Meet the manager and Bruce

[backhome2016]

A tremendous evening. If you've not been to one before then you really are missing out. A big thanks to all those involved, especially Dos, Bruce and Tommy for their honesty and humour. 'All in it together' has never felt more apt.

[garethl]

I think in previous years we’ve managed to be given a brief synopsis of what was covered whilst leaving out anything not for public consumption. Is it possible that someone could kindly put something together for the exiles? No worries if not allowed 😀

[Stewart]

Another great night, over three hours! I was impressed by Tommy spoke well for a young lad. BTW he is responsible for Dos being on Twitter :-)

[Stewart]

Dos has lots of respect for the traveling fans, however he feels the home support can be a little quite at times.

[ryooon1999]

Apr 24, 2018 15:28:22 GMT Stewart said:

Dos has lots of respect for the traveling fans, however he feels the home support can be a little quite at times.

Well it would help if more fans did come and sing with us. We know that the Gandermonium used to make a lot of noise but now doesn’t stand behind the GGL end and it’s feels like is just been left up to us youngsters and a few adults who stand with us. We would appreciate if we could get more people to come and stand with us, we don’t bite!....

[timall]

Apr 24, 2018 15:43:18 GMT ryooon1999 said:

Apr 24, 2018 15:28:22 GMT Stewart said:

Dos has lots of respect for the traveling fans, however he feels the home support can be a little quite at times.

Well it would help if more fans did come and sing with us. We know that the Gandermonium used to make a lot of noise but now doesn’t stand behind the GGL end and it’s feels like is just been left up to us youngsters and a few adults who stand with us. We would appreciate if we could get more people to come and stand with us, we don’t bite!....

You don't have to sing to show you support your team. There is plenty you can do by shouting encouragement, clapping, and as Dos said just turning up wearing the club kit, or even just amber, is a way of showing the team you care in a visual way. Not everyone will be a "singer", and not everyone will want to be near those that are I'm afraid.

[ryooon1999]

Apr 24, 2018 15:57:59 GMT timall said:

Apr 24, 2018 15:43:18 GMT ryooon1999 said:

Well it would help if more fans did come and sing with us. We know that the Gandermonium used to make a lot of noise but now doesn’t stand behind the GGL end and it’s feels like is just been left up to us youngsters and a few adults who stand with us. We would appreciate if we could get more people to come and stand with us, we don’t bite!....

You don't have to sing to show you support your team. There is plenty you can do by shouting encouragement, clapping, and as Dos said just turning up wearing the club kit, or even just amber, is a way of showing the team you care in a visual way. Not everyone will be a "singer", and not everyone will want to be near those that are I'm afraid.

Completely understand that of course but we do need to make the crowd louder in terms of singing, everyone supports their team differently but all I’m saying is we would appreciate it if any other supporters came and helped up out a bit. If you don’t want to then it’s your decision and I accept that.

[meddles]

Apr 24, 2018 14:41:39 GMT garethl said:

I think in previous years we’ve managed to be given a brief synopsis of what was covered whilst leaving out anything not for public consumption. Is it possible that someone could kindly put something together for the exiles? No worries if not allowed 😀

Nicely put. I've not been able to attend any of the Q & A evenings so far, but if any information or news that can be shared is shared, us exiles would really appreciate it.

Thanks to the club for putting such an evening on.

[ryooon1999]

Also forgot to say, was great to hear Dos thanking me and johnnie for getting the atmosphere going, was a proud moment.

[timall]

Apr 24, 2018 16:26:10 GMT meddles said:

Apr 24, 2018 14:41:39 GMT garethl said:

I think in previous years we’ve managed to be given a brief synopsis of what was covered whilst leaving out anything not for public consumption. Is it possible that someone could kindly put something together for the exiles? No worries if not allowed 😀

Nicely put. I've not been able to attend any of the Q & A evenings so far, but if any information or news that can be shared is shared, us exiles would really appreciate it.

Thanks to the club for putting such an evening on.

I don't think anything I will say would be considered "bad form" for being "out of the room".

The management, indeed everyone, is happy with the year we have had, regardless of the final outcome. In fact they are happy with the last 10 years, and the considerable progress made. I think the phrase "the football side has outgrown the club side" was used, to general agreement, but the club will catch up - it just takes longer. Plans, and contingencies are in place, regardless of which division we are in next year. In either division we will be underdogs, and operating on smaller budgets than many, if not most, but it will be harder next year if we are promoted but we can be confident we won't be outclassed and should be aiming to stay up.

Incomes will likely go up with promotion, but so will outgoings. The management's job is to ensure that in whichever division we broadly aim to match the two numbers. We don't want to be "one of those clubs" in either financial difficulty, or reliant on "an ego with pockets". I think everyone there last night will appreciate how much of a community club we are and the determination to maintain that. Solutions to the issue with the pitch post-promotion will recognise that, for instance.

Frustrations at the top are that we are struggling to translate our league position, our media profile, and our "everyone's favourite second club" image into even higher attendances and recognition from the general public in the borough. I think someone said that the borough's population is greater then Burnley, yet they can be well supported in the Premiership 4 divisions above us.

