AFC Hornchurch v EnfieldTown

[4wembleyfinals]

 

4 hours ago, AnfieldTowner said:

 Finances are, though, a reality and it's clear that we can't afford to pay a manager - finances are going to remain an overriding consideration unless we can bring in much bigger crowds and/or more sponsorship.  

 

I am amazed to read the above even if true.

Probably the worst form of publicity you could put out. It certainly going to deter any changes in manager in the near future. One almost concludes that perhaps this is why it has been said...ie, to ensure AL remains!!!! 

Also how do you expect us to deliver more revenue whilst it is widely accepted that AL's type of football is seen by many  supporters as unacceptable to them. If being the case it will hardly encourage more people to pass through the gates. Nor will you have sponsors queuing up to align themselves with a poor product. If not paying a manager is worth alienating your income stream and reducing your chance of increased income I can only say if this is considered the way forward then heaven help us.

This is amplified by WR's quote below. 

4 hours ago, Wildlife rescue said:

.

 

 

4 hours ago, Wildlife rescue said:

 

Yesterday our manager responded to a chorus by our fans at half time of this is embarrassing by giving a double thumbs up arrogance at it's best.

That's why a majority of Towner fans cant warm to him.

The atmosphere at the end was quite toxic and it could be the start of the board/management v fans split imo.

Things ain't good. 

 

Thanks for your comment WR. At last someone has at last  recognised what I wrote about AL's attitude to criticism 3 years ago. I refer to your reference to his arrogance!!!  Especially when things aren't going his way. 

Edited February 2, 2020 by 4wembleyfinals

[Barney]

Without wanting to speak for AT, I suspect that he meant we can't afford to pay a manager and continue to invest as much as we do in the squad - I would have thought that this all comes out of the same pot of money. I do agree with a lot of the sentiment posted above that the manager and coaching team is more important than the squad: a very good manager and coach can achieve a lot with lesser / cheaper players, and conversely it's possible for a manager to underachieve with a stronger squad.

As I said the other day, I didn't expect us to get much from Saturday's game, I think Hornchurch (recent results notwithstanding) are one of a few sides that will definitely finish above us. That said, it sounded like we were awful for most of the first half, and to ship 4 goals in 20 minutes just isn't good enough. No issue with the new striker a) starting on the bench and b) taking time to settle in (think both can be said about Mo when he joined).

Per AT's post, let's hope we bounce back from this one - the playoffs are still possible, although I agree that says far more about the standard of the league than it does about our quality and more importantly our consistency.

[The Crowing Cockerel]

2 hours ago, Barney said:

Per AT's post, let's hope we bounce back from this one - the playoffs are still possible, although I agree that says far more about the standard of the league than it does about our quality and more importantly our consistency.

Ok, so let's assume that by some miracle we make the play-offs. Then, by some ridiculous stroke of luck, we win the play-offs and find ourselves promoted. How on earth would AL keep us in the National South?? Attendances are down, so presumably he wouldn't have additional monies to spend on the squad (in fact, might he not even have a reduced budget given the increased travel costs etc?). We aren't exactly setting the world alight in the Isthmian Prem. I have little doubt that AL would lead us to relegation from the league above.

[Theodopolous]

Yes Hornchurch bought three of our players but Parcell is no better than Maluba.. Wright no better than McDonald and Johnson no better than Blackman and as for our defence when we purchased these players the club were delighted with the manager saying he has been following the players for ages... they were all good players when they joined just let down playing for a club that has no formation and no structure....

[4wembleyfinals]

Oh for the days when we disagreed Theo. Now days you leave me very little to add!!! Keep up the good work.

[Barney]

Difficult to argue with any of the above... TCC I guess the question is: "are the weaker teams in the National South better or worse than the stronger teams in the Isthmian?"... in reality, I don't think we're going to be finding out next season, but you never know

[andyetfc]

Can’t forget that the next step up would probably mean a new set of ground grading criteria which comes at a cost. Where would that money come from?

