Blogs

It's easy to be wise after the event, but did Margate miss a trick that would have got their Ground built (and possibly subsidised)?

Over the past few years Margate - the town - has been actively seeking publicity in an attempt to turn around it's fortunes.  We've had 'The Apprentice' publicly showing the towns inadequacies in order that the Apprentice's candidates can give their (inadequate) solutions to SurrAlan - as he was then.

We've also had Mary Portas highlight that the town has the most unoccupied High Street in the South East for her study of how to regenerate the Nations High Streets.  
Last year HM the Queen has visited our saving grace, the Turner Centre - which is the same venue that BBC South East Today used to mark the finishing line of their  Presenter's Triathalon effort for Sports Relief.

So what has this to do with the football ground?  Well it's all to do with a big International event this summer - the Olympics.  I was unaware that there was an official Olympic Hotel Partner (it's Holiday Inn Express - a budget chain of hotels similar to Travelodge - nearest venue Minster).  

Now if we could have persuaded a small Nation - say Sierre Leone (with whom we have tenuous International connections) to compete in the Olympic football using Margate as a base, would TDC have refused planning permission to build a secure stadium, an Olympic Hotel and an all-weather training pitch?

I know there's a lot of if's and but's  - but it makes you think - doesn't it?

A documentary telling the story of Hyde FC, previously known as Hyde United as they push for promotion into the Blue Square Conference Premier.

Features game highlights and interviews with key members of the staff including the Chief Executive and Manager.



This match was a Football v Homophobia event and we had interviews with people from 'Just a Ball Game,' 'The Justin Campaign' and the FA

The Corporation of Trinity House
The official General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales and other British territorial waters (with the exception of Scotland, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland). It is responsible for the provision and maintenance of navigational aids such as Lighthouses, Light Vessels, Buoys and maritime radio/satellite communication systems.

Hello,

My first blog of the season covers my trip to Waltham Abbey to see their FA Trophy match with Grays Athletic. Not exactly the most picturesque of venues, but then I guess this was all about the football and not the scenery!!

On paper, Grays should have been the clear favourites, but Waltham Abbey came out of the traps like greyhounds and deservedly took the lead. The defense and particularly the goalkeeper of Grays looked very shaky and I feared the worst for them as WA continued to push forward and did look a different class.

However, it did not take too long for Grays to settle down, and although the half-time score was 1-0, I thought that Grays would have the better of the second half, and so it turned out. Not sure what the coach said at half time, but Grays were a different team on the restart. In fact I am not sure if WA came close to troubling the Grays keeper.

Grays really went at Waltham Abbey and scored a lovely goal with Junior Baker heading in a well flighted cross. Unfortunately a Waltham Abbey centre back had his nose broken in the same incident by his own goalkeeper. It didn't help matters that later in the game, the goalkeeper was then knocked out by his own captain, things you would think were not meant to turn out well. Nonetheless, Waltham Abbey held on for a lucky, yet hard fought draw and it is all to play for back at Grays ground on Wednesday.

I wish Waltham Abbey well, but feel that their chance may have gone with their home leg and Grays should be too strong for them on the return. However, I know that Waltham Abbey wont go down without a fight.

For pictures from the match, please see my website, www.kensparksphotography.co.uk where there are a few images to remember the match by. I hope you enjoy them.

Till next time, take care.

Ken

More photographs to take a look at in the latest "Massey's Mutterings"

It has been revieled that Gary Mills has a keen interest in Ben Purkiss returning to the club... He stated "I have always had an eye on Ben even before I was at York." Anyones thoughts on this?

He is also unsure about the futures of Barrett, Carruthers, Constantine, Darville, Knight, Mackin, McDermott, Till and Young, who are all out of contract.

Brodie who is now with Fleetwood, wanted to retur to York but was turned down instantly, does this suggest that Brodie did not want to leave in the first place?

I think everyone knows that Rankine has joined Aldershot and I must give my best for him in League 2.

It was five on the bounce for Canvey Island tonight as they ran out 3 – 2 winners against Croydon Athletic. Croydon gave the Gulls a tough game though and the speed and skills of Shabazz Baidoo and Tom Bolarinwa constantly kept Canvey’s rearguard on their toes.
Canvey started the game comfortably in control however and went ahead when Matt Game chased down a fifty-fifty ball that rebounded off of him and fell behind the Croydon backline. Game reached the ball on the edge of the penalty area, moving inside and dragging it back into the path of Danny Heale who hit the ball first time from ten yards under Charlie Mitten and into the back of the net.
Bolarinwa first showed his talent on 13 minutes and he made a run down Croydon’s right hand side, his pace broke through the backline, and just as he was to let fly his shot, Frankie Everett came steaming across the penalty box to get a block in and deflect the ball out for a corner.
Charlie Mitten held well from Chris Moore’s header after he connected with Alex Rhodes’ corner on 14 minutes before Canvey doubled their lead on 21 minutes.
A deep free-kick from Canvey’s right floated in towards the far-post. John Easterford brought the ball under control before crossing it across the face of goal to Rob King, standing on the edge of the six yard box. King hit a low shot that Mitten got down well to claim, but the former Ebbsfleet United custodian palmed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Kieran McCann had a long range effort tipped around the post by James Russell on twenty five minutes and four minutes later the Rams were forced into an early substitution when Kevin Sefaah replaced Jon Cartledge with the latter immediately placing an ice-pack around the back of his thigh upon reaching the dugout.
Some great link-up play down Canvey’s right between Frank Everett and Robbie King resulted in Canvey increasing their lead even further on 34 minutes. Much like Canvey’s first goal, Everett dragged the ball back to King who was unmarked in the centre of the penalty area and again hit a low effort into the far corner.
Croydon immediately replied though when they capitalised on a lapse in concentration and miscommunication. From the restart the ball was worked back to Mitten who sent a long ball, route one. Shabazz Baidoo got behind Canvey’s back-line and latched onto the ball before rounding a static James Russell and placing the ball in the net from four yards.

