[northern robin]

Cheltenham fan here in peace (honestly). First of all I know how you are all feeling, it is not nice, and you think it's the end of the footballing world. Well think again. I saw my first Chelt game in 1958 so I saw us in non league for 41 years before we were in the league and it is not as bad as some would have you believe. When we were relegated back to National league in 2015 I must admit to thinking, that was where we would stay. But we got back at first attempt with 101 points.
What we did was appoint a manager who new the non league scene in Gary Johnson. He got rid of every player, even the ones who were not too bad and might have been ok. He recruited experienced non league players,young players released from league clubs about 20 years old and loan players from league clubs about the same age. So, youngish hungry players mixed with experience of non league. Only a couple of them had ever played a game in the football league, so he sat them down and told them "You get us promoted this season and every single one of you will be offered a new contract, and will play in the FL." He also made the promise public, so no chance of not keeping promise. One of the main things you will need is a big bruiser up front,central defenders down there are a different breed. We had Danny Wright who trampled a few of em and scored 22 goals. Word amongst Chelt fans is Danny is being released this time, if true, go and get him.
I agree with a lot of what the fans of other clubs have said about many things, it is not easy. Hope you get back up soon you are my nearest away game living in S Yorks. But you do need to stick together. Good luck.

[Siberian Spireite]

Thanks- interesting stuff but you assume our board have an interest in winning football matches, and I am not sure they do.
I wish there were a Gary Johnson-type figure available out there, but even if there was, he would be daft to consider taking part in the CFC circus.

[jack bauer]

northern robin, on 27 April 2018 - 02:52 PM, said:

Cheltenham fan here in peace (honestly). First of all I know how you are all feeling, it is not nice, and you think it's the end of the footballing world. Well think again. I saw my first Chelt game in 1958 so I saw us in non league for 41 years before we were in the league and it is not as bad as some would have you believe. When we were relegated back to National league in 2015 I must admit to thinking, that was where we would stay. But we got back at first attempt with 101 points.
What we did was appoint a manager who new the non league scene in Gary Johnson. He got rid of every player, even the ones who were not too bad and might have been ok. He recruited experienced non league players,young players released from league clubs about 20 years old and loan players from league clubs about the same age. So, youngish hungry players mixed with experience of non league. Only a couple of them had ever played a game in the football league, so he sat them down and told them "You get us promoted this season and every single one of you will be offered a new contract, and will play in the FL." He also made the promise public, so no chance of not keeping promise. One of the main things you will need is a big bruiser up front,central defenders down there are a different breed. We had Danny Wright who trampled a few of em and scored 22 goals. Word amongst Chelt fans is Danny is being released this time, if true, go and get him.
I agree with a lot of what the fans of other clubs have said about many things, it is not easy. Hope you get back up soon you are my nearest away game living in S Yorks. But you do need to stick together. Good luck.

message to carson and allen, no more soundbites and catchphrases like "promotion is the only option" i'd rather you say nothing and take note of this post from Cheltenham then act accordingly... we can only hope.

[Radders]

northern robin, on 27 April 2018 - 02:52 PM, said:

Cheltenham fan here in peace (honestly). First of all I know how you are all feeling, it is not nice, and you think it's the end of the footballing world. Well think again. I saw my first Chelt game in 1958 so I saw us in non league for 41 years before we were in the league and it is not as bad as some would have you believe. When we were relegated back to National league in 2015 I must admit to thinking, that was where we would stay. But we got back at first attempt with 101 points.
What we did was appoint a manager who new the non league scene in Gary Johnson. He got rid of every player, even the ones who were not too bad and might have been ok. He recruited experienced non league players,young players released from league clubs about 20 years old and loan players from league clubs about the same age. So, youngish hungry players mixed with experience of non league. Only a couple of them had ever played a game in the football league, so he sat them down and told them "You get us promoted this season and every single one of you will be offered a new contract, and will play in the FL." He also made the promise public, so no chance of not keeping promise. One of the main things you will need is a big bruiser up front,central defenders down there are a different breed. We had Danny Wright who trampled a few of em and scored 22 goals. Word amongst Chelt fans is Danny is being released this time, if true, go and get him.
I agree with a lot of what the fans of other clubs have said about many things, it is not easy. Hope you get back up soon you are my nearest away game living in S Yorks. But you do need to stick together. Good luck.

Thank you for this - you are right - it doesn't help! But thanks anyway. As has been pointed out though, you probably had a Board at the time who wanted to get promoted, we have an owner who probably isn't aware that we have been relegated yet. As for selecting the right manager - well we have been spectacular at appointing numpties in Saunders and Caldwell so we aren't expecting much

[BlueRover52]

northern robin, on 27 April 2018 - 02:52 PM, said:

Cheltenham fan here in peace (honestly). First of all I know how you are all feeling, it is not nice, and you think it's the end of the footballing world. Well think again. I saw my first Chelt game in 1958 so I saw us in non league for 41 years before we were in the league and it is not as bad as some would have you believe. When we were relegated back to National league in 2015 I must admit to thinking, that was where we would stay. But we got back at first attempt with 101 points.
What we did was appoint a manager who new the non league scene in Gary Johnson. He got rid of every player, even the ones who were not too bad and might have been ok. He recruited experienced non league players,young players released from league clubs about 20 years old and loan players from league clubs about the same age. So, youngish hungry players mixed with experience of non league. Only a couple of them had ever played a game in the football league, so he sat them down and told them "You get us promoted this season and every single one of you will be offered a new contract, and will play in the FL." He also made the promise public, so no chance of not keeping promise. One of the main things you will need is a big bruiser up front,central defenders down there are a different breed. We had Danny Wright who trampled a few of em and scored 22 goals. Word amongst Chelt fans is Danny is being released this time, if true, go and get him.
I agree with a lot of what the fans of other clubs have said about many things, it is not easy. Hope you get back up soon you are my nearest away game living in S Yorks. But you do need to stick together. Good luck.

All the fans need is some confidence in the Owner and Board,whoever they may be.That woud galvanise the club and hopefully lead to some success.At present we are a million miles from that.

[hardgums]

Nice thoughts from Northern Robin. Cheltenham, however, went about it the right way by appointing the right manager. Our track record in making good managerial appointments? Hmmm.........

[ronpowellsbutler]

The guys I see every fortnight at Maidenhead don't take prisoners. Not much point playing out from the back, the pitches will get you !

[martatcross]

Until we have new owners who doesn't include ex directors who are allegedly buying the club and not the ground and have ambition then our slide will continue until the bones of the club have been stripped bare. We have players who are on contract who are responsible for a percentage of the problem showing no guts and earning far to much in wages. This could be a fall into the history books i.e Barrow Workington etc

[jack bauer]

clearly Cheltenham had a plan and a proper intent to get back and that's what it takes, we won't do it without which sadly probably means we wont do it.

[northern robin]

As expected Danny Wright has been released, will almost certainly end up back in National League, you need to get in there. Also Jordan Cranston,he had quite a bad injury last season but played at the end and was fine, left back, surprised at his release. But he was part of our NL winning team and knows NL well.
Whilst I am on here, the other thing Gary Johnson did was, forget all about FA Cup and FA Trophy, just concentrate on No.1 target,46 League games and get back into League. Good luck.

[SALTERGATE]

jack bauer, on 28 April 2018 - 08:33 AM, said:

clearly Cheltenham had a plan and a proper intent to get back and that's what it takes, we won't do it without which sadly probably means we wont do it.

Bet they didn’t ha e a black kit either 🤩

[bifocart]

martatcross, on 28 April 2018 - 07:51 AM, said:

Until we have new owners who doesn't include ex directors who are allegedly buying the club and not the ground and have ambition then our slide will continue until the bones of the club have been stripped bare. We have players who are on contract who are responsible for a percentage of the problem showing no guts and earning far to much in wages. This could be a fall into the history books i.e Barrow Workington etc

I agree on the owners. This lot have to go.
Bit of perspective rising from your last comment.. its worth remembering that both Barrow and Workington were voted out of the league under the old re-election system. Barrow were chucked after finishing 3rd bottom.
It was geography and Herefords cup run that did for them.
Town , like every other side in the 4th tier knew the penalty of failure, and have, in recent weeks, had ample time to prepare for the doomsday scenario.
Furthermore, in the 70's there was no Pyramid. No way back; you were non league and that was that.
Workington have struggled but now are at least stable. Barrow go up and down from the NLN. but have won the FA Trophy twice. Might not sound much to some, but their fall was a lot harder and crueller than Town's. That they are still going strong(ish) in a tough national league is testament to the supporters who did the work to keep the club going

This is a relegation into deeper water than we are used to, but it is a relegation,not an arbitrary demotion.

With new owners capable of attracting a decent manager we are still kicking. Only stasis will condemn us to the history books and the quiz questions

This post has been edited by bifocart: 10 May 2018 - 07:43 PM

[Wooden Spoon]

bifocart said:

1525981176[/url]' post='1390894']
I agree on the owners. This lot have to go.
Bit of perspective rising from your last comment.. its worth remembering that both Barrow and Workington were voted out of the league under the old re-election system. Barrow were chucked after finishing 3rd bottom.
It was geography and Herefords cup run that did for them.
Town , like every other side in the 4th tier knew the penalty of failure, and have, in recent weeks, had ample time to prepare for the doomsday scenario.
Furthermore, in the 70's there was no Pyramid. No way back; you were non league and that was that.
Workington have struggled but now are at least stable. Barrow go up and down from the NLN. but have won the FA Trophy twice. Might not sound much to some, but their fall was a lot harder and crueller than Town's. That they are still going strong(ish) in a tough national league is testament to the supporters who did the work to keep the club going

This is a relegation into deeper water than we are used to, but it is a relegation,not an arbitrary demotion.

With new owners capable of attracting a decent manager we are still kicking. Only stasis will condemn us to the history books and the quiz questionsland

Debts, lack of will in the boardroom, and land ownership could be far more damaging than anything you list above, although your reasoning is sound.


In terms of a demise, Bradford Park Avenue or Third Lanark might be better parallels than Workington or barrow.

[Wooden Spoon]

northern robin said:

1524840745[/url]' post='1386151']
Cheltenham fan here in peace (honestly). First of all I know how you are all feeling, it is not nice, and you think it's the end of the footballing world. Well think again. I saw my first Chelt game in 1958 so I saw us in non league for 41 years before we were in the league and it is not as bad as some would have you believe. When we were relegated back to National league in 2015 I must admit to thinking, that was where we would stay. But we got back at first attempt with 101 points.
What we did was appoint a manager who new the non league scene in Gary Johnson. He got rid of every player, even the ones who were not too bad and might have been ok. He recruited experienced non league players,young players released from league clubs about 20 years old and loan players from league clubs about the same age. So, youngish hungry players mixed with experience of non league. Only a couple of them had ever played a game in the football league, so he sat them down and told them "You get us promoted this season and every single one of you will be offered a new contract, and will play in the FL." He also made the promise public, so no chance of not keeping promise. One of the main things you will need is a big bruiser up front,central defenders down there are a different breed. We had Danny Wright who trampled a few of em and scored 22 goals. Word amongst Chelt fans is Danny is being released this time, if true, go and get him.
I agree with a lot of what the fans of other clubs have said about many things, it is not easy. Hope you get back up soon you are my nearest away game living in S Yorks. But you do need to stick together. Good luck.

You had a regime wanting success and a return to league football......

We have a regime that.....we’ll never really know what they really want

[bifocart]

I don’t like mondays, on 10 May 2018 - 09:56 PM, said:

Debts, lack of will in the boardroom, and land ownership could be far more damaging than anything you list above, although your reasoning is sound.


In terms of a demise, Bradford Park Avenue or Third Lanark might be better parallels than Workington or barrow.

The original Park Ave were kept afloat by one bloke for years, when he died, they did. Third Lanark's story does have some parallels..dodgy lotteries for one.

My point is that the drop is not what it was. With a cold eye and a sound and pragmatic structure it can be negotiated. But York, Stockport, Wrexham and Chester have struggled more recently even within the comparatively friendly of the 5th and 6th tier...others have probably found their level .

Yes, a lack of will or intelligence in the boardroom is my worry. Theres been none in evidence in recent years, why would we expect any now?