Next season

[Eastside Urchin]

Although i am usually one of the more optomistic of our fans,even i have more or less resigned myself to the fact we will be plying our trade in the Ryman Premier once again.It would take a fck up of epic proportions by all those above us for us to make it and that simply won't happen now.But it is vital we all get behind the lads for the rest of the season.

Anyway,on to next season and its time to start thinking about it to be honest.Its only about 3 months till the first pre season games,probably a little bit less to be honest and that will soon go quickly.

Sutton have gone up and to be honest they were by far the best side but next year i don't think there will be any team who throws money like there has been the last 3 or 4 years so everyone should start on a relative level playing field,obviously some will have a bit more dosh than others but thats the norm for clubs getting 4-500 average home gates compared to some who are getting 2-300.

I think the fans need to start coming up with ideas as to raise more cash for the club through functions etc.The more functions we have in the club like quiz nights,race nights,darts nights etc etc the more money they make over the bar or from raffles which only helps the club in the long run.Ideally over the summer and into next season the fans should aim to have at least 1-2 functions a month but doing the same old things doesn't always work,so how about some new ideas???

As for pre season,i have no idea if we have any games lined up,have asked barca but am waiting for a reply,who would you like to play against realistically and who do you think would be a good test for us???

[Miss.A.F.C.Hornchurch]

A themed disco / evening would be good.

A cover version band, who play songs from snow patrol, oasis, Kings of Leon etc (rock night)??

[kimbles left foot]

Don't really have any new ideas regarding functions r...I did mention a five a side for the summer which i think would have worked but is probably too late to organise now.

 

Perhaps try and get West Ham XI down again? perhaps even a foreign team(if they are obviously already over here -Canvey had some quality friendlies last season for instance) Joint season tickets for kids and adults? Next seasons kit available from the first home friendly? more promo work in schools?

 

But...

 

If i'm being honest another season in the ryman prem is hard to take.....(it's the same old teams and the same old grounds)...I personally think the BS south would have done us good and certainly boosted our attendances, so perhaps we may be just fortunate to continue with the current attendances we currently get and HOPE we get a decent cup run together r? the days of us getting 450+ on a weekly basis are are thing of the past I sadly think. (obviously if we were smashing the league and playing samba football like we did in the ESL etc then perhaps we might see an increase but the down turn to that is the cost of creating a team capable of winning constantly....swings and round abouts i guess....)

[cup of tea]

Decent friendlies would be good, but I assume you would need the contacts to get those games.

There must be some information on the Internet about event ideas. Shame to waste the facilities over the summer.

 

I do feel a certain amount of trepidation going to the likes of Hendon, Horsham (well Horsham is next door now but still pretty much the same), Cray etc. No disrepect to them but I've been to these grounds a number of times now. Still we missed the playoffs so that is that.

Might get Thurrock or St Albans next season.

[Eastside Urchin]

I know what you mean about the same old away grounds to be honest.I am fed up with places like Hendon(never been Horsham,but am sure that would p1ss me off),harrow to a lesser extent,carshalton.They are souless places and i can see to an extent why ur away atendances have suffered.I think next season is a must for us to go up,we must at least get to the play offs and do it comfortably to be honest.

[YELLOW]

If you think the Ryman Premier is bad, try two seasons in the Ryman One North. There's only so many times you can take going to Waltham Forest, Witham, Ilford etc.

 

Hopefully Lewes will come down but I reckon with teams going bust etc, only one team will be relegated from Conference South and that will be St Albans.

 

Needham Market could be a decent trip but reckon they'll f..k it up in the play offs after losing a decent lead to East Thurrock. Some potentially interesting teams could be coming up from Ryman One South. Wouldn't be surprised to see Hitchin come into the Ryman Prem if they win promotion from the Zamaretto.

[Hornchurch "O"]

We are where we are because we weren't good enough to go up.

 

Went past Debden football club on Sunday.

They had a charity game against a Chelsea vets team.

