Football is a funny old game, and it seems to be getting funnier by the week. We want to win every game we play of course, but there are certain games we <i>really</i> want to win. Local derbies are the obvious candidates, but Forest Green, North Ferriby, AFC Fylde and certain others also fall into this category for a growing number of football fans. It isn't about the clubs inherently, or their players, or their supporters. The reason for the negativity lies in the blatant unsustainability of these small-town clubs due to ludicrous injections of cash designed to buy a place in the Football League. Why? What is that supposed to achieve? The moment the money disappears (which it will), the brown stuff hits the air-conditioning and the club vanishes whence it came in double-quick time. The fair-weather fans who jumped on the bandwagon during the bankrolled days all disappear and the club reverts to its hardcore support of 172. What was the point of that? Why not put all that money into a club that has a chance of standing alone instead? At least, that's the theory.
This month Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald effectively wrote off personal loans to the club amounting to £4.85 million through a new share issue. Just think about that for a few moments. £4.85 million is more than Lincoln's total budget since relegation from the Football League. Way, way more, and in roughly the same period (Donald's company Bridle Insurance arrived at Silverlake in December 2011). What on earth have they spent it on? That question was asked of the three Eastleigh fans who answered our 'Who Are Ya' feature, and none of them seemed to have a specific answer. Funny, that. No one has asked because no one gives two hoots what they have spent it on.
Some will claim Lincoln are no better following the advent of Clive Nates to the club's board. But the situation is completely different, as are the amounts of unrecoverable money being spent. The continued rise and subsidy of these unsustainable clubs comes at the expense of genuine football clubs with viable fan bases, and Lincoln is one of those. So is Wrexham. So are Tranmere Rovers, York City and even poor old Stockport County. All of them are capable of being self-funded because they all come from good centres of population holding traditional relationships with their football clubs. Will the Football League be looking forward to welcoming mighty Forest Green and their huge travelling support? I suspect not. But the fact remains that they are perfectly entitled to do it regardless of how ridiculously unviable they may be. Economics? Never heard of it, squire.
On that basis, does anyone fancy taking Sleaford Town to the Football League? After all, it does have three times the population of Nailsworth.
Sadly we were not able to beat Southampton Airport Yellow Car Park FC this time around, but did anyone stand out in our second 0-0 home draw in a row?
First place goes to <b>LEE BEEVERS</b>, who has made the right-back slot his own since his omission from the side in September. Steve Thompson called him an unsung hero, and this first top spot of the season is just reward for the experienced defender.
"Most improved player (from last season) with Waterfall." (redimpsfan100)
"Very competent performance in all areas you would expect of a full back." (APHLCFC)
"Rock solid and my MOM." (NottyImp)
Second place goes to <b>SEAN RAGGETT</b>, whose transfer fee was decided by tribunal this week. Danny Cowley says he represents great value for money for City, and it seems our members agree.
"Almost faultless and won his aerial duels." (RussC)
"My MOM, won just about everything on a testing afternoon." (Big Jack McGinley)
"Snuffed out Eastleigh's strikers." (redimpsfan100)
Third place goes to <b>BRADLEY WOOD</b> following a welcome return to his tenacious best. With Beevers nailing down the right-back position, could Wood be in danger of losing his place in the side following the arrival of Elliott Whitehouse?
"Best performance in a while from him, won the ball well and used it wisely. Perhaps Whitehouse signing has given him a kick up the backside." (APHLCFC)
"Worked really hard, never stopped running." (Jaggy Imp)
"That midfield was a hell of a scrap at times, especially with Eastleigh having 3v2 in there." (Luke Imp)
The average team score of 6.64 is the highest since the win at Wrexham. Every player achieved the par score of 6.0, and there was less than one whole mark between winner Lee Beevers and this week's wooden-spoonist Matt Rhead: the hallmark of a good team performance.
