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2008
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Tilbury lack cutting edge and go down again
Maldon Town 2, Tilbury 0
TILBURY will be able to take comfort that they lost no ground in their Ryman Division One North survival battle but worryingly Saturday's not altogether unexpected defeat at promotion-chasing Maldon is the fourth match in a row that they have failed to score.
Though Dockers have consistently found winning difficult they have, particularly through young striker Kurt Smith, usually posed a threat in front of goal. In fact there is only one team in the bottom eight who have scored more goals.
However, of late the cutting edge has been blunted. Smith's impressive form has dipped, though his workrate can't be faulted, and there is little threat coming from elsewhere in the team.
Saturday's defeat - tempered by the fact that the bottom five clubs all lost - summed up recent performances.
Tilbury gave as good as they got and created a few good chances, but they lacked the conviction to polish them off and in the end were caught out by the home side's greater skill and strength in depth.
Dockers, who fielded new signings Bradley Smart and Jamie Gray who have rejoined the Chadfields fold, also fell once more to an early sucker punch, increasing what was already a difficult mountain to climb.
Just six minutes had gone when Maldon took the lead. The creator was Lee Perry who put in a deep cross but the goal owed much to scorer Kevin Hawes' determination as he got between Paul King and Jay Taylor to head in at the far post.
Tilbury didn't buckle and they had a good shout for penalty for handball turned down on ten minutes. Kurt Smith then gave home keeper Darren Gould an anxious moment as he turned and fired a cracking effort just wide of the upright.
And on the half hour mark Smith came close again when he got on the end of a cross from an adventurous Taylor and the ball was looping goalwards until it was cleared off the line by Alan Sampson.
Though Malden always appeared to be in control of the game, Tilbury were still giving them plenty to think about and there was another dramatic moment on 38 minutes when Gould dropped Danny O'Connor's corner and Smart prodded it goalwards, only for Frank Everett to spare his keeper's blushes with another last gasp clearance.
Maldon had the chance to make a scoring start to the second half when they were awarded a penalty after Danny Smith tugged back the marauding Hawes in the box. Steve Wareham stepped up to take the kick but blasted it so high over the bar that Tilbury might find it on Tuesday when they travel deep into the Essex countryside again to play nearby Burnham!
Tilbury tried hard to make the most of the escape and for the next 20 minutes enjoyed their best spell of the game, pushing the hosts onto the back foot.
They had one glorious chance to get on level terms when Luke Stanley, who had replaced Andre Humphreys, slipped a fine pass through to Kurt Smith. He bore down on goal but though there is much in the youngster's armoury to admire, his one failing seems to be a lack of composure in such situations and not for the first time this season his effort was saved, this time by Gould's feet.
It was a miss that Dockers were to rue as, on 71 minutes, Maldon extended their lead. This time Perry was the finisher rather than the architect as he pounced when good work by James Robinson left Smart and King floundering in his wake. Dockers' stopper Richard Wray did well to save his effort but could do nothing as the ball fell kindly for Perry to sweep home.
The goal finally killed off Tilbury's spirit and their resilience turned tetchy in the closing moments with Kurt Smith, Gray and Paul King - his ninth of the season - picking up cautions.
Things don't get much easier for Tilbury as third-placed Edgware are visitors to Chadfields next Saturday. In the meantime Dockers have a tricky-looking East Anglian Cup tie to get through on Tuesday.
A midweek trip to Essex Senior League Burnham Ramblers is never a prospect to salivate over and manager John Lawrence may find his squad stretched as injury and work commitments take their toll.
On the other hand Tilbury may thrive in a situation where league pressure is off and it could be an opportunity to boost confidence. One things should change though, there will have to be goals as the game will be played to a finish - including penalties if necessary.
Burnham share a problem with Dockers, their last two matches including today's Essex Senior League clash at Romford, being goalless draws.
Tilbury: Richard Wray, Danny Smith, Paul King, Jay Taylor, Jamie Gray, Bradley Smart, Andre Humphreys (Luke Stanley), Danny O'Connor, Kurt Smith, Sam Groom bridge (Nathan Philip), James Dwyer (Erkan Yusuf). Subs not used: Paul Agu, Gbenga Sonuga.
