Transition period

[UP FLEET]

Quote:

Wobbly Wayne rides again said:

Quote:

If going full time was only going to make a small difference, why go the whole hog so quickly.

Not sure. Its a question I can't understand or answer myself, but the club has gone down that route , and whether we like it or not, we have to deal with the consequences.


This being the scenario, I would be looking to work with them, But all the time he is here I want him doing his best for the club, and not giving up and going thru' the motions.

Which I am sure after a few minutes of reading this forum , he must feel like doing.



Up the Fleet

is that what he's doing at the moment? doing his best for the club...i hope for the sake of the club and fans a like he has a magic formular up his sleave, but to be honest, i have sat on the fence un til now, and i am finding it very hard to understand the mans method of madness!

[John Pearce]

Whilst hindsight is a wonderful thing perhaps in reality no-one should be too surprised about what appears to be the crisis that is currently Gravesend and Northfleet Fc.

 

Going full-time, the subsequent increased playing budget, continued delays in putting right necessary/required ground repairs, extensive use of very young and inexperienced loan players, loss of main sponsor etc. etc. All of which should be set against continuing loss of support albeit for a number of reasons, but primarily due to the cost of admission. the poor standard of football on offer and finally the subsequent poor results.

 

Costs rising ~ income falling, a recipe for possible disaster?

 

The apparent loss of the Chairman, has he really gone or not?, has added further to what without doubt appears to be the biggest crisis to hit the club since the alleged financial problems that arose following the time of the Roger Easterby and Stan Harland era.

 

In addition, whilst securing the use of the former Bowaters Sports Ground at Nelson Road was seen as a positive at the time, I am wondering in the short to medium term how much of an 'albatross' this will prove to be to the club by diverting funds away from the main part of the 'business' the football club itself?

 

Securing the sports ground and its facilities could well prove to be a major asset to the club in the longer term, but I and most people that have expressed their concerns on this forum, are more worried about the shorter term.

 

Lets all forget next season for the time being, I am more concerned about the next press release and whats likely to be happening tomorrow, the day after or next week?

[Gally221263]

With all the comings and goings, actually no comings at all yet, does anyone know the status of Johnson, Watkins and Sodje, are they staying, going, already gone back to Northampton, Fulham and Charlton....

[Hirsty]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
Well said, Rich. A lot of people will agree with you, but equally there are still plenty out there who, rathermyopically, cannot see the problem.

a) Boll*cks ( I am sorry but that is the only nice thing I feel I have left to say in response to you CG )

3 Cheers for good King Richard. A knowledgeable voice which is well respected throughout the land ( You could learn a thing or two here CG ).

Anyway,I will be viewing the forum from time to time with interest, but can't be arsed to respond to your sh*t ( no offence, just an opinion).

I'll wait & see what develops in the summer.

As I have said on many occasion.....it's about money....so chuck yer wedge in stop 'kin whinging !

Have a good summer everyone (if it stops raining !). See you in the new season.

Up the Fleet.

Cheers,

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

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

Hirsty said:

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
Well said, Rich. A lot of people will agree with you, but equally there are still plenty out there who, rather myopically, cannot see the problem.

a) Boll*cks ( I am sorry but that is the only nice thing I feel I have left to say in response to you CG )

3 Cheers for good King Richard. A knowledgeable voice which is well respected throughout the land ( You could learn a thing or two here CG ).

Rather defeated your own arguement there Hirsty, as I agreed 100% with Rich, as we both see a rather worrying time for Fleet. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If you think Rich has a point, then as I agree with him, you agree with me. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Now I'm wrong when I agree with Richard and wrong if I disagree. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bawling.gif" alt="" />

As for you responding to my posts, why would you think I would want you to? If people agree or disagree with me - fine, I am always happy to expand my case, and listen to others. It's called debate. Which is done on places like forums. Like this one. If that upsets you, too bad. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/angel.gif" alt="" />

At least supporters like RR, FF WVN & myself etc do put up a case, instead of sticking our heads in the sand and waiting until next season.

[Andrewc]

Are you still off work Gary? If so, why not give the Club a call and book an appointment to see LD and AK to discuss team matters. I'm sure they would be very pleased to one, know who you are, and two, discuss matters with you.

 

Do let us know how you get on.

[Hempstead Gaz]

In and out of hospital at the moment Andy, need another two operations.

 

Just out of interest, what is your take on what is going on at fleet, Andy?

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

The reason why people like myself are so utterly cheesed off with this forum is the attitude that the CGs RR and WVN of this little World have.

 

Its ALL been so bloody negative, that now we really have a crisis its like listening to someone thats been "crying wolf" only to discover that this one is the real McCoy (with teeth).

 

I really object to being told that "The majority agree," "Thats why so many people think," " The majority of posters her," etc

 

SPEAK FOR YOURSELF! not on mine or anyone elses behalf.

