Q & A with The Chairman Part 2
By Touchline
March 3 2009
Part 2 of the Q & session held by Falcons' Chairman Dave Thompson
Where do we go from here
In the past Thumper has never focussed on winning. Next year the focus will be entirely on the Premiership. There will be a 30 man squad of seasoned professionals. To achieve this the Club will be having a clear out. After some probing Thumper admitted this would be less than Saracens (18) but would be in double figures so somewhere in the range 10-17. The intent is to recruit more players and there is a £1m pot from the RFU for Clubs that have an average of 16 English qualified players playing in the Premiership and European match squads. Currently we average 18 out of a 22 man match squad. This small squad will be bolstered by 4-5 Academy players who are capable of stepping up when there is a shortage though injury or England calls. Thumper was challenged that this was too small when there are 4 or 5 injuries and a couple of England calls. He was adamant that it was enough. Time will tell.
According to Thumper, recruiting overseas is a nightmare and cited Melon and Mark Andrews as examples. Personally I don’t agree as it was very apparent from televised S12 that both players were well over the hill and carrying injuries when we signed them and shouldn’t be used as examples of not signing from the SH. You cold equally use people like Burke, Nick Evans and Butch James as examples of why you should. Thumper went on to say that he regards S14 players as too soft as they only play about 20 games a season and can’t cope with the demands in the NH. Again, a generalisation that I don’t agree with and there are plenty of examples including the ones mentioned above to prove the point. His ideal target player is aged 26-27 and experienced at a high level though not necessarily S14
Fletcher etc
The Club had got into a position where the “monkeys were running the zoo”. Many of the players had spent all their rugby career under Fletcher and only knew one way of playing.
Dickson was getting married and his girlfriend was out of the area so it was apparently not a rugby decision that he left though Thumper was not amused that the first he learnt of it was when Dicko told him that he’d signed
Tait had been nominated as a FB by England and therefore that was where the Club had to play him. It was thus a decision of whether to offer Burke (Recuperating in Oz) or Tait a new contract. It was decided to go with Tait as there was always a risk that Burke wouldn’t recover . Tait then decided to leave and although the Club went back to Burke with it’s tail between it’s legs it was too late as he had committed himself to retirement. Alex Tait is seen as the full time full back replacement for both of them.
Woods had signed a new contract with us “because of Fletcher”. When Fletcher left he said he wanted to leave too. Thumper said he never stands in the way of a player who no longer wants to play for the club. If however they have anything outstanding on their contract he would demand a transfer fee.
Speaking of Bates and Tait he believes we have the perfect combination and described Bates as a great rugby thinker and Tait as the hard man who is the perfect foil for him.
ST prices.
Thumper admitted that he got it terribly wrong last year ( I would argue for several years and last year was the final straw). Last year was the lowest ST take up ever and he accepts that ST holders were further aggravated by the discount on prices this year.
Next year games are to be categorised as A, B or C and prices have been set on per seat per category. Examples of an A game would include Leicester, Irish, Wasps etc. There will be a minimum of 4 of these, 6 B matches and 8 C matches (Challenge Cup and the third home Premiership matches etc). ST prices have them had a 70% discount applied to the total of the on the day prices. An example of the differential pricing is that a middle tier seat in the West for an A game will cost £40 but £25 for a C game.
Last year’s ST was based on 14 games but this year it will include 17-18 games so the price per game is 60% of this year. Junior prices have also been drastically reduced with the objective of making if financially possible for families to come regularly. The Club have targets 1000 U16 STs and a junior can now get in for £4. Thumper gave a commitment that no special offers will be set at less than the average ST per game price.
Game plan
Asked about the kicking down field Thumper said that before the season they had carried out an analysis of the ELVs in the SH and concluded that the coaches wanted to keep the ball in play as much as possible (Similar to Wales strategy). It was pointed out that some other teams didn’t seem to kick as aimlessly as we do eg Bath, Irish and it was agreed that this was because they have pace on the wings. Before the season the Club believed we also had that. Thumper offered the following comment- Phillips has pace but has defensive issues, Visser also has pace but has other factors that affect his game. Williams has plenty of pace and they are pleased with him. Rudd was not mentioned, which I think says it all. Thumper said that the Club has to rectify this lack of pace in signings this year.
