Home page
Site Map
Search Advanced Search
Today's most viewed
EDITOR'S CHOICE
TOILET TROUBLES
Simply loo-dicrous
RITCHIE'S BACK
RocknRolla (15) ***
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
What's On Live!
FAMILY MOVER
Top slide show
CD REVIEWS
The Chemical Brothers - Brotherhood (Freestyle Dust/Virgin) ****
GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL
Most read Comments
DANNY: WE CAN CLIMB BACK
Danny Hollands
Danny Hollands

LOYAL Danny Hollands has pledged his future to Cherries and targeted an against-the-odds promotion push next season.

The central midfielder, who won the Daily Echo/Micky Cave supporters' player of the year award for his sterling performances last term, handed the Dean Court outfit a huge boost by agreeing a new two-year deal, in principle.

And despite the likelihood of the club being hit by a 15-point penalty in League Two, Hollands has not ruled out a charge to the upper echelons of the division.

Speaking to the Daily Echo yesterday after confirming his future, the 22-year-old said: "I think we can get promoted.

"Everyone says about the 15 points but Leeds nearly did it, so I think we can do it.

"This year I hope we can have a bit more luck and look to go up, rather than getting relegated."

Hollands' re-signing means that Cherries have kept hold of all but one of their out-of-contract stars, with just centre-half Josh Gowling opting to leave.

Kevin Bond's side will also have to make do without Sam Vokes, who was sold to Wolves last month, but Hollands thinks the team is strong.

He said: "We've got Brett to come in for Vokesy and Ryan Garry, if he can keep fit, is a class act as well.

"We've got a good team."

The former Chelsea reserve team skipper, who attracted interest from League One clubs, revealed that staying with Cherries was always his preferred option and that the club's supporters played a part in his decision.

"I wanted to stay if I could anyway, there was never any doubt about it," the Middlesex-born star told the Daily Echo.

"I spoke to another couple of clubs but in the end nothing materialised. My first choice was always to stay.

"The fans are great and I had quite a few asking me to stay, which is nice.

"If the fans want you to stay it's really nice. It's good to have their support."

Cherries manager Bond admitted he was "extremely pleased" to keep hold of fans' favourite Hollands.

He said: "Apart from Josh, we've managed to hang on to everybody, which is good.

"The players must think we can do half-decent, otherwise they probably wouldn't have put pen to paper, so that's encouraging.

"Danny had a really good year and improved no end and I'm delighted he's finally decided to sign another contract."

He added: "I'm perfectly happy with the midfield and it's important to keep everybody fit.

"They all know one another well and, for the most part, complement each other well.

"It's an area where we've got four good players."

Hollands joins fellow midfielders Darren Anderton, Shaun Cooper and Marvin Bartley in deciding to stay with Cherries, while youth team graduate Joe Partington will also add competition for places.

7:00am Saturday 28th June 2008

Print   Email this   Comment
Posted by: kenno, Sidmouth on 8:47am Sat 28 Jun 08
Still trying to come down from the ceiling after yesterdays great news.
Bondy will know, however, that the team still needs strengthening in two or three key areas and that, whatever happens re the points, it will be important to get off to a flying start next season.
We have got a great captain and the nucleus of a good squad.
Come on you mighty reds.
Posted by: scottie, Salisbury on 8:51am Sat 28 Jun 08
The clouds do have a silver lining. Great to have you onboard for the fight ahead Danny. Now can we have all the doubters back and lets start the fight to get out of div 2.
Posted by: mike clegg, bournemouth on 9:09am Sat 28 Jun 08
Its great news that one of our better players is willing to sign once this saga of ownership is resolved . I am also pleased that nothing MATEARIALISED with the other Clubs that Danny spoke too. Lets all now hope that after Tuesday the Club can get on with business as normal ?
Posted by: john coombes, Tiverton on 10:13am Sat 28 Jun 08
mike clegg wrote:
Its great news that one of our better players is willing to sign once this saga of ownership is resolved . I am also pleased that nothing MATEARIALISED with the other Clubs that Danny spoke too. Lets all now hope that after Tuesday the Club can get on with business as normal ?
well said Mike first time I have agreed with you, lets all hope for better things to come
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 10:34am Sat 28 Jun 08
I work with a couple of Colchester Fans and they were giving me some stick that the deal was in the bag and I am pretty sure that DH had spoken to Colchester but whatever KB or JM has said to him seems to have convinced him that the Club has a future for him to stake his career on it . So another lesson learnt by the Chairman , once he started communicating Players started to sign and us lot stopped arguing (with one or two exceptions!! ha ha) Try to be available for the bad news as well as the good news Mr Mostyn people may not like it but at least you will get a bit of respect. It is obvious that you have convince Coops and Danny and they are players who could have walked and you could have got money for Danny so credit when due well done and thank you. NOW DONT SPOIL IT
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 10:35am Sat 28 Jun 08
Oh and I cant wait to talk to the Colchester Boys on Monday
Posted by: Andy_roo on 10:45am Sat 28 Jun 08
whar we need now is the fans to sign up for the new season, we must aim for 6000 a game.
Posted by: AFCB AL on 11:12am Sat 28 Jun 08
Well done Bondy and team – excellent news! Danny you are a star!
But again mention and apparent acceptance of a 15 point deduction. Can anyone explain WHY?
There have not been any dodgy dealings here – unlike Leeds and Luton – and the situation has been handled in an HONEST way throughout. The time factor is simply an inevitable consequence of new owners needing time to put together funding and a business plan to enable creditors to be repaid ( to whatever extent) and get on with running a club that has always had an excellent support base and been a role model for trying new and innovative ideas to keep it going (albeit that the excellent community club idea was effectively still-born thanks to the subsequent greed of the premiership ‘glamour clubs’ and “big clubs” like Leeds – and we know what their morals and ethics are like!)
The club went into admin at a point where we were out of the relegation zone – or just about – and the 10 point deduction did lead to relegation. So we have been heavily penalised. This was a completely different approach to the dishonesty at Leeds!
So why is Mr K so willing to roll over and beg the fools at the Football League for a kicking? What world does he live in?
Surely any such penal decision would be the subject of a lengthy appeal by the new owners of AFCB – which should show the League management up for the bunch of doddering old fools that they are. It’s time for lower league clubs to unite against the League management and protect themselves from future action – because which one of them will be next.
Make a stand for something good for once in your life Mr K !
There – got that off my chest and now expect to receive a flood of criticism for my thoughts!
PS renewing my season tickets today.
Posted by: smhinto, Lincoln on 11:15am Sat 28 Jun 08
Excellent news of course!!! However, I am puzzled by what is meant by the alledged fact that we have kept the nucleus of the side to gether!!??.

