Glasgow Promotion - You're Biting The Hand That Feeds You!

[george.m]

Today's Red Alert is a disappointing read on many fronts. However, underlying the bad news is it's tone.

 

Glasgow Promotion I have sung your praises many times on here.

Unfortunately today is different.

 

You have made the classic blunder today and criticized your customers. A major faux pas! In the process you have left yourself open to doubt's about your own business acumen.

Here's were you did it ...

 

"We said in May we needed you, the supporters to help us via a bring a friend campaign. Unfortunately very few of you did.

 

Folks, the bottom line is we need more supporters to get off their backsides and help us.

 

 

Glasgow Speedway has many people who volunteer week in, week out to do their bit. They are to be commended to the highest. I genuinely feel for them.

 

However, no entertainment business can run on the basis of goodwill. It has to put a product on show that retains it's existing and new customers. This year the product on track has been dire! The atmosphere at the stadium on a Sunday - poor. I'm not talking about "Give us a T", etc. I'm talking about the negativity on the terraces. The general feeling of unhappiness amongst the supporters. And can you blame them?

 

I will give the promotion 10 out of 10 for effort in making the stadium and track better. I'll give them 10 out of 10 for marketing effort.

 

But in execution they do not get 10.

 

I have brought new people. Good God, I feel like I've been doing it all of my adult speedway supporting life in the name of Glasgow Speedway!!!!!

 

But hey, if what they watch doesn't float their boat and if there's a poor atmosphere, then what more do you want me to do to persuade them to spend £20+ a week, and give up the best part of a Sunday to do a 80+ mile round trip to watch poor entertainment?

 

Seriously, what more do you want from me?

 

As I said earlier, entertainment businesses cannot rely on goodwill, surely you knew that when you took over the promotion. Please say "yes". Please!

 

The team should have been changed earlier in the season, everyone Glasgow supporter could see it wasn't going to work. You needed to act and act fast. You missed this opportunity.

 

The tone of your Red Alert emails was poor. Many have said this on forums. But you didn't take heid. Frankly they have turned people off.

 

1. Was/is the decision making process in the promotion too cumbersome? Too slow to react?

2. Is there too much textbook marketing in terms of promoting the club and not enough of the nitty gritty to get the product right that people come to see on a Sunday?

3. Did you fully and really understand how to get bums on seats when you took over? Really promote, like an old style down in the dirt promoter?

4. Did you understand the finances?

 

For these reasons you fail to get 10.

 

If Glasgow Speedway doesn't run in 2014 it will be a poor day.

 

But please do not try to pass the blame onto your customers!

Edited October 14, 2013 by george.m

[coalman]

Personally thought the email was out of order. But who am I only a fan that comes every week to support my team . To say I don't get of my backside and promote the team I'm a fan not a promoter

[Blantyre80]

Personally thought the email was out of order. But who am I only a fan that comes every week to support my team . To say I don't get of my backside and promote the team I'm a fan not a promoter

It was entirely unnecessary and unfair to blame the supporters for this mess. Ashfield has never been a sustainable venue for speedway, when we moved from Shawfield a lot of people stopped going because it was in Possil Park that combined with the fact that it has been once long expensive fight to fit in a track which would provide good racing. We have had good racing at times something always came up forcing further track changes which set it all back again.

 

The previous promotion should have made more of an effort to look for an alternative even when we were about to be kicked out for Ashfield to be redeveloped for housing all we heard was how they were hoping to stay, there was never any mention of them looking at alternative sights or meeting with Glasgow City Council to discuss areas that could be looked at.

 

The current promotion spent money on the track and the bar and wanted to spend more on floodlighting to race Friday nights. They would have been smarter to save the money with a view using it on a new track somewhere else even if that somewhere else had to be on the outskirts of Glasgow again.

 

The promotion this year seemed to think all that was needed was to insist the supporters do more to encourage people to come to the speedway however when they hear it is in Possilpark people are not keen and if they do come then watching a team getting heavily beaten week out does give much reason to come back. These are not issues the supporters are responsible for.

