Hull FC bought by Multi-Millionaire partnership

[WN83]

1 hour ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

I don’t know enough about the new businessmen to comment authoritatively, but looking at their combined net worth they seem to be in the Danson rather than Lenaghan level of rich.

That brings with it massive advantages - time and the ability to invest on day 1 for a start, but also the ability to invest to make returns. Everything about Wigan (save for the ticketing teething issues) is better under Danson, which brings about a virtuous circle.

Better coaching, better medical support; better facilities, better players, all work together to make watching the team more enjoyable. Better players, better marketing, better merch, better experience for sponsors, which grows the commercial side massively. Thus, you get a higher quality team, and make more money. 

I know it’s easy for me to say from a position of unprecedented strength in the SL era, but it is a joy to renew season tickets when you are paying for you and yours to watch Field, French, Thompson, Nsemba…

Good luck to FC! 

I guess they wouldn't mind being a quid behind Danson but they're easily rich enough for Rugby League. Had the salary cap not been so restrictive over the years, I think the game would've picked up more rich investors. Guys with wealth in this country are being priced out of the top end of the football market but you'd think would be open to other opportunities. 

[Worzel]

3 minutes ago, WN83 said:

I guess they wouldn't mind being a quid behind Danson but they're easily rich enough for Rugby League. Had the salary cap not been so restrictive over the years, I think the game would've picked up more rich investors. Guys with wealth in this country are being priced out of the top end of the football market but you'd think would be open to other opportunities. 

Think this is a really good point. British multi-millionaires now don't get to play with football clubs, but you can have a huge impact on a rugby league team with less than £2m per season. 

We just need to find one who lives in London!

[Morris Wanchuk]

Great news for FC and the game in general.

[RayCee]

Onward and upward. The hope returns for longsuffering fans. 

[Old Frightful]

Bloody marvellous!

£££££££££££££........

[WakefieldCityLoyal]

1 hour ago, Dullish Mood said:

As a Wire fan I’m actually glad to see this.  The sport only has 4/5 “viable” big clubs and we need FC to be back as one too, as they’ve been a shell of a club for 2/3 years now sadly.

I’d say 3 genuine big clubs in England Wigan, Leeds and Hull FC so good to see Hull under new ownership.  Not turning this into a IMG thread but plenty of new money seems to be coming into RL which is good for Super League.

[M j M]

40 minutes ago, WN83 said:

I guess they wouldn't mind being a quid behind Danson but they're easily rich enough for Rugby League. Had the salary cap not been so restrictive over the years, I think the game would've picked up more rich investors. Guys with wealth in this country are being priced out of the top end of the football market but you'd think would be open to other opportunities. 

Not really sure it works like that. You need to have an interest in the sport, usually the club in question (this one is odd in that neither are Hull fans it seems). I doubt there are many rich people just looking to burn a few million on a Rugby League club just because they can't afford to do the same with a soccer one.

[Padge]

OF is quite, anybody checked he's ok?

 

[JohnM]

You need not a mere interest but an absolute passion . I'd add,  the guy is well-heeled because of good cost control, hard RoI, and a wallet with a lock on it. That's just what's needed, not someone to injudiciously splash the cash.

[JohnM]

2 minutes ago, Padge said:

OF is quite, anybody checked he's ok?

 

[graveyard johnny]

edit

Edited November 13, 2024 by graveyard johnny

[Exiled Wiganer]

By my reckoning, we now have Cats, Wigan, Saints, Wire, Leeds, FC and HKR who would be able to flex the salary cap considerably. Or indeed ditch it. Personally, I would ditch it provided that the owners can show they will remain solvent. 

The sense I have is that the Giants, Cas, Wakefield and Leigh have wealthy but not super wealthy backers and Salford are hand to mouth. 

So, a majority of next year’s top flight could stretch their financial muscle. And we get to enjoy the results…

[sentoffagain2]

            Leeds have underachieved for a few years.Either through being tight with players contracts or poor recruitment.With a city the size of Leeds and the traditions of the club,they should be in the top three every season.Or are they keeping a tighter budget because they are still paying for the stadiums refurbishment?.

[ricky]

Doesn't the English domestic Union scene provides a cautionary tale about that kind of indulgence?

[Exiled Wiganer]

4 minutes ago, ricky said:

Doesn't the English domestic Union scene provides a cautionary tale about that kind of indulgence?

1 We are a sport not a pastime. 

2 We can add: the salary cap is already something of a solvency test, we just take the cap out and leave the test. 

3 It’ll never happen. 

4 And, most importantly, I don’t want to distract from the general tone of celebration and excitement across the game at this news. 

[M j M]

11 minutes ago, sentoffagain2 said:

Or are they keeping a tighter budget because they are still paying for the stadiums refurbishment?.

No, they're not.

In a salary capped sport if you don't get the right players you will underachieve, the richest team can't just out-spend everyone else.

