Is there a lack of ambition at the club? : Fri Mar 22, 2013 11:54 am  

Following the resignations of Steve Ferres and Nick & Sarah Fozzard all stating the lack of funding/ambition from/of the BOD. Now this from Brian Noble in a BBC discussion re Salford http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/21879270 (9th/10th Paragraph in) "I understand Noble is keen to work with Koukash, but only if he is convinced the dream of this businessman, tempted into the sport by the RFL's chief executive Nigel Wood, can become a reality. A similar discussion about ambition and available funds saw Noble drop out of the running for the Castleford Tigers job before the appointment of Ian Millward, so Salford fans should not expect this to be a done deal." I know we are not the richest club in the league and we tend to spend within our means, but what I find interesting is this "Lack of Ambition" comment, constantly appearing. The club keep telling us they are looking for new investors, but what investor is going to invest in a club that currently has no ambition to move forward?

Following the resignations of Steve Ferres and Nick & Sarah Fozzard all stating the lack of funding/ambition from/of the BOD. Now this from Brian Noble in a BBC discussion re Salford http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/21879270 (9th/10th Paragraph in) "I understand Noble is keen to work with Koukash, but only if he is convinced the dream of this businessman, tempted into the sport by the RFL's chief executive Nigel Wood, can become a reality. A similar discussion about ambition and available funds saw Noble drop out of the running for the Castleford Tigers job before the appointment of Ian Millward, so Salford fans should not expect this to be a done deal." I know we are not the richest club in the league and we tend to spend within our means, but what I find interesting is this "Lack of Ambition" comment, constantly appearing. The club keep telling us they are looking for new investors, but what investor is going to invest in a club that currently has no ambition to move forward?

Re: Is there a lack of ambition at the club? : Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:33 pm  

Junglefever wrote: Following the resignations of Steve Ferres and Nick & Sarah Fozzard all stating the lack of funding/ambition from/of the BOD. Now this from Brian Noble in a BBC discussion re Salford http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/21879270 (9th/10th Paragraph in) "I understand Noble is keen to work with Koukash, but only if he is convinced the dream of this businessman, tempted into the sport by the RFL's chief executive Nigel Wood, can become a reality. A similar discussion about ambition and available funds saw Noble drop out of the running for the Castleford Tigers job before the appointment of Ian Millward, so Salford fans should not expect this to be a done deal." I know we are not the richest club in the league and we tend to spend within our means, but what I find interesting is this "Lack of Ambition" comment, constantly appearing. The club keep telling us they are looking for new investors, but what investor is going to invest in a club that currently has no ambition to move forward? No club lacks ambition that's just bar room babble used to attack the Chairman because he isn't willing to throw every penny he has at the club. You like most of SL for whatever reason lack funds, it's that simple.

Junglefever wrote: Following the resignations of Steve Ferres and Nick & Sarah Fozzard all stating the lack of funding/ambition from/of the BOD. Now this from Brian Noble in a BBC discussion re Salford http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/21879270 (9th/10th Paragraph in) "I understand Noble is keen to work with Koukash, but only if he is convinced the dream of this businessman, tempted into the sport by the RFL's chief executive Nigel Wood, can become a reality. A similar discussion about ambition and available funds saw Noble drop out of the running for the Castleford Tigers job before the appointment of Ian Millward, so Salford fans should not expect this to be a done deal." I know we are not the richest club in the league and we tend to spend within our means, but what I find interesting is this "Lack of Ambition" comment, constantly appearing. The club keep telling us they are looking for new investors, but what investor is going to invest in a club that currently has no ambition to move forward? No club lacks ambition that's just bar room babble used to attack the Chairman because he isn't willing to throw every penny he has at the club. You like most of SL for whatever reason lack funds, it's that simple.

Re: Is there a lack of ambition at the club? : Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:44 pm  

There's no lack of ambition. What I'd suggest is there's a distinct lack of ability at the top level to effective carry the club's ambitions forward (a problem by no means unique to Cas). Whether that's as bad or worse than a stand alone lack of ambition is a matter for debate.

Re: Is there a lack of ambition at the club? : Fri Mar 22, 2013 1:12 pm  

Junglefever wrote:

I know we are not the richest club in the league and we tend to spend within our means, but what I find interesting is this "Lack of Ambition" comment, constantly appearing. The club keep telling us they are looking for new investors, but what investor is going to invest in a club that currently has no ambition to move forward?

