A couple of non league snippets

[Bernie Gogan]

  On 05/05/2025 at 16:03, GlenSTFC said:

They may approach Scott?

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Was at York Road yesterday, friends told me that Alan Devonshire has another year on his contract, so I'd expect him to stay. 

[GlenSTFC]

  On 06/05/2025 at 08:09, Bernie Gogan said:

Was at York Road yesterday, friends told me that Alan Devonshire has another year on his contract, so I'd expect him to stay. 

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Interesting quote from a current player.

 

[Reading Rebel]

  On 06/05/2025 at 08:09, Bernie Gogan said:

Was at York Road yesterday, friends told me that Alan Devonshire has another year on his contract, so I'd expect him to stay. 

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Not sure having a 1 year contract and having to pay him off would be the reason not to sack him.

He could survive but I reckon his time is up.

[cufcgeneral]

  On 06/05/2025 at 08:10, GlenSTFC said:

Interesting quote from a current player.

 

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Not sure that's change of regime as in manager, but more that they are probably switching from full time to a hybrid or part time model - and that some players will want to stay full time somewhere

[Reading Rebel]

  On 06/05/2025 at 09:49, cufcgeneral said:

Not sure that's change of regime as in manager, but more that they are probably switching from full time to a hybrid or part time model - and that some players will want to stay full time somewhere

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As far as I'm aware Maidenhead are not full time.

They may have been the hybrid version i.e training 3 mornings a week but I'm sure they were not full time. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=are+maidenhead+united+a+full+time+professional+club%3F&sca_esv=0349de45f60f4eaa&ei=-twZaL3JGdm6hbIPh5GOuAI&ved=0ahUKEwi9rvCgyo6NAxVZXUEAHYeIAycQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=are+maidenhead+united+a+full+time+professional+club%3F&gs_lp=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_NhiAYBkAYIugYECAEYB7oGBggCEAEYFJIHBTQ3LjEwoAfMvAKyBwU0Ni4xMLgHxik&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

Edited May 6 by Reading Rebel

[GlenSTFC]

  On 06/05/2025 at 09:49, cufcgeneral said:

Not sure that's change of regime as in manager, but more that they are probably switching from full time to a hybrid or part time model - and that some players will want to stay full time somewhere

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Didn’t realise they were proper full time, i thought they were hybrid/3 training sessions a week?

[Curtis]

I understand Maidenhead’s reasoning for wanting to set aside the £4m Max Kilman fee for the development of a new ground, but if I were a fan (or Alan Devonshire) I think I would be very frustrated if a chunk of it hadn’t been used to stay in the National League 

[Curtis]

We could see a re-run of the 2022/2023 National League play-off final that was decided on penalties, in the League Two play-offs this season, as Notts County & Chesterfield make the play-offs.

[Reading Rebel]

  On 06/05/2025 at 10:32, Curtis said:

I understand Maidenhead’s reasoning for wanting to set aside the £4m Max Kilman fee for the development of a new ground, but if I were a fan (or Alan Devonshire) I think I would be very frustrated if a chunk of it hadn’t been used to stay in the National League 

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I think I'm right in saying as things started to get desperate they did spend some money on bringing players in.

 

[Bernie Gogan]

  On 06/05/2025 at 11:38, Reading Rebel said:

I think I'm right in saying as things started to get desperate they did spend some money on bringing players in.

 

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Don't agree RR, loanees mainly plus the March signing of Brendan Kiernan who had been at Crystal Palace as player/coach for their U21s and previously at Grimsby (might have played against us?) and some years back Hampton & Richmond (previous connection with Devonshire?).

Maidenhead's owner(s) aren't given to splashing the cash, although one player I'm told is on an awful lot and doesn't often start!

[Reading Rebel]

  On 06/05/2025 at 15:34, Bernie Gogan said:

Don't agree RR, loanees mainly plus the March signing of Brendan Kiernan who had been at Crystal Palace as player/coach for their U21s and previously at Grimsby (might have played against us?) and some years back Hampton & Richmond (previous connection with Devonshire?).

Maidenhead's owner(s) aren't given to splashing the cash, although one player I'm told is on an awful lot and doesn't often start!

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Surely the loanees and Brendan Kiernan must of cost money or maybe not?

[SloughFlyer]

Interesting start to Farnboroughs summer as one of their best players and a coach in Ricky Holmes has left them. Even at 37, was a talisman for them and will be tough to replace.

Was told a few months ago that he was going to leave, but surprised it's actually happen!

AND

He signs as a player coach at Chelmsford.

I have a funny feeling the Farnborough fans and Spencer aren't going to be too happy with that one.

Edited May 6 by SloughFlyer

[Reading Rebel]

  On 06/05/2025 at 17:57, SloughFlyer said:

Interesting start to Farnboroughs summer as one of their best players and a coach in Ricky Holmes has left them. Even at 37, was a talisman for them and will be tough to replace.

