Post by siriusiron on Dec 26, 2013 6:37:21 GMT
Reflecting on another year as a County fan, I wonder – again, what the future holds for our beloved club.
In the last few months of 2013, some of our concerns and fears were confirmed by the board statement of recent weeks. Not that we hadn't noticed the redundancies applied to much needed staff, in our opinion, or the lack of resources at EP that showed the evidence that the club were, and still are, cutting costs but then aren't we all?!
Evident in many places at EP, where for example, only two of the three cubicles in the Ladies, supplies toilet paper. Of yes, I have noticed! With no hot water and the hand dryer that barely disturbs the cobwebs around it, memoires flood back of the the outdoor amenities at my old Village Primary school. I do expect that this will drop to the one cubicle and that leaving just the one bulb of light next will help the club immensely to save money.
However there are other signs of cost-cutting that is more important. Last Saturday, we played on a pitch that is in desperate need of the loving and expert hands of our formal Groundsman. The grass was too long and on the flip side there are areas showing the ghost of bare-thread pitch starting to haunt us. A few of the players slipped, which we all know could cost us a game or injure a player. Liam wasn't just making the place look pretty! I also had flashbacks of the season where, our players had to add the skills of avoiding the sanding banks of Edgeley as well as relegation. I pray that this will not be a sign of things to come.
It has come about that cutting another cost, is finding other suppliers. No problem there for me but only the explanation given to the previous supplier – 'The previous manager has arranged wages that the players are not worthy of or we can afford.....Could we pay you back in instalments?' Raising the questions of : Who says yes to the manager and arranges the budget in the first place? And secondly, the statement of 'I know someone else who comes under that category and they have nothing to do with the elements of playing football at EP.' Worrying signs indeed. Let's just hope that there is not a supplier that doesn't play ball with McKnight.
So what does 2014 hold for Stockport County?
My observations are that evidence of more cost cutting will be seen and we know who is pulling the strings with those. Any wishes of change there are, unfortunately out of our hands but I feel that I have some suggestions, if you don't mind McKnight – I will proceed.
Some decisions need to be reversed and other changes are needed. Getting our Groundsman back before it creates any more problems as well as the fact that there are not many clubs have a ground and stadium as grand , steeped in history and community spirit as our EP. Appreciation shown to the core of fans, loyal and committed to our Club, who will see the reward of their faith and courage. A new Captain , an experienced, knowledgeable and wise man, studying his coaching badges that could add another dimension to the team. Our Lordy still to bring out the potential in those lads on the pitch, who I feel will progress under the brilliant banner of County and become legends in their own right. I know that in turn, this will show the positive side of Stockport County for any potential investor out there.
Oh yes – there is positivity at Edgeley Park! I have already brought my own tissues for future games. I'm doing my bit. McKnight and the board - now it is your turn.
2014 – you haven't seen nothing yet!!! Blue Army!
In the last few months of 2013, some of our concerns and fears were confirmed by the board statement of recent weeks. Not that we hadn't noticed the redundancies applied to much needed staff, in our opinion, or the lack of resources at EP that showed the evidence that the club were, and still are, cutting costs but then aren't we all?!
Evident in many places at EP, where for example, only two of the three cubicles in the Ladies, supplies toilet paper. Of yes, I have noticed! With no hot water and the hand dryer that barely disturbs the cobwebs around it, memoires flood back of the the outdoor amenities at my old Village Primary school. I do expect that this will drop to the one cubicle and that leaving just the one bulb of light next will help the club immensely to save money.
However there are other signs of cost-cutting that is more important. Last Saturday, we played on a pitch that is in desperate need of the loving and expert hands of our formal Groundsman. The grass was too long and on the flip side there are areas showing the ghost of bare-thread pitch starting to haunt us. A few of the players slipped, which we all know could cost us a game or injure a player. Liam wasn't just making the place look pretty! I also had flashbacks of the season where, our players had to add the skills of avoiding the sanding banks of Edgeley as well as relegation. I pray that this will not be a sign of things to come.
It has come about that cutting another cost, is finding other suppliers. No problem there for me but only the explanation given to the previous supplier – 'The previous manager has arranged wages that the players are not worthy of or we can afford.....Could we pay you back in instalments?' Raising the questions of : Who says yes to the manager and arranges the budget in the first place? And secondly, the statement of 'I know someone else who comes under that category and they have nothing to do with the elements of playing football at EP.' Worrying signs indeed. Let's just hope that there is not a supplier that doesn't play ball with McKnight.
So what does 2014 hold for Stockport County?
My observations are that evidence of more cost cutting will be seen and we know who is pulling the strings with those. Any wishes of change there are, unfortunately out of our hands but I feel that I have some suggestions, if you don't mind McKnight – I will proceed.
Some decisions need to be reversed and other changes are needed. Getting our Groundsman back before it creates any more problems as well as the fact that there are not many clubs have a ground and stadium as grand , steeped in history and community spirit as our EP. Appreciation shown to the core of fans, loyal and committed to our Club, who will see the reward of their faith and courage. A new Captain , an experienced, knowledgeable and wise man, studying his coaching badges that could add another dimension to the team. Our Lordy still to bring out the potential in those lads on the pitch, who I feel will progress under the brilliant banner of County and become legends in their own right. I know that in turn, this will show the positive side of Stockport County for any potential investor out there.
Oh yes – there is positivity at Edgeley Park! I have already brought my own tissues for future games. I'm doing my bit. McKnight and the board - now it is your turn.
2014 – you haven't seen nothing yet!!! Blue Army!