[The Crowing Cockerel]

29 minutes ago, andyetfc said:

Can’t forget that the next step up would probably mean a new set of ground grading criteria which comes at a cost. Where would that money come from?

The long and the short of it is that we're not ready.

The team/squad isn't good enough, we've not got enough in the bank, and our management isn't up to it.

Guess we'll have to be patient.

[littlehampton]

1 hour ago, Theodopolous said:

Yes Hornchurch bought three of our players but Parcell is no better than Maluba.. Wright no better than McDonald and Johnson no better than Blackman and as for our defence when we purchased these players the club were delighted with the manager saying he has been following the players for ages... they were all good players when they joined just let down playing for a club that has no formation and no structure....

Actually, four of our players joined the Urchin's, you are forgetting Remi Sutton, who also played against us on Saturday. You say Hornchurch bought three (or was it four?) of our players. With all this talk about finance, I am sure we would all be very interested to know how much Hornchurch paid us for these players? Also, how much did ETFC pay-out for the other players you say we purchased? Please share your information.

[lovely stuff]

I see us on a similar path to that of Wealdstone FC since they lost their ground in 1990-91..It has taken them nearly 30 years to climb back (very slowly) to the National League South..We are less than 20 years into our project.

 

Edited February 3, 2020 by lovely stuff

[Barney]

Agree completely LS - this is very much a long game, and if that means spending more time where we are getting the various foundations in place (and by that, I don't just mean the first team side of things), then that's fine with me if it means we're better prepared for the long run.

[Ignored by most]

21 minutes ago, littlehampton said:

Actually, four of our players joined the Urchin's, you are forgetting Remi Sutton, who also played against us on Saturday. You say Hornchurch bought three (or was it four?) of our players. With all this talk about finance, I am sure we would all be very interested to know how much Hornchurch paid us for these players? Also, how much did ETFC pay-out for the other players you say we purchased? Please share your information.

Paid nothing same as we pay for our players. No contract no fee

[72wemblyfinal]

2 hours ago, andyetfc said:

Can’t forget that the next step up would probably mean a new set of ground grading criteria which comes at a cost. Where would that money come from?

Exactly right. 

From my enquiries we need to increase the seating over the smaller stand, and segregate the away supporters. 

Anyone got a spare 15k knocking around? 

I really wish we could have discussions on here about how to help our club raise more finances, playing tactics ect

And not the same old same old, sack the manager every time we lose or play a long ball. 

COYT

 

Edited February 3, 2020 by 72wemblyfinal

[lovely stuff]

50 minutes ago, 72wemblyfinal said:

Exactly right. 

From my enquiries we need to increase the seating over the smaller stand, and segregate the away supporters. 

Anyone got a spare 15k knocking around? 

I really wish we could have discussions on here about how to help our club raise more finances, playing tactics ect

And not the same old same old, sack the manager every time we lose or play a long ball. 

COYT

 

We should be able to generate more money by being in a higher league.More away fans.More prize money..etc

Could we get a better option than Andy for zero wages? Debatable.Probably not..Could we find better option if we could afford to pay modest wages? Maybe. Probably.

[4wembleyfinals]

I understand what you are saying W72. But unless the immediate problems aren't addressed the club will find it hard to even stand still but will start digress. Not only as a football club but in it's position within the community. Consequently if this can't be resolved with money then it needs a bold change of personnel in order solve this. 

A philosophy of working for the future is admiral but if you have a weak foundation it is hard to progress. For many it is not about winning and losing, it's how we win or lose. Consequently they find it hard to buy into AL's style of playing. It went out years ago. Supporters want at least some value for their money. This starts with a manager who can inspire his players to play up to their full capabilities. Also with the empathy to encourage the young players to become better players. Unfortunately AL's does not show to me he has this ability. That is if his shouting and gesticulating from the touch line is anything to go by.

