You're the new Owner - What's your 2 Year Plan for Success

[Snowflake Royal]

Hypothetical time.

Assume you've just bought Reading FC. What's your two year plan, priorities and key actions to start building success at the club and win promotion back to the Championship?

[windermereROYAL]

Tie Ruben down to a new 5 year contract, work on new contracts for our top players and sort out a decent sell on fee for Garcia.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Splash the cash, buy all the best players, back to back promotions. Get in a big name manager, maybe Southgate?

[WestYorksRoyal]

In all seriousness, there are big dilemmas none of us can answer as it comes down to choice of the buyer. With Bearwood and the Academy, our cost base is too big for L1. So do you accept short term losses to make us a sustainable Championship club, noting that's an open ended commitment as promotion from this league is difficult?

Or do you make cuts to the crown jewel of our academy and make us sustainable at this level?

Player sales can't bridge the gap. We did that last year and we still needed Couhig's loans over the summer. To get real player sales value you need players performing in the Championship who you can sell to the PL or at least recently relegated sides.

Agree with the general sentiment of tying down Selles, tying down players etc., but I think most of our plans would require a commitment of >£5m p.a., until we get promoted, whenever that may be. It's easy for me to say its a worthwhile investment when it's not my money. Perhaps there are creative ways to bridge the gap.

[SCIAG]

I would demand that the club be financially self-sufficient on day-to-day spending within three years. This would be more important than results.

We would try to recruit intelligently, primarily signing players who we expect to improve quickly and sell for a considerable profit in 2-3 years. We would also keep funding the academy, with the aim of producing two new first-team players every year (down to one if we get promoted) and selling at least one academy graduate for £1m+ every year, but if the club isn't producing the necessary sales at the end of three years we'll downgrade to Cat 2 until we can win promotion. We'll also try to build strong relationships with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Spurs, so as to be one of their first-choice destinations for sending players on loan. To maintain credibility, we'll only take loanees where we're confident we can give the player the amount of football his parent club would like.

I'd probably look to get Blue Collar back, but that would depend on financials. The stadium would be renovated, repaired, and cleaned. With this noticeable improvement in the matchday experience, adult season ticket prices would rise by £50. This would take us from a bottom-half season ticket price to a playoff-place price, and is probably necessary if we are to fund a promotion campaign.

Sole priority in January would be a left back, probably on loan. In the summer we'll sell one of our younger first-team players, and use the proceeds plus a small injection to get us to a squad of 18.

Strict wage structure, anyone who wants to leave is allowed to, and we aim to sell two senior players a year, making a profit on transfer fees.

[Crusader Royal]

Appoint a club chaplain.

Pray.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

Recruitment to the academy, coaching and data analysis, improvements to match day experience.

That means continuing to build a team based mainly upon young players from the academy, augmented with under-rated players on frees or towards the end of their contracts. No big spending. Finance the academy by negotiating decent prices with good sell-on clauses.

Invest more in data analysis, as Brentford, Brighton etc. do - to identify and recruit, but also to develop players. Sports science and sports psychology.

New PA for better music to build atmosphere. Provide soap in the SJM toilets, not just once at the start of the season. And taps that work. Lick of paint all round.

Build a roller disco.

[Snowflake Royal]

In all seriousness, there are big dilemmas none of us can answer as it comes down to choice of the buyer. With Bearwood and the Academy, our cost base is too big for L1. So do you accept short term losses to make us a sustainable Championship club, noting that's an open ended commitment as promotion from this league is difficult?

Or do you make cuts to the crown jewel of our academy and make us sustainable at this level?

Player sales can't bridge the gap. We did that last year and we still needed Couhig's loans over the summer. To get real player sales value you need players performing in the Championship who you can sell to the PL or at least recently relegated sides.

Agree with the general sentiment of tying down Selles, tying down players etc., but I think most of our plans would require a commitment of >£5m p.a., until we get promoted, whenever that may be. It's easy for me to say its a worthwhile investment when it's not my money. Perhaps there are creative ways to bridge the gap.

It's possible to downgrade the Academy in the short term, with the capacity to upgrade it again. It's not like a downgrade is just forever and it falls apart, as we saw when it was downgraded. We've arguably lost as much talent early since it was rerated 1 as when it was down to 2.

Anyway

1 - offer Selles a rolling 18 month contract. Gives some security whislt also flexibility and doesn't tie either of us to costly long term deals that could be regretted.

