I've waited a few weeks since the season's end to post this although it does represent what I have felt throughout the season.
This season has been something else under Adie's & Phil's guidance. I have been a season ticket holder since the mid 1990's and manage to get to a few away games. The difference to me is that everytime I have walked to PVR I have felt that we were going to win a game, apart from the back end of the season via Gravesend/Dartford, but thats another story. So I always knew that we were going to be up there challening the leaders. Thing is I wanted us to make the play offs but did not want us to go to Conference National...confused I'll explain why.
Over the years I have seen us struggle at Conference level and at lower levels since aka the Parker era when I just knew week in week out we were going to get thumped. For once I felt we were there ,competing and knowing that we were on the front foot. I only had to look at the programme for Grays in the FA trophy to see what an uphill climb we would face and all respect to them (they have signed Keds) they are one of the smaller clubs in the league and finshed above the relegation places. I just felt that if we made it up there we would be facing a mountain of a task every week in trying to compete.
So that was then, where to now. Ade, Phil and Keds have gone and we need to look to the furure. As I see it:
-all credit to Barrie and Graham (RIP)in bringing the club to where we are. -we have no manager nor key striker for next season -the club with the ground on lease from the council have little assets.
Moving forward will mean the appointment of a decent manager, not an ex player who will get no repsect (Rambo and Terry Robbins tried hard but got no where) Kevin Hales is tied up elsewhere and there are others in the loop but my vote at present goes to Andy Ford who has the experience and I feel a chance to take us forward.
Barrie should be made a life president. The Hobbins have done a fantastic job but when I looked at Barrie at the Hayes game he looked shot. He is not a spring chicken and has given his heart and sole to the club. We need a new foundation and infa structure for us to move forward, but who unless they had a bucket load of cash would see WUFC as a viable business proposition.
We have also lost a 20goal plus striker, I dont see that being replaced amongst the present squad. Now is the time to start thinking about next season and we have no structure in place to do that with few players on contract.
I like many others will be there again next season, but feel at the moment that we have had our season of wonder and will be back amongst the doldrums next year unless we can get something in place. I would love to be proved wrong but am trying to be realistic in what I see.
A very good post BKN and one I am in agreement with.
I too have had a season ticket for a similar amount of time.
Id lost interest in football some time ago mainly due to the ridiculous prices the top clubs were charging to get in. My son had shown no interest in football but suddenly wanted to go to see a match. I took him to CrystalPalace to see Wimbledon play Arsenal late in the season one year. He was hooked and I promised him that the following season I would take him to every London ground. This is something my Dad did to me when I was young.
We managed to go to every London league ground as well as Wembley a few times.
One particular weekend there wasnt a match on that particularly interested us so we decided to visit PVR. I found the atmosphere and the friendliness of the club irresistible and have supported Welling ever since.
I too agree that if wed got in the playoffs and won it then wed have struggled big time next year. I dont think any team can compete in the Conference without being full time professionals. Maybe Histon will prove me wrong next season but I doubt it.
I think wed need to double our gate to have any hope of going even halfway to being full time.
I think weve found our level and unless a rich guy comes along and wants a new hobby we wont do any better next year.
Having said that, so many teams have fallen by the wayside by overspending in the hope of reaching higher levels. I think the Hobbins have done a marvellous job keeping the club stable.
Next season will be a real test though. With Graham sadly gone a lot more will fall on Barrie. Hopefully hell appoint someone to take some of the burden off of himself.
Theres been talk of getting new owners in. Id like to know where these new owners are coming from. I doubt if any businessman is going to invest money in the hope of making a profit; there isnt a profit to be made at this level. Itd take someone with the love and dedication of the club that the Hobbins have had and theyre few and far between.
Two excellent posts. I share the sentiments but hope for an even better season. By the way, does anybody know whether there has been further progress on the installation of the new floodlights? Because, without them we cannot go into the Kent League let alone the Blue Square South (what a ghastly name). I am sure everything is in hand, but I hope we get a grant from the Football Foundation so that we can put money into team-building.
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Oh, a mighty god is the god of gold, His empire never decays; In every age, in every clime, The hearts of men he sways.
