[Siberian Spireite]

I started watching Town in 1989 and have seen ups and downs and some interesting times. I have seen poor teams have poor seasons but always backed the club as, well, that's football and someone has to lose. So long as it seemed CFC were trying their best- players very much included- I was happy with that.

Some of the best times were under Cook, with the football we played and the squad we had. I realise that Dave Allen was backing the club and we were possibly living beyond our means, though we did sell players for large sums during that period and could arguably have continued selling and replacing, given how good our recruitment was under Cook.

So, Allen decided to tighten the purse strings, as was his right, but then came the decision which started the whole decline- appointing Dean Saunders, whose management style was that of a 10-year-old kid who had just picked up Football Manager for the first time and was experimenting with it, with no concern at all for the future of the club.

The worst moment for me was signing Ched Evans, which in my mind just showed that the board had become desperate for cash (ie a saleable asset on the cheap) and opportunistic.

So here we are, on the eve of a new season, with the entirely predictable state of having a threadbare squad as the owner no longer wishes to invest, the owner still asking for an unrealistic price for the club and seemingly thinking that we are somehow going to be challenging for promotion. We are not, unless an experienced midfield appears within the next few weeks from somewhere.

My point is that I find it really hard to support Chesterfield FC nowadays, seeing the shell that the club become and the actions of those at the top. Of course Town are my club, always will be, and I'll attend matches when I can (family permitting etc).

For the coming season, promotion is far less likely than relegation as things stand. If we stay up this season and the club is sold to someone with integrity who wants to see us at least stable and trying to build the club from the bottom up (decent recruitment, youth policy, community links etc) then I'll be delighted.

[calvin plummers socks]

Ditto all that.
I have no problem with poor football- we're all used to that-especially after 45 years following the club.

The last few years have been actually great with Wembley, 2 titles etc.

It's just now the lies, deceit, treatment of fans and staff that make the likes of you and me not interested anymore.

To effectively make lifelong fans who are grown up, educated, exiled lose their passion is beyond belief really.
Well done Ashley.

[gordon_brittas]

An excellent assessment, and where I'm at the minute.

Allen has priced CFC like its some sort of sleeping giant (ala Cardiff, Birmingham City etc), but in reality the squad hes financed/allowed to be cobbled together looks like a Morecambe or a Barnet (no disrespect to them)

In terms of league placing, the Morecambe and Barnet type analogy is the league placing we look like finishing in.

Very sad looking at the playoff position from 2015.

[jack bauer]

fully agree with posts 1,2 and 3.

[dtp]

gordon_brittas, on 27 June 2017 - 10:41 AM, said:

An excellent assessment, and where I'm at the minute.

Allen has priced CFC like its some sort of sleeping giant (ala Cardiff, Birmingham City etc), but in reality the squad hes financed/allowed to be cobbled together looks like a Morecambe or a Barnet (no disrespect to them)

In terms of league placing, the Morecambe and Barnet type analogy is the league placing we look like finishing in.

Very sad looking at the playoff position from 2015.

Being such a knowledgeable chap regarding our current squad may I ask how many of our signings you have actually seen play enough times to be able to assess them?

[Spireite-Karl]

Spot on again. Town will always be my team as I can never support any other, though at the moment they don't mean a thing to me whilst the current owners are here. I'll feel numb towards my club, a sickening feeling that Allen and co have caused. I only hope I get this back after they've gone.

[Jud]

dtp, on 27 June 2017 - 10:57 AM, said:

Being such a knowledgeable chap regarding our current squad may I ask how many of our signings you have actually seen play enough times to be able to assess them?

A fair question. What cannot be denied is the fact that our signings thus far have been made on the cheap. This may not be a bad thing of course, but the memory of January lingers. I won't judge a single player until they've played, but we're certainly a long way from being a complete squad.

[Spireite-Karl]

dtp, on 27 June 2017 - 10:57 AM, said:

Being such a knowledgeable chap regarding our current squad may I ask how many of our signings you have actually seen play enough times to be able to assess them?

You don't need to have seen them.. The club is only heading in one direction.

[Close but no prawn sarnies]

Siberian Spireite, on 27 June 2017 - 10:09 AM, said:

I started watching Town in 1989 and have seen ups and downs and some interesting times. I have seen poor teams have poor seasons but always backed the club as, well, that's football and someone has to lose. So long as it seemed CFC were trying their best- players very much included- I was happy with that.

Some of the best times were under Cook, with the football we played and the squad we had. I realise that Dave Allen was backing the club and we were possibly living beyond our means, though we did sell players for large sums during that period and could arguably have continued selling and replacing, given how good our recruitment was under Cook.

So, Allen decided to tighten the purse strings, as was his right, but then came the decision which started the whole decline- appointing Dean Saunders, whose management style was that of a 10-year-old kid who had just picked up Football Manager for the first time and was experimenting with it, with no concern at all for the future of the club.

