MY RIGHT TO REPLY

[Steve Newing]

Since I have left the club I have remained calm, quiet and dignified and I intend to do so as I and all of my staff have in my opinion brought the club a long way. However as Mr Borg has decided to voice his opinions in the local press, I believe it is only right to reply.

 

Borg said: “We have drawn 2-2 and lost 1-0 but if we put in that level of performance I’m confident we will get out of the position we are in. Confidence is slowly coming back and there is a great togetherness. There is a lot more fight at the club and we are heading in the right direction.

“I’m not worried about other teams. I’m just concerned about us giving our all and if we do that then nine out of ten times we won’t get beaten.”

Borg also hit out at previous management at Enfield for the lack of fitness amongst the squad.

The former AFC Hornchurch and Aldershot boss found his side had often only been training for an hour each week and insists the players have been let down.

Borg said: “You can’t just train for an hour on a Thursday and to have players feeling sick from running is abysmal. To do just one hour a week is absolutely ridiculous and outrageous. But I’ve grabbed the bull by the horns and they are doing things right.

“I feel that the boys have been let down by previous people at the club. We have got to get them fit but we’re effectively starting from scratch again. The players are determined to turn things around and they’re working their socks off.”

 

Even if the above is his opinion why not keep it to himself , why try to belittle mine, Jason's and Pete and Bryan Hammatts achievements.

I need to share some facts with you all.

Firstly, ever since I came to the club we have struggled to find training facilities , indeed for the first two seasons we trained on a Thursday evening at Borehamwood FC on a third of their 3G pitch , something I arranged. The season we moved into the QE we let this facility go as we were promised that we would be on the new 4G over at Southbury Road Leisure , this never happened so for the promotion season and our first in the Ryman Premier we had no where to train, We managed to get use of an indoor gym from November for around ten sessions on a Thursday for 90 minutes. Other than that we had to make do on the track behind the goal and be as inventive as we could to keep players interested and looking forward to training. We had no where to go other than on the pitch to try and do patterns of play , shape , set pieces etc... and getting on there proved extremely difficult at times due to grounds men not wanting the pitch overused. In summary we did the best that we could with the resources at our disposal , but as one board member said to me on numerous occasions " to achieve promotion and then stay in the Ryman Prem with no real training facilities is a feat in itself ".

This season , I , yes I managed to secure an hour slot on a Thursday evening over on the 4G at Southbury road leisure where we had halt the pitch, thinking outside the box got us on here.

To say we only trained for one hour a week is nonsense , we trained for 90 minutes in total on a Thursday evening , which is as I know what a lot of non league clubs have to make do with. I would have loved to train regularly on the pitch on a Tuesday evening but as I was told the lease agreement meant that we had to let the Athletics club use the stadium when there was no first team fixture and we couldn't use the pitch whilst they were on the track for health and safety.

If Mr Borg feels the players aren't fit enough then fine, but to use words like outrageous and ridiculous is just that.

 

I would also like to share something that was going to remain private between me and a few close football friends. On the Monday following the Billericay defeat ( a game that Mr Borg attended ) I received a phone call from Mr Borg , offering his services to me to do some coaching and asking if my management team had my back , whilst we were going through this poor run of form. I put him straight and told him categorically that they were all with me, Jason has been my best mate since we were 8 and is an A licence coach , and the Hammatt's have been close friends of mine for many years as well. Mr Borg also told me that if things changed he would be glad to help out and also made it clear in the same conversation that he had no desire to ever become a MANAGER again , and if I did bring him on board and I was then dismissed he would walk with me.

 

I haven't made any of this up and I was also going to keep this private but I am afraid his voicing of his opinions in the press as I have said mean I have a right to reply.

 

I sincerely hope that Mr Borg ( in his 28 games in charge, 84 points on offer, that is plenty to aim for ) keeps the club in the Ryman Premier for the sake of all the board, fans and players.

I don't however have any respect for him, irrespective of what he has achieved in the game. He has chosen to openly criticise what had been going on before he arrived so I have now chosen to point out a few facts.

This is not a case of sour grapes on my part, I have moved on am enjoying my time with my family on Tuesday/Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to many of you at last weeks game v Kingstonian. It is a great club run and supported by many wonderful people.

This statement is  all about me defending my staff and my achievements during our tenure at the club.

 

Steve

 

 

   

[Steph]

Steve

 

Do not become bitter and certainly not over a report in the local press. Neither you nor I are privy to what George actually said and I can believe that if challenged George would deny that he said many of the things that are reported.