Was told a few months ago that he was going to leave, but surprised it's actually happen!

AND

He signs as a player coach at Chelmsford.

I have a funny feeling the Farnborough fans and Spencer aren't going to be too happy with that one.

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Chelmsford will be another full time club next season making the NLS that bit harder to survive.

[SloughFlyer]

  On 06/05/2025 at 20:17, Reading Rebel said:

Chelmsford will be another full time club next season making the NLS that bit harder to survive.

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Yes RR, saw that and like you say upping the difficulty level that bit further.

[REBEL MATTERS]

  On 07/05/2025 at 06:31, SloughFlyer said:

Yes RR, saw that and like you say upping the difficulty level that bit further.

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Agreed with both SF and RR, my worry is (and I hate using this term) how long will our luck run in this league as I see the quality of teams coming back down and long standing teams in this league getting stronger / full time, we are becoming a much smaller fish in a very big pool

Edited May 7 by REBEL MATTERS

[Sir Rebel1965]

  On 07/05/2025 at 06:31, SloughFlyer said:

Yes RR, saw that and like you say upping the difficulty level that bit further.

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With the increase in full time / hybrid teams in the NLS, it does ask the question how competitive STFC can be.

There has been the ability to punch above our weight, but that does require an element of luck and decisions to go our way.

But you then also have the scenario of a few bad games and you are fighting to avoid relegation.

I believe that if STFC wish to remain in this league and be competitive, then the budget and strategy needs to be similar to those teams who finished in the top third. Otherwise it will be a constant battle to avoid relegation.

 

[SloughFlyer]

  On 07/05/2025 at 07:42, REBEL MATTERS said:

Agreed with both SF and RR, my worry is (and I hate using this term) how long will our luck run in this league as I see the quality of teams coming back down and long standing teams in this league getting stronger / full time, we are becoming a much smaller fish in a very big pool

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I think as long as the squad and management is right we are at the right level in what is fast becoming a 50% full time / hybrid league RM. 

IMO - we have 100% the right leadership throughout the club and their plans for ongoing development are superb. Exactly what the modern non-league team requires.

I also have full faith in Scott and his team to deliver a competitive squad in the division for next season. I think being in the league in upper mid-table is the right target for us currently and I am sure with Scott's leadership and the contacts he has we'll be good.

Wanting to move forwards as a club will need another think however as clearly, to compete at the top end of the division  we will need to look full time / hybrid model. This is, IMO, still a way away so staying steady in the league and growing the club off the pitch is the right way to go.

[Reading Rebel]

  On 06/05/2025 at 17:57, SloughFlyer said:

Interesting start to Farnboroughs summer as one of their best players and a coach in Ricky Holmes has left them. Even at 37, was a talisman for them and will be tough to replace.

Was told a few months ago that he was going to leave, but surprised it's actually happen!

AND

He signs as a player coach at Chelmsford.

I have a funny feeling the Farnborough fans and Spencer aren't going to be too happy with that one.

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Spencer Day threatened wholesale changes.

We'll have to see if he sticks to his word.

[Reading Rebel]

  On 07/05/2025 at 07:51, Sir Rebel1965 said:

With the increase in full time / hybrid teams in the NLS, it does ask the question how competitive STFC can be.

There has been the ability to punch above our weight, but that does require an element of luck and decisions to go our way.

But you then also have the scenario of a few bad games and you are fighting to avoid relegation.

I believe that if STFC wish to remain in this league and be competitive, then the budget and strategy needs to be similar to those teams who finished in the top third. Otherwise it will be a constant battle to avoid relegation.

 

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There's no way in the near future we'll have a budget to match the top 8 teams who in the main will be full time clubs.

As long as we have a budget that's around mid table we should be competitive enough to hold our own.

[Reading Rebel]

  On 07/05/2025 at 07:59, SloughFlyer said:

I think as long as the squad and management is right we are at the right level in what is fast becoming a 50% full time / hybrid league RM. 

IMO - we have 100% the right leadership throughout the club and their plans for ongoing development are superb. Exactly what the modern non-league team requires.

I also have full faith in Scott and his team to deliver a competitive squad in the division for next season. I think being in the league in upper mid-table is the right target for us currently and I am sure with Scott's leadership and the contacts he has we'll be good.

Wanting to move forwards as a club will need another think however as clearly, to compete at the top end of the division  we will need to look full time / hybrid model. This is, IMO, still a way away so staying steady in the league and growing the club off the pitch is the right way to go.

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I think most will agree we have the right management and owners to push forward as a club.

With what's looking pretty much like a tougher division and a squad re-build for us recruitment will be key.

I have no problem recruiting from the lower levels but I think we were a little top heavy in that area with last seasons signings.

I think we signed about 6 with only Charlie and Gilbert the real successes.

With an enhanced budget hopefully we can make a few more established signings.