Accrington Web - View Single Post - Full-time v Part-time

Henry Morton · 19-04-2005, 01:43

Typically , Michigan Red has posed some intelligent and analytical questions.

I can't give any sort of definitive answer to his queries because I lack the knowledge of what's going on in the squad.

Probably Smiffy is best placed to give a detailed response without disclosing trade secrets !

However , it's worth mentioning that some of our improved players have shone despite the regime rather than because of it. For example , Steve Flitcroft found himself with no regular place in an enlarged squad last year and was outsourced for several months to a lower league - his increased opportunities to play first team football resulted in a fitter, sharper player . My own opinion is that this would have happened whether Stanley were full or part time.

In contrast, Lee McEvilly must surely have benefited from the full-time arrangement. His weight has been reduced and his fitness level has increased to levels that could only have been achieved within a professional club.

There is another area to consider (although this is not part of Michigan Red's question) , and that is what economists call the "opportunity cost" , within the Football Club's various activities , of having a full-time professional team.

I believe that attendances this season have been disappointing because the spectator facilities have not improved sufficiently to match the Club's professional aspirations - and I would hazard a guess that those facilities would have improved if the Club had remained semi-pro for one more season and the cash thus released had been reinvested in ground improvements. I'm both proud of the Club and supportive of its ambitions , but it is arguable that the enlarged, professional, Stanley of 2004 -5 has been a mixed blessing.

Would Stanley still be in the Conference at the end of this season if the Club had not made the decision to go full-time ? Personally , I think "Yes" , but I confess that we would not have been anywhere near contention for the play-offs , and I agree that fortune favours the brave !

19-04-2005, 01:43	#16
Henry Morton I am Banned Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 623 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 0	Re: Full-time v Part-time Typically , Michigan Red has posed some intelligent and analytical questions. I can't give any sort of definitive answer to his queries because I lack the knowledge of what's going on in the squad. Probably Smiffy is best placed to give a detailed response without disclosing trade secrets ! However , it's worth mentioning that some of our improved players have shone despite the regime rather than because of it. For example , Steve Flitcroft found himself with no regular place in an enlarged squad last year and was outsourced for several months to a lower league - his increased opportunities to play first team football resulted in a fitter, sharper player . My own opinion is that this would have happened whether Stanley were full or part time. In contrast, Lee McEvilly must surely have benefited from the full-time arrangement. His weight has been reduced and his fitness level has increased to levels that could only have been achieved within a professional club. There is another area to consider (although this is not part of Michigan Red's question) , and that is what economists call the "opportunity cost" , within the Football Club's various activities , of having a full-time professional team. I believe that attendances this season have been disappointing because the spectator facilities have not improved sufficiently to match the Club's professional aspirations - and I would hazard a guess that those facilities would have improved if the Club had remained semi-pro for one more season and the cash thus released had been reinvested in ground improvements. I'm both proud of the Club and supportive of its ambitions , but it is arguable that the enlarged, professional, Stanley of 2004 -5 has been a mixed blessing. Would Stanley still be in the Conference at the end of this season if the Club had not made the decision to go full-time ? Personally , I think "Yes" , but I confess that we would not have been anywhere near contention for the play-offs , and I agree that fortune favours the brave !