This of course inaccurate as we have lost FORDE(loan) (who's efforts alone probably contributed to the suuccessful results towards the end of last season). We have also lost GRADEL (loan), GOWLING, YOUNG, VOKES and PERRETT (who I believe if kept fit would have been a regular and useful in League 'diddley' Two.

So in effect we have been severly weakened and with the likelyhood of not coming out of administration until the season starts, all available quality players would have been signed up by other clubs. So that would mean the side is again going to be propped up by loan signings and a complete re-build will be on the cards. Finally, it looks as if we will be running a skeleton squad with NO COVER FOR INJURIES!!. We should all know that this does not bode well for a campaign of trying to get out of this division in an upward direction.

This coupled with a possible 15 point deduction only means a season of going nowhere very fast.

I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THE FACT THAT ANY TAKEOVER OF AFCB APPEARS DESIGNED TO RESCUE THE CLUB ONLY - AND NOT TO TAKE IT FORWARD!!. THISS IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE DONCASTER CHAIRMAN HAS INVESTED SIX MILLION QUID INTO THE THEIR CLUBS AND GOT THEM INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

So with out alledged one million investment, where are we going ???. Not very far I suspect!!!

Sorry but reality has a nasty habit of creeping up on one!!

Regards
Posted by: GMcMahon, Highcliffe on 12:08pm Sat 28 Jun 08
smhinto wrote:
Excellent news of course!!! However, I am puzzled by what is meant by the alledged fact that we have kept the nucleus of the side to gether!!??.

This of course inaccurate as we have lost FORDE(loan) (who's efforts alone probably contributed to the suuccessful results towards the end of last season). We have also lost GRADEL (loan), GOWLING, YOUNG, VOKES and PERRETT (who I believe if kept fit would have been a regular and useful in League 'diddley' Two.

So in effect we have been severly weakened and with the likelyhood of not coming out of administration until the season starts, all available quality players would have been signed up by other clubs. So that would mean the side is again going to be propped up by loan signings and a complete re-build will be on the cards. Finally, it looks as if we will be running a skeleton squad with NO COVER FOR INJURIES!!. We should all know that this does not bode well for a campaign of trying to get out of this division in an upward direction.

This coupled with a possible 15 point deduction only means a season of going nowhere very fast.

I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THE FACT THAT ANY TAKEOVER OF AFCB APPEARS DESIGNED TO RESCUE THE CLUB ONLY - AND NOT TO TAKE IT FORWARD!!. THISS IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE DONCASTER CHAIRMAN HAS INVESTED SIX MILLION QUID INTO THE THEIR CLUBS AND GOT THEM INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

So with out alledged one million investment, where are we going ???. Not very far I suspect!!!

Sorry but reality has a nasty habit of creeping up on one!!