Ryman Division One North, up to and inc Feb 2
| P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Dartford | 27 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 75 | 31 | +44 | 58 |
| 2 | AFC Sudbury | 27 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 63 | 24 | +39 | 54 |
| 3 | Edgware Town | 29 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 38 | 17 | +21 | 54 |
| 4 | Ware | 27 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 74 | 41 | +33 | 52 |
| 5 | Maldon Town | 28 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 50 | 38 | +12 | 49 |
| 6 | Redbridge (-1) | 26 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 43 | 29 | +14 | 48 |
| 7 | Enfield Town | 29 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 50 | 43 | +7 | 48 |
| 8 | Canvey Island | 26 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 55 | 30 | +25 | 46 |
| 9 | Brentwood Town | 25 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 43 | 31 | +12 | 43 |
| 10 | Aveley | 29 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 41 | 53 | -12 | 43 |
| 11 | Great Wakering Rovers | 29 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 43 | 42 | +1 | 38 |
| 12 | Bury Town | 25 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 43 | 36 | +7 | 37 |
| 13 | Northwood | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 47 | 47 | 0 | 35 |
| 14 | Arlesey Town | 27 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 48 | 48 | 0 | 33 |
| 15 | Waltham Abbey | 25 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 28 | 46 | -18 | 30 |
| 16 | Wingate & Finchley | 27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 33 | 45 | -12 | 29 |
| 17 | Witham Town | 26 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 49 | 66 | -17 | 28 |
| 18 | Potters Bar Town | 27 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 34 | 55 | -21 | 26 |
| 19 | Waltham Forest | 28 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 31 | 52 | -21 | 22 |
| 20 | Tilbury | 26 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 33 | 57 | -24 | 18 |
| 21 | Ilford | 29 | 3 | 5 | 21 | 27 | 75 | -48 | 14 |
| 22 | Wivenhoe Town | 26 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 20 | 62 | -42 | 9 |
9:25pm Saturday 2nd February 2008
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CommentPosted by: TIM, tilbury on 11:02pm Sat 2 Feb 08
a bit more of this report is true but some of your facts are wrong yet again you really need to get your names right, first king was nowhere near for the first goal and second he was not left floundering with brad smart for the second, smart stumbled and king blocked the shot not wray! also jamie gray had a good game, start giving credit where it is due, again some very poor ref decisions changed the course of this game and I only hope management are marking them accordingly, they say when your struggling down the bottom of any league things never go for you and that certainly seems to be the case for tilbury fc. keep going lads and just hope that we get a ref soon that knows what he is doing! And its about time the local press started to support the team, I have never seen any report slating canvey in the echo even when they have lost like you slate tilbury, they are a young squad and Im sure what you write does not help these young lads.try supprting them for a change
a bit more of this report is true but some of your facts are wrong yet again you really need to get your names right, first king was nowhere near for the first goal and second he was not left floundering with brad smart for the second, smart stumbled and king blocked the shot not wray! also jamie gray had a good game, start giving credit where it is due, again some very poor ref decisions changed the course of this game and I only hope management are marking them accordingly, they say when your struggling down the bottom of any league things never go for you and that certainly seems to be the case for tilbury fc. keep going lads and just hope that we get a ref soon that knows what he is doing! And its about time the local press started to support the team, I have never seen any report slating canvey in the echo even when they have lost like you slate tilbury, they are a young squad and Im sure what you write does not help these young lads.try supprting them for a change
Posted by: aearic, tilbury town on 9:29pm Sun 3 Feb 08
[quote][bold]TIM[/bold] wrote:
a bit more of this report is true but some of your facts are wrong yet again you really need to get your names right, first king was nowhere near for the first goal and second he was not left floundering with brad smart for the second, smart stumbled and king blocked the shot not wray! also jamie gray had a good game, start giving credit where it is due, again some very poor ref decisions changed the course of this game and I only hope management are marking them accordingly, they say when your struggling down the bottom of any league things never go for you and that certainly seems to be the case for tilbury fc. keep going lads and just hope that we get a ref soon that knows what he is doing! And its about time the local press started to support the team, I have never seen any report slating canvey in the echo even when they have lost like you slate tilbury, they are a young squad and Im sure what you write does not help these young lads.try supprting them for a change[/quote] Tim i think you will find the reportr was none other than the tlbury sec mr southgate
