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Where to from here

Nuffy

Bench
Messages
4,075
Just when you think things can't get any worse, they do.

With the loss of Cuthbo, we are now 4 forwards down for next year and not a signing on the horizon.

You know we are in trouble when the signing of Filipo is considered news.

I am staggered that once Tinks walked away, plan B was not inacted straightaway. All parties have been talking for 10 weeks and a plan isn't ready?

What's the board being doing, what's the CEO been doing, what's the NRL been doing all this time.

Everyone has been talking about Tinks walking away and yet an alternative business model is now being discussed and not yet finalised. Why weren't all the pieces in place ready to flick the switch?

For all the talk of business acumen and professionalism, little seems to have been shown up to this point.

Why is there still media speculation surrounding Bennett? His future should have been settled weeks ago.

The last thing this clubs needs is more instability and yet the various parties seem to be encouraging it through their actions or lack thereof.

The club doesn't have weeks or months to resolve these issues, they have days because we are on a very slippery slope, our on field performances are diabolical and support is down, another few months of this and 15,000 season tickets will be a pipe dream. Another few months of this and we'll be recruiting Kaufusi back to the club and trying to find the phone number for Reegan Tanner.

Another few months of this and the Sunnyside tavern will be able to afford to be our naming rights sponsor.

Where is the sense of urgency from all the parties? By the time they finish doing whatever else it is that they are working on, we'll have no coach, no forwards, 5,000 season tickets holders and no time to recruit players or sponsors for 2015.

I never thought I say it but right now Tinkler's circus, which I hated, will seem like Eden compared to where we look like we are heading.
 

slotmachine

First Grade
Messages
7,440
Fans have to accept we're going to suck for 2-3 years. I will consider avoiding the spoon in 2014 and 2015 a success.

My one hope is that the ownership structure and administration put in place allows us to be successful in the future.

If true, a seven member board comprised of 5 independent representatives, a members club rep and a Newcastle rugby league rep is a start.
 

perverse

Referee
Messages
26,753
Fans have to accept we're going to suck for 2-3 years. I will consider avoiding the spoon in 2014 and 2015 a success.

My one hope is that the ownership structure and administration put in place allows us to be successful in the future.

If true, a seven member board comprised of 5 independent representatives, a members club rep and a Newcastle rugby league rep is a start.
The thing is - where are you going to find quality people outside of Newcastle to take this gig? Same problem as attracting quality players, for mine... cant offer the dollars, nor the city lifestyle that most of these people are accustomed to.
 

perverse

Referee
Messages
26,753
Also agree with you, Nuffy... outlook is very grim at this point. I've got no idea what's been going on behind closed doors... but I agree that the lack of urgency is just astounding. They seem to just take it for granted that the club will be supported no matter what... and don't seem to care at all that it is raining shit all over our playing group and coaching staff.

On top of all this, there's no reassurance from anywhere or any sort of idea from anyone in a position of authority about what is happening or what is going to happen to the club beyond "we're figuring soemthing out". We're in a really dreadful position right now. I've seen a lot of low points for this club... I hope this doesn't sink to be the lowest of them all.
 

Nuffy

Bench
Messages
4,075
The thing is - where are you going to find quality people outside of Newcastle to take this gig? Same problem as attracting quality players, for mine... cant offer the dollars, nor the city lifestyle that most of these people are accustomed to.

They are board members, not employees, they can live in Sydney or Melbourne.

For about 20 k a site you can set up a magic telepresence, I've got one in my office and you don't even need to visit Newcastle to attend all the board meetings.
 

slotmachine

First Grade
Messages
7,440
It's a good question, but a board member isn't a full time employee, they might meet once a month at most.

Hopefully Dave Smith will kick in some of the NRL's cash and bring in a few of his banking mates, but I'll take anyone who isn't an ex-player and hasn't been associated with the club in the past as a start.

This is actually a great chance to basically start over with a clean slate.
 

perverse

Referee
Messages
26,753
They are board members, not employees, they can live in Sydney or Melbourne.

For about 20 k a site you can set up a magic telepresence, I've got one in my office and you don't even need to visit Newcastle to attend all the board meetings.
I guess, I can't imagine it will mean no trips to Newcastle, though... and I just can't imagine who would want the job. I suppose you don't know until you put the feelers out there.
 

Nuffy

Bench
Messages
4,075
Also agree with you, Nuffy... outlook is very grim at this point. I've got no idea what's been going on behind closed doors... but I agree that the lack of urgency is just astounding. They seem to just take it for granted that the club will be supported no matter what... and don't seem to care at all that it is raining shit all over our playing group and coaching staff.

On top of all this, there's no reassurance from anywhere or any sort of idea from anyone in a position of authority about what is happening or what is going to happen to the club beyond "we're figuring soemthing out". We're in a really dreadful position right now. I've seen a lot of low points for this club... I hope this doesn't sink to be the lowest of them all.

Yep, and that's what worries me about the NRLs involvement, they just want a club to make up the numbers, they couldn't care less about our success or otherwise.

