Gary Calder
Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 5:03 pm
While enjoying the excellent full English in the Kimberley Suite this morning (just about the only positive from my visit to Nene Park today), I had a chat with Gary Calder, who, along with Liam Beasant, made the effort to speak to all the supporters in there.
The two of them have already been very busy in trying to generate some much needed income. They have agreed a deal with Charles Wells brewery, as we are currently without a brewery contract. A new music academy will be opened I think on the A6 training pitch (GC said something like "on the land over the road", so I assume he meant there) which is worth a "six figure fee" for the club. They are looking at ways to benefit from the new NHS centre on the other side of Diamond Way, and there is actually more development planned for the land there (although I can't remember what he said it was) which they will also try to take advantage of. Calder said that the lack of income through the club's facilities is "embarrassing", something which Cousins admits as well, the problem in the past being that KC could only affort to spend one day a week at the club. A full time commercial manager/director will be appointed soon who will concentrate on maximising income through these channels. We also asked about JE's new contract, which is all but finalised and should be signed next week, although I forgot to ask about the hotel plans.
I also spoke to Gill Wignall about the new owners, and she was very positive about them. She said they are very hands on and have both been at the club every day since they takeover was announced (and for some time prior to that).
The only concern I have, which I put to GC, is the relationship between the club and the NVQ company, Planning Bureau Developments. The financial security of the club will be very closely linked to the success of this company, and my worry is that should things go wrong with PB Devs, then then future of the club could be in jeopardy. GC agreed that this is a risk, but that it's no different to the situation at most clubs. He also said that they expect PB Devs to turn over between £4-5million next year.
The two of them have already been very busy in trying to generate some much needed income. They have agreed a deal with Charles Wells brewery, as we are currently without a brewery contract. A new music academy will be opened I think on the A6 training pitch (GC said something like "on the land over the road", so I assume he meant there) which is worth a "six figure fee" for the club. They are looking at ways to benefit from the new NHS centre on the other side of Diamond Way, and there is actually more development planned for the land there (although I can't remember what he said it was) which they will also try to take advantage of. Calder said that the lack of income through the club's facilities is "embarrassing", something which Cousins admits as well, the problem in the past being that KC could only affort to spend one day a week at the club. A full time commercial manager/director will be appointed soon who will concentrate on maximising income through these channels. We also asked about JE's new contract, which is all but finalised and should be signed next week, although I forgot to ask about the hotel plans.
I also spoke to Gill Wignall about the new owners, and she was very positive about them. She said they are very hands on and have both been at the club every day since they takeover was announced (and for some time prior to that).
The only concern I have, which I put to GC, is the relationship between the club and the NVQ company, Planning Bureau Developments. The financial security of the club will be very closely linked to the success of this company, and my worry is that should things go wrong with PB Devs, then then future of the club could be in jeopardy. GC agreed that this is a risk, but that it's no different to the situation at most clubs. He also said that they expect PB Devs to turn over between £4-5million next year.
are going.