West cut costs - coach reappointment matters solved

Local Footy SA

Cuts delayed Collins signing
by: Matt Turner -From: The Messenger

November 05, 2012 10:14AM

WEST Adelaide president Paul Sperling says spending cuts in the club's football department was the major factor behind delays in signing new terms with coach Andrew Collins.

Collins inked a 12-month extension last Wednesday (October 31) - more than three weeks after the Bloods lost the grand final to Norwood. It ensures he will break a club record for the longest consecutive stint as senior coach.

Sperling said Collins had the board's endorsement and wanted to continue in the role but took his time signing the contract because of "fairly prudent cuts" in the Bloods' football department.

Sperling said that the cuts were a result of the club being "a bit financially challenged at the moment."

"That made Andy's decision a little bit longer simply because he didn't know what impact that would have on the footy department side of the club," Sperling said.

"There were other financial issues we were discussing with him.

"We didn't want to rush it, nor did he, we wanted to make sure we got it right.

"The board had always wanted Andy to continue and I know he wanted to continue.

"We just had to knock into shape the contractual side and the financial side to make it work."

Sperling would not disclose whether Collins would be on less than he was paid in 2012 but said the former Hawthorn player had made "certain sacrifices" to continue in the role.

Among football department cuts Sperling would confirm were dumping the position of under-18 centre of excellence manager and tightening up the Bloods' medical costs.

Forward Brad Fisher, who booted 81 goals for the club in two seasons, was in the centre of excellence role but has chosen to return to Victoria following a job offer for his partner.

"We had an extra person in our footy department looking after our (under-18) centre of excellence and we couldn't really afford to continue with that," Sperling said.

"It was a bit of a luxury.

"We didn't have to make a call on that it was a voluntary thing with Brad moving on.

"You also delve into your medical area a bit and find savings there where there was a bit of extravagance with regard to maybe expenditure in player massages and those sort of areas."

Sperling said he was very pleased with the club's year on field, which also included ending a seven-year finals drought, and wanted to keep things much the same next year.

"We wanted to keep the consistency, keep the group together as best we could and of course keep the coach to have another crack at it."

Captain Ryan Ferguson was still deciding whether to return to Victoria or remain at the club.

Sperling said that the cuts were a result of the club being "a bit financially challenged at the moment."

So what is going on down at Westies in respect to the financials? Are they okay or are they facing a deficit? What revenue streams have decreased and what other austerity measures are being looked at?

Ben W wrote:Sperling said that the cuts were a result of the club being "a bit financially challenged at the moment."

So what is going on down at Westies in respect to the financials? Are they okay or are they facing a deficit? What revenue streams have decreased and what other austerity measures are being looked at?

I think they lost $30K due to theft not that long ago...

That would be a blow, obviously...

Your "full stop" key has a stutter, Big Phil.

FOOTYfollower wrote:Your "full stop" key has a stutter, Big Phil.

Does it?...

Whilst they lost the 30k in the theft, that would be a blow more likely for their insurance company? All receipted monies are insured, so I would be very surprised if that would be counted as a loss to the club on the balance sheet?

from what i have read elsewhere all deliveries to West Adelaide are C.O.D. Problem with Westies is we have an small and ageing membership base. Not winning a premiership since 1983 doesn't help. But a few more years like the one we just seen things might turn around.