The worst moment for me was signing Ched Evans, which in my mind just showed that the board had become desperate for cash (ie a saleable asset on the cheap) and opportunistic.

So here we are, on the eve of a new season, with the entirely predictable state of having a threadbare squad as the owner no longer wishes to invest, the owner still asking for an unrealistic price for the club and seemingly thinking that we are somehow going to be challenging for promotion. We are not, unless an experienced midfield appears within the next few weeks from somewhere.

My point is that I find it really hard to support Chesterfield FC nowadays, seeing the shell that the club become and the actions of those at the top. Of course Town are my club, always will be, and I'll attend matches when I can (family permitting etc).

For the coming season, promotion is far less likely than relegation as things stand. If we stay up this season and the club is sold to someone with integrity who wants to see us at least stable and trying to build the club from the bottom up (decent recruitment, youth policy, community links etc) then I'll be delighted.

Unfortunately I can add another 12 or so years of ups and downs but i think you have summed up how most of us feel very well

Most years no matter how things were the season before we start with a sense of (often unfounded) hope and anticipation. I dont this year.

I will however wait and make judgement on the team once i have seen a number of games rather than writting us off before a ball is kicked.

New owners who support OUR club and are honest and open would be a god send, however I cant help but feel that a lot of fans are wasting time and effort trying to beat the current owners to death with a Feather ! Look at Blackpool , Coventry , Port Vale etc

The only thing that will influence the situation at the moment is money , as allways it talks

[Brookie]

Agree with the sentiments, no season ticket this year so will pick and choose games. Will probably go to Matlock but cannot get to a league game until September. As for signings, feeling a little underwhelmed but will not judge until we see how they gel and hope the sum is better than the individuals

[martatcross]

We can all do the number game mines 47 for what it's worth, however never in that time have I really not had interest in a new season starting until now. Really have had enough of the shenanigans of the club's heirarchy. They have challenged the loyality of its supporters and took the Micky once to often. Chesterfield Fc have a real chance of becoming a non league club and no one in the boardroom care. Realistically This club will never be sold until the asking price becomes reasonable. There as been booboo after booboo and not one lesson learnt and now Mr Carson Twitter fiasco. What a mess Chesterfield Fc are in

This post has been edited by martatcross: 27 June 2017 - 02:44 PM

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Siberian Spireite, on 27 June 2017 - 10:09 AM, said:

I started watching Town in 1989 and have seen ups and downs and some interesting times. I have seen poor teams have poor seasons but always backed the club as, well, that's football and someone has to lose. So long as it seemed CFC were trying their best- players very much included- I was happy with that.

Some of the best times were under Cook, with the football we played and the squad we had. I realise that Dave Allen was backing the club and we were possibly living beyond our means, though we did sell players for large sums during that period and could arguably have continued selling and replacing, given how good our recruitment was under Cook.

So, Allen decided to tighten the purse strings, as was his right, but then came the decision which started the whole decline- appointing Dean Saunders, whose management style was that of a 10-year-old kid who had just picked up Football Manager for the first time and was experimenting with it, with no concern at all for the future of the club.

The worst moment for me was signing Ched Evans, which in my mind just showed that the board had become desperate for cash (ie a saleable asset on the cheap) and opportunistic.

So here we are, on the eve of a new season, with the entirely predictable state of having a threadbare squad as the owner no longer wishes to invest, the owner still asking for an unrealistic price for the club and seemingly thinking that we are somehow going to be challenging for promotion. We are not, unless an experienced midfield appears within the next few weeks from somewhere.

My point is that I find it really hard to support Chesterfield FC nowadays, seeing the shell that the club become and the actions of those at the top. Of course Town are my club, always will be, and I'll attend matches when I can (family permitting etc).

For the coming season, promotion is far less likely than relegation as things stand. If we stay up this season and the club is sold to someone with integrity who wants to see us at least stable and trying to build the club from the bottom up (decent recruitment, youth policy, community links etc) then I'll be delighted.

Good post, my friend.

Every football club makes mistakes. Every football club owner makes mistakes. Every football club director, CEO, manager, coach, scout or bloke who sweeps the dressing room makes mistakes.

We can accept that.

However what's happened at CFC has been a catalogue of controversy, scandal, mismanagement, corruption and lies that goes way, way beyond honest mistakes.

And even now we witness disgraceful behaviour apparently going unpunished.

I can't force those responsible for all this out of our Club. But I can ensure as little of my money as possible endorses their presence.

[BlueLowen]

Spot on post which sums up how i feel as well.last season was the 1st i'd never been to an away game in nearly 30yr watching town. Not fussed in handing over my hard earned cash to DA & Co next season so will do a few local away games instead.
#NotAPennyMore

This post has been edited by BlueLowen: 27 June 2017 - 08:07 PM

[Hoare (400)]

As much as I Dislike the pair of them, in a strange way they are doing me a favour an saving me loads of money.



Hoare (400)