[MD]

It was entirely unnecessary and unfair to blame the supporters for this mess. Ashfield has never been a sustainable venue for speedway, when we moved from Shawfield a lot of people stopped going because it was in Possil Park that combined with the fact that it has been once long expensive fight to fit in a track which would provide good racing. We have had good racing at times something always came up forcing further track changes which set it all back again.

 

The previous promotion should have made more of an effort to look for an alternative even when we were about to be kicked out for Ashfield to be redeveloped for housing all we heard was how they were hoping to stay, there was never any mention of them looking at alternative sights or meeting with Glasgow City Council to discuss areas that could be looked at.

 

The current promotion spent money on the track and the bar and wanted to spend more on floodlighting to race Friday nights. They would have been smarter to save the money with a view using it on a new track somewhere else even if that somewhere else had to be on the outskirts of Glasgow again.

 

The promotion this year seemed to think all that was needed was to insist the supporters do more to encourage people to come to the speedway however when they hear it is in Possilpark people are not keen and if they do come then watching a team getting heavily beaten week out does give much reason to come back. These are not issues the supporters are responsible for.

We've been at Ashfield for 14 years. At what point did supporters from Shawfield decide Possil on a Sunday wasn't for them? Shawfield was notorious for cars being broken into, I don't believe PP is anywhere near as bad for this despite its reputation. We originally moved from Shawfield as we couldn't afford the rent, I don't believe we could afford it anywhere other than Ashfield, and even now Glasgow speedway cannot cover its costs. During the property boom of the mid 2000's vast swathes of land were bought up by developers to put into land banks, even the rubbishtiest areas you could imagine were being snapped up, just look at the houses built behind Ashfield. To find an alternative venue and its associated costs of laying a track with basic facilities and gaining permission would be huge. Also gaining planning permission from the general public who do not want speedway near them is asking a lot. We've got what we can afford, or not afford as this season has unfortunately shown.

[luluthetiger]

When we say "the promotion" we need to be more specific. The "ownership" is Alun and Gordon, who put in a huge amount of money to buy the club (from Alan and Stewart) and keep it running. The "directors" are Derek, Ian, Craig and Colin, who were appointed by the owners to promote and run the club.

 

My feeling is there was a degree of naivety by the owners in entrusting their investment to an inexperienced, albeit enthusiatic board of directors of the company.

 

In turn there was a degree of incompetance on the part of some of the board, a little race-day posing and an over-optimistic lack of awareness of what was happening financially. I am sorry, but to lose £55,000 of other peoples' money isn't good.

 

We mustn't ignore the other points in that Red Alert. Yes, blaming the supporters for not turning out wasn't clever, but it also lays down hopeful guidelines on raising additional sponsorship and reducing outgoings if the club is to go forward.

 

What is needed now is a public meeting to decide the future. Glasgow Tigers are roughly where the Monarchs were a year ago, no worse off. At such an event, there should be no recriminations, or time-wasting over the past -- hold a a purposeful event, attended only by positive forward--thinkers.

[chucks]

We've been at Ashfield for 14 years. At what point did supporters from Shawfield decide Possil on a Sunday wasn't for them? Shawfield was notorious for cars being broken into, I don't believe PP is anywhere near as bad for this despite its reputation. We originally moved from Shawfield as we couldn't afford the rent, I don't believe we could afford it anywhere other than Ashfield, and even now Glasgow speedway cannot cover its costs. During the property boom of the mid 2000's vast swathes of land were bought up by developers to put into land banks, even the rubbishtiest areas you could imagine were being snapped up, just look at the houses built behind Ashfield. To find an alternative venue and its associated costs of laying a track with basic facilities and gaining permission would be huge. Also gaining planning permission from the general public who do not want speedway near them is asking a lot. We've got what we can afford, or not afford as this season has unfortunately shown.

well said if there is supporters meeting to save the tigers i will turn up

[Lord Antebellum]

 

We mustn't ignore the other points in that Red Alert. Yes, blaming the supporters for not turning out wasn't clever, but it also lays down hopeful guidelines on raising additional sponsorship and reducing outgoings if the club is to go forward.