In general everyone was happy and positive and looking forward to the climax of this season, and to next whatever that may bring. We will likely have a slightly bigger, stronger squad next year, but will (as always) operate within our constraints. Should we be promoted we have a good chance of keeping our better players, who deserve the opportunity to play at the highest level they can, and regardless the club won't stand in the way of that player ambition.

There were some "only in the room" comments, and its refreshing in this social media age to think people could make frank statements and expect them to remain out of the public arena.

Should the "admin" decide they would rather this reply was removed I will leave that to them to do.

[meddles]

Thanks. I really appreciate the update.

[pinewalker]

Thanks Timall for this resumé. From which 2 quotes.

1/ I think the phrase "the football side has outgrown the club side" was used, to general agreement, but the club will catch up - it just takes longer.

2/ Frustrations at the top are that we are struggling to translate our league position, our media profile, and our "everyone's favourite second club" image into even higher attendances and recognition from the general public in the borough. I think someone said that the borough's population is greater then Burnley, yet they can be well supported in the Premiership 4 divisions above us.

The reason for the new limit on attendances at around 2200 is contained in the first quote.
My wife, a foreigner, had a first impression of GGL when she came last year. "Its a bit of a shack". And last week at a Sunday League Cup final at Farnborough Town" This is better than Sutton (talking about the seating)".

Everyone familiar with GGL may be as fondly used to it as I am, but if the crowd is to be increased by more local people attending, those new people will all be getting a first impression, which may be the same as my wife's.

The most bizarre feature for me is that the bars are "outside" the ground. You can enter them without a match ticket, but after passing thorough the turnstile you cannot enter a bar. You have to be let out and back in by the gateman. Once the ground is sorted people will come, the football is good enough.

[kpinwp]

Frustrations at the top are that we are struggling to translate our league position, our media profile, and our "everyone's favourite second club" image into even higher attendances and recognition from the general public in the borough. I think someone said that the borough's population is greater then Burnley, yet they can be well supported in the Premiership 4 divisions above us.

I think the Burnley/Sutton demographic comparison might be slightly misleading. Burnley is a born there/live there/die there kind of town. Sutton, not so much. A fair chunk of Sutton's population will only have a mild identification with it as 'their' area.

Also, Sutton is quite 'London' enough for people to become fans of, say, Chelsea or Palace. If you're from Burnley who else could you look to? Not one of the Manc. clubs and certainly not Blackburn.

[cheshire]

I have been coming to GGL since the 70's (less in recent years due to living a long way away) and love the old place. However if we are talking about the club infrastructure side catching up with the football side, I am presuming/hoping that the medium term plan is (as PW suggests) to develop our football ground into more of a "football ground". (The discussions around a pavilion have gone totally quiet in recent times)

GGL's origin as everyone knows was as the Borough Sports Ground and running track (I represented my Primary School here in athletics many years ago!) and numerous characteristics such as the old cinder running track have gradually disappeared but the oval is still an overriding feature. A tighter more squared stadium with the spectators nearer the action would not only enhance the match day experience but would certainly create more excitement and "wow factor" for new spectators to encourage them to become part of the family going forward.

I am well aware that the club cant just put a new stand up - aside from the finances there are planning, administrative, legal and other obstacles not to mention covering any concerns from local residents. But with a park on 1 side of the ground and plenty of spare space behind the rec terrace and room between the pitch and the current structure it seems feasible that squaring off/developing the far side should be as priority as it can be.

I guess we are all waiting for the outcome of this season. What happens on the pitch determines what occurs off the pitch to a large extent. But as far as a wish list goes from 1 long standing supporter, I would love to see GGL become more of a football venue in appearance.

Underpinning all of that...infinite thanks to all players, management, staff and volunteers at SUFC who have all contributed to a great season (no a great last 3 seasons!) and for growing our club into one that I am very proud to support.

[Del]

Apr 25, 2018 9:39:14 GMT cheshire said:

I have been coming to GGL since the 70's (less in recent years due to living a long way away) and love the old place. However if we are talking about the club infrastructure side catching up with the football side, I am presuming/hoping that the medium term plan is (as PW suggests) to develop our football ground into more of a "football ground". (The discussions around a pavilion have gone totally quiet in recent times)

GGL's origin as everyone knows was as the Borough Sports Ground and running track (I represented my Primary School here in athletics many years ago!) and numerous characteristics such as the old cinder running track have gradually disappeared but the oval is still an overriding feature. A tighter more squared stadium with the spectators nearer the action would not only enhance the match day experience but would certainly create more excitement and "wow factor" for new spectators to encourage them to become part of the family going forward.

I am well aware that the club cant just put a new stand up - aside from the finances there are planning, administrative, legal and other obstacles not to mention covering any concerns from local residents. But with a park on 1 side of the ground and plenty of spare space behind the rec terrace and room between the pitch and the current structure it seems feasible that squaring off/developing the far side should be as priority as it can be.

I guess we are all waiting for the outcome of this season. What happens on the pitch determines what occurs off the pitch to a large extent. But as far as a wish list goes from 1 long standing supporter, I would love to see GGL become more of a football venue in appearance.

Underpinning all of that...infinite thanks to all players, management, staff and volunteers at SUFC who have all contributed to a great season (no a great last 3 seasons!) and for growing our club into one that I am very proud to support.

Yes but most big stadiums are of an oval shape as they can accommodate more.