I love this hypothetical question...I've even give it previous thought...so heres my blue print!
1. KT. £1 for the club itself. I wouldn't pay anybody a penny more for it. If the leases/land came into it, which no doubt they would...thats tricky. Id meet up with the council, get some professional advice etc..but that 'deal' would sit in the background for now...
2. Id knock down the East and start again, Id estimate 6 million like you to do a proper job.
3. Id then introduce a scheme. Id announce that we'd run with a 2 million budget with estimated losses of 500k. And if we sold more than 5000 season tickets Id increase that by 1 million quid. Id basically invite the fan base to get on board with me for the dream. Id also say to them 'average me a crowd of over 6500 next season, and Ill build a large safe terrace behind the goal, capacity 4000. Estimated cost 2 million. Would take the capacity up to around 11000.
*just to add. If KT said 'next season Ill do x, y, z if 5000 season tickets are sold...and the incentives were good, I honestly believe that we'd do it*
*spend at this stage, committed 6 million..increased to 8-10 million, dependent on IF the fans bought tickets and put bums on seats.
4. Manager. Tricky one. But whoever it would be would be on a rolling 6 month contract with 3 month notice period. Id refuse to offer any longer than that. Id pay a good basic to get a good candidate. I do not believe one bit that manager stability = success, I believe the opposite in fact. As soon as they fail, Id get another one in. Max pressure. IF the manager continues to succeed then he'd stay in the job, simples.
5. 500k over break even budget, year on year. And (point 1) Id have a scheme that basically says to the fans and people of Northampton...shove your £ in and Ill happily do the same.
Id also have a scheme where I said to the Supporters (Trust) that Id double whatever they brought to the party funds wise above that 500k with a cap of a million quid on it (per annum)
Essentially, Id look to properly get the locals on board, fans and business community by offering incentives of 'investment' and to show their intent and Id show mine. Cant think of another club that does this 'all out' but its an idea I came up with ages ago for when Im rich!
Bizarrely i've often "dreamt" along similar lines!!
Reduced admission prices, reduced season ticket prices, and end to undisclosed transfer fees and over inflated food and drink prices! We'd be a local club, run by a fan with other fans on board......and operating with the motto "Giving football back to the fans"........