<b>1.</b> Lee Beevers 7.06
<b>2.</b> Sean Raggett 7.00
<b>3.</b> Bradley Wood 6.94
<b>4.</b> Luke Waterfall 6.89
<b>5.</b> Sam Habergham, Alex Woodyard 6.67
<b>7.</b> Harry Anderson 6.61
<b>8.</b> Theo Robinson 6.56
<b>9.</b> Nathan Arnold 6.44
<b>10.</b> Elliott Whitehouse 6.29
<b>11.</b> Paul Farman 6.22
<b>12.</b> Matt Rhead 6.17
<a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=459888' target='blank'><b>August Player Ratings: The New Era Begins</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=462731' target='blank'><b>September Player Ratings: Why We Should Take A Leaf Out Of George Harrison's Book</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=463299' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Braintree Town (H)</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=463700' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Wrexham AFC (A)</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=464140' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Bromley FC (A)</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=464810' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Guiseley AFC (FA Cup - Home)</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=465175' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Guiseley AFC (FA Cup - Away)</b></a>
This month Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald effectively wrote off personal loans to the club amounting to £4.85 million through a new share issue. Just think about that for a few moments. £4.85 million is more than Lincoln's total budget since relegation from the Football League. Way, way more, and in roughly the same period (Donald's company Bridle Insurance arrived at Silverlake in December 2011). What on earth have they spent it on? That question was asked of the three Eastleigh fans who answered our 'Who Are Ya' feature, and none of them seemed to have a specific answer. Funny, that. No one has asked because no one gives two hoots what they have spent it on.
Some will claim Lincoln are no better following the advent of Clive Nates to the club's board. But the situation is completely different, as are the amounts of unrecoverable money being spent. The continued rise and subsidy of these unsustainable clubs comes at the expense of genuine football clubs with viable fan bases, and Lincoln is one of those. So is Wrexham. So are Tranmere Rovers, York City and even poor old Stockport County. All of them are capable of being self-funded because they all come from good centres of population holding traditional relationships with their football clubs. Will the Football League be looking forward to welcoming mighty Forest Green and their huge travelling support? I suspect not. But the fact remains that they are perfectly entitled to do it regardless of how ridiculously unviable they may be. Economics? Never heard of it, squire.
On that basis, does anyone fancy taking Sleaford Town to the Football League? After all, it does have three times the population of Nailsworth.
Sadly we were not able to beat Southampton Airport Yellow Car Park FC this time around, but did anyone stand out in our second 0-0 home draw in a row?
First place goes to <b>LEE BEEVERS</b>, who has made the right-back slot his own since his omission from the side in September. Steve Thompson called him an unsung hero, and this first top spot of the season is just reward for the experienced defender.
"Most improved player (from last season) with Waterfall." (redimpsfan100)
"Very competent performance in all areas you would expect of a full back." (APHLCFC)
"Rock solid and my MOM." (NottyImp)
Second place goes to <b>SEAN RAGGETT</b>, whose transfer fee was decided by tribunal this week. Danny Cowley says he represents great value for money for City, and it seems our members agree.
"Almost faultless and won his aerial duels." (RussC)
"My MOM, won just about everything on a testing afternoon." (Big Jack McGinley)
"Snuffed out Eastleigh's strikers." (redimpsfan100)
Third place goes to <b>BRADLEY WOOD</b> following a welcome return to his tenacious best. With Beevers nailing down the right-back position, could Wood be in danger of losing his place in the side following the arrival of Elliott Whitehouse?
"Best performance in a while from him, won the ball well and used it wisely. Perhaps Whitehouse signing has given him a kick up the backside." (APHLCFC)
"Worked really hard, never stopped running." (Jaggy Imp)
"That midfield was a hell of a scrap at times, especially with Eastleigh having 3v2 in there." (Luke Imp)
The average team score of 6.64 is the highest since the win at Wrexham. Every player achieved the par score of 6.0, and there was less than one whole mark between winner Lee Beevers and this week's wooden-spoonist Matt Rhead: the hallmark of a good team performance.
<b>1.</b> Lee Beevers 7.06
<b>2.</b> Sean Raggett 7.00
<b>3.</b> Bradley Wood 6.94
<b>4.</b> Luke Waterfall 6.89
<b>5.</b> Sam Habergham, Alex Woodyard 6.67
<b>7.</b> Harry Anderson 6.61
<b>8.</b> Theo Robinson 6.56
<b>9.</b> Nathan Arnold 6.44
<b>10.</b> Elliott Whitehouse 6.29
<b>11.</b> Paul Farman 6.22
<b>12.</b> Matt Rhead 6.17
<a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=459888' target='blank'><b>August Player Ratings: The New Era Begins</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=462731' target='blank'><b>September Player Ratings: Why We Should Take A Leaf Out Of George Harrison's Book</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=463299' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Braintree Town (H)</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=463700' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Wrexham AFC (A)</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=464140' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Bromley FC (A)</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=464810' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Guiseley AFC (FA Cup - Home)</b></a><BR><BR><a style='color:#DA2027' href='http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=465175' target='blank'><b>Average Player Ratings v Guiseley AFC (FA Cup - Away)</b></a>
