|
|
Post by garethl on Mar 11, 2021 12:51:38 GMT
Whilst we're all getting ahead of ourselves I'd agree with Andy. The board will have a plan. It may or may not include an additional 3g pitch to keep the community aspect going on site, I'm sure that was spoken about the previous time this came up. I don't believe (but time may or may not tell) it's a case of the model disappears if we get promoted. It means under current rules the main pitch will need to be grass.
On the comment that the ground will never be suitable for the EFL I respectfully and strongly disagree. We have held high profile full houses in the past with no problem and there is plenty of room to tweak as required (of course assuming the necessary finances can be put in place).
The club has always found a way to progress and advance bit by bit thanks to our board, volunteers and all their hard work, and we do them all a great disservice if we don't think we can rise to the challenge.
|
|
|
|
Post by sallycat on Mar 11, 2021 13:10:45 GMT
Wasn't there talk of moving the pitch and community hub into the Rec?
|
|
foxtrot
Youth Team Player
Red Oxide rules
Posts: 208
|
Post by foxtrot on Mar 11, 2021 13:13:16 GMT
I think the main point has been missed here regarding groundshares. In the EFL (and actually I would expect at this level and beyond), you groundshare because either you don't have a ground of your own e.g. the owners have sold it and have not build a new one yet, or you are having to work on your ground for it to be up to standard. Anyone who thinks we can just "go and share with AFC Wimbledon" because it's convenient to us is simply wrong. That's never been the case. All of the example of ground sharing in the league, whether it was Charlton, or Wimbledon, or Fulham or even Harrogate falls into that group. The only exception in modern times is Coventry, and that's a whole other complex story, but that's nothing to do with convenience. Ironically, it was announced yesterday that a deal has been struck for Coventry to return to the Ricoh Arena for next season. Also where you groundshare in these circumstances isn't simply your choice. It's a negotiation between all parties. So any assumption that we could play at certain venues could well be misguided (although I expect if we were forced into that position on a temporary basis, AFC Wimbledon would probably be more willing to strike a deal due to the relationship between the clubs at board level). The board have known all of this from 2017/18. None of this is new to them. They know the rules they have to follow, and they know the finances better than any random supporter. They will know exactly what investment is needed to reach EFL grading. If we are playing at this level, then you have to accept that there is a chance you could go into the league. If you don't accept that, then I'm sorry but you are not accepting football at this level for us. I repeat what I have said previously. We still have at least 18 games to play. And at the end of the day we're not the decision makers here. We need, as fans, to get behind the club and celebrate the success we currently have. Match by match, week by week. Let's see where we are come the end of May. I have absolutely no doubt that the board have the finances completely under control. What I do doubt , and this is in no way a criticism of the wonderful group of people that run the club, is their understanding of the level of work required to get GGL up to a practical and maintainable standard. I don't mean EFL standard which is achievable, it's the 1001 things around the ground that are on their last legs (not the supporters😀) or not fit for purpose. I don't speak as a random supporter but as someone who is heavily involved in patching things up. Yes get excited (onwards and upwards as AB says) but as Tonyd says it will be a very different club and we must be prepared for these changes. |
|
foxtrot
Youth Team Player
Red Oxide rules
Posts: 208
|
Post by foxtrot on Mar 11, 2021 13:21:52 GMT
Wasn't there talk of moving the pitch and community hub into the Rec? I can't help feeling it's a bit arrogant of us to be thinking we can plonk a 3g pitch in the rec. It's not our land it's the London borough of Sutton's. I know we maintain the pitches there but I'm sure people would object to us taking over part of the park. |
|
trev
1st team skipper
In Matt We Trust
Posts: 2,477 
|
Post by trev on Mar 11, 2021 13:30:35 GMT
I think the main point has been missed here regarding groundshares. In the EFL (and actually I would expect at this level and beyond), you groundshare because either you don't have a ground of your own e.g. the owners have sold it and have not build a new one yet, or you are having to work on your ground for it to be up to standard. Anyone who thinks we can just "go and share with AFC Wimbledon" because it's convenient to us is simply wrong. That's never been the case. All of the example of ground sharing in the league, whether it was Charlton, or Wimbledon, or Fulham or even Harrogate falls into that group. The only exception in modern times is Coventry, and that's a whole other complex story, but that's nothing to do with convenience. Ironically, it was announced yesterday that a deal has been struck for Coventry to return to the Ricoh Arena for next season. Also where you groundshare in these circumstances isn't simply your choice. It's