'At The Wrong Level'

[yeltz85]

Interesting thoughts on this weeks John Hill update, can't afford Strikers that want to play at this level...

I read this two ways,

1) Surely if the players want to play at this level then they will play for playing at this level and not for the money? Greedy Footballers?
2) We can't afford them? Therefore we are playing at the wrong level.

http://ht-fc.com/index.php/news/167-new ... ved-a-draw

"To be honest the strikers that want to play at this level we cannot afford. Therefore we have to deal in other circles to find the right player."

[HalesowenHarry]

It goes without saying the majority of footballers (and any other workers in other walks of life) are greedy or at least want the best pay they can get.
Crowd wise we definitely aren't at the wrong level. The problem is there are 10s if not 100s of clubs playing at the wrong level if it's money talking. The issue is are they self sufficient if an owner / group of owners walk away? 90% of them the answer would probably be no. There's no quick fix to the situation really. As you say, love of the game or love of the money. There's not many of the formers to go after at the level we're at.
It's fair enough to say we don't have a money man / much money at all at Halesowen. That's not a dig. It's a fact. So we're lucky we have a manager who gives his all and leaves no stones unturned off the pitch. Let's hope he has enough to keep us at this level and then see what the summer brings eh?

[RobYeltz]

It goes without saying the majority of footballers (and any other workers in other walks of life) are greedy or at least want the best pay they can get.
Crowd wise we definitely aren't at the wrong level. The problem is there are 10s if not 100s of clubs playing at the wrong level if it's money talking. The issue is are they self sufficient if an owner / group of owners walk away? 90% of them the answer would probably be no. There's no quick fix to the situation really. As you say, love of the game or love of the money. There's not many of the formers to go after at the level we're at.
It's fair enough to say we don't have a money man / much money at all at Halesowen. That's not a dig. It's a fact. So we're lucky we have a manager who gives his all and leaves no stones unturned off the pitch. Let's hope he has enough to keep us at this level and then see what the summer brings eh?

A great post! I know Chris works hard to generate money for the club, and the FOTG group are looking at doing some of improvements on the ground once again in the summer in the hope that it'll leave finances for John for the team and for the pitch. Even though we don't have a money man bank rolling the club I actually like the fact we're trying to be self sufficient. If ever the club became fan owned in the next 2/3/10/20 years that would surely be the model to follow anyway. There's still the romantic in me that wants to see players play for Halesowen because they see a good fan base, decent ground, appreciative supporters and a bloody hardworking, passionate committed manager than a player who can get £20 more down the road. Our crowds may well stand up to most clubs in this league, but having run the 50/50 draw now all season it is amazing to see how many people come through the turnstiles between 2:45 - 2:59 on a match day. If every single supporter came in 20 minutes early and bought a pint, or food etc it would make a huge difference to the club.

[juanillo]

Our crowds may well stand up to most clubs in this league, but having run the 50/50 draw now all season it is amazing to see how many people come through the turnstiles between 2:45 - 2:59 on a match day. If every single supporter came in 20 minutes early and bought a pint, or food etc it would make a huge difference to the club.

I don't think that's surprising at all. At Villa Park, the Hawthorns and many league grounds, most fans do not turn up early either. Football ground food is not a big attraction, and most people prefer the pub over a drink in the ground, although the JGL does offer a good service.

Meanwhile, given the apparent financial constraints, the manager would appear to infer that the players are generally not up to non-league Step 3 standard, and that kind of scenario will only end up one way, whether sooner or later - just have to look at Villa.

[RaidenYeltz]

Our crowds may well stand up to most clubs in this league, but having run the 50/50 draw now all season it is amazing to see how many people come through the turnstiles between 2:45 - 2:59 on a match day. If every single supporter came in 20 minutes early and bought a pint, or food etc it would make a huge difference to the club.

I don't think that's surprising at all. At Villa Park, the Hawthorns and many league grounds, most fans do not turn up early either. Football ground food is not a big attraction, and most people prefer the pub over a drink in the ground, although the JGL does offer a good service.