Don't know if West Ham or Arsenal have one, but think this would be an attraction..

 

4 team tournament against Orient, Dagnum and West Ham.

 

Not sure how feasable it is to have a beer festival, but these are normally crowd pullers.

I know a rock band (Sorry Annie. more 80's and 90's than current) who will do a gig.

 

Could have an open day and let locals know what is here,

Let them see dressing rooms, showers and Gym and meet the players.

[missunderstood]

I know what you mean about the same old away grounds to be honest.I am fed up with places like Hendon(never been Horsham,but am sure that would p1ss me off),harrow to a lesser extent,carshalton.They are souless places and i can see to an extent why ur away atendances have suffered.I think next season is a must for us to go up,we must at least get to the play offs and do it comfortably to be honest.

 

 

Going to the same old boring away grounds is a problem for most clubs, and the alternatives are to find yourself a sugar daddy, or get relegated.

Perhaps clubs like ours should accept we have reached our natural level, and be grateful for being there.

 

A few months ago a pre season charity friendly was mentioned between Hornchurch and Mighty Romford. It may be just the kind of fixture that could reignite peoples interest in football after a hopefully long hot summer.

[SEVEN TEARS BOY]

BURNHAM BEANO!

[SEVEN TEARS BOY]

Also, not a 'function' as such, but we should open Sunday 1 May (day after Maidstone) for Arsenal v Man U and City v West Ham

 

Sunday 8th for Man U v Chelsea

 

and of course Sat 14th for the end to a 35 year long wait! (I recall we did do a BBQ last year for it)

[BUFC]

 

and of course Sat 14th for the end to a 35 year long wait! (I recall we did do a BBQ last year for it)

 

 

think it will be the end to a 39 year long wait

[Eastside Urchin]

I am sure the bar will be open for those games Andy,at least they should be. problem is that apart from the carling cup final the live games shown on a Sunday have seen pretty low turn outs and it's not worth them paying Sharon to open up,they actually lose money.Personally,until we get other attractions in the bar there's not much to temp people in apart from live football.

Guest ales,pool table and the darts boards coming out more often may help

 

I do like the ideas about Bands though,we have talked about having bands on at the club but it's been difficult getting a date that's not booked

[Eastside Urchin]

Will check the dates for those games you mentioned andy and if ok get them publicised in the programme and in and about the club

[Eastside Urchin]

Just checked all 3 dates Andy and unfortunately the club have already got functions on those days

[Hornchurch "O"]

What's all this 35/39 year wait all about?

 

STOKE HAVE NEVER WON THE F A CUP BEFORE>

[Eastside Urchin]

Well stoke have had a bloody long wait then

[kimbles left foot]

It wont help attract anymore supporters but i'd like to be kept to update with signings/injuries etc on regular basis.

We used to have latest news etc posted on the forum but that seems to have dropped off over the past seasons.

[Miss.A.F.C.Hornchurch]

I know what you mean about the same old away grounds to be honest.I am fed up with places like Hendon(never been Horsham,but am sure that would p1ss me off),harrow to a lesser extent,carshalton.They are souless places and i can see to an extent why ur away atendances have suffered.I think next season is a must for us to go up,we must at least get to the play offs and do it comfortably to be honest.

 

 

Perhaps clubs like ours should accept we have reached our natural level, and be grateful for being there.

 

 

May be for Romford, but not Hornchurch.

I believe that one day, Hornchurch will be a conference south club again.... not matter how many seasons it may take (hopefully not too long)!

[cup of tea]

I can;t see why we can't get into the Conference South

t's only a bad start and a drop in form at the end that's cost us this season.

We need to find consistency in performance next season though in order to do it.

That would be our limit though

[Eastside Urchin]

I agree with Annie,you look at Hayes & yeading and histon in the conference they are not bigger clubs just Two leagues better off than us.The people who run our club definatly want connie sarf football and will be as disapointed as us fans