2 - plan a temporary 2 year down grade of the Academy to Cat 2 to cut costs.

3 - target one player a year to sell for as good money as possible, preferably from an area of squad depth, whilst otherwide trying to keep our best players.

4 - aim to develop Pereira, Bindon, Mbengue, Dorsett, Craig, Savage, Elliott and Ehibhatiomhan into the core first team squad of Championship quality over two years, with Wing, Knibbs, Smith and Yiadom transitioning from first choice into bench players.

5 - look for cheap up and coming fullbacks, wingers and strikers to bolster the squad over the next two years.

6 - continue trying to make sure there is a pathway to the first team for the young players. Giving more minutes to Kanu, Osho, Garcia, Camara, Akande and co. Using preseason, trophy and cup games to help the transition.

7. Have a succession plan within the coaching staff for when there is inevitably management change.

8. Try to get more revenue out of the stadium, especially out of season m, and from the training ground if possible

[blythspartan]

In all seriousness, there are big dilemmas none of us can answer as it comes down to choice of the buyer. With Bearwood and the Academy, our cost base is too big for L1. So do you accept short term losses to make us a sustainable Championship club, noting that's an open ended commitment as promotion from this league is difficult?

Or do you make cuts to the crown jewel of our academy and make us sustainable at this level?

Player sales can't bridge the gap. We did that last year and we still needed Couhig's loans over the summer. To get real player sales value you need players performing in the Championship who you can sell to the PL or at least recently relegated sides.

Agree with the general sentiment of tying down Selles, tying down players etc., but I think most of our plans would require a commitment of >£5m p.a., until we get promoted, whenever that may be. It's easy for me to say its a worthwhile investment when it's not my money. Perhaps there are creative ways to bridge the gap.

It's possible to downgrade the Academy in the short term, with the capacity to upgrade it again. It's not like a downgrade is just forever and it falls apart, as we saw when it was downgraded. We've arguably lost as much talent early since it was rerated 1 as when it was down to 2.

Anyway

1 - offer Selles a rolling 18 month contract. Gives some security whislt also flexibility and doesn't tie either of us to costly long term deals that could be regretted.

2 - plan a temporary 2 year down grade of the Academy to Cat 2 to cut costs.

3 - target one player a year to sell for as good money as possible, preferably from an area of squad depth, whilst otherwide trying to keep our best players.

4 - aim to develop Pereira, Bindon, Mbengue, Dorsett, Craig, Savage, Elliott and Ehibhatiomhan into the core first team squad of Championship quality over two years, with Wing, Knibbs, Smith and Yiadom transitioning from first choice into bench players.

5 - look for cheap up and coming fullbacks, wingers and strikers to bolster the squad over the next two years.

6 - continue trying to make sure there is a pathway to the first team for the young players. Giving more minutes to Kanu, Osho, Garcia, Camara, Akande and co. Using preseason, trophy and cup games to help the transition.

7. Have a succession plan within the coaching staff for when there is inevitably management change.

8. Try to get more revenue out of the stadium, especially out of season m, and from the training ground if possible

I was just about to write all this and you beat me to it

I would make sure that the communication to the fans was more open and honest. In addition, I’d look at different ways of trying to attract more fans to attend games (i.e. bring a mate/neighbour for £5).

[Snowflake Royal]

In all seriousness, there are big dilemmas none of us can answer as it comes down to choice of the buyer. With Bearwood and the Academy, our cost base is too big for L1. So do you accept short term losses to make us a sustainable Championship club, noting that's an open ended commitment as promotion from this league is difficult?

Or do you make cuts to the crown jewel of our academy and make us sustainable at this level?

Player sales can't bridge the gap. We did that last year and we still needed Couhig's loans over the summer. To get real player sales value you need players performing in the Championship who you can sell to the PL or at least recently relegated sides.

Agree with the general sentiment of tying down Selles, tying down players etc., but I think most of our plans would require a commitment of >£5m p.a., until we get promoted, whenever that may be. It's easy for me to say its a worthwhile investment when it's not my money. Perhaps there are creative ways to bridge the gap.

It's possible to downgrade the Academy in the short term, with the capacity to upgrade it again. It's not like a downgrade is just forever and it falls apart, as we saw when it was downgraded. We've arguably lost as much talent early since it was rerated 1 as when it was down to 2.

