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Ebbsfleet Football Club???

John Pearce

By John Pearce
in Ebbsfleet United Forum

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John Pearce Newbie

John Pearce

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Some months ago, I came 'under-fire' from a number of people, on this forum, for daring to suggest that the directors should consider the possibility of changing the club's name to something like Gravesham Borough or Gravesham United, as part of a strategy to improve the clubs image amongst the population of Gravesham and the surrounding areas.

 

Although criticised at the time, my view was and still is for that matter, that the club very much needs to change it appeal, certainly if it wants to attract the level of support that it will need in the future if it wants to sustain a serious challenge for promotion to the Football League.

 

My earlier post obviously hit a 'raw nerve' both with supporters and the clubs directors as a response appeared shortly after on the club's 'Official' website, stating that under no circumstances was a name change being considered. End of discussion and me put in my place you might think?

 

But no, according to this weeks Reporter (or is it Distorter), the club is considering an even more radical name change to what I was suggesting, to Ebbsfleet FC.

 

My suggested changes would of, at the very least still maintained a link between the club name and the town(s) it represents, the proposed name (if true) would mean very little to anyone outside of Kent, other than its the name of a station and effectively breaks the link between the club and the Borough of Gravesham. It should not be forgotten that according to current boundaries Ebbsfleet is within the Borough of Dartford.

 

Yes, I know that the club will still have links to the clubs 'Fleet nickname and yes I understand the reason for the name being considered is that it may attract investment from companies/individuals that may set-up in the Ebbsfleet area at some point in the future, but my view as a supporter since the early 60's is that it is a name change that goes far to far.

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Stu M Newbie

Stu M

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Ray ellingham said:
what a silly reason for not going to any more games. I am not in support if the name changed but it would not stop me from going to games.



Agreed, Ray. It would feel very weird to support a team not bearing the GNFC name, and I hope it doesn't happen, but whatever else, it would still be the same club I've always supported and I'd see no reason to change that.
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John Pearce Newbie

John Pearce

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ironsfleet said:
Also on Millwalls website they said that GNFC had contacted them about a possible groundshare at Bluewater.


If that was true, it would make us look like a real bunch of hypocrits.

Bluewater is in Dartford. The 'Fleet moving into Dartford would be as bad as the Medway ScallyWags coming to Gravesend!
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Bill Kent Newbie

Bill Kent

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Total agreement Ray. Lets not forget that the river Ebbsfleet, or what remains of it, runs in a culvert across the back of Plough end stand and empties out into Northfleet Creek.

 

Ebbsfleet Park was situated behind Northfleet Station. So the connection is quiet strong.

 

I have supported GNFC since 1949, but I have no qualms in this particular name change.

 

What must have Northfleet FC supporters felt like when they prefixed their team name with the Gravesend in 1946. I bet they weren't very happy either.

 

Think about it, and mull it over with a pint in your hand. If it has to change, I think Ebbsfleet FC is a fine name change.

especially if it brings in sponsers and supporters who reside outside the confines of both Gravesend and Northfleet. Lets go forward. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

 

Now lets build Ebbsfleet Park Stadium

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Harry J Allstars Newbie

Harry J Allstars

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So WVN you don't like the current name but then you don't like the one it could be changed to. Nice to see your in usual form.

 

 

This is a bit of a difficult one, on the one hand I follow the club not the name but on the other it is part of our history. I would assume that a new name would mean a new badge along with a new stadium, these could be exciting times for the "Fleet".

 

I personally don't get offended when people swear as it is just a word and how can four letters hurt anyone? The same obviously applies here. They're just letters how can them being different hurt anyone?

 

This just feels wrong. The only reason we would change our name is to bring in extra income in order to move up the leagues. If you could tell me now that we wouldn't win promotion in the next sixty years I would still go to as many games as I can. It's the club I support not the super duper idea of sitting in plastic seats watching us play league football at any cost.

 

If our name were to go what would be next?

 

I'm still undecided on whether or not this is a good idea.

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JimGNFC Newbie

JimGNFC

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Not too keen on the idea initially but having read the article in The Reporter it immediately changed my mind.

 

Its stating the obvious but I'll say it anyway; By changing the name to Ebbsfleet F.C. the Club immediately attracts investment from business and more funding for a new stadia.

 

If the Club remains as G&N FC, we are unlikely to attract the same level of investment and this might even allow Mr. Scally to "slip-in" via the back door into Gravesham having renamed The Gills to EbbsFleet FC.

 

Personally I'd rename G&N to Ebbsfleet F.C. for the start of next season (registering the name with the FA ASAP). This will hopefully put to an end any hopes the Gills Chairman has of moving into the area and obtaining any grants available for a New Stadium.

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Robbo Newbie

Robbo

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Having seen the article just now, I'm undecided. There are positives to it and negatives. I'd of thought that quite a lot of older fans would be against the idea considering they've supported the club as GNFC for as long as they can remember. I mean, I've only supported the club for about 5 years and I would be very sad to see the the gravesend and northfleet disappear from our name.

 

But, there are obviously positives. A larger fanbase may be attracted from the area undergoing development. However, would some people in Gravesend begin to feel less of a link to the club if it were named Ebbsfleet? And let's not forget that as of yet, there really is no Ebbsfleet is there? There's a station and that's it.

 

Think we should look at what the effects have been for Thurrock (aka Purfleet).

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Robbo Newbie

Robbo

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JimGNFC said:
Personally I'd rename G&N to Ebbsfleet F.C. for the start of next season (registering the name with the FA ASAP). This will hopefully put to an end any hopes the Gills Chairman has of moving into the area and obtaining any grants available for a New Stadium.


I do hope that the club don't make a hasty move like before consulting the fans for their real opinion.

p.s. I can see this thread becoming a 5+ pager. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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David Holden Newbie

David Holden

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JimGNFC said:
Not too keen on the idea initially but having read the article in The Reporter it immediately changed my mind.

Its stating the obvious but I'll say it anyway; By changing the name to Ebbsfleet F.C. the Club immediately attracts investment from business and more funding for a new stadia.

If the Club remains as G&N FC, we are unlikely to attract the same level of investment and this might even allow Mr. Scally to "slip-in" via the back door into Gravesham having renamed The Gills to EbbsFleet FC.

Personally I'd rename G&N to Ebbsfleet F.C. for the start of next season (registering the name with the FA ASAP). This will hopefully put to an end any hopes the Gills Chairman has of moving into the area and obtaining any grants available for a New Stadium.


It's not an immediate possibility and in fact it's not something that the board are actively considering. It's just something that they would consider if someone with a shedload of money (possibly stamped "Property of Securitas") came along and siad that we could have the money provided we change our name.

Until then we remain good ol' Gravesend & Northfleet FC.
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Stu M Newbie

Stu M

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David Holden said:It's just something that they would consider if someone with a shedload of money came along and siad that we could have the money provided we change our name.



Microsoft Windows XP United it is then... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
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