The Top 13

[AFF]

I hear that Bishops Stortford have applied to The Conference, which is handy for us as they are up t'North of here.

 

P.S. Good one , GHA.

[The one & only BigRon,EFM]

What clubs tell their fans, their league and the Conference is not always the same. Think about it!

[Bluesnet]

Bishop's Stortford were one of the only clubs to speak up at the original Ryman voting meeting in favour of joining extended Conference and were one of the first clubs to have their admission qualification cheque received at Conference HQ.

 

Now all we have to do is try and get out of the basement of the table :-)

[Rob_the_Saint]

Yet your Chairman John Goodwin is financing the appeal against the Conference. Bit odd don't you think?

 

I see also that worthless tome the NLP reckons only 2 clubs haven't applied; Hitchin and Harrow it is then!

[AFF]

Hi Rob.

 

I think that John Goodwin and the colourful Chairman of Leyton, Tony Sophocleous, have offered to provide finance in support of the Ryman's action.

 

It's called 'keeping the options open'.

[The one & only BigRon,EFM]

Tony Who?

 

And I don't think he'll like you calling him 'colourful'.

[Laz]

BR, who are the two that are not going up then?

 

With City in 16th place, we need clubs above us to withdraw.

[Rob_the_Saint]

Loads of time yet, Laz.

 

We'll be in the top 10 by Christmas (2003).

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

I agree.

 

I think a lot will change after Christmas, and we'll qualify without too much trouble.

 

 

[The one & only BigRon,EFM]

Laz, there's a lot of smoke & mirrors going on. The Conference say that 22 of the 24 have applied, while the Isthmian League believe it to be less than half. A number of clubs are telling Turvey that they're Isthmians thru & thru, while sending cheques to the Conference.

 

History tells us that it takes a brave Isthmian chairman to get on the wrong side of Turvey & Robinson - those two have entended memories. Keep an eye of the Management Committee clubs would be my advice and take at face value what they tell their supporters.

 

In reality, I can see few clubs that finish in the top 13 of any of the three feeder leagues turning down promotion as they'd be crucified by their supporters.

 

Comrade Zeal is, as ever, intuitive. Some clubs will be spending bundles in the January sales, while those clubs that have over spent to date realise that they cannot afford what they've agreed. Of the clubs currently outside the top 13, I'd expect at least four to cruise into the top 13 in the new year. I hope for you guys that City are one of them.

 

Oh, and yes - you did sound the least drunk of the lot of them.

[Laz]

Thanks for that. I think you've summarised the two-faced approach we are all taking. After all, if it all falls through then we don't want to upset Commandant Turvey.

 

And as it happens, I hadn't had a drop. I was driving. I didn't fancy 3 or so hours on the train each way, and I'm not wanted on the supporters club coach.

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Did we phone you, RON?

 

 

[Laz]

The Minion did and I had a word or two.

[The one & only BigRon,EFM]

Comrade Zeal: there were rumours of a drunken rendition of "Harding is our leader" - who ever he is!

 

Must 'ave been a good weekend. Minion hasn't made it in today!

[Laz]

Also I heard: "Seaside girls are easy", sung to the same tune.

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Well the ones we met looked like they wouldn't take too much persussion!

[Bluesnet]

He wears two hats. I also believe that promotion could bring him a place on the Conference Board. However, losing at home in the League to the likes of Braintree isn't consistent with the promotion of anything bar bad news.