An Interesting Evening

[MargateFan]

I went along to the first public meeting tonight of the newly constituted Canterbury City Football Club. I lived in that City for 22 years, and my husband supported them through thick and thin until their demise. Then he persuaded me to go and see a Margate game, and we all know how that ended up.

 

Anyway, it was very interesting, not least for the fact that the resurgence of that team was at the instigation of Canterbury City Council, who, recognising that they were the only metropolitan council in the country without a senior football team, found that fact embarassing enough to want to do something about it. And their solution was to work very closely with the emerging football club to help them in any way possible, recognising that a community football club can be the source of huge pride in a community.

 

The commitee starting up the club were all there, they have a structure in place, a spokesman was there to talk on behalf of the council, but the leader of the council was also in the audience, along with several other councillors. They are spending a fair bit of money (60,000) on an initial feasibility study to look into a venue. The club itself is intending to start in 2007/8.

 

It is going to be owned by the supporters, and partners in business, rather than privately. I am not making comparisons with our club here, but am just thinking about how much easier it is to progress a football club in the community with that kind of support.

 

I will watch their progress with interest, as I did when Faversham started up again (their Chairman was there tonight to lend support also).

 

Good for Kent football if it comes off. Oh and there were about 300 people there, not bad for a first meeting.

[Uncle Urchin]

all good stuff MF and most admirable for the local politicians to turn up...I suppose they were oblivious to the presence of the local press but lets not split hairs......

 

anyway...kent football is very much in the ascendancy at the moment and long may it continue....but the community at large in all NL counties is apathetic and needs the energy and financial support of local enterprise to drive it....60 grand won't even pay for the planning consent etc...

 

I have always had a deep affection for canterbury and indeed a city such as that needs a local team...hope it works out...

[MargateFan]

It is for sure encouraging that someone even attempts to start up a senior team in a city that is more focussed on rugby, cricket and hockey.

And I do know that nowadays politicians are tarts who go for the photo opportunity and sound bite rather than do any positive work towards the betterment of society in general and their masters in particular (us, who pay to have them).

But at the end of the day, to have them grinning like cheshire cats in front of the cameras at a meeting like this is probably going to help the club start up. OK CFC were never illustrious, and their chances of reaching the heady heights of non-league are slim in my truncated lifespan, but their resurgence will for sure enrich the local football scene.

 

It was interesting, in the lobby they had some memorabilia from a 1960 international game played in front of 4,500 flat-capped supporters, with Venables as captain, and Peters in the line up. Brings a lump to the throat, that kind of thing.

[michael]

'Politics/policy seems to get in the way of so many things these days though.

 

Has'nt the Canterbury City Manager resigned already before a ball is kicked over a 'difference in policy'.

 

Makes me wonder what is said in interviews at football clubs;and how people get it so wrong so early

[MargateFan]

Well, they have a new manager in place now, who spoke enthusiastically but also realistically tonight. Will watch how they fare.

 

[charlie]

I too will be watching this with interest considering my team's (Slough Town FC)current position...

[Gringo]

Was Canterburys ground in the middle of a dog track and speedway track in kingsmead. Puts Chelmsford to shame . Not to forget Paul Sykes brother helped put Canterbury rugby on the map. Such a city deserves a good footy team, good luck to them.

who are the Urchins? and more to the point who the f#### is Uncle Urchin.

[seasidesteve]

for a fairly big city they always had a crap team even back in the early 60s