As he had said nothing about the objectives for the team on the field I asked what the target was for next year and was pleased to hear that it was a top 6 finish. He said that in many respects the worst thing that could happen would be if we won the Challenge Cup this year and played in the HC next year as we are not ready for it
Hog Roast
The Club had an agreement with the chap who ran the outlets in the past and he put the hog roast on. It transpired that he was illegally slaughtering the pigs on his brother’s farm so the Club had to drop him. They tried to do it themselves but made a mess of it. All the outlets are now run by a well know Catering company who have another year on their contract. Thumper will speak to them about the hog roast
Bar Prices
Why are the bar prices not the same in East and West? Thumper didn’t appear to be aware of this. Initially he replied that it was to make money but after realising that the question wasn’t asking about the Corporate areas he said he saw no reason why the West bar shouldn’t have the same prices as the East and would look at it.
Bar Service
The move to Friday nights was said to be the start of the downturn in service levels as it is very difficult to obtain decent staff on Friday in competition with the city centre. Sundays when the Uni is in term is the best as they provide the labour. Saturday is also dire as it is proving impossible to get staff. This is one of the topics to be discussed with Northumbria as they employ lots of staff and possibly could provide regular staff.
Misc
In answer to a question Thumper said that all players’ salaries and media rights are fully paid up and no money is outstanding. The problem earlier this year was down to cash flow as the Club had planned on a different home away sequence to that finally decided upon by PRL and this affected Media rights payments.
The meeting then closed with Thumper accepting that he had failed to communicate well enough with supporters in the past and promised to ensure that didn’t occur in the future.
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Just for the sake of clarity, I would add that in your first line where it says Dave had "never concentrated on winning"...
... what he actually said was that he had "never concentrated on winning one competition" in a season, ie: the focus hadn't been solely on one tournament, as he suggested it would be next season for the GP.
It's a minor point, as both of your write-ups on the talk-in have been a very accurate reflection of what was said, and also the spirit in which it was said.
Cheers
Smithy
Take a long had look in the mirror Thompson. Pot. Kettle. Black.
The bloke is a numpty.
Aye thanks Touchy, good reads and hopefully the changes promised come true.
He didn't say that we won't be signing S14 players. What he said was that sometimes they struggle to cope with the sheer number of games in an English club season, and the physical attritional nature of the GP games in winter on muddy pitches (I am not quoting here, but that was the jist).
In fact, some of the players we are talking to for next season are currently playing in the Super 14, and some who currently aren't still have previous Super 14 experience.
Cheers
Smithy
I applaud is willingness to get stuck in and sort the issues. However, he needs to build the right team around him, he doesn't have the experience to run a rugby club himself without support.
And we definitely don't want him interfering with the team in the future, which I'm pretty sure he's done in the past. He passes comment about our wingers too freely for me, he should mind his own business and concentrate on being chairman.
Isn't that exactly what he is doing, in a very literal sense?
edited for typo
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:04:09:30:48 by London_Falcon.
Also, was there any discussion on what Visser's so-called issues were? I still think he is under-valued by the club and not given a decent run to establish himself in the squad.
Thumper didn't specify, other than it was something relating to how old he was. Can anyone help?
Dave has seen this thread and is very upset about the 'micro-managing' slant being taken by some posters, insinuating interference above and beyond the normal remit of a chairman's role.
The point is that when Dave was speaking at the Q&A night, he was speaking on behalf of the whole club.
So when he comments about the attributes or otherwise of Player X, he is speaking based on what the coaching department have told him about Player X, not on what his own opinion of the player is.
When he speaks about bars, he is speaking based on what the bars manager has told him, when he speaks about academy he is speaking on behalf of the academy manager etc etc.
It is a very important distinction to make, and the notion that Dave is somehow 'micro-managing' to the extent that has been suggested by some on this thread is simply not true.
Cheers
Smithy
I'm delighted to learn that you read this message board.
I worry when you appear to be making public judgements about players, and I'm glad Smithy has corrected that impression.
I'm also very happy to hear about your rethink on pricing for next season. I'm one of your supporters who can't get to every game and therefore doesn't buy a season ticket, but I'm glad the season ticket holders next season won't be undercut by special offers.
I hope your priority next season will be to build our fanbase. There is a huge passion for sport in the North-East which for rugby has been largely untapped. You will surely remember the fantastic turn-outs the Falcons have taken to Twickenham and Paris. Cheaper ticket prices are surely the answer. Let's fill Kingston Park.
And finally, Mr Chairman, don't let Jonny go. I get the feeling you are lukewarm about him because of his injury record and his wages. Don't be. The North-East public love their stars, and we already have let too many go in the past twelve months.
However, you are a Rugby Man, and I respect you for that.
Good luck next season.
It was none of the examples that you quote that put the thought into my mind. It was the ready way he was able to trot out stats like the average number of players injured at any one time. This is not the level of detail I would expect any Company Chairman to have at his fingertips unless he was closely involved in the nitty gritty.
