Disappointing Season

[margateshot]

Disregarding the outcome of Margates season I for one have been very disappointed with the Conf South this season. Considering it was formed as the main feeder to the Conference I think, (apart from one or two teams), the standard has been poor. One big surprise is the attendances in this league. Even the out and out leaders Grays could only muster 900 odd fans against Margate and the away support at Homelands has been awful from all teams. I would have expected at least the top teams to bring a large number of fans with them, but despite who we have played, our attendances have remained about the same. Even the "Local Derby" against Welling was pathetic. Margate must be one of the best supported away teams in this league. I know we are in big trouble and we are nowhere near safety, but despite having to play at Ashford I think we have done marvellously and I don't think that many of the other teams in this league would have managed anything like the support if they had to play so far away from home as us. I think that if we survive this season and get back to Hartsdown we have a great chance of getting out of this league, and sooner the better. Apart from Weymouth there have been no "Big" teams in this Division. Grays maybe, but they have been full time for a few years now and with their support I don't think they will be a big bonus to the Conference. I think that it was unfortunate that a lot of the "old school" clubs failed to get in last season. Kingstonian, Dover and the likes would have boosted the quality. However with the relegation and promotion I think it will improve in a couple of seasons making it even more important that we get out of it soon. As said earlier the fans have been brilliant this season and deserve to see us in the Conf South next season. Lets hope for good news tonight and the rest of the season.

[Guest]

Don't underestimate how fickle the public are. Grays will average well over 1,000 next season.

As I have said before, in Conf South only Weymouth, Newport and maybe someone like Sutton would have managed to get 200 people travelling an hour from their home town week-in, week-out (with no apparent hope of a return home for much of the season).

[MIKE PERRY]

Re Margateshot's comments I agree with most of them and in general the crowds have been pathetic (including only 227 Vs Cambridge on a bank holiday with so much at stake!)but have you checked the Ryman Premier league table and seen where Kingstonian and Dover are? I don't think they would have added any more quality, maybe a few more supporters though. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

excellent chat with CK after cam game and he wanted to ackwnolege the tremendous support he has received and the team also. Not only at home either. What about our away support only bettered by Newport i think and perhaps Weymouth. Even in Rhyman at a new home ground we would start with 500 i think and a successful teAm there would get this up. I think non league soccer is on the up again look at Dovers crowd las t Monday. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

You mean when we play in the conference south next season. We'll escape relegation based on the display against cambridge.Just got to take the chances infront of goal.

[Cookie]

A game at home against the second team in the league would have attracted more people from Folkestone and Dover if it wasn't for their local derby game at Dover. We generally get some of their supporters to our games so in the circumstances a crowd of 277 was'nt bad at all. Even that figure surpasses some previous gates we have had.

[michael]

I do agree that the quality of the conference south has been exceptionally poor;which obvious says something about us when we are so low in the league.

 

I do think its a case of 'being dragged down 'with the rest of them,but still have grave doubts that we can get out of the mire.

 

If if if we do survive, i think the season will have been a massive learning curve for CK and KR-they have had to adjust to this level aswell, and next season will have a better idea of what it takes and of other teams abilities.

I'm sure they cant believe how bad the standard is,but are like rabbits caught in headlights and can't get out of it.

 

Next season they will know better,and i have every confidence CK and KR wil do us proud-just the small issue of keeping us in this goddam league first.

 

In fairness, i also expect the quality of conf. south to improve year on year ,and be a better all round league next season anyway.

[Guest]

That was the same with the Alliance League when it was formed in the late 70's and only when Rymans League teams were admitted to make it a complete national league did it became stronger and be in a position of strength concerning the automatic promotion to the Football League.

[MargateFan]

I think you are absolutely right in all you say, Michael. I do not think any of us had any idea how this league would pan out, and that not only includes our fans, but across the board. Huge learning curve both north and south I would say. I think that over the following years it will get more competitive, and because of that standards will have to improve in the teams. That does make it a tad more of a daunting prospect to regain our status in the future, providing we can hold on to our current position, but on the other hand, may make the football a little less dire in this league that at times it has been this season.

Having said that, I still have faith in the manager and players to keep us up in this league. If that happens, CK can build again, with a better pre-season, solid foundations with our current squad, and knowledge of the task ahead we can be better prepared for the climb.