MARK GUTERMAN last night spelt out his vision for Wrexham by opening up for the first time on his blueprint for success both on and off the field.
His message, delivered via the Daily Post in order to reach the biggest possible audience in North Wales, is as optimistic as it is ambitious and is designed to boost the town's bid for city status through the creation of an international sporting venue for the whole of the region.
The Cheshire-based property developer, who took control of the Racecourse club in the summer of 2002, pledged that the football side of the business would not be neglected during the transition period and would emerge stronger and more secure.
But he admitted that times were tough at present and said there was still some way to go as the Football League adapted to a harsher financial climate throughout the game.
"Wrexham cannot survive on gates of 3,000," he said bluntly, referring to the attendance for last Saturday's home game against Grimsby Town.
"We are pushing for promotion, yet our gates are the fourth or fifth lowest in the Second Division.
"The team is punching well above its weight on the field and the credit for that is down to manager Denis Smith and his players. But salary-capping is coming next season, which means expenditure will be linked to turnover.
"For small clubs like ourselves that means we have to increase our turnover if we want our wage bill to grow and over the past two years we have been running with a tighter squad. But you cannot keep cutting and expect the same level of performance or results."
Addressing the immediate financial issues besetting the club, Guterman said: "We've had a tough two years since I came in, and much of that is down to the fact we've not had a Cup run.
"We've been consistent in terms of our league performances but we've not had the rub of the green in the one-off games and we could do with a change of luck in that department.
"Sometimes, though, progress is being made even though you are standing still in terms of spending money."
Promotion to the First Division - and with it access to a greater share of Football League and television income - would provide one route to economic stability but Guterman's long-term aim is an economically viable club regardless of League status.
"The best way to increase turnover is through the provision of facilities in and around the Racecourse," he added.
"At present the company's off-field activities represent a very small percentage of turnover and we want to see that turned on its head.
"Our redevelopment plans include a conference centre capable of hosting 400 people, a budget hotel and a range of office facilities. Although this will cost a lot of money, people have to understand that it is an investment which will provide future income."
The immediate benefit to the club would come in the form of a new all-seater stand at the Kop end of the ground and a brand new Yale Stand, housing all the club's present facilities, together with commercially available office accommodation
"I'm asked why, if the money it there for development, I don't spend it on players instead but this scheme will make money for the club to invest later," said Guterman. present."
Guterman said the timescale was dependent on negotiations currently under way. "We are talking to many parties and until all the pieces of the jigsaw are in place it's impossible to come
"We are trying to negotiate pre-let agreement s for much of the office space in the stands so that the club's premises are making money seven days a week as compared with once a fortnight at forward with the plan."
But he is confident a new-look Racecourse would be an asset to the town and the region and a fitting home for manager Smith and his players.
"So it's not all bad news," he said. "We are still in the FAW Premier Cup and there's a chance we could win the £100,000 or so prize money for that again this year.
"And there is the likelihood that the FA of Wales will be staging an international match here later this year.
"I'd like to think the new ground facilities we're planning as part of the development will help our case for hosting more big football internationals in North Wales.
"At the present time we have only one top-quality stand at the Racecourse and we need to bring the other three sides of the ground up to the same standard if we are to achieve our ambition of creating a truly international venue for sport in North Wales."