 

I have spoken to many fans on the touchline and, whilst some are critical of the training regime before George arrived, no one has denied that you and your coaching staff achieved an awful lot for the club and laid the foundations which we hope will be built on.

 

Most of us agree that it was, however, time for a change, not that you were a bad coach but players seemed to have become "comfortable" with your management style. The team needed a kick up the backside which I am sure George has given them.

 

I think we all wish you well in your future plans whatever they may be. We hope to see you back at the QE2 on many occasions when I know you will be made welcome.

[Steve Newing]

Steph I am not bitter at all , I am enjoying my time out from the game , if you really read my post by beef is about his lack of class by spouting off in the press , without knowing the facts . There was no need for it , I am a person with principles and morals , it wasn't just criticism of me it was criticism of all of my staff. He should be concentrating on the way forward not worrying about what has gone on before. Bitter couldn't be any wider from the mark.

[andyetfc]

There's always going to be someone who says something, which is then put in print, which can then cause upset.

[CD Towner]

Perhaps you should look at what was said Steve. Yes perhaps it shouldn't have been said in the press (if indeed it was in such words) but if you're exercising your right to reply perhaps you should ask yourself is it true? And the common feeling is yes. Players weren't fit enough nor trying enough and it appeared the dressing room was lost.

 

No one has doubted the positive work you and your team did for the club to significantly move us forward but it was time for a change, it had gone stale and there were no signs of improvement. I'd suggest you now just move on with your next stage and be assured that everyone at the club including us supporters are grateful and thankful for the good job you did - even if you did curse at us right in front of me at the end of the Lowestoft game!

 

Good to see you posting under your real name though!

[Steve Newing]

I'm not arguing the point about was it or was it not time for a change that is football. My issue is why criticise in public , when the criticism and things stated are not true either. Shows a complete lack of class in my eyes . As I have said my response is to stand up as much for my staff as it is for me and there wouldn't have been a need to do so if he hadn't been so over the top. In all my time at the club I had been nothing but open and honest and as such if something needs saying then I will say it . CD Towner at least I have an idea of who you are now haha and my reaction at the end of the Lowestoft game was one of pure relief and have that. Nothing personal in it. Thanks for your other comments

[SUPPORTER 30]

You are a sad and bitter man, who needs to grow up and move on.  Your right to reply should have been in the newspaper, but they are obviously not interested. Time to move on, grow up and grow a pair. (18 games, 12 points from 54), says it all.  We are looking forward to the future now, already can see improvements in 2 weeks. 

Come on the Town, all the best for 2014 

[Steve Newing]

12 points from 16 games to be correct not great I know. 1 from 2 games so far for Mr B. Statistically not an improvement. Whoever you are Supporter 30 please get things right before you post. By the way I haven't rung the paper , but now there is an idea. You don't know me at all but I am far from sad and bitter. If you read what I have said and can digest it properly I'm sure you can actually see that.

[OldTowner]

Time to move on , me thinks.

 

No real point going over old ground.

 

Best wishes Steve, but let's leave it there.

 

You will always be made welcome at Town, let's not spoil it.

 

Kind regards.

[Arthur Salisbury]

SUPPORTER 30, that's well out of order. Don't have a pop at Steve, who did so much for us. 

 

Steve, it was great to see you at the Kingstonian game, I wouldn't want you to think that you're unwelcome. I don't know whether George Borg said what was reported, but I'm looking to set up an interview with him soon so I'll ask him then, and I'll let you know. I think you're right though, if he did say that, it was a bit wrong.

 

All the best with finding a new club.

[the viewer]

Dear arthur, i dont think George was wrong saying what he said to the press as he was 100% right. The team were unfit and didnt want to play for Steve anymore.

Grow up Steve take the critism. Perhaps if u listen to what George says at yr next Appt may be get you new players will be plaging better thats if u ever manage at this level again.

