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Post by jdl on Jul 18, 2022 21:53:39 GMT
That could be money well spent if it elevates them above the rest. I realize Dartford have had some success in the NL in the past, but with their level of support being smaller than Maidstone's, doesn't promotion just create a bigger strain, financially speaking? Dartford have had just six seasons in the NL/Conference: 81/82 - finished 21st (relegated) 84/85 - finished 3rd (no automatic promotion, no play-offs) 85/86 - finished 21st (relegated) 12/13 - finished 8th 13/14 - finished 22nd (saved from relegation by Salisbury going bust) 14/15 - finished 22nd (relegated)
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Post by Bernie on Jul 18, 2022 22:32:29 GMT
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Post by holysmokes66 on Jul 19, 2022 7:33:35 GMT
you could argue they tried to do that last season, ended up going through 50 players and only came third. Surely they're looking at us down the road with our league winning squad, great team spirit and full stadium and wondering how they can achieve the same thing. That’ll be the blueprint but when someone of his talent is available and affordable, it’s a no brainer Oh definitely, I meant more broadly: they've swung the bat a few times trying to get promotion, spending big and it's not worked. Splashing on a handful of talented players is fine, but when you're getting through 50 players in a season, somethings wrong (as we found out in the National last time round).
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Post by jdl on Jul 19, 2022 12:29:12 GMT
That’ll be the blueprint but when someone of his talent is available and affordable, it’s a no brainer Oh definitely, I meant more broadly: they've swung the bat a few times trying to get promotion, spending big and it's not worked. Splashing on a handful of talented players is fine, but when you're getting through 50 players in a season, somethings wrong (as we found out in the National last time round). They tinkered too much. An excellent first half to the season, then us, Dorking and Fleet got into our strides and Dartford started to worry. Instead of just adjusting, they started making wholesale changes. And, as we all know (!), that usually doesn't work. But I suspect Dartford ultimately have the same problem as Fleet - whatever short-term success they might buy, they don't have the long-term ability to grow their attendance to finance staying at that level (ditto Dover). We are lucky to be where we are - far enough from London to not have the 'big clubs’ effect (potential fans already committed to other clubs), but with a large enough population to generate decent gates - plus a physical 'identity' (ie we are an obvious geographical place, with clear borders, not just part of an urban sprawl). Compared to Medway (and Dover), we also have a relatively wealthy population. And, of course, we have a brilliant ground that's easy to get to and wonderful to visit! There's also the 'Gillingham effect'. As mentioned by another poster, there are a large number of casual fans who will gravitate to whichever club is doing well at the time - which effectively extends our catchments area over the hill into Medway. Trying not to get too far ahead of myself here, but if you look at the long-term prospects of the two clubs, we are clearly on an upward trajectory, with quite a bit of yet untapped growth, whereas Gillingham are looking tired and unlikely to face anything more than gradual decline.
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Post by sword65 on Jul 19, 2022 13:31:39 GMT
Oh definitely, I meant more broadly: they've swung the bat a few times trying to get promotion, spending big and it's not worked. Splashing on a handful of talented players is fine, but when you're getting through 50 players in a season, somethings wrong (as we found out in the National last time round). They tinkered too much. An excellent first half to the season, then us, Dorking and Fleet got into our strides and Dartford started to worry. Instead of just adjusting, they started making wholesale changes. And, as we all know (!), that usually doesn't work. But I suspect Dartford ultimately have the same problem as Fleet - whatever short-term success they might buy, they don't have the long-term ability to grow their attendance to finance staying at that level (ditto Dover). We are lucky to be where we are - far enough from London to not have the 'big clubs’ effect (potential fans already committed to other clubs), but with a large enough population to generate decent gates - plus a physical 'identity' (ie we are an obvious geographical place, with clear borders, not just part of an urban sprawl). Compared to Medway (and Dover), we also have a relatively wealthy population. And, of course, we have a brilliant ground that's easy to get to and wonderful to visit! There's also the 'Gillingham effect'. As mentioned by another poster, there are a large number of casual fans who will gravitate to whichever club is doing well at the time - which effectively extends our catchments area over the hill into Medway. Trying not to get too far ahead of myself here, but if you look at the long-term prospects of the two clubs, we are clearly on an upward trajectory, with quite a bit of yet untapped growth, whereas Gillingham are looking tired and unlikely to face anything more than gradual decline. I also saw a video of their bottle throwing fans taking a kicking in a preseason friendly,that'll teach them.
