The pitch

[TracoShot]

Firstly, congratulations must go to the groundstaff and volunteers for their efforts in the face of all this adverse weather and a ridiculous fixture schedule. The pitch is in a fairly sorry state this winter, but thankfully we have some great people working on it otherwise I'm sure there would have been more postponements by now. I'm sure that with a couple of weeks of better weather and TLC it will start to come back - the forecast is looking far more settled from Thursday onwards so fingers crossed.

The stadium overall is in a really bad state. I can see no reason for this other than neglect from the Board, convinced that their pie-in-the-sky scheme to build a stadium that no-one else wants will go ahead, and therefore they can run the existing asset into the ground. They are a disgrace, it's time for a complete re-set with some immeidate investment in the Rec and a plan for a sensible stage-by-stage refurbishment instead of this ridiculous vanity project.

I shudder to think how much has been needlessly p***ed up the wall on architects, consultants and solicitors! It would make the FA fine pale into insignificance.

I agree chimpster99 perhaps a shareholder can get a breakdown of costs spent on this apparent referb/rebuild etc and also direct investment on the ground and pitch?

I'm not sure shareholders are entitled to that, HW. Shareholders are entitled to the most recent annual accounts. They are not entitled to financial details of the current year's trading. Also, it's a complicated business, far exceeding my knowledge of company law and accounting, but small and medium size companies can file abridged accounts. These may not have the level of detail required to do the suggested comparison.

Maybe a ShotsWebber who is an accountant or has financal expertise could set me straight, but I'm pretty damn sure the annual accounts would not have to detail every payment into and out of the company's coffers. I have been a company director in the past (and likely will be in the future) and have never seen that. Sums are given under broad headings.

Entitled or not, a shareholder could always ask, of course.

As long as the shareholders agree then the accounts lodged could just be abridged accounts which would give minimal information.

I have a feeling thar the club has got some massive issues at present and that a statement from the Chairman is long overdue.

[Turnkey]

Exactly. Always the same people having digs/moaning about Azeem and the board!

In this case it is justified, anyone who’s been involved with looking after the pitch will tell you the board hate spending money on it. Added to the fact they’ve got more games on it will tell you how much money is more important to them than results. In this weather the pitch really needs to rest for 10-14 days between games but it’s just not getting that. We used to have an advantage of playing on a decent surface but now it’s shot.

[TracoShot]

Exactly. Always the same people having digs/moaning about Azeem and the board!

In this case it is justified, anyone who’s been involved with looking after the pitch will tell you the board hate spending money on it. Added to the fact they’ve got more games on it will tell you how much money is more important to them than results. In this weather the pitch really needs to rest for 10-14 days between games but it’s just not getting that. We used to have an advantage of playing on a decent surface but now it’s shot.

It's all down to money. More games equals more income which appears the sole target of the club atm.

Imo something isn't right. Why are the club so desperate for money after the excess income generated last season ? Has the ground redevelopment stopped due to a lack of money ?

[chimpster99]

Exactly. Always the same people having digs/moaning about Azeem and the board!

In this case it is justified, anyone who’s been involved with looking after the pitch will tell you the board hate spending money on it. Added to the fact they’ve got more games on it will tell you how much money is more important to them than results. In this weather the pitch really needs to rest for 10-14 days between games but it’s just not getting that. We used to have an advantage of playing on a decent surface but now it’s shot.

It's all down to money. More games equals more income which appears the sole target of the club atm.

Imo something isn't right. Why are the club so desperate for money after the excess income generated last season ? Has the ground redevelopment stopped due to a lack of money ?

Probably more a case that the ridiculous development hasn't moved forward, but in the meantime the club has shelled out a small fortune on consultants and architects. And the gains of last season have clearly been swallowed up on debt.

[shotsboy66]

Exactly. Always the same people having digs/moaning about Azeem and the board!

In this case it is justified, anyone who’s been involved with looking after the pitch will tell you the board hate spending money on it. Added to the fact they’ve got more games on it will tell you how much money is more important to them than results. In this weather the pitch really needs to rest for 10-14 days between games but it’s just not getting that. We used to have an advantage of playing on a decent surface but now it’s shot.

It's all down to money. More games equals more income which appears the sole target of the club atm.
Imo something isn't right. Why are the club so desperate for money after the excess income generated last season ? Has the ground redevelopment stopped due to a lack of money ?

It is very interesting what you mention here about the club appearing to need money after last season.