could be wrng and if i am i say sorry but when you get officers from the club saying negitive things then you got a up hill struggle on your hands
i hear yesterday tilbury held there own for long periods and were a bit unlucky with a defo penalty and a number of closr shaves
HEADS U LADS KEEP GOING
TIM wrote:
a bit more of this report is true but some of your facts are wrong yet again you really need to get your names right, first king was nowhere near for the first goal and second he was not left floundering with brad smart for the second, smart stumbled and king blocked the shot not wray! also jamie gray had a good game, start giving credit where it is due, again some very poor ref decisions changed the course of this game and I only hope management are marking them accordingly, they say when your struggling down the bottom of any league things never go for you and that certainly seems to be the case for tilbury fc. keep going lads and just hope that we get a ref soon that knows what he is doing! And its about time the local press started to support the team, I have never seen any report slating canvey in the echo even when they have lost like you slate tilbury, they are a young squad and Im sure what you write does not help these young lads.try supprting them for a change
Tim i think you will find the reportr was none other than the tlbury sec mr southgate
could be wrng and if i am i say sorry but when you get officers from the club saying negitive things then you got a up hill struggle on your hands
i hear yesterday tilbury held there own for long periods and were a bit unlucky with a defo penalty and a number of closr shaves
HEADS U LADS KEEP GOING
Posted by: tim, tilbury on 10:30pm Sun 3 Feb 08
[quote][bold]aearic[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]TIM[/bold] wrote: a bit more of this report is true but some of your facts are wrong yet again you really need to get your names right, first king was nowhere near for the first goal and second he was not left floundering with brad smart for the second, smart stumbled and king blocked the shot not wray! also jamie gray had a good game, start giving credit where it is due, again some very poor ref decisions changed the course of this game and I only hope management are marking them accordingly, they say when your struggling down the bottom of any league things never go for you and that certainly seems to be the case for tilbury fc. keep going lads and just hope that we get a ref soon that knows what he is doing! And its about time the local press started to support the team, I have never seen any report slating canvey in the echo even when they have lost like you slate tilbury, they are a young squad and Im sure what you write does not help these young lads.try supprting them for a change[/quote] Tim i think you will find the reportr was none other than the tlbury sec mr southgate could be wrng and if i am i say sorry but when you get officers from the club saying negitive things then you got a up hill struggle on your hands i hear yesterday tilbury held there own for long periods and were a bit unlucky with a defo penalty and a number of closr shaves HEADS U LADS KEEP GOING [/quote] thats really bad if true, marc should be ashamed of himself. question if people hate tilbury as much as it would seem on here why are they coming on here to read about the team in first place!! was unlucky again yesterday should def had pen if not two but nothings goin for the lads at minute, apart from game against canvey think they have all given good account of themseves. keep going lads hope it happens for you soon.
aearic wrote:
TIM wrote: a bit more of this report is true but some of your facts are wrong yet again you really need to get your names right, first king was nowhere near for the first goal and second he was not left floundering with brad smart for the second, smart stumbled and king blocked the shot not wray! also jamie gray had a good game, start giving credit where it is due, again some very poor ref decisions changed the course of this game and I only hope management are marking them accordingly, they say when your struggling down the bottom of any league things never go for you and that certainly seems to be the case for tilbury fc. keep going lads and just hope that we get a ref soon that knows what he is doing! And its about time the local press started to support the team, I have never seen any report slating canvey in the echo even when they have lost like you slate tilbury, they are a young squad and Im sure what you write does not help these young lads.try supprting them for a change
Tim i think you will find the reportr was none other than the tlbury sec mr southgate could be wrng and if i am i say sorry but when you get officers from the club saying negitive things then you got a up hill struggle on your hands i hear yesterday tilbury held there own for long periods and were a bit unlucky with a defo penalty and a number of closr shaves HEADS U LADS KEEP GOING
thats really bad if true, marc should be ashamed of himself. question if people hate tilbury as much as it would seem on here why are they coming on here to read about the team in first place!! was unlucky again yesterday should def had pen if not two but nothings goin for the lads at minute, apart from game against canvey think they have all given good account of themseves. keep going lads hope it happens for you soon.
