Flav - that post sums up everything that is wrong with the current debate about the level of football in Mid Cheshire. We have 5 teams if you include Winsford and Barnton, none of which is capable of performing at a decent level within the pyramid. WAFC have the best chance, but the hand to mouth existence that the club has experienced for the last 30 years now sees us 4 levels (maybe 5 by the end of the season) below where we were, with no hope of getting back there. My view, and it is just my view, is that unless we look to do something differently this cycle of struggle and decline will just continue with no reasonable chance of success.
Having VIcs at Wincham Park has convinced me that the added value of having more people pulling in the same direction has made a significant impact to the well being of Wincham Park. Indeed many of the efforts from the Vics team have been central to seeing improvements delivered. It is quite clear that WAFC, despite having some amazing volunteers, doesnāt have enough to manpower or financial clout to break out of this current cycle. Sometimes hard work just isnāt enough and there has to be a fundamental change in direction to meet the challenges that the modern world demands.
In effect we are asking our management team to work with their hands tied behind their backs. Itās neither tenable nor fair, to either them, or the supporters who have to buy the match day tickets. Supporters are already recognising this and are walking away. So with reduced match day revenues and other income, the problem is exacerbated.
Whilst you would like to point out that have not been at Wincham Park as much this season as perhaps I have in others, I would point out that I have supported this club for 60 years and there are probably only a handful of people around who have given more of their time than I have during that period in volunteering for the club - but that really is of little import. What really matters is that we make some decisions that gives the club a chance of success and for the people of Mid Cheshire to see local entertaining football played at the highes levels in the pyramid
Knutsfordian, too many people Iām afraid are stuck in the past, there needs to be investment of some kind otherwise like you say itās difficult to see Witton challenging at the right end of the table and pushing for Conference North football any time soon, although I do sometimes think some fans are just happy plodding along without much ambition.
Mid Cheshire cannot support 4/5 semi decent non league clubs and unless things change, Witton Albion FC will continue to struggle on and off the pitch, time for some people to take the rose tinted glasses off and realise Witton are no longer a ābigā club but could be again with the right investment and people in place.
There are three non league clubs from Northwich all playing in non league lower leagues. If Northwich wants a club playing at Conference level or higher, then it will never happen while the hardcore fans are split two or three ways. Temporary success, temporary investmwnt, will attract temporary fans but in the long run this just isnāt sustainable in 2022.
The three clubs are already at the highest long term sustainable level. How many people will be watching these three clubs in 2042? Unfortunately, I donāt see anything changing and I donāt see where the next generation of hard core fans will come from.
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What people are forgetting is that the fabulous team that we had in the 90ās was funded by investment released by the sale of the Central Ground. The groundswell of support that team brought also brought the next generation of supporters, so you are quite right to highlight the long term impact on the level of support by staying at the current level.
If anyone is attending the open meeting this week, can you please ask the directors if we can at least have the debate (not a shouting match) and carefully consider all the options open to us !
trouble is that the fickle football supporter will always want to watch a team on the rise,just look at Rylands,what will happen when they will tail off,i honestly think we have to cut our cloth,we went wild in the nineties under Mike Mckenzie with a team that resembled the Harlem Globetrotters and bowed out of the conference and they all buggered off,sorry id rather stay with what we have,ill turn up,i wont moan
And Mario thatās fair enough to have that view. All I am asking for is that we have the debate. Staying with what we have has consequences too and if the majority of supporters understand that, want that, are prepared to fund it and stick with it then so be it. But over the past 30 years we have lurched from crisis to crisis and stayed afloat by the skin of our teeth. One of these days we will run out of luck, if not supporters