Another Ryman Premier club in name change

[Ryan.c]

Ford United will now be known as Redbridge FC!!!!

 

As from season 2004/05, Ford United will be known as Redbridge Football Club. This decision has not been taken lightly and the reasons for the change are outlined below.

 

Since leaving Rush Green Sports and Social Club, Romford in 2001, and moving to our new ground at Oakside stadium, Barkingside, all possible steps have been taken without any great success to build up a local fan base.

 

At home, match day crowds seldom reach 150 people, except for local derbies, and this is despite the fact that the club play in the Ryman Premier Division, one of the top competitions in non-league football.

 

Barkingside as such is a large residential area in the London Borough of Redbridge. In truth Ford United Football club should be attracting crowds of 300 plus, but sadly we are not accepted as a local club.

 

Re-naming to Redbridge, would certainly have an appeal to the local community and wider afield, the whole borough.

 

The restructuring of the top of the non league pyramid, with the addition of a Nationwide Conference Division next season put Ford United firmly in the frame for a place in the new league.

 

However, to be a ‘player’ in this new set up, it is vital we build up a local fan base in view of the extra costs involved. The finances of the Conference League structure take into consideration the gate receipts and the players wages have to be proportionate. Therefore, increased gate revenue is a must to continue at our present level and upwards.

 

Ford United has in the past decade achieved great success and at the same time, help and encouragement from the Ford Motor Company, but believe that to continue going forward it is with some reluctance, necessary to bring about the name change as from the start of next season.

 

Whilst the club’s name will change, it is intended to retain our historical links with the Ford Motor Company. Also the new club will retain the nickname of the ‘Motormen’.

 

The Ryman Football League have at a recent meeting agreed to the name change and we now await ratification from the Football Association.

 

The clubs’ first game as Redbridge Football Club will be on Saturday 24th July 2004 when the opponents will be Ipswich Town at Oakside Stadium.

 

 

Mick Ewen : Press Secretary : Ford United Football Club

 

 

 

[The Observer]

the name change at purfleet has hardly seen them flocking through the turnstiles, i doubt if this will help there cause in the slightest

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Have Dagenham dropped the Redbridge from their name.....or will this just cause confusion like Enfield.......and Enfield Town?

(Bearing in Mind that i have been here 3 years and out of touchit was D&R when i left)

[jl]

i think its a shrewd move from ford.

 

the difference between them and purfleet is that purfleets ground is in the middle of nowhere so they could call themselves man united and no one would turn up.

 

as mentioned the real redbridge fc is now dagenham n redbridge so praps ford are trying to nick a few of them as well as the local community.

 

either way it wont stop their pitch being unplayable for three months of the season.