Regards
We are all aware you no longer support the club and won't attend next season, so forgive the rest of us for seeing that things are moving forward and that we have kept the nucleus of a good team, the players you talk about were never going to figure this season, Forde a loan player, Gradel a loan player, Gowling was going to leave regardless,Young retired, Vokes we all knew was being sold, and Perrett illness, so I can't see where you are getting your comments from, of the players we could have signed up we have all but Gowling, and Lovell is expected to join which covers for Vokes, others have come back from injury and we have a young keeper more than capable of filling the no1 jersey, as for cover for injuries Bond was quite clear about the make up of the squad as long ago as 6 weeks past, 14 senior players loanees and youth, and looking at who we have that all looks well on target. I also can't see where you get the idea we won't be coming out of administration from, if there is one thing that is looking more certain than at any time this year it is that we will be. The 15 points has not yet been administered either and even if it does we have a good team which can overcome that otherwise they would not have stayed. Also you cannot compare AFCB with Doncaster and how do you know what the investment is going to be? you have to rescue the club first before you can take it forward, then if we have a good season which is very possible the crowds will come back and more money will come in as the club becomes a better investment option, of course you won't be interested in all that, you have already made it clear you want nothing to do with the new era.
Posted by: YorkieCherry, Malton on 12:14pm Sat 28 Jun 08
Who's to say that Gradel will not come back next season. Remember there has been a change in management at Leicester so he might be allowed to go out on loan or go for a cheap fee.
Secondly, don't forget it was only Mr Krasner's opinion that there would be a 15 point penalty. We will have to await to see at the meeting on 10 July.
Finally, there has been some positive news coming out of the club with players signing new contracts etc. Hopefully, this will be concluded satisfactorily on Tuesday.I am sure KB has a few palyers he will have alook at in the pre-season training and friendlies. Hopefully, the transfer embargo will have been lifted by then.
Posted by: mike, poole on 1:18pm Sat 28 Jun 08
Kevvo, you said you work with 'a couple of Colchester fans'. Actually, they 'ARE the Colchester fans!'
Things are definitely looking up. I guess it's time for me to renew my season ticket...the hard part is persuading my friend to do likewise. Any tips for persuasion?
Posted by: AFCBade, Croydon on 2:01pm Sat 28 Jun 08
Amused that so many people think we are going back up whereas last week we were odds on to go down.

Great news is that we are all excited about the new season.

However the squad will be weak initially since I assume we cant sign people till the football league give us our share back - prob 2 weeks before the start of the league campaign, so not much time to act.

Is Lovell lined up still?

Also quite a tough start to the season. Gills and Port Vale will be tough whilst would have liked to have faced Aldershot and Exeter later in the season when their bubble has burst.

So important we stay patient and continue to support the players, who have shown great commitment. This shows the palyers must respect Bondy: people dont want to play for poor managers.
Posted by: richard.board, southampton on 7:03pm Sat 28 Jun 08
If we get the nod from the league-we will definately get promoted. We are in a league of Dross-so up we go!
Posted by: AFCBade, Croydon on 7:10pm Sat 28 Jun 08
I saw a few games in that division last season. Morecambe and Rochdale impressed me - very strong and even Dagenham, who struggled really got stuck in. Hope/expect the quality of our midfield to be the key - cant believe any side will have a better quartet in Div2 .
Posted by: mike, poole on 11:22pm Sat 28 Jun 08
With comments about standard of play in Div 2, do the cynics recall the Cherries match at Accrington a few seasons ago? Stanley wasn't even a league team then!
Posted by: kenno, Sidmouth on 8:45am Sun 29 Jun 08
richard.board wrote:
If we get the nod from the league-we will definately get promoted. We are in a league of Dross-so up we go!
Those who think we are in a league of dross are in for a shock.Saw Aldershot and Exeter last season.Both are fit,young and hungry teams with very good and noisy support.
As I have said on a number of occasions the first six games will shape our season.
It is up to us to really get behind the team and give as much vocal support as we can home and away.
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 9:29am Sun 29 Jun 08
GMcMahon wrote:
smhinto wrote: Excellent news of course!!! However, I am puzzled by what is meant by the alledged fact that we have kept the nucleus of the side to gether!!??. This of course inaccurate as we have lost FORDE(loan) (who's efforts alone probably contributed to the suuccessful results towards the end of last season). We have also lost GRADEL (loan), GOWLING, YOUNG, VOKES and PERRETT (who I believe if kept fit would have been a regular and useful in League 'diddley' Two. So in effect we have been severly weakened and with the likelyhood of not coming out of administration until the season starts, all available quality players would have been signed up by other clubs. So that would mean the side is again going to be propped up by loan signings and a complete re-build will be on the cards. Finally, it looks as if we will be running a skeleton squad with NO COVER FOR INJURIES!!. We should all know that this does not bode well for a campaign of trying to get out of this division in an upward direction. This coupled with a possible 15 point deduction only means a season of going nowhere very fast. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THE FACT THAT ANY TAKEOVER OF AFCB APPEARS DESIGNED TO RESCUE THE CLUB ONLY - AND NOT TO TAKE IT FORWARD!!. THISS IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE DONCASTER CHAIRMAN HAS INVESTED SIX MILLION QUID INTO THE THEIR CLUBS AND GOT THEM INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP. So with out alledged one million investment, where are we going ???. Not very far I suspect!!! Sorry but reality has a nasty habit of creeping up on one!! Regards
We are all aware you no longer support the club and won't attend next season, so forgive the rest of us for seeing that things are moving forward and that we have kept the nucleus of a good team, the players you talk about were never going to figure this season, Forde a loan player, Gradel a loan player, Gowling was going to leave regardless,Young retired, Vokes we all knew was being sold, and Perrett illness, so I can't see where you are getting your comments from, of the players we could have signed up we have all but Gowling, and Lovell is expected to join which covers for Vokes, others have come back from injury and we have a young keeper more than capable of filling the no1 jersey, as for cover for injuries Bond was quite clear about the make up of the squad as long ago as 6 weeks past, 14 senior players loanees and youth, and looking at who we have that all looks well on target. I also can't see where you get the idea we won't be coming out of administration from, if there is one thing that is looking more certain than at any time this year it is that we will be. The 15 points has not yet been administered either and even if it does we have a good team which can overcome that otherwise they would not have stayed. Also you cannot compare AFCB with Doncaster and how do you know what the investment is going to be? you have to rescue the club first before you can take it forward, then if we have a good season which is very possible the crowds will come back and more money will come in as the club becomes a better investment option, of course you won't be interested in all that, you have already made it clear you want nothing to do with the new era.
Sorry cant agree

