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Re: MATCH OFF - Aldershot v Torquay United - 29/12/12
Posted: 29 Dec 2012, 10:46
by oxgull
Although the cancellation helps with our injury problems the fixture pile up could come back to bite us later. I was coming down but my daughter has stayed on an extra day and wants tacking to the station this afternoon anyway. Pity because it would be good to go back to Aldershot where I spent a lot of my time in the army, well, Blackdown Barracks, Deepcut actually. It's just up the road. Could have gone in the Duke of Boots pub and not got chased out by the Paras!!!
Re: Aldershot v Torquay United - 29/12/12
Posted: 29 Dec 2012, 12:06
by hector
I agree - I was that initial meeting when the TUST was starting and it looked as though Bateson was about to finally sell the club. The utter mess that TUFC was in at that point was one from which I would never have imagined we would be where we are today. Simon Baker's interview in the Herald makes perfect sense when he describes the wreckage of a club he helped take over. I was a harsh critic of the regime of Bateson and his family because I never felt they had the interests of TUFC at heart or put them first before their own agendas. His spin was negative and encouraged low expectations. The myth was peddled that he saved the club but that was nonsense.
But the people in charge now saved the club. That cannot be disputed. The shell of the club that Bateson left behind and was handsomely paid for was a disgrace. 4 players, no youth team, no staff. It was little more than a name and some kit. So for us to have enjoyed 4 play-off campaigns, two trips to Wembley, another to Old Trafford, cup runs, a new stand (a proper stand, not the bus shelters Bateson built) is nothing short of miraculous and something we never dared imagine. When we were relegated in 2007 and the future seemed to be Mervyn Benney in charge, I honestly thought our future was in the Conference South or lower. So to be complaining when we are still a only a couple of points off the play-offs doesn't make sense.
We should be grateful for what we have and even though things could be even better, eg Plainmoor is a bit soulless these days, things could have been a whole lot worse when you consider the mess the Bateson Family left this club in.
Re: Aldershot v Torquay United - 29/12/12
Posted: 29 Dec 2012, 14:00
by The Farmers Friend
hector wrote:The people in charge now saved the club. That cannot be disputed. The shell of the club that Bateson left behind and was handsomely paid for was a disgrace. 4 players, no youth team, no staff. It was little more than a name and some kit. So for us to have enjoyed 4 play-off campaigns, two trips to Wembley, another to Old Trafford, cup runs, a new stand (a proper stand, not the bus shelters Bateson built) is nothing short of miraculous and something we never dared imagine. When we were relegated in 2007 and the future seemed to be Mervyn Benney in charge, I honestly thought our future was in the Conference South or lower. So to be complaining when we are still a only a couple of points off the play-offs doesn't make sense.
Agree completely. Whilst some results have been disappointing this year, it makes a change to be able to shrug it off and look forward to the next game without looking over your shoulder at the trap door or seeing a defeat as another nail in the coffin of the club as a whole.
