National League 2017-18

[Magpie Mike]

You may well be housed in the Bell End.
Not quite as horrendous as you think. Just the name give to the end of the ground next to the Bell Pub.

 

[Joe.]

Greetings from Maidenhead.

I thought I would introduce my club to you, as I am sure very few people even know where we are, let alone anything about the club.

First of all, we are absolutely ecstatic to be mixing it up with the “big boys” at long last. We have never played at this level before and have been plodding along in the Conference South for as long as anyone can remember……never troubling the promotion places, but often looking nervously over our shoulders, and several times been reprieved from relegation due to the ineptitude / misfortune of other clubs…hello Salisbury and a few others!!.

Our fortunes changed when a certain Alan Devonshire was enticed back to York Rd, and went about recruiting half of his old Braintree players and added a certain professionalism and steeliness to our ranks. Not only that, but managed to get the best out of previously OK players…. step forward our 44 goal marksman, Dave Tarpey.

We are a very small, friendly part time club, who have a claim to fame of having the oldest continuously used ground by the same club IN THE WORLD!!

If you come and visit, you will see some exhibits from this bygone age, although our ground has been somewhat modernized over the last few years, particularly with a new 400 seater stand.

Our crowds have gone up from around 350 3 years ago, to an average of around 1,000 last year and an eye watering 3,500 for the visit of Ebbsfleet for the title decider/eliminator.

Many Conference South fans have expressed the opinion that Maidenhead is one of the best away days, mainly due to the fact that the ground is located in the town itself with several decent pubs nearby. Also there is a certain gentlemen’s club very close by, for people staying into the night and beyond!!

By the way, we are in Berkshire ( between Slough and Reading ), not in Kent, that is Maidstone!!

We have been accused in the past of playing rather rudimentary football, with a big punt up field to our 6 ft 3 centre forward ( Sean Marks ) who then plays in the elusive and darting Tarpey, who pops it in the net. A tactic that worked so well in the Conference South, but maybe not destined for such success next season. However, Devonshire has instilled a little more finesse and some ball playing through midfield and the wings.

Anyway, I hope to be posting regularly on this forum, because we may not be here for very long.

We look forward to hosting your teams and enjoying ourselves in this National League, although not particularly enjoying the occasional pasting we may receive.

Welcome, sir. Battling it out in mid-table doesn't quite have the same ring to it as a thrilling title race, huh?

Congratulations again, and see you next season. Looking forward to visiting York Road for the umpteenth time...

 

[Pliny Harris]

Haha, I'd be pumped to start an "Oh, Jeremy Corbyn" chant in the Maidenhead away end but generally the kind of football fan who's willing to complete 400+ mile round trips to watch their team play lacks Corbo's zest for life, so I doubt it'd catch on. We'll see on the day.

 

[B2TF]

Greetings from Maidenhead.

I thought I would introduce my club to you, as I am sure very few people even know where we are, let alone anything about the club.

.

We've already met. Piss off :

 

[Magpie Mike]

We've already met. Piss off :

What a good memory you have.
Let us hope for a repeat scoreline next season.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Former Dover Striker Ricky Miller has been banned for 6 games for biting - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40433468

the incident happened v Guiseley last season

 

[EnglishRed]

Former Dover Striker Ricky Miller has been banned for 6 games for biting - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40433468

the incident happened v Guiseley last season

Top lad.

 

[GuiseleySteve]

Former Dover Striker Ricky Miller has been banned for 6 games for biting - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40433468

the incident happened v Guiseley last season

This happened in March, evidence was presented at the time. How on earth did it take this long for the FA to adjudicate? Stinks

 

[genesimmons]

Former Dover Striker Ricky Miller has been banned for 6 games for biting - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40433468

the incident happened v Guiseley last season

Good. Little cock head

 

[rudebwoyben]

Thanks, but you all voted for Theresa May and not Lord Buckethead, so you can fuck off.

Lord B's election song was pretty good and it even referenced the local football team.

 

[doveranddover]

This happened in March, evidence was presented at the time. How on earth did it take this long for the FA to adjudicate? Stinks

1st any Dover fan has heard of it. Did any of your fans know of the incident?
Would have thought the guiseley players would have done anything to get Miller sent off during the game

 

[Bluandwite]

This happened in March, evidence was presented at the time. How on earth did it take this long for the FA to adjudicate? Stinks

They're consistent, at least.

Same thing happened to us with Luke George, biting incident on opening day of the season and nobody hears anything about it until he starts serving a six game ban in November.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

They're consistent, at least.

Same thing happened to us with Luke George, biting incident on opening day of the season and nobody hears anything about it until he starts serving a six game ban in November.

Probably easier to cover it up at this level, with fewer journalists covering our teams? Our old manager was banned for about a month for a sexist remark, yet the club never told anyone until months later when the ban was actually being served.

 

[GuiseleySteve]

1st any Dover fan has heard of it. Did any of your fans know of the incident?
Would have thought the guiseley players would have done anything to get Miller sent off during the game

Our manager referred to an 'incident' being reported in his after match interview iirc although no detail of what that incident was. Some of our players were discussing it in the bar afterwards though. I'd totally forgotten about it after all this time.
It baffles me why such a gifted striker would sink so low.

