Stan Donald (Chairman and Vice President)
Wednesday 27 January 2010
A Happy New Year to all the players, officials and supporters of the club. Indeed I send my very best wishes to all football supporters wherever you may be. I hope 2010 is good for you.
It certainly has the makings of a good year for us at Bromley Green, with it being our 80th anniversary, and the developments at long last about to start at the ground. All those who can make it on Saturday for the Sod turning be there at 10am, and don’t forget to wear your club tie please.
We are also about to take stock of our original playing kit, which surprise, surprise turns out to blue. Now those of you who know me are perfectly aware that I am indeed a supporter of that great team from Glasgow, who also happen to play in this colour. Having been involved with the Green for the last 35 years and having to put up with us playing in Green for all those years, even to the point when Clive Cook was in charge of our Saturday first team and they had the audacity to purchase the exact Celtic colours and strip, I am sure that many of you have some sympathy with me and would be delighted to start a campaign to have our original colours in continuity! I can see no valid reason why this should not happen, we will obviously still keep our name, but all the blue noses out there watch this space. Stan’s campaign has started, and do not forget that the Chairman always has the casting Vote!
While I am talking about the new replica kit, it would be remiss of me as your Chairman if I did not thank a few people for their efforts. Firstly to Derek for his research in finding the details in the first place, and for Craig in organising the purchase of the kit. But the entire club should be very grateful to our long serving Patron Dave Homewood, who has sponsored the purchase. I was going to propose that you be made Honorary Patron Dave, but you have that great distinction already. I am sure that you know how well respected you are within the club by all of us, and may I take this opportunity on behalf of everyone at Bromley Green to sincerely thank you.
With the number of people behind the scenes, the Managers and their assistants, Ian running the Bar, Derek and our loyal supporters who all know who they are, and the general buzz around the club, I am hoping that the year ahead will see even more success for us all to celebrate. I would ask all of you to remain positive and wherever we play to uphold the good name of our club, no matter the results so that our great reputation continues for another 80 years. Here’s hoping that the weather is kind to us in the next few weeks and the teams get back to playing this great game of ours.
Last but not least well done to the Sunday firsts last Sunday. We have been trying to win this cup for so long and come very close. So, I wish the team all the luck in the world – go and win it. For those who wish to back me just sign up to my petition for the Blues.
Wednesday 23 December 2009
As I sit at my computer with all the snow and ice about, it is very frustrating for us all that the weather has taken its toll on recent matches. especially the Saturday firsts who have put a run of wins together. I know that the New Year will bring more success hopefully as they have a reasonably settled squad. It is really pleasing for me to have Trevor Strand back at the Green, as I know it will be good for everyone, not least Dave, as he has worked tirelessly on match days to get everything done, which is not easy when you are doing it on your own, especially on home games. So, I am hoping for great things for them.
The second Open Forum was again a great success, albeit the same faces were missing. It is up to all the club to keep being positive and encourage these lads as much as possible to come to all our Club functions. So to all the players, keep on to them, it is your Club, and we the Officers are only there to make sure it runs as smoothly and efficiently as we can.
As everyone knows Ian and Trent have taken over the running of the Reserves on Saturdays, and I would like to thank them for doing this in mid season. It will take them a little while to get it successful, but I am sure they will, as they are both passionate about their football. as Trent said at the Open forum ”think Positive not Negative”.
The Sunday firsts are sitting just off the pace, with Bethersden looking very dangerous, but to me it is the spirit of Bromley Green teams to fight hard and I have high hopes for a successful second half of the season for Steve and the boys, as we certainly have plenty of quality players in the squad.
The Sunday reserves sit proudly at the top of Division 2, and let us hope that Phil and the lads are still there at the end of the season. I know how desparately Phil wants to win this League, but as we discussed at the Open forum, the Sunday first team take priority and I am sure with mutual common sense and discussion both Sunday teams can be successful.
I would like to congratulate Craig Smith on reaching 100 appearances recently for the Club. I am sure there will be many more to add in the years to come Craig.
We have more new faces joining us all the time, Trevor’s 2 sons most recently, and there are some class players hopefully coming back from injury and some such as Jason Thomas just started playing again, after a long period out of action. So, the omens are good and I feel exciting times are just around the corner for our great club.
