Post by andy on May 21, 2007 9:13:48 GMT
Noting that Morecambe got promotion to the League yesterday, I noticed that the Conference now has a greater Southern representation to it. Of the 24 Conference sides, 15 would be candidates for the CS if relegated and 9 for the CN.
With a 15/9 split, there is more chance (all else being equal, which I know it often isnt) of more southern sides being in the bottom four at the end of next season. With 3 Conf sides coming down to CN this year, it would be good if the reverse were to happen. (I'm assuming we dont get up next year). But it would be no good if it were to include Histon and Cambridge United, as they would simply be the furthest north in the CS, and therefore come into CN, negating the benefit.
Here's my road-map (dream) for our promotion to the Conference - it is founded on the combination of a stronger financial base at the Club, and a weaker CN.
Unfortunately, the two wont coincide this coming year. Here's how I hope it might happen. In the next 3 months, the ground move is tied up, but with the building of a new stadium needed, City continue at SGL for another two seasons, with no funds being released from the ground sale until the summer of 2009. City make a decent but unspectacular start to the 2007/08 campaign in a highly competitive league with their stable and young squad boosted by just two new signings. Danks, Wilding and Webster consistently score as City play 3 upfront. Having progressed quietly through the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup, City get a plum draw at home to Leeds united in the 1st Round Proper. A 1-1 draw in a televised game at the Lane is followed by a midweek replay in front of 18,000, in which City get beat. However, it puts close to 200,000 into the coffers, this time being money available for the playing side, but with the club being mid-table at Xmas, they choose to defer to the following season. City accept a 500,000 offer for a player who caught the eye on national TV. City finish ninth.
Grays, Crawley, Salisbury and Farsley get relegated from the Conference. Workington and Southport go up from the Conference while Barrow, Gainsborough and Leigh go down. Hednesford and Scarborough get promoted from the NLP, along with Halesowen and Chippenham from the SLP. A mid-table and financially struglling Cambridge City get moved across to CN.
With decent finances and the ground move in progress, City go into the 2008/2009 season with a 17 man squad of experienced players with five new signings, against
AFC Telford, Alfreton, Altrincham, Blyth, Burscough, Cambridge City, Farsley, Halesowen, Harrogate, Hednesford, Hinckley, Hyde, Kettering, Hucknall, Redditch, Scarborough, Solihull Moors, Stalybridge, Tamworth, Vauxhall Motors, Worcester
In the intervening season, the strong 'promotion' squads at Hyde, Blyth and Burscough have started to break-up, Kettering hit financial difficulties as Ladak pulls the plug and Tamworth struggle at the lower level. With wage caps now enforced, finances start to make a difference in the league and City battle it out with AFC Telford for the top spot. It goes down to the last game of the season and City need a draw at home to Altrincham. Its the last ever game at the Lane, and 4.500 turn up. And in Danny Mc's last game for City, a late penalty save sees City secure a return to the Conference ...
With a 15/9 split, there is more chance (all else being equal, which I know it often isnt) of more southern sides being in the bottom four at the end of next season. With 3 Conf sides coming down to CN this year, it would be good if the reverse were to happen. (I'm assuming we dont get up next year). But it would be no good if it were to include Histon and Cambridge United, as they would simply be the furthest north in the CS, and therefore come into CN, negating the benefit.
Here's my road-map (dream) for our promotion to the Conference - it is founded on the combination of a stronger financial base at the Club, and a weaker CN.
Unfortunately, the two wont coincide this coming year. Here's how I hope it might happen. In the next 3 months, the ground move is tied up, but with the building of a new stadium needed, City continue at SGL for another two seasons, with no funds being released from the ground sale until the summer of 2009. City make a decent but unspectacular start to the 2007/08 campaign in a highly competitive league with their stable and young squad boosted by just two new signings. Danks, Wilding and Webster consistently score as City play 3 upfront. Having progressed quietly through the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup, City get a plum draw at home to Leeds united in the 1st Round Proper. A 1-1 draw in a televised game at the Lane is followed by a midweek replay in front of 18,000, in which City get beat. However, it puts close to 200,000 into the coffers, this time being money available for the playing side, but with the club being mid-table at Xmas, they choose to defer to the following season. City accept a 500,000 offer for a player who caught the eye on national TV. City finish ninth.
Grays, Crawley, Salisbury and Farsley get relegated from the Conference. Workington and Southport go up from the Conference while Barrow, Gainsborough and Leigh go down. Hednesford and Scarborough get promoted from the NLP, along with Halesowen and Chippenham from the SLP. A mid-table and financially struglling Cambridge City get moved across to CN.
With decent finances and the ground move in progress, City go into the 2008/2009 season with a 17 man squad of experienced players with five new signings, against
AFC Telford, Alfreton, Altrincham, Blyth, Burscough, Cambridge City, Farsley, Halesowen, Harrogate, Hednesford, Hinckley, Hyde, Kettering, Hucknall, Redditch, Scarborough, Solihull Moors, Stalybridge, Tamworth, Vauxhall Motors, Worcester
In the intervening season, the strong 'promotion' squads at Hyde, Blyth and Burscough have started to break-up, Kettering hit financial difficulties as Ladak pulls the plug and Tamworth struggle at the lower level. With wage caps now enforced, finances start to make a difference in the league and City battle it out with AFC Telford for the top spot. It goes down to the last game of the season and City need a draw at home to Altrincham. Its the last ever game at the Lane, and 4.500 turn up. And in Danny Mc's last game for City, a late penalty save sees City secure a return to the Conference ...
It does make a good read though!
