Ebbsfleet

[Joe.]

I hope we've got a few bids in. When we went tits up, you jumped on Whitely and Cheek (rightly so, it was an opportunity to strengthen). Now we're more stable and we desperately need quality in order to stay up, I'd hope we're maybe looking to relieve the wage bill a touch and maybe add to your cash flow a bit.

Wouldn't surprise me if we got Cheek back. He doesn't seem to be featuring much at yours. Whitely is a more unrealistic one but we're absolutely crying out for a player like him.

We received a bid for Cheek last week apparently, not sure what's happened with that!

The majority of the players want to stay, but they'll be forced out. I would like to say the club will release a statement in the coming days, but I won't hold my breath. Our communication is absolutely shocking.

 

[Farleigh]

So, if a player doesn't get paid, he can walk away from his contract. What if a player is regularly paid late? Does the same rule apply?

 

[Joe.]

So, if a player doesn't get paid, he can walk away from his contract. What if a player is regularly paid late? Does the same rule apply?

I would guess so... they haven't walked yet mind, and 8 days isn't even the longest they've had to wait!

 

[John Still]

The thing I don't understand about all this is, they're all getting paid in full. It's just late every month.

The most worrying thing is the club have said absolutely fuck all on the situation. It's all coming from the local journo.

I fear an absolute drubbing on Saturday. Can't wait.

Really, you get paid and your mortgage comes out a few days later but you’ve not been paid. Absolute nightmare and can play havoc with your credit rating. If I was then I would not be playing until I had been paid, insurance consequences too.

 

[Farleigh]

I would guess so... they haven't walked yet mind, and 8 days isn't even the longest they've had to wait!

Wonder if our signing of Jack Powell was influenced by erratic wage payments. I would rather be paid a little less, but on time, than have to worry every month. It must sew the seeds of doubt in a player's mind.

 

[Joe.]

Really, you get paid and your mortgage comes out a few days later but you’ve not been paid. Absolute nightmare and can play havoc with your credit rating. If I was then I would not be playing until I had been paid, insurance consequences too.

I wasn't criticising the the players...

Wonder if our signing of Jack Powell was influenced by erratic wage payments. I would rather be paid a little less, but on time, than have to worry every month. It must sew the seeds of doubt in a player's mind.

From what he was saying, he only asked for a loan!

 

[Farleigh]

Theme park project not dead yet.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/theme-park-plans-to-get-25m-boost-192272/

But, coupled with the Ebbsfleet news, maybe an indication that Dr Abdullah Al Humaidi wants to spread the financial risk.

I wouldn't visit such a place if you paid me. Be then I said the same about Bluewater and people still flock there.

 

[E10rifle]

From what he was saying, he only asked for a loan!

Probably needed one if he wasn’t getting paid. Hope he didn’t go to Wonga.

 

[Raymondo316]

Time for the club to start living within their means according to the owner.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/weve-spent-to-excess-but-it-stops-now-192552/

 

[joethegill]

Think that's a very sensible standpoint for their owner, and the article makes a lot of sense. It's not one of those where he's desperate to just get away, but rather he's chosen now to reduce over-spending and be more self-sufficient. Makes sense.

 

[Joe.]

Just hope the players are paid tomorrow like promised, and payments are on time going forward.

Interesting that he says about reducing the squad size. I don't think 22 is a particularly large squad when you take into account potential injuries/suspensions.

 

[iesty wfc]

Just hope the players are paid tomorrow like promised, and payments are on time going forward.

Interesting that he says about reducing the squad size. I don't think 22 is a particularly large squad when you take into account potential injuries/suspensions.

how many are loan players though? Ricketts said he wanted a squad of 18 for us going into the season but we have an actual squad of 23 with 6 loan players, 4 of which were season long ones

 

[Joe.]

how many are loan players though? Ricketts said he wanted a squad of 18 for us going into the season but we have an actual squad of 23 with 6 loan players, 4 of which were season long ones

Only one on loan (three month deal) and he's injured!

 

[The_Boss]

We proved last season that if you pay your players late then it wins you the league. Good thinking from Ebbsfleet in my opinion.

 

[Joe.]

Well, it's been a busy few days at Stonebridge Road!

Daryl McMahon sacked, Garry Hill brought in with Ian Hendon as his assistant. I've got to say, I'm pleased with it.

I had my doubts when McMahon first took over, thought he should have been assistant. He did fairly well though and I wish him all the best. I doubt he'll be out of work for long.

