Post by Epworth Hatter OLD account on Jan 7, 2014 12:19:11 GMT
I've been reading the various incarnations of County Heaven for a couple of years and can keep quiet no longer! Resistance was futile I've gone from the slient majority to join the vocal minority. 7 days to achieve a New Year's resolution isn't bad, though.
I've been following County since 1989 when my family moved to the area when I was 13. I didn't really have a club I followed (my dad isn't really into football), so I started going to County, the local team, with my younger brother. After the first visit we were both hooked - and we both still are. My bro and I have some amazing memories (5-0 West Brom pre-Cheadle stand, West Ham, Palace, Wembley twice) and some dire memories (0-0 Brighton, neither team had a shot on or off goal the whole game). But they are all cherished. A wife, two small children and living 100 miles away (in that order!) prevent me from going to more games these days, unfortunately.
My first game of the season was Gainsborough away and whilst the result was fantastic, the experience was a bit of a shock. The 'my garden shed... is bigger than this' chants were well justified!
I feel we have become like a z list celebrity. In the 1990's and 2000's everyone knew who we were. We were appearing on big(ish) stages like Bramhall Lane, Mollineux, Maine Road (and Wembley). Over the years we have gone to appearing in regional panto and finally we are down to the equivalent of opening a new Poundland in Colwyn Bay. As I walked into The Northholme I felt County should be screaming, 'What are we doing here? Don't you know who I am?' Sadly, the Gainsborough fans gave the answer - they have no idea who we are - they think we're from Chester.
It has been so sad to see County decline over the years, but we have fallen further than anyone else. Many clubs are badly managed financially, go into administration but then come out the other side. What is different about County? My opinion is that whilst we are technically out of administration, we are run as though we are still in. How would you describe a football club in adminstration?
You can probably add more. The fact is that this is a description of a club in administration, but also a pretty accurate description of how County has been run for the last few years. Now think about what impact administration has on a club:
Demoralised staff
Job security is gone (the best players leave because they can, the rubbish stay because they can't get another club)
Supporters are bewildered, angy, confused, scared, etc
Play on the field deteriorates (worse quality players and distracted by all the negativity)
Supporters voice their frustrations ever louder on match days - further adding to the negativity
A depressed feeling permeates the whole club
Most clubs have this for 6 months and then come out of administration and move forward. We've been stuck in this rut for years. We may be out of administration on paper, but the reality is we have never left it.
And it is for this reason that McKnight has to go. We will stay in this gloom-laiden malaise whilst he is in charge. Bad decisions made by a bad leader who's only concern is building his CV. (A classic example is the pitch. It will cost more to put put it right than to pay Liam to keep it right). Whoever is in charge will need to make hard, cost cutting decisions, but we need someone who has passion and a vision for the club. None of the decisions McKnight makes indicate he believes we will get back into the football league. I don't even think he cares. Either way, there is absolutely no trust in him - and that is fatal for any leader. You can tolerate a bit of incompetence and mistakes, but not a lack of trust.
I know I can't do anything to solve the problem, but at least I feel better for my (hopefully reasonable) rant.
I'm really appreciative of the match updates and the banter on CH. If we could convert quality gallows humour into cash, we'd be back in the Championship play offs in no time! I'll try and contribute as much as I can.
My wish for 2014 and beyond is that the word 'once' is finally removed from the headline, 'The once great Stockport County'.
Matt
I've been following County since 1989 when my family moved to the area when I was 13. I didn't really have a club I followed (my dad isn't really into football), so I started going to County, the local team, with my younger brother. After the first visit we were both hooked - and we both still are. My bro and I have some amazing memories (5-0 West Brom pre-Cheadle stand, West Ham, Palace, Wembley twice) and some dire memories (0-0 Brighton, neither team had a shot on or off goal the whole game). But they are all cherished. A wife, two small children and living 100 miles away (in that order!) prevent me from going to more games these days, unfortunately.
My first game of the season was Gainsborough away and whilst the result was fantastic, the experience was a bit of a shock. The 'my garden shed... is bigger than this' chants were well justified!
I feel we have become like a z list celebrity. In the 1990's and 2000's everyone knew who we were. We were appearing on big(ish) stages like Bramhall Lane, Mollineux, Maine Road (and Wembley). Over the years we have gone to appearing in regional panto and finally we are down to the equivalent of opening a new Poundland in Colwyn Bay. As I walked into The Northholme I felt County should be screaming, 'What are we doing here? Don't you know who I am?' Sadly, the Gainsborough fans gave the answer - they have no idea who we are - they think we're from Chester.
It has been so sad to see County decline over the years, but we have fallen further than anyone else. Many clubs are badly managed financially, go into administration but then come out the other side. What is different about County? My opinion is that whilst we are technically out of administration, we are run as though we are still in. How would you describe a football club in adminstration?
Finanially crippled
Run by a souless suit of an administrator
Those running the club are solely concerned with cost cutting
Every decision taken is made without emotion or care for the club - just the assets
Only short term decisions are made (consequently a larger number of bad decisions are made)
There is no medium or long term plan / vision / strategy - it's all about the here and now
The opinion of staff and fans count for nothing and are trampled on
You can probably add more. The fact is that this is a description of a club in administration, but also a pretty accurate description of how County has been run for the last few years. Now think about what impact administration has on a club:
Demoralised staff
Job security is gone (the best players leave because they can, the rubbish stay because they can't get another club)
Supporters are bewildered, angy, confused, scared, etc
Play on the field deteriorates (worse quality players and distracted by all the negativity)
Supporters voice their frustrations ever louder on match days - further adding to the negativity
A depressed feeling permeates the whole club
Most clubs have this for 6 months and then come out of administration and move forward. We've been stuck in this rut for years. We may be out of administration on paper, but the reality is we have never left it.
And it is for this reason that McKnight has to go. We will stay in this gloom-laiden malaise whilst he is in charge. Bad decisions made by a bad leader who's only concern is building his CV. (A classic example is the pitch. It will cost more to put put it right than to pay Liam to keep it right). Whoever is in charge will need to make hard, cost cutting decisions, but we need someone who has passion and a vision for the club. None of the decisions McKnight makes indicate he believes we will get back into the football league. I don't even think he cares. Either way, there is absolutely no trust in him - and that is fatal for any leader. You can tolerate a bit of incompetence and mistakes, but not a lack of trust.
I know I can't do anything to solve the problem, but at least I feel better for my (hopefully reasonable) rant.
I'm really appreciative of the match updates and the banter on CH. If we could convert quality gallows humour into cash, we'd be back in the Championship play offs in no time! I'll try and contribute as much as I can.
My wish for 2014 and beyond is that the word 'once' is finally removed from the headline, 'The once great Stockport County'.
Matt