As previous posts have said, rather we paid an up and coming young manager with a plan for the future or stay with one who only ability is to acquire players of whom it is said are fantastic acquisitions but who have gone in no time. 

We all care enough for the club to see the club fail because of one man's intransigence. But unless he shows some leadership within the next few weeks I am afraid you will see a slump in gates. With the number of posts saying similar things we cannot all be wrong!!!!!!

Edited February 3, 2020 by 4wembleyfinals

[littlehampton]

20 minutes ago, 72wemblyfinal said:

Exactly right. 

From my enquiries we need to increase the seating over the smaller stand, and segregate the away supporters. 

Anyone got a spare 15k knocking around? 

I really wish we could have discussions on here about how to help our club raise more finances, playing tactics ect

And not the same old same old, sack the manager every time we lose or play a long ball. 

COYT

 

Couldn't agree more.

andyetfc is absolutely right in mentioning the implications of promotion from the IPL to the National League.There will be essential ground improvement work to be carried out, to achieve the new ground grading criteria,within a given period of time, and it will need to be funded. Once the work and cost has been established, it might be possible to apply for a Grant to cover all or part of the total cost involved.

72wemblyfinal you are spot-on with your comments about the need for more members, to be actively involved, in raising more finance for our club. Those that continually complain, or make cheap comments, about our club or individuals, need to think about what damage they are doing on a national fans forum website. They also need to remember " it's not what the club can do for them, it's what they can do for the club".

As the old saying goes "If you are not part of the solution - you are part of the problem".






 

[Wildlife rescue]

And the board member tasked for raising sponsorship which in the last 6yrs he has been on our board has resigned.

He raised approx £600k for us.

He did an amazing job a true town supporter imo he will be very big shoes to fill.

That's a worry and also the crowds are approx 100 down on our budget target that's a bigger worry.

 

[4wembleyfinals]

LH much of what you say has merit and of course most  people understand what  is entailed should we ever be promoted. But that is not the issue right now. The reality is that a high proportion of members are not happy as to how the playing side of the club is being managed... NOW. As WR says gates are falling already.

Get these right and quite a few other things will start to fall into place.

Ps. You forgot to complete your paraphrase of Kennedy's speech as he went on to call all the crowd "doughnuts" by his use of the word Berliners. I hope I am not construing too much from this omission!!!! 

Edited February 3, 2020 by 4wembleyfinals

[lovely stuff]

51 minutes ago, littlehampton said:

Couldn't agree more.

andyetfc is absolutely right in mentioning the implications of promotion from the IPL to the National League.There will be essential ground improvement work to be carried out, to achieve the new ground grading criteria,within a given period of time, and it will need to be funded. Once the work and cost has been established, it might be possible to apply for a Grant to cover all or part of the total cost involved.

72wemblyfinal you are spot-on with your comments about the need for more members, to be actively involved, in raising more finance for our club. Those that continually complain, or make cheap comments, about our club or individuals, need to think about what damage they are doing on a national fans forum website. They also need to remember " it's not what the club can do for them, it's what they can do for the club".

As the old saying goes "If you are not part of the solution - you are part of the problem".

You do not have to be actively involved to have a valid opinion on the team you support.Paying £11 a time to support the team gives you the right to care  and to offer an opinion.

I personally have never criticised the board or those volunteering their time for the club.But i do reserve the right to criticise performances when i feel they warrant it.Or praise performances when praise is due.

With regard to this forum.There are only about 20-25 of us Town fans contributing regularly on here.This forum is also quite difficult for the casual non-league fan to find as there are no official links to it.I've got a feeling that there are not too many outsiders interested in viewing the stuff we waffle on about.

 

 

Edited February 3, 2020 by lovely stuff

[Theodopolous]

So it seems I’m absolutely right suggesting there is little desire for promotion inside the club... that’s fair enough if the finances would put the club in jeopardy... still doesn’t change the need to improve the product on offer on the pitch... a 100 supporters below what was budgeted for... wonder why ?