What has happened to the club?

[Concerned]

What has happened to the club this year?
Roger and Bev leaving.
Chuck coming in and running the first team in isolation.
Sarah the physio leaving.
Les leaving.
Sam leaving.
Chris and Guy leaving.
Dropping the under 16's.
Gates so low.
This looks like a club that's in serious trouble doesn't it?
I hope the committee and especially the trustees find it in themselves to start making the right decisions, no matter how hard they are!
We all want the club to be around in 5 years time..........
Am I the only one who is concerned??

[Farncombe]

i have it on good authority that communication between the 1st team manager and everyone else at the club leaves a lot to be desired

[Not really concerned]

What has happened to the club this year?

Answer: The club has finished in the highest position in it's history. Something we can all be very pleased about.

Roger and Bev leaving.
After finishing bottom of the league the previous season Roger left the club. Results since then have overall been very good.

Chuck coming in and running the first team in isolation.
Not everything he does is right but this is his first job in management and he has done a great job so far.


Sarah the physio leaving.
Due to work committments by all accounts.

Les leaving.
Sam leaving.


Chris and Guy leaving.
To take up roles in first teams mens football. Read the Under 18 report on the web - they both enjoyed their time here and thanked everyone at the club.

Dropping the under 16's.
Difficult decision to make but I really do not see this having a serious effect on the club as a whole.

Gates so low.
Our gates have never been great but I don't think our home support has dipped this season. In fact it has probably gone up slightly. Unfortunately we are not benefiting from as many away fans as we did last season due to the distances involved in the Southern League compared to the Ryman League.

This looks like a club that's in serious trouble doesn't it?
If you take the completely one-sided view you put forward yes. However, you neglect to mention that the club has finished in it's highest ever league position and has assembled a very talented group of first team players. Off the field new blood will be joining the behind the scenes team next season too. Sponsorship is growing, our support creeping up, numerous initiatives planned with local schools, the first players in the club's history are about to be put on contract, we have recorded some fantastic results this season (beating Oxford City away, going undefeated in 3 games against Farnborough, beating Fleet Town, Didcot Town, Uxbridge), the club now has a Ladies team, the list goes on, etc etc.

I hope the committee and especially the trustees find it in themselves to start making the right decisions, no matter how hard they are!

We all want the club to be around in 5 years time..........

Am I the only one who is concerned??
Concerned by what exactly?

[Still Concerned]

What has happened to the club this year?

Answer: The club has finished in the highest position in it's history. Something we can all be very pleased about.

Response: But at what cost to the wellbeing and spirit of the club.

Roger and Bev leaving.
After finishing bottom of the league the previous season Roger left the club. Results since then have overall been very good.

Response: We all know that's not why Roger left. The committee took a vote and wouldn't pay his fine.
It was later discovered that all season the chairman had been allowing people to vote in the committee meetings who were not even authorised to in the club constitution!

Chuck coming in and running the first team in isolation.
Not everything he does is right but this is his first job in management and he has done a great job so far.

Response: 'Not everything he has done is right' - that's the understatement of the century! He runs the first team in isolation, has had little/no consultation with any of the other managers and has no shown no interest in the club as a whole performing well. All the things he said he was going to do when he joined. So much for his 3 year plan. When will he start working with the entire football club?

Sarah the physio leaving.
Due to work committments by all accounts.

Response: I was talking about Sarah who had been with the club the previous season, but if the current physio Sarah has left as well....... Sarah from last season couldn't work with a club who didn't appreciate her and treated her badly.

Les leaving.
Sam leaving.

No response?

Chris and Guy leaving.
To take up roles in first teams mens football. Read the Under 18 report on the web - they both enjoyed their time here and thanked everyone at the club.

Response: Or could it be that they got little/no support from the first team manager or the club. Where will the U18's players go, they'll never get in the 1st team at Godalming now? Roger had his faults, but at least he was interested in the young members of the club.

Dropping the under 16's.
Difficult decision to make but I really do not see this having a serious effect on the club as a whole.

Response: I'm sure that the parents and supporters of the U16's will be pleased to hear that they mean so little to the club. It's a shame also that when gates are so low that the future supporters of the club are being cast adrift.
U16's this year, U18's next? Is this the way that the club will go, cut costs cut teams?

Gates so low.
Our gates have never been great but I don't think our home support has dipped this season. In fact it has probably gone up slightly. Unfortunately we are not benefiting from as many away fans as we did last season due to the distances involved in the Southern League compared to the Ryman League.

