Well lads - my apologies. I'm obviously getting brainwashed by seeing Sevenoaks Town mentioned so often !!
I was actually thinking of Crockenhill, but obviously I am out of date anyway if our games are played at Thamesmead.
Nevertheless, many of my points are still valid, whether at Sevenoaks or Thamesmead.
Thanks for the info Khuda Hafiz. I wasn't expecting large crowds to watch reserve matches in the current situation. Nevertheless, you've answered the point I was trying to make. The reserves have had average gates of 40 and up to 75 when playing at Cray, only 20 at Crockenhill and you reckon 30-40 now. Given the circumstances that ain't bad. You have Kent League Premier sides, first team games, not doing any or too much better than that, looking at the Kent League website. (Erith Town 40s, Slade Green 50s, Lordswood 50s, VCD30s-60s, and Thamesmead had a crowd of 24 this season)
That is exactly my point. When we do come back to the borough, and asuming our reserve games are to be played at PP (is there any confirmation of that?), I believe there is the potential to have increased crowds to reserve games.
Even some of the first team posters are at a loose end, saying what shall we do, if there is ever a Saturday when the first team don't have a game. I'm sure they would venture to the reserve games rather than take a peep at E&B or Welling etc. And with the benefit of our own social club as well, that would be an added attraction to getting the extra fans to watch reserve games.
I am sure TrevorB would confirm my thoughts that in the days of the Metropolitan League games, some of the reserve team players were as big a characters in the club as first team players, and it was as much a pleasure to see them play as the first team. Thats why some of the players of yesteryear are still fondly remembered to this day.
You are saying almost as much yourself even in recent times, in that you were happy watching reserve team football when Marriner, Usherwood, Crawley, Spriggs etc were performing in a decent reserve side. So really, we are not too far apart, even given a generation gap
I am not in any way suggesting we will get back to the heady Metropolitan League days, but there is still an opportunity to improve from where we are now. Even at reserve level, bigger gates equals more funding, more atmosphere for the players, more recognition, better club spirit and togetherness and hopefully moving up to a better standard of football to keep pace with the first team progress so that players can grasp the opportunities to progress to the first team when the time comes.
Believe me, from personal experience as a club secretary and occasional team manager, it can at times be a very trying experience to run a club with 2 or 3 teams (in my case) of adults, and trying to overcome some of the inevitable problems that arise through issues of team selection. But my experience says also that the efforts are all worthwhile, especially when everything starts coming together, and I think the Darts are coming to that stage now big time.
And I'm also aware and appreciate the time and voluntary efforts that a large number of people put in at all levels to make things tick. You are one of that number Khuda when you talk about the behind the scene things such as collecting gate money (or trying) and the reserve team program for a crowd of 40. So I say well done to all those involved - and keep it up!
Hopefully, your interest in the club and reserves are now getting back on course, given your previous posting
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Topic: Deal Town Home fixture! 14-01-06 (Read 7462 times)