Would it have happened to us?

Sitting with the Boreham Wood guys yesterday evening chatting about their reprieve from relegation.

And they weren’t alone, Bedford in the Southern League, Weston Super Mare (for the 2nd year in a row) and Dorchester in the Blue Square South, Hucknall and Vauxhall Motors in the Blue Square North and Altrincham for the third year in a row in the Blue Square Premier were all saved from relegation – and that list doesn’t include the likes of Slough or Ilford at the level below us.

You have to wonder, the year we finish 4th bottom, what will the chances of us being reprieved?

Don’t forget though that for every reprieve there are clubs going the other way.  Perhaps most notable is the demise of Nuneaton Borough and the problems of Halifax Town and Boston United.   Remember we all recognise their problems.

AGMs and Banquets and Balls

It is that point of the year when you have a last look at the year gone by and start to look forward at what is up ahead.

Last Wednesday night we got a great crowd in at our own AGM.  I think everyone who saw how Ruislip is looking was impressed, and I think a bit surprised.  There is still plenty to do of course and good to see so many people there this weekend.  Our inspection is on Wednesday night and after that we will know exactly what else is required.

Otherwise the AGM was an opportunity for us to provide a good update of all the stuff going on.  I always say that I am fortunate to see everything going on at the Club and I hope all those who were there last Wednesday got a good sense of what is happening.

Last night together with my wife Katie and Peter and Pauline Worby we attended the Ryman League banquet and ball.  It was the first time I had attended such a night (although Peter has become something of a regular).  We shared a table with the Boreham Wood party, including Danny Hunter and Ian Allinson, recently reappointed as their new manager.  A good night, you just can’t believe how many people you don’t know amongst the hundreds there.

One point worth noting is that we were celebrating 10 years of Ryman sponsorship, with a further 3 years agreed. There are few sponsors who have remained so loyal and we should be thankful that the relationship between the Isthmian League and Ryman remains so strong.

Tomorrow night I am going to see what I understand is an impressive set up at Dartford, where we go for the Ryman League AGM.  Last year was quite a stormy evening with Dartford themselves moved into the Ryman Div One North – something that clearly worked out for them.  Not sure there will be so much fun tomorrow.