My Dream. Can you help?

[Merv]

It must be watching the ‘Any Dream Will Do’ programme on TV that has started me dreaming. Not of West End fame, but more mundane stuff like… next season’s footy.

 

It was a weird dream. Jeff King had a falling out with Chelmsford FC; something to do with their failure to win promotion after all the hype. Jeff was unhappy with the reaction from his new friends in the county town and decided to jack it all in and come back to the island. Brandishing a cheque book in one hand and waving an ‘I LOVE CANVEY’ flag in the other, Jeff walked up Park Lane but his way was barred by a line of true Canvey fans at the car park entrance who stopped him while they deliberated. The question they were asking themselves?

 

Do we want Jeff back at Park Lane and for the ‘old days’ to be reinstated?

Would we prefer to continue as we are, with the fans having ownership of the club and getting by on talent and endeavour alone?

 

Can any ‘Joseph’ out there help me sort out this amazing dream???

 

[Ribbit]

I don't believe anyone who says that they wouldn't want the money back down the Lane. That's not to say they want Kingy back, but the money would be a massive help to us.

However, if the money were to come back, it needs to do so on the basis that things are done more productively that before.

[Guest]

Keep the money, I have had my best year watching Canvey.

 

The club is run by some really nice people, do not spoil it.

 

No problem with Jeff never spoke to him, he would come with the cronies.

 

MOB

[YELLOW]

Best to leave it as it is. Atmosphere at the club is superb at the moment and yes the money would be lovely but you would always be worried that if the money went the club would suffer badly.

 

We might not be particularly rich but we're doing OK.

[ken]

i wouldnt come and watch canvey any more if Jeff came back. as far as the money goes, sure a little more would be good for the club, but anytime the money comes from just one sorce i think it will lead to trouble

[YELLOW]

If anybody doubted the atmosphere around the club, they should have been at the curry night tonight. All the players and managemnent mingled with the fans which was something that wasn't really done in previous seasons.

[yellow angel]

My husband and i have discussed this already. If Jeff came back to Canvey, we would probably go along and watch our local team, which ironically, would be Chelmsford.

I do think we need a bit more cash (which club doesn't) but wouldn't like it to come from one individual, too risky.

[ronin]

I would be more than happy for someone to come in with some investment, very happy with the way things are at the club at the moment but to have any realistic chance of going up the ladder we will need money from somewhere.

 

The investment must be right for the club but to turn down any potential offer just because we want to go it alone would be stupid.

[richard sparkes]

I would of loved some one like Grant Beglan come over to us rather than go to Hornchurch

[yellow angel]

If we are to progress beyond Ryman Prem we will need investment.

But my concern is, investment on what terms? Also if you have just one major investor, what happens when/if they pull out?

The club needs to be comfortable about any potential backer. Too many clubs have either folded or had to start over again when their backer has pulled out.

As for going it alone, long term that surely isn't an option, as we would never have enough funds to make any real progress.

Sadly, success on the pitch is directly linked to money. Having plenty of dosh may not guarantee you success (Chelsea), but one thing is certain, not having any money WILL hold you back.

[Andy the Marsh Rat]

I,d have Jeff back without a seconds hesitation,then all we,d need is a broom handle and we could use him to iron out those bumpy bits of the ground

P.S. can,t you trust Merv to liven up off season forum posts lol

[South Mouth]

I would rather rub honey on my right eye and wait for an angry bee to fly by than see that bloke walk into the hotseat again!

 

I have been really pleased to hear how much everyone is enjoying going to see Canvey again. Getting that egotistical twa* back in to start lording it around with his cronies again would be such a bad idea.

[It's Me]

Jeff can come back as a supporter, sponser, life president, please do not let him or Ray Cross get anywhere near ownership. I love CIFC, I would leave if he came back so would most of the players.

 

Out of interest, how many of our current squad would Jeff keep?

[Ribbit]

How many of the Chelmo squad did he keep?

[It's Me]

1 maybe 2 I think.

[YELLOW]

I think it was only Ricky Holmes and possibly Peter Smith but Smithy left not long into the season.

[Ribbit]

I think that answers your question.

[LOS]

Personally, I couldn't give a dam who was in charge. As a paying punter all i'm interested in is a good standard of football and some decent atmosphere in the ground (fans atmosphere not interested in the background politics). From the few games I've seen this season the football is still entertaining - but there's seldom volumes of away fans.

The responses on this forum are gonna be bias against Jeff's return as majority of you are now enjoying an increased stakeholder role off-the-field. The questions should really be addressed to the folk of Canvey Island who've turned away in their droves (including myself to some extent). The few hundred that we've lost (albeit still floating supporters) are obviously more attracted to conf level football (and all its administrative negatives) than dropping down a few levels but with a 'warmer' off-the-pitch atmospere. Curry nights and all that are nice, but give me a sensibly resourced and sustainable conference outfit anyday.

 

My opinion is that attendance levels say it all........O, and I don't wish Chelmsford any success.

[Ribbit]

It could be argued that we were never a 'sensibly resourced outfit.' We certainly weren't 'sustainable', as has been proven.

[It's Me]

Originally Posted By: Ribbit

It could be argued that we were never a 'sensibly resourced outfit.' We certainly weren't 'sustainable', as has been proven.

It does not need to be argued, we were never sustainable at that level and were always open to the whims of an individual wether it be Jeff or another money man.

What we now need is sustainable, slow, steady, measured growth and that is what our current set up is working to.

Local lads coming through the youth set up, supported by local people and hopefully sponsored eventually through a range of deals with local businesses, who are parting with ther money because they want their name associated with a local club.

Not because they want a controlling interest.

One of the first steps towards this will be at the end of year three when we are no longer tied into a contract with Kings to buy all our beer from them and can truely own all profits raised from the club house and negotiate a deal with brewerys direct.

I know a few businesses that are considering involvement and cant wait, we may never make the heady heights of the conference in the next 10 years but hopefully when we do, it will be sustainable.

I hope Dennis behind the scenes and John on the pitch keep driving forward, slowly but carefully in their current considered and proffessional way.