Isthmian 2014/15

[Wombletom]

Is the Athletics stadium not a possibility? I understand that the playing surface isn't the greatest, but that could be improved.

 

[Paddy]

I've often thought about that & always come to the conclusion that it's a non-starter. There would be too much involved in redeveloping spectator areas (the current bank of seating behind the Athletics End is no where near the grass pitch & it's not exactly facing it either) & I doubt the operators of the athletics facility would want to turn their grounds in to a mini football ground sat just behind a Football League standard ground.

Plus, I know beggars can't be choosers, but... It's got a friggin' running track around it. Sod that!

 

[Wombletom]

Only an idea.
As a Wimbledon fan supporting my team playing in Kingstonians ground I want the best for K's when we eventually leave Kingsmeadow.

I certainly won't be voting on any sale unless it involves a safe and secure future for K's.

 

[Silver Stone]

Our reserves lost 5-1 to Charlton's youth team in the Kent Cup. My disappointment is palpable.

 

[Riverside64]

Another decent win (3-0) tonight albeit against Redbridge in the Essex Cup. Fielded a strong team with only 4 first teamers not involved - Curley, Johnson, Bishop and Purcell. A good confidence builder. Concord Rangers at home in the semis.

Looked reasonably solid last few games. Roll on Saturday where we host Bognor.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Incredibly misguided.

1. I doubt our board would consider selling unless there were safeguards in place to keep Kingstonian at Kingsmeadow under the current agreement.

2. If our board hadn't considered safeguards, it's highly unlikely that they'd get enough votes to sell (75% of the electorate, I believe). Having been right royally shafted by Sham Hammam all those years ago, a lot of us wouldn't want to do the same to another club.

3. Not sure Kingston Council would be at all happy given the deal they effectively brokered.

Looking at point 1 though, how much longer has the rent-free period last, and would K's be able to afford a modest rent when that ends.

I'll be completely honest - I tend to think that if the powers that be at AFC Wimbledon were interested in safeguarding our future, if they had any regard for us at all, they wouldn't be entertaining the idea of flogging Kingsmeadow to a footballing behemoth such as Chelsea, thereby ensuring that we'll never have the opportunity to regain ownership of our ground. I think that issuing such a statement at this stage is utterly wrongheaded but I can only imagine that this is the primary reason why our board have concluded that we don't have a viable future at Kingsmeadow. Remaining as tenants under a different regime who might not wish us to be there, who might up the rent substantially (all mere speculation because we don't really know) wouldn't provide a good long-term solution for us, no matter how shoddy the alternatives.

I know there's a lot of good eggs at Wombles who genuinely do care about our fate, but do you think that, if it came down to it, and if a move back to Wimbledon was on the line, then a large majority of fans would be prepared to jeopardise that to ensure that little Ks have a future? I ask that as a genuine, completely non-snarky question, because I'm of a slightly cynical disposition and I know how important a goal the move back home is to Wimbledon. I suppose our board have probably robbed us of the opportunity to find out the answer to that question.

I would hope that Kingston Council wouldn't be happy. I'm unsure as to how much leverage/authority they'd have in the event of a sale. I can't recall how long the rent-free period is due to last but I gather it's at least a few years and I'd imagine we'd be able to afford a modest rent. One would hope that the board have explored all options in this regard but who the hell knows. I imagine we'd be able to mount a challenge should the terms change as the result of a sale but that would, I suppose, require resources and an inclination on our part to pursue legal action.

 

[Meadow]

I know there's a lot of good eggs at Wombles who genuinely do care about our fate, but do you think that, if it came down to it, and if a move back to Wimbledon was on the line, then a large majority of fans would be prepared to jeopardise that to ensure that little Ks have a future? I ask that as a genuine, completely non-snarky question, because I'm of a slightly cynical disposition and I know how important a goal the move back home is to Wimbledon. I suppose our board have probably robbed us of the opportunity to find out the answer to that question.

Good question. First of all, it wouldn't need a large majority becase for the sale to be approved, the board needs 75% of the electorate to vote for it. That's not just attendees at the meeting, but the whole 3000 odd. Factor in a potentially sizeable minority plus those who for whatever reason don't vote and it might not get approved.

I wouldn't vote for a sale if K's lost their security of tenure and I know of a fair few others who think the same. It would appear to be a moot point anyway.

 

[pinknblue]

I was joking about Pinknblue having to go get another member but fair play he went out & did it!

Welcome back to the family Mr Grays fan! Now... somewhere slightly North-East from Grays for you to go fishing for new forum members... lol

Aye! welcome back lad! You see Paddy, I did my good turn for the day '-)

 

[Rocky 11]

Hello guys and gals. ..... You'll be pleased to know there's a pleasant spot in Saaff Essex, with views of a historic norman church and some nice new cranes now represented on here !!!!

 

[Cardsfan]

Hello guys and gals. ..... You'll be pleased to know there's a pleasant spot in Saaff Essex, with views of a historic norman church and some nice new cranes now represented on here !!!!

Welcome mate

 

[DarkSithLord]

Welcome to the Forum. Do you think you will be able to hold on to Sam Higgins in the summer?

 

[Rocky 11]

Welcome to the Forum. Do you think you will be able to hold on to Sam Higgins in the summer?

Would be great if we could, oh Dark one, but I suspect it will be very dificult to keep him on our small gates and limited sponsorship.

 

[Silver Stone]

Good 2-0 win at Wingate & Finchley today. Margate beat Bury as expected, but Dulwich lost 3-0 at home in their "Enfield" day.

 

[pinknblue]

Dulwich 0 Canvey 3

What a 'mare! We were terrible first half and then got caught on the break twice in the second. A really poor effort from the Dulwich lads today and I'm gutted! To top it all we, Oxford to London proved to be the journey from hell. A day best forgotten, me thinks! Canvey played well though - all credit to them.