1. Ford and Gradel not our players to keep in the first place.

2. Vokes going was inevatable although I accept that he is a big loss.

3. No Club has ever been able to keep Perrett fit and he was well past his best anyway

4. Young had to retire sometime and that was out of the Clubs hands.

5 Gowling didnt want to play for the Club and showed glimpses of that in his performances accross the Season.

Sorry but to say losing 2 loan players a bloke that hardly ever played another who Bond loaned out for a fair part of the season and finaly one whos ego was a lot bigger than his contrabution is hardly losing the nucleus of the Team. Of course it would have been great to get Gradel and keep Vokes . I am one of the biggest critics of Mostyn but I think he and Bond have done well in this respect and concentrated on keeping together players that we had a chance of keeping and not the walking wounded high and mighty and wasting time and resources trying to sign players contracted to other Clubs when we have little or no money. The survival of the Club is more important
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 9:39am Sun 29 Jun 08
mike wrote:
Kevvo, you said you work with 'a couple of Colchester fans'. Actually, they 'ARE the Colchester fans!' Things are definitely looking up. I guess it's time for me to renew my season ticket...the hard part is persuading my friend to do likewise. Any tips for persuasion?
I will send my Colchester workmates down then he will see that there are sadder people than us about !!!. Blimey if a Mr I dont entirely trust Mostyn like me goes and gets one it should be easy for anyone else ha ha Oh and to be fair to CFC there is another one about somewhere
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 9:42am Sun 29 Jun 08
richard.board wrote:
If we get the nod from the league-we will definately get promoted. We are in a league of Dross-so up we go!
If only it where that easy Richard Board
If only
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 9:45am Sun 29 Jun 08
kevvo wrote:
GMcMahon wrote:
smhinto wrote: Excellent news of course!!! However, I am puzzled by what is meant by the alledged fact that we have kept the nucleus of the side to gether!!??. This of course inaccurate as we have lost FORDE(loan) (who's efforts alone probably contributed to the suuccessful results towards the end of last season). We have also lost GRADEL (loan), GOWLING, YOUNG, VOKES and PERRETT (who I believe if kept fit would have been a regular and useful in League 'diddley' Two. So in effect we have been severly weakened and with the likelyhood of not coming out of administration until the season starts, all available quality players would have been signed up by other clubs. So that would mean the side is again going to be propped up by loan signings and a complete re-build will be on the cards. Finally, it looks as if we will be running a skeleton squad with NO COVER FOR INJURIES!!. We should all know that this does not bode well for a campaign of trying to get out of this division in an upward direction. This coupled with a possible 15 point deduction only means a season of going nowhere very fast. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THE FACT THAT ANY TAKEOVER OF AFCB APPEARS DESIGNED TO RESCUE THE CLUB ONLY - AND NOT TO TAKE IT FORWARD!!. THISS IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE DONCASTER CHAIRMAN HAS INVESTED SIX MILLION QUID INTO THE THEIR CLUBS AND GOT THEM INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP. So with out alledged one million investment, where are we going ???. Not very far I suspect!!! Sorry but reality has a nasty habit of creeping up on one!! Regards
We are all aware you no longer support the club and won't attend next season, so forgive the rest of us for seeing that things are moving forward and that we have kept the nucleus of a good team, the players you talk about were never going to figure this season, Forde a loan player, Gradel a loan player, Gowling was going to leave regardless,Young retired, Vokes we all knew was being sold, and Perrett illness, so I can't see where you are getting your comments from, of the players we could have signed up we have all but Gowling, and Lovell is expected to join which covers for Vokes, others have come back from injury and we have a young keeper more than capable of filling the no1 jersey, as for cover for injuries Bond was quite clear about the make up of the squad as long ago as 6 weeks past, 14 senior players loanees and youth, and looking at who we have that all looks well on target. I also can't see where you get the idea we won't be coming out of administration from, if there is one thing that is looking more certain than at any time this year it is that we will be. The 15 points has not yet been administered either and even if it does we have a good team which can overcome that otherwise they would not have stayed. Also you cannot compare AFCB with Doncaster and how do you know what the investment is going to be? you have to rescue the club first before you can take it forward, then if we have a good season which is very possible the crowds will come back and more money will come in as the club becomes a better investment option, of course you won't be interested in all that, you have already made it clear you want nothing to do with the new era.
Sorry cant agree 1. Ford and Gradel not our players to keep in the first place. 2. Vokes going was inevatable although I accept that he is a big loss. 3. No Club has ever been able to keep Perrett fit and he was well past his best anyway 4. Young had to retire sometime and that was out of the Clubs hands. 5 Gowling didnt want to play for the Club and showed glimpses of that in his performances accross the Season. Sorry but to say losing 2 loan players a bloke that hardly ever played another who Bond loaned out for a fair part of the season and finaly one whos ego was a lot bigger than his contrabution is hardly losing the nucleus of the Team. Of course it would have been great to get Gradel and keep Vokes . I am one of the biggest critics of Mostyn but I think he and Bond have done well in this respect and concentrated on keeping together players that we had a chance of keeping and not the walking wounded high and mighty and wasting time and resources trying to sign players contracted to other Clubs when we have little or no money. The survival of the Club is more important
