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God - Who Would Be A Club Chairman?


greenun

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Bristol City had a key part to play in the machinations at Port Vale this season. Read the agony of ex-club Chairman Brill Bratt played out in the following article from The Stoke Sentinel.

The piece also sings the praises of the Vale Supporters Trust, VAST....

TOUGH SEASON TAKES TOLL ON BATTLE-WEARY BRATT, WHO CALLS IT A DAY

The 2004/2005 campaign was largely to be endured rather than enjoyed by Bill Bratt and his board who, were it not for all the bad luck, would have had no luck at all. Their task had been made harder even before the season began when Steve McPhee exploited UEFA rules to take a free transfer to Beira Mar just as Bratt had accepted a £175,000 offer from Bristol City.

That money, even in instalments, could have given Martin Foyle the wage budget for two more experienced players from the start of the season. Alternatively, it could have gone to balance the books so dramas, such as the directors having to put in their own money to cover the February wage bill, could have been averted.

However, Bratt had gambled by turning down a £75,000 offer from Leeds, a move McPhee would have been happy to make.

The chairman knows he would have been criticised whichever decision he and his board made. It was a fate the 59-year-old former mortgage broker was becoming used to, but one which was dulling his appetite for the job even back in August.

He was well aware that he hadn't shaken off criticism from some fans who felt he should have accepted a £500,000 takeover offer from Italian football agent Gianni Paladini the previous season, and was getting weary of arguing the point.

Even last August, Bratt was talking about stepping aside at the end of the season. It was a possibility which had become a probability by May when he admitted he was exhausted by the 60-hour-a week job, for which he received no salary.

He said: "It has had a massive impact on my life. I have lost my business because I couldn't do both, so I have had no income for two years as well as spending the vast majority of my savings to keep going by paying my mortgage along with everything else.

"It has taken a lot out of me. I am a working-class lad and it does take a lot out of you mentally and physically, as well as the financial side of it. I have to think more about my family than I have for the last two years."

Though he is always approachable, the chairman would far rather all the talk had been about on-the-field-matters for the last 10 months. However, he felt forced into an unpopular decision in September when Bristol City came back for a Vale striker, this time Steve Brooker.

Brooker's exit wrecked any slim chance the Valiants had of challenging for the play-offs, but Bratt felt he had little choice but accept a £225,000 deal when Brooker made clear he was considering moving on at the end of the season.

Unkind timing meant the chairman had to face a previously-arranged fans forum 24 hours after selling Brooker, but most fans accepted his explanation that the club had little choice but to sell rather than risk losing the player for nothing.

He also revealed the club would initially pocket less than £90,000. The deal was only £150,000 up front from which Vale had to deduct a sell-on clause held by Watford and payments to Brooker and his agent.

Still, the money Vale did receive was badly needed as shirt sponsors Tricell failed to pay the £92,000 pledged for this past season. Again, Bratt was criticised for putting too much faith in the mobile-phone company, but pointed out they had paid up in full in the first year of their deal.

When the club's accounts were published at the start of December, revealing a £500,000 loss for the previous season, Bratt was still hopeful Tricell would pay up.

He said: "While there remains a great deal of work to be done, we have now largely stabilised the loss-making situation with annual cost savings of £300,000 already achieved and current trading now around break-even.

"Although money is still tight, our three-year financial plan is on course and this will give us the foundation on which to build a successful future for the club."

However, by the end of January it became clear the club's financial health was a good deal less robust.

Bratt went public on fears of a 'serious hole' in the club's budget unless attendances increased or more fans bought shares.

His warning came with an appeal for more supporters to turn up after the home game with Brentford on January 15 pulled in a crowd 1,300 down on the club's 5,500 target.

However, the next two home gates were 4,186 and 4,366 and Bratt and his six directors had to put in their own money to ensure the February wage bill was paid.

Bratt said: "All the directors have had to put further loans in this month to cover the wages and have been happy to do so to support the club they care about."

Investment was - and still is - needed and Bratt has looked across the Atlantic for help. The club has been courting an unnamed former soccer club owner in North America and believe a response is imminent.

A "Yes" could transform Vale's fortunes and would be welcome reward, particularly for Bratt who has worked tirelessly to secure a deal.

The Vale chairman was even ready to rename Vale Park the Reginald Mitchell Stadium and build a museum dedicated to the Spitfire as he thought this might attract investment from Californian billionaire Sidney Frank.

The 85-year-old Spitfire enthusiast wants to honour the fighter plane's Butt-Lane born designer Mitchell, but Vale were not holding their breath as Bratt's suggestion was only one of around 200 received by Frank.

With money tight, Martin Foyle was forced to make an appeal to supporters to fund a loan signing to help the Valiants stay clear of relegation in the final two months of the season.

Supporters' trust VaST came to the rescue, chipping in £3,600 which proved crucial in persuading Bristol City to allow Tony Dinning to come to Vale Park.

Foyle said: "It just shows we are trying to help each other and it would be nice if our different supporters' groups could get together, be under one roof, and maybe do the same for us next season."

While Dinning proved to be a more-than-useful signing, Vale will be outsiders for the play-offs if Foyle has to beg and borrow for players again next season.

The transfer-window will prevent him from bringing in players during the season, outside January, so he needs help this summer to get a capable squad together by August.

New investment is crucial, so Foyle and his board are hoping their luck finally changes.

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A very sobering article.It just goes to show how some clubs really struggle to survive on an a week to week basis.

And some "fans" think that BCFC is going backwards because of one disapointing(re-building?) season.Just be gratefull that we're not in the same state as Port Vale.

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