NOTHING SHORT OF A DISGRACE

[jc]

Originally Posted By: Robbo

Every person I've talked to about the new name who isn't a fan have said it's a s**t name. Everyone from the outside, like other conference fans, seem to think it's a stupid decision aswell.

However, the whole Ebbsfleet development will probably be largely unknown to fans of other clubs, since it's only really well-known at the moment in the local area. As such, they're not really in the best position to comment.

Originally Posted By: Kevin - EUFC TIL I DIE!

Jason Botley has said: "Becoming Ebbsfleet United FC was a strategic decision by the club for our future. The change will provide many new benefits; not least the ability to attract new commercial investment as North West Kent’s growth continues a pace". Plus it will attract new potential sponsor and developers for the new stadium.

But the wisdom of this decision could depend heavily on whether all this is firmly in the pipeline or is something purely speculative.

A lot of people are looking at this mainly in terms of attracting new support from new Ebbsfleet-based homes. On this issue alone, they're right to be heavily sceptical. However, the main issue here is increased investment and/or help with the ground, and it's how much this is or needs to be tied in with the name change that is essential to the decision's success or failure. Unfortunately, we fans, not in possession of the full facts with sponsorship and ground negotiations under wraps, may feel we cannot comment fully on the change, and in light of this feeling of powerlessness it's only natural to harbour at least some scepticism.

Another problem I'm finding is regarding the paradoxical nature of club names. On the one hand, they can be seen as vital - the club's first point of identification. On the other, though, they can seem to be not important at all (i.e. just a name, and not as significant as the club's physical aspects, such as the fans, the ground, the location etc.) It's this paradox, and the feeling that there are things going on that the fans (quite rightly given the need for confidentiality until things are signed and sealed) are not yet privy to, that leads me, and no doubt others, to feel uncertain - it's only natural, and those that are sure this change is a good idea must respect this.

(Apologies for waffling on - it's just me trying to help myself make sense of it all)

[BustaGut]

Originally Posted By: Hirsty

"whats stopping you lot doing this as well"

No one can ever agree on anything !!

Cheers,

I disagree with that

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted By: hartsdownfan

have you lot not thought of forming your own team , a club thats still got something to do with Gravesend , expect someone has said something on here but so much to read . Your fan base is big enough to start something up surely . Hornchurch , Wombles , Telford have all done it whats stopping you lot doing this as well .

We've already got one thanks, just had a pretty good season (Remember when you managed 58 points in the Conference? well it was a bit like that only with more points) hoping for a better one next time.

[Stu M]

Originally Posted By: hartsdownfan

Hornchurch , Wombles , Telford have all done it whats stopping you lot doing this as well .

Telford and Hornchurch didn't have much choice seeing as their 'first-choice' went bust. It's only our name that's changing, everything else is the same club (though no doubt others will beg to differ).

[Andy .]

Agree above teams had no choice but you have a great opption to surport the new named club which is technically your team or start a club with the name you have always followed but whatever you do all the best for next season , you could be the 1st club to get promotion to the football league in your very 1st season with a new name .

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Originally Posted By: hartsdownfan

you could be the 1st club to get promotion to the football league in your very 1st season with a new name .

Heres hoping!!