BDL no axe to grind with Ebbsfleet, but as Maidstone are doing it the hard way and right way and delighted for them, got a lot of memories as a kid going and watching them when Dickie Guy played in goal as his brother lived next door and went all the FA Cup games (apart from when we beat them in the replay).Always had fantastic support.
Ebbsfleet shouldn't have found themselves in the playoffs today, massive bottle job to not win the league, too many draws against average teams.
For a team with the budget they have, to only play well for the last 15 minutes of normal time is poor, playing 4-5-1 at home in a final is inexcusable, and Ebbsfleet only have themselves to blame.
Delighted for the Stones, be a real test in the National for them, is the Gallagher being extended now?
Never forgive Maidstone for the what they did to Dartford although realise it wasn't their supporters. Don't like Ebbsfleet, not only because of rivalry with Dartford but basically because of the money they have. Relatively more than Chelsea and Man C together playing against teams of Charlton budgets
Maidstone are my local team and I used to watch them a fair bit, strange to think we could be playing them next year.
This - Maidstone were effectively bust and playing Sunday league level when I started going to football (mid 90's) hence I was taken to Charlton by by Dad (Gillingham was never an option). But I've always followed them home and away even at those levels a few times a season and have a lot of passion for them and the support. Remember taking nearly 1,000 down to places like Folkesrone and Dover in the 8th and 9th tier.
With the state of Charlton atm I'll prob spend my season split between Charlton and Maidstone away games next year.
Didn't even realise Maidstone had gone up last year let alone done well this year. Very happy that Ebbsfleet haven't gone up though, disgrace of a club.
Never forgive Maidstone for the what they did to Dartford although realise it wasn't their supporters. Don't like Ebbsfleet, not only because of rivalry with Dartford but basically because of the money they have. Relatively more than Chelsea and Man C together playing against teams of Charlton budgets
Do you know the size of their budget and what a ridiculous statement to make regarding Chelsea and man city.
Well done maidstone you held your bottle when fleet lost theirs.
Still have no idea where the ref got 2 added mins from at the end of extra time, Stones scored 30 secs from end to take it to pens.
Don't get the hate from some quarters for Ebbsfleet, genuinely pleased for Maidstone though given what they have been through.
My nephew was playing for The Stones a couple of years back and they were in a very difficult place at the time. Good to see they've finally come good.
Ebbsfleet shouldn't have found themselves in the playoffs today, massive bottle job to not win the league, too many draws against average teams.
For a team with the budget they have, to only play well for the last 15 minutes of normal time is poor, playing 4-5-1 at home in a final is inexcusable, and Ebbsfleet only have themselves to blame.
Delighted for the Stones, be a real test in the National for them, is the Gallagher being extended now?
Yes a new 2k terrace is to be built.
North of the border @Miserableoldgit 's team East Sterlingshire lost to Edinburgh City, the 2 clubs swap league status'.
Ebbsfleet shouldn't have found themselves in the playoffs today, massive bottle job to not win the league, too many draws against average teams.
For a team with the budget they have, to only play well for the last 15 minutes of normal time is poor, playing 4-5-1 at home in a final is inexcusable, and Ebbsfleet only have themselves to blame.
Delighted for the Stones, be a real test in the National for them, is the Gallagher being extended now?
Yes a new 2k terrace is to be built.
North of the border @Miserableoldgit 's team East Sterlingshire lost to Edinburgh City, the 2 clubs swap league status'.
It's about time - apologies MOG, but east sterling should have been relegated years ago!
Ebbsfleet shouldn't have found themselves in the playoffs today, massive bottle job to not win the league, too many draws against average teams.
For a team with the budget they have, to only play well for the last 15 minutes of normal time is poor, playing 4-5-1 at home in a final is inexcusable, and Ebbsfleet only have themselves to blame.
Delighted for the Stones, be a real test in the National for them, is the Gallagher being extended now?
Yes a new 2k terrace is to be built.
North of the border @Miserableoldgit 's team East Sterlingshire lost to Edinburgh City, the 2 clubs swap league status'.
It's about time - apologies MOG, but east sterling should have been relegated years ago!