Many years ago after playing Man Utd at home in a league cup tie, then being drawn away to Liverpool in the FA Cup...following on from the previous season getting great crowds vs Huddersfield & Carlisle in the FA Cup, amazingly when the season kicked off the following August 1971, Aldershot FC were suddenly desperate to cut the cloth, even ditching the reserve side, putting up the rents to players in club owned houses. This was in Jack Rollins excellent history of AFC....amid growing concern over the clubs financial position- the wages burden alone for the year was £65,000 - Chairman Driver announced savage and necessary cuts in expenditure.

The club even sold legend Jack Howarth for a paltry £7,000 to Rochdale....then sacked Jimmy Melia, who had led the club on the FA Cup runs the previous two seasons.

Even then something wasn`t right!

[karlready]

Perhaps we should consider a new generation plastic pitch. Then we could accommodate Tom, Dick and Harry.
Let’s be realistic, with the present club set up, and inability to compete financially, we’re going nowhere fast, EFL a fading memory.

I’ll get me coat…..

A reiteration of my post on page 1. If ever there is to be an argument for a plastic pitch,it is to be found on these few pages. - Board reluctant to spend maintenance money, reliance on volunteers, poor weather, overuse…. The latest surfaces are as far from Dorkings abomination as the moon. An initial outlay, sure, but likely to be at least partly FA loan funded…
No, I’m not a fan of plastic, but it may well be time for some realism.

[Dom Sterlings Left Leg]

Exactly. Always the same people having digs/moaning about Azeem and the board!

In this case it is justified, anyone who’s been involved with looking after the pitch will tell you the board hate spending money on it. Added to the fact they’ve got more games on it will tell you how much money is more important to them than results. In this weather the pitch really needs to rest for 10-14 days between games but it’s just not getting that. We used to have an advantage of playing on a decent surface but now it’s shot.

It's all down to money. More games equals more income which appears the sole target of the club atm.

Imo something isn't right. Why are the club so desperate for money after the excess income generated last season ? Has the ground redevelopment stopped due to a lack of money ?

I'd imagine the ground redevelopment has stalled because a realisation has set in that it is no longer viable financially based on the restrictive nature of the site. They're already proposing to squeeze every inch out of it (eg the abomination proposed to replace the east bank to allow maximum land to be turned over to the development).

Added to the fact we are trying to buy land off the MOD to form an access into the housing development which is not possible without it, the MOD are not in a position to let this go cheaply or presumably care much if we don't agree to their demands.

When you consider the ridiculously unnecessary time frames placed on it all (we can all speculate as to why this was stated) and the suggestion the club would carry on playing at the ground while it was going to be built (how??) the whole thing was a fantasy from the start..

I'm sure going back some years when Deane Wood bailed us out with a large loan it was suggested somewhere he had paid the debts off and he would only start to get his money back when thr redevelopment was complete?... well purely speculating but maybe with the likely hood of the ground being complete this millennium about 0.001% some of his loan has been paid back with some of the profits from last season? And who could argue, I often wonder where we would be without his generosity??

You do wonder about the state of the club though, the signs from the outside don't look good.

[brian bloomfield]

Monies tight everywhere, the BOD can only generally spend what the cashflow allows or what they are willing to loan the club under National League strict finance governance. They can of course input via share purchase.

As a private limited company and as per our articles of association, the BOD are not required to have a shareholders meeting and only do so for transparency.

Having worked for a construction company and being party to purchasing football stadiums for housing, I expect very little money has been spent if any at all, on the current redevelopment. The potential house builder should be at full risk on any plans including our sketches until full planning is gained.

Fingers crossed the pitch holds up for Saturday.

[Sean Chambers]

Firstly, congratulations must go to the groundstaff and volunteers for their efforts in the face of all this adverse weather and a ridiculous fixture schedule. The pitch is in a fairly sorry state this winter, but thankfully we have some great people working on it otherwise I'm sure there would have been more postponements by now. I'm sure that with a couple of weeks of better weather and TLC it will start to come back - the forecast is looking far more settled from Thursday onwards so fingers crossed.

The stadium overall is in a really bad state. I can see no reason for this other than neglect from the Board, convinced that their pie-in-the-sky scheme to build a stadium that no-one else wants will go ahead, and therefore they can run the existing asset into the ground. They are a disgrace, it's time for a complete re-set with some immeidate investment in the Rec and a plan for a sensible stage-by-stage refurbishment instead of this ridiculous vanity project.

I shudder to think how much has been needlessly p***ed up the wall on architects, consultants and solicitors! It would make the FA fine pale into insignificance.