Sorry G McMahon I meant I cant agree with the original post.
Posted by: France Cherry, France on 12:44pm Sun 29 Jun 08
I thought we had tried to ban "smhinto" as he (?) is clearly only a fair weather supporter!!! The latest posts confirm this view.
Posted by: GMcMahon, Highcliffe on 1:22pm Sun 29 Jun 08
France Cherry wrote:
I thought we had tried to ban "smhinto" as he (?) is clearly only a fair weather supporter!!! The latest posts confirm this view.
A fair weather supporter of what team though?
Posted by: scottie, Salisbury on 8:09pm Sun 29 Jun 08
GMcMahon wrote:
France Cherry wrote: I thought we had tried to ban "smhinto" as he (?) is clearly only a fair weather supporter!!! The latest posts confirm this view.
A fair weather supporter of what team though?
he is just looking through his rose coloured specs, obviously does not like us and one of lifes moaners. glass always half empty. Lets hope he just goes away
Posted by: AFCB lost in Brum, Birmingham on 8:16pm Sun 29 Jun 08
kevvo wrote:
GMcMahon wrote:
smhinto wrote: Excellent news of course!!! However, I am puzzled by what is meant by the alledged fact that we have kept the nucleus of the side to gether!!??. This of course inaccurate as we have lost FORDE(loan) (who's efforts alone probably contributed to the suuccessful results towards the end of last season). We have also lost GRADEL (loan), GOWLING, YOUNG, VOKES and PERRETT (who I believe if kept fit would have been a regular and useful in League 'diddley' Two. So in effect we have been severly weakened and with the likelyhood of not coming out of administration until the season starts, all available quality players would have been signed up by other clubs. So that would mean the side is again going to be propped up by loan signings and a complete re-build will be on the cards. Finally, it looks as if we will be running a skeleton squad with NO COVER FOR INJURIES!!. We should all know that this does not bode well for a campaign of trying to get out of this division in an upward direction. This coupled with a possible 15 point deduction only means a season of going nowhere very fast. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THE FACT THAT ANY TAKEOVER OF AFCB APPEARS DESIGNED TO RESCUE THE CLUB ONLY - AND NOT TO TAKE IT FORWARD!!. THISS IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE DONCASTER CHAIRMAN HAS INVESTED SIX MILLION QUID INTO THE THEIR CLUBS AND GOT THEM INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP. So with out alledged one million investment, where are we going ???. Not very far I suspect!!! Sorry but reality has a nasty habit of creeping up on one!! Regards
We are all aware you no longer support the club and won't attend next season, so forgive the rest of us for seeing that things are moving forward and that we have kept the nucleus of a good team, the players you talk about were never going to figure this season, Forde a loan player, Gradel a loan player, Gowling was going to leave regardless,Young retired, Vokes we all knew was being sold, and Perrett illness, so I can't see where you are getting your comments from, of the players we could have signed up we have all but Gowling, and Lovell is expected to join which covers for Vokes, others have come back from injury and we have a young keeper more than capable of filling the no1 jersey, as for cover for injuries Bond was quite clear about the make up of the squad as long ago as 6 weeks past, 14 senior players loanees and youth, and looking at who we have that all looks well on target. I also can't see where you get the idea we won't be coming out of administration from, if there is one thing that is looking more certain than at any time this year it is that we will be. The 15 points has not yet been administered either and even if it does we have a good team which can overcome that otherwise they would not have stayed. Also you cannot compare AFCB with Doncaster and how do you know what the investment is going to be? you have to rescue the club first before you can take it forward, then if we have a good season which is very possible the crowds will come back and more money will come in as the club becomes a better investment option, of course you won't be interested in all that, you have already made it clear you want nothing to do with the new era.
Sorry cant agree 1. Ford and Gradel not our players to keep in the first place. 2. Vokes going was inevatable although I accept that he is a big loss. 3. No Club has ever been able to keep Perrett fit and he was well past his best anyway 4. Young had to retire sometime and that was out of the Clubs hands. 5 Gowling didnt want to play for the Club and showed glimpses of that in his performances accross the Season. Sorry but to say losing 2 loan players a bloke that hardly ever played another who Bond loaned out for a fair part of the season and finaly one whos ego was a lot bigger than his contrabution is hardly losing the nucleus of the Team. Of course it would have been great to get Gradel and keep Vokes . I am one of the biggest critics of Mostyn but I think he and Bond have done well in this respect and concentrated on keeping together players that we had a chance of keeping and not the walking wounded high and mighty and wasting time and resources trying to sign players contracted to other Clubs when we have little or no money. The survival of the Club is more important
While I too think much of what smhinto says is bollards, I don't think his realism should be ignored.