Anyway

1 - offer Selles a rolling 18 month contract. Gives some security whislt also flexibility and doesn't tie either of us to costly long term deals that could be regretted.

2 - plan a temporary 2 year down grade of the Academy to Cat 2 to cut costs.

3 - target one player a year to sell for as good money as possible, preferably from an area of squad depth, whilst otherwide trying to keep our best players.

4 - aim to develop Pereira, Bindon, Mbengue, Dorsett, Craig, Savage, Elliott and Ehibhatiomhan into the core first team squad of Championship quality over two years, with Wing, Knibbs, Smith and Yiadom transitioning from first choice into bench players.

5 - look for cheap up and coming fullbacks, wingers and strikers to bolster the squad over the next two years.

6 - continue trying to make sure there is a pathway to the first team for the young players. Giving more minutes to Kanu, Osho, Garcia, Camara, Akande and co. Using preseason, trophy and cup games to help the transition.

7. Have a succession plan within the coaching staff for when there is inevitably management change.

8. Try to get more revenue out of the stadium, especially out of season m, and from the training ground if possible

I was just about to write all this and you beat me to it

I would make sure that the communication to the fans was more open and honest. In addition, I’d look at different ways of trying to attract more fans to attend games (i.e. bring a mate/neighbour for £5).

I'm not a fan of communication with the fans. They only care when there's a problem and nothing you say is good enough. Keep things going well and no one gives two shits about communication.

But yeah, I'd publish the plan, as far as reasonable and engage with fans forums.

I think we already do quite a lot for getting fans in, good prices, regular deals, etc. The thing that makes the difference is winning.

Oh, and I'd want the manager to put heavy emphasis on cup progression for the bonus income. Especially FA Cup in any season where we're not looking at being clear promotion chasers or relegation battlers by the time it comes round. That bonus income may not be a lot, but I bet you can make it more than the difference between 13th and 16th without getting to the final stages.

I'd look to invest in safe standing too, which is hopefully an easier way to expand capacity without going the whole hog on expansion. Maybe not the whole South stand, but preferably also a block or two of the East

[Brogue]

I may have dreamt it but I’m sure there was a discussion saying that if we drop to cat 2 academy again that’s it. We can’t get cat 1 back again. Ever. I have no idea whether that’s true or not. But if it is I would do everything possible to keep it. As this last two season have shown just how important it is.

I’d not pay a transfer fee again until we are in the premier league. As I’m almost certain you can build a team for free to compete at the top end of both the champ and the league 1 with free transfers.

I’d look to maximise match day revenue as much as possibles I saw something on here about spurs, it might have been gwl. Saying how they put loads of things on to keep fans at the stadium after the game. And encourage people to arrive early.

Concerts at the stadium.
American football at the stadium
Get a rugby team back to share the ground

Share the training ground with another club or American football team.

Increase ticket prices for adults . But reduce kids prices.

Sell players every season.

Get a statue built of sjm and ssc - celebrate our 106 team.

Open a club shop in town

Solar panel the roof and sell leecy back to the grid on non match days and be self sufficient on match days.

Bring catering in house to maximise profits.

Brew own beer on site like spurs do to maximise profits.

Get a better marketing team. Advertise the club in the town better. Work to get more sponsors. Work to increase the number of boxes full for corporate hospitality.

Get Amazon or Netflix to do a documentary series on us.

Do what the yanks do at baseball games where you get people walking up and down the stairs during the game selling hot dogs and coffee and bag of sweets for the kids.

[Snowflake Royal]

I may have dreamt it but I’m sure there was a discussion saying that if we drop to cat 2 academy again that’s it. Why can’t get cat 1 back again. Ever. I have no idea whether that’s true or not. But if it is I would everything possible to keep it. As this last two season have shown just how important it is.

I’d not pay a transfer fee again until we are in the premier league. As I’m almost certain you can build a team for free to compete at the top end of both the champ and the league 1 with free transfers.

I’d look to maximise match day revenue as much as possibles I saw something on here about spurs, it might have been gwl. Saying how they put loads of things on to keep fans at the stadium after the game. And encourage people to arrive early.

Concerts at the stadium.
American football at the stadium
Get a rugby team back to share the ground

Share the training ground with another club or American football team.

Increase ticket prices.

Sell players every season.

Get a statue built of sjm and ssc

Open a club shop in town

Solar panel the roof and sell leecy back to the grid on non match days and be self sufficient on match days.

