Would anyone like their team to win the league?

[jonmac]

OK....

Would any UCL supporter on this forum like to see their team win the league this season and progress to the Southern League?

Name your team and your reason.....

[blissycook]

? what kind of question is that??

[spencerbloke]

....or would anyone like to see their team win the league and stay in the UCL, declining promotion?

It's a big decision.

[comptonparker]

spencerbloke said:

....or would anyone like to see their team win the league and stay in the UCL, declining promotion?

It's a big decision.

[glow=red,2,300]Is that a dig at Cogenhoe... if not no offence taken....[/glow]

[Administrator]

It is a question I have been thinking about quite a lot since the Wellingboro' stuff kicked off on here.

To get promoted you almost need a different mentality and level of ambtition at the club.

The best example I can think of is that when I lived on the South Coast and Weymouth were in the Western Division of the Southern League. There were a hardcore of supporters and players who you could rely on to play/watch/socialise together.

As they have risen through the pyramid to the Nationwide Conference those players and back room staff have been replaced as the club got more professional.

It is a more successful club than it was back in the day. But is it a better club for that?

I actually feel that it is totally different and not at all like the club I used to watch.

I don't want to see that happen to Yaxley, so if as a result of staying in the UCL and being successful the club retains it soul, I could live with that.

Of course I would want the Cuckoos to win the UCL. But I would expect the powers that be at the club to preserve the little traditions and intimacy which makes our competition so special.

[blissycook]

Hey Spencer bloke... thought you said you would leave the forum if it went all members?? does this mean you enjoying it still??

[blissycook]

Back to jimmy’s point.... the truth is that the requirements of the FA in the Non league restructure will mean that most UCL clubs would not be able to step up.... even if they won the UCL prem.

The cost of ground and facility improvements may simply stifle the ambitions of clubs and that hardly does anything to improve the standard of play!

The FA has brought about a situation which in my opinion has some real consequences for step 5 & 6 clubs. Unless more money is released and fast tracked I am afraid you will see clubs opt for the combination (step7) as opposed to Division One and some clubs accept relegation to Division one from the Prem because they do not have the human resource or the money to meet the new conditions.

In June the FA issued a fees and fines tariff which is aimed at standardising this whole area at step 5&6 guess what.. I aint seen much that went down… so more cost for clubs.

At this level we all rely on the goodwill of sponsors and free time given by hard working people who simply do it for the love of the game. Commercially relationships are not sound and there is no pay back for investors likewise the people coming through the gate (if there is one) don’t pay for the running of the club.

Oh and don’t forget FA now demanding 200 spectators under cover including 160 seater stand criteria. Check that against the average gate!!

So… my point is….. The FA now needs to invest in these clubs disproportionately to step 4 and above and fast or more clubs will simply say you moved the bar to high!

[Administrator]

And we have set up a forum specifically to discuss this at IanH's request.

I will move this thread there to kick us off.

[grassroots]

This one i cant make mind up on and would have to have a long think about!
It would be nice to see Newport Pagnell go up and progress throughout the leagues but my only concern would be that they would loose the 'community spirit'. I think the bigger the club the less personal it is to the fans and the more comercial the club will get (Not through choice). At higher levels it seems to become a money making opperation!
Its also almost ruined some clubs, good finacial backing would be needed.
But on the other hand i would loved to see bigger crowds and it would be nice to see more success at the club!
I like the UCL leagues, we have some great clubs in the UCL so it would be nice to stay as well!

[spencerbloke]

comptonparker said:

spencerbloke said:

....or would anyone like to see their team win the league and stay in the UCL, declining promotion?

It's a big decision.

[glow=red,2,300]Is that a dig at Cogenhoe... if not no offence taken....[/glow]

Oddly enough, once I'd posted that message I did wonder if anyone from Cogenhoe would take offence, and to be honest, your decision to decline promotion was one of the instances that prompted my question.

However, it wasn't a dig, it was a genuine pointer to a very big decision a club may have to make - maybe one we have to wrestle with if we have another good season?

[spencerbloke]

blissycook said:

Hey Spencer bloke... thought you said you would leave the forum if it went all members?? does this mean you enjoying it still??

Yes I did - maybe I didn't use the term "leave the board" or "resign" or anything, but I do remember saying I'd stop posting. And when it was completely "members only" I didn't post, apart from the odd, sarky "well that's scared everyone off" type comment.

And I still might if it looks like member-only posting looks like it stifles everything and makes frequent discussion rather pointless.

And I still might if the level of nannyism increases anymore - not even allowed to ARGUE any more?

But when all is said and done, it's simply an internet message board for a regional football league, and as such it doesn't register among those irrevocable factors that change the course of one's life! I'll post if I feel like saying something, and if not then I won't. Simple as.

[kilnparkman]

I know its simplistic, bu:

If a club is well run and is gradually improving, and can therefore sustain long term stability and a reasonable level of investment, without accumulating unmanagable debt... then the club SHOULD progress successfully...

Therefore YES. I would like promotion to the southern league for Raunds Town.

[spencerbloke]

blissycook said:

Back to jimmy’s point.... the truth is that the requirements of the FA in the Non league restructure will mean that most UCL clubs would not be able to step up.... even if they won the UCL prem.

The cost of ground and facility improvements may simply stifle the ambitions of clubs and that hardly does anything to improve the standard of play!

Aren't the proposed Step 5 & 6 improvements bringing the grounds up to the same standard as Step 4? Or is that what you meant?

Maybe it's a kind of "natural selection" - clubs who don't bring themselves up to standard leave the level, then they expand Step 4 to accomodate those who remain?

[blissycook]

leave the level.. you miss the point How many will remain? the FA insisted on 22 clubs a Division at step 5 and now reduced it to 20 and with leagues like the Ridgeons having reserve teams in the Premier (which must be removed) where do these new teams come from??

Step 6 is already well below in terms of numbers and when the new conditions are imposed there will be even less!!
so it aint goodbye then spencer bloke?? hehehhehehehe what no arguments? where will you go now for them?? will a disagreement be ok?

[Administrator]

spencerbloke said:

And I still might if the level of nannyism increases anymore - not even allowed to ARGUE any more?

Dont be so dramatic Spencerbloke ;D

We have been through the reasons why we want the board to promote healthy debate but in a respectful way.

We don't want you to go.