28th February Conference Match Thread

[Davidimp]

Herbie was a bit of an anti-hero for us. You forgot to mention the flooded away dressing room!

Murph pushed things to the limit and bit beyond, to win things I think you have to, nice doesn't titles/promotion.
You have to be streetwise.

 

[Aber gas]

It's like buying FIFA and only ever playing it on easy. Anyone can win if you make yourself enough better than the opposition, some people just enjoy the win, knowing full well there is more you could do if you dared challenge yourself...

It does show a lack of ambition tbh and for me goes against the whole point of having a pyramid system . Winning the league just for the giggles and never wanting to test yourselves higher seems hollow to me .

 

[rudebwoyben]

Murph pushed things to the limit and bit beyond, to win things I think you have to, nice doesn't titles/promotion.
You have to be streetwise.

Keith Alexander was part of that Barnet team as well.

 

[B2TF]

Your part time lads probably earn more than our players, our 'top' earners get £600 a week.
For some reason we seem a lot of cocks to the club.
This season suddenly smacks of 2011 with us just to sneak a win to be safe and we never did.

You think part timers are paid £600 per week or anything like it? If any of our players earn that sort of money it's because they have a second job.

 

[Chris FGR]

It does show a lack of ambition tbh and for me goes against the whole point of having a pyramid system . Winning the league just for the giggles and never wanting to test yourselves higher seems hollow to me .

I get that sentiment if a club is spending a lot of money on players, but in some cases it's a matter of clubs being successful due to being well managed rather then having a big budget. For those clubs it might be a case of not wanting to overstretch themselves in terms of travelling expenses or ground improvements needed at the higher level.

A lot of clubs have got into trouble by playing at a level above what they can realistically afford, so sometimes ambition should be tapered with a bit of realism. Keeping a club at the centre of it's local community is more important then playing 1 league higher imo.

 

[Jemfy]

I get that sentiment if a club is spending a lot of money on players, but in some cases it's a matter of clubs being successful due to being well managed rather then having a big budget. For those clubs it might be a case of not wanting to overstretch themselves in terms of travelling expenses or ground improvements needed at the higher level.

A lot of clubs have got into trouble by playing at a level above what they can realistically afford, so sometimes ambition should be tapered with a bit of realism. Keeping a club at the centre of it's local community is more important then playing 1 league higher imo.

Normally that's by paying players for the above level though. If they just pay what they can afford, then worst case is a relegation.

 

[Aber gas]

I get that sentiment if a club is spending a lot of money on players, but in some cases it's a matter of clubs being successful due to being well managed rather then having a big budget. For those clubs it might be a case of not wanting to overstretch themselves in terms of travelling expenses or ground improvements needed at the higher level.

A lot of clubs have got into trouble by playing at a level above what they can realistically afford, so sometimes ambition should be tapered with a bit of realism. Keeping a club at the centre of it's local community is more important then playing 1 league higher imo.

I understand that there are pressures by being promoted in terms of ground grading and finance but I still find winning the league and not being promoted depressing. Could there not be a bit more understanding and help for sides on these issues , perhaps a grace period for them to sort out there ground and budget should they stay up in the league above ?

 

[Aber gas]

You think part timers are paid £600 per week or anything like it? If any of our players earn that sort of money it's because they have a second job.

How does the part time thing work with new signings? Do you help them with looking for work in the area or are you looking at predominantly local players that are already employed ?

 

[Chris FGR]

Normally that's by paying players for the above level though. If they just pay what they can afford, then worst case is a relegation.

No I get that, what I meant is that some clubs who can't afford the extra costs like travel or getting their grounds up to the grading shouldn't feel forced to put their future in jeopardy.

Obviously those clubs who can afford to pay good money to players should be able to afford those things, but sometimes teams who don't spend much still have successful seasons. Promotion should be optional, and not the be all and end all imo.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Still have yet to read the non-league paper. I watched the Eastleigh - Macclesfield game though. Beauty from Constable (no idea he was at Eastleigh). First half was a total long ball fest. Second half there we're more plays on the ground (as shown by the 4th goal)

How were Rovers this weekend? I know they won.

Also I assume Wrexham are favourites for the FA Trophy final. Is it at Wembley though?

 

[Gas Go Marching In]

I think the fact that Hughes decides to wind up opposition fans and make a general mockery of the fact that he's a convicted murderer does him no favours, more than anything else. I'd hardly say his actions when I've seen him play against Barnet (especially in his notes County days) have shown any of his 'genuine contrition'.

I actually agree with this.

 

[Luke Imp]

Our players and staff are refusing to talk to the press after our game in protest over being partially paid

Who the hell were you paying £2.5k a week (providing the below is true)?!

http://bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/clubs-failing-to-pay-wages.html

 

[Andy Harrier]

Who the hell were you paying £2.5k a week (providing the below is true)?!

http://bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/clubs-failing-to-pay-wages.html

I think that bit refers to Leyton Orient not us. I'd hope that are board aren't that incompetent!

 

[Luke Imp]

Ah yeah, shit.

That's why you shouldn't skim read, kids!

 

[springerbfc]

Yep the game at our place against you guys was lively, your man Herbie Smith came on thumped a Lincoln player and went off again!

