Category Archive

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.

It wouldn’t be Wealdstone if it wasn’t tense at this time of season.  As I write Carshalton are losing 3-0 at Ashford (which will be a massive result for us) but ultimately as we all know if we don’t win on Saturday the likelihood is we will still go down.

Regardless we need to plan ahead.  Next week for the Hendon game we have the sponsored walk - I wonder how many will be there.  Then on bank holiday weekend we have the Supporters Club 50th Anniversary Dinner at the Watford Hilton.  Over 200 people are expected and we hope that not only will it be another great evening but we will raise substantial funds.

On Monday 5 May we have the Field of Dreams event that Roger has been organising and this will be a great chance to see and chat to plenty of former heroes, some playing, some watching.

With all this going on (and Mark Lloyd’s youth tournament) it has been difficult to fit in our end of season presentation night.  This will take place either Sunday 11 or Sunday 18 May - more likely the latter date - at Ruislip and if the weather is kind we will have a barbeque and hopefully a relaxing and enjoyable evening so stick it in your diary.

1.55am Just back from the Northampton dinner.

A really good night, fantastically well supported (350/360 there) and Stuart Pearce the star turn.  If you missed him you can see him in just a couple of weeks time at the Supporters Club’s 50th Anniversary dinner - he was on good form and it will be well worth seeing him.

We raised plenty of money, I look forward to seeing the final total.  It will be a total boosted by an auction bid of £5,000 for a special Vinnie Jones package including being his guests at Windsor races in July.  I have been in touch with Vinnie all week sorting this - he has been a star.

So a great night, and a big well done to Paul and Lori who have worked tirelessly on this for the past few months.  The Northampton Autism Society will benefit and so will the Club.

Roll on Hornchurch!

I thought I’d update on the situation with moving to Ruislip, ground grading and the Ryman League.

Over the past few months we have been keeping the Ryman League informed of the situation at Ruislip and our likely intentions for next season. In the coming days we will be sitting down with Ryman League board members to explain in full what has happened at Ruislip and what we plan for the immediate future and in the medium term.

After that meeting we expect a ground grading will follow to confirm that Grosvenor Vale is suitable for the Ryman Premier standard (assuming we don’t slip up now on the field).

Most of the work to achieve the correct grading has now been completed. Don Cross informs me we have about about a day’s work remaining mainly for concreting the touch line terrace near the telephone masts, and also at the far end where the stand has been increased to level the steps.  This will take place shortly when we know the weather is guaranteed.  In addition we are planning for what is required for the changes to the dugouts and this will take place in the close season.

The other main thing we have to do is to improve the pitch and we are getting quotes from three contractors this week with a view to the work starting in early May. It is unlikely that we will obtain any funding for this work at present - there is funding available for pitch work but we intend to plan for potentially major pitch works to take place in the next close season. Our aim will be to deliver some an intermediate solution this summer that will give us a good surface for next season.

As always my thanks to everyone involved in all the hard work going on down at the ground.  Let’s hope that James Smith’s treatments match the quality of his decorating.

Many supporters will have noticed we have had a camera crew at some of the recent games.

These have been manned by students from the University of Westminster studying for journalism courses including a broadcast journalism module. You can read some of the reports on this website.

My main contact from the university Amy Downes is a mad Ipswich town fan and I will add a link to her blog ‘Diary of a Tractorgirl’ here as well.

I am hoping to get some of the footage that they have shot from our recent games either up on the website or else possibly some copies to buy - especially the interviews with Gordon and Ryan Ashe after the Borough game.

We will try and link in with the University early in their September term in the next academic year as it would be great to make the filming a regular event - for us as well as helping them hone their journalistic skills.

All the very best at this time of year to all readers of this blog.

I hope that you all have some time to spend with your families and remind them (and yourself) that football is the only thing that matters.

Of course only two days to the big one at Earlsmead, so if all the family and turkey gets too much tomorrow, not long to go!

The quick trip to Borehamwood tomorrow - which vies with Edgware and Wingate to be the ground closest to where I live (I’m sure that is of interest to everyone reading).

A couple of things briefly.  Ben Clarke is away with the England Schools FA at Lilleshall this weekend so unavailable.  We have signed Alex Campana from Watford for a month.  Alex is a right sided player with first team experience at Watford so we hope he will do well for us.