They couldn't get relegated a couple of years ago! Strangely quite a few of the Lowland and Highland league teams have no intention of joining the league.
North Ferriby United is my village team (pop 3900) and I was there yesterday to watch them get promotion to the Conference Premier. Wonderful effort from all involved. Quite unbelievable really and restored my faith in the wonder of what is football.
Maidstone ground shared at Dartford's old ground, went broke and took Dartford down with them, with the result that Dartford sold their ground and both clubs fell down the ladder.
I don't know if the council could have done more to keep Dartford and the Watling Street ground alive
Never forgive Maidstone for the what they did to Dartford although realise it wasn't their supporters. Don't like Ebbsfleet, not only because of rivalry with Dartford but basically because of the money they have. Relatively more than Chelsea and Man C together playing against teams of Charlton budgets
Do you know the size of their budget and what a ridiculous statement to make regarding Chelsea and man city.
Well done maidstone you held your bottle when fleet lost theirs.
As someone who is not in the know regarding the history of Maidstone, Dartford and Ebbsfleet I'd like to know the following:
Why do so many people hate Ebbsfleet?
What did Maidstone do to Dartford that is unforgivable?
I don't think anyone 'hates' Ebbsfleet. They have a long running rivalry with Dartford and there are a few Dartford people on here, but wouldn't take any words seriously.
Personally, as a Charlton fan i see that they are increasingly building a mini-Charlton down there and think they are a serious long-term threat to taking away a chunk of our current dissatisfied / future support. There is a large number of ex-CAFC staff, directors, sponsors, contacts now involved down there and I see that increasing further over the next 12 months.
With their resources and potential, they should have secured two promotions by now and be in League 2, the fact they still can't get out the Conf South i think has been a major underachievement, and be I'm not too unhappy about. It's nothing personal against Ebbsfleet or the people involved, I just don't think them doing well will be good for Charlton.
Maidstone ground shared at Dartford's old ground, went broke and took Dartford down with them, with the result that Dartford sold their ground and both clubs fell down the ladder.
I don't know if the council could have done more to keep Dartford and the Watling Street ground alive
As someone who is not in the know regarding the history of Maidstone, Dartford and Ebbsfleet I'd like to know the following:
Why do so many people hate Ebbsfleet?
What did Maidstone do to Dartford that is unforgivable?
I don't think anyone 'hates' Ebbsfleet. They have a long running rivalry with Dartford and there are a few Dartford people on here, but wouldn't take any words seriously.
Personally, as a Charlton fan i see that they are increasingly building a mini-Charlton down there and think they are a serious long-term threat to taking away a chunk of our current dissatisfied / future support. There is a large number of ex-CAFC staff, directors, sponsors, contacts now involved down there and I see that increasing further over the next 12 months.
With their resources and potential, they should have secured two promotions by now and be in League 2, the fact they still can't get out the Conf South i think has been a major underachievement, and be I'm not too unhappy about. It's nothing personal against Ebbsfleet or the people involved, I just don't think them doing well will be good for Charlton.
As someone who is not in the know regarding the history of Maidstone, Dartford and Ebbsfleet I'd like to know the following:
Why do so many people hate Ebbsfleet?
What did Maidstone do to Dartford that is unforgivable?
I don't think anyone 'hates' Ebbsfleet. They have a long running rivalry with Dartford and there are a few Dartford people on here, but wouldn't take any words seriously.
Personally, as a Charlton fan i see that they are increasingly building a mini-Charlton down there and think they are a serious long-term threat to taking away a chunk of our current dissatisfied / future support. There is a large number of ex-CAFC staff, directors, sponsors, contacts now involved down there and I see that increasing further over the next 12 months.
With their resources and potential, they should have secured two promotions by now and be in League 2, the fact they still can't get out the Conf South i think has been a major underachievement, and be I'm not too unhappy about. It's nothing personal against Ebbsfleet or the people involved, I just don't think them doing well will be good for Charlton.
I think there's a limit to how much support "leeches" down there. Ebsfleet is a long way from Charlton, and has a very different "feel". Clubs have a natural level, and while they can rise up through the divisions, they eventually sink back down to their natural level. Crawley were the big thing a few years ago, and now are a struggling L2 team. Luton by contrast were artificially low, but will start rising once their new ground is built.
