I hope you like our new direction...

Comments (15)

I feel that the way we (and all other football clubs) are set up is, to say the least, a bit old-fashioned, and if we were operated with more vision, we could set ourselves up to be more successful. The question is how.

One of the main things which I feel is holding us back is the lack of ability to control our TV product. I know that the Sky income is what is paying for our players but I don?t feel that this is the future. If we could gain greater control over live and archive footage, I think this would be the key to generating significant income.

Here are a few ideas that I think would be a useful starting point in taking the club forward.

1. The internet: We need to produce something different in terms of our internet product. The initial idea was ok from the club, I joined for a while myself, but outside of pre-season the product isn?t really there. I think we need live games on the internet. If necessary, we should lobby MPs to bring this about.

To fill the stadium we can discount seats and improve the type of football on the pitch. If I have the choice I much prefer going to the match, and also with pirate internet channels, it?s not as if it will make any difference to those determined not to pay.

2. Differentiate the product. Different prices and products for UK and Rest of the World, and different marketing strategies to hit these two markets.

3. Raise the brand profile. I may be living in the past, but it does seem that reality TV still has some life in it. If we could team up with a production company and create a strong enough soap opera type narrative, this could raise the profile. Also a gritty no holds barred documentary detailing the things that go on behind the scenes, either at playing, boardroom level preferably both, could be an idea.

4. The new stadium. We need to make a choice and stick with it. For my money, marketing wise, sticking with Goodison is the better option. Tastefully redevelop it and make it part of the story of the club. This could also be a good idea for a reality TV show/documentary.

The BBC might be interested in running a Great British Architecture style show to find a suitable design. We could farm out the corporate facilities separately for investment and take a slice of the gross income. We should set out a tender for making them the best corporate facilities in the world.

5. When I grew up on Merseyside, there was a great deal of kids football played on pitches all over. The club should get volunteers and help organize local level football all over Merseyside. Maybe also look at producing our own range of football books, coaching manuals etc?

So those were the ideas that I came up with. Maybe not the best in the world, but I would be interested in what ideas other people had in taking the club forward and where they think football will be in 20/30 years time>

Cheers

ps: COYB tomorrow.
Gavin McGarvey, Puebla, Mexico     Posted 13/02/2011 at 04:16:47

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