 

What is needed now is a public meeting to decide the future. Glasgow Tigers are roughly where the Monarchs were a year ago, no worse off. At such an event, there should be no recriminations, or time-wasting over the past -- hold a a purposeful event, attended only by positive forward--thinkers.

Well said lady, and well laid out. We here in Exeter lost our speedway not far off ten years ago, and it isn't coming back. Don't lose yours, Glasgow!

[The White Knight]

Well said lady, and well laid out. We here in Exeter lost our speedway not far off ten years ago, and it isn't coming back. Don't lose yours, Glasgow!

 

.............. and here in Sunderland FORTY years ago.

 

Let's hope that Glasgow can be pulled around and will run next Season.

[george.m]

When we say "the promotion" we need to be more specific. The "ownership" is Alun and Gordon, who put in a huge amount of money to buy the club (from Alan and Stewart) and keep it running. The "directors" are Derek, Ian, Craig and Colin, who were appointed by the owners to promote and run the club.

 

My feeling is there was a degree of naivety by the owners in entrusting their investment to an inexperienced, albeit enthusiatic board of directors of the company.

 

In turn there was a degree of incompetance on the part of some of the board, a little race-day posing and an over-optimistic lack of awareness of what was happening financially. I am sorry, but to lose £55,000 of other peoples' money isn't good.

 

We mustn't ignore the other points in that Red Alert. Yes, blaming the supporters for not turning out wasn't clever, but it also lays down hopeful guidelines on raising additional sponsorship and reducing outgoings if the club is to go forward.

 

What is needed now is a public meeting to decide the future. Glasgow Tigers are roughly where the Monarchs were a year ago, no worse off. At such an event, there should be no recriminations, or time-wasting over the past -- hold a a purposeful event, attended only by positive forward--thinkers.

 

Very constructive comments luluthetiger.

Hitting the nail on the head.

Hopefully someone in influence takes heid.

Put me down for a place if there is a meeting.

[freddyfivetoes]

When we say "the promotion" we need to be more specific. The "ownership" is Alun and Gordon, who put in a huge amount of money to buy the club (from Alan and Stewart) and keep it running. The "directors" are Derek, Ian, Craig and Colin, who were appointed by the owners to promote and run the club.

 

My feeling is there was a degree of naivety by the owners in entrusting their investment to an inexperienced, albeit enthusiatic board of directors of the company.

 

In turn there was a degree of incompetance on the part of some of the board, a little race-day posing and an over-optimistic lack of awareness of what was happening financially. I am sorry, but to lose £55,000 of other peoples' money isn't good.

 

We mustn't ignore the other points in that Red Alert. Yes, blaming the supporters for not turning out wasn't clever, but it also lays down hopeful guidelines on raising additional sponsorship and reducing outgoings if the club is to go forward.

 

What is needed now is a public meeting to decide the future. Glasgow Tigers are roughly where the Monarchs were a year ago, no worse off. At such an event, there should be no recriminations, or time-wasting over the past -- hold a a purposeful event, attended only by positive forward--thinkers.

 

A post which hits the spot! Plenty of "likes" and posts of approval, but deafening silence from both owners and directors.

 

People clearly want to help here, and a meeting such as Lulu advocates (a serious one -- if you can't help, don't come) is crying out to be held, sooner rather than later.

 

Also, no word from any of the directors on their losses of "other peoples money"?

[crescent girl]

No-one in authority now seems to be caring about what has been identified as a critical problem over the future of the Tigers.

 

Or are moves taking place behind the scenes?

 

I feel sure their many well-wishers would like to know.

[Munchkin]

I'm an edinburgh but I genuinely feel sorry for the predicament glasgow are in, I would be sorry to see glasgow close, can I make a suggestion 1. As you come in have somebody there to greet fans, at edinburgh we have one of the directors stands just inside the turnstiles, supporters have somebody they can approach, also bring back the tiger get him to even greet the kids coming in

[george.m]

No-one in authority now seems to be caring about what has been identified as a critical problem over the future of the Tigers.