Like it or not, on paper, we are a weaker squad today than the one that finished last season.

While we remain in administration we won't be buying any new players, so whether we're deducted another 15 points or not, next season will be tough.

I'm afraid I can't join some people in the collective delusion that we'll go straight back up.

The standard in League Two is NOT 'diddly' or poor. Low attendances do not necessarily mean the football is that bad.

That said I am optimistic, mainly because the loyalty shown by many re-signing players was impressive (although do people who get relegated probably have much bargaining power when talking to prospective new employers?)

If come Tuesday we step out of administration, and Uncle Jeff gives young Kevin some cash for players I'll start to believe that going straight back up is realistic.

But based on what we all know RIGHT NOW, and after all we've been through this year, I'll be happy for the club to still be alive in twelve months and the team finishing mid-table.

Promotion should be the cherry on the cake, not the cake itself.
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 8:27pm Sun 29 Jun 08
AFCB lost in Brum wrote:
kevvo wrote:
GMcMahon wrote:
smhinto wrote: Excellent news of course!!! However, I am puzzled by what is meant by the alledged fact that we have kept the nucleus of the side to gether!!??. This of course inaccurate as we have lost FORDE(loan) (who's efforts alone probably contributed to the suuccessful results towards the end of last season). We have also lost GRADEL (loan), GOWLING, YOUNG, VOKES and PERRETT (who I believe if kept fit would have been a regular and useful in League 'diddley' Two. So in effect we have been severly weakened and with the likelyhood of not coming out of administration until the season starts, all available quality players would have been signed up by other clubs. So that would mean the side is again going to be propped up by loan signings and a complete re-build will be on the cards. Finally, it looks as if we will be running a skeleton squad with NO COVER FOR INJURIES!!. We should all know that this does not bode well for a campaign of trying to get out of this division in an upward direction. This coupled with a possible 15 point deduction only means a season of going nowhere very fast. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THE FACT THAT ANY TAKEOVER OF AFCB APPEARS DESIGNED TO RESCUE THE CLUB ONLY - AND NOT TO TAKE IT FORWARD!!. THISS IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE DONCASTER CHAIRMAN HAS INVESTED SIX MILLION QUID INTO THE THEIR CLUBS AND GOT THEM INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP. So with out alledged one million investment, where are we going ???. Not very far I suspect!!! Sorry but reality has a nasty habit of creeping up on one!! Regards
We are all aware you no longer support the club and won't attend next season, so forgive the rest of us for seeing that things are moving forward and that we have kept the nucleus of a good team, the players you talk about were never going to figure this season, Forde a loan player, Gradel a loan player, Gowling was going to leave regardless,Young retired, Vokes we all knew was being sold, and Perrett illness, so I can't see where you are getting your comments from, of the players we could have signed up we have all but Gowling, and Lovell is expected to join which covers for Vokes, others have come back from injury and we have a young keeper more than capable of filling the no1 jersey, as for cover for injuries Bond was quite clear about the make up of the squad as long ago as 6 weeks past, 14 senior players loanees and youth, and looking at who we have that all looks well on target. I also can't see where you get the idea we won't be coming out of administration from, if there is one thing that is looking more certain than at any time this year it is that we will be. The 15 points has not yet been administered either and even if it does we have a good team which can overcome that otherwise they would not have stayed. Also you cannot compare AFCB with Doncaster and how do you know what the investment is going to be? you have to rescue the club first before you can take it forward, then if we have a good season which is very possible the crowds will come back and more money will come in as the club becomes a better investment option, of course you won't be interested in all that, you have already made it clear you want nothing to do with the new era.
Sorry cant agree 1. Ford and Gradel not our players to keep in the first place. 2. Vokes going was inevatable although I accept that he is a big loss. 3. No Club has ever been able to keep Perrett fit and he was well past his best anyway 4. Young had to retire sometime and that was out of the Clubs hands. 5 Gowling didnt want to play for the Club and showed glimpses of that in his performances accross the Season. Sorry but to say losing 2 loan players a bloke that hardly ever played another who Bond loaned out for a fair part of the season and finaly one whos ego was a lot bigger than his contrabution is hardly losing the nucleus of the Team. Of course it would have been great to get Gradel and keep Vokes . I am one of the biggest critics of Mostyn but I think he and Bond have done well in this respect and concentrated on keeping together players that we had a chance of keeping and not the walking wounded high and mighty and wasting time and resources trying to sign players contracted to other Clubs when we have little or no money. The survival of the Club is more important
While I too think much of what smhinto says is bollards, I don't think his realism should be ignored. Like it or not, on paper, we are a weaker squad today than the one that finished last season. While we remain in administration we won't be buying any new players, so whether we're deducted another 15 points or not, next season will be tough. I'm afraid I can't join some people in the collective delusion that we'll go straight back up. The standard in League Two is NOT 'diddly' or poor. Low attendances do not necessarily mean the football is that bad. That said I am optimistic, mainly because the loyalty shown by many re-signing players was impressive (although do people who get relegated probably have much bargaining power when talking to prospective new employers?) If come Tuesday we step out of administration, and Uncle Jeff gives young Kevin some cash for players I'll start to believe that going straight back up is realistic. But based on what we all know RIGHT NOW, and after all we've been through this year, I'll be happy for the club to still be alive in twelve months and the team finishing mid-table. Promotion should be the cherry on the cake, not the cake itself.
not sayin we will go straight back up hope we do Of course we are weaker than we were last season but to say the nucleus of the team has gone is nonsense. The players we have lost allowing for the fact that Gradel and Forde were never ours with the exception of Vokes are replaceable. I accept some the comments ,of course I do but in reality what good was Perrett we can replace him by putting a Youth player in the stands every game. Cant stop players retiring so yes its going to be difficult but lets not throw the towel in just yet. The Young players may be as good as Joe Roach says they are.
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 8:35pm Sun 29 Jun 08
France Cherry wrote:
I thought we had tried to ban "smhinto" as he (?) is clearly only a fair weather supporter!!! The latest posts confirm this view.
I think its wrong to try to get someone banned just because they have a different view than some of the others dont you. Perhaps we should invite Robert Mugabe to adminster the site
Posted by: AFCB lost in Brum, Birmingham on 9:28pm Sun 29 Jun 08
Not throwing the towel in Kevvo, just seting realistic goals and targets.