Posted by: tilbury, tilbury on 8:57am Mon 4 Feb 08
Marc the secretary at the club is involved in writing more of the reports than people know.I know that he was writing this one cos I saw him.I agree you should be ashamed of yourself Marc, I have also seen him writing for Neil the editor, who even said it himself in a previous report with his name on it when someone said he turned up halfway through the second half, at the Ilford game. Seems like Marc has his own adgenda. Come on Marc I know you read these comments, lets see what you have to say??
Marc the secretary at the club is involved in writing more of the reports than people know.I know that he was writing this one cos I saw him.I agree you should be ashamed of yourself Marc, I have also seen him writing for Neil the editor, who even said it himself in a previous report with his name on it when someone said he turned up halfway through the second half, at the Ilford game. Seems like Marc has his own adgenda. Come on Marc I know you read these comments, lets see what you have to say??
Posted by: jondo, tilbury on 9:37am Mon 4 Feb 08
truth hurts
Posted by: Paul (Maldon), Maldon on 11:31am Mon 4 Feb 08
Comon tilbury lets be fair. Im a Maldon supporter and have been for several years. You were not the best of teams and were never much of a threat to our lads. You boys need to be careful as ilford and wivenhoe are def turning a corner. Things were not looking good for either of them teams and they changed the management! Lokk where they are now, very close to sending you further to the bottom of the table. Maybe you also need to change managment and who knows it could change you club for the better. Especially for staying in this league. [bold]Thats if your clubs chairman and comittee members want to stay in this league!![/bold]
Comon tilbury lets be fair. Im a Maldon supporter and have been for several years. You were not the best of teams and were never much of a threat to our lads. You boys need to be careful as ilford and wivenhoe are def turning a corner. Things were not looking good for either of them teams and they changed the management! Lokk where they are now, very close to sending you further to the bottom of the table. Maybe you also need to change managment and who knows it could change you club for the better. Especially for staying in this league.
Thats if your clubs chairman and comittee members want to stay in this league!! Posted by: Alex -tfc, Tilbury on 11:40am Mon 4 Feb 08
Paul that was a spot on comment mate and agree with you even though i am a tilbury fan. I disagree with the game as i thought we should have had a penalty which probably would have changed the game but come on tilbury how many games have we actually won. We beat ilford and that was through a goal in the 90th minute. Are we happy to play Essex senior league football again??? I certainly dont want to watch a tilbury team playing essex senior football again. But then its down to the chairman and board members like you said paul. Are they happy just to play in the essex senior league?? Only they know!
And as for the management it would be a shame to see them go because they give it all they have got and cannot fort their efforts but Ilford changed theirs and look whats happening to them now. All im saying is we need to be careful!!!
Alex
Paul that was a spot on comment mate and agree with you even though i am a tilbury fan. I disagree with the game as i thought we should have had a penalty which probably would have changed the game but come on tilbury how many games have we actually won. We beat ilford and that was through a goal in the 90th minute. Are we happy to play Essex senior league football again??? I certainly dont want to watch a tilbury team playing essex senior football again. But then its down to the chairman and board members like you said paul. Are they happy just to play in the essex senior league?? Only they know!
And as for the management it would be a shame to see them go because they give it all they have got and cannot fort their efforts but Ilford changed theirs and look whats happening to them now. All im saying is we need to be careful!!!
Alex
Posted by: TIM, tilbury on 11:56am Mon 4 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Paul (Maldon)[/bold] wrote:
Comon tilbury lets be fair. Im a Maldon supporter and have been for several years. You were not the best of teams and were never much of a threat to our lads. You boys need to be careful as ilford and wivenhoe are def turning a corner. Things were not looking good for either of them teams and they changed the management! Lokk where they are now, very close to sending you further to the bottom of the table. Maybe you also need to change managment and who knows it could change you club for the better. Especially for staying in this league. [bold]Thats if your clubs chairman and comittee members want to stay in this league!![/bold] [/quote] thats a bit harsh because I agree if we had been given the penalty that could have turned the game as it would have boosted morale. I cant imagine any of them want to play essex senior next year, I do not no the chairman so cant pass comment on that is he realy that bothered if they stay up or not!! i heard wivenhoe have a lot of money to spend so they should tunr a corner lets hope its later raather than sooner. tthe boys deserve another shot at this league
Paul (Maldon) wrote:
Comon tilbury lets be fair. Im a Maldon supporter and have been for several years. You were not the best of teams and were never much of a threat to our lads. You boys need to be careful as ilford and wivenhoe are def turning a corner. Things were not looking good for either of them teams and they changed the management! Lokk where they are now, very close to sending you further to the bottom of the table. Maybe you also need to change managment and who knows it could change you club for the better. Especially for staying in this league. Thats if your clubs chairman and comittee members want to stay in this league!!