Otherwise I wouldn’t expect the team to be very different from Wednesday night.  Graeme Montgomery and Dean Papali were both ill on Wednesday night so we hope they are recovered tomorrow.

I realise we have not been quite as quick getting some news out in recent days.  Some people will know that our press supremo Nick Dugard, who has been doing such a splendid job, has been otherwise engaged dealing with some important personal issues.  We wish you well Nick and hope to see everything ok and you back soon.

I saw in the Billericay programme that Borehamwood keeper Noel Imber was in goal for us in a fixture 10 years ago where we beat Marlow 5-0.  Not a bad team that day; Imber, McKay, Sterling, Moore, Waugh, Marshall, Walton, B Jones, Boreham, D Greene, Bircham subs Garner, Hibbert and Steve Kelly.   And Gordon says this current group of players is as good as any he has had.

Back from 3 days away from home and catching up on all the news. As always the real ‘fun’ piece of reading is the WFC Forum and mailing list.

Guys, I understand the frustrations - I really do. We may disagree about what we should do about it but I do realise that having a successful football team is the bedrock on which everything else we do is based.

That is why we tried to invest (a little) more in players this season. So far it clearly hasn’t produced the league results we wanted but I have complete belief that this will change.

Are the injuries an excuse? My belief is take Lampard, Drogba and Terry out of the Chelsea team and they will suffer. As a result for me it is their injuries and resultant absences that are at the heart of why they are where they are in the league - despite all their resources - rather than anything to do with Mourinho, Abramovich or Grant. Take our big players out with our resources then it is no surprise we are not where we would have hoped to be. You judge whether this is an excuse or simply a fact.

Some say the manager should go - I disagree. The views we read on the internet tend to be those of a few. Since taking this job on I have spoken to a greater range of supporters than ever before, many I have not previously spoken to. I know that some think there should be a change but most don’t. I do respect other opinions, that is what football is all about, but I don’t agree.

I am surprised we keep coming back to a demand to reiterate the Club’s financial situation. The time this is made public is at AGMs - our last one was in the summer, not that long ago. Nothing material has changed from that.
Having said that I am (as advertised) in favour of being open.

Therefore, to ‘celebrate’ six months as Chairman (on 1 November) I will arrange an ‘Ask the Chairman’ session after a forthcoming home game, where I will be happy to set out our strategy, explain why we have acted as we have and discuss any aspect of what is happening at the Club.

So when will this happen? Unfortunately not before November. I will do this after a game - either 5.15/5.30 on a Saturday or after a midweek game when we can go in the back bar at Northwood with anyone who wants to come. Looking at the fixtures, and given I am away for a couple of Saturday’s later this month, I guess we will try to do this possibly after the Hendon game (10 November). We’ll confirm as soon as we can.

Until then - as always - I’m happy to discuss things with people in person, on the phone or by email. Of course feel free to leave a comment on this blog.

I remain confident, passionate and determined that we will have a future and part of that future is founded on a team that achieves this season. All I can ask is that supporters keep the faith. I understand why crowds are down, I appreciate the frustrations of several years of struggle however I’m not panicking, I’m not giving up, I believe - I ask you to do the same.

Interesting item on the Stones Forum showing how well some of our recent stars are doing elsewhere.

Jermaine starring for Leeds and scoring yesterday is great as is Marvin scoring a second goal in the Blue Square National for Woking in successive weeks.  I suspect Marv may be next into the league - click on this link and take a look at his goal from last week.

It shows what awaits those who believe in themselves, work hard and make themselves the best they can be.   Given the young age of most of our players I suspect there may be some of our current players that we will watch on You Tube or Sky or wherever.

I notice we are quoted at 25-1 to win the Ryman League by BET365. Is that worth 50p?

I doubt it to be honest.

AFC Wimbledon are favourites at 4-1 with Chelmsford 6-1 and Billericay 7-1 with the rest at 12-1 and upwards. I suspect AFC Hornchurch at 14-1 seem like decent each way value to me.

The bookies suggest that the following clubs will finish below us 33-1 Folkestone Invicta, Harlow, Harrow Borough, Hendon and East Thurrock Utd with 40-1 Ashford Town (Mx). No disrespect to these clubs but lets hope BET 365 know what they are talking about.