56 replies to this topic

[Chris Clapham]

I have heard that Bookham are resigning from the league at the end of the season, leaving Meadowbank and returning to Chrystie Rec.
Anyone else know anything about this?

[Non League Nigel]

I have heard they pay an awful lot to play there

[bomaya]

So the league could be down to 17 unless Epsom Athletic do join.

[E&E Ed]

In fairness CC we heard exactly the same at the start of last year but it didn't happen.

I'll be honest, it does seem odd that a team want to give all or much of their income to another club in the form of ground sharing costs, as it is clearly an unsustainable position after a few years at least. We'd kill to avoid having ground sharing costs eating into our income, but have no choice currently.

Whatever happens, we have a lot of former Bookham players in their ranks and we wish them well at Epsom.

[Young Veteran]

bomaya, on 30 January 2012 - 12:29 PM, said:

So the league could be down to 17 unless Epsom Athletic do join.

At this rate step 6 could be restructured before step 5.

[NICE GUY]

Non League Nigel, on 29 January 2012 - 05:50 PM, said:

I have heard they pay an awful lot to play there

Yeah Im sure Dorking will miss the financial gain of @ £10k + but I am sure if Dorking still wish to groundshare they will get plenty of applicants but for how much tho in this current financial climate ?  Did I read on one old thread that Dorking will be starting up their reserves again next season ?  

Would Dorking Wanderers want to groundshare ?

Any Comments BJR, TRS ?

[whitelaw]

The information has gone to Clubs via their Secretaries as part of the minutes from the last Management Meeting, so can confirm that Bookham have provisionally resigned from the League.  They have done so before the deadline date for doing so, in order to avoid any fine.  They have asked and have been given approval to withdraw their resignation if they feel able to change their mind.

We have received applications for next season from Epsom Athletic FC, Old Farnboronians FC and Southall FC.  It is always possible of course that there may also be transfers in of clubs from other leagues but that would be a matter for the FA, as would the entry of any phoenix club arising from the demise of Croydon Athletic.

Edited by whitelaw, 30 January 2012 - 10:51 PM.

[Young Veteran]

I hope Bookham do stay in the CCL. I think it is sad to see any club have to drop down. Unfortunately with the restructuring proposed along with the ground grading deadline drawing closer I can see other clubs having to drop down. The ground grading rules being imposed at the end of 2013 season will obviously help the restructuring as it is more than likely to go ahead and makes you wonder if it is all part of a master plan from the outset.

[Krooner]

Southall !!!

Deja Vu.

[Non League Nigel]

Where do you need to finish to come into the league? Is it top 2 or 3?

Epsom are currentley top 5 points clear
Farnboro are mid table but are closer to the bottom 3 then they are the top 3
Southall are 4th with a few games in hand

[Krooner]

Do you need to finish somewhere or can you not apply to join the league straight out ?

[powelly]

Bookham pay £10k to play at Meadowbank and Epsom Athletic pay the same to play at C&H. Personally I don't get it - more cases of clubs living beyond their means. I know Bookham looked at playing at Cobham instead as it's cheaper, but they already have Mole Valley there so that is a non-starter surely.

Epsom Athletic have some good players and with adding a few I could see them doing Ok in CCL 1 - I said at the start of the season that Spelthorne would do well and they haven't let me down so far!

Old Farnboronians would need a lot of new players in order to compete regularly at step 6, although they have some talent and are a young side. Their problem is they play at Cody which is a dreadful surface. It already gets used a lot and promotion means more games.

[HTFCSUPPORTER]

powelly, on 31 January 2012 - 11:19 AM, said:

Bookham pay £10k to play at Meadowbank and Epsom Athletic pay the same to play at C&H. Personally I don't get it - more cases of clubs living beyond their means. I know Bookham looked at playing at Cobham instead as it's cheaper, but they already have Mole Valley there so that is a non-starter surely.

Epsom Athletic have some good players and with adding a few I could see them doing Ok in CCL 1 - I said at the start of the season that Spelthorne would do well and they haven't let me down so far!

Old Farnboronians would need a lot of new players in order to compete regularly at step 6, although they have some talent and are a young side. Their problem is they play at Cody which is a dreadful surface. It already gets used a lot and promotion means more games.

What does the 10k give them?

Does it include training as well?

[Big J R]

I can catagorically state that the ground-share fee for Bookham is NOT £10k.

I don't know where you guys get your info from, but I'd check the validity of your 'secret-squirrels' !!

[Non League Nigel]

I heard it was more !

[Big J R]

It's not for me to comment, but Bookham FC have had 'in-house' problems, which I discussed at length with their 'main-man' last Saturday.

Whichever way they choose to go, I wish them well.

I have made many footy friends from Bookham over the last 3 seasons or so.

Incidentally, I could quote the correct figure being discussed, but it's not my place to do so, and it's certainly no business of casual posters on this site !

END OF.........

Edited by Big J R, 31 January 2012 - 05:41 PM.

[Wattsy]

We pay Bedfont A LOT more than 10k to ground share, so I'd imagine that figure (first stated by NG) would be incorrect!!

[bomaya]

Not sure why these amounts are always so secret. It surely only benefits landlords who charge  more than others or tenants who pay less than average.

Edited by bomaya, 31 January 2012 - 10:47 PM.

[Young Veteran]

Hayes Gate made no secret of the £8500 they were paying for the use of Hanwell last season. How true it is though

[Non League Nigel]

Am i right in thinking thats where Southall now play?