Post by siofthewells on Jan 22, 2012 20:49:20 GMT
First of all I am as gutted as anybody about the defeat yesterday to St Ives. We lost to a good team who were well pumped up for the occasion and who could obviously play a bit. However I am proud of everyone involved. The players were outstanding with no quarter given and they deserved a better result. The committee and volunteers were also tremendous on the day and staged a massive game very successfully on behalf of the 404 in attendance. The fans were also great and frankly made as much noise as the St Ives following at times but did not have the benefit of a low roof to amplify their efforts.
So where do we go from here?
On the pitch the team looked the equal of a side that has benefited from the same management team for 501 matches, knows each other very well, is focused and very successful. You cannot ignore the quality of a side that routinely reaches the advanced stages of the FA Vase and is flying high in a league that regularly produces a clutch of successful sides. Tunbridge Wells too has benefited from three seasons of stability in the management team and a modicum of continuity in the playing ranks. Long may this continue as season on season ground is being gained in the league and the Vase. Unquestionnably Martin Larkin has got the priorities right and we should be looking to the league and the Vase as keys to establishing the club's reputation and standing in the community.
Next season the team will get to start in the Vase at the second round proper stage and should be confident of another crack at progressing beyond the last 32. I believe there has been a real step-up at the club now and that the Wells now rightly believes that it has moved to the top table of step five. The achievement in the Vase was no fluke and we should now expect the highest finish from a Wells side in the league since the 80s. How good would it be if the squad stuck together and set new records in the FA Cup as well next season.
Off the pitch the initiative must be taken to maintain the levels of support enjoyed all season and even more so yesterday. When St Ives scored I scanned the ground and saw two pockets of the crowd celebrating before looking around at the people around me behind the goal and belting out a round of 'come on the Wells'. The fact of the matter is that we had at least 254 of our own supporters in the ground yesterday and I have no doubt that all would regularly return to support the team they had playing in front of them yesterday.
I don't know how much we were heard on the pitch or in the dugouts. From the writings of Stephen McCartney on his Kentish Football website I imagine that we were drowned out for most of the time by the St Ives mob across the field from the bench. I can say that my voice has taken a big hit and that those around me were in great vocal form and great humour. The fact is that there is a growing band of supporters who love coming to see the Wells and I can't see this changing. How great would it be one day in the future to have some cover on part of the terrace to help amplify this excellent vocal support.
So the question has been posed. Where do we go from here?
I think the key is to cement our place at the top of step five. If we can regularly attract 200 of our own supporters to games then why not? We need to keep the management team and playing squad - obviously! Who wouldn't want to play for that support! We need to improve the pitch so that our footballing side can play to its strengths. Answers on a postcode as to how this might be done but how about 100 companies buying £5k bonds so we can lay a 3G surface? With a proper business plan the investors would get a return after the second year and probably a 150% profit over five years. No doubt it would further raise the club's profile as well.
Thanks to everyone for yesterday again. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
So where do we go from here?
On the pitch the team looked the equal of a side that has benefited from the same management team for 501 matches, knows each other very well, is focused and very successful. You cannot ignore the quality of a side that routinely reaches the advanced stages of the FA Vase and is flying high in a league that regularly produces a clutch of successful sides. Tunbridge Wells too has benefited from three seasons of stability in the management team and a modicum of continuity in the playing ranks. Long may this continue as season on season ground is being gained in the league and the Vase. Unquestionnably Martin Larkin has got the priorities right and we should be looking to the league and the Vase as keys to establishing the club's reputation and standing in the community.
Next season the team will get to start in the Vase at the second round proper stage and should be confident of another crack at progressing beyond the last 32. I believe there has been a real step-up at the club now and that the Wells now rightly believes that it has moved to the top table of step five. The achievement in the Vase was no fluke and we should now expect the highest finish from a Wells side in the league since the 80s. How good would it be if the squad stuck together and set new records in the FA Cup as well next season.
Off the pitch the initiative must be taken to maintain the levels of support enjoyed all season and even more so yesterday. When St Ives scored I scanned the ground and saw two pockets of the crowd celebrating before looking around at the people around me behind the goal and belting out a round of 'come on the Wells'. The fact of the matter is that we had at least 254 of our own supporters in the ground yesterday and I have no doubt that all would regularly return to support the team they had playing in front of them yesterday.
I don't know how much we were heard on the pitch or in the dugouts. From the writings of Stephen McCartney on his Kentish Football website I imagine that we were drowned out for most of the time by the St Ives mob across the field from the bench. I can say that my voice has taken a big hit and that those around me were in great vocal form and great humour. The fact is that there is a growing band of supporters who love coming to see the Wells and I can't see this changing. How great would it be one day in the future to have some cover on part of the terrace to help amplify this excellent vocal support.
So the question has been posed. Where do we go from here?
I think the key is to cement our place at the top of step five. If we can regularly attract 200 of our own supporters to games then why not? We need to keep the management team and playing squad - obviously! Who wouldn't want to play for that support! We need to improve the pitch so that our footballing side can play to its strengths. Answers on a postcode as to how this might be done but how about 100 companies buying £5k bonds so we can lay a 3G surface? With a proper business plan the investors would get a return after the second year and probably a 150% profit over five years. No doubt it would further raise the club's profile as well.
Thanks to everyone for yesterday again. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
) has swelled the numbers through the turnstiles. The club enjoys a sizable catchment area and the Culverden is a venue bristling with character, although a little frayed around the edges.