Response: Yet the club wanted to re-develop and have a stadium that seated thousands..... Other teams in the southern league receive much better support, in fact the average gate is only 120 for Godalming, only 4 other clubs have lower in your league. What are the clubs doing about attracting supporters?


This looks like a club that's in serious trouble doesn't it?
If you take the completely one-sided view you put forward yes. However, you neglect to mention that the club has finished in it's highest ever league position and has assembled a very talented group of first team players. Off the field new blood will be joining the behind the scenes team next season too. Sponsorship is growing, our support creeping up, numerous initiatives planned with local schools, the first players in the club's history are about to be put on contract, we have recorded some fantastic results this season (beating Oxford City away, going undefeated in 3 games against Farnborough, beating Fleet Town, Didcot Town, Uxbridge), the club now has a Ladies team, the list goes on, etc etc.

Response: I appreciate your comments, however, we heard all of this at the start of this season and other than coming mid table in a mediocre league there has been little improvement. You have a ladies team, but have killed off your under 16's team. The club has made a financial loss for the last few seasons. With gates on average of 120 people, how can the club afford to carry on the way that it is? Floodlights coming on 2 minutes before matches start doesn't portray the greatest image. I wonder if these amazing new first team players will be as loyal to the club as the likes of Mazza, Sean Elliott and Jamie Laister.

I hope the committee and especially the trustees find it in themselves to start making the right decisions, no matter how hard they are!

We all want the club to be around in 5 years time..........

Am I the only one who is concerned??
Concerned by what exactly?

Response: I am concerned about the financial status and wellbeing of a wonderful football club which appears to be being run into the ground. I will stand corrected though when the financial accounts are released, which will be when exactly?

[concerned guest 2]

the remark 'concerned by what exactly?' seems a some what ridiculous and rather silly question to ask when 'concerned guest' has clearly stated what the concern is!

Needless to say, I agree with 'concerned guest'. The ambience and 'family' feel to the club no longer exists at the discredit of the current club management and commitee. What was once a friendly, welcoming and appealling club seems to have disappeared.

Ok, the club has had some very good results this year, with credit to Chuck being in his first management role. However, what seems to be missed here is that the 'Southern' League is not of the same standard as the Ryman league. Do you forget the great feeling and high spirits at the club when Roger successfully got the club where they are today and built the foundations for the future of the younger sides such as the u16's and u18's. Surely it is key to encourage young, local talent into the club to formulate what could become the clubs future players??

As a 'concerned guest 2', I would like to ask why the progress and future of the club no longer seems important to the commitee and also why loyal, local players are being disregarded. This is a 'town' club, that requires the support of local community.

[Town Fan]

Got to back up "Not really concerned" here.

The club finishing in its highest ever league position tells you that the club are going forwards, continuing Roger's good work.

And to answer "Concerned guest 2", I think you can quite clearly see the progress the club is making, for example giving players contracts for the first time in the clubs history. And as for local players being "disregarded", are Mazza and Shaun not an integral part in the team?

[Not really concerned]

I don't really think we are going to agree on this! But this is Britain and not Zimbabwe so at least we are able to debate it!

I am not going to reply to every point again as we will both go around in circles! However, I want to reply to a couple of things.

You said that the chairman had been allowing people to vote who weren't authorised to in the club constitution. There is no way that would have happened with the likes of Bill, Mike and Cliff around. You only attend (and vote) in committee meetings if you are elected to the committee at an AGM or otherwise.

You also mention that there has been little improvement this season. I disagree as much of last season was truly awful!!!

Concerned guest 2 - you asked "why the progress and future of the club no longer seems important to the commitee and also why loyal, local players are being disregarded". That's an unfair accusation. For a start the manager picks the team!!! The club are inviting new blood to join the committee. With your passion you should seriously think about joining.

[ballboy]

I agree with some points by the 'various guest's the club has moved forward a little bit from being a'local side'and in the comfort zone of the Combined Counties League.We had an appalling season last year, one to forget,if they had gone along with the same regime this season who's to say we and not Bracknall would be bottom?.If some of the 'concerned guest's that are concerned why not come to the A.G.M.and join the committee?new blood is required and be prepared to do some work.I belive the A.G.M date will be on the web site and all members will be informed.

[Bothered]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
But the chairman has allowed people to vote at committee meetings who aren't eligible. Only members of the Committee are allowed to vote and he allowed Life Vice Presidents to be counted which is against the club constitution.

I think you've made it pretty clear that as long as the first team have an ok run then it doesn't matter about the rest of the club.

