The coming weeks are important for the Club and Society, both on and off the field. The final two games are critical, and decisions the Society is making will have a major effect on the future shape of the Society and its involvement with Ebbsfleet United.
One of the biggest sources of income at this point in the year is season tickets sales. Early sales will help us to maintain the players that Liam wants for next season, wherever that may be. The prices of these have been frozen again, so if you are at the Gateshead game, you can get one from the office, otherwise just give them a ring, prices and cojntact details are here. Amidst some tought times, some positive news: thanks to hard work by the club staff, Stonebridge Road has been given Grade A ground status for next season from the Football Association.
Society News
Tough Choices
MyFootballClub.co.uk has been around since August 2007 and certainly has been a roller coaster ride of emotions and events since its inception. From the announcement of the deal to purchase the 75% stake in Ebbsfleet United, the takeover day, choosing the Nike and Vandanel kits designs, to the votes on offers for Akinde, Gash and Charles. And of course the FA Trophy victory at Wembley, a day never to be forgotten by anybody who went.
So much time and money have been invested in this venture, it certainly hasn't been boring. But we have to face up to the realities of the current situation, the difficulties in implementing our model with a reduced membership.
To provide clarity to the Society Board and the Club, the members are currently being polled on how they see the future with Ebbsfleet: whether we stick to our model with a £140k+ annual contribution, or find ways to add revenue, possibly by reducing our shareholding. This is only a poll at present, and will help the Society and Club board to plan for the future. Members can vote here.
Groups
Many members have become very close to the club and its fortunes, and a good or bad result can effect your day even if you're thousands of miles from the game. After the UK, the biggest nationality represented on MyFC is the US, and members from there (and Canada!) form the biggest user group, chatting, and arranging meetups here in MyFC's groups section. The Groups function is one of the lesser known elements of the MyFC site, but is a great way to get together with other members and chat about a specific subject, even non-footballing interests!
On a tangent to this, the MyFC Facebook group numbers continues to grow daily, now past the 540 level. A good effort by all concerned.
The MyFC website has an update from Club Secretary Peter Danzey who is arranging pre-season friendlies (this will appear here in the next couple of days but you can read last week's here).
Matches
The final home game of the season on April 17th, against fellow relegation candidates Gateshead, will be vital and no doubt be a nervy occasion for all. There's also a 24 hours fundraising darts marathon overnight before the game. Should be a good night on Friday evening for all concerned. Season-ticket holders can bring a friend for free.
On the pitch last weekend, The Fleet went down 2-0 at Rushden and Diamonds with keeper Lance Cronin saving a penalty kick, his second in 2
games.
At the recent game at home to Eastbourne Borough, David Bauckham took a series of photographs which gives a good feel of the Stonebridge Road Ground. It is an old ground that we have, but its full of character. Always good to see how other see us. Superb pictures in my opinion. You can see them here on Flickr.
Hopefully by this time next week, we can look back at 3 points from the Gateshead game and we travel to the last match of the season the following weekend at Tamworth with something still to play for.
Until next time.
Keith Handley.