 

[Luke Imp]

Probably easier to cover it up at this level, with fewer journalists covering our teams? Our old manager was banned for about a month for a sexist remark, yet the club never told anyone until months later when the ban was actually being served.

Speaking of banned staff, what's the crack with Gary Simpson at your place?

 

[Monkey Tennis]

Speaking of banned staff, what's the crack with Gary Simpson at your place?

Legal proceedings taking place, so the club can't say a lot - he's definitely gone for good. I've 'heard' he had a crack at someone after the Aldershot game, but not sure.

 

[GuiseleySteve]

1st any Dover fan has heard of it. Did any of your fans know of the incident?
Would have thought the guiseley players would have done anything to get Miller sent off during the game

Ricky Miller has issued the following statement.

I would just like to take this opportunity to put into a bit of context the six-match ban that I have received from the Football Association relating to an incident while playing for Dover Athletic at the back end of last season.

Whilst I apologise for my actions, I was in a situation in which I was struggling to breathe. I was being held in a head lock by an opponent for 6 seconds, and felt it was my only option to get out of it which was acknowledged by the Football Association when the ban was reduced. It is important to put the incident into a bit of context because I am aware without knowing the full story, people can make judgements, which are not accurate.

It will be frustrating to miss the start of the season, but I will be working extremely hard during the pre-season campaign to get myself in the best possible shape to be ready for when I can be called upon for selection. I am delighted to be playing for Peterborough United Football Club, everybody has made me feel welcome and I am looking forward to repaying the faith shown in me.

Held in a headlock for 6 seconds? Presumably not on the pitch as I'm sure someone may just have noticed that? Strange.

 

[Sparrow]

Yet another incident involving Guiseley. They HAVE to be punished for WHAT THEY DID next season.

 

[E10rifle]

Yet another incident involving Guiseley. They HAVE to be punished for WHAT THEY DID next season.

Few questions re: A "Guiseley". 1) What is it rhyming slang for? 2) Who invented it? 3) What did/does it do?

 

[GuiseleySteve]

Yet another incident involving Guiseley. They HAVE to be punished for WHAT THEY DID next season.

Clearly Guiseley have done nothing next season as it's in the future

 

[Lucky Bobble]

Jack Byrne Solihill Moor's - player's player of the year has signed for Brackley.

Solihull appear to have lost their fans player of the year Liam Daly to Kiddie & player's player of year now to us despite both being offered terms... things looking bleak at Solihull?

 

[Pliny Harris]

Sounds like seven Flyde players from last season have been caught betting on other fixtures. Will this endanger their whole 2022 campaign thing?

 

[The Terminator]

Edit: Wrong thread

 

[DarkSithLord]

Chester cut to 11/8 from 15/8 National League 'Bottom 4 Finish'. Home game v Fylde on Aug 8th will be 234 days since last home win

 

[Bluandwite]

Chester cut to 11/8 from 15/8 National League 'Bottom 4 Finish'. Home game v Fylde on Aug 8th will be 234 days since last home win

Cue Alger getting it on twitter.

Timing suggests a reaction to Alabi leaving so if you fancy that bet you've missed out as we've known he's off for months.

Funnily enough there's a tweet from Oddschecker in reply stating us as the third most popular selection for promotion behind Tranmere and Orient!

Both views wide of the mark in my opinion.

 

[1884 Belmont]

Cue Alger getting it on twitter.

Timing suggests a reaction to Alabi leaving so if you fancy that bet you've missed out as we've known he's off for months.

Funnily enough there's a tweet from Oddschecker in reply stating us as the third most popular selection for promotion behind Tranmere and Orient!

Both views wide of the mark in my opinion.

Your form at the back end of the season was woeful and your signings haven't exactly set the world on fire. Losing your top scorer puts a lot of pressure on Hannah and if you lost him for any reason next year, where are the goals coming from?

Not just saying this because of the Tranmere/Chester thing but I'm struggling to think of 4 sides who would finish below Chester. If the promoted sides get off to a flyer, you could be in serious trouble.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

Judging by the XI posted, Dover may be down there...

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Cue Alger getting it on twitter.

Timing suggests a reaction to Alabi leaving so if you fancy that bet you've missed out as we've known he's off for months.

Funnily enough there's a tweet from Oddschecker in reply stating us as the third most popular selection for promotion behind Tranmere and Orient!

Both views wide of the mark in my opinion.

lols

 

[Magpie Mike]

Judging from some of these posts it could be a real dogfight at the bottom involving around 15 clubs.

 

[Railway Blue]

Cue Alger getting it on twitter.

Timing suggests a reaction to Alabi leaving so if you fancy that bet you've missed out as we've known he's off for months.

Funnily enough there's a tweet from Oddschecker in reply stating us as the third most popular selection for promotion behind Tranmere and Orient!

Both views wide of the mark in my opinion.

Alabi was effectively our only striker last season with Akintunde out injured for most of the season and Richards being unbelievably shit after Christmas. We'll score goals this season with Hannah, White, Akintunde and Bell. I'm more concerned that without Sam Hughes we'll be poorer defensively. Having said that he was played out of position most of last season.