Similarly with player hiring and firing. How many Club owners get actively involved rather than leaving it to their DoRs? Thumper made it clear that he was a major part of it.
The only hope I have is we can bring in good players and get rid of the deadwood that is in our squad.
Quote:Macaz007
cheers touchline. hope we can keep hold of him then!!! so who else's contracts are up???
Shall we expect a new story bar to go up re: signings and time left/or not on contracts, don't hold your breath macaz, I'm sure Touchy could advise on where to discover these facts for yourself , if you really wish to know.
Regarding the stats, Dave takes a massive interest in the team and readily admits that he is a complete statto.
However, I don't think that implies anything other than the fact that he is very interested in the team's performance.
As for the hiring and firing of players, Dave is no more or less involved in any of that than any other GP chairman or CEO.
Batesy tells him which players he wants, Dave and his team then go out and try to get them. Batesy tells Dave which players he wants rid of, Dave and his team do the necessary legals.
I can speak with some authority on this, having worked at another GP club and seeing how they operate.
He employs someone to run a department and then trusts their judgement to run it. I can only speak from my own experience, and in the 5 years I have been at the club there has been precisely zero interference in the way that the press office is run. The same could not be said at my previous employer.
I believe the adage is something along the lines of "why buy a dog and bark yourself?"
I didn't want to make a big deal of this, but just thought it was worth nipping in the bud, as these things are often misinterpreted and then perceived as gospel truth if unchallenged.
Cheers
Smithy
2+2=75 yet again.
As I said in my post "my concern wis that he seemed to be micromanaging the Club. Your statement that he isn't is therefore reassuring.
No problem. Happy to clarify.
Cheers
Smithy
Quote:Can anyone tell me if Williamsons contract is up too as I think he is another really good player worth holding on too
Yeah me too - will even stop stalking the back row if it would convince him to renew his contract!!!
I am glad to hear that Thumper is upset about comments on here, since that shows that he cares and he's taking notice.
Perhaps if he cared and took notice in the past he would not have received so much criticism and he wouldn't be apologising for all of his errors now.
I find his new found honesty and willingness to listen very refreshing, and him reading this board is only a good thing for the fans and ultimately the club.
So welcome aboard Thumper, only rule is you need to be as mad as the rest of us, which of course you must be as you're the chairman!!!!
One day we will meet and when we do I might just shake your hand, but let's wait and see who you sign first eh?
Have you over the past 2 years ever told one of your coaches that a player has to be in the starting XV, otherwise the coaches job is in danger?
Just interested to know.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:06:09:48:35 by Leipziger.
Dave doesn't post on here.
If you had a question the talk-in was the forum to air it.
We'll do another one either towards the end of this season or more likely to preview next season.
Please come along and ask any questions you have in mind.
Cheers
Smithy
The answer would be no though, so it's not worth asking.
I would love to ask him straight out, and would have no problem doing so. Unfortueately it would mean a 300mile trip to ask it.
I cant see why it cant be answered on ere to be honest.
Quote:TouchLine
Thumper said he was prepared to take any questions so I wouldn't have a problem asking it. Why would you though Rose would probably get upset if you did.
The answer would be no though, so it's not worth asking.
Am touched that you hold such concern for my feelings in such high regard! - Warms the cockles of my heart on this cold friday morning -
Got your bait line out again???
Quote:GrubberKk
Very nicely handled Mark. Though I find it odd he has clearly asked you to feedback on here with regards to other things/comments,but not this.
I would love to ask him straight out, and would have no problem doing so. Unfortueately it would mean a 300mile trip to ask it.
I cant see why it cant be answered on ere to be honest.
Since you insist don't have a problem asking Thompson if he demands certain players start every week (and we all know who you mean) why not send him an e-mail or ring him up. Be courteous and ask for permission to put his answer on here, but I'm sure he won't mind. I'll be interested to hear his answer.
The reason why I asked on here is so that the answer could be seen by everyone.
Quote:GrubberKk
Very true Leipy, I could very well phone him up and ask.
The reason why I asked on here is so that the answer could be seen by everyone.
Like I say, I'm sure he won't mind you informing us of his answer.
I have no need to phone him to ask. I am merely asking for confirmation on here to clear it up once and for all. Hence my direct question - to give him the opportunity to answer it to all.
A simple yes or no is required.
Regarding the suggestion that Dave has "clearly asked you to feedback on here with regards to other things".
Evidence please?
Thought not.
As regards your question, the answer is no.
Cheers
Smithy
Ah yes and the pastel jumpers -
In fact the only person I've ever seen wearing tartan trousers is Doddie.
Donald wheres me troosers