Bonus season - Please let's make it count

[Colin Appleton]

Getting away from how dreadful this season has been and let's be fair we have been dire, am I alone in thinking in a strange way it feels as if we've been promoted. No I'm not mad, just hear me out. We should be playing in the National League North next season but we're not so next season is effectively a bonus season.

We will start in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, and the first round proper of the FA Trophy and none of this of course would have happened if we'd gone down and we'll also play clubs like Chesterfield that will bring far more supporters than the likes of Spennymoor Town ever would.

I wonder how long if ever it would have taken us to get promoted if we had been relegated ? - I always remember Paul Casson coming out with a line when the Barrow AFC film project was being discussed about how it was important to record our time in the National League North because we wouldn't be there again. He's been right so far but it was one hell of a close call.

I'm actually feeling quite positive about the new campaign, if you look at most of the clubs in the National League they have massive turnarounds of playing staff at the end of every season - didn't the Grimsby Chairman say something along those lines a few years ago ? The days of building teams over a long period are gone. Football doesn't work that way - you more or less start from scratch each pre-season. So basically as stupid as it may sound. If Boreham Wood lose their first play off game against Fylde they'll effectively have as much to show for this season as we have. Nothing

One other point Paul Casson seems to come in for stick in some quarters about the use of what's been described on this forum as "a tax avoidance scheme" - The rules have changed slightly over the last few years but this is my understanding of how it works.

Many years ago Max Griggs who owned Doc Martens took over Rushden and Diamonds - The millions he ploughed into the club meant his company didn't have to pay as much in tax - I'm simplifying this big time but basically - if he say put three million pounds into the club - and his company were due to pay 10 million pounds in tax - His company only paid 7 million pounds in tax. 10 - 3. The problem is Max Griggs's company stopped making profits so the money he was putting in then was effectively his own. In contrast when Thea Bristow, a lottery winner, started putting money into Torquay, each pound was effectively her own. Interesting she's no longer involved with Torquay neither is Max Griggs with Rushden.

Most football club's owners use the dare I call it "tax relief scheme." Very few people would just invest money and effectively get nothing back- like Thea Bristow - as long as the owners company is making profits there isn't a problem, but when the owners company stops making profits that's when the alarm bells should start to ring

Anyway on wards and up wards - can't wait for the fixtures to come out ...

[mall]

Quite simply, we will see within the next few weeks which way we will be heading next season-try to do things on the cheap and-try to rely on loan signing,and it will be game over this time around.Because as sure as its going to get dark tonight,every one of our competitors will be strengthening well by spending decent money.
It will be no good trying to do things on the cheap when we are this far north given the geographics of our nearest competitors in Lancashire. This is as good an opportunity as were ever going to get to move forward with a proven manager at this level.

[HenneysKnee]

When is that film out by the way?

[blue nige]

When is that film out by the way?

it`s in with the plans for the ground development !

[Shaun]

We survived by a gnat's pubic hair. After a season to forget. And that, after half a season to be frustrated as hell about.
I'm glad we're in the same league too. Who knows.

[blue nige]

You can try and spin this as a "bonus " but after what the fans have been subjected to this season it's the least we deserve!
The sheer incompetence of some of our leaders decisions had to be seen to be believed yes Cox was at fault but who hired him ? (without even considering other possible candidates ).
Anyway I hope that lessons have been learnt because a lot of bridges need rebuilding!

[Pedro]

You can try and spin this as a "bonus " but after what the fans have been subjected to this season it's the least we deserve!
The sheer incompetence of some of our leaders decisions had to be seen to be believed yes Cox was at fault but who hired him ? (without even considering other possible candidates ).
Anyway I hope that lessons have been learnt because a lot of bridges need rebuilding!

Well said ,i am very cynical and I felt we stumbled over the line for promotion and thought it we stayed in the league on the last day it would be down to Woking failing to win
We have been very lucky and we will see what commitment the owner has.
When it mattered the supporters turned up in numbers for the Chester game just a pity the players did not.

[Habbinblue]

Many years ago Max Griggs who owned Doc Martens took over Rushden and Diamonds - The millions he ploughed into the club meant his company didn't have to pay as much in tax - I'm simplifying this big time but basically - if he say put three million pounds into the club - and his company were due to pay 10 million pounds in tax - His company only paid 7 million pounds in tax. 10 - 3. The problem is Max Griggs's company stopped making profits so the money he was putting in then was effectively his own. In contrast when Thea Bristow, a lottery winner, started putting money into Torquay, each pound was effectively her own. Interesting she's no longer involved with Torquay neither is Max Griggs with Rushden ......

I think you've misunderstood how the tax system works. An owner losing £3 miilion would save the tax on £3 million profit from other trading activities, provided they could be off set against each other (US tax laws the same?). Tax rate isn't 100%. more like 25% in the US and 20% here, so a loss of £3 million pobably saves significantly less than £1 million in tax

[The Tomahawk Kid]

Colin Appleton (what a manager he was!) - I know exactly where you're coming from...

Now that the dust has settled on a truly dreadful season it does, indeed, feel like it's going to be a bonus season come next August.

I, and many others, I'm sure, have felt despondent and have had our enthusiasm and optimism diluted over the past nine months not just with the team's performances and the comings and goings at the club but also with the perceived knowledge that 'our dream' and Paul Casson's five year plan (new stadium + our entry into the hallowed halls of the FL) isn't going to occur. Many have directed criticism at our owner - myself included - for making too many rash promises. However; as the dust now settles and as the dream fades away - maybe it's now time to reflect...

Let's thank our lucky stars that we're still in the National League! Barrow AFC's name will continue to be read out on BBC TV when the results are rolled out on a Saturday evening. Maybe National League respectability/safety should be our aim/ambition for not just season 2018/19 but each and every season?

We're not Tranmere Rovers/Lincoln City/Grimsby Town and we don't have the fan base of such clubs - therefore, why should we assume we have the god given right to achieve and sustain a position in Div 2?

Next season, opposed to Spennymoor Town, Curzon Ashton and Leamington we'll be welcoming to Holker Street
Chesterfield and Salford City + our old foes Orient, Wrexham, Hartlepool, Halifax and maybe even Tranmere and Aldershot too - all ex FL clubs.

And who knows?
Maybe Morecambe!
Fingers crossed...

Let's Rejoice!