thats a bit harsh because I agree if we had been given the penalty that could have turned the game as it would have boosted morale. I cant imagine any of them want to play essex senior next year, I do not no the chairman so cant pass comment on that is he realy that bothered if they stay up or not!! i heard wivenhoe have a lot of money to spend so they should tunr a corner lets hope its later raather than sooner. tthe boys deserve another shot at this league
Posted by: rod, tilbury on 3:43pm Mon 4 Feb 08
as a tilbury fan i fear the worst as we go into the final third of the season most teams now are keeping tight to kurt making sure he keeps his back to goal our goals have dried up at the moment we make to many mistakes at the back we tried a new player at center half on saturday but it still looked a weak pairing at the heart of our defence with no cash it is hard to bring in players so we are just going to have to battle on and hope for some luck to come our way on the run in
as a tilbury fan i fear the worst as we go into the final third of the season most teams now are keeping tight to kurt making sure he keeps his back to goal our goals have dried up at the moment we make to many mistakes at the back we tried a new player at center half on saturday but it still looked a weak pairing at the heart of our defence with no cash it is hard to bring in players so we are just going to have to battle on and hope for some luck to come our way on the run in
Posted by: tim, tilbury on 3:53pm Mon 4 Feb 08
agree with you on kurt front noteffective at all at minute,not entirely sure I agree about defence being week just feel they are under constant bombardment through weak mid field, although that said thought gray boosted it a bit on sat, to be fair feel really sorry for the lads no matter what things just dont seem to be happening no matter how hard they try they are a yioung squad and I think pressure getting to them, and snide comments on here dont help. Keep going boys fingers crossed that it happens for you all, cos as you say there is no cash to attract players so they have just got to keep digging in.
agree with you on kurt front noteffective at all at minute,not entirely sure I agree about defence being week just feel they are under constant bombardment through weak mid field, although that said thought gray boosted it a bit on sat, to be fair feel really sorry for the lads no matter what things just dont seem to be happening no matter how hard they try they are a yioung squad and I think pressure getting to them, and snide comments on here dont help. Keep going boys fingers crossed that it happens for you all, cos as you say there is no cash to attract players so they have just got to keep digging in.
Posted by: Jack More, essex on 3:57pm Mon 4 Feb 08
I am not a tilbury fanbut would like to say that ILFORD look in good shape and Tilbury look like were standing still.
Sack John
I am not a tilbury fanbut would like to say that ILFORD look in good shape and Tilbury look like were standing still.
Sack John
Posted by: Hamer, G, Wivenhoe on 4:28pm Mon 4 Feb 08
You're going down like the Titanic.
You're going down like the Titanic.
Posted by: craig, c s m on 8:59pm Mon 4 Feb 08
sack john you say ?
i tell you what with there budget at tilbury they are doing a great job crossy had treble what is there now and were did he finnish ?
all i can say is john doing his upmost to keep the boys going and if its true the mark southgate writes these reports its a f*****g disgrace
mind you nothing shocks me in football no more
sack john you say ?
i tell you what with there budget at tilbury they are doing a great job crossy had treble what is there now and were did he finnish ?
all i can say is john doing his upmost to keep the boys going and if its true the mark southgate writes these reports its a f*****g disgrace
mind you nothing shocks me in football no more
Posted by: tim, ilbury on 9:09pm Mon 4 Feb 08
[quote][bold]craig[/bold] wrote:
sack john you say ? i tell you what with there budget at tilbury they are doing a great job crossy had treble what is there now and were did he finnish ? all i can say is john doing his upmost to keep the boys going and if its true the mark southgate writes these reports its a f*****g disgrace mind you nothing shocks me in football no more [/quote] I agree wih you totally why sack john,what else can he do? if there is no cash how can you tempt players over, most of the lads I spoke to have a lot of respect for the man. Its out of order if he club sec is writing some of the negative reports about the club, what chance has the team got. he should be thinking of ways of getting people through the gates not putting them off!! what a joke.wheres the logic in that.