I cannot let this monthly report finish without talking about a hard and sore point, the players debts. It was agreed by all the Officers and Managers at the start of the season that we accept to split the £20 Annual sub into 2 instalments of £10. The agreed payment in full was the 31st December. As the Patron has clearly stated, with the full backing of the Executive, any player still owing after that date will NOT be allowed to play. We have not had any games for a few weeks and do not play again until the 2nd January, you have probably 3 weeks of match subs you did not need to pay. Please make sure you settle up. the Patron is even willing to come to your house to get it. This is not an idle threat, it will be carried out in full.
I am off to my homeland for the New Year and Hogmanay, and I hope that the weather relents for travel reasons and also to let us all get playing this great game that we all love.
I will be with my family for Christmas and hopefully I can enjoy the festivities as much as I can. I wish all the Officers, Managers, Players, Partners and Supporters of Bromley Green a Happy and Peaceful Christmas, and much success for a Healthy and Trophy winning 2010.
Tuesday 17 November 2009
It is now mid November, and I had been expecting some comment on the website about when this next ”thoughts” would be appearing. So here you are the next instalment for your digestion, and hoping that the contents are taken in the manner they are written and nobody takes them personally. One of the very pleasing nights for me as Chairman was last week when we had an open forum for all to attend at the ground. The number of people attending surprised me and a lot of what I listened to was most encouraging, especially from some of the new members to the club. Wise heads on young shoulders comes to mind. Although we still had a few of the new club members conspicuous by their absence it was a really good turnout and discussion. As I said on that evening it is up to ALL of us to encourage the others to get involved at every club function we hold, whether it is a meeting, night out or quiz.
The other night held for club bonding was the Curry Night at the Curry Leaf, which proved a great success with 38 people there. I know those who were there enjoyed it. Everyone should be very grateful to Maxine for her hard work in getting these organised. As well as being club Secretary which is hard work at the best of times. A reminder to all those who have bookings to get them paid to Max straight away please.
I have watched as much Football as I can over the last month and mainly the Sat 1st. It has been up and down and from a great match against Canterbury to the dissappointing loss to Sheerness (which we should have won comfortably) it has proved to be very frustrating for all of us. Dave, the players and the supporters all want consistency and I am sure that given time we will achieve it, but we must do it as a team unit.
Sadly, the most alarming stat over the last month has been the final departure from the club of our youth team players. The whole purpose of running any youth side is to supply your future senior sides. For us to not have one single player in the 4 senior sides we are running is a complete and utter waste of a lot of our own time. The people who ran the youth side must be feeling the same way I presume? How we can contemplate running any in the future will need very serious consideration, and I know that you always will have some players who for some reason or other are not quite up to it, but we all know that others were and they should be playing for Bromley Green! Full stop!
Some of you will have noticed that a good friend of mine, Derek West has been down at the club over the last month on Sats and indeed some Sundays lending his support. He has got some very early history of Bromley Green, and along with our Patron, they are hoping to put together a history of the club. So who knows in the not too distant future we may have a booklet produced. I, for one look forward with great anticipation to this, as long as they both remember in the stats pages to include me as the all time top of the own goals chart for Bromley Green!!
Enjoy your Football and play as a team. The results will come. Cheers, Stan.
Monday 5 October 2009
We are into October now, so here we go with my latest thoughts.
All of the teams have now had a few games to get a chance to hopefully get a settled side. Some have and I am afraid others have not as yet. This was very apparent watching the Saturday firsts last Saturday. In a home game that Dave and indeed all of us would have expected the team to win easily. The frustrations of the game and the result are not what any of us wish for. In my first report I stressed that we had a lot of new players, and indeed new Managers, and I spoke about the fact of loyalty. This is a big word and it seems to me that it is being misinterpretated. Loyalty is to the club, not to the manager of the side you are currently playing in, and therein lies the rub.
When I played for the Saturday sides, and we had 3 teams then, more often than not I was in the 2nd or latterly because of age catching up with me, even the 3rds! but in my early days when I thought I was a reasonably good player I worked hard to get noticed by the then 1st team manager, who happened to be Dave Homewood, our Patron.
Perhaps it was my proliferation of scoring own goals (I hold the all time club record for this!), but caught his eye I did and I was so proud to be part of the 1st team squad that won the last ever Kent Amateur League (Eastern) title. I was playing with some real classy players in that squad, and it made my game all the better for it.
