Lewes FC Membership Ambitions Crash at the Altar of Narcissism
25th October 2022
The Lewes FC Club Strategy for 2021/22 set the target of bringing is 3500 new owners by the end of the 21/22 season
The great plan at Lewes FC to become self-sustained was one rooted in de facto narcissism. Instigated by people clearly with a such a high regard for themselves and everything they do, they assumed everybody would buy into it. What could be so wrong with the human race that they wouldn’t think what we do is astounding? So one by one the world’s population were supposed to sign up for membership of Lewes FC, the community club the board have mistaken for global, and help dent a hole in our huge trading losses.
‘We’re so amazing, as is everything we do so come join us, pay your subs and become a member.’ As far as business plans go it was a long shot!
The Lewes FC Club Strategy for 2021/22 set the target of bringing is 3500 new owners by the end of the 21/22 season
A huge fail. The figures I can source is that the membership in 2018 was 1400. Presumably, an educated guess would be 1800 by 2021 when the target was set. As of now the membership is 2700. So the target was dramatically missed. Factor in the target was set for end of 21/22 season 6 months ago and since then we have had Euro 2022, I would be surprised if we managed to achieve just under 20% of that target maybe 800? Don’t get me wrong a huge achievement but don’t forget the huge support and non playing management that are being paid to generate that membership. Well let’s hope the new subscriptions at least cover the money and time spent chasing them.
Yes, I know every flaw and failing from the club is done up like a dog’s dinner, but this is one that cannot be sculpted into a positive. In fairness there was an acknowledgement at the AGM that the target was too ambitious. Should not be a big deal, but when the brains that run the club have suggested the club can be membership funded and it clearly, as they admit, cannot be where is the money coming from?
Okay, it was obvious that it was another in a long list of pie in the sky wishes based on ill-founded high levels of self-regard and we move on. But it shows a complete continued detachment from reality from people running our club. We are a club trading and operating outside out means on the fantasy ‘build and they will income’ philosophy that is looking more and more perilous
I also wrote this a week ago examining a bit closer our terrible financial mess.
The Rights of Fans. 