Editorial Focus : Club Developments

The club have been more affluent in recent seasons primarily due to the move to the Liberty Stadium. This has given a new sense of confidence and optimism at the club.

Finances at the club have been very tight in previous seasons ; in recent times rather than putting strains on all departments the club is finally living within its means.

Huw Jenkins and The board have a new direction a new focus for the future the club are working towards academy status.

he academy status the club so craves will enhance the reputation of the club in terms of footballing excellence. The facility will enable the club to hold on to key talent and also discover players who might not have gotten noticed.

Construction is under way at the site of the new training complex in Llandarcy the foundations of a new era are starting to take shape.

Substandard training facilities for the players has always been a contentious issue. In the last few decades the lack of a permanent base has been a weakness in the portfolio of the club. Financial circumstances have not allowed such lavish development until now. The new regime under Roberto Martinez will be actively working on is to make sure these facilities will have a lasting and viable impact on the club.

The board have further consolidated of off pitch developments with a new strategic ticketing policy.Initiatives such as the £23 season ticket for under 16’s have been broadly welcomed by supporters. Take ups of this offer has been high with the club reporting record sales.

Major criticisms in the last two seasons at The Liberty Stadium has been the perceived downturn in attendances. This argument has been further strengthened by the average attendance of 10,866 (including cup games) spectators per game this season . The ticketing policy has some way to go before those figures rise.

Cup games have been important to the lack of stadium revenue on match days with South and North Stands closed for Johnston’s Paint Trophy games and the Carling cup game vs Walsall. The club offered free child places for the JPT games but could have offered a better pricing terms to OAP’s , Adults and Students.

A lot of hard work and investment has gone into securing the long term sustainability of the club. It is very much hoped that the rewards will be felt;that may take some time to come to fruition.

Every week we will be having an editorial focus on a burning issue at the club so keep your eyes pealed. If you have something you want to get of your chest then don’t hesitate to send us an article or join us for debate in the forum

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