 

[rudebwoyben]

George Sykes, who's on loan to Canvey Island from us, has been in great form for them. I think that's 6 goals for him.

 

[publeaguelegend]

A couple of goals and a clean sheet away at a Wingate side who had won their last four? Looks like we're back on it after struggling over the past month or so.

Good luck to Aaron Simpson who has signed a two year deal after a successful trial at Wolves, might get a PSF out of it.

 

[Rocky 11]

The Rocks had to work hard to overcome a very determined VCD side. ..... Some bloke called Higgins scored a hat-trick for us.... We now face a really tough game at Hendon on Monday night. ... Several players carrying knocks and Lewis Smith out for a few weeks with severe ankle damage thanks to a right tasty (and unpunished) mistimed tackle by some Lewes bod a week earlier.

 

[Riverside64]

0-0 home to Bognor.

Another decent game played on a quagmire. Pearce and Crane struck the post for the Rocks. Bishop had 2 efforts striking the woodwork, the second a sublime lob that hit the underside of the bar before being cleared. Superb save by WInterton in injury time to deny Tuohy. Draw probably a fair result.

Defensively pretty sound - that's 3 clean sheets in a row - just need to find the right combination up front. 4 decent strikers in Purcell, Bishop, Tuohy and Nwachuku (released by Colchester).

Billericay up next on Monday in the Ryman Cup - hopefully we'll do the right thing and rest everyone given the trip to Hendon at the weekend.

 

[pinknblue]

George Sykes, who's on loan to Canvey Island from us, has been in great form for them. I think that's 6 goals for him.

Yeah, he's scored 6 for Canvey and could have had a hat-trick yesterday. He and their giant Nigerian international forward were a real handful. They looked very sound defensively too.

 

[publeaguelegend]

Just going to leave this here...

Beautiful.

 

[Paddy]

Beat Leiston 1:0 at their gaff on Saturday. 3 very valuable points on the board.

 

[Grays1890or1888?]

Excellent result against Enfield Town Saturday, they had a decent second half spell but third goal finished them.

I'm off to AFC Sudbury tomorrow for Robert Dyas quarter final, fingers crossed we can win something this year!

 

[publeaguelegend]

Looks like Peacehaven might be making a swift return to the South.

http://www.peacehavenfc.co.uk/news/...he-magpies-in-the-premier-league-1371689.html

Should make things interesting for those battling at the bottom.

 

[Paddy]

Looks like Peacehaven might be making a swift return to the South.

http://www.peacehavenfc.co.uk/news/...he-magpies-in-the-premier-league-1371689.html

Should make things interesting for those battling at the bottom.

Having read the article my initial feelings are "good bye Peacehaven".

This is what happens when you rocket up from county level & don't have a chairman with deep pockets like Shitehawk.

 

[Rocky 11]

Gritty game at Hendon last night ended one all. .... Really difficult pitch which did neither side any favours. ... Pretty good hard working performance by an injury ravaged and very much a bare bones Rocks side. ... No Paul Goodacre, David Bryant or Lewis Smith. .... Oh, and just for a change Sam Higgins did'nt score !!!

 

[Rocky 11]

Looks like Peacehaven might be making a swift return to the South.

http://www.peacehavenfc.co.uk/news/...he-magpies-in-the-premier-league-1371689.html

Should make things interesting for those battling at the bottom.

On the subject of Peacehaven, one is bound to ask why the feck did the league promote them in the first place if their ground did not meet the required grading ?

 

[Riverside64]

On the subject of Peacehaven, one is bound to ask why the feck did the league promote them in the first place if their ground did not meet the required grading ?

Finances presumably, I doubt every team can invest in their infrastructure for the tier above. ETU are gunning for promotion but if your ground isn't up to Connie South standards would you really want to be investing now on the off chance you were promoted. Hence why the leagues give you this grace period. Some clubs, such as Maidstone are able to plan ahead. Most aren't. When we were promoted to Connie South a few years back we had stuff to do before March 31st including building new dugouts. Got the ground up to Connie South standards then a month later we were relegated !

Looks like Peacehaven might be making a swift return to the South.

http://www.peacehavenfc.co.uk/news/...he-magpies-in-the-premier-league-1371689.html

Should make things interesting for those battling at the bottom.

Will be interesting to see how this develops.
Love the picture they're using. A hardy band of Hornchurch supporters ... of which I'm one of them

 

[Paddy]

Well... the league cup dreams are over for another year after Margate beat us 2:1 on their own patch in the quarter final.

 

[Paddy]

Finances presumably, I doubt every team can invest in their infrastructure for the tier above. ETU are gunning for promotion but if your ground isn't up to Connie South standards would you really want to be investing now on the off chance you were promoted. Hence why the leagues give you this grace period. Some clubs, such as Maidstone are able to plan ahead. Most aren't. When we were promoted to Connie South a few years back we had stuff to do before March 31st including building new dugouts. Got the ground up to Connie South standards then a month later we were relegated !



Will be interesting to see how this develops.
Love the picture they're using. A hardy band of Hornchurch supporters ... of which I'm one of them

http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1192...cehaven-need-15-000-to-continue-hard-won-rise

^ an article from WSC about the Peacehaven situation. Some interesting comparisons between the amount of money they need to survive & how that compares to Premier league wages.

 

[mnb089mnb]

http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1192...cehaven-need-15-000-to-continue-hard-won-rise

^ an article from WSC about the Peacehaven situation. Some interesting comparisons between the amount of money they need to survive & how that compares to Premier league wages.

If they can't afford the ground improvements they should be playing at a lower level. It's very likely if they're playing at that standard that they're paying their players too.