Spot on about the stadium being in a wee bit of a state and run down.
After the Braintree game a fortnight ago, I sent an email to the club to let them know that there was no running tap water available in the Gents toilets nearest the away end in the South Stand.
I’m still awaiting a reply, so I have sent another email as the situation was exactly the same at the game on Saturday.
This isn’t me being negative etc just stating a couple of facts and surely it’s not too much to ask to expect a wee reply if you pardon the pun.

I do agree with what others have said on here and also other fans that I have spoken to, that maybe a fans forum might be worthwhile to give us an update to what’s happening around the gaff.

[brian bloomfield]

Firstly, congratulations must go to the groundstaff and volunteers for their efforts in the face of all this adverse weather and a ridiculous fixture schedule. The pitch is in a fairly sorry state this winter, but thankfully we have some great people working on it otherwise I'm sure there would have been more postponements by now. I'm sure that with a couple of weeks of better weather and TLC it will start to come back - the forecast is looking far more settled from Thursday onwards so fingers crossed.

The stadium overall is in a really bad state. I can see no reason for this other than neglect from the Board, convinced that their pie-in-the-sky scheme to build a stadium that no-one else wants will go ahead, and therefore they can run the existing asset into the ground. They are a disgrace, it's time for a complete re-set with some immeidate investment in the Rec and a plan for a sensible stage-by-stage refurbishment instead of this ridiculous vanity project.

I shudder to think how much has been needlessly p***ed up the wall on architects, consultants and solicitors! It would make the FA fine pale into insignificance.

Spot on about the stadium being in a wee bit of a state and run down.
After the Braintree game a fortnight ago, I sent an email to the club to let them know that there was no running tap water available in the Gents toilets nearest the away end in the South Stand.
I’m still awaiting a reply, so I have sent another email as the situation was exactly the same at the game on Saturday.
This isn’t me being negative etc just stating a couple of facts and surely it’s not too much to ask to expect a wee reply if you pardon the pun.

I do agree with what others have said on here and also other fans that I have spoken to, that maybe a fans forum might be worthwhile to give us an update to what’s happening around the gaffer.

This is shocking Sean. The club had many trade volunteers who would do jobs like these just for the love of the club. Particularly Plumbers and Electricians. Also this should be covered off on the pre match H&S walk round check list which is signed off.

[Birdman]

Firstly, congratulations must go to the groundstaff and volunteers for their efforts in the face of all this adverse weather and a ridiculous fixture schedule. The pitch is in a fairly sorry state this winter, but thankfully we have some great people working on it otherwise I'm sure there would have been more postponements by now. I'm sure that with a couple of weeks of better weather and TLC it will start to come back - the forecast is looking far more settled from Thursday onwards so fingers crossed.

The stadium overall is in a really bad state. I can see no reason for this other than neglect from the Board, convinced that their pie-in-the-sky scheme to build a stadium that no-one else wants will go ahead, and therefore they can run the existing asset into the ground. They are a disgrace, it's time for a complete re-set with some immeidate investment in the Rec and a plan for a sensible stage-by-stage refurbishment instead of this ridiculous vanity project.

I shudder to think how much has been needlessly p***ed up the wall on architects, consultants and solicitors! It would make the FA fine pale into insignificance.

Spot on about the stadium being in a wee bit of a state and run down.
After the Braintree game a fortnight ago, I sent an email to the club to let them know that there was no running tap water available in the Gents toilets nearest the away end in the South Stand.
I’m still awaiting a reply, so I have sent another email as the situation was exactly the same at the game on Saturday.
This isn’t me being negative etc just stating a couple of facts and surely it’s not too much to ask to expect a wee reply if you pardon the pun.

I do agree with what others have said on here and also other fans that I have spoken to, that maybe a fans forum might be worthwhile to give us an update to what’s happening around the gaffer.

Who did you send the email to, Sean? The reason that I’m asking is because jobs like that are generally passed onto the Weekday Volunteers to have a look at and hopefully fix. If the task is beyond our abilities then a plumber would be called in. As such, I’m not aware of us being told about it. So, let me know who you sent it to then we can go and ask them tomorrow when we go in.

[WTF]

Firstly, congratulations must go to the groundstaff and volunteers for their efforts in the face of all this adverse weather and a ridiculous fixture schedule. The pitch is in a fairly sorry state this winter, but thankfully we have some great people working on it otherwise I'm sure there would have been more postponements by now. I'm sure that with a couple of weeks of better weather and TLC it will start to come back - the forecast is looking far more settled from Thursday onwards so fingers crossed.