craig wrote:
sack john you say ? i tell you what with there budget at tilbury they are doing a great job crossy had treble what is there now and were did he finnish ? all i can say is john doing his upmost to keep the boys going and if its true the mark southgate writes these reports its a f*****g disgrace mind you nothing shocks me in football no more
I agree wih you totally why sack john,what else can he do? if there is no cash how can you tempt players over, most of the lads I spoke to have a lot of respect for the man. Its out of order if he club sec is writing some of the negative reports about the club, what chance has the team got. he should be thinking of ways of getting people through the gates not putting them off!! what a joke.wheres the logic in that.
Posted by: tilb, tilbury, tilbury on 11:56pm Mon 4 Feb 08
i know tilbury quite well and the current management team and I must say the chairman needs to stop going Thailand 4 times a year and show more interest in the side and give john more financial backing.Dnt think chairman cares to be honest. He gave crossy financial backing then lost interest. John is doing a great job considering the circumstances and has players respect. How can he attract players if no money and **** ground.If he was managing dartford, canvey etc... with no money least you have good ground/fans to attract players.There are to mnany people making negative comments towars the side. mark southgate stick to doin team sheet as your not helping the side. Its easy standing on the side but you know the wage budgets of the other sides. Bottom line is good grounds and money atract players. Gray.smart will make a difference!
i know tilbury quite well and the current management team and I must say the chairman needs to stop going Thailand 4 times a year and show more interest in the side and give john more financial backing.Dnt think chairman cares to be honest. He gave crossy financial backing then lost interest. John is doing a great job considering the circumstances and has players respect. How can he attract players if no money and **** ground.If he was managing dartford, canvey etc... with no money least you have good ground/fans to attract players.There are to mnany people making negative comments towars the side. mark southgate stick to doin team sheet as your not helping the side. Its easy standing on the side but you know the wage budgets of the other sides. Bottom line is good grounds and money atract players. Gray.smart will make a difference!
Posted by: Neil Speight on 9:17am Tue 5 Feb 08
I have kept out of this debate as much as I can but, for the record, I would like to make the following points.
I am now in my fifth year as editor of the Gazette.
During the whole of that time, going back to the management of Paul Joynes, Mark has provided the Gazette and the Recorder (and the Non League paper) with reports. He was doing that job for some time before I arrived too.
Where I or another reporter attend games we write the report in the first person, with a by-line. There has never previously been such vitriolic criticism of Mark's reports which I think are fair and balanced.
I do not need to speak in defence of Mark, he is more than capable of doing it himself but I know that he has been a Tilbury supporter since being a small boy. He cares passionately and deeply for the club and for anyone to suggest otherwise or that he has any motive other than to help and improve the club is a disgrace.
As for Robbie Nash, he and I may have had our differences - I felt he sacked myself and Gary Kimble unfairly at the end of half a season when we had little or no chance of avoiding relegation.
However, I respect his right to make such a judgment.
And above all to suggest he doesn't care about the club is laughable. He funds the club and is involved at all levels from washing the kit, maintaining the pitch and digging out the weeds on the terraces. He is assisted by a small group of people including Mark, George Hammond and Andy Walters.
He also digs deep into his pocket to subsidise the club. Without him at present there would be no club. Almost every game runs at a loss.
As for criticism of Chadfields, I am dumbfounded. I can only suggest that people who are writing this nonsense have not been to other grounds. Chadfields is among the best non-league grounds at this level, with excellent changing facilities and a well-equipped support system to manage players' fitness. The club employs an excellent physio in Steve Taylor who is very highly qualified.
It's about time some of the snide big mouths who comment in these columns not only used their real names, but also backed their mealy-mouthed words with conviction and either coughed up some cash for the club or at the very least organised some fundraisers. As for John Lawrence, he - like Tony Cross before him, is doing his very best in very difficult circumstances. He is a football man who respects opinions and people, you won't see him mouthing off on here.
He knows people have different opinions and at times he has disagreed with my reports, and I am sure he disagrees with Mmark's sometimes, but as a football man he knows the score.
I know from personal experience what a tough job running a club at this level with limited resources is. He has made mistakes, he is the first to admit that but he is doing nothing more than his best.
What more can anyone ask?
