Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Saints ticket sales to aid cash flow
CHAIRMAN Eddie Mitchell has revealed he is still aiming for Cherries to clear their debts this month after defending the decision to launch an early ticket sales drive.[LNB] Mitchell, who confirmed Cherries were continuing to eat into their debt mountain, ex-plained the club's move to open sales on Saturday for the south coast derby against Southamp-ton more than five months before the Dean Court fixture.[LNB] He is hoping the money generated from purchases for the Saints match will help further reduce Cherries' outstanding liabilities, while also providing the necessary income to reinvest in the club and its stadium.[LNB] Discussing the early ticket sales idea, which has been questioned by some supporters, Mitchell said: In these times where you need cash, you've got to promote your products as early as you can, so that's what we're doing.[LNB] It's no different to any of the fashion shops their spring collection comes in in February and their winter collection comes in in August, maybe even earlier sometimes. Why are they doing that when you don't need an overcoat until November or December You're producing cash.[LNB] We can only sell once a fortnight as regards to the main football that's taking place, so this is something we can sell early. I know that there will be a demand because lots of people have already asked us when they are going on sale, so they don't miss out.[LNB] We want to make it as public as possible that they are going on sale on Saturday. Of course, it's to generate cash, it's stupid not to do that. All businesses need cash to survive and all we're doing is following the trend of every other business.[LNB] To generate cash, each business needs to use its best products to get that cash in early.[LNB] Mitchell revealed the extent of Cherries' financial problems in March when reporting the club's debts stood at more than £1.7million when he took control in June 2009.[LNB] In July, he said that had been cut to £300,000, a figure he believes could soon be wiped out.[LNB] Discussing the current situation, he said: We've still got debts. They've diminished since I made that statement in July, but not diminished completely.[LNB] I'm still aiming for October (to clear the debts). We've still got two or three weeks to go in October but it's not going to be far away from then, if we can keep our business plan as it is.[LNB] He added: We're clearing the debt but we're also spending on the stadium and the surroundings, which is important.[LNB] For us to stay at Dean Court for the next 100 years, we've got to preserve that stadium.[LNB] We're spending money and we've got to do our best to get it in.[LNB] Mitchell confirmed some tickets would be held back to ensure fans unable to purchase prior to travelling to the Brighton game on Saturday would not miss out on Saints tickets.[LNB] For further information on the tickets, and on Cherries' half season tickets which also go on sale on Saturday, visit afcb.co.uk[LNB]