 

Or are moves taking place behind the scenes?

 

I feel sure their many well-wishers would like to know.

 

Speaking frankly the Glasgow owners/promotion are playing with the supporters emotions.

Right now mine range from anger to disappointment, pessimism to despair. Unfortunately none of them positive.

 

Their MO is it's "our club".

Yes, that might be their genuine belief and intention.

But let's be honest here, it can only ever belong to the shareholders.

Initially this phrase was used to bring the new promotion closer to the support (no problem with that), as time passed it was used to 'encourage' financial support. Misuse.

 

There has been no update since the latest Red Alert so as far as I know this is the current state of affairs:

 

"We have to tell you that (unless a new owner come forward with very deep pockets and a very big heart) speedway will not survive in Glasgow.

 

Quite seperately, helping us actively by adding to our efforts to increase confirmed offers of sponsorship big-money sponsorship by November 14th. One big backer with £30K? Superb but ten new backers, each with £3K, adds up to the same total, and spreads the load."

 

So 8 days after that bombshell, no update and we don't know what the hell is happening.

Not good in PR terms!

 

Yet, we are still expected to be raising funds for the air fence?

 

Call me a cynic. But why are we raising funds when the club might not be running?

Call me a cynic. If the club doesn't run, what happens to that money?

 

Right now I feel like i'm just hanging out there in the wind.

Frankly, as a Glasgow supporter of over 30 years I'm getting a bit fed up of this will we, won't we be running experience most close seasons.

 

One day the boy will cry wolf once too often.

 

I believe 100% the owners/promotion are sincere and honest people.

But seriously, you need to start seeing things from the perspective of the other people who's club it is.

Edited October 19, 2013 by george.m

[Rider Replacement]

They management team and the owners are good people, sincere and fans of Glasgow Tigers. They are not alone on the losing money stakes, in this week's SS, Bob Dugard says he has lost around £70K, Redcar has lost money and don't have an air fence, Coventry have lost money and may lose the stadium, Birmingham have lost money and where/are not certain of their future, so for Glasgow to have lost money is unsurprising really, as the aforementioned clubs are stalwarts of the speedway game and they cant make it pay.

 

The reality is unless you have surplus cash to get rid of speedway will not make you money.

[bigeddiechek]

I'm really sorry and concerned to hear of this situation our Tigger friends are going through.

There is too much negativity in the sport on the terraces, but for it to come from the Promotion, and aimed at the fans, is terrible.

Especially since it can only be targeted at the people who are turning up and are supporting the club.

 

Speedway desperately needs a positive outlook, as Lulu points out.

 

The PL, I think, has been a very strong league the past few seasons.

That is something to build on for all Promotions.

 

It must have been a Hell of hard season for the Tigers though with one of the weakest squads I can remember.

Things can only get better guys!

 

IMHO opinion, the Promotion should be thanking the support for continuing to turn up all season.

Their next move should be to acknowledge that the team on track needs to be more competitive and that they will address this.

 

From my experience at Berwick, new people will come along and get bitten by the bug, but it is very hard and rare for this to happen.

My personal view has always been for promotions to keep the begging bowls away; but also for fans to realise that turning up every meeting we can is the best thing we can do to ensure a club survives.

 

Too many people decide to walk away from the support. This is a double whammy: it hits the club finances, and it kills the atmosphere.

 

Now, I am saying we need a more positive attitude in the sport, but just pop along to a Berwick thread and you will see that some people are strongly against this.

 

There are a few bad apples in the sport who really do a lot of damage, and that must also be stamped out.

 

Finally, these "Red Alerts" come across as almost bullying towards the people who are supporting the clubs.

This is not the way to treat you guys, don't stand for it, but don't walk away from it either!

 

I really, really, hope we still have your great support coming to visit us next season.

[george.m]

I'm really sorry and concerned to hear of this situation our Tigger friends are going through.