If John felt that a change would benefit the club I believe he has the integrity and acumen to suggest that. He needs all the help he can get but I am sure he would not want either myself or reports falsifying reports or bigging the team up when performances clearly do not merit it. What can't speak can't lie. Look at the league table, look at recent results.
I have spent about half an hour this morning reading all this season's reports. I genuinely believe they are fair and honest and reflect what has happened on the pitch and for the most part pay tribute to the effort and hard work that has gone in, and also pointed out that the club - as happens when you are struggling - have not had the rub of the green in many instances.
[bold]Neil Speight
Editor
Thurrock Gazette.[/bold]
I have kept out of this debate as much as I can but, for the record, I would like to make the following points.
I am now in my fifth year as editor of the Gazette.
During the whole of that time, going back to the management of Paul Joynes, Mark has provided the Gazette and the Recorder (and the Non League paper) with reports. He was doing that job for some time before I arrived too.
Where I or another reporter attend games we write the report in the first person, with a by-line. There has never previously been such vitriolic criticism of Mark's reports which I think are fair and balanced.
I do not need to speak in defence of Mark, he is more than capable of doing it himself but I know that he has been a Tilbury supporter since being a small boy. He cares passionately and deeply for the club and for anyone to suggest otherwise or that he has any motive other than to help and improve the club is a disgrace.
As for Robbie Nash, he and I may have had our differences - I felt he sacked myself and Gary Kimble unfairly at the end of half a season when we had little or no chance of avoiding relegation.
However, I respect his right to make such a judgment.
And above all to suggest he doesn't care about the club is laughable. He funds the club and is involved at all levels from washing the kit, maintaining the pitch and digging out the weeds on the terraces. He is assisted by a small group of people including Mark, George Hammond and Andy Walters.
He also digs deep into his pocket to subsidise the club. Without him at present there would be no club. Almost every game runs at a loss.
As for criticism of Chadfields, I am dumbfounded. I can only suggest that people who are writing this nonsense have not been to other grounds. Chadfields is among the best non-league grounds at this level, with excellent changing facilities and a well-equipped support system to manage players' fitness. The club employs an excellent physio in Steve Taylor who is very highly qualified.
It's about time some of the snide big mouths who comment in these columns not only used their real names, but also backed their mealy-mouthed words with conviction and either coughed up some cash for the club or at the very least organised some fundraisers. As for John Lawrence, he - like Tony Cross before him, is doing his very best in very difficult circumstances. He is a football man who respects opinions and people, you won't see him mouthing off on here.
He knows people have different opinions and at times he has disagreed with my reports, and I am sure he disagrees with Mmark's sometimes, but as a football man he knows the score.
I know from personal experience what a tough job running a club at this level with limited resources is. He has made mistakes, he is the first to admit that but he is doing nothing more than his best.
What more can anyone ask?
If John felt that a change would benefit the club I believe he has the integrity and acumen to suggest that. He needs all the help he can get but I am sure he would not want either myself or reports falsifying reports or bigging the team up when performances clearly do not merit it. What can't speak can't lie. Look at the league table, look at recent results.
I have spent about half an hour this morning reading all this season's reports. I genuinely believe they are fair and honest and reflect what has happened on the pitch and for the most part pay tribute to the effort and hard work that has gone in, and also pointed out that the club - as happens when you are struggling - have not had the rub of the green in many instances.
Neil Speight
Editor
Thurrock Gazette.
Posted by: paul-maldon, maldon on 2:55pm Tue 5 Feb 08
You tilbury people need to sort yourselves out. How can you win games by having good match reports. Your budget may be low but i hear you have been through so many players at tilbury and things dont change. Maybe you need to keep 1 squad and settle it down rather than keep changing things as every match comes because you will never win any games. Keeping you happy with good match reports will not win you the next game. You need to concentrate more on the pitch rather than keep having these silly arguments on here.
Paul - Maldon
You tilbury people need to sort yourselves out. How can you win games by having good match reports. Your budget may be low but i hear you have been through so many players at tilbury and things dont change. Maybe you need to keep 1 squad and settle it down rather than keep changing things as every match comes because you will never win any games. Keeping you happy with good match reports will not win you the next game. You need to concentrate more on the pitch rather than keep having these silly arguments on here.
Paul - Maldon
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