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Turnover rules unclear
In an article published in today's Non-League Paper, the chairman of Chester City, ex-boxer Stephen Vaughan, estimates that his club has swallowed £1.8 million of his own money and goes on to say that if his manager Mark Wright needs more money to strengthen the side, it will be found.
He also says that he wants to develop a multi-purpose clubroom, capable of catering for up to 400, which without any brewery support will cost another £1 million.
Vaughan is full of praise for the Conference. "It is run on a very professional basis," he said. "The expansion plans are the right way ahead.
"We did vote against the wage-capping, but with our turnover hopefully set to top the £1 million mark, we can live with it."
The 65% rule that was introduced by the Conference for this season means that Chester should be able to pay their players about £650,000 in wages. Although their squad is larger than that at Hereford, some of their players are probably earning more per week as well.
Comparing turnover is difficult. Last season the average gate at the Deva Stadium was 2406 which was 368 more than at Edgar Street. Admission charges were similar so the question has to be where does the rest of Chester's turnover come from?
Graham Turner has suggested that he will have about £400,000 for wages, including National Insurance payments this season. This figure may increase should gate receipts stay close to the current higher level. For the first two home games this season the gate at Chester has averaged 2074 and at Hereford 3068.
Turner recently told Talking Bull that he could not see how certain Conference club managers seem to be spending considerable sums despite the new rule. "I hear that some players are said to be earning £2,000 per week. We don't see how they can be sticking to the rules especially when you consider that some of these clubs have average gates of 800 to 1000."
It is understood that the Conference are likely to look at how clubs are managing the 65% rule during the season, but unless an audit is carried out it is difficult to ascertain how any checks can be accurate. In any case the Conference have refused to tell the press more than a very basic summary of how the rule is to be policed.
Meanwhile Sportingbet has told HU-FC.co.uk that it has withdrawn its 16-1 offer on the Bulls winning the Conference. Its latest price will be available tomorrow.