Sturt in Financial Trouble?

[areaman]

Is there a link available to the Sturt financial report for 2012?

Had a brief look on the official website but couldn't find anything.

[doggies4eva]

Reading this thread brings back the memories when the doggies were in a simlar situation (it must have been the 1980s).

We had to make some hard decisions and considered the merger option - this is better than being wound up in my view.

In the end we took the hard decsions, cut all costs inlcuding player payments and it looked like it was going to be a very tough season as we lost some of our better (and more highly paid) players. The next season was far better than I expected as we were competitive and having players who were playing for the guernsey seemed to reinvigorate the club. Some may arguse that this was the beginning of the new doggies.

Like others have said - what is needed is a sound business plan. It sounds like the board may not be up to it if they have no plan and shy away from answering tough questions. Without sound leadership a club is just a shambles.

[Big Phil]

From Localfootysa...

Matt Benson suggesting the AFL should support SANFL clubs more...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6580140255

[dedja]

Is it possible to recycle that photo of Benson any more times?

[Barto]

What is probably MOST concerning is that the club had $219K in debt demolition donations included in the revenue.

I was hoping that I'd misinterpreted this when it was mentioned elsewhere. I cant see that the club has a future beyond 2014 if that's the case.

[Dutchy]

What is probably MOST concerning is that the club had $219K in debt demolition donations included in the revenue.

I was hoping that I'd misinterpreted this when it was mentioned elsewhere. I cant see that the club has a future beyond 2014 if that's the case.

Id say it probably has to go through general revenue for tax/GST purposes, but just guessing.

[Dutchy]

From Localfootysa...

Matt Benson suggesting the AFL should support SANFL clubs more...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6580140255

One positive is the SANFL have guaranteed Sturt's debt, Im not aware that its the same at Westies. SANFL are going to be responsible for the debt if Sturt cant meet their obligations, which I guess could be a good or bad thing - i.e. force Sturt down the Crows reserves path.

[Ronnie]

How do Sturt manage to remain competitive on the field in their current plight?
They weren't too bad last year (heavily dictated by AFL players) but with player contracts being cut and football dept spend allegedly only half of what some clubs spend, how do you replenish your list and move up the ladder?
Once performances fall away so your traditional revenue streams follow and it's game over anyway.

[dedja]

Did the SANFL guarantee North, Glenelg, Norwood or anyone else when they got into financial trouble? ... just asking

[CENTURION]

Did the SANFL guarantee North, Glenelg, Norwood or anyone else when they got into financial trouble? ... just asking

you forgot Port.

[Barto]

So some at Sturt think the only solution is to throw in the towel and become the crows reserve side, but also drag the rest of the competition down to sturts standard by nearly halving the salary cap.

I disagree with the sentiment you're implying, that people want to throw in the towel...

... however, your supposition that it would drag the competition down etc remains true. I don't think having reserves side would necessarily be good for the competition, but I also think it might happen regardless.

Many fans (of not just Sturt) would side with the idea of keeping the clubs identity as a reserves side to an AFL team as opposed to just disolving completely and never competing again.

Of course, many would prefer to die with dignity (as they would see it).

I'm really torn on it. But as I've said above, I support investigating it. I'd like some facts from which to base my decision on...

There's no dignity in death IMO. I'd rather stand alone than be an AFL reserves side, but if we're still alive in any format in 5 years time then the possibility exists of standing alone if the financial circumstances of running a SANFL club change. If we're dead and buried then there's no coming back at all.

[CENTURION]

Why can't a club that's struggling reduce the admittance charge, in an attempt to get more people to the game? Gotta try something!

[Barto]

Why can't a club that's struggling reduce the admittance charge, in an attempt to get more people to the game? Gotta try something!

I've been saying it for years, a club might get it back and more in catering turn over. Gate takings are a small part of income anyway.

[SDK]

Asking the AFL for help is like dealing with the devil .... the price will no doubt be reduction of salary cap and reducing the SANFL into a comp just to develop juniours. The senior players who come here to improve their chances of an AFL contract will no doubt be filtered into the VFL, local country and Ammos.

[Dog_ger]

And then they are down to 8....

Sad Days coming for the SANFL.

[JK]

Why can't a club that's struggling reduce the admittance charge, in an attempt to get more people to the game? Gotta try something!

Generally reducing your margin is not the best way to increase your bottom line I wouldn't have thought

[Macca19]

Did the SANFL guarantee North, Glenelg, Norwood or anyone else when they got into financial trouble? ... just asking

you forgot Port.

Grow the pie and all that.

How many SANFL clubs need to be on deaths door before the SANFL either up their dividend or change the entire structure of the league to make it more club friendly?

[robranisgod]

Did the SANFL guarantee North, Glenelg, Norwood or anyone else when they got into financial trouble? ... just asking

Certainly not North in the early 2000s nor South in 1990 but in both cases the league was very keen on an 8 team comp.

In 1994 they did offer to pay out Sturt's existing debt if they could find a suitable merge partner. When the prospective merge with North fell through, Sturt had to find $400,000 in about a fortnight, which thanks to people like Phil Sanders, and an unnamed benefactor they managed to do.

[RustyCage]

Port almost close it's doors at the end of 1983. Hopefully Sturt and West can work their way out of it.

[csbowes]

Is there a link available to the Sturt financial report for 2012?

Had a brief look on the official website but couldn't find anything.

It should turn up on the SFC website eventually...