There is certainly no lack of ambition from the fans but there is from the BOD. The ownership model at SL level has changed dramatically over the last couple of seasons. We are probably the last SL club run by a BOD that answers to its shareholders. Most clubs now are owned and run by a sole owner.
As it stands now (and thanks to Jack Fulton) we are just surviving. He has kept us in operation for 20+ years and without him we wouldn’t have a club to support. Unfortunately “just surviving” isn’t enough in today’s SL. The definition of ambition in SL translates to the facility of pumping cold hard cash into a hobby of which you will never see again – granted there are a few exceptions like Leeds and Wigan who prove it can be made into a profitable exercise – but most make losses year on year and are happy to go along with this until they get fed up and move to another hobby.
We haven’t moved with the times, the stadium issue is an albatross around our neck and there is no way we can apply for another licence on the back of more promises.
There are certain instances recently that have made me think that Castleford Tigers as a club lacks ambition to the point that we have gave up completely. The constant employment of our head coach is just one of those instances. I won’t list them all here – you will know the rest.
Our decline has even made me ask the following:-
1. Have we already been told we don’t figure in the next licence period?
2. Have we been told plans have been made for a 2 tier SL with Tigers in SL2?
3. Have our BOD accepted that we cannot compete at SL level and are already planning for life outside the elite?

Re: Is there a lack of ambition at the club? : Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:29 pm  

Tigerade wrote:

There is certainly no lack of ambition from the fans but there is from the BOD. The ownership model at SL level has changed dramatically over the last couple of seasons. We are probably the last SL club run by a BOD that answers to its shareholders. Most clubs now are owned and run by a sole owner.
As it stands now (and thanks to Jack Fulton) we are just surviving. He has kept us in operation for 20+ years and without him we wouldn’t have a club to support. Unfortunately “just surviving” isn’t enough in today’s SL. The definition of ambition in SL translates to the facility of pumping cold hard cash into a hobby of which you will never see again – granted there are a few exceptions like Leeds and Wigan who prove it can be made into a profitable exercise – but most make losses year on year and are happy to go along with this until they get fed up and move to another hobby.
We haven’t moved with the times, the stadium issue is an albatross around our neck and there is no way we can apply for another licence on the back of more promises.
There are certain instances recently that have made me think that Castleford Tigers as a club lacks ambition to the point that we have gave up completely. The constant employment of our head coach is just one of those instances. I won’t list them all here – you will know the rest.
Our decline has even made me ask the following:-
1. Have we already been told we don’t figure in the next licence period?
2. Have we been told plans have been made for a 2 tier SL with Tigers in SL2?
3. Have our BOD accepted that we cannot compete at SL level and are already planning for life outside the elite?

What you mean if you'll allow me is that no one at Cas lacks ambition including the BOD. What they lack is the expertise, knowledge and funds to attain it. You can't accuse someone of lack of ambition if they simply are not in a position to achieve it. Until Mr X arrives then your ambitions unlike your dreams are limited.

Re: Is there a lack of ambition at the club? : Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:16 pm  

I agree with that Vasty but when you put all the negative points that are wrong with the club together you cannot help thinking we are allready in the process of been wound-down now.

Re: Is there a lack of ambition at the club? : Sat Mar 23, 2013 11:21 am  

I'm with Vastman on this.

I've no doubt that were the money available our BoD would love to spend up to the salary cap limit, employ an outstanding and ambitious coach and get the new stadium built pronto.

It's probably more accurate to replace the word 'ambition' with the words 'necessary funding' in the op's original question. If so I would wholeheartedly agree.

From time to time rumours circulate about new investors coming forward and when nothing materialises it gives further opportunity for the cynics amongst us to blame the likes of Fulton and Wright, accusing them of operating a closed shop. But there's always 2 sides to any story and no new investor will be prepared to pump money into the club without wanting something in return. Invariably us supporters aren't aware of the exact conditions under which money is offered for investment and without knowing that its unfair to presume the BoD are wrong for turning it down.

Re: Is there a lack of ambition at the club? : Sun Mar 24, 2013 6:53 pm  

Yes.Since the Stuart Raper era the club has gone backwards. 1999 was the last time this club was going somewhere.2000 was a season we should have kicked on and done something but no the BOD of Directors then thought lets run with what we have and see what happens.Well I hope they now see where we are out dated outfaught outplayed and within 12 months out of SL.The supporters of this club deserve honesty from the BOD, they asked for the support when we were relegated and the supporters stepped up to the mark not once but twice.The new stadium is a mill stone around our necks if we cannot afford it ( and we cannot ) give up move to NL1 and start again yes we will lose our decent players but the way we are going that is going to happen anyway.NL1 is not such a bad league like SL there are 3 -4 top teams and the also rans.In SL we are one of the also rans, in NL1 we would be one of the top teams.SL is OK if you are a top 8 team but supporting a team that struggles all the time get frustrating and is not good for the supporters or the players to know week in week out they will struggle.Yes there may be a few games we win such as Leeds - Wigam - Polecats bur is that the ambition of this once great and proud club.A few games here and there and not to get the wooden spoon again.
My opinion and that will not change