Perhaps your limit is Level 5 or Level 4 after all

[Steve Newing]

The viewer your spelling and dictation does you proud . With the eloquence of your wise words of wisdom I'm sure to take notice of your opinion. At least I have always been totally honest and not been trying to worm my way into the club for the past four seasons . Step 5 step 4 or step 3 I would rather maintain my dignity than get involved in non league back stabbing, have you read my post ?, if you have and you have any intelligence you will understand why I have no respect whatsoever for Mr Borg. For a man who didn't ever want to be a Manager again he couldn't wait to jump into my shoes. People like you who surfaced when times weren't so good at the club make me laugh. I am on here as me . I intend to be there on Boxing Day , come and say hello and introduce yourself to me as the Viewer. I won't hold my breath

[Plumstead Blue]

Fair play to you Steve for coming onto a public forum and sharing your views. There's probably two sides to every story, but I certainly get where you're pitching from. As an aside, I don't know Mr. Borg and haven't had the pleasure of being in his company....yet.

 

What I did notice was that the dip in ETFC's form coincided with the non-performance of the Indian take-away lads stall at the QE ground. Yes, I might be a tad superstitious, but my lack of intake of a half-time bhaji often coincided with ETFC losing points. 

 

I remember one fine afternoon, when I had a bhaji, pakora and some mushroom rice and you lads went on to defeat a rather impressive RPL team. The next week - no Indian = defeat to Carshalton (or the equivalent). 

 

You're future at the club wasn't in the stars - it was in Spicy Lamb Madras' and Chicken Tikka Masala's.

 

Care for a poppadom?

[Eastside Urchin]

I must say I was quite annoyed when we played Enfield and there was no curry

[townerboy]

steve - the viewer and supporter 30 myseriously appeared on here recently.  they are by no means representative.

[the viewer]

Steve, i would suggest if all you can do is to continue to make snide comments about George, which you again did in your last post then you dont bother coming on Boxing Day. Move on.

 

Also i dont think Georges complaints were against Brian and Peter but yourself and the other members of your team. Peter and Brian did there best when you left.

 

Townerboy, i dont think mine and Supporter 30's opinions are not representative.

[MbrunoB]

I think it's time to leave this bone alone.

[Steve Newing]

My last comment on this subject will be. Everything I have posted on here is fact , not me being anything else ( snide it is far from The Viewer ). The Viewer and Supporter 30 you got your wish and I was gone. If I wanted to share all of this I could have done over 5 weeks ago. As I said I have only exercised my right to reply since Mr Borg made public his views and I felt people should know my side of the story. Is there anything wrong with that ? Silence is Golden as they say. Having had time to reflect I doubt I will get back involved in Non League football other than as a keen follower but I suppose you can Never say Never. Happy Christmas to you all and best wishes for all connected with the club for 2014.

[1F in Enfield]

I agree, it is best to finish this one. The most important thing (I hope) is that we still all have one thing in common. We would all like to see an Enfield Town victory on Boxing Day. So let's all get behind George and the boys and make it happen! I have been extremely impressed with George's first 3 weeks as manager and credit is certaintly due. It was always going to take some time to turn things around and it has happened much faster than I was expecting. The first 2 results under George clearly do not reflect the the team's performance. The team is now controlling the game and it is only a matter of time before we get that important first win. I feel confident for the second half of the season.

[littlehampton]

Having followed the various exchanges on this topic with a detached interest, down here on the south coast, I can't help wondering what useful purpose has been served by some of the disparaging comments, and totally unwarranted animosity, shown towards Steve Newing, or indeed what damage may have been done to the public image of our Club, in the Enfield area, or throughout the football world at large.

Whatever the rights and wrongs, we would all surely agree that it is best not to wash your dirty linen in public. Do we seriously feel our Club will benefit, in any way, from a public slanging match, between our immediate past and new manager? Think most Towner's would agree the answer is no. There are no winners, only losers in that situation, and no benefits.

Let's not forget, Steve did a fantastic job getting us promoted to the Ryman Premier Division, and keeping us up, by the skin of our teeth, last season. That was a great achievement, and we should all respect, give credit where due, and appreciate his efforts. Sadly, this season we have struggled, performances and results have been well below par, and generally progress has fallen far short of everyone's expectation. Whatever the reasons, changes had to be made, sooner than later, to try and stave off the threat of relegation.

George Borg, a very popular manager during the old Southbury Road days, has been appointed and is already stamping his authority and doing things his way. Like most  new managers, he has quickly taken stock of the situation inherited, and made changes. George is very bullish and upbeat about his ability to keep the Club up, and has commented in the local press. Whether he was quoted verbatim we do not know. Rightly or wrongly, the published comments angered Steve and he has exercised his right of reply, and let people know his side of the story.

I think the sooner George and Steve speak together, amicably sort out their differences, and we draw a line under this, the better.

Happy Christmas Everyone. Goodwill to all men.