Doncaster, their youth policy & a reminder of their past

[FleetFanatic]

Talking to a chap on the train home, who happened to be a Doncaster fan who lives and works in Dover, it became apparent that at least half of Donny's team were players groomed from their youth ranks. Now this proves that having a youth policy pays dividends - here's hoping that in a few years we can groom our own stars too!

 

I know we have had limited success in this area, but the quality at Doncaster was top class.

 

Also, I was reminded how Donny nearly went bust.

Remember the chairman who torched the stand? (And was sent to prison.)

They were in a more difficult situation than we are (after all that went on) - at one stage they were playing pub players in their team just to fulfill fixtures.

 

What I am getting at is that they overcame all that and went forward,

so surely we can go forward from where we are now?

 

I have no doubt that Gravesend & Northfleet WILL move forward.

 

So keep the faith and bring a mate - we should be getting crowds of 1500 every game.

[kmj]

I agree with you. A good youth set up will eventually help a club like ours. I was impressed by the loyalty of your fellow traveller. From Dover to Doncaster and back to see a home game takes some commitment. It reminds me of a Huddersfield supporter I spoke to on my way back by train after our FA Cup match who was a season ticket holder yet lived in Catford! Does anyone else have knowledge of similar super fans?

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

Quote:

They were in a more difficult situation than we are

 

Difficult situation ?

This is the best position we have been in for years !!

 

But a lot of it does come down to fan base, in order to improve at this level , we certainly need to broaden ours..

I don't think that we have ever averaged 1500 or more, (I am sure some of our older fans might correct me on that ) so if we do we will be venturing into new territory.

Teams like Donny have been there and done it, and have the fan base to support them in the quest to get back. Whereas the Fleet are still trying to get there for the first time. We have doubled our crowds in recent years , but there is still a long way to go.

 

Keep the faith, and as you say, lets all spread the Fleet gospel and get as many down the 'Road for the remaining games.

 

[FleetFanatic]

You know what I mean - lack of cash to compete,etc............

[Alan ( GNFC )]

Wobbly Wayne , before my time but in the forties and fifties I believe we averaged 3-4000 when we were in the Southern League with Gillingham etc .

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

I do know what you meant..

 

But 3000 thru' the terraces in the 3rd division, means you are an average/small size League club.

However a gate of 3000 + , in the conference makes you a very big fish.

 

If we want to swim with these big fish ( no matter how bad, their hard luck stories are) we need to get more through the turnstiles. In one home game alone they will make 4 times the amout of our pledge total, and that weighed against the factor that full time footballers are cheaper in the North than the South , shows you what we are up against.

 

Lets make a push for above 1500, in those remaining games, and give Andy more of a fighting chance.

 

We have been here before and were found wanting, I don't want it to happen again.

[Alan ( GNFC )]

A point well made Wobbly, albeit I think we would do best to remain at the top of the semi pro game rather than attempt the very bottom of the professional game .

These clubs you look up to have dropped out of their own level . I remember clubs like Burnham , Andover etc admiring our set up when we were two divisions lower than where we'd come from .

 

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

I agree with you...

 

I like the way the club have conducted itself , since we have had Andy as Manager and Brian as chairman.

 

We are progressing very nicely, but who knows where we could be if we continue to make the growth that we have made in recent seasons.