Whenever I've been trained how to handle staff, we were always told to set achieveable goals at regular intervals.

Make sense, otherwise people give up too early on
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 10:08pm Sun 29 Jun 08
AFCB lost in Brum wrote:
Not throwing the towel in Kevvo, just seting realistic goals and targets. Whenever I've been trained how to handle staff, we were always told to set achieveable goals at regular intervals. Make sense, otherwise people give up too early on
As you say surviving is our first goal anything else is a bonus I wasnt knocking sminto or you just cant agree about the importance of players like Perrett or even Gowling. I can remember when Harry sold Colin Clarke and there was uproar then he got a team of chuck outs and we won the division so anything is possible but I agree about being realistic maybe its just me so p^^ssed off with all the bad news and dreaming of sucess ha ha !!!!
Posted by: GMcMahon, Highcliffe on 8:46am Mon 30 Jun 08
AFCB lost in Brum wrote:
Not throwing the towel in Kevvo, just seting realistic goals and targets.

Whenever I've been trained how to handle staff, we were always told to set achieveable goals at regular intervals.

Make sense, otherwise people give up too early on
Why shouldn't the players and fans go into the season wanting to go straight back up, you have a funny way of handling staff if you want them to settle for less than the may achieve, we have to think we can do it and if we fall short we can judge but it is always better to have a go than start the season with a it might happen attitude, come on get behind the players that's the way they may pull it off, and for the record no one is expecting it to be a walk in the park or a dead cert to happen it's just that after all we have been through and with so many players staying there is a sense of optimism around the place for once we need to use it not try and kill it off.
Posted by: AFCB lost in Brum, Birmingham on 10:12am Mon 30 Jun 08
GMcMahon wrote:
AFCB lost in Brum wrote: Not throwing the towel in Kevvo, just seting realistic goals and targets. Whenever I've been trained how to handle staff, we were always told to set achieveable goals at regular intervals. Make sense, otherwise people give up too early on
Why shouldn't the players and fans go into the season wanting to go straight back up, you have a funny way of handling staff if you want them to settle for less than the may achieve, we have to think we can do it and if we fall short we can judge but it is always better to have a go than start the season with a it might happen attitude, come on get behind the players that's the way they may pull it off, and for the record no one is expecting it to be a walk in the park or a dead cert to happen it's just that after all we have been through and with so many players staying there is a sense of optimism around the place for once we need to use it not try and kill it off.
You're missing the point, but sadly, GMcMahon, that is your raison d'etre.

