are not a stand-alone viable entity any longer. BFC, as is, is heading in one direction – non-league oblivion. Without a miracle occurring (or the Vinny rumours being true) then we are dead. Plain and simple.
I have thought for a while now that our only future is to merge with another club and the two most obvious candidates are doing it by themselves!! If they do, AND build a new ‘West London Stadium’ then we are well and truly dead and buried.
This is not a knee jerk, irrational thought, but one that is based on ‘commercial viability’ rather than ‘emotive thought’. We simply could not prosper and survive in the circumstances that would result in the aftermath of the merged club.
The fact is, we are struggling to attract fans at the moment, due to years of terminal decline and under investment, followed by what has quite clearly been a rash spending policy of the present incumbent of the Chairman’s post. RN has simply killed off any hope we had of surviving well into the 21st century with his behaviour. Despite what we think of it (and I for one detest him and what has happened) this is reality. We must face the truth and do what we can.
I have spoken to numerous people about this and it scares me that people that I would consider to be loyal and ardent followers seem prepared to “roll over and die” with a clear feeling of apathy to the current plight of our club. The time has come to take a stand and face the music. Our actions will dictate if there is a club in as short a time as three years (in my opinion) and in the future for our children and their children. If we take no action then we are as good as finished.
But we need to ensure that whatever actions we take are for the benefit of BFC, our club, and not other factions that would love to pick the bones of the carcass. If, as I would like, RN leaves and yet retains the rights to GP then we would be paying him rent every year. Result = no club in a short space of time. If RN ‘sells’ to a holding company where he has connections, it is the same scenario. The only way to survive therefore would be to own the ground and get him out. (But what hope is there of this? Very little in my opinion).
Even if we do, then what? I do not have a few million lying around and I doubt the regular contributors here do either. So then what? Who will back a fans forum commercially with a club that has a shrinking fan base and by that stage a team with no assets? Very few indeed, if any.
So therefore what do we do? In my opinion, a merger is the only way that we can survive. Fulham and Chelsea are in the premiership. They will take all the floating fans for the foreseeable future. Then we have the new merged side, playing in our catchment area, with a modern stadium, far better equipped than us and adding to the demise of our club. Without joining in the/a merger I believe we will die.
I wish it was different but I do not see any other viable alternatives. Perhaps there are, if so then I will add my vociferous support to them in the hope that a BFC of the future will give someone else 20+ years of joy and heartache like it has me. Before mentioning the Bournemouth’s of this world, put it all in perspective. What premiership clubs do they have within a five-mile radius? What is the likelihood of them facing competition from another club within twenty miles (for us 10+) of the ground? Of those imaginary clubs, how many have chairman throwing money at them? Etc etc.
Sorry to sound pessimistic, and trust me I am normally of the ‘half full’ mentality but I am struggling to see other viable alternatives.
I will be there tonight and for as long as we have a BFC, no apathy from me – I will be one of the loudest at any protest and one of the most ardent supporters of any policy I view as for the best of the club.
Come on you Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeds!