[M j M]

21 minutes ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

By my reckoning, we now have Cats, Wigan, Saints, Wire, Leeds, FC and HKR who would be able to flex the salary cap considerably. Or indeed ditch it. Personally, I would ditch it provided that the owners can show they will remain solvent. 

The sense I have is that the Giants, Cas, Wakefield and Leigh have wealthy but not super wealthy backers and Salford are hand to mouth. 

So, a majority of next year’s top flight could stretch their financial muscle. And we get to enjoy the results…

Not sure how Simon Moran is doing, he's not made the Sunday Times Rich List recently. Mike Coleman doesn't make these lists being based in Singapore so hard to work out how much money is behind Saints.

Of the rest the ones who make the Rich lists:

From 2024 Sunday Times Rich List:

Mike Danson (Wigan) £1,349m
Paul Caddick (Leeds) £530m
Andrew Thirkill/David Hood (Hull FC) combined £500m

 

From 2023 Yorkshire Rich List:

Matt Ellis (Wakefield) £160m
Ken Davy (Huddersfield) £85m

 

[sentoffagain2]

11 minutes ago, M j M said:

No, they're not.

In a salary capped sport if you don't get the right players you will underachieve, the richest team can't just out-spend everyone else.

  So i was right when i said poor recruitment.

[Gerrumonside ref]

What’s on the wish list then Hull fans?

Personally I’d like another purpose built rugby league ground in Hull as another rugby league asset.

I imagine most fans though might go for an ace team and challenging for trophies again asap - nothing wrong with that either.

What are the priorities at the club less obvious to outsiders like me?

Edited November 13, 2024 by Gerrumonside ref

[MZH]

2 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

What’s on the wish list then Hull fans?

Personally I’d like another purpose built rugby league ground in Hull as another rugby league asset.

I imagine most fans though might go for an ace team and challenging for trophies again asap.

What are the priorities at the club less obvious to outsiders like

Our own purpose built stadium is the dream, but even if it does happen that's one for a few years down the line. Obviously a few star signings wouldn't go amiss but there's only so much you can do with the cap.

I'd be happy for now to see proper investment in training facilities and back room staff. The club have scrimped horribly off the field recently in things like S&C and Physios. There is already evidence of that improving this year with a few really good appointments, so more of that please.

[M j M]

9 minutes ago, sentoffagain2 said:

  So i was right when i said poor recruitment.

Yes I don't think that's unfair.

Changing coaches and a change in styles also makes some players superfluous who otherwise might not be.

But this is about Hull FC not Leeds.

[The 4 of Us]

19 minutes ago, M j M said:

From 2023 Yorkshire Rich List:

Matt Ellis (Wakefield) £160m
Ken Davy (Huddersfield) £85m

 

If their arms were longer they’d find more at the bottom of their pockets! 
 

Makes you wonder though if this would have happened without SL/RFL involvement with another organisation who’s letters I won’t spell so as not to derail the thread! 

[Gerrumonside ref]

2 minutes ago, The 4 of Us said:

If their arms were longer they’d find more at the bottom of their pockets! 
 

Makes you wonder though if this would have happened without SL/RFL involvement with another organisation who’s letters I won’t spell so as not to derail the thread! 

Don’t go there!

Edited November 13, 2024 by Gerrumonside ref

[Padge]

31 minutes ago, M j M said:

No, they're not.

In a salary capped sport if you don't get the right players you will underachieve, the richest team can't just out-spend everyone else.

But you can pay for the best coaches, conditioners, facilities and a whole load of other backroom people and facilities.

 

Edited November 13, 2024 by Padge

[Old Frightful]

1 minute ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

What’s on the wish list then Hull fans?

Personally I’d like another purpose built rugby league ground in Hull as another rugby league asset.

Interesting question.

The KC stadium (now the MKM) was built by Hull City Council to be used by both Hull City and Hull FC. At that time, the SMC (Stadium Management Company) was set up by the council to be run by both clubs for the next 25 years at a cost of £50k per club. The fly by nights that were in charge of Hull FC at the time decided they weren't going to be round long enough to make it worth their while to stump up the £50k, leaving whoever owned the football club exclusive rights to do as they pleased with the stadium. Hull FC have suffered ever since and most of the football club's fans consider it "their" stadium that they let the rugby club use once in a while.

Although I would love us to have our own stadium, that SMC lease is due for renewal in 2027 I believe, and I would hope that Hull FC can be rightfully installed as 50% owners of the SMC.

The stadium was built with the money of the Kingston Communications sell off money to be enjoyed by the citizens of Hull, not for the Football club owners to abuse their power, so it's intention was for it to be used all year round. 

If Hull FC were to pull out, the council would then have an empty stadium for the duration of the football off season, so I think Hull FC have some serious thinking to do to they keep the city council on their side.