merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
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Post by merse on Dec 14, 2008 15:44:21 GMT
 Despite being initially disappointed with yesterday's gate, I see that it was in fact only bettered by the one at Wrexham in the competition.....................so, not so bad then - the Trophy is appallingly supported by the public in the early rounds.
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Post by David Graham's Eighth Pint on Dec 14, 2008 18:10:52 GMT
I spotted this too Merse. I understand that it's close to Christmas and there's a recession (blah blah blah), but this is a great competition and one of the best opportunities for Non-League teams to get a run-out at Wembley.
I couldn't believe that Histon vs. Cambridge United - just five miles between the two and two teams who have a great shot at winning this trophy - attracted a measly 1,146 supporters.
The teams won't be short of followers under the Arch come May...
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Post by stuartB on Dec 14, 2008 21:53:38 GMT
Bath's keeper was a great character and up for a bit of banter. My good friend, Mr Chelston, shouted "Get on with it CHUNKY!" and the keeper responded with a thumbs up and a smile.
Someone else asked for a Truffle Shuffle, referring to the Goonies, which got a laugh.
Several Chunky calls in the second half got a good response and like the Chipstead keeper, deserved the applause he got. BTW he made some good saves as well
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cav
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Post by cav on Dec 15, 2008 18:43:12 GMT
There are lots of reasons for the poor gate (and as pointed out not just ours). The reality is the Trophy has absolutely no kudos! It is a perfectly acceptable competition for the part timers of the Conference South/North and below. For those in the B/S Premier, WINNING the title, being part of the play offs or simply surviving in the division is far, far more important than this added set of fixtures.
I am sure someone can come up with the stats concerning gaining promotion and winning the FAT in the same season. Not many teams i bet!
I for one did not attend on Saturday and how many (hand on heart) would have attended the final last season if it was played at another venue other than Wembley??
All this competition does is use up useful, IMPORTANT League Saturday fixtures.
Newport or Rushden at home. Looks like Grays at home will have to be rearranged? Is it really worth it?
Histon must be delighted that they had 2 players off last Saturday, good for us obviously, but on another day, another poor referee that could be us missing key players for League matches!
Is it worth it? Never in a million years!
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Post by pikeygull on Dec 15, 2008 20:35:19 GMT
I think the attendance was as good as could be expected. As Merse says it was only bettered by Wrexham in the handful of games that went ahead. (Thank God ours did).
I was only a 100 or so different than last years 1st round game against Bashley.
It's Christmas coming up and if you look at the run of weekend Home games in the build up this game was always going to suffer. We could end up having upto 8 home weekend games on the spin if we get a draw against Blackpool.
Throw in an away day at Weymouth and this becomes a very expensive 21/2 months.
This stretches from 29th October against Oxford to the next scheduled away saturday game 24th Jan at Altrincham.
Wrexham is the exception in this run but this could be moved back to Sat if we have a replay against Blackpool.
FAO Cav The Trophy game is on the 10th Jan so the Grays games shouldn't be affected?? Hope we do NOT ever have to face a replay in this competition.
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Post by crispygull on Dec 15, 2008 20:42:46 GMT
FAO Cav The Trophy game is on the 10th Jan so the Grays games shouldn't be affected?? But it will be if we win the tie  The third round is scheduled for 31st January - the date of the Grays home game. |
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Post by pikeygull on Dec 15, 2008 20:52:44 GMT
Mmmmm I see. My bad
Now I don't know if I want us to win this tie now??? and I hate to say things like that. If it was away it wouldn't be so much a dilemma but I never want us to lose a home game
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Post by David Graham's Eighth Pint on Dec 17, 2008 17:55:48 GMT
I am sure someone can come up with the stats concerning gaining promotion and winning the FAT in the same season. Not many teams i bet! I for one did not attend on Saturday and how many (hand on heart) would have attended the final last season if it was played at another venue other than Wembley?? I hate this argument in football. Are you suggesting the FA Trophy was the reason we lost out to Exeter in the Playoffs? And yes, there would have been less people if the final had been held away from Wembley. But a lot of people still would have gone because it would have been a trophy in the cabinet. Going to see our little Torquay playing at the most famous stadium in the world? No brainer. |
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cav
TFF member
Posts: 32
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Post by cav on Dec 18, 2008 10:00:36 GMT
DGEP.
You appear to be missing the point? Yes, going to Wembley again was good, but winning the FAT is about as important as winning the Devon Bowl. Financially, Wembley aside, I believe we have made more money in the FA Cup already this season than all of the FAT run?
When players such as Tim Sills are quoted after the defeat at Halifax claiming the players minds were on the York FAT semi final game, rather than 100% on the League game. Then It really does matter!!!
Perhaps you agree that because of the Trophy/Setanta fixture pile up it was great preparation to have to play 4 games in 8 days at the end of the season?
Tactics aside, the Torquay players were clearly shattered in the play off at Plainmoor having played considerably more games than Exeter.
As for the FAT final, no energy, no real will to win, footballing wise, a complete and utter waste of time.
PROMOTION is the only real goal. Let's not get caught up in another fixture pile up!!
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Dec 18, 2008 10:54:01 GMT
Promotion (IMO) is the most important thing this season. The B all and end all.
As already mentioned it just adds to the fixture congestion, injuries etc.
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Post by David Graham's Eighth Pint on Dec 19, 2008 10:22:16 GMT
Sorry Cav, I've re-read what I wrote and realised it probably came across as sarcastic and a little angry! Let me assure you I didn't mean that at all. I think we may have to agree to disagree. The FA Trophy, for me, is the FA Cup of Non-League. I'd be shocked if any BSP clubs said they didn't want to win it. Last season was so much more than any of us could have hoped for. When we were relegated, I wasn't the only one who had pretty much settled for a few years in Non-League. If you had told me at the start that our first campaign in the Conference would end with us in the playoffs and the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium, I would have laughed you out of the room. Don't get me wrong, I would take promotion back to the League over any Cup, but I'm just an old romantic who can't stand it when teams don't take the Cups seriously. Let me also clear up that I couldn't give a monkeys about the Setanta Shield and the Devon Bowl, other than a run-out for our fringe players. Maybe just this one year I'll change sides take losing out in the Trophy to win promotion. You should have heard my rant when Manchester United pulled out of the FA Cup in 2000...  |
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