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Posts from the ‘Stockport County’ Category

Jun 9

FC Sports Marketing Football Turkey

Stockport into Turkey

My own book explains many of the links that relate to this blog being mainly about UK and Turkey.  I still recall also my father-in-law and brother-in-law’s first trip to Edgeley Park when the then Commercial Director, Steve Bellis, orchestrated a rousing chorus of “Turkey, Turkey, Turkey”  in the hospitality suite, post-match, to show warmth and welcoming.  A story often recited by relatives in Turkey to this date.

The family remain committed to County and Bilen Kur writes for the leading football blog in the Country, which not surprisingly is called “scarf around my neck”.  Bilen is a Co-Director with me at FC Sports Marketing LTD. Talk SPORT has recognised our knowledge in this territory.

Steve has continued his foray into Turkey, though not to my extent obviously.  His latest venture is to take the hit reality TV show there with broadcasting on channel, TRT Spor.  We played a role in early introductions to selected football contacts to help his Kickworldwide evaluate the feasibility of selected commercial opportunities.  We remain able to work in partnership and collaborate on opportunities that might require our different skills.

The show, which is called ‘Futbol Prensi’ in Turkey, is conducting auditions in Konya, Kayseri, Erzurum, Trabzon, Samsun, Ankara, Gazientep, Adana, Antalya, Denizli, Izmir, Bursa, Sakarya, Istanbul and Diyabakir. The winner will be contracted to Liverpool FC.

Our next encounter is social and a trip to The Grange to watch an England match in the Euros.  Steve Bellis took the brand of Stockport County into China and created a profile the envy of many an English Premier League club.

Apr 4

Stockport County FC: Edgeley Park Stadium

Stark reality

When “County” went down, I recall someone saying that this was the best thing that could happen to us.  We’d just bounce back was the rhetoric.  I rubbished the suggestion, pointing out that the BSP read like a graveyard of former ‘League’ teams: York, Cambridge, Luton, Grimsby etc.  If we were to remain in that Division in Season one that would be a result in my opinion, after a free-falling demise and so many woes – consolidation had to be the name of the game.

Facing the on-going reality, relegation brings with it reduced income. There is an immediate loss of the £250,000 Premier League solidarity payment;  TV revenue and sponsorship £430,000 is halved for one year and then goes all together; youth development funding of £180,000 a year is halved for two years and then gets removed.

 It’s a significant contrast from the generous parachute payments clubs relegated from the Premiership receive for three years. 

All this explains why the Centre of Excellence in its current guise is not sustainable – and why innovative ticketing regimes need to be piloted such as ‘mad hatter prices’ to boost attendances for forthcoming seasons including attracting ‘new blood’ (the fans of tomorrow) and deriving supplementary in-stadia secondary spend.

Mar 23

Proud to be “County”

Once again our fans show that they are the best.  Brilliant County fans….and a few other clubs’ supporters besides.  The inaugural “County Charity Cycle” from Stockport County FC to Southport FC was a resounding success.  Last Saturday, all 70 cyclists completed the course (48.7 miles) without any major incidents and judging by the pledges the Organisers hope that the fundraising targets will be reached.  It’s not too late to show your appreciation by making a donation in recognition of these sterling efforts.  Please visit: www.mygift.org.uk/countycharitycycle

The fundraising event was set up to raise monies towards St Ann’s Hospice and Stockport County Supporters Co-operative.  Everybody really enjoyed the day and it is hoped that this may become an annual fixture.  The photograph attached shows the start of the race outside Edgeley Park with Rob Clare heading the field.

Sarah Bennett, Community Fundraising Officer for St Ann’s Hospice said “I just wanted to say congratulations on the event on Saturday. Not only did the weather hold off but everyone made it to the match (eventually!) in one piece! Please extend my thanks to all your volunteers and associated partners for the ride.”

Adrian Stores, Director, Stockport County Supporters Co-operative commented: “This really showed what Stockport County fans are all about. Everyone is justifiably proud of the day.”

In addition, other feedback includes:

“Just wanted to say a massive thank you for arranging the County Charity Cycle. I thought it was great turn out for its first year and the morale on the day was great – I loved it!”

“Many thanks for an extremely enjoyable event on Saturday.  It was extremely well organised and a real success.”

“Many thanks for putting on such an enjoyable event last Saturday.”

“Fabulous day, what County is all about IMVHO”.

Bike ride photographs are on: www.facebook.com/countycharitycycle

Mar 9

Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative

Clear Blue Skies Over Edgeley

… But Cloud Over Football

Today heralded Port Vale Football Club entering Administration – a status, all too familiar to fans of Stockport County.  This is the 92nd insolvency in the top five divisions of English football since 1992. The equivalent of the entire top-four divisions of English professional football!

The Football Authorities have also just released their joint response to the recommendations of the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee Inquiry and the Government’s input on improving the regulation and governance of English football. At this stage, Stockport County Supporters’ Co-operative seeks to emphasise that the proposals are not what we were hoping for. Although they have proposed the introduction of a licensing system, in our view, this stage of the reform process only addresses the ‘principle of licensing’ and thus, doesn’t go far enough.

We endorse the opinions of Supporters Direct and its proposals on this matter, including a clear proposal for supporter-engagement through supporters’ trusts. Stockport County Supporters Co-operative is part of a wider movement of organisations, under this umbrella body, established by supporters of football clubs now stretching not just across England, or the UK, but also across Europe. Ashley Simpson, Chair at the Co-operative commented: “If the substantive issues are not addressed, we fully expect the current trend of insolvencies and financial strife affecting football to continue.”

Stockport County Supporters’ Co-operative and Supporters’ Direct welcomes proposals in the football industry that can help supporters’ trusts to increase their influence in club governance and ownership.

This is a press release that I prepared for the Co-operative. The full stance on governance from Supporters Direct is available at: http://clients.squareeye.net/uploads/sd/Licensing_Proposal_A.pdf

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