For discussion

[Brightside Bloke]

"hmmmmmn, Just Nine contributors to this thread..."

 

Make that TEN Please.

 

And then it's back to last season (the one just gone) FA Cup run, Out of relegation, up to the playoffs (if Briefly) and I for one was quite happy to end up where we did all thing considered.

 

My opinion as a NEW BLUE (for what it

[Barry_T]

I'm happy to add to the list of contributors, but I don't think too much more can be offered.

The people using this Forum are already Billericay fans.

We all probably have a different story as to why, and I'm sure we've all tried to bring others into it.

I manage to being a few along every now and again and, generally, they like the atmosphere and are impressed with the club.

However, like it or not, lower-league football either interests you or it doesn't.

People at work laugh when I drop in the score from Saturday's game at New Lodge amid discussions of Spurs, Arsenal, WHU etc.

It all depends on what you want from football, and the majority want to see the best.

While you might be able to get 1000 or so extra heads for an odd game such as Swansea, there won't be too many of them wanting to come back in the cold and rain for a mid-table clash with Harrow Borough.

 

Most of us on here can't relate to that, but it might just be that we're the strange ones!!

[Ricydickie]

Can I add a couple of things to the discussion.

 

1. I always bring my wife and kids to home and away games, and we all have a great time and a laugh at the songs etc however, I do know some parents have been put off bringing children because of gratuitus swearing at individual players. (not sure how you handle that one)

 

2. could I suggest that the club contact local schools and provide some children free tickets when accompanied by an adult or senior. this might prompt kids to put pressure on parents or Grandparents to take them to a game.

 

3. Anyone know if the gates are higher on days when free admission to kids who have been at the soccer schools?

 

4. lots of the local schools run after school soccer clubs. any thoughts as to a couple run by BTFC. with occasional visits by players or managers.

 

5. How about using local Soccer clubs as ball boys for games. and maybe some form of skills event at half time on the pitch. parents would always come along to watch little Johnny take part in a penalty shoot out.

 

Just my thoughts. im ready to be shoot down now!

 

 

[monkfish9]

How about putting a link to a poster on the website advertising the upcoming fixtures - something you could print off yourself and then persuade your local shop to put in their window.

Might get a few more people in, especially for the pre season game against the Hammers

[Top Cat]

Seems this thread is discussing a couple of issues, whether we want to be progressing up the leagues and what we want from the Club.

 

I believe we can reach the next level and further and want to see the team progress, I have seen us win and lose, and like winning better (don

[finisterre]

Brightside is right about the signs. I'm not aware of any in Billericay, and I've often thought that there must be plenty of people who never read a local paper and just don't know the club exists at all.

 

A sign at Sun Corner and one at the end of Tye Common Road is what we need.

 

Does anyone still put up posters at the railway station?

[Blue fan]

Tc it is a difficult one, i do think the local newspaper is one way forward, may be with vouchers, free entrance for children and mums ? as you said its

[emmiehl]

This is a very interesting discussion, so I thought I'd add another contributor...

 

Do I think we're stale? At the moment, no and I don't think stale is the correct word to us, but I think we could become so (whatever the correct word is).

 

With coming so close to promotion last year then a great run in the FA Cup this year, expectations rise. How many of us were expceting to finish in the pay off spots again? Or to even get automatic promotion this year? I don't think there's anyone to blame for staying the RPL (and frankly i'm quite fond of this league), and the Swansea game was one of the best BTFC days in my 8 year career as a supporter. I just think we're in danger of losing 'fans' if we don't get promoted - but whether or not we want 'fans' like that is another matter (depending on priorities).

 

Referring to TC's comment about giving away tickets. Don't underestimate how difficult this was, it wasn't a half-hearted effort and it was extremely disappointing when so many people weren't even interested enough to come along for free. I also don't know how many resulted in regular fans. On the other hand, it is something that I would do again, surely anything is worth a try if we're that keen on bringing in new fans.

 

As for bringing in fans myself - that is possibly even more difficult. With friends that work weekends, have other more expensive hobbies and live nearer to Hornchurch than Billericay it's difficult to convince them to come along - especially in bad weather.

 

So, what else could we do? Anything is possible if we know the right people and I'm willing to help out where I can be useful.

[Bluetone]

I've been watching the Blues for about 4 seasons now on a regular basis and I go to most away games. My issue would be if we did get promotion to the BSS or even dare I say it the Connie National, I would not be able to get to as many games, I'm sure this would be the same with alot of fans, so at the moment I've got no problems with the Ryman as the standard is fairly decent at present. I can see where the stale comment comes from though as since the re-org in NL football the cream hasn't risen to the top as yet, but eventually will, basically, in 3 or 4 seasons I would expect the standard of Ryman football to plumet as better teams win promotion and the weaker teams come down. I believe we need to be in the BSS before this happens.

 

On the subject of getting more people down NL, as a resident of Wickford, there is no advertisement of Ricay games near me, could we tap into Wickford or Basildon to build support? Also, on the few occasions I do visit Ricay High St or Station I don't see much advertising of Ricay games, is there any posters put up, leaflets handed out, etc?

