The Electric Chair

Good news that work on the pitch started today.  In fact Roger tells me it it is currently more level than it has been all year - only it doesn’t have any grass on it.

Obviously we need to check it out at the Field of Dreams game yesterday - and boy was it poor.

Interestingly on measuring today, the pitch was found to be 2.5m less than the FA minimum and also one half was 49m long and the other 51m long.  You work it out.

More news and no doubt photos as work progresses.

We were up in front of the FA today on a misconduct charge that came as a result of the Ramsgate match back in February (to remind yourself what happened click here).

Whilst we felt that all the trouble had been caused by the Ramsgate player who headbutted Liam Henderson, and by Ramsgate’s goalkeeper running over and getting involved, what can best be described as a melee broke out involving most of the players and both benches.  This was all captured by DVD footage, which we were sent.

The referee’s assessor then wrote a particularly damning report citing several fights on (and off) the pitch - a report we rejected and we wrote lengthy statements to repudiate it.  We also requested a personal hearing.

Peter Worby represented the club today and at the two hour hearing was able to cross examine the referee and one of the linesmen, as well as make a number of points about how it was our players who were incited and how our players were protecting their teammate who had been attacked.

Peter did an excellent job and I think the panel accepted much of what he said.  The trouble is that the DVD footage shows a brief confrontation between many players from both sides so we were always going to be found guilty.  However, Peter’s tremendous efforts (he was asked whether he had ever had any legal training) meant that we received a fine of £150 (as well as losing our deposit of £100) - in the circumstances probably the best we could have hoped for.

The strangest thing about the game was of course that until the final whistle hardly anything had happened to make you suspect any possibility of an incident.  In fact on the DVD you can see the final whistle and most of the players and respective management teams begin to turn towards the changing rooms at the other end of the pitch only to suddenly realise something had ‘kicked off’.

Please don’t ask what happened to Ramsgate - we simply don’t know and next season when we play them I want to ensure they are welcomed to Ruislip and we enjoy two trouble free and competitive games against them.

These things happen, fortunately not that often and of course we hope not again.  As we know the fine can be better spent elsewhere.  But if you have a court case coming up then Peter could be your man.

I must write something about Stuart Pearce.

What a guy.  He has given up his time to attend two events for us (in less than a month) and on both occasions he has made a huge impression on everyone there.  350 people in Northampton and 250 last night - and all gave him a standing ovation.

I was lucky enough to sit next to him last night and have the almost surreal experience of chatting to him through the evening.  It is one memory I will cherish.

I thought it was great when he was asked about Brian Clough - what an experience to have played for so long under that genius - and also when a Spurs fan asked him about the 1991 Cup Final - Pearcey got quite animated.

Just seeing the joy on people’s faces as they got their autograph or photo or simply shaked his hand said it all - a true Wealdstone legend - a true football legend.

We are very luck to have the calibre of former players who have made it big time that we do - it is all part of what makes us the Club that we are.

What a great weekend

So many people to say well done to.

To Dave, Jez and the supporters club a great night last night at the 50th Anniversary dinner.  So many people and so many good reports.

To Roge and everyone who helped (Peter and Pauline for example) with the Field of Dreams today another memorable occasion.  I never thought I’d share a pitch with the likes of Paul Bowgett, Tony Lynch and Mark Harrison, let alone Brian Jones, Lee Walker, Chris Walton, Paul Benning, Tony Kelly, Dave Ryan and Paul Lamb but there you go.

One thing for certain is at least we have first hand experience of why the pitch needs ripping up - it starts tomorrow.

Next date on the calender is the player of the year evening on Sunday 18th (though also worth going to Del Deanus fundraiser at Edgware next Saturday if you can).

I can’t help comment on the Manchester City Sven getting the sack story.

I listen to all the commentators, pundits and so called experts - and even the fans including Noel Gallagher - saying that Sven going is ludicrous.  They all miss the point.

Every big club that opens its doors and welcomes in the stranger with the big bag of money becomes simply at the whim of the owner.  They become a bauble or a plaything, and whether it is Chelsea, Liverpool or now Manchester City as we see increasingly often, normal rules don’t apply.  Let’s face it they are only too happy for Abramovich or Shinawatra or whoever to put their tens (or even hundreds) of millions in.

Of course this can affect non league clubs too where owners can change their minds and therefore the course of the club’s progress quickly - Truro City not going full time is perhaps one example of this.

At Wealdstone we have always said that should we be lucky enough to attract any significant investors we will want to safeguard the Club’s future as much as possible.  Ultimately though one day we might be in a situation where someone puts enough money in and will expect to take control or even to take over the Club.  When that happens we too will be at the whim of the all powerful owner.

Not really had a chance to write anything since the weekend.

