When we got promoted 6 years ago I thought that in 2 or 3 years we would have perhaps been playing Blue Square South football, but no 6 years on and we are a worse position now than we were in the season we got promoted as I believe that we had a fairly good promotion winning side back then.
As another supporter has previously said our only ambition is to remain in the Black and I believe he may be right.
I thought that we did have a fairly good side last season as well but we still managed to finish bottom in a rather average looking Ryman Premier division. So how do they expect us to finish top of the Ryman South with most of last seasons players gone and relying mainly on county league and local players to get us out of this mess.
Unless The Structure changes from the top downwards ie Chairman/Manager then we could be left stagnating for years to come and could even end up playing county league football ourselves if we are not careful.
I am sure someone will reply to this with some positive thoughts but at the moment it doesn't look very positive to me,and I really hope that I am Proved wrong in my assessment.
I am as disappointed as anyone that after 6 years in the Ryman Premier - all but one dodging relegation - we have finally succumbed and must face at least one year back in the Ryman South. I do not believe that promotion from that league will be at all easy. Yes, there will be some poor sides but there will be at least two or three with the budget and the organisation to challenge for automatic promotion. I hope - and I can put it no higher than that - that we will be among those contenders in the coming season. But if it takes more than one season to achieve promotion, or even two or three, I will be content - provided that we can see continuing development of the club and of our local players.
It is a legitimate concern that thus far there has been relatively little positive news on new signings or the retention of our better players. Others have pointed out, however, that there can be no actual signings before 1 July. I hope (again just that) that there will be a clearer indication of the shape of the team after that. On retention, I think Dan has previously explained that players are free agents. We cannot compel our better players to remain; and I would criticise no player for seeking to play at the highest level his ability will allow.
A football club is more than a business, but it has to operate within the financial constraints of a business. If it does not - then no matter how much else it might have going for it - it will ultimately go bust. Staying in the black is essential; it is not some option that can be lightly disregarded. Having seen other clubs I have supported in the past get into severe financial trouble through an over optimistic policy of 'spend to achieve success to generate income', I aplaud the present management for a policy of financial prudence. Ryman South football; or even, though I trust it will never come to that, County league football is better than no football at all.
Of course, staying in the black should not be an end in itself. The aim should be to develope in a sustainable way. That is not easy. Anyone who has ever tried to run a business will say that that is a very difficult task indeed. I hope the present management will find the right formula. The cup run showed the great potential which is out there!