   H/T: Canvey Island 3 - 1 Croydon Athletic

  The tempo for the second half was slower and Croydon having scored the one goal already played a slow counter-attacking game utilising the pace of their forwards whenever possible.
Colin Hartburn went on a mazy run on 49 minutes, working his way through both Canvey’s midfield and defence, but his final touch let him down as he placed his shot well wide of Russell’s goal.
Croydon were handed a way back into the game on 53 minutes when Kevin Dobinson conceded a penalty. Hartburn delivered a deep free-kick into the penalty area where Dobinson was judged to have unfairly climbed over Kevin Sefaah. Sefaah was booked for retaliating against Dobinson before Danny Elgar stepped up and placed the ball to Russell’s left. Russell did get a hand to the ball but not enough to divert its direction as it sat in the bottom corner.
Canvey created several chances to increase their lead and put Croydon out of sight but they were let down by the final shot at goal. The first came on 57 minutes when Jay Curran broke free of Croydon’s backline and worked his way into the box; however Curran’s shot was narrowly the wrong side of the post.
A minute later and Curran repeated his run, this time though his shot was blocked by the defender. The ball returned to his feet and from only a yard or two off the goal-line he hooked his effort wide.
Leon Gordon was introduced on the hour with Kevin Dobinson making way before Curran again had the chance to get on the score sheet.
Alex Rhodes broke down Canvey’s left on 67 minutes and delivered a trademark cross to the far post. Curran rushing in hit a first time volley but sent the ball narrowly over the crossbar.
Charlie Mitten denied Curran yet again with fifteen minutes left as he blocked Curran’s low effort with his foot after Curran again got round behind Croydon’s backline.
Croydon replaced Danny Elgar with Lasse Weber on 77 minutes before another Alex Rhodes’ cross on 84 minutes was missed by everyone in front of goal and narrowly avoided Leon Gordon before bouncing out for a goal-kick.
Michael Alaile was introduced into Canvey’s backline for the final three minutes of the match, replacing Danny Heale. Alaile looked solid and did his job well in the brief time he was on the pitch making a crucial interception to clear Canvey’s lines.
Late in stoppage time Chris Moore was booked after an altercation that was spotted by the Assistant Referee on the far side when defending a free-kick. The free-kick resulted in little though and with the ball cleared up field the Referee brought an end to proceedings.

  F/T: Canvey Island 3 - 2 Croydon Athletic

1. Know Your Worth

This is one of the first questions you as a club must honestly ask itself. What are you worth to a sponsor, what are they going to get out of an association with your club? Don’t forget every sponsor has a different perception of the value of sponsorship and each will be looking for various results for their investment. Once you know your worth you can target your market.

2. Know Your Target

Which sort of sponsor’s best fit with your worthiness? Should it be local SME’s, national corporations or “in house” members. Now you know what your worth you can decide who and how to approach the people who fit in your target audience.

3. Big is not always Best

Think small chunk sized pieces, think about a large quantity of small investors and don’t ask for too much from each one. We call it “Affordable Advertising that gets Results” most clubs seek to secure one or two large sponsorship deals to see them through the season. Unfortunately in the current climate this is difficult and potential sponsors will react more positively to affordable solutions.

4. Effective Communication

One of the biggest complaints we hear from sponsors is that no one talks to them. They don’t know what’s going on and have no real relationship with the club or the membership. As a club you need to be open and accessible to the sponsor. At SponsorPACK we do that by newsletters, email, face to face meetings and prompt replies to queries and questions.

5. Quality Product

It is essential that whatever product you agree to provide your sponsor with it is of the highest quality, all the time. If it’s a pitch side board then the design must be a clear representation of the sponsor’s message. If it gets damaged it need to be replaced. If they are paying out for shirt logo then they need to be clean and legible.

This site is about my travels, trials and tribulations... and it is also as advert for my books ;)

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Should be an intersting one tonight. Could go either way.
I have decided to go into each game as a posibilty that someone will eventually beat us as into not be so shocked when it happens.
Gosport are a funny bunch they ahve a good squad but seem to be very hit and miss but they are pushing for a promotion place so could be a toughie.

More scarves on sale tonight. 20 left and no more being ordered for a while.
Hats maybe on the way but I am not promising anything.

In the close season we are planning to maybe get hoodies, Mugs and umbrella's so watch this space.

H.

A load of new stuff's appeared here for me to play with!  That "Add Custom Block" button looks like it may be good fun.  All those luverly languages to play with!  PHP, SQL, HTML & XML; you could waste your life away on here.