The stadium overall is in a really bad state. I can see no reason for this other than neglect from the Board, convinced that their pie-in-the-sky scheme to build a stadium that no-one else wants will go ahead, and therefore they can run the existing asset into the ground. They are a disgrace, it's time for a complete re-set with some immeidate investment in the Rec and a plan for a sensible stage-by-stage refurbishment instead of this ridiculous vanity project.

I shudder to think how much has been needlessly p***ed up the wall on architects, consultants and solicitors! It would make the FA fine pale into insignificance.

Spot on about the stadium being in a wee bit of a state and run down.
After the Braintree game a fortnight ago, I sent an email to the club to let them know that there was no running tap water available in the Gents toilets nearest the away end in the South Stand.
I’m still awaiting a reply, so I have sent another email as the situation was exactly the same at the game on Saturday.
This isn’t me being negative etc just stating a couple of facts and surely it’s not too much to ask to expect a wee reply if you pardon the pun.

I do agree with what others have said on here and also other fans that I have spoken to, that maybe a fans forum might be worthwhile to give us an update to what’s happening around the gaffer.

Who did you send the email to, Sean? The reason that I’m asking is because jobs like that are generally passed onto the Weekday Volunteers to have a look at and hopefully fix. If the task is beyond our abilities then a plumber would be called in. As such, I’m not aware of us being told about it. So, let me know who you sent it to then we can go and ask them tomorrow when we go in.

It shouldn't take you Birdman, as a volunteer to deal with this. As stated on a previous answer, this should be part of the pre match H&S walk around!

What is happening to our club?

[Birdman]

Spot on about the stadium being in a wee bit of a state and run down.
After the Braintree game a fortnight ago, I sent an email to the club to let them know that there was no running tap water available in the Gents toilets nearest the away end in the South Stand.
I’m still awaiting a reply, so I have sent another email as the situation was exactly the same at the game on Saturday.
This isn’t me being negative etc just stating a couple of facts and surely it’s not too much to ask to expect a wee reply if you pardon the pun.

I do agree with what others have said on here and also other fans that I have spoken to, that maybe a fans forum might be worthwhile to give us an update to what’s happening around the gaffer.

Who did you send the email to, Sean? The reason that I’m asking is because jobs like that are generally passed onto the Weekday Volunteers to have a look at and hopefully fix. If the task is beyond our abilities then a plumber would be called in. As such, I’m not aware of us being told about it. So, let me know who you sent it to then we can go and ask them tomorrow when we go in.

It shouldn't take you Birdman, as a volunteer to deal with this. As stated on a previous answer, this should be part of the pre match H&S walk around!

What is happening to our club?

We take on many tasks and we don’t mind doing so. It’s why we volunteer and give our time freely. In this instance if it’s a simple repair job we’ll happily do it. If it saves the club money then I’m all for it.

[WTF]

Who did you send the email to, Sean? The reason that I’m asking is because jobs like that are generally passed onto the Weekday Volunteers to have a look at and hopefully fix. If the task is beyond our abilities then a plumber would be called in. As such, I’m not aware of us being told about it. So, let me know who you sent it to then we can go and ask them tomorrow when we go in.

It shouldn't take you Birdman, as a volunteer to deal with this. As stated on a previous answer, this should be part of the pre match H&S walk around!

What is happening to our club?

We take on many tasks and we don’t mind doing so. It’s why we volunteer and give our time freely. In this instance if it’s a simple repair job we’ll happily do it. If it saves the club money then I’m all for it.

I understand why you all volunteer and I admire you all, if this was a simple repair job, why wasn't it done as part of the H&S requirement and not just left and also Sean replied too?

[Aldershot_Rob]

Perhaps we should consider a new generation plastic pitch. Then we could accommodate Tom, Dick and Harry.
Let’s be realistic, with the present club set up, and inability to compete financially, we’re going nowhere fast, EFL a fading memory.

I’ll get me coat…..

A reiteration of my post on page 1. If ever there is to be an argument for a plastic pitch,it is to be found on these few pages. - Board reluctant to spend maintenance money, reliance on volunteers, poor weather, overuse…. The latest surfaces are as far from Dorkings abomination as the moon. An initial outlay, sure, but likely to be at least partly FA loan funded…
No, I’m not a fan of plastic, but it may well be time for some realism.

With zero ambition to achieve football league status, I quite agree with you.

The pitch at my local club is used nearly every day of the week, including before matches on a Saturday. It still looks prestine and the bounce and feel is decent.
It has been a game changer in terms of generating extra income for the club and allowed them to become more competitive in the transfer market as well as upgrading other areas of the ground.