Let's dissect the statement. I have some time before kick-off. I won't quote the whole thing, just pick up and expand on key quotes.
As we have previously stated, we have had no trading income since March but have had to continue to keep the club alive.
I don't know what the club considers trading income. I suppose it means income as a whole from the shop, transfers and sales, as the definition would suggest. As such, we immediately draw to question the validity of this statement. The club shop has been open, and there has been activity in the transfer market from other clubs. Perhaps we should have sold a player or two by now, which would render this untrue. This hasn't happened, because we don't have assets that we want to sell that we can get money out of. In this market, any players that would leave would go to lower league clubs who
are struggling. Hence, we're likely to make a loss on the likes of Ginnelly and Bodin if and when they do leave. This is indicative of a longer term problem where there isn't enough consideration when it comes to picking transfer targets.
Supporters at clubs like Bolton, Bury, Wigan and Charlton have had to deal with keeping their clubs in existence.
This is of no relevance and should not have been brought up. The fact that Ridsdale has mentioned it is a subtle attempt to guilt fans into thinking we'd go the same way if we don't renew our season tickets. We won't, as we have a billionaire owner and assets that we don't want to sell but could if needs must. In fact, Ridsdale even says later that
...there will be a Preston North End Football Club to support in the coming years. Many other clubs will not be able to say that with confidence.
This perspectivist approach doesn't work when the reality is right in front of us.
if we are to survive, we must take these overheads into account.
So now we need to buy season tickets to keep the club alive? So will we live or die if we don't buy season tickets? This has confused me, and worried me. As aforementioned, survival isn't a problem. It would have been even less of a problem with sensible investment and appropriate long-term planning, as discussed in the first full paragraph.
This year his contribution will exceed £10 million pounds. Without his continued support there will be no football club.
Again, had Hemmings made more appropriate long term plans in respect to organisational resilience and the club's finances this wouldn't be necessary. But didn't he just say we need to buy season tickets to survive? I'm confused now. What is Ridsdale getting at?
We do not believe that asking our loyal supporters, despite recognising the challenging times that they are facing personally, to pay between £19 and £25 per match (dependent upon where you sit) versus many of our competitors’ prices is unreasonable.
It
is unreasonable to expect payments so high in respect to the overall viewer experience. Consider the supporter's code of conduct during COVID times. No shouting, chanting, etc. No comradery at the football, everyone apart. Likely dour regressive football. Connor Ripley. No ambition off the pitch. It absolutely stinks.
I have tried to explain the challenges that we face and to outline our decisions which we recognise will not meet with universal approval.
Understatement of the century there, Riddler.
Long term planning is integral, in respect to how other teams adapt and how you can maintain the club's finances. Reputation is a key factor, and when your previously guaranteed sources of income have turned around and told you they won't be renewing because of your poor handling of the situation you've only hurt your reputation further. It's taken some time to properly gather my thoughts to ensure I haven't been excessive or unnecessarily emotive, but in reality the damage caused by Hemmings and Ridsdale's actions over the past few years has become more evident than ever. This statement has only added fuel to the fire and only the most delusional will try to defend it.
Just as I've finished writing, I've seen this tweet from JK:
How ridiculous of the club to implement such a policy without such simple foresight. This is just another moment of stupidity from a club who's running leaves a lot to be desired.