Plus the NRL is a nest of vipers so I am utterly convinced that other clubs and power brokers would be having their saying hoping to pick over our carcus.
 
Messages
3,329
We know nothing. We still have our coach. Until that changes we can only trust the powers that be. Rumours today are anything from it is just the beginning of a player exodus to us moving Cuthbo on because Tariq Sims has agreed to terms as has Hannant. Who knows. Trying to keep any speculation to aminimum cos never before have I felt so uneasy about our ability to still be THE KNIGHTS.

The NRL could insist on us becoming the HUNTER KNIGHTS or some other name to reboot the club and to change our entire licence. Personally I could live with that name. It is actually a much cooler name to sell cos it would invite the entire region into believing the club was theirs. Up in the Hunter there are people who take issue with the Newcastle city bias when the reality the majority of juniors have long come from our country towns. Takes away the Newcastle stigma as well. All of asudden they are talking about the famous vineyards and coalfields rather than the industrial city of Blue Collar folk. I have my doubts about Novocastrians still being comfortable with being labelled blue collar. It is not 1997. WESTS Group would also have to address their brand against an NRL licence. I doubt they will acquiesce to giving up the name WESTS to fit with the NRL's agenda.
 
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perverse

Referee
Messages
26,753
I'll be pretty upset if we're ever not the Newcastle Knights. I don't think we're going to have much issue there, though... Tinkler seems to have agreed to walk away. I can't imagine him taking the name with him just to spite the supporters, who are totally innocent in all this.
 

Nuffy

Bench
Messages
4,075
The directors piece should be straight forward if they aren't trying to gerrymander the whole thing.

AICD has a whole area of qualified people who are looking for external directorships. Frankly I could name 5 of the top of my head, people I know including one guy who's last job was running a 6B global business.

Or establish the structure and call for applications from the member group if you want committed Knights people. I think you would be surprised at the calibre of people that are floating around.

If I didn't think my previous comments on this forum would create such a stir, and they would, then I would have a crack myself and I know that my skills and level of experience would be far greater than most if not all associated with the club currently. I did advisory work for the club back in the Ross Cadell days to try an make a difference.

Frankly I would pay to be a director because I am so passionate about the club and making it successful.
 

perverse

Referee
Messages
26,753
Fair enough dude, I don't know much about that sort of thing. You appear to know what you're talking about, so I'll take your word for it. If we can get quality people who know how to run a business in, it would definitely be a great start.
 
Messages
3,329
Go for it Nuffy cos it sounds like we need at least one board member who gets the soul of our club. Problem is though I would not be surprised if WESTS and the NRL pick a formidable team of businessmen with little or no knowledge of the joint. They will be there to make us profitable and make all calls with little or no member input. The argument will be if we succeed on field the fans will be happy with the model in place they choose.
 

Nuffy

Bench
Messages
4,075
Go for it Nuffy cos it sounds like we need at least one board member who gets the soul of our club. Problem is though I would not be surprised if WESTS and the NRL pick a formidable team of businessmen with little or no knowledge of the joint. They will be there to make us profitable and make all calls with little or no member input. The argument will be if we succeed on field the fans will be happy with the model in place they choose.

I have more faith in Wests than the NRL. Wests are from the region and they will want to be the group that takes the Knights to the top again. They will also need to manage the blowback if the clubs underperforms.

All I want is for the club to be as successful as it can, whomever can deliver that, gets my support but old school mates rates and the previously clubby nature of it just doesn't cut it.
 

Rod

Bench
Messages
3,764
Why is there still media speculation surrounding Bennett? His future should have been settled weeks ago.

None of this current debacle was happening at the end of last year when we were in the finals and that still didn't stop the media bringing up question marks over Bennett's future based on absolutely nothing. It seems to be a very fascinating topic for them and this latest stuff with Tinks is the perfect opportunity to stir all the speculation back up again. There's nothing we can do about the media, as far as we know Bennett still has his contract with the Knights so unless there are developments to the contrary I wouldn't expect too much news on that front.
 

macavity

Referee
Messages
20,680
The directors piece should be straight forward if they aren't trying to gerrymander the whole thing.

AICD has a whole area of qualified people who are looking for external directorships. Frankly I could name 5 of the top of my head, people I know including one guy who's last job was running a 6B global business.

Or establish the structure and call for applications from the member group if you want committed Knights people. I think you would be surprised at the calibre of people that are floating around.

If I didn't think my previous comments on this forum would create such a stir, and they would, then I would have a crack myself and I know that my skills and level of experience would be far greater than most if not all associated with the club currently. I did advisory work for the club back in the Ross Cadell days to try an make a difference.

Frankly I would pay to be a director because I am so passionate about the club and making it successful.

If there is an avenue to do it, I will put my hand up.
 
Messages
17,035
Fans have to accept we're going to suck for 2-3 years. I will consider avoiding the spoon in 2014 and 2015 a success.

My one hope is that the ownership structure and administration put in place allows us to be successful in the future.

If true, a seven member board comprised of 5 independent representatives, a members club rep and a Newcastle rugby league rep is a start.


We have sucked and have been rebuilding for the best part of the last 10 years.
 

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