Preparing for next season

[fulwoodshrimp]

At the Trust’s last meeting with the directors I asked if they could enquire about plans if we are relegated. I believe the board said they didn’t think we would be relegated. I believe the data doesn’t support that belief. We need to prepare if the worst happened. Can we afford to continue to play at the Mazuma? Will the squad be full time or part time? Will any of the current squad stay at the club? Will a sale of the club be easier if we are National League? Will we have a budget to recruit a strong squad? There are many more questions that need to be addressed in a short space of time. Of course I hope my fears are unfounded and we survive but we need to plan for relegation in case it happens. COYS

[Keith]

I genuinely believe, in the absence of something major happening, when we're relegated next season, we need to go part-time, and start planning for back to back relegations. With the current situation, we haven't a hope in competing in the National League, so we need to cut our cloth accordingly and go semi-professional.

Playing like we did last Saturday and today, we've no hope of staying up. If relegated, we aren't coming back to the Football League.

[KenH]

I genuinely believe, in the absence of something major happening, when we're relegated next season, we need to go part-time, and start planning for back to back relegations. With the current situation, we haven't a hope in competing in the National League, so we need to cut our cloth accordingly and go semi-professional.

Playing like we did last Saturday and today, we've no hope of staying up. If relegated, we aren't coming back to the Football League.

Sadly, I'm starting to think the same. But I also think we'll go into receivership as the debts/loans are now simply too great and any buyer has to cover past losses, as well as whatever Jason wants, plus a shed load of cash to finance the ongoing losses of future years - all before they put any more in to actually improve the club.

I strongly think that all players (not in contract) will be let go again the week after the final game and once again, we'll have to build a brand new squad.

We're really at the end game sadly. League football was nice whilst it lasted, but it was all a step too far for a club with so few fans and located in a pretty run down area with few large businesses (so limited options for sponsorship etc)

[Hodgie1978]

Do you know what?
We did it ....regular crowds of 4/5k in league 1.
James and Charlie had a vision and the whole town got on board.
Unfortunately it was all destroyed by a shyster.
Everything we worked towards gone because of one man.
Heartbreaking!

[P/T Indie]

Are there any part time clubs in the national league? Thought they would be all full time now.

I think we will be looking at back to back relegations, and even in national league north we would struggle to get back up when the likes of Scunthorpe and Chester are in there.

[Andy D]

Well what a ride in the EFL though, plus a blast in L1, with some good FA Cup memory's. and the play-offs, and Wembley etc.

Aslong as Jason isn't owner next season why cant we restart and go again next season?

And lets not forget we've grown with a bigger fanbase X 3 since last time we were playing non league football.

This is how i will look back at things.

[redrobo]

Do you know what?
We did it ....regular crowds of 4/5k in league 1.
James and Charlie had a vision and the whole town got on board.
Unfortunately it was all destroyed by a shyster.
Everything we worked towards gone because of one man.
Heartbreaking!

Well at least we can agree on your excellent assessment.

IF we get relegated just hope the young fans we've now got on board
stay with us.

The future of our club is in many ways in their hands.

[Potted Shrimp]

I think the next game against Barrow is HUGE.

Win and the gap potentially closes and we have a shout, lose and it looks bleak.

It is a winnable game, Bay derby, and Barrows form is inconsistent. Wish I could go.

[Potted Shrimp]

So many clubs have spiralled after relegation from league one and end up in the National north/south - Scunthorpe and Yeovil (ex-Championship at one point being prime examples.)

There would be no shame playing at either the National League or NL North, there are some big clubs down there, it would'nt be like when we were last there.

[black morse]

So many clubs have spiralled after relegation from league one and end up in the National north/south - Scunthorpe and Yeovil (ex-Championship at one point being prime examples.)

There would be no shame playing at either the National League or NL North, there are some big clubs down there, it would'nt be like when we were last there.

No shame in it at all. There would be only one person to blame.

[Redalert1970]

If we go down to the National League I personally think Jason will still be the owner

We can blame Jason for most things but we can't blame him for team selection, subs and tactics

Derek has to take some blame for this season.. Yes his hands are tied but sometimes like yesterday he gets it wrong

[thedoc]

Blimey – several sombodies haven’t been taking their Positivity Pills, have they?

Gosh – what an unremittingly depressing stream of pessimism! Shall we just pack up and throw in the towel now?

All the nightmare scenarios outlined in the diet of negativity outlined above – relegation; a further fall out of the National League; a possible re-acquaintance with the Northern Premier League; part-time players; no ground blah blah blah - could come true. But there again...

My hope all season is that there are at least two clubs in League Two worse than we are. Carlisle is one of them without any doubt. The first half display at Prenton Park I saw against Morecambe by Tranmere last year is the worst I have ever seen from any EFL team: they were absolutely hopeless. They may have a new manager lined-up; they may have won yesterday: but they are still far from being out of the mire. Also, one team apparently safe at this time of the season almost inevitably gets into trouble between now and May. There are several candidates for this: Accrington, Harrogate and Gillingham being just three of them.