A late decision to do the Walk, but a rewarding one.  It was great to see so many people, of all ages, doing the 12 miles.  The sore feet and (so I found out later) sunburn was a small if slightly painful price to pay to be with so many Stones die hards all doing their best to give us a future.  Well done again to Jez and Hillsy for all their efforts.

The game itself was most enjoyable and what a sweet strike from Nick Salapatas to win the game.  Check out his website.  Nick, with his orange boots is not short on confidence.  When he first came to Stanmore the coaches were more excited about his potential than anyone previously and he made his first team debut at Molesey.  Recently he has been getting some first team experience at Hillingdon, and if he trains well and listens to the coaches he has a bright future - he is certainly one to look forward to.

Plenty of time to look back on the season in the coming days.  54 points and 13th isn’t so bad - I know we will feel we might have done better - but nevertheless it is our best season for some time.

Work doesn’t slow down though.  Pre-season friendlies are being arranged (more about them soon), we will already be writing to the players about next season and of course preparations continue apace at Ruislip.

Before anything else though the play-offs tomorrow and the weekend, and then the Supporters Club dinner and Field of Dreams event.  I got a call from Matteo Tonna tonight, he is coming to the dinner at the weekend and is hoping to visit Ruislip on Sunday.  It will be good to see him along with the other 230 plus people who are expected.

So a busy time - don’t forget to keep reading the blog through the summer there will be plenty going on.

We are now beginning to get to grips with running Ruislip and change is beginning to happen.

Make no mistake there is much work to do, the whole site including the Social Club has been losing much money for so long time now so without change we are simply pouring money away.

The success of Ruislip is vital, not only to the health and future potential of the Club but also the other many users of the facility, including the local community.

One of the most encouraging moves recently is that we now have Wealdstone people in charge on a day to day basis.  Ray Kemp has recently taken up an Operations Manager role and he is being assisted by Tony Short, and in his own inimitable style Ray will be leaving no stone unturned to turn Ruislip around.

There is no doubt that there is plenty of potential in Ruislip.  I hope many Wealdstone supporters will continue to come down during the close season and use the facilities, whether just for a drink or maybe for a party or other type of function.

We are thrilled Ray and Tony have agreed to get so involved and with the assistance of others, such as the Management Committee chaired by Leo Morris I am very optimistic that we will see the changes required to turn Ruislip into a successful and (crucially) successful home.

More of a look back another time but I for one can’t believe this season is fast coming to an end - and yet I’m looking forward to a bit of a rest (from the football if not from the multitude of club matters).

Tough game to finish tomorrow with Hendon desperate for the win to confirm their place in the play-offs.  Don’t be surprised if we give 2-3 of the younger players a bit of first team experience.  Unlikely that Chris O’Leary, Andy Howell or Stephen Hughes will be available tomorrow - all injured.  I also understand that Lee O’Leary will be missing from the Hendon side suspended.

A number of supporters will be doing a sponsored walk tomorrow and good luck to them.  The weather is set fair and once again I salute so many of our supporters who have responded to the challenge of trying to help our Club progress.

Particular credit to Jez Albert who, despite all his nonsense is doing a fab job, not only involved with organising the Walk but also the Supporter’s Club Anniversary Dinner on Sunday week (assuming the Walk doesn’t finish him off).

See you at Hendon for one last match of this memorable season.

Interesting articles in the Non League papers today.

I did an interview with journalist Paul Collins the other day for Non League Today, which focused on a look back at the season.  Towards the end of the conversation we talked about Jermaine and I declined to confirm the sell on clause that was in place.  So interesting to see he has framed the whole article around Jermaine and guessed at a 10% sell on.  Just goes to prove you can never be sure what angle the journalist will take.

Also interesting to read Russell Grant’s rather bizarre column in the paper.  When the Ruislip story broke I had a long chat with Russell about what was going on, at PEPF as well as with Ruislip.  Interesting he hasn’t come back to me before penning his latest column where he asks readers to contact him directly.

Also noticed in The Non-League Paper that John Maggs the Horsham boss has warned his club not to “do a Wealdstone” and end up sharing indefinitely, as they have announced that they are sharing at Worthing next season.  Can’t argue with that, no one should ever be in a position where they move out of their ground with nowhere to go.  Horsham have plenty to do in the coming months as the Ryman League have said they must have planning permission, funding and a business plan in place before an extension to their 1 year deal with Worthing is granted.   Sage words John, but actions are very much louder than words where these deals are concerned.

I want to confirm that the presentation night will be Sunday 18 May (not 11th) and it will take place at Ruislip.

Last year we had a really good night at Broadfields, hopefully this will be even better especially given it will be at our own place.

Tickets will be £5 (to help cover the catering costs) and I hope we see plenty there to relax and enjoy looking back at what has been a very eventful year.