That game was legendary but for all the wrong reasons as far as we were concerned.

Made the national papers due to the "mass brawl" after Herbie had decked your player with Barry Fry escorted from the pitch, looking rather disconsolate.

Our former players have regaled lots of stories about what happened that night and the treatment they were subjected to both on and off the pitch. They were battered throughout the game with our black players subjected to a torrent of racist abuse and as has been mentioned, the away changing room was flooded before hand. We lost two players for retaliation and yet almost pinched a point late on.

We went on to blow promotion that year losing our final home game which allowed Lincoln to pinch the title, but the 6-0 win at Sincil Bank when we did finally join the FL a couple of years later was certainly some small consolation.

 

[Jemfy]

No I get that, what I meant is that some clubs who can't afford the extra costs like travel or getting their grounds up to the grading shouldn't feel forced to put their future in jeopardy.

Obviously those clubs who can afford to pay good money to players should be able to afford those things, but sometimes teams who don't spend much still have successful seasons. Promotion should be optional, and not the be all and end all imo.

I think it's very different if the issue is getting the ground up to standard. That I understand as a reason for not taking promotion.

I think "increased travel costs" is BS. It gets pedaled around so much it's ridiculous. For anyone outside of Cornwall it doesn't really make that much sense. Yes travel costs will go up, but so will gates, commercial revenue streams, club exposure. Sure it requires a little work to sell the higher level as a better investment for local businesses to buy sponsorship etc. but that's what you need to move forwards.

If you have a successful season on a modest budget and reject promotion, you know what happens practically? Players get pissed off and leave to play with another higher placed club, or someone who will take promotion (or someone who will offer more money off the back of that winning season).

Promotion isn't the be-all and end-all by any means, just like relegation isn't the end of the world. Clubs should be, and are, allowed to reject promotion at all levels (it's a technical requirement to apply for promotion from the conference IIRC, but almost every club does it just in case). I just think saying that you can't afford to go up financially is wrong, because any club can survive it unless they start paying what they can't afford.

 

[Chris FGR]

I think it's very different if the issue is getting the ground up to standard. That I understand as a reason for not taking promotion.

I think "increased travel costs" is BS. It gets pedaled around so much it's ridiculous. For anyone outside of Cornwall it doesn't really make that much sense. Yes travel costs will go up, but so will gates, commercial revenue streams, club exposure. Sure it requires a little work to sell the higher level as a better investment for local businesses to buy sponsorship etc. but that's what you need to move forwards.

Fair enough, I'm no expert on that level tbh, just going on what I've heard some involved at that level complain about.

You're probably right on the travel costs in most regions, in our region for example there is very little difference between the Hellenic and Southern League D1. The likes of Shortwood or Bishops Cleeve have stepped up in recent seasons and don't have any problems travel wise. Attendances don't seem to be a lot better though, from what I can tell, but I get that you might get more from sponsorship at the higher level.

 

[springerbfc]

Murph pushed things to the limit and bit beyond, to win things I think you have to, nice doesn't titles/promotion.
You have to be streetwise.

Streetwise is certainly one way of putting it!
Lincoln did not make many friends on their brief visit to the Conference at that time, in stark contrast to Darlington who came down the following season and also made an immediate return.

 

[CrazyImp]

Making friends is overrated, I would be delighted for a return to that mentality.

 

[B2TF]

How does the part time thing work with new signings? Do you help them with looking for work in the area or are you looking at predominantly local players that are already employed ?

Firstly, nobody comes to Halifax for the money. They know only part time is being offerred and there is a strict wage structure in place. I don't think the club take too much interest in whether they have another job, as long as they're available and match fit when needed. Neil Aspin and The Shay stadium are great selling points.

 

[Davidimp]

Making friends is overrated, I would be delighted for a return to that mentality.

Spot on Crazy, results get you promoted not being nice, we must be the most non streetwise in this league.

 

[Davidimp]

You think part timers are paid £600 per week or anything like it? If any of our players earn that sort of money it's because they have a second job.

Well you must be going to have Tomlinson as a full time player then, as you've him more money than he's on with us and he's joining you in the summer.

 

[Luke Imp]

First goal from Saturday is miles offside for a start. Payne's kung-fu kicked, then kicked Farman.

 

[Davidimp]

Sadly we played like a bunch of strangers and got what we deserved.
Mr Hill said it was our best result of the season in the NLP, the fact we only lost 2-0 and not 7.

 

[Sparrow]

Mr Hill said it was our best result of the season in the NLP, the fact we only lost 2-0 and not 7.

Hahaha.

 

[B2TF]

Well you must be going to have Tomlinson as a full time player then, as you've him more money than he's on with us and he's joining you in the summer.

I can absolutely guarantee you that he wont be coming to Halifax as a full timer, and if he comes at all it will be on a wage that fits into our existing structure. Remember we have no backers, the only money we have is whats earned on the pitch, or comes in through the gates or hospitality.

 

[B2TF]

Spot on Crazy, results get you promoted not being nice, we must be the most non streetwise in this league.

.

Yes indeed, our players said they'd never been kicked so nicely all season.