[Keith.P]

Originally Posted By: Bluetone

I've been watching the Blues for about 4 seasons now on a regular basis and I go to most away games. My issue would be if we did get promotion to the BSS or even dare I say it the Connie National, I would not be able to get to as many games, I'm sure this would be the same with alot of fans, so at the moment

On the subject of getting more people down NL, as a resident of Wickford, there is no advertisement of Ricay games near me, could we tap into Wickford or Basildon to build support? Also, on the few occasions I do visit Ricay High St or Station I don't see much advertising of Ricay games, is there any posters put up, leaflets handed out, etc?

A fair enough point about potential travel, but looking at BSS presently, there are only a few distance trips and a good many are still just round the corner. Agreed that evening away games are always the hardest for fans to get to. Lets face it (ie) Ramsgate/Margate can be aukward on a Tuesday if you get caught in M25 car park and they are about 70 odd miles.

As for leaflets/posters etc, we have periodically done drop offs in certain areas, but would need a good many folk/kids to cover just Billericay. Yes, the potential is there for dads to give their lads/lasses a little pocket money for delivering eg (150) each

The easy way out of this (but it all goes back to 'orrible money) is leaflets or posters in the Yellow Advertiser to gain a wider audience for further afield like Wickford/Basildon.

[finisterre]

Talking of getting stale in the Ryman or not. How many consecutive seasons have we been in the Isthmian Premier now, and do we know who's the longest serving team is?

[Ryan.c]

We've been in the Isthmain League since the 1979/80 season. Next season will be our 9th consecutive year in the Premier.

[Blue fan]

Like the other fans on here i would love to see us go up, but! not at any cost, i know the chelmos and the wombles spent money and gained promotion, however to get our selfs in big debts, i would rather not.I believe Billericay Town is a steady ship and when you look around in the other leagues and our league we are lucky and lucky to have our own ground at this level.I think we have a basis of a good solid team and with the right direction anything can happen. BF

[The Town Crier]

 

 

98/99

Am I right in thinking Billericay won promotion the same season as oxford were relegated out of the Isthmian prem ?

 

 

I think Dulwich and Kingstonian were Connie national teams then, and Borehamwood?

[Bitch]

 

 

 

Wrong thread

 

 

 

[Simon BTFC]

Originally Posted By: The Town Crier

98/99
Am I right in thinking Billericay won promotion the same season as oxford were relegated out of the Isthmian prem ?


I think Dulwich and Kingstonian were Connie national teams then, and Borehamwood?

Oxford City were relegated, yes. Kingstonian won the Ryman prem in 97/98, Boreham Wood 2nd (only 1 up), Dulwich were 16th.

[BTFC Martin]

Prem table 97/98 (apologies for formatting)

 

01 Kingstonian..p87

02 Boreham W.....80

03 Sutton U......78

04 Dagenham & R..73

05 Hendon........73

06 Heybridge.....65

07 Enfield.......62

08 Basingstoke...62

09 Walton & H....60

10 Purfleet......58

11 St. Albans C..58

12 Harrow Boro...55

13 Gravesend.....53

14 Chesham.......52

15 Bromley.......52

16 Dulwich Ham...50

17 Carshalton A..48

18 Aylesbury U...47

19 Bshp Strtfrd..47

20 Yeading......r47

21 Hitchin T....r39

22 Oxford City..r30

[Sticks]

I, like it seems a few others, have been turned off of top flight football primarily by the costs associated with taking in a game. So for the last couple of seasons I've headed down to New Lodge more often than I used to and thoroughly enjoy the experience.

 

The Conference South is where the club should definitely be aiming. Whilst the travelling costs would no doubt increase, the (hopeful) increase in media coverage and kudos for the club should mean more bodies through the turnstiles and an increase in match day takings. With the 'circus' surrounding PL footy showing no signs of diminishing, then I can see a fair few more fans turning to NL footy too.

 

Thats not to say that the stable financial position of the club should be jeopardised in any way to achieve promotion, but a play off position at least should be the aim next season.

 

At for the season just gone, I think that at the start of the season if anyone had offered a final position of 10th we would have been disappointed (particularly after the first two results). But bear in mind the injuries sustained, the turnaround since November and the Swansea game and its been pretty decent.

 

I agree that the standard in the Conf South will no doubt increase over the next few seasons. Judging by the performances of sides promoted from the Ryman over the past few seasons, there isn't that much of an step up in standard at the moment. Over time this will change and we need to be a part of it.

[Paul J]

I agree with Ryan that we now really need that long coveted promotion up to the BSS. I don

[The Town Crier]

 

I think everyone knows how much I want promotion, but just to put it in perspective, and counter the "left behind" feeling we all have

 

I have done a bit of homework comparing whos where from a few seasons past, I looked at the three seasons 99 to 01 and mapped where those teams are now.

 

00 - 01... 6 are in our division 8 up and 8 down

 

99 - 00... 8 are in our division 7 up and 7 down

 

98 - 99... 7 are in our division 9 up and 6 down

 

 

Teams like Dover, Margate, Kingstonian, Farnborough, Slouh and Canvey have all been Connie national teams, but I see that as a double edged sword.

It gives us hope and proof that conference football is attainable on the field, but, the reverse is they have all dropped down down the pyramid since then.

 

Whats clear from the above lists is, We have to work equally hard on and off the field. Promotion is great, but we wouldn't want to slip back down once we are there.