Besides, many of us will have a "rival" second team, such as Welling or Dartford! Or Maidstone, Tonbridge etc
I've always thought of non-league football to have a bit of an 'unspoken etiquette' on how you run your club down there. You look at Dartford, Bromley, Welling etc. slowly developing, getting up to the conference (national league) in a fairly natural way. Then you get your Ebbsfleet pricing out teams a division or 2 above them with their ludicrous wages. It ruins the attraction to non-league football for me at least. I remember in welling's promotion season almost every player in the pub after the game, there was just a sense of community at the club even including the players. I think this is the case at quite a few non league teams, but it's not possible when you get in a load of money hungry mercenaries in who couldn't care less who their playing for. Yes those days have now gone at welling and very few of the squad if any remain. Ebbsfleet poached and quickly threw away Jamie Day and JT and ruined what they'd built at welling for the 3 years before. Now that welling have gone down and I'll be going to a lot less Charlton games and with Goldburg in I'm hoping they can get rid of the current lot of wasters and recreate the team spirit they had before, and that Ebbsfleet will never have no matter how much money they spend.
All local non league teams are potentially, to paranoid me , a small threat to our fanbase and being a miserable git I want them all to stay pony so as not to affect my club
As someone who is not in the know regarding the history of Maidstone, Dartford and Ebbsfleet I'd like to know the following:
Why do so many people hate Ebbsfleet?
What did Maidstone do to Dartford that is unforgivable?
I don't think anyone 'hates' Ebbsfleet. They have a long running rivalry with Dartford and there are a few Dartford people on here, but wouldn't take any words seriously.
Personally, as a Charlton fan i see that they are increasingly building a mini-Charlton down there and think they are a serious long-term threat to taking away a chunk of our current dissatisfied / future support. There is a large number of ex-CAFC staff, directors, sponsors, contacts now involved down there and I see that increasing further over the next 12 months.
With their resources and potential, they should have secured two promotions by now and be in League 2, the fact they still can't get out the Conf South i think has been a major underachievement, and be I'm not too unhappy about. It's nothing personal against Ebbsfleet or the people involved, I just don't think them doing well will be good for Charlton.
I'd take issue with "increasingly building a mini-Charlton", based on the facts rather than perceptions.
As far as staff are concerned there is Varney, Dave Archer and Steve Gritt, to my knowledge. When Varney was chief executive at Charlton, there were more than 100 non-football staff at Charlton by comparison. Of the three named, one walked out of Charlton, taking a massive pay cut, because he couldn't work with the regime and the other two were forced out (in different circumstances).
Is there really anything strange about them getting other (inferior) jobs in football at the same club? Are we also worried about Steve Kavanagh being chief exec of Southend United or Steve Waggott being at Gillingham? Both will use commercial contacts made at Charlton. Football is a small world and this happens all the time.
I believe Stuart Butler-Gallie is a director of Fleet, having previously been a director at Charlton (briefly). He and his children were banned from The Valley by Slater because (long after being a director) he gave legal advice to a former employee in his professional capacity. Was it unreasonable for him to take up a directorship elsewhere? Ditto sponsors who are walking away from Charlton because of the current ownership.
Admittedly, Keith Peacock and his wife were there yesterday and I expect Steve Sutherland is a regular visitor, but what exactly is the threat there? Dave Lockwood was on the PA. I doubt if it means he is leaving Charlton or that the other two have changed allegiance.
Incidentally, I've seen two Ebbsfleet matches in the last three years, one of which involved Charlton, so you can count me out of your list!
Meanwhile, we have a club with 50,000 season tickets playing Premier League football much closer to The Valley, Palace in the FA Cup final and Millwall with the opportunity to gain promotion.
You could equally talk to Sue from Maidstone CASC about the impact Maidstone United is having on Charlton support in her area, when combined with the shambles at The Valley.
All these clubs are a "serious long-term threat to taking away a chunk of our current dissatisfied/future support", as are Bromley, Dartford and Welling. But our fans aren't going to Ebbsfleet to watch Varney, Archer and Gritt, even if their mates might stop by to visit.