a negotiation between all parties. So any assumption that we could play at certain venues could well be misguided (although I expect if we were forced into that position on a temporary basis, AFC Wimbledon would probably be more willing to strike a deal due to the relationship between the clubs at board level). The board have known all of this from 2017/18. None of this is new to them. They know the rules they have to follow, and they know the finances better than any random supporter. They will know exactly what investment is needed to reach EFL grading. If we are playing at this level, then you have to accept that there is a chance you could go into the league. If you don't accept that, then I'm sorry but you are not accepting football at this level for us. I repeat what I have said previously. We still have at least 18 games to play. And at the end of the day we're not the decision makers here. We need, as fans, to get behind the club and celebrate the success we currently have. Match by match, week by week. Let's see where we are come the end of May. I have absolutely no doubt that the board have the finances completely under control. What I do doubt , and this is in no way a criticism of the wonderful group of people that run the club, is their understanding of the level of work required to get GGL up to a practical and maintainable standard. I don't mean EFL standard which is achievable, it's the 1001 things around the ground that are on their last legs (not the supporters😀) or not fit for purpose. I don't speak as a random supporter but as someone who is heavily involved in patching things up. Yes get excited (onwards and upwards as AB says) but as Tonyd says it will be a very different club and we must be prepared for these changes. Just to reiterate, at the last EGM which took place on 17 December 2020, a resolution was passed (without any opposition) to double the amount of share capital in the club from 16,000 to 32,000 shares. To reiterate, that's an injection of an additional £800,000.00 of share capital in the club. You appear to be suggesting that this sum is insufficient to get us up to standard. In which case, I am curious to know what sort of sum you had in mind... |
|
|
|
Post by sallycat on Mar 11, 2021 13:40:15 GMT
Wasn't there talk of moving the pitch and community hub into the Rec? I can't help feeling it's a bit arrogant of us to be thinking we can plonk a 3g pitch in the rec. It's not our land it's the London borough of Sutton's. I know we maintain the pitches there but I'm sure people would object to us taking over part of the park. I would have thought it went without saying that any plans the club might have with regard to this would have been discussed with Sutton Council before being relayed to the fans. It would potentially be beneficial to both parties as a community facility. |
|
|
|
Post by Andy K on Mar 11, 2021 13:43:34 GMT
I think the main point has been missed here regarding groundshares. In the EFL (and actually I would expect at this level and beyond), you groundshare because either you don't have a ground of your own e.g. the owners have sold it and have not build a new one yet, or you are having to work on your ground for it to be up to standard. Anyone who thinks we can just "go and share with AFC Wimbledon" because it's convenient to us is simply wrong. That's never been the case. All of the example of ground sharing in the league, whether it was Charlton, or Wimbledon, or Fulham or even Harrogate falls into that group. The only exception in modern times is Coventry, and that's a whole other complex story, but that's nothing to do with convenience. Ironically, it was announced yesterday that a deal has been struck for Coventry to return to the Ricoh Arena for next season. Also where you groundshare in these circumstances isn't simply your choice. It's a negotiation between all parties. So any assumption that we could play at certain venues could well be misguided (although I expect if we were forced into that position on a temporary basis, AFC Wimbledon would probably be more willing to strike a deal due to the relationship between the clubs at board level). The board have known all of this from 2017/18. None of this is new to them. They know the rules they have to follow, and they know the finances better than any random supporter. They will know exactly what investment is needed to reach EFL grading. If we are playing at this level, then you have to accept that there is a chance you could go into the league. If you don't accept that, then I'm sorry but you are not accepting football at this level for us. I repeat what I have said previously. We still have at least 18 games to play. And at the end of the day we're not the decision makers here. We need, as fans, to get behind the club and celebrate the success we currently have. Match by match, week by week. Let's see where we are come the end of May. I have absolutely no doubt that the board have the finances completely under control. What I do doubt , and this is in no way a criticism of the wonderful group of people that run the club, is their understanding of the level of work required to get GGL up to a practical and maintainable standard. I don't mean EFL standard which is achievable, it's the 1001 things around the ground that are on their last legs (not the supporters😀) or not fit for purpose. I