Playoff finals

[A Rebel and a Saint]

we need somewhere to play first before we can organise anything let alone pre season friendlies!!

[Dominic]

I would like to see a friendly with Brentford considering our recent connections, but as Dave said our lack of ground is always going to be a problem.

 

Another trip to Rugby Town anyone? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[Matt]

Not much else to add here - Fisher were a class above and are also the best team I've seen this season, but then that's hardly surprising considering their team would probably do well in Conference National, never mind South. I see no reason why they can't do just as well next season too.

 

Crowd was about 800-900 with a lot of neutral fans & officials (Braintree manager George Borg was there, along with the chairman, and I'm pretty sure I also saw Graham Westley). I would also give some credit to Hampton's band of supporters who tried to keep some kind of atmosphere going even at 2-0 down.

[Guest]

hi dom thanks and brentford seem to be drawn away first at swansea and the then griffin park so a mad dash for tickets maybe. maybe a few car loads could go up there or on the train to ealing and bus 65. i feel all ticket on the day but few days maybe before last decisions

 

dave programes <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/alert.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bounce.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bounce.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[brighton_rebel]

A lot of young Hampton fans as well singing along, unlike Fisher who seem to have one bloke with two flags and a plastic bag on his head. I asked the few Fish-faces behind the goal if the chairman could buy them some fans as well as decent players.

[GarySTFC]

And you did get an expletive response!

[Rebel Kay]

Just a quick thanks to Martin, Dom, Gary and Matt for the help on the way there yesterday, would have seriously struggled otherwise. Scarlett ould have single handedly brought the whole underground escalator system to a grinding halt. Shame the game was so one sided and atmosphere totally lacking, but the best team won and good luck to them in connie south.

[Fish_Fan_Joe1]

Thanks, we did have a fair few in the Shed and the main stand. I was 'as always' very vocal but your right most of the Fish were very subdued. I think the occasion and with what was at stake got the better of most. They tensed up where Hampton always knew they were the underdogs and as it was the highest the village side had ever been they treated it as a great day out win or bust.

 

(No I'm not the lad with two flags!)

[brighton_rebel]

Hampton a village side!

Well, what are Fisher? Is it even a place? One man's Fisher Price Toy. What happens when he decides he's had enough like fAT-bOY King over in Canvey.

[GarySTFC]

But is it really any different to the situation we're in? What would happen if Martyn couldn't put money in from tomorrow? We'd be in an awkward position as well I'm sure.

[Fish_Fan_Joe1]

But Hampton is a village and H&R represent that village. They only added the 'And Richmond Borough' 5 years back. Its not meant to be condescending I only speak the truth and it is also true its the highest Hampton have been in their history.

 

Fisher are a Bermondsey based club, well known with a proud heritage. We were a Conference National side for 5 seasons 15 years back and when we were at home we had a good following. We were dubbed the new Wimbledon/Wycombe but obviously it never worked out. We're now moving in the right direction and that sugar Daddy is no mug as we own the freehold on our old ground (1 mile from Canary Wharf) This makes us worth more (asset wise) than most lower Football league clubs. Hope you enjoyed your education.

[Barry Scott]

you may be worth a lot "asset wise" but unless you get a ten time increase in your gates you'll be surprised who quickly the money can run out. What's the name... Hornchurch?

[GarySTFC]

The other thing is who actually owns the freehold of the stadium? That could also potentially disappear very quickly in a worst case scenario. Just how much would the land be worth for housing/offices? Not wishing this on you, but just the pessimistic outlook.

[joe_FAFC]

The Chairman bought the freehold from the previous owners. This land does not only include the pitch or the stand/surrounding terracing but also another 20 odd acres where the plans are to build 100 houses/gym/parade of shops and a bar as well as a state of the art all seater stadium. £32,000,000.00 worth of development. The planning could only be given if the Fisher community service remained i.e the Football.

 

Also the Chairman loves the Fish and is present home and away cheering on the team. (more often than not standing with the fans on the terraces).

 

It is a sound investment based on Land/property etc and not just player collateral so we're right to feel confident.

 

The lack of fans is frustrating but according to another we're up 124.7% from last season so progress is being made. As you can appreciate it doesn't help playing away from home!

 

Also with Millwall self destructing the word on the street is there are many disillutioned fans out there looking for their non league side. If Fish make it to the Conference National (good possibility with our squad), going home back to our roots the fan base has an excellant chance of increasing 10 fold as you suggested.

[GarySTFC]

Thanks for the info Joe. Would you really be wanting to recruit the nasty element of the Millwall fans though in an attempt to boost your gates? Also, would be keen to know what your average league attendance is minus the Wimbledon crowd as this is a fairer reflection.

[Fish_Fan_Joe1]

Well itd 218 with the thousand crowd so I would hazzard a guess of 195/200 or so. Considering last year it was 98!...that sure is progress!

 

Of course I'd prefer not to inherite a hooligan element as at the minute we're a nice old boys/family club but if we took on 500/1,000 floating Millwall fans in the next 3 years...well beggers can't be chosers. Long term it will be needed because having a beer with your 150 odd fans is nice but if it stays that way we'll be back in Ryman Div 1 before we know it...!

[Mark44]

congrats fish fan joe. im glad you lot went up, i hated playing you lot.

[GarySTFC]

Cheers Joe. Good luck to you, but as you can appreciate some of us here are always a bit wary when it comes to the resources of a single man, especially when he's putting in a lot of money as he appears to be doing at Fisher, with little increase in support.

 

Best of luck in the Conference South.

[Martin]

I think the most worrying aspect for Fisher is the ownership of the new ground. I suspect it is not in the name of the club and we all know that covenants for "leisure" use aimed at protecting the club can be circumvented.

[Fish_Fan_Joe1]

Believe me Martin the Fisher fans have debated this at length with many a phone call being made to the council. All the doubts brought up here have been raised elsewhere before. I've been told today though that the Chairman actually only owns the Freehold to the surrounding land where the Club has a secure long term lease on the pitch granted by the council.

 

It will be tough as we're a mile from Canary Wharf and a mile from the City so the building work is astronomical and land prices have soared. I have doubts myself but I also remain confident as its survived this long even though a firm like Barratts would love to get their hands on it. Market value must be 15/20 mil.

 

Also if the Chairman was intending to sell out the club why go to lengths to get the manager, why buy a squad to get into the Conference South which has a good chance of pushing for promotion once again in an open Conf South league next year. Why bother going home and away?

 

I saw the Chairman after the AFC Wimbledon game, was beaming like a Cheshire Cat...

 

Even little things like that bring comfort.