The problem is not with any of these clubs. It's with Charlton. The longer this current situation goes on the more the club will be badly damaged by losing supporters left right and centre, to other clubs and to other things.
I understand that people are suspicious of the money behind Ebbsfleet and that's a fair enough point, although I guess the smaller League One clubs might say the same about Duchatelet's wealth, but focusing on the ex-Charlton component seems to me to be looking at the situation back to front.
Comments
For a team with the budget they have, to only play well for the last 15 minutes of normal time is poor, playing 4-5-1 at home in a final is inexcusable, and Ebbsfleet only have themselves to blame.
Delighted for the Stones, be a real test in the National for them, is the Gallagher being extended now?
Incredible support, they must have had 200-250.
Well done maidstone you held your bottle when fleet lost theirs.
North of the border @Miserableoldgit 's team East Sterlingshire lost to Edinburgh City, the 2 clubs swap league status'.
Why do so many people hate Ebbsfleet?
What did Maidstone do to Dartford that is unforgivable?
Maidstone ground shared at Dartford's old ground, went broke and took Dartford down with them, with the result that Dartford sold their ground and both clubs fell down the ladder.
I don't know if the council could have done more to keep Dartford and the Watling Street ground alive
Personally, as a Charlton fan i see that they are increasingly building a mini-Charlton down there and think they are a serious long-term threat to taking away a chunk of our current dissatisfied / future support. There is a large number of ex-CAFC staff, directors, sponsors, contacts now involved down there and I see that increasing further over the next 12 months.
With their resources and potential, they should have secured two promotions by now and be in League 2, the fact they still can't get out the Conf South i think has been a major underachievement, and be I'm not too unhappy about. It's nothing personal against Ebbsfleet or the people involved, I just don't think them doing well will be good for Charlton.
Besides, many of us will have a "rival" second team, such as Welling or Dartford! Or Maidstone, Tonbridge etc
As far as staff are concerned there is Varney, Dave Archer and Steve Gritt, to my knowledge. When Varney was chief executive at Charlton, there were more than 100 non-football staff at Charlton by comparison. Of the three named, one walked out of Charlton, taking a massive pay cut, because he couldn't work with the regime and the other two were forced out (in different circumstances).
Is there really anything strange about them getting other (inferior) jobs in football at the same club? Are we also worried about Steve Kavanagh being chief exec of Southend United or Steve Waggott being at Gillingham? Both will use commercial contacts made at Charlton. Football is a small world and this happens all the time.
I believe Stuart Butler-Gallie is a director of Fleet, having previously been a director at Charlton (briefly). He and his children were banned from The Valley by Slater because (long after being a director) he gave legal advice to a former employee in his professional capacity. Was it unreasonable for him to take up a directorship elsewhere? Ditto sponsors who are walking away from Charlton because of the current ownership.
Admittedly, Keith Peacock and his wife were there yesterday and I expect Steve Sutherland is a regular visitor, but what exactly is the threat there? Dave Lockwood was on the PA. I doubt if it means he is leaving Charlton or that the other two have changed allegiance.
Incidentally, I've seen two Ebbsfleet matches in the last three years, one of which involved Charlton, so you can count me out of your list!
Meanwhile, we have a club with 50,000 season tickets playing Premier League football much closer to The Valley, Palace in the FA Cup final and Millwall with the opportunity to gain promotion.
You could equally talk to Sue from Maidstone CASC about the impact Maidstone United is having on Charlton support in her area, when combined with the shambles at The Valley.
All these clubs are a "serious long-term threat to taking away a chunk of our current dissatisfied/future support", as are Bromley, Dartford and Welling. But our fans aren't going to Ebbsfleet to watch Varney, Archer and Gritt, even if their mates might stop by to visit.
The problem is not with any of these clubs. It's with Charlton. The longer this current situation goes on the more the club will be badly damaged by losing supporters left right and centre, to other clubs and to other things.
I understand that people are suspicious of the money behind Ebbsfleet and that's a fair enough point, although I guess the smaller League One clubs might say the same about Duchatelet's wealth, but focusing on the ex-Charlton component seems to me to be looking at the situation back to front.