Perhaps more importantly, whatever the shortcomings of our squad, they are still playing for the Manager. If they play like they did against AFC Wimbledon last Tuesday more often than not between now and the end of the season, we can still survive. Derek has unearthed some gems among the dross he was forced to sign-up at the last moment this season. Burgoyne is under-rated. Stott and Taylor could both play at a much higher level. Adam Lewis and White are little dynamos whose enthusiasm is infectious. Angol is beginning to regain full fitness. Edwards can play; Dallas and Garner have potential. Dackers always gives his all – and is a far better footballer than many give him credit for. The jury may be out on some of the others but there’s enough quality left in the dressing room for us still to survive.

So Courage Mon Braves! It ain’t over until the Fat Lady Sings – and there’s still 30 points to play for!

[fulwoodshrimp]

I agree, doc that it’s not over till the fat lady sings but we have to be prepared for next season whichever league we are in and avoid the shambles of last season where we had no players. I also agree there is often a team that slips into the relegation places late on. However, we also have to be realistic and need to pick up at least 15 points from the games left- a higher percentage than we have achieved so far this season. Also the gap between us and the teams above us is growing wider. Like you I remain hopeful but……

[Martin]

Are there any part time clubs in the national league? Thought they would be all full time now.

There are 4:
Wealdstone (Currently 21st)
Maidenhead United (22nd)
Boston United (23rd) &
Tamworth (bucking the trend in 11th)

[Billy bodger]

Prepare for both scenarios, which ever one it is, if we can keep the right players, we will be all right which ever one it is. For me it’s who the manager is, I’m not sure if Derek will stay if we go down, but I thank him for staying and let’s see where we end up.

[Andy D]

next season given a choice, would you rather


a) be in the NL without Jason, and debt free after administration


b) be in L2 with Jason, increasing debts and stupid asking price.


id rather be debt free, without Jason.

[Hodgie1978]

Jason gone gone gone

[redrobo]

Jason gone gone gone

You had me all excited with 'Jason gone gone gone' until I realized that you were expressing your and everybodies wish for the club to be free of him...at long last....

[Billy bodger]

If Momi still hasn’t got EFL clearance to buy the Club, what will happen?

So if Jason is still here next season (1,000 days+ after putting the Club up for sale), and he comes with a once again reduced budget, do the BOD’s have to accept it?

What happens if they don’t?

Will that trigger Jason to pull the plug on the Club?

[black morse]

If Momi still hasn’t got EFL clearance to buy the Club, what will happen?

So if Jason is still here next season (1,000 days+ after putting the Club up for sale), and he comes with a once again reduced budget, do the BOD’s have to accept it?

What happens if they don’t?

Will that trigger Jason to pull the plug on the Club?

I think we can reasonably assume that Momi hasn't passed the test now.
If the Board don't accept whatever Jason comes up with they have the option to resign. If that happened Jason would have to pay for a new board and he wouldn't want to do that.....so what then? He could Liquidate.

[Billy bodger]

I would think Jason would choose Administration rather than Liquidation.
Morecambe FC would still be viable even if it cannot meet its debts.
The Liquidation option is far off, I would think, (I’m no expert, on anything really ).

What a mess, just got to hope there is a team somewhere!

[Keith]

next season given a choice, would you rather


a) be in the NL without Jason, and debt free after administration


b) be in L2 with Jason, increasing debts and stupid asking price.


id rather be debt free, without Jason.

I'd rather be League Two. The drop will be huge, and I genuinely don't believe we'd get back into the Football League. Another season in the EFL and hope that we can survive the vampire of an owner. If we go into the National League and Administration, even debt free, we'd almost certainly be National League North the season after, due to points deduction.

I'm really, really hoping that we can survive the drop, but after the last two weekends, I'm not expecting it.

It doesn't feel that long ago we were playing Ipswich & Sunderland

[black morse]

next season given a choice, would you rather


a) be in the NL without Jason, and debt free after administration


b) be in L2 with Jason, increasing debts and stupid asking price.


id rather be debt free, without Jason.

I'd rather be League Two. The drop will be huge, and I genuinely don't believe we'd get back into the Football League. Another season in the EFL and hope that we can survive the vampire of an owner. If we go into the National League and Administration, even debt free, we'd almost certainly be National League North the season after, due to points deduction.

I'm really, really hoping that we can survive the drop, but after the last two weekends, I'm not expecting it.

It doesn't feel that long ago we were playing Ipswich & Sunderland

That's just your age Keith. I know the feeling

[marky No.1]

All this speculation, this is the end game, been teetering for long enough, this is it

[Billy bodger]

Our injuries are not great, we once again have a depleted squad, somewhat the story of the season

It’s backs against the wall time, things are not good at all, for me it’s now down to Derek his tactics and team selection just as much as the players he picks on the day.

If he continues to try to nick points and end up losing by one goal, we will go down, that’s my thoughts now and that makes me he’s tried it all season and we have lost 17 games by 1 goal.

So maybe others are right about that when you look at Derek, I know someone who wanted him gone in Dec, as he is on a rolling contract and the Club could have just released him. My thoughts at the time was, no, let him do his job, plenty of time yet. So maybe I as wrong

Wouldn’t be the first time