Of course we all go into the season wanting promotion, whether we're fans and players. I wouldn't expect or want anything else from anyone involved in the club.

However you need to set a series of goals and targets, that run throughout the season. That's why players get win bonuses, extra payments for a set number of appearances, bonuses for hitting goal scoring targets, etc.

Beyond these aims set in contracts you also set other targets, game by game - for example it could be as simple as keeping a clean sheet at the next game, probably after failing to do so in previous games.

You have to keep these objectives flexible to deal with things you can't control, like being deducted 15 points.

We hear managers good and bad do this all the time - "we're looking to get 9 points out of the next 12" for example - so it shouldn't be a surprise.

I know we're all English and want to believe that if we have the passion that'll be enough but the truth is it isn't.

You can't manage for a team just based on rousing speeches and shouting - unless you're Kevin Keegan. You have to temper when to be tough with players and when to have that careful chat. You don't manage a Steve Fletcher (lesser talent but with 100% passion) in the same way as a Max Gradle (bags of talent but emotionally fragile).

So it's not a 'might happen attitude', it's about working through the season game by game, month by month, building each players confidence, and the team, in different ways.

So I'm not trying to "kill off" any optimism. I want to see us have a chance with mature, sensible planning NOT blind schoolboy rhetoric.

Posted by: kudos, Fareham on 11:21am Mon 30 Jun 08
AFCB AL wrote:
Well done Bondy and team – excellent news! Danny you are a star!
But again mention and apparent acceptance of a 15 point deduction. Can anyone explain WHY?
There have not been any dodgy dealings here – unlike Leeds and Luton – and the situation has been handled in an HONEST way throughout. The time factor is simply an inevitable consequence of new owners needing time to put together funding and a business plan to enable creditors to be repaid ( to whatever extent) and get on with running a club that has always had an excellent support base and been a role model for trying new and innovative ideas to keep it going (albeit that the excellent community club idea was effectively still-born thanks to the subsequent greed of the premiership ‘glamour clubs’ and “big clubs” like Leeds – and we know what their morals and ethics are like!)
The club went into admin at a point where we were out of the relegation zone – or just about – and the 10 point deduction did lead to relegation. So we have been heavily penalised. This was a completely different approach to the dishonesty at Leeds!
So why is Mr K so willing to roll over and beg the fools at the Football League for a kicking? What world does he live in?
Surely any such penal decision would be the subject of a lengthy appeal by the new owners of AFCB – which should show the League management up for the bunch of doddering old fools that they are. It’s time for lower league clubs to unite against the League management and protect themselves from future action – because which one of them will be next.
Make a stand for something good for once in your life Mr K !
There – got that off my chest and now expect to receive a flood of criticism for my thoughts!
PS renewing my season tickets today.
I agree and despite it all I will be pretty shocked if we do get a 15 point deduction because we went into administration just to survive as a club and we've not done a Leeds or had dodgey deals like at Luton.

To be punished from a points deduction that relegated AFCB and then attempt to hinder our recovery is REALLY kicking a team when it's down.

I think you're right that the smaller clubs should team up against the league in the same way the big ones have. It would be a rubbish league for the big four without the rest of us.

Asking an ex-Leeds chairman to do something good is a little much though!
Posted by: kevvo, The dog house again on 12:31pm Mon 30 Jun 08
Agree totaly Kudos. I could understand a deduction if we had done something illegal such as transfer fiddles or if we had waited until it was impossible to stay up and then go into administration. I hope the League will look upon getting relagated as punishment enough. Surely it dilutes the League if Teams are penalised like this allowing lesser Teams to take advantage.
Posted by: GMcMahon, Highcliffe on 1:24pm Mon 30 Jun 08
AFCB lost in Brum wrote:
GMcMahon wrote:
AFCB lost in Brum wrote: Not throwing the towel in Kevvo, just seting realistic goals and targets. Whenever I've been trained how to handle staff, we were always told to set achieveable goals at regular intervals. Make sense, otherwise people give up too early on
Why shouldn't the players and fans go into the season wanting to go straight back up, you have a funny way of handling staff if you want them to settle for less than the may achieve, we have to think we can do it and if we fall short we can judge but it is always better to have a go than start the season with a it might happen attitude, come on get behind the players that's the way they may pull it off, and for the record no one is expecting it to be a walk in the park or a dead cert to happen it's just that after all we have been through and with so many players staying there is a sense of optimism around the place for once we need to use it not try and kill it off.
You're missing the point, but sadly, GMcMahon, that is your raison d'etre.

Of course we all go into the season wanting promotion, whether we're fans and players. I wouldn't expect or want anything else from anyone involved in the club.

However you need to set a series of goals and targets, that run throughout the season. That's why players get win bonuses, extra payments for a set number of appearances, bonuses for hitting goal scoring targets, etc.

Beyond these aims set in contracts you also set other targets, game by game - for example it could be as simple as keeping a clean sheet at the next game, probably after failing to do so in previous games.

You have to keep these objectives flexible to deal wit