Right...

[GHA EFM]

Moving on from Euro 2004...

 

One of the most depressing things for me has been sparked by a post somewhat in jest by AFF on the Football Forum [unofficial sector]. We've had a crap season just gone, finished 19th, but on a high by winning more of a relegation play-off final, 5-4, with a goal in the dying minutes out of the top drawer, by a player who won't be here next season.

 

Forgetting about the successfulness of last season, let's look ahead to the next. It is indeed historic, with the Saints moving into Conference South. HUGE. MASSIVE. All sorts of new and exciting places to visit and teams to demolish at the Park before scraping a 2-1 win at their place. And how many citizens in the fine city and district know about this? Sod all.

 

Banners, posters, club shirts in shops, flags, bunting etc. Actually, scrap the shirts idea, we don't actually know what they'll look like yet, even though we're in late June.

 

And besides, what is there to get up for and excited about? The only news we've had since May 8th (Bedford game, that's over one and a half months) is that one of the worst managers in the Saints' history has signed a new contract. And we've signed some chap from Bedford, another team that did crap last season.

 

Just think, it'll be the Centenary season in 2008.

 

I can't wait.

[Rob_the_Saint]

Still 50 days to kick-off. Plenty of time.

 

It will be HUGE this season.

[GHA EFM]

Plenty of time??

 

I suppose it'll be alright Rob, we'll get 1,500 for all our friendlies against the Premiership all-stars (just don't publish the 'XI' bit), season ticket sales early doors will be huge, we'll have loads of money, and make all our HUGE signings a week before the season starts. Don't worry about that 'team needs time to gel' rubbish.

 

Plenty of time. Look at Hornchurch. Look at Thurrock. They're not making big signings and preparing for the new season ahead. But then again, they're not going on a HUGE tour of Germany to expand our commercial and financial markets to Central and Eastern Europe, a bit like Man Utd in Asia a few years back.

 

God help us.

[GHA EFM]

Or is it just me that isn't too optimistic?

[AFF]

The level of respose to your well-crafted and heartfelt posts re-assures me that the futures bright, the future's yellow and blue, GHA.

 

The silent majority will, indeed, come through and average gates of 2500 next season is, clearly a gimme.

 

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Depresses me.

 

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Actually, it really fking depresses me.

 

And angers me.

 

 

[AFF]

The odd lone voice in the wilderness, Zealadan.

 

[Don't tell anyone, Zealadine, but I am not entirely, 100% convinced that gates of 2500 are a realistic possibility next season, notwithstanding the never to be forgotten victory at Bedford [when I reckon that we took 275/300 Saintsfans maximum], as well the news for which the entire City & Disrict has been waiting that Steve Castle has signed a two year contract.]

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Let's enjoy our season in the Conference South.

 

Something tells me it could be our only one for a little while.

 

<img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[Laz]

I've heard we can expect a total gate of 10,000 for all the friendlies and an average attendance of 500 for all home matches next season. Is that correct?

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

10,000 for the friendlies? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

 

How many home friendlies do we have? Six, maybe?? (I can't be arsed to look)

 

So that's well over 1,500 for each.

 

Hmm. We'll see.

 

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Okay - just checked.

 

It's five.

 

Luton, Watford, Millwall, Barnet and Charlton.

 

Four of the five are against an XI.

 

2,000 for each?

 

We'll see.

 

 

[Laz]

Well at least the maths is simple now we just have to sit back and wait for the reality.

 

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Jeez, I'm depressed.

 

Does anyone at SACFC actually know how to run a football club??

 

 

[SteveP]

You're only thinking what most fans of their clubs thought at some time. Certainly for me I have seen some dramatic falls from grace.

 

Though I know it doesn't help, be glad you don't follow Dunstable, their ground's a sh1thole and you would have to live in Dunstable or Borehamwood, what is the point of it? Or Enfield, you have no ground and you have to play at a pointless venue.

 

While it sounds bad at your place, take some comfort in the fact there are always teams worse off than you and that there's quite a long way for you to fall till you really are in trouble.

[AFF]

With all due respect to you personally. SteveP, I have used the expression "Think Chesham" on more than one occasion over the past 18 months, and I didn't mean as a role model!

[Laz]

I'm looking forward to my first trip to Dunstable for the PSF. What a shame it isn't at home as that would be bound to bring a gate of about 1,000.

[GHA EFM]

It's unbelievable and depressing that some of the people in charge of our (we were here before them, and we'll be here after them, no question) football club believe that we can get an average gate of 2,000 for 5 meaningless friendlies against Premiership youth sides. And 500 for league matches?

 

Don't make me laugh. To the dogs...

 

<img src="/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

[Laz]

Watford and Millwall will be pleased that you think they are Premiership sides.

[SteveP]

AFF, know exactly what you mean!