MOULES MONTHLY: October Review from the Chief Executive
Conference Crowds Continue to Increase
October has seen Barnet continue to set the pace in the Nationwide Conference with Carlisle United still leading the chasing clubs. When the two clubs met this month the 9,215 attendance was the second highest in the history of the Conference, just 217 short of the record set by Lincoln City (whose home attendance against Wycombe Wanderers on the final day of the 1987/88 season was 9,432).
Carlisle's average attendance of 6,072 this season is already well above their average in the Football League last season which was 5,674, giving them plenty of time to top the record mark this season with all to play for in the championship and play-off race.
For Leigh RMI, despite their lowly position in the Conference, they set a club record attendance of 2,245 for a Nationwide Conference fixture in their home match against Carlisle United . Several other clubs are also showing significant increases in average attendances this season, such as Gravesend & Northfleet, Halifax Town, Northwich Victoria, Crawley Town, Canvey Island, and Scarborough.
Up for the Cups!
The 22 Nationwide Conference Member Clubs enter the FA Cup in the 4th Qualifying Round this weekend, joining the 15 Clubs from Nationwide North and Nationwide South who have survived two previous rounds in the competition. Ties of the round include Carlisle United at home to York City, Hornchurch at home to Gravesend & Northfleet, and Dagenham & Redbridge entertaining Crawley Town. With a share of £320,000 prize money available in this round to the winners of each of the 32 ties (£10,000 per winning club) and the prospect of Football League opposition in the First Round Proper, winning clubs will be tuning in to the BBC's Final Score programme at 5:05 on Saturday evening when the draw will be made live.
Five Nationwide Conference clubs have progressed to the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy with four clubs recording victories over Football League opposition. Exeter City and Hereford United overcame strong opposition from Scunthorpe United and Oxford United respectively while Accrington Stanley's success over Bradford City was a real shock for the home side whose Manager Colin Todd accepted that