Bring catering in house to maximise profits.

Brew own beer on site like spurs do to maximise profits.

Get a better marketing team. Advertise the club in the town better. Work to get more sponsors. Work to increase the number of boxes full for corporate hospitality.

Get Amazon or Netflix to do a documentary series on us.

Do what the yanks do at baseball games where you get people walking up and down the stairs during the game selling hot dogs and coffee and bag of sweets for the kids.

Someone said it, but they gave no evidence and it sounds like absolute horseshit.

What would be the grounds? What if we got promoted back to the Premier League, no one can seriously tell me because we had an issue in the pandemic and then had to cut costs for a while we'd be forever prevented from having a Cat 1 Academy as a PL club.

There might be a time limit or a waiting list before we could go back, but the idea we wouldn’t be allowed to have a Cat 1 Academy in 2040 because of 2025 is bonkers.

[Brogue]

I may have dreamt it but I’m sure there was a discussion saying that if we drop to cat 2 academy again that’s it. Why can’t get cat 1 back again. Ever. I have no idea whether that’s true or not. But if it is I would everything possible to keep it. As this last two season have shown just how important it is.

I’d not pay a transfer fee again until we are in the premier league. As I’m almost certain you can build a team for free to compete at the top end of both the champ and the league 1 with free transfers.

I’d look to maximise match day revenue as much as possibles I saw something on here about spurs, it might have been gwl. Saying how they put loads of things on to keep fans at the stadium after the game. And encourage people to arrive early.

Concerts at the stadium.
American football at the stadium
Get a rugby team back to share the ground

Share the training ground with another club or American football team.

Increase ticket prices.

Sell players every season.

Get a statue built of sjm and ssc

Open a club shop in town

Solar panel the roof and sell leecy back to the grid on non match days and be self sufficient on match days.

Bring catering in house to maximise profits.

Brew own beer on site like spurs do to maximise profits.

Get a better marketing team. Advertise the club in the town better. Work to get more sponsors. Work to increase the number of boxes full for corporate hospitality.

Get Amazon or Netflix to do a documentary series on us.

Do what the yanks do at baseball games where you get people walking up and down the stairs during the game selling hot dogs and coffee and bag of sweets for the kids.

Someone said it, but they gave no evidence and it sounds like absolute horseshit.

What would be the grounds? What if we got promoted back to the Premier League, no one can seriously tell me because we had an issue in the pandemic and then had to cut costs for a while we'd be forever prevented from having a Cat 1 Academy as a PL club.

There might be a time limit or a waiting list before we could go back, but the idea we wouldn’t be allowed to have a Cat 1 Academy in 2040 because of 2025 is bonkers.

Oh absolutely, but seeing as I have no knowledge on this, I’m not going to make any assumptions. Even if what you are saying is completely logical and most likely true.

[WestYorksRoyal]

It's possible to downgrade the Academy in the short term, with the capacity to upgrade it again. It's not like a downgrade is just forever and it falls apart, as we saw when it was downgraded. We've arguably lost as much talent early since it was rerated 1 as when it was down to 2.

Anyway

1 - offer Selles a rolling 18 month contract. Gives some security whislt also flexibility and doesn't tie either of us to costly long term deals that could be regretted.

2 - plan a temporary 2 year down grade of the Academy to Cat 2 to cut costs.

3 - target one player a year to sell for as good money as possible, preferably from an area of squad depth, whilst otherwide trying to keep our best players.

4 - aim to develop Pereira, Bindon, Mbengue, Dorsett, Craig, Savage, Elliott and Ehibhatiomhan into the core first team squad of Championship quality over two years, with Wing, Knibbs, Smith and Yiadom transitioning from first choice into bench players.

5 - look for cheap up and coming fullbacks, wingers and strikers to bolster the squad over the next two years.

6 - continue trying to make sure there is a pathway to the first team for the young players. Giving more minutes to Kanu, Osho, Garcia, Camara, Akande and co. Using preseason, trophy and cup games to help the transition.

7. Have a succession plan within the coaching staff for when there is inevitably management change.

8. Try to get more revenue out of the stadium, especially out of season m, and from the training ground if possible

I was just about to write all this and you beat me to it

I would make sure that the communication to the fans was more open and honest. In addition, I’d look at different ways of trying to attract more fans to attend games (i.e. bring a mate/neighbour for £5).