Meanwhile, given the apparent financial constraints, the manager would appear to infer that the players are generally not up to non-league Step 3 standard, and that kind of scenario will only end up one way, whether sooner or later - just have to look at Villa.

In fairness the James Grove Bar doesn't compete when compared to the two pubs right outside the ground, in the Eddy and Hawne. These pubs offer beer at cheaper prices and more draught options, and frankly they're an overal much better pre-match and post match option.

The JG needs to improve in order to get more fans in earlier in the ground.

I simply have no reason to pre-drink in the ground with such good options outside the ground, just a few seconds walk away.

This is a sad thing to say, and I guess it will wind a few folk up, but if an away fan asked me where to pre-drink before a game down the grove, I think the JG would be low down the list.

[RobYeltz]

Our crowds may well stand up to most clubs in this league, but having run the 50/50 draw now all season it is amazing to see how many people come through the turnstiles between 2:45 - 2:59 on a match day. If every single supporter came in 20 minutes early and bought a pint, or food etc it would make a huge difference to the club.

I don't think that's surprising at all. At Villa Park, the Hawthorns and many league grounds, most fans do not turn up early either. Football ground food is not a big attraction, and most people prefer the pub over a drink in the ground, although the JGL does offer a good service.

Meanwhile, given the apparent financial constraints, the manager would appear to infer that the players are generally not up to non-league Step 3 standard, and that kind of scenario will only end up one way, whether sooner or later - just have to look at Villa.

In fairness the James Grove Bar doesn't compete when compared to the two pubs right outside the ground, in the Eddy and Hawne. These pubs offer beer at cheaper prices and more draught options, and frankly they're an overal much better pre-match and post match option.

The JG needs to improve in order to get more fans in earlier in the ground.

I simply have no reason to pre-drink in the ground with such good options outside the ground, just a few seconds walk away.

This is a sad thing to say, and I guess it will wind a few folk up, but if an away fan asked me where to pre-drink before a game down the grove, I think the JG would be low down the list.

I think if you're an ale drinker you have a good point. The JG Lounge being open only on match day pretty much means that the ale options are limited. There are, as you mention some cracking pubs within a stones throw of the ground. To improve the JG Lounge further does make sense, however is it economically viable when the bar as it is sits empty for most of the week? Maybe if it was a function room it could generate money during the week, but would that work with the Yeltz bar next door?
As my post mentioned, if more people came and had their 'last pint' at the ground or 'first pint' after the game it would help.

[RaidenYeltz]

I think the JG is good for what it is. But the options are limited, for the club. It's never going to be a haven for ale drinkers. There are better options locally, I don't want to come across as saying that's no fault at anyone involved with HTFC. Just one of those things, and I think that's where we're struggling to earn money.

[Johnny Bud]

Good points made on here from Rob and Raiden. Personally, I will always have a drink in the ground during the match but then head back to The Yeltz Bar for the Sky game at 5.15. I can't ever see it financially viable to have Sky in the JGL as it's not open often enough.

So we have real ale pubs (Eddy, Hawne etc) a bar in the ground and a bar that shows wall to wall sport (The Yeltz). I think we should count ourselves very fortunate to have all of these within walking distance of the ground!

Oh, and if everyone buys a few 50/50 tickets 50% goes directly to supporting the club. That's a much better profit margin than beer or food....

[RobYeltz]

Good points made on here from Rob and Raiden. Personally, I will always have a drink in the ground during the match but then head back to The Yeltz Bar for the Sky game at 5.15. I can't ever see it financially viable to have Sky in the JGL as it's not open often enough.

So we have real ale pubs (Eddy, Hawne etc) a bar in the ground and a bar that shows wall to wall sport (The Yeltz). I think we should count ourselves very fortunate to have all of these within walking distance of the ground!

Oh, and if everyone buys a few 50/50 tickets 50% goes directly to supporting the club. That's a much better profit margin than beer or food....

Good point that, never thought of it like that!