Questions for Fans Forum - 23rd/24th April

[Bayingblade]

I would like to ask:

1. What is the forecasted net contribution/cost to the football club in 2011 of:

a) The hotel
b) Chengdu Blades
c) Ferencvaros
d) Central Coast Mariners
e) White Star Wolouwe(sp)
d) Other property ventures through Blades Realty(??)

2. Our tie in with these clubs has been in place for a number of years now. Sheffield United has provided players (mainly from the fringes/youth team) for a number of these clubs. Why, in your opinion, have none of these clubs provided an established first team player for SUFC and what actions are being taken to change this?

3. How are discussions progressing with potential partners/investors?

 

[Worksop_Blade]

How long have Pound Land being stocking the Club Shop and who quality checks the merchandise each season?

It's pure shit.

 

[alcoblade]

Who pays for travel, accommodation, wages and other expenses when United players / representatives work for our "sister" clubs such as Ferencvaros. Can you assure us that there is NO cost to SUFC PLC?

How do we ensure that we are getting "best value" when interest is charged on loans?

How long before you envisage that The Hotel, Blades Realty and Chengdu blades will be contributing to rather than costing the PLC?

If these side ventures are supposed to the benefit of SUFC (not the PLC), then how can you assure us that when they are losing money, they are not to the detriment of SUFC? Are we to take it that this is a one way deal, where the football club can only benefit?

You say that you cannot turn down bids when Premiership clubs come asking, because the players heads are inevitably turned. What lessons can you learn from a finincially (supposedly) far weaker Wednesday, who managed to keep their best player (Tudgay) at the same time we sold ours (Walker / Naughton).

 

[raul]

If the squad of 2009/10 is all that can be afforded on the revenues generated by 20000 STH's, can you understand why people may not necessarily deem not knowing half the team from Adam constitues value for money and that this year are looking to a lead from you before committing again?

 

[TheSwollengland]

In my opinion the club is obviously being set up as a saleable commoddity i.e
wage bill reduced to a minimum,
squad contracts all as short term as possible
good fan base
much of the ground development done or permissions in place
and Birch recruited to do .... a job ?

If the club isnt sold soon what are the options ,is he Mc Cabe willing to stay and if so does his commitment go any further than just keeping the club ticking over ?

 

[barneyboco]

Will the club extend the discount offer on season tickets bearing in mind there are fans stranded abroad and have no hope of getting back in time ?

 

[Ivanhoe]

Mr McCabe do you think your statement to the local press "Not to put any more of your hard earned money into the club" was illconceived, bearing in mind you want us to put our hard earned money by way of season tickets in a short while later. Perhaps you should open your mouth a bit wider and change feet!!
You show comittment and perhaps we will follow.

 

[Hodgyman]

Can I please ask where the benefits of our contacts and agreements are with "partner" organisations (such as those in Brazil) are? SUFC made big claims of the possibilities of having a Brazilian "feeder" system in place. Has this just not materialised or was this just part of the bid to get World Cup matches here in 2018?

 

[Linz]

Can I please ask where the benefits of our contacts and agreements are with "partner" organisations (such as those in Brazil) are? SUFC made big claims of the possibilities of having a Brazilian "feeder" system in place. Has this just not materialised or was this just part of the bid to get World Cup matches here in 2018?

That one was answered LAST TIME. Our main contact over there died.

Another one from Twitter.

Are changes or investments going to be made into the physio and fitness side of the team considering the amount of injuries we've suffered this year?

 

[Worksop_Blade]

To everyone asking about the two kyles and Kilgallon.

This subject was cleared up at the last meeting wth McCabe. Spurs offered them both wages they personally could not refuse and United could not match and Killa went to S'Land because he wanted Prem football and higher wages that United again could not offer him.

Sheffield United will not jepodise the long term future of the club by paying unsustainable wages.

To Grafikhaus, what would have happened if we had kept all of last seasons squad like you suggest and then suffered this seasons injuries? Or missed out on promotion again?

The club would have found itself in a large amount of shit, that would have threatened the very existence of the club.

Remember the badge on the front is bigger than the name on the back.

 

[Worksop_Blade]

As part of the Kyles transfer to Tottenham we were told that the deal involved the choice of players on loan excluding Walker returning.
No one came despite the likes of Rose and Taarabt being linked. Did Spurs go back on this element of the deal, was it a line from the club to soften the blow, or did the manager decide he didn't require a player?

What is to say that any Spurs Reserve/Youth is:

a. Warranted good enough to play for us

b. Would want to temporarily move 200 miles up the M1 to play CCC football for a long ball team?

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Three questions I’d like to put are:

A If we are to cut the wage bill further can he assure us that Blackie will be retained as he has demonstrated that he can keep a squad that is struggling within the Blades finances structure out of the relegation fight zone?

Burnley had a very small budget and an equally small squad last season, they suffered hardly any injuries or suspensions allowing the team to be settled, also they had a fair slice of luck and ended up getting promotion.

If Blackwell can get 18 players together and keep the majority of them fit, pick his best 11 and be able to play it for 30+ games then there would be a real chance of good things happening at the Lane next season.

Remember the squad that got promoted last time didn't cost the world.

 

[Linz]

Just a reminder, if you have any questions, please have them with us by tomorrow.

Cheers.

 

[BladeInThatcham]

1. What is the latest with regards to Nick Montgomery's status?

2. With the current inevitable changes to the squad, are we perhaps looking at taking a step back before taking a step forward?

3. Why did the club spend £3m on "the potential of" Ched Evans if it has meant us not being able to spend money in more required departments thus resulting in the massive amount of loans?

4. "It's not always about performances - it's results that count" is a common cliche. We have received very little of either this year, so can you convince me that we'll have more entertainment next season?

 

[Santos]

1. With the loss of the likes of James Beattie, Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker and Matt Kilgallon what can you do to esure supporters that every step is being taken to ensure that Nick Montgomery and Jamie Ward is still with the club come the summer.

2. Question for Kevin McCabe: Kevin, you were quoted as saying that Chedwyn Evans is one of the highest paid players in the Championship and we spent the biggest transfer fee on him last summer. Baring in mind his age and form this season do you agree that it was unfair of you to unintentionally pile pressure on him??

3. What is the situation with the following players come the summer; Billy Sharp, Nyron Nosworthy, Paul Connolly, James Harper.

4. What can you do to convince supporters to 'stay with us' for next season? There is a view taken by supporters that we are selling off our best players, buying inferior replacements whilst money is being held back on the playing side of the club to supplement the none playing side of the club.

5. Are these fans forums just talking shops to try and maximise season ticket sales?

 

[Linz]

I'm locking this thread around midday.

Please get your questions in by then.

 

[HoodedClaw]

What do you think of the FAPL's proposal to extend parachute payments from 2 to 4 years? and what effect do you think this may have on our chances of promotion if it gets the go ahead?

As you were quick to spot how the economic downturn was going to effect us, do you have a projection as to when we will start to see some benefits from the properites that we have invested in?

 

[super_pig]

do we own the freehold on bramall lane?