|
Post by footballfan on Feb 10, 2010 17:04:30 GMT 1
Not looking good for the seaside club....
The first of many me thinks...
|
|
|
Post by cookie on Feb 10, 2010 19:58:44 GMT 1
Pompey, Kings Lynn in December, chester city have problems.. now this from the ridgeons prem...
Harwich & Parkeston have withdrawn from the Ridgeons League Premier Division with immediate effect.
The following is an extract from the email received from Harwich secretary Andy Schooler: "It is with the utmost regret that, following decisions made at a meeting on Tuesday, Harwich & Parkeston gives notice of its immediate withdrawal from the Ridgeons League Premier Division.
“With our long history and as one of the founder members of the Eastern Counties League, this was not a decision that was taken lightly but, at present, our town cannot support semi-professional football as shown by our woeful record over the past five years.
“Whilst an agreement in principle remains with a Development Company, the prospects of a new ground, which seemed so close just two years ago, is now a long way off. The Club intends to continue by playing in the Essex & Suffolk Border League next season with a view to rebuilding and, hopefully, a return to Senior Football as soon as possible.
“In order to ensure a measure of continuity, our reserve side will continue and complete its fixtures for this season. This would be on the strict understanding that there will be no application by the Club to compete in the Ridgeons League next season at any level. I would like to stress that the Club is not any financial difficulty - we have no outstanding bills; we just do not have the money to pay players to compete at this level."
The league intends that permission be granted for Harwich & Parkeston Reserves to complete the season's fixtures in the Ridgeons Reserves Teams Division.
As a result of Harwich's resignation all the league fixtures that they have so far played will be expunged from the records and the league table updated accordingly.
There will now be a maximum of one team relegated from the Premier Division to the First Division at the end of the season.
|
|
|
Post by jeffl on Feb 10, 2010 22:35:33 GMT 1
Absolutely tragic !!! In my view this is the first of what may be several clubs stepping back because of falling income. It's a shame that the players/committee couldn't see the benefit of playing for a peppercorn fee just to keep the club in it's position - I'll wager it could have been saved and given another chance next season if the playing costs had been significantly reduced or removed altogether - maybe even some of the more philanthropic referees could have waived their travelling costs if not their fees. Jeff
|
|
|
Post by cookie on Feb 11, 2010 6:58:00 GMT 1
In reality this is a real opportunity for clubs to introduce a different culture.
Bring on youth faster
Frankly would you like a top 5 finish paying average players and some I have seen this year don’t warrant the money paid, leaving me wondering what other club would pay them or would they simply go and play with their mates somewhere? Or finish 10th with a younger team paying nothing?
Changing the culture
Pay for wins, pay bonus for achievement of a league position, pay bonus for appearances reward loyalty.
Supporter’s entry fees.
£5 a match is cheap as chips when compared to £14 for a lower league pro club. BUT does it represent value for money? Are clubs simply better offering personalised season tickets to loyal supporters for an upfront fee at the start of a season? Cos when they come to matches they are more likely to buy match day raffle tickets, food etc?
Why not more special match days?
Charity match day a couple a season after some local PR? Free match entry days for local bringing along a direct to door mailer? s
Time for some fresh thinking not a drop down the leagues!
|
|
|
Post by pborohero on Feb 11, 2010 13:05:46 GMT 1
Cookie i'm going to disagree with part of your posting lol. £5 is not cheap to watch a UCL game. These teams above will not vanish and will fight another day. Kings Lynn are now Team Lynn f.c, but will keep thier history going in these hard times at a lower level. Remember when Wimbledon moved to Milton K? The supporters didn't let the club die and now they are back at a decent level as strong as the cazy gang days and soon enough will become a league side again. Do you think that your club will have a get in for free day in the near future?
|
|
|
Post by footballfan on Feb 11, 2010 13:09:36 GMT 1
I been saying this a long time, defo time for a culture change in football and i think there is a chance it will happen....it may have to happen Normally, problems in football start at the top and work themselves down. I think this particular period in football coming up is going to see the solution start at the bottom and work itself up. I imagine there is going to be some collateral damage along the way. The future of any organization lays in the hands of its youth... This has been the directive of Burton Park Wanderers since the beginning of the season.. Scully is giving young, very young local players a chance to come through the system without costing a penny apart from time and patience... Forget what the league table says at this moment in time because some things are more important at this time than that... 1 The survival of the CLUB 2 Stability of the CLUB 3 The future of the CLUB 4 What is best for the CLUB and COMMUNITY Notice i have used the word club and not team... Rocky times ahead for all and those with a laisser- faire attitude towards it will ultimately fall... I urge all clubs to take stock and make good decisions for the club. Please do not have nightmares ( crimewatch )
|
|
|
Post by cookie on Feb 11, 2010 14:32:54 GMT 1
disagree with me!!! I dont believeeee it!
|
|