Buckfastleigh Rangers | TheTFF Torquay United Fans Forum

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Buckfastleigh Rangers Jan 9, 2009 20:16:16 GMT

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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2009 20:16:16 GMT

Today's Herald Express reports that Buckfastleigh Rangers are pulling out of the SW Peninsula League at the end of the season. There's a pretty terse statement from the league secretary who clearly hasn't forgotten the club quitting the Devon League a few years ago. He suggests Buckfastleigh were going to get the push anyway for failing to improve facilities.

The club chairman's reasoning is interesting: "We finished bottom last season, and since than have imported most of the team from Plymouth with our two managers (first Darren Raven, then Richard Cameron) coming from that area. As a result, we've found it difficult attracting local support for what is effectively a team from outside the town."

That seems to be the case at lots of clubs and reflects the reality of semi-pro football. First teamers are from all over the place on a circuit following managers and money. Reserve teams are made up of local clubmen. It's often two-clubs-within-a-club and I suspect, at some places, spectators are as interested in watching the reserves as the firsts. Mind you, having seen Buckfastleigh's imported thugs at Teignmouth recently, they do have plenty of entertainment value....

Dave
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Buckfastleigh Rangers Jan 9, 2009 22:33:47 GMT

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Post by Dave on Jan 9, 2009 22:33:47 GMT

Barton do you know what ground improvements the SW Peninsula League require Buckfastleigh to do to their ground? I only ask because I have always felt the ground was one of the better local grounds.

It has floodlights, the pitch is flat, there is a bar and carpark and a tea hut, run by the lady who I want to be my Gran ;)Maybe Buckfast are just looking for excuses to get out of the SW Peninsula League.I would expect trying to run a team in that league has far greater costs than one in the South Devon League.

While I understand that players will follow managers around, a team like Buckfast really needs to have players from the town as part of the squad. I'm sure the Plymouth players were brought in only to be able to try and put out a strong team etc, but as you say by doing so the team will just seem like an outside team, just playing on the Buckfast pitch.

When I was there a few weeks ago for their reserve team match, it was clear that local boys were in the team and they had some good support at the match from Buckfast people.

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Buckfastleigh Rangers Jan 10, 2009 10:14:21 GMT

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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2009 10:14:21 GMT

I've never been to Buckfastleigh's ground but, yes, I was always of the impression it was one of the better ones in South Devon. Certainly one of the first to have floodlights?

Phil Hiscox, the SW Peninsula League secretary, tends to eventually put most statements on the league's site at www.swpleague.co.uk. As for now, this is how the paper reported him: "To be honest, they (Buckfastleigh) were never going to do the work on their facilities that they had received special dispensation for, so it stops the league from throwing them out in any case. It's also the second occasion they've withdrawn from Step 7 of the Football League pyramid after doing the same when they were in the Devon League, so I can assure you there won't be a third time. At least it's good news for Liverton United and Ottery St Mary, for they no longer live in fear of relegation."

I think the SWPL is doing a good job in providing a decent league and encouraging higher standards all-round. However it's a big ask to expect there to be 56 clubs in Devon and Cornwall equipped to play at the two tiers between district and Western League Premier level. Looks like there will always be casualities and the number of potential replacements may be drying up. I'm not convinced the SWPL would be a suitable home for TUFC Reserves but, if that's the way it was to be, there's probably vacancies next season.