I'm not a fan of communication with the fans. They only care when there's a problem and nothing you say is good enough. Keep things going well and no one gives two shits about communication.

But yeah, I'd publish the plan, as far as reasonable and engage with fans forums.

I think we already do quite a lot for getting fans in, good prices, regular deals, etc. The thing that makes the difference is winning.

Oh, and I'd want the manager to put heavy emphasis on cup progression for the bonus income. Especially FA Cup in any season where we're not looking at being clear promotion chasers or relegation battlers by the time it comes round. That bonus income may not be a lot, but I bet you can make it more than the difference between 13th and 16th without getting to the final stages.

I'd look to invest in safe standing too, which is hopefully an easier way to expand capacity without going the whole hog on expansion. Maybe not the whole South stand, but preferably also a block or two of the East

I think that shows a level of disdain for the fans, probably borne out of this place and Twitter. Most fans are reasonable and would accept the difficult trade offs associated with running the club, so being honest and up front about them is definitely the best way. You would clearly have to draw the line at commercially sensitive stuff though; you'd never make your upcoming transfer window strategy public.

[Snowflake Royal]

I may have dreamt it but I’m sure there was a discussion saying that if we drop to cat 2 academy again that’s it. Why can’t get cat 1 back again. Ever. I have no idea whether that’s true or not. But if it is I would everything possible to keep it. As this last two season have shown just how important it is.

I’d not pay a transfer fee again until we are in the premier league. As I’m almost certain you can build a team for free to compete at the top end of both the champ and the league 1 with free transfers.

I’d look to maximise match day revenue as much as possibles I saw something on here about spurs, it might have been gwl. Saying how they put loads of things on to keep fans at the stadium after the game. And encourage people to arrive early.

Concerts at the stadium.
American football at the stadium
Get a rugby team back to share the ground

Share the training ground with another club or American football team.

Increase ticket prices.

Sell players every season.

Get a statue built of sjm and ssc

Open a club shop in town

Solar panel the roof and sell leecy back to the grid on non match days and be self sufficient on match days.

Bring catering in house to maximise profits.

Brew own beer on site like spurs do to maximise profits.

Get a better marketing team. Advertise the club in the town better. Work to get more sponsors. Work to increase the number of boxes full for corporate hospitality.

Get Amazon or Netflix to do a documentary series on us.

Do what the yanks do at baseball games where you get people walking up and down the stairs during the game selling hot dogs and coffee and bag of sweets for the kids.

Someone said it, but they gave no evidence and it sounds like absolute horseshit.

What would be the grounds? What if we got promoted back to the Premier League, no one can seriously tell me because we had an issue in the pandemic and then had to cut costs for a while we'd be forever prevented from having a Cat 1 Academy as a PL club.

There might be a time limit or a waiting list before we could go back, but the idea we wouldn’t be allowed to have a Cat 1 Academy in 2040 because of 2025 is bonkers.

Oh absolutely, but seeing as I have no knowledge on this, I’m not going to make any assumptions. Even if what you are saying is completely logical and most likely true.

If there was some ridiculous rule and long lay off, then absolutely you'd keep it as hard as you could.

[Brogue]

I was just about to write all this and you beat me to it

I would make sure that the communication to the fans was more open and honest. In addition, I’d look at different ways of trying to attract more fans to attend games (i.e. bring a mate/neighbour for £5).

I'm not a fan of communication with the fans. They only care when there's a problem and nothing you say is good enough. Keep things going well and no one gives two shits about communication.

But yeah, I'd publish the plan, as far as reasonable and engage with fans forums.

I think we already do quite a lot for getting fans in, good prices, regular deals, etc. The thing that makes the difference is winning.

Oh, and I'd want the manager to put heavy emphasis on cup progression for the bonus income. Especially FA Cup in any season where we're not looking at being clear promotion chasers or relegation battlers by the time it comes round. That bonus income may not be a lot, but I bet you can make it more than the difference between 13th and 16th without getting to the final stages.

I'd look to invest in safe standing too, which is hopefully an easier way to expand capacity without going the whole hog on expansion. Maybe not the whole South stand, but preferably also a block or two of the East

I think that shows a level of disdain for the fans, probably borne out of this place and Twitter. Most fans are reasonable and would accept the difficult trade offs associated with running the club, so being honest and up front about them is definitely the best way. You would clearly have to draw the line at commercially sensitive stuff though; you'd never make your upcoming transfer window strategy public.