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Post by Bernie on Jul 25, 2022 19:32:53 GMT
Just noticed how strong the Kent clubs are in the NLS this season.
Dartford seem to be spending money again.
Dover must fancy their chances for a quick return.
Ebbsfl££t would do better if they toughened up a bit.
Tonbridge have a new pitch and the second best non league manager.
Welling have new owners and have made some good signings.
You would have to predict at least one of those coming up. But which one?
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Post by 61666 on Aug 2, 2022 7:32:49 GMT
Looking at the first day fixtures, I see that by being promoted, we are missing out on playing newcomers Cheshunt, Taunton, Farnborough, Worthing, Weymouth and, of course, Dover. Not sure what any of them would bring to the party, other than nothing much in gate receipts, but good luck to (most) of them anyway.
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Post by holysmokes66 on Aug 2, 2022 8:20:16 GMT
Looking at the first day fixtures, I see that by being promoted, we are missing out on playing newcomers Cheshunt, Taunton, Farnborough, Worthing, Weymouth and, of course, Dover. Not sure what any of them would bring to the party, other than nothing much in gate receipts, but good luck to (most) of them anyway. Worthing seem to have a decent following - over 1200 on average there towards the end of the season, and they seem to have a core group of noisy fans who go home and away. According to Google, the town has a population of 100k+ and they seem to have money coming in so definitely space to grow. Could be a dark horse over the next couple of seasons for promotion if they find their feet and the support sticks.
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Post by jdl on Aug 2, 2022 9:05:20 GMT
Just noticed how strong the Kent clubs are in the NLS this season. Dartford seem to be spending money again. Dover must fancy their chances for a quick return. Ebbsfl££t would do better if they toughened up a bit. Tonbridge have a new pitch and the second best non league manager. Welling have new owners and have made some good signings. You would have to predict at least one of those coming up. But which one? I'd love it to be Jay, but probably too soon (although he - apparently - has money to spend). I can't see Dover recovering quickly enough from recent seasons, or having the money - the way things are. Welling, I just can't take seriously. So that leaves the usual suspects. Dartford, rather than Fleet, I suppose. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if it was a 'Dorking' season and none of them made it. Maybe it's (finally) H&W's season? Or even Eastbourne? If I were a betting man, I'd splash a few of Sword's millions on those two.
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Post by holysmokes66 on Aug 2, 2022 9:25:46 GMT
Just noticed how strong the Kent clubs are in the NLS this season. Dartford seem to be spending money again. Dover must fancy their chances for a quick return. Ebbsfl££t would do better if they toughened up a bit. Tonbridge have a new pitch and the second best non league manager. Welling have new owners and have made some good signings. You would have to predict at least one of those coming up. But which one? I'd love it to be Jay, but probably too soon (although he - apparently - has money to spend). I can't see Dover recovering quickly enough from recent seasons, or having the money - the way things are. Welling, I just can't take seriously. So that leaves the usual suspects. Dartford, rather than Fleet, I suppose. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if it was a 'Dorking' season and none of them made it. Maybe it's (finally) H&W's season? Or even Eastbourne? If I were a betting man, I'd splash a few of Sword's millions on those two. Based on absolutely nothing but a feeling, I think either one of Ebbsfleet or Dartford are going to win it at a canter. Money would be on Dartford if I had to pick one of the two.
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Post by shamstone on Aug 2, 2022 10:30:20 GMT
Taunton would be a nice day out
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Post by Bernie on Aug 7, 2022 11:47:52 GMT
NLS Kent clubs undefeated with a good away win for Tonbridge at Weymouth. So glad not to be competing against them this season.
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Post by Bernie on Aug 10, 2022 10:54:02 GMT
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Post by jdl on Aug 10, 2022 14:57:28 GMT
Very little surprises me about Dover, but this is an odd piece. I read all the way through (it's a bit rambling) but still don't know what actually happened!
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Post by holysmokes66 on Aug 10, 2022 15:29:33 GMT
I saw a Worthing fan Instagram account were talking about this the other day. I watched the highlights - Worthing could have been 3 up by half time and then missed a penalty. I think they could push for play offs.
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