My point in reminiscing is that it seems to me that certain players are picking and choosing where they play and the managers are not being up front and fair in encouraging these lads to get into the first teams. We have gone over all of the clubs policy prior to the start of the season and I as chairman will not mince my words if I think for one minute that we are getting into cliques and players are not promoted upwards
It is and always will be the First teams who take priority and having succesful reserve sides, while our first teams struggle is not acceptable.
The other thing that really bugs me is that we are supplying food after all of our games. sometimes to hangers on, who having little or nothing to do with our club. I know that this helps the bar and subsequently the club funds. But I would rather have succesful first teams and less income. The quality of our teams is far more important than the quality of our food.
I would think by now anyone reading this can tell that I am not very happy, well you would be right. When I agreed to do this column for the club, nobody told me I could not be controversial, and if any individual wishes to discuss any of my points with me, they are most welcome.
This is not a personal attack on anyone, but simply the ethos of our Club.
My last point is that at great expense, we are holding training at the Julie Rose over the next two weeks thanks to Steve for organising this, and at the same time, Trent Thomas is going out of his way to get all our own floodlights sorted, so that we can return to the Swan Ground on the 20th October. Can ALL the managers tell their players to come down, as there is an obvious lack of certain players from certain teams. Everyone should be training, so that we can get to know them, and vice versa.
In ending, I am very happy really, as Rangers beat that other team in Glasgow yesterday, and Ian Holloway owes me a fiver, again!
Cheers, Stan
Monday 7 September 2009
I have been asked to do a regular slot for the club’s website by our Patron. So, here goes with my first shot.
I have over many years associated with the club, been impressed with the dedication of many people, far too many to mention. Over the last few years, we as a club have had to make major changes in an attempt to keep our club where it belongs, as the major football side in Ashford at Intermediate level.
To this end we have brought in 3 new team managers, and indeed many new young and exciting players. Players who we have faith in, who will only get better as they continue to play in Kent County football and the higher divisions of the Sunday League. I hope that in 5 years time these players will still be playing for us, because that is what Bromley Green is all about – Loyalty. The structure we have created is not for a short fix, it is for the long term future and the players like Glenn Mackett and Lee Milton started as young lads many years ago and now are the backbone of experience in the club. Behind the scenes, the club continues to strive for better things, albeit working with ABC does need a lot of patience and tact.
I hope that the players appreciate the work of Ian behind the bar and Max and others in providing food after games. We have also got Live football on the telly for you, all to encourage you all to feel you are wanted and to stay and have a chat after your games.
I am priviliged to be your Chairman, and hope in time to have a chat and get to know more of the new lads, to that end I will endeavour to watch as many games as I can.
I hope that everyone has a happy time with the club, and wish Dave, Ali, Steve and Phil all the best for the season ahead. To the players, enjoy your football, and go and win, but not at all costs.
19 responses so far ↓
Terry Perk // 02/09/2009 at 2:03 pm |
Heaven help us!
I look forward to the great man’s straight talking.
dave homewood // 06/09/2009 at 7:09 pm |
Yes Terry, so do I
Dave Smith // 19/11/2009 at 8:50 pm
I could not agree more Stan,it is a disgrace that these young lads have had to leave the club.I feel that the reserve team policy needs looking at and whoever runs the side,understands it and adheres to it.Secondly thanks for making the time to do your piece for the web site,it’s a pity others can’t be bothered.
ashley wojtowicz // 06/09/2009 at 12:27 pm |
hello how are all of you
dave homewood // 06/09/2009 at 7:07 pm |
Hello Ash
Good to hear from you
Do come and see us if you are down this way (bring your boots of course!)
Hope all is well with you
Dave H
Chairman Stan // 08/09/2009 at 5:49 pm |
Terry thanks for calling me the Great Man – now you can leave a comment.
I did omit how pleased I was with Scotland managing to beat Macedonia. A team that beat England 3-2 at Southampton a few years ago!!
Chris Dorsett // 14/09/2009 at 8:15 am |
“I did omit how pleased I was with Scotland managing to beat Macedonia. A team that beat England 3-2 at Southampton a few years ago”
Glad to see that the flippin Scots still have some wreckage to cling to Stan.!!!
Hope you are well
Chris
Chairman Stan // 01/10/2009 at 8:25 am |
The President is alive and kicking…. albeit it took a bit of history to get him going! Come on you Eagles.
