Although things have gone quiet...

[coupwotcoup]

...of late, the 'merge' word still hangs in the air. I know the thought of joining with the Kent League fills some people with dread, but I was just interested to know what you people's latest opinions were on the subject?

I guess any vote on here would be split 50/50 between players and supporters (apart from Hookey who always moans about going to Kent with No. 1 son).

Attendances are a nightmare at our level. Yes I know there are plenty of Ryman North sides in the county, but the League average is just 54 (probably less after last night), so surely something has to be done to stop everyone treading water.

Eleven clubs are down on last season (albeit we are suffering from the AFCHX effect), with only three; Clapton (20%), Brentwood (17%) and Concord (4%) showing any increase.

But take a look at the Kent League's crowds http://www.tonykempster.co.uk/kentatt.htm

Geographically we are much the same in distance from London, but surely a coming together would be beneficial to both parties?

Okay, Hythe and Deal are a long trek and therefore fixtures should be sensibly devised.

I know this idea has been mooted in the past, but surely something has to be done soon, otherwise we are all just dying on our feet..

Discuss at length.

[luckypinkpants]

Hyth fc in the fa cup (1995?) with Michael Howard in attendance a week or so after the tories had just been kicked into touch after 18 years. Boro fans - labour here labout there labour every f*** where... We laughed! and we won 5-8 with ten men! or something like that! Coup?

[blanchflower]

the old merge rears its ugly head,

 

personally the travelling is a major factor for me, for most games i dont have to leave till two o clock, to get to kent and go through/over the dreaded tunnel/bridge, (plus cost)its going to have be a lot earlier.

midweek games, would have to be planned out a lot better, otherwise they would be a big no no.

on the plus side it would be great too get some more teams in, different places to visit (or get lost trying to find)

 

would rather look at bringing teams like white ensign up, can't be any worse then clapton.

 

 

[coupwotcoup]

Originally Posted By: luckypinkpants

Hyth fc in the fa cup (1995?) with Michael Howard in attendance a week or so after the tories had just been kicked into touch after 18 years. Boro fans - labour here labout there labour every f*** where... We laughed! and we won 5-8 with ten men! or something like that! Coup?

7-4 with ten men..still got Michael Howard's autograph on the programme..although he has now upgraded to being Folkestone's president and being an avid Liverpool fan..oh it is so trendy.. Johnny B skimming stones on the beach at 7am the next morning..Great weekend apart from the toe rags who turned my place over while we were away...

[Kaiser Jnr]

It would be awesome to merge with them CCL numpties...

 

However I think they have crowds worse than us, and they have some serious problems...

 

I saw the post you posted on their forum Coup, and I dont think anyone has answered it... Says it all really!!!

 

Hi CCL numpties

[Hookey]

Saturday trips into Kent isn't so much of a problem, we got to Hythe Town in just under an hour this season.

 

The problem is midweek games, e.g. Dover Athletic have to come to Tilbury next MONDAY evening for a 7:30pm KO.

 

There is also the added problem at the A2 turn off into Kent which is down to one lane for the next 18 months. It can take 40 mins to get onto the A2, unless like me you go round the back via Bluewater.

 

Some nice grounds though and they get decent crowds too. Even at ressie level. There was around 70 at Margate!!!

[coupwotcoup]

would be a nightmare having to negotiate the M25 every fortnight and midweek too....

[smallsy]

CCL is a london league. he is taking about the kent league you plonker!

[Beachboys]

I thought that ?

 

Twaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat !

[Kaiser Jnr]

Ill get me coat (as its [****!!****] freezing!)

[TB&G]

How about linking up with the Ridgeons Eastern Counties Premier which at Level 5 could be split into a North (Norfolk & North Suffolk) Section and South (South Suffolk & Essex) Section.

 

Final top teams in each section play a home and away decider as to who gets the promotion place. No penalties decider though PLEASE. Final winner should go through on a total aggregate of goals scored on the field of play even if it means a third game with the hosts decided on the toss of a coin.

 

Just a thought though, the level 4 league the eventual winner goes into will depend on which section the team comes from.

[Natter]

If there is a need to merge ESL with another league,out of all the sensible possibilities, I think TB&G has hit the nail on the head. The only way to go...

Transport probs rule out a Kent connection.

London is chock full of football already. That is why, sadly, the likes of Clapton struggle.

Until the day comes when Joe Public gets totally disillusioned with Premiership football (dodgy money/people coming in,high prices, effect on national side etc etc) the only way for football at our level is to stay relatively local with a bit of transfusion of new blood when possible

[TB&G]

Thank you for your kind comment on my suggestion Natter.

 

Nothing is ever simple of course as a merger such as I have suggested would require a renaming agreement (how about The East Anglian League?) and still leaves the logistical problems of what happens to the REC lower and reserve divisions.

 

Although I suppose that these two could receive the same treatment as their N/S Premier sections to which they geographically belong.

 

The advantage to the ESL elements in the south section is that they would be able to place their reserve teams in a similar set up to the first team one with the same competitive promotions and relegations to be fought for/against the same as their firsts.

 

Just as a matter of interest Natter what area (not team) are you from?

[Natter]

I'm from East London (I've edited my post a little to explain my attitude to Premiership football in just a few words without hijacking or confounding this thread)

[TB&G]

Originally Posted By: Natter

I'm from East London (I've edited my post a little to explain my attitude to Premiership football in just a few words without hijacking or confounding this thread)

Thanks for your update Natter.

It would be nice if we were joined in our discussion by other regular forum users.

Would make a nice change from the usual trivia that appears!

[smallsy]

the only reason i havent entered the discussion, but have been reading with interest, is i know nothing will happen. the league chairman wants to keep the ESL so i think that says it all. as a player(no jokes please) i would rather have a league like the ridgeons with 22/24 teams and don't care about travel. if anything would be to happen i would much rather it would be with the ridgeons teams then kent.

[Beachboys]

Here Here !

 

If our league was to be made stronger i dont think hardly any would look to get out !

[Kaiser Jnr]

Travelling to Kent could be a nightmare on a Tuesday night though!

 

Getting over the bridge at the best of times is a nightmare without having to worry about traffic!

 

Teams like Tiptree, Halstead, Stanway should come into our league...

[smallsy]

none of them want to though. they all play on proper pitches with nice grounds and in front of some sort of crowd.

 

our league is full of teams with sh*thole grounds and bully boy tactics. only a couple of teams try to play football and have decent grounds.

[TB&G]

Originally Posted By: smallsy

the only reason i havent entered the discussion, but have been reading with interest, is i know nothing will happen. the league chairman wants to keep the ESL so i think that says it all. as a player(no jokes please) i would rather have a league like the ridgeons with 22/24 teams and don't care about travel. if anything would be to happen i would much rather it would be with the ridgeons teams then kent.

I'm not sure that I totally agree with you on your assessment of our excellent Chairman's wishes.

I get the impression that he wants what is best for Essex football at Level 5 and is pragmatic enough to discuss matters seriously with the REC if it achieves a way forward for the clubs who come under his care to play in a stronger and perennially successful league competition.

However that is only my view and I suspect that Mr C is not likely to contribute to this current thread because there may already be discussions on the go which are very much sub judice regarding the proposed 2007/8 onwards 12 league level 5 and the part that the ESL can play in this to the advantage of all our clubs during which he will protect our interests at all times.