Support for Turner from Northwich
With increased gate money at Edgar Street recently, some supporters are asking what options Graham Turner has to strengthen his squad. However Turner still can not go out and buy players because of the CVA which is still in force at Hereford. He also has to watch that he does not break the new 65% rule.
Northwich Victoria's manager has supported Turner's thoughts as to how the 65% rule is operating in the Conference. The new rule was introduced to stop clubs spending more than they were earning. This was the very problem that caused Hereford United to get into debt back when Hill and Fry were "running" the club.
There is still confusion over how the 65% rule operates. Some months ago when it was introduced it was thought that it related to turnover but how turnover is defined is still uncertain. At Edgar Street, it is easy to ascertain as there are no wealthy benefactors who are supporting the club to any degree. But at some other clubs the situation is far from clear.
Steve Davis, the Nothwich manager told the NLP that some wealthy chairman are allegedly cocking a snook at the squad capping that was supposed to make competion fairer. He suggested that better-off rivals are paying one player as much as the entire Northwich squad put together.
"One player is reported to be on £2,000 a week and there is another striker whose club are paying him £400 a goal.
"Richer clubs will always find ways round the rules, but our chairman and directors are retired and haven't got pots of gold. That effectively puts us in a different league," he said.
In the case of the Bulls, the increased attendance at the first six games this season should have grossed in the region of £100,000. This would imply that Turner could have some £65,000 extra to spend on wages should he wish, but there is confusion whether the turnover rule applies to the present or is historic, probably meaning either last season or the last six months.
The Conference have not made public the 65% rule details and how they intend to police it. Until they do, it makes life unfair for those managers, such as Graham Turner, who appear to be sticking to the rules.
Note: HU-FC.co.uk printed an article dealing with this subject based on an interview with Kellie Discipline of the Conference League on July 8th. It can be found in the news archive section.