don't speak as a random supporter but as someone who is heavily involved in patching things up. Yes get excited (onwards and upwards as AB says) but as Tonyd says it will be a very different club and we must be prepared for these changes. I would expect their understanding of such is probably higher than we can assume. I expect they have read the rules and gone through a thorough analysis of this in 2018 when we reached the play off semis. I also expect that in terms of their understanding they are in no worse position than Harrogate, Barrow or Salford were at the same stage. I don't think the ground has become significantly worse since 2018. In terms of being a very different club. Whilst superficially some of us still think it's the same club we've followed for years, and having the same chairman backs this up, that doesn't mean we are at all. I think we can all accept that Dos changed the club in his time here. It wasn't too long ago that we were signing players from Kingstonian and Carshalton all the time, not getting players on loan from Championship sides, or having players that had just been let go from Premier league clubs, or ones that had played in the Champions League. Or not too long ago where we just had a couple of stewards who were fans of the club rather than having professional ones. Or having covered terracing on one part of the ground. Or having a grass hill to stand on. Because we're there week in week out (virtually as is the case at the moment) we may forget to see how much the club has changed and evolved, especially in the last 15 years. What won't change for those like TonyD who have been supporters for the last 50 years is the spirit of the club. That won't change with the club going up because it's the people who run the club and those of us who support the club that make that. |
|
foxtrot
Youth Team Player
Red Oxide rules
Posts: 208
|
Post by foxtrot on Mar 11, 2021 13:51:01 GMT
I have no idea what sort of finance is required , although the Arsenal cup money soon went on very much needed refurbishment.
I would guess not too much of that share capital came from 'within' the club or even the country. It doesn't matter other than to say it is going to be a very different club with more full time employees (league rules).
I am pleased to hear we've got that money though because I can think of loads of much needed projects to spend it on.😀
|
|
foxtrot
Youth Team Player
Red Oxide rules
Posts: 208
|
Post by foxtrot on Mar 11, 2021 13:58:35 GMT
I can't help feeling it's a bit arrogant of us to be thinking we can plonk a 3g pitch in the rec. It's not our land it's the London borough of Sutton's. I know we maintain the pitches there but I'm sure people would object to us taking over part of the park. I would have thought it went without saying that any plans the club might have with regard to this would have been discussed with Sutton Council before being relayed to the fans. It would potentially be beneficial to both parties as a community facility. I'm sure you're right but if it is going to be a managed 3g pitch possibly it would need fencing around it and maybe floodlights? Not really accessible for the community and the park is for everybody not just footballers. |
|
|
|
Post by sufc1898 on Mar 11, 2021 14:41:23 GMT
Sorry but I’m going to be a bit of a bah humbug here
7 of our next 8 games are away (with some tricky teams to play)
Let’s have this conversation after this run when things might be a bit clearer
|
|
|
|
Post by Stewart on Mar 11, 2021 16:20:22 GMT
Sorry but I’m going to be a bit of a bah humbug here 7 of our next 8 games are away (with some tricky teams to play) Let’s have this conversation after this run when things might be a bit clearer Very true, I think Chesterfield will be a real test. If we can get a point there I will be delighted. None of the other sides have great home records. We currently average 2 points away from home, so not all bad news. |
|
|
|
Post by Del on Mar 11, 2021 16:27:22 GMT
Lets just take one game at a time then see where we are.
|
|
|
|
Post by Andy K on Mar 11, 2021 16:50:19 GMT
Sorry but I’m going to be a bit of a bah humbug here 7 of our next 8 games are away (with some tricky teams to play) Let’s have this conversation after this run when things might be a bit clearer Very true, I think Chesterfield will be a real test. If we can get a point there I will be delighted. None of the other sides have great home records. We currently average 2 points away from home, so not all bad news. Think you have a great point Stewart. I think Chesterfield is the hardest game we've had for a long time. Last time we played them was the start of their surge up the table, and I really think they will be in a play off spot easily this season. Get a point there I'll be happy as we've never managed it so far! |
|
|
|
Post by garethl on Mar 11, 2021 17:52:21 GMT
To be honest the last 4 have been tough enough! Another time we could have lost 3 or 4 of them!! But yes Chesterfield are on a good run and will be a challenge. The players and management won’t be looking past Kings Lynn right now 🧐
|
|
tonyd
1st team Player
Posts: 1,496
|
Post by tonyd on Mar 11, 2021 18:16:00 GMT
Lets just take one game at a time then see where we are. I’m quite happy for Matt and the team to take it one game at a time, but I hope the Board are planning a bit longer term! |
|
