I've an idea for welcome debate

[renno]

This idea came in to my head last week when I watched the Kidderminster v West Ham game in a pub in Huddersfield .

Kiddy play in the National League North and I was seriously impressed with the standard of football they produced .

I could watch that no problem , I take the point it was their big day against PL opponents and of course they played above themselves but it wasn't just that .

It was the community spirit at the club , proper people who own them for the love of the club and not wanting a buck .

Honest players who were prepared to give that club everything and a club totally at ease with itself knowing what they were and what they were not .

The glory first the revenue then followed , not the other way around .

The love of the club and it's community were what mattered the most .

You'd either get my post or you won't , if you don't I can't help you and I won't even try .

To put it in perspective, if you go 4/5 divisions below the football league, to get a player of a decent standard you're talking £250-400 per week. At conference north/south level, you're looking at close on a £1000 a week for the better players.
The reason with a lot of this is because they stopped clubs refusing promotion which in turn means late finishes and long travel times to games - so midweek games at say Marske would mean a return home at midnight and then work the following day. Most players dont want this (even though its a higher level) so some promoted clubs end up basically losing the bulk of a successful team so they go back down the pyramid for a higher money with no travel time. Those that stay want more money for the inconvenience

I get the community aspect and the beauty of non league is that you end up chewing the fat with the owners and directors, the passion is no less than that of a football league supporter.

Its whether you would want the community side in Barnsley itself or to replicate that in a very similar area nearby at such as Frickley etc

[SBRed48]

It's a very good point SB , you could argue that the resurrection of Wimbledon was greatly enhanced by the fact the old club moved to Milton Keynes and so the operating space was available to them to start at the bottom of the pyramid .

What a tremendous idea to force Barnsley FC out of Oakwell and leave the space for a start up club .

Sir you are a genius because there is all kinds of possibilities on offer if the Cryne's and BMBC refuse to rent the ground to PMG and force them out .

That was what Booth did to Rotherham although that was an entirely different scenario but none the less the landlord kicked em out .

How long have you been sitting on that because that is pure gold SB it really is .

There are issues, of course, that complicate the matter--

- is there any kind of agreement in place as to how long the present rental agreement is in place ?

-the Crynes and Conway are already involved in a Court case as the Crynes try to get the money owed by Conway for purchase of the club.

I am thankful everyday for the Covenant and that Oakwell is jointly owned by Barnsley Council and the Crynes. I dread to think what would happen if Conway had sole control over the future of the ground.

What I don't get is Conway bleating that that he can't get "clean title" over Oakwell, meaning that he cannot legally do what he wants with the football ground. All the Covenant states is that the ground must be used for sporting purposes (football when it was drawn up). Why is the requirement to play football on that site such a problem for Conway ?

A question to be raised when the Supporters Trust grill Conway soon. Looking forrad to the Q&A. When is it ?

[Barnsley Chop]

Was just about to ask the same question SB - when does the current Chien, Conway & Co lease expire?

Also can the Crynes / Council cancel the agreement due to ongoing late lease payments?

[EthelRed]

Interesting proposal Animal. Over the years I have attended non league quite a bit. First at Emley before they moved to Wakefield and latterly at Frickley when Rose and Dudgeon were managers.

Ive always thought that the catchment area we have here is large enough to support a reasonably successful non league set up.
At one time ShawLane/Aquaforce were climbing the ladder and I hoped they would progress into a successful set up. Does anyone know what happened to them?

Athersley, Peni stone and Briggers havent really progressed past the levels they currently occupy. So there may be a gap in the market so to speak.

I was looking at the fortunes of York City recently and was surprised at the ticket prices for National League North - £20 a pop. Too much in my opinion.

[Barnsley Chop]

Ethel, my best mate moved to York and he has a season ticket at York and costs him £250

[EthelRed]

250 smackers? Wow! Thats not far off Championship prices at Oakwell.

Ive got to know York quite well as my young un and my niece were at Uni there over a 5 year period. Its an expensive place to live generally but I think those ticket prices are steep.

Or am I an fart who has lost track of ticket prices?

[Barnsley Chop]

250 smackers? Wow! Thats not far off Championship prices at Oakwell.

Ive got to know York quite well as my young un and my niece were at Uni there over a 5 year period. Its an expensive place to live generally but I think those ticket prices are steep.

Or am I an fart who has lost track of ticket prices?

And that's Concession price Ethel. £299 is the full adult season ticket price - Ar much !?