 

I'm probably one of those people you are accusing of being "myopic," and having "rose tinted spectacles."

 

Well surprise, surprise I'm not. It doesn't take Brain of Britain to work out there are massive problems involved in the running of the club.

 

I have deep misgivings about the direction the club is going in and I certainly believe that we are up [****!!****]-creek if we don't get a strong Chairman to push the club along. (Decent bloke that Jason is.)

 

I seem to spend half my time trying to defend the Manager, when I too have some concerns about our style of play. The reason for that is that I believe in giving people a decent chance, and its obvious that WVN to name but one has had a vendetta against his appiointment from day one (Wait for the post stating something on the lines of " I was prepared to give him a chance despite my misgivings etc etc!) I bet RR and WVN are absolutely Wetting themselves with delight at the probability they might be right. And THATS why I'm so bloody annoyed.

 

I can only speak for myself here, but I have issues with the club which I would like addressed, but how can things be discussed sensibly when the knives were out before the manager had a decent chance?

 

For example, I'm fairly certain that the decision to unload the part-timers is not purely down to the manager. The board may also have had some sway on this matter. But I dont know for sure and we haven't had any press release one way or another. Thats annoying because we, as supporters should know and if we did we wouldn't be speculating on the poor decision making of one man. But whats the point of opening up a debate if all you get is a negative broadside?

 

I would imagine that some of the people concerned on here are the gits that stand by the old Tea Hut?

 

If so, why do you bother going to any games if all you can do is abuse and criticise the team, the players, the ground, (which is one thing I really do agree with you on,) the manager, the assistant manager, the colour of the shirts, the ball boys, the advertising hordings etc etc.

 

WVN, RR and to a lesser extent CG, you may well have been right all along. But because of your previous rants, your opinions count for bugger all........ In my opinion anyway!

[FleetFanatic]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
At least supporters like RR, FF WVN & myself etc do put up a case, instead of sticking our heads in the sand and waiting until next season.

People don't want to know. 'Burying one's head in the sand syndrome', as it is otherwise known.

Remember my comments in this thread? Also pasted in italics below.

Gravesend in the Football league? It'll never happen.
That's the reality - it's a pipe dream.
Gravesend can't attract the fanbase it needs nor keep them.
The club won't help itself so why should I anymore?
The majority of supporters are treated with distaste - dare to slag off performances and you get a message from the chairman criticising people for daring to speak their opinions.
I like Brian but that is one thing that has left a bitter taste.

50k loss in the first season in the conference - how expensive will this season prove to be???

Do people REALLY think we're happy that the doom predicted is coming to fruition?

If I'm proved wrong and the white knight with stacks of cash comes to the rescue from nowhere then I'll apologise.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Thank you, Darren.

[Andrewc]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
Just out of interest, what is your take on what is going on at fleet, Andy?

I am as interested as any other fan to find out what is likely to happen on the playing / off field activities side next season.

I'm sure we will all find out in good time.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

Andy Y. (G&NFC) said:
I would imagine that some of the people concerned on here are the gits that stand by the old Tea Hut?

If so, why do you bother going to any games if all you can do is abuse and criticise the team, the players, the ground, (which is one thing I really do agree with you on,) the manager, the assistant manager, the colour of the shirts, the ball boys, the advertising hordings etc etc.

WVN, RR and to a lesser extent CG, you may well have been right all along. But because of your previous rants, your opinions count for bugger all........ In my opinion anyway!

Andy, Please don't include me with the old buzzards who congregate around the tea hut.
I never (or rarely) moan at players, only in the the heat of the action, have never slagged off LD either on the terrace or on here. I met him and spoke to him at the supporters meeting last year, and found him agreeable, if a little shy. I have no personal grievance with him.

I have always tried to back up my postings with evidence, and am happy to debate, unlike some, whose only repost is "FFF CG you're a *&$@", Cheers, etc.
I will not presume your age, but if like me and my "gang" you have been watching fleet since the 1960's you will know that the fortunes of the club ebb and flow, have good and bad times, success and failure.
Through the years, experience has showed that that failure is largely due to poor management (who will forget or forgive Dave Galvin or Stan Harland?). and success has been bred by good managers, such as Sitford, Aldous and Ford.
I make no claim either way about LD, he hasn't been at the club long enough to stamp his mark, but the evidence is starting to show the the club could be in for a recession.
Both the board and LD admit it on the main website. That is fact.

Falls from grace can be quick, and the spiral downwards can be difficult to halt, as witnessed by Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Dartford, and Dover.

