friendly against Dartford

[fleetboy14]

It seems strange to me thatwe never have a pre-season game against our neighbours and former tenants, would b nice to play them in a two legged game home and away and play for a cup, maybe called the invicta trophy, now that would spice up pre-season, if anybody knows why we don't play them, could they post with an answer. cheers COME ON U FLEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gordon T]

cos it would be easier then playing charlton U18s??

[KShep]

Hahahahaha we can see Gordon's got his Positive-thinking hat on again....

[American FLEET FAN No1]

For those of us with long memories............There has never been a 'friendly' game between the two clubs............They have always been deadly serious!

[Ray ellingham]

A few years I thought we played for a cup in pre season

[David Holden]

The North Kent Trophy

[Stu M]

Was it not the North Kent Shield? Can only really remember the massive cup fever that shuddered through the north of the county at the prospect of this coveted piece of silverware.

[fleetboy14]

Who ended up with the trophy.

[Stu M]

I think we did, don't recall it ever being played more than twice, might even have been the once only.

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Was that when both clubs were playing at the same level?

Surely now, no true Fleet fan would want to see Dartford embarrassed( )or perish the thought, have Dartford emabarrass the Fleet!

[Slartibartfast]

Dartford, like Maidstone, have never played at the same level as The Fleet.

[John Pearce]

Surely a 'friendly' against Dartford would probably attract a larger attendance (home or away) be more of a test and as such improve fitness levels etc. etc. than a friendly against Charlton Athletic's kids team.

 

I really don't know we continue to persist with pre-season games against Charlton, quite clearly they are happy to come into towns like Gravesend with their marketing, all designed to 'pinch' local clubs supporters etc., but when it comes down to sending a strong side to play friendlies to the benefit of local clubs (despite promises/agreements that have been made) quite clearly they really don't want to know.

 

If the reason for the friendly in the first place is to improve match fitness, get new players to fit-in etc. then surely it would make sense for pre-season matches to be arranged against lower league opposition or other 'league' clubs like Leyton Orient, Brentford, or even Dagenham & Redbridge who would appreciate a competetive pre-season match against stronger opposition and probably send a full, or near to, full time team. Unlike Charlton who are quite clearly just taking the p*!^. I know the other night Charlton would appear to have a valid reason for sending a 'stronger' team to Aldershot (ie benefit of an ex- player with MS), but this is just their latest excuse.

 

If it wasn't for the fact that the 'Fleet benefit financially from having Charlton Reserves playing at Stonebridge Road, I would have nothing more to do with them. #

 

It is perhaps not that often that I fully agree with Liam Daish's comments, but his criticism of Charlton for sending a weak 'kids' team for the other nights friendly is entirely valid.

[Slartibartfast]

Agree with you there John, Daggers would be a much better fixture than Charlton reserves.

Charlton manage to take a strong team to Welling every year but can never fit us in although to be fair if Charltons first team only managed a draw at Aldershot and we stuck five past the ressies maybe we should just drop the fixture because they just aren't good enough.

It is a shame that we need the money because I would certainly applaud the club if they told Charlton reserves to F off and play at Aldershot if Chelsea aren't using it.