If we are struggling financially (and please don't turn this into another Hobbins bashing thread) surely we should be approaching pro clubs for a friendly. In the Conference and early Dr Martens days we used to get the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs down to PVR. Just one game would bring in twice what we have lost by not reaching the 1st round proper of the FA Cup not to mention the boost to the Club's profile.
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
I dont think that we are that broke but I think the problem with some of the clubs is having the link. I know with Arsenal it was the late George Armstong and we didnt get a follow up. When people move on I think we loose the link, I'm pretty sure it was Chris Houghton at Spurs but he got moved up and we lost again. Poor continuity on our behalf I guess.
With fixtures thick and fast in Premiership and our league I dont know how many stars we would get but it certainly is worth a shot
We had the one specifically to get a game in for Tony Adams to get some match fitness a few years ago which despite its late arrangement and lack of publicity drew a few.
The sides don't have to send their 1st team squad and in fact the usual was a couple of known players and ressies/youth (I think Daisy first graced PVR as a youth in an Arsenal friendly). There are plenty of pro club supporters who have an active interest in the youth and ressies and supporters would turn up to see the odd name player anyway.
I accept that we may no longer have links with the big clubs but the brothers do have links to ex Conference managers who moved into the pro game, including Barry Fry, and they have their contacts. We shouldn't forget the Charlton link which despite all the early publicity doesn't seem to have produced much but they would be in a position to put a word in.
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
We need friendlies with Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal X1s plus first team game v Charlton plus surely Reading would send a squad??
Ditch Herne Bay theyve had their keds "payment" now.
Away at Erith Town and say Sittingbourne/Maidstone will be fine plus Home to Grays and a few league teams.
Better off financially and playing wise and people will turn up to see 2 or 3 first teamers plus ressies . Also you may get a strong team down, Weve had very strong Chelsea teams in the past.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
How about a welling funday, One saturday early season (first or second game).
Wings squad vs legends and celebs. A youth game too??. Meet the players for autographs/photos. Get the Commercial Dept set up inside the gate etc. Tthis can be advertised in the press, the website. target schools etc. £7 quid a pop? Would be disappointed if the club never made 25k minimum from the day? Plus the add ons of shop/food/drink? Get plenty of Replica kits in early including the young uns.
I could probably get Danny Dyer (he would put 200-300 on gate easy! and maybe a lot more if he had a film out AND Straightheads with gillian Anderson comes out in April Next year!!) and a few other big name celebs for the game. Plus the legends should be easy to get for games like this. Graham and barrie have pulled them in before.
Maybe the WSU could get their heads down sorting this??
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
Legends Evening Following the success of last years event the WSU are holding another Legends Evening on Friday 17 November, 7.30pm at Park View Road. Featuring a number of former Wings players, here is your chance to ask the Legends your questions!
The Legends include Ray Burgess, Paul Copley, Nigel Ransom, Tony Reynolds and Terry Robbins.
Ticket price is £8 per person, which includes a hot supper and a stand-up bingo ticket.
To book your tickets contact the WSU on 07798 605939, via e-mail at wsu@wsu.org.uk or at the WSU desk on match days.
-- Edited by JgFc at 18:39, 2006-11-01
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "