Forum

Firstly, let me warn you that this is my view of the evening and those with different tinted glasses might have heard it different to me. Equally despite numerous different jobs I have never had an inclination to learn shorthand so this is just the gist of what I heard.

The identity of the participants has been changed to protect them.

The night in numbers;

4 management  4 players  6 volunteers  12 fans  1 supporters club director  2 members club directors

Jamie started off by apologising for the change of venue. The bar had a number of people in that were not there for the forum so we moved up to the boardroom. I think that says a lot about him, apologising for something beyond his control. Anyway to the meeting; 

Fan 1 – Praise for the team and management

Question 1 – Should we look to get promoted or just have a solid season to build on for next year?

Reply M1 – We will always look to go forward but with realism

Fan 2 – Praise for management and team

Director 1 – How was it coming to a new team, in Tooting

Player 1 – Taken me a while to get used to the funny accents. It’s interesting as it’s a blank canvas, I’ve no preconcepts from last few seasons. Slowly getting fit. Enjoying working with the management and boys.

Volunteer 1 – Last season blah blah blah

Player 2 – Love it. Biggest club I’ve played for. Great potential. Enjoying it. Fantastic team and support.

Q 2 – How’s your fitness coming?

Player 2 – Getting there. Training hard tonight after this. Will see after that. Boys really hurt after loses and training hard on correcting errors.

M2 – After Alton two very strong training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday. Working hard to correct issues.

Q 3 – What can supporters do to help?

M 1 – Support. Passion

P – Best fan base in non-league. Some players are not used to this kind of support, they love it.

M2 – Trust us

Fan 3 – You’ve made some good signings – Tom , Shay, new guy James. Where is Hussein?

M 1 – No longer with us

M 2 – Praise for midfield. Strong competition for places

M 1 – Getting more talkers on the pitch has helped.

M 3 – Reinventing training after Alton. Using the lose to inform what needed to be addressed. Producing a new dynamic, more defensive structure. We must be realistic; we will lose games. There’s no club in this league like T&M.

V 2 – What’s seen a success this season

P 2 – Playoffs. Obviously Fareham are strong and wont lose many.

V 3 – Light on centre backs with injuries

M 1 – We’re trying to sort and hope we will have news soon.

Q 4 – Has team learnt from Alton loss

M 3 – Yes hence the change of focus in training sessions on the Tuesday and Thursday after the game.

F 1 – Player attitude is important

M 3 – They wont last here with a poor attitude

M1 – Poor attitude affects others we don’t need it.

M2 – Aye poor attitude is contagious, we wont stand for it.

F 3 – Last season Blah Blah Blah

M 2 – Technology helps. We study videos to look at issues to work on. We could do with a big screen instead of huddled around a laptop.

F 4 – Second half at Alton we seemed to panic. This Saturday much calmer, controlled things

M 2 – We don’t mind winning ugly. Some might not like it but we need to learn that.

D 3 – We’re the biggest club in this league and probably a league or two above. Worry that teams will see us as a big scalp and use that as an incentive. Pleased to see team playing as they are, great attitude and belief.

P 2 – Yep we know we are a big club and a target.

M 2 – Boss has been great with recruitment. Not an easy job but getting a great bunch of players.

F 5 – How’s the fine pot?

P 2 – Going well. We are all committed to the ethos.

F 6 – Praise for Shay.  Last season Blah Blah Blah

M 1 – I get loads of emails asking for trials.

Always worth a look but it’s not a open door.

P 1 – I sent an email

P2 – Once I looked into it and saw a record of 63 goals last season, I recommended you to the boss.

M 1 – I’ll have a tight, small squad.

F 6 – Can people just turn up with boots?

M 1 – If I need players I’ll look for the right man. Plus give opportunities to good Under 23’s

F6 – Last season Blah Blah Blah

M 3 – Team is bonding well. A real togetherness. The passion is growing

F 7 – Are you getting backing?

M 1 – I’ve had all the backing I need from the owner, club, members club.

F 8 – Ash had a massive job here. Loads of roles. Not easy

M 1 – Everyone is supportive. Good relationship with Ash

F 9 – There’s definitely a feel-good factor around the ground and with great socials now and podcast. We’re on the right track.

At that point, players needed to get to training, to avoid a fine. And I needed to get off to win a quiz.

I believe the raffle, for Cisse, went well and a certain young man was particularly happy with a signed football. Although Shay did have an eye on it after his hattrick.