Hope you may come down to the ground soon Chris, maybe this Saturday, after all you still owe me a pint!!
ali // 06/10/2009 at 1:59 am |
Dear Mr Chairman.
Re: your quote:
it seems to me that certain players are picking and choosing where they play and the managers are not being up front and fair in encouraging these lads to get into the first teams.
This can only be interpreted as as very thinly veiled criticism of myself and Phil as we are the two said Reserve team Managers
I want to go on record as stating I have never discouraged anyone from stepping up to the first team on saturdays and find this allegation rather insulting to my ability as a manager and committment to Bromley Green
The reality of our situation is that these players aren’t on wages, they just choose to play football for the love of football and even pay for the honour. We hope and encourage players to play at the highest level, but to insist?
This issue arises at every amateur club that has reserve / first teams. if we think that we at Bromley Green are any different then we are deluding ourselves
Chris Dorsett // 06/10/2009 at 8:21 pm |
Hi Stan
I wish I could take you up on your kind offer but I had a hip replacement 12 days ago and it will take a little longer to recover. ( I stress it wasn’t a “hip flask replacement” as it would be in your case!!)
My thoughts are always with Bromley Green and, whilst I dont find much spare time still, I always keep tabs on how things are going by reading here and the KM.
I will get to see you soon Stan but I am certain that it’s your round, after all, the hip was only knackered covering behind you all those years ago!
All the best
Chris
Chairman Stan // 07/10/2009 at 9:09 am |
Good to hear again from you Chris. I hope your recovery is well on the way. you must be bored stiff that you have not been playing golf. I and indeed the Club look forward to you paying us a visit. I will of course buy you a pint.
Chairman Stan // 07/10/2009 at 9:16 am |
I hope that having had a chat together last night has eased your own feelings regarding my views. I as Chairman need to make sure that everyone is going in the same direction in the best interests of the Club,
Chairman Stan // 07/10/2009 at 9:18 am |
The previous comment was for Ali
Chris Dorsett // 07/10/2009 at 9:51 am |
Thanks Stan,
I reckon to miss 3 to 4 weeks of golf so it could be worse!
Chris
Chairman Stan // 01/12/2009 at 5:55 pm |
I can see that I will have to more controversial in December. I keep looking for comments on November but not a single one!! Was it that boring?
davehomewood // 01/12/2009 at 11:35 pm |
Not boring Stan. Perhaps people actually agreed with you for once! Or did not have plausible counter arguments. Look forward to December’s offering. After all if I can update a Log daily, you can manage a monthly contribution.
tom,lee and paul carpenter. // 16/01/2010 at 1:28 pm |
hello all,
all the names on stans site, hold lots of great memories for the carpenter fanily, as was the cup tie at tonbridge the one that prompted the ref to write to the club, saying what a good fixture it had been for him(no fighting i think he meant).
our family is now all over the place, paul now lives in portsmouth, lee is now in bournemouth both have given up playing football, paul is now a family man, lee is now into diving in exotic places all over the world, he is still in the print, but more into the upper crust bit(if you know what i mean.)
eve and i have decided to retire, we are living the good life and retired to spain(pass me another drink luv).
stan, we wish all connected with the club, old and new, good results, good health, good fortunes.
regards tom and eve carpenter.
davehomewood // 16/01/2010 at 6:35 pm |
Good to hear from you Tom and Eve
I know we took our football seriously in those days Tom, but they were memorable moments weren’t they?
Hope all the family is going to be with us for a reunion on Friday 25 June at the International Hotel … it is the club’s 80th and we so want all you great people from the past to share the occasion with us. If we are honest, it will probably be the last chance for us all to be together one last time and recall the ‘good old days’. Please let me know where to send details. Plenty of notice Tom so no excuses! Please forward my regards to Lee and Paul and I do hope the whole family joins in our celebrations. Yours Dave H
Chairman Stan // 01/02/2010 at 5:11 pm |
Sorry I have not replied sooner to you Tom. The Patron gave me a telling off last Saturday for my forgetfulness. Great to hear from you and glad that all the family are well. I can just picture you in Spain with a glass of something …..Rioja perhaps? Or are you still drinking cheap beer! whereabouts are you Malaga? I have a good friend who has retired down there but he is inland about an hour away from the airport. Keep well and hope to hear from you on the website more regularly. If and when you are over here, we must meet up and I can get that pint you still owe me!?
Regards to all the family. Take care.