Hard to believe, but I really do want the best for the club, and to enjoy watching Fleet play entertaining, attacking football at the pinnacle of non-league football, to huge crowds.
And I like to watch proven, experienced players competing for the love of the club, not just for the win bonus.
Over the decades, I have been priviledged to watch a whole load of players who are Fleet legends, Bostock,Hughes, Smelt, Woolfe, Woon, Brown,Buckley,Crudace Cowan, Stonebridge, Allright, Jacks, Sitford, Portway, Cotter, Skinner and Jackson are just a few.
It is players like these, committed to the Fleet cause who supporters need, not 18 year olds out to earn a bew bob before college or uni, who come and go before they can even shave.
I have witnessed too many bad times at the club to want it to happen again, which is why I take my stance.
If people want to argue the pros of having a youth team trying to play against men in the conference, then make it, politely on here.
No abuse, asterisked bad language, no vitriolic, beer laden attacks on those of us who are more concerned for the long term welfare of the club than whether the club bar is stocking X ale., Just good, sensible open debate.

[jc]

Quote:

Wobbly Wayne rides again said: If you are working within similar budgets does it matter if you are the best part time or the worst full time team, if it delivers conference safety ? I can't see that it does.

Of course, one could turn this around and ask whether it was really worth turning full-time in the first place if doing so with our limited budget meant that we would could only be of a similar standard to when we were wholly full-time. Indeed, if full-time football with young players who earn less than several part-timers provides similar levels of attainment to part-time football, surely it would have been better to wait and see if we were able to climb the league with our part-timers, and, if this occurred and crowds began to swell on a consistent basis, then and only then consider a move towards full-time status.

And, further to this, if it doesn't matter if you're part-time or full-time as long as you're good enough, why release players such as Jay and Jacko? (Although I realize, in the latter player's case, you disagree). As you say elsewhere, you'd be satisfied with a finish one place above the relegation zone next season (and I'd join you on that). Since this was perfectly plausible when we were part-time, surely a switch to full-time is unnecessary.

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:I never (or rarely) moan at players, only in the the heat of the action, have never slagged off LD either on the terrace or on here.

That's not strictly true in the case of 'on here', though, is it?

Besides, since it looks as though next year's team may well consist predominantly of young players, and Daish is supposed to be, in your words, 'the best talent spotter in 25 years', I don't know what you're worried about. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Out of interest, who was the excellent talent spotter of 25 years ago? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:My arguement is not with going full time, but as JC so eloquently put, don't try to keep up with the Jones'.

This aphorism, or at least a version of it (i.e. 'if we can't afford to keep up with the Joneses, we shouldn't even try'), was originally used on here by JimGNFC. Credit where credit's due - I only wish I'd been the first to use it, since it sums up the Club's current position so perfectly.

[jc]

Quote:

Andy Y. (G&NFC) said:For example, I'm fairly certain that the decision to unload the part-timers is not purely down to the manager. The board may also have had some sway on this matter.

This is a very valid point.

[Stu M]

Quote:

jc said:
This aphorism, or at least a version of it (i.e. 'if we can't afford to keep up with the Joneses, we shouldn't even try'), was originally used on here by JimGNFC. Credit where credit's due

Ahem...

http://www.nonleague.co.uk/forum/showflat....true#Post814629

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

[Hempstead Gaz]

The point is, it is a very valid point.

[John Pearce]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:

Quote:

Andy Y. (G&NFC) said:
I would imagine that some of the people concerned on here are the gits that stand by the old Tea Hut?

If so, why do you bother going to any games if all you can do is abuse and criticise the team, the players, the ground, (which is one thing I really do agree with you on,) the manager, the assistant manager, the colour of the shirts, the ball boys, the advertising hordings etc etc.

WVN, RR and to a lesser extent CG, you may well have been right all along. But because of your previous rants, your opinions count for bugger all........ In my opinion anyway!

Andy, Please don't include me with the old buzzards who congregate around the tea hut.
I never (or rarely) moan at players, only in the the heat of the action, have never slagged off LD either on the terrace or on here. I met him and spoke to him at the supporters meeting last year, and found him agreeable, if a little shy. I have no personal grievance with him.

I have always tried to back up my postings with evidence, and am happy to debate, unlike some, whose only repost is "FFF CG you're a *&$@", Cheers, etc.
I will not presume your age, but if like me and my "gang" you have been watching fleet since the 1960's you will know that the fortunes of the club ebb and flow, have good and bad times, success and failure.
Through the years, experience has showed that that failure is largely due to poor management (who will forget or forgive Dave Galvin or Stan Harland?). and success has been bred by good managers, such as Sitford, Aldous and Ford.
I make no claim either way about LD, he hasn't been at the club long enough to stamp his mark, but the evidence is starting to show the the club could be in for a recession.
Both the board and LD admit it on the main website. That is fact.

Falls from grace can be quick, and the spiral downwards can be difficult to halt, as witnessed by Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Dartford, and Dover.