Well communication needs to be on a more emotional level. Not just sending statements via the website and Twitter. If you sat down with fans I dunno one a quarter, twice a year, he’ll even once a season would probably suffice . And had a workshop with them a meaningful dialogue, where you listen and try and put into action suggestions from the fans then it can work. Be present on match days don’t just go sit in the box. Have a wander round the ground before kick off. Take some photos with kids. Have a chat to people. Be completely open with the fans. Then communication works. Statements on social media? Nah pointless.

[Extended-Phenotype]

One good thing to come from all this, specifically the restrictions on transfers, is the mounting evidence the proves you don’t really need to throw money at a revolving door ideology where players and managers are concerned. You give people enough time and they find their feet, bond, and wring more value out of playing as a tight unit familiar with each other than would be squeezed from a constantly disrupted lineup.

Despite the tragic story unfolding off-pitch, I have enjoyed watching Reading far more in recent times than I recall ever doing since the end of the McDermott era. It feels good to support a group of lads who exhibit a clear togetherness, rather than a team of sulks and mercenaries who don’t seem to know or like each other. We’ve been forced to make smarter signings, turning away from our previously preferred pool of old expensive has-beens on their way down, and refocusing on young talent on their way up. It’s forced us to look at players we actually produce from our academy, indicating self-sustainability might actually be more of a reality. We’ve had to stick with players rather than panic-drop them, and the time we had to give Selles has paid off, rewarding us with a manager above our station when he likely would have suffered a knee-jerk firing in his first season had things been normal backstage.

I don’t think we are perfect, and I have no idea how these lads would cope with higher leagues, but if I was a new owner drafting a two year plan, I would certainly be favouring a philosophy of working hard with what we have and giving players and managers a fair chance, versus constantly buying, selling and firing people in an attempt to shortcut and gamble my way into the higher leagues.

I’d look to make Reading a real team that players want to stay for and come and play for. I’m sure that was a big part of our success under Coppell and McDermott. And it’s a template that a club like Reading can well afford.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

All nice ideas, but where's the clamour for a roller disco?

[Millsy]

All nice ideas, but where's the clamour for a roller disco?

Exactly this.

[katweslowski]

I have a very limited understanding of the nuances of how a football club truly works. But my ideas are:

Review the hierarchy and ensure key senior positions are filled by suitable people with integrity and professionalism

Implement a mission statement or a clear view of where the club wants to be. I saw Brighton had a job vacancy recently and it said "Brighton are an ambitious club and our objectives include becoming an established, top 10 premier league club, and a top 4 wsl club" or something. I liked how clear it was.

Embrace the historical culture of the club, known for it's community ties and start to try to enhance communication and try to encourage fans back to the ground.

The aim has to be stability and promotion back to the Championship - where I believe we are best suited. So that would be my aim.

Get Rueben onside and his backroom staff.

Work closely with him and the senior people to start reviewing player contracts. Understand the following:
--- which are close to expiring and do we want to re-sign them?
--- who are the key ones, the core 5-6 who the owner and rueben sees as being here for the next few years and gaining promotion
--- who are not ones we want to keep or who we'd be satisfied at selling

Do all of the same with the academy too and the women's team. I understand this is unlikely to be something the owner does directly, but delegate it and treat it as very important.

Also recognise and document past failures. Such as the players who got away, the screw ups and try to work with senior club people to put procedures in place to prevent it. Similarly, understand our successes, why did certain players flourish and celebrate this - implement that as a culture within the academy and club, make it clear that we're a club of huge success for younger players. (I think this probably is already implemented tbf)

As part of the staffing, also put financial controls in place to cover essential costs like tax bills, wages of staff and players.

Not urgent, but look at things like the stadium, matchday experience, fan numbers and attendances. Understand the erosion that took place and how to rebuild it. How can we get fans back and also increase attendances. What does the ground need in 2-5 years time to ensure it's kept maintained. Things like re-painting, structural work, cosmetics, upgrading facilities. All can be covered if/when we get promotion and we stablise more.

Implement a plan of all the above, like:

Within 3 months - we want...
Within 12 months we want...
In 1-2 years:
2-5 years: etc...

Goals which focus on the criticality and the impact the changes will make.

Sack the PA man and ban "Sweet Caroline" forever.