Very pleased with the appointment of Hill and Hendon. Two wise old heads. Players will now be picked on merit and they'll be none of this pally pally shit that we've seen over the past few years. We have a capable squad and with players potentially playing for their contracts here, we should see a much improved run of results. He will know what players are not good enough and trim down, but he also wants to strengthen.

Dave Archer has also been appointed and will be in charge of the day to day running of the club. Best news of the season. He's been exceptional here in a number of roles over the past 5 years. Let's hope things are managed a bit better now! No offence to Dean Pooley, who I loved here as a player, but he doesn't have much of a clue.

A win tomorrow would top off a good week!

 

[The Terminator]

As long as Hendon stays as assistant manager/coach he'll be ok, out of his depth as a manager though.

 

[Fleetfanwest]

Pretty much second much of what Joe has said, there's been a lot of hand wringing by some supporters over the loss of Mcmahon, IMHO he'd taken us as far as he could.
His constant chopping and changing formation and square peg in round hole choices, must have confused the players as much as the fans.
In the end I wouldn't be surprised if his, admirable loyalty to his players, in seeming to make no decision to let any go, was probably his downfall.
Hill & Hendon aren't the kind of management team to take any crap and will probably be hard but fair, and will not favour anyone except the ones that consistently perform.

 

[E10rifle]

Just don’t let old Sorry Lads coach anyone at crossing.

 

[Boz]

McMahon seemed a decent manager, got Ebbsfleet punching over their weight last season, will be interesting to see where he lands next. Hill talks some rubbish but his teams try to play football. Probably an upper mid-table finish for Ebbsfleet this season.

 

[Raymondo316]

Considering their owner is a billionaire its weird how they keep having these money ''troubles''

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/graves...court-proceedings-on-ebbsfleet-united-194622/

 

[E10rifle]

Considering their owner is a billionaire its weird how they keep having these money ''troubles''

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/graves...court-proceedings-on-ebbsfleet-united-194622/

“Billionaire owner” and “money troubles” come hand in hand in my experience.

 

[B2TF]

Why has this Mickey Mouse outfit got its own thread? It's Ebsfleet, NOBODY CARES!!!!!

 

[Joe.]

Why has this Mickey Mouse outfit got its own thread? It's Ebsfleet, NOBODY CARES!!!!!

And I thought we were friends.

 

[Joe.]

Considering their owner is a billionaire its weird how they keep having these money ''troubles''

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/graves...court-proceedings-on-ebbsfleet-united-194622/

Money will be paid this week so it shouldn't come to that - yet! All these changes at board level have been because nobody on board had a clue. Archer is practically in charge of the day to day running now (well, he has been for a couple of weeks now) so we should see things balancing out a little.

 

[Raymondo316]

Money will be paid this week so it shouldn't come to that - yet! All these changes at board level have been because nobody on board had a clue. Archer is practically in charge of the day to day running now (well, he has been for a couple of weeks now) so we should see things balancing out a little.

Never understood why you replaced Peter Varney who had loads of experience running football clubs with Dean Pooley who had no experience at all.

 

[Joe.]

Never understood why you replaced Peter Varney who had loads of experience running football clubs with Dean Pooley who had no experience at all.

It was Varney's choice to step down and ad DP had been shadowing him, the owner thought it made sense (on Varney's recommendation I believe) to step him up. As you say, no experience at all so it was always a gamble.

Interesting to see if things do improve, regarding paying things on time! I can't see Archer being that stupid, he's been fantastic in his various roles since he's been here.

 

[PuB]

Just a tin-pot Crawley.

Name a good old fashioned football team after a train station, then attract an investor who doesn't really give a shit.

It could have been written in the stars.

 

[Farleigh]

I guess they paid the players on time by witholding payments from the one creditor who will always chase you for their money.

 

[Farleigh]

What's the point in having a sugar daddy when the cheque keeps getting lost in the post?

 

[Joe.]

What's the point in having a sugar daddy when the cheque keeps getting lost in the post?

Exactly what we're all wondering. The owner was there yesterday, he got a bit of stick. Apparently he's made promises to the players regarding money and other things. Not sure why he's promised anything, it doesn't look like he'll be able to deliver.

At one point yesterday, it looked like the game wouldn't go ahead. 2:45 and still no sign of the players warming up, talk of them refusing to play. Was a letter going round saying that the Dr is refusing to pay the players due to the joint statement they released to Kent Online, and anybody who's contracted for next season will be transfer listed immediately after the end of the season. No idea if true, but I bloody hope not.

With that said, the lads came out with no proper warm up, and played superb. Couldn't be more prouder, and I'm gutted that we'll have none of them here next season.