Hard to believe, but I really do want the best for the club, and to enjoy watching Fleet play entertaining, attacking football at the pinnacle of non-league football, to huge crowds.
And I like to watch proven, experienced players competing for the love of the club, not just for the win bonus.
Over the decades, I have been priviledged to watch a whole load of players who are Fleet legends, Bostock,Hughes, Smelt, Woolfe, Woon, Brown,Buckley,Crudace Cowan, Stonebridge, Allright, Jacks, Sitford, Portway, Cotter, Skinner and Jackson are just a few.
It is players like these, committed to the Fleet cause who supporters need, not 18 year olds out to earn a bew bob before college or uni, who come and go before they can even shave.
I have witnessed too many bad times at the club to want it to happen again, which is why I take my stance.
If people want to argue the pros of having a youth team trying to play against men in the conference, then make it, politely on here.
No abuse, asterisked bad language, no vitriolic, beer laden attacks on those of us who are more concerned for the long term welfare of the club than whether the club bar is stocking X ale., Just good, sensible open debate.

All good and valid points, well expressed!

[JimGNFC]

Quote:

I never (or rarely) moan at players, only in the the heat of the action, have never slagged off LD either on the terrace or on here. I met him and spoke to him at the supporters meeting last year, and found him agreeable, if a little shy. I have no personal grievance with him.

I too went to this Supporters meeting. partly out of interest to see what Liam was like and too be honest I felt he answered the questions put too him honestly and openly and came across quite well.

The occasional post on here by Liam, similar to what Andy Ford used to do might help his cause with the fans. Its PR like this, as well as improving the information flow coming out of the Club that would put an end to the endless bickering on here.

I'm sure there are a few people on here that would fancy the opportunity to be the Club's PR Manager, even in an unpaid capacity. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

White Van Nistelrooy said:

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:

Quote:

Andy Y. (G&NFC) said:
I would imagine that some of the people concerned on here are the gits that stand by the old Tea Hut?

If so, why do you bother going to any games if all you can do is abuse and criticise the team, the players, the ground, (which is one thing I really do agree with you on,) the manager, the assistant manager, the colour of the shirts, the ball boys, the advertising hordings etc etc.

WVN, RR and to a lesser extent CG, you may well have been right all along. But because of your previous rants, your opinions count for bugger all........ In my opinion anyway!

Andy, Please don't include me with the old buzzards who congregate around the tea hut.
I never (or rarely) moan at players, only in the the heat of the action, have never slagged off LD either on the terrace or on here. I met him and spoke to him at the supporters meeting last year, and found him agreeable, if a little shy. I have no personal grievance with him.

I have always tried to back up my postings with evidence, and am happy to debate, unlike some, whose only repost is "FFF CG you're a *&$@", Cheers, etc.
I will not presume your age, but if like me and my "gang" you have been watching fleet since the 1960's you will know that the fortunes of the club ebb and flow, have good and bad times, success and failure.
Through the years, experience has showed that that failure is largely due to poor management (who will forget or forgive Dave Galvin or Stan Harland?). and success has been bred by good managers, such as Sitford, Aldous and Ford.
I make no claim either way about LD, he hasn't been at the club long enough to stamp his mark, but the evidence is starting to show the the club could be in for a recession.
Both the board and LD admit it on the main website. That is fact.

Falls from grace can be quick, and the spiral downwards can be difficult to halt, as witnessed by Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Dartford, and Dover.

Hard to believe, but I really do want the best for the club, and to enjoy watching Fleet play entertaining, attacking football at the pinnacle of non-league football, to huge crowds.
And I like to watch proven, experienced players competing for the love of the club, not just for the win bonus.
Over the decades, I have been priviledged to watch a whole load of players who are Fleet legends, Bostock,Hughes, Smelt, Woolfe, Woon, Brown,Buckley,Crudace Cowan, Stonebridge, Allright, Jacks, Sitford, Portway, Cotter, Skinner and Jackson are just a few.
It is players like these, committed to the Fleet cause who supporters need, not 18 year olds out to earn a bew bob before college or uni, who come and go before they can even shave.
I have witnessed too many bad times at the club to want it to happen again, which is why I take my stance.
If people want to argue the pros of having a youth team trying to play against men in the conference, then make it, politely on here.
No abuse, asterisked bad language, no vitriolic, beer laden attacks on those of us who are more concerned for the long term welfare of the club than whether the club bar is stocking X ale., Just good, sensible open debate.

All good and valid points, well expressed!

Thanks, John. Much appreciated. It is gratifying to know that I do not post as a lone voice.

[Fezpian]

We seem to be forgetting that GNFC were bottom of the Conference form league and that the football played at the run in to the end of the season was pretty dire stuff. Perhaps a shake up is needed.