There is too much negativity in the sport on the terraces, but for it to come from the Promotion, and aimed at the fans, is terrible.

Especially since it can only be targeted at the people who are turning up and are supporting the club.

 

Speedway desperately needs a positive outlook, as Lulu points out.

 

The PL, I think, has been a very strong league the past few seasons.

That is something to build on for all Promotions.

 

It must have been a Hell of hard season for the Tigers though with one of the weakest squads I can remember.

Things can only get better guys!

 

IMHO opinion, the Promotion should be thanking the support for continuing to turn up all season.

Their next move should be to acknowledge that the team on track needs to be more competitive and that they will address this.

 

From my experience at Berwick, new people will come along and get bitten by the bug, but it is very hard and rare for this to happen.

My personal view has always been for promotions to keep the begging bowls away; but also for fans to realise that turning up every meeting we can is the best thing we can do to ensure a club survives.

 

Too many people decide to walk away from the support. This is a double whammy: it hits the club finances, and it kills the atmosphere.

 

Now, I am saying we need a more positive attitude in the sport, but just pop along to a Berwick thread and you will see that some people are strongly against this.

 

There are a few bad apples in the sport who really do a lot of damage, and that must also be stamped out.

 

Finally, these "Red Alerts" come across as almost bullying towards the people who are supporting the clubs.

This is not the way to treat you guys, don't stand for it, but don't walk away from it either!

 

I really, really, hope we still have your great support coming to visit us next season.

 

Reassuring that a neutral sees things from a similar perspective.

When you're emotionally involved, from time to time you need to sense check your own thoughts in case you're biased. It's easy to be so.

 

Based on most forum comments I read, here and elsewhere,

 

Red Alert = Red Mist

 

The idea of continual communication is spot on.

The tone is a pain in the Archibald!

[Robinh88]

It doesn't look good, to be honest....

[stemoc]

Just read most of this thread, somewhat depressing but unfortunately a familiar story in speedway. Glasgow supporters are some of the best in speedway very friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgable, let's hope all goes well in the closed season and that the Tigers and their supporters turn up at the tapes in 2014, it wouldn't be the same without you guys.

[MD]

They management team and the owners are good people, sincere and fans of Glasgow Tigers. They are not alone on the losing money stakes, in this week's SS, Bob Dugard says he has lost around £70K, Redcar has lost money and don't have an air fence, Coventry have lost money and may lose the stadium, Birmingham have lost money and where/are not certain of their future, so for Glasgow to have lost money is unsurprising really, as the aforementioned clubs are stalwarts of the speedway game and they cant make it pay.

 

The reality is unless you have surplus cash to get rid of speedway will not make you money.

Its somewhat reassuring to know that experienced promoters have lost money. Looking at Eastbourne their owner has had to cover his costs of at least £70,000 in his machine tool business this year just to subsidise the speedway team. That's a phenomenal amount of money in one year. Owners or beneficiaries like this are few and far between, and I'm sure Dugard has had to subsidise Eastbourne most seasons, just not to the same extent. No one in their right mind would buy the club from him where it has shown loss after loss each year, and a phenomenal loss for 2013. As a businessman he must be considering whether to run at all next year as any venture must firstly cover its costs, and you wouldn't blame him for saying I'm not throwing any more money away, I'm closing the doors. So why do we have different expectations of the Glasgow owners? They lost £50,000 this year and are perfectly entitled to say I'm not throwing more money that my main business has to earn, out the window. Why people continually berate them as if they are the enemy is beyond me. I wouldn't do it if it were my money being lost and I doubt any of their moaners on here would either.

[george.m]

Unfortunately James Grives Farewell Meeting has been postponed until start of next season. Due to rider availability this weekend with Edinburgh and Somerset contesting the Premier League Play Off Final. Good decision under the circumstances.

 

http://www.glasgowtigers.co/?p=2767

 

No Red Alert email however, and does this mean the Tigers will be running in 2014?

Wish the owners/promotion would update the support on where we stand in relation to running next year.