The reserves can sit at the bottom of their league, the under 18's can feel unappreciated and the under 16's can just do one.

Why don't the club just get rid of all the other teams, they obviously mean nothing.

Best of luck keeping guys, you're gonna need it.

[town fan2]

surely the first teams results are the most important at any club. i think that u18 players have gone up to the ressies this season and some resssies have gone up to the first team. you have to be good enough tho. it is no good promoting local players for the sake of it. that doesnt do anyone any favors.

[Insider]

For the record anyone that has watched the reserves will appreciate just how much they've improved on previous seasons and they have been using a number of u18s players so not all is doom and gloom

[Deleted]

Seeing as everyone else is going 'un-named' and creating a lot of confusion i'm bucking the trend and publishing my real identity.

1. This season has been Godalming's most successful season ever. I for one am very proud of Chuck and the players for what they have acheived this year. Thats not to say that waht Roger acheived here wasn't great, because it was. He bought two of our best players this season, Purds and Taylor, not Chuck and he deserves credit for that. But he is now gone.
These are new times for Godalming Town FC and Chuck is what we need if we want to progress in football. The players he has brought to the club have been great as well, part from a few trialists.

2. Youth teams- Sad to see them go but i think we van rely on local youth teams to produce players for us. Look at Farncombe Boys and Milford Pumas etc.. thats were many of the original under 16's came from and they enjoyed success before under 18 level and now appaeretly Merrow with Les and their managers Chris and Guy. Maybe one day they will return better players. As for Chuck not playing the Youth team- he put two players who have risen through youth and reserve teams on the bench on Saturday. Also look at ex-youth players such as Mariner, Elliott, Stanley. These guys are still with all the changes the core of our team. Same more recently with Garry Aulsberry who has improved dramatically this season and has adapted to Southern League football very well.

3. I dont know about the commitee mishandling votes or what ever but until we see evidence we cant accuse them of anything. In my experience they are all honest people and whateever you are insinuating hopefully it is wrong

4. As for attendances. Who else apart from me and Glenn has downloaded the fixtures poster and placed in a public place? We cant drag people here, so we have to pursuade them with offers such as kid for a quid which showed glimpses of success despite the dreadful weather.
Godalming as a town is not interested in football, or at least non-league football. The club want to change this and through advertising around the town and special deals hopefully we can. Success generally means increased crowds and hopefully under Chuck next season we will experience both. I also feel that Chuck's side play a much more entertaining style of football. No one can deny that Brahim Elouhmani and Adam Haddad are not crowd pleasers. We have some exceptional players at this club, including some local talent and hopefully one day the people of Godalming realise this and come to watch us play- to be absolutely honest what else can you do in Godalming on a Saturday afternoon?
As for turning unfriendly and unwelcoming i'm not too sure about that. In my experience everyone at the club is friendly and welcoming. I haven't heard of any away clubs complaining about our hospitality. As for the family feel to the club. As someone once said, under Roger we were a social club, under Chuck we are a football club. This doessn't mean we are unsociable, just that we are serious about the football we play.

that my say anyway!!!

[Concerned]

how can you say the support has improved? you lost the shed end boys for not showing any support or help to travel to games, the best support godalming has ever had and will ever have. As for the youth team, lets be honest chuck doesn't care, how do you expect the club to develop without a strong youth team.

[Not really concerned]

Not showing any support or offering to help the Shed Boys travel to away games???

The minibus was offered to the Shed Boys whenever it wasn't needed for the players. The cost of running it was always subsidised by the club or by people like Jane who paid for the fuel out of her own pocket.

Kevin had t-shirts printed for them and the banner was also donated by Guy.

The admission fee was reduced for Under 16's and a student rate was introduced.

What else do you expect the club to do?

[Concerned]

your right...can we have our drum back?

[Deleted]

I believe the drum is in the kit room. Please feel free to come and collect it on a matchday or training night.

[kshepherd]

After reading this load of garbage on both parts i would like to give my view for what its worth. any manager at the bottom end of a league is under pressure simple as that godalming is no different change or be religated. On the subject of local youth i can promise you 3 years ago your first team management staff were offered the chance to have a tie with farncombe youth f c which would mean farncombe 16 year olds attending first team training towards end of season so they could feel more at home when and if they chose to join g t f c but hand on heart Rodger turned it down and said if they were good enough they would come anyway. oh so wrong 1 went to aresnal acadamy 3 went to play combined county premier league and the rest are still playing local football. i know this is true as i was one of the people who had that meeting and the team manager at the time.
As for youth(u16) i agree it is a shame but maybe a youth team including 16 upwards to 18 mixed a selection of the best in area is the answer. also this years u16 never contributed to any finances which is a must when you are a small club. also never got involved in anything the club did half the club did not know who manager was as there training was not done at the club or the burys. in fact it probably cost the club money as i am lead to believe. i have only been involved with g t f c for one year but lived in farncombe all my married life. i was also chairman at farncombe youth fc for many years and there in total for 15 years i left because of people back stabbing so i have a good insite to all these emails and may i suggest you do not hide behind a anonymous emails and come out and air your views which will make you feel better and could help the club move forward as you seem to have the club at heart. I believe the club is moving forward maybe at not the pace you would like but rome was not built in a day either. I would like to thank every body who has done there best to make me and the ladies team very welcome. kevin shepherd ladies manager/ coach.

[Deleted]

I was the leader of the Shed End Boys and all I want to say is that we were treated EXTREMELY well throughout. Mini-buses, banners, free t-shirts - even free food when it was towards full-time! We were treated like fans.The reality is that, as well as many people getting jobs on Saturdays, most young people round here are too ignorant to take an interest in this level of football. The amount of work people like Glenn and Greg put into the club in unreal. I don't know/care about the internal wranglings, and I presume the people whinging are either a select minority, bored men or Roger lovers. How can you argue that the club isn't moving forward? Admitedly, I don't attend many games anymore but when I flick to page 15 of the sport section of News Of The World whilst digging into my microwave roast chicken on a Sunday I KNOW it's more than likely i'm going to be proud of what my hometown club have done for 90 minutes on a Saturday, unlike last season! GODALMING TOWN FC - Whether Chuck, Roge or Fergie!
P.S I paid for that drumkit so don't go nabbing it.

[Samantha ABoe]

Well, well, well

An open and frank discussion about where the football club is going. It must be a relief for everyone except Kevin, who believes that everyone is talking garbage! Didn't one of the previous posters raise the fact that we were in a democracy, not Zimbabwe

To respond to some of the posts, my Dad and I both left the club as we didn't feel that we could assist in moving the club forwards in the way that it deserved, we were small voices on a large committee. As for voting, I can confirm that everyone who sat on the committee was allowed to vote for all decisions, this was discovered to be incorrect. Only voted on officials were supposed to vote, not life vice presidents etc. That came up at the last committee meeting my Dad and I attended.

Godalming was always a small, happy, joined together football club. Communication was excellent and there was a family feel about it. When I left several weeks ago that's just not how it felt to me anymore. Now when we sit in the clubhouse at Merrow after a match it feels like Godalming used to. When I next see Chris and Guy I'll see if this had any bearing on their move there.

I agree with some of the other posters, communication has been poor from the top down. No manager is perfect, but Chuck could have done an awful lot more to work with the other managers at the club. Having worked with the Reserve team for 2 seasons, I feel that although they are playing well and shouldn’t be where they are in the league, they haven't received the support that they deserve. They haven’t felt as valued as they have done in previous seasons. At times discussions in the dug out on match days were why the club continued with the reserves when they obviously weren't that bothered about them.

Don't get me wrong, the first team are the most important part of the club, but when you are with the reserve team you still want support and to feel that you matter, there could have been a lot more of that this year.

With any luck you will start to focus on the other areas of the club now that you have consolidated your position within the league. I sincerely hope you do, as you have some very talented young guys there who deserve to be rewarded for their loyalty to the club.

Knock yourselves out, comment and disagree, it’s not Zimbabwe

[an interested observer]

After reading the thread it does seem that there is some friction in the camp and as always change causes rifts in an organisation.

My comments relate to the widely announced issuing of contracts to several of the players next season.

I appreciate the need to keep good players but can the Club really afford to get into contracts where players will get paid even if they are not playing through injury or bad form?

These contracts have the potential to wreck the finances of a club with such a small fan base which all seem to agree is not likely to increase even if we were higher up the league.

If Chuck was successful and got promotion for the club next year could Godalming sustain the need for higher wages and higher traveling expenses on their miniscule gate receipts??

Also from the press it would seem the contracts are going mostly to the new wonder boys and not to those stalwarts Elliot and Mariner who have played this season almost without missing a game.

It seems that mercenary players are rewarded because we are scared they will leave if they get a better offer while those who play for the love of the club are given no reward for their commitment!

Interesting way of looking at loyalty.

Maybe this will ensure that this thread continues with a measured look at club and its future.