COFY #49 Martin Jepson interview

RaoulDuke

A good listen again.

A few points I picked up:

He’s happy with the backs in place.

He’s aware we need middles and back rowers but they are proving difficult to find that will take us forward but is aware that things change quickly especially like with Hoy and Senior coming available in the year. Prepared to wait but it’s the coaching team that will make choices.

Potential investors have come forward and he’s open to it being financial or to help the workload. Hopes to get things over the line as and when but won’t rush. Will name the board of directors when they are in place.

Ground being updated and new open plan staff offices coming soon. Can’t do much with money left from council as it would be a waste in the main stand. But lots of changes will happen and hopefully most before the start of season.

Decisions to be made on whether to keep training at the ground or move to somewhere else and use the land at the side for other purposes and make money from. Didn’t get the feeling he was selling or renting it out, more like something that will enable the ground to be used more than just match days.

Has spoken to IMG about the new stand and upgrading but losing points and potentially losing super league place. He’s aware that making the place better should not be a negative and a block to doing the work. Thinks they may change the rules to allow it.
The led advertising boards weren’t delivered on time and wasn’t included in our score otherwise we’d have been 7th on the scoring list.

New staff in place to sort media stuff and website. Aware it’s not good enough.

I’m sure there’s more but have a listen.

Hepworth

RaoulDuke That’s a good summation of what I’ve heard,he speaks well and makes a lot of sense. Loved the fact he was addressing areas on the media side,as we’ve all seen we haven’t been the best at that,and when many people’s first contact with the club is via its official website it’s awful that so often it hasn’t been updated. I am a little disappointed that other options are being looked at for the training pitch,I thought the floodlit 3G pitch proposed in the redevelopment plans was an excellent idea and would have had scope for generating additional income. That aside it was all most encouraging.

RaoulDuke

It sounds like he needs help and ideas to move us forward. He’s aware that he can’t do everything and have every idea and I do like that he’s visited other ground and facilities to see what works. A good BOD will really help him and he’s obviously looking at getting them in but it takes time.

I think that the space by the side of the pitch isn’t sufficient for all the teams at have at the club to train full time. The Nestle site down the road would be a good place to put a couple of pitches and a 3g floodlit pitch and buildings for a purpose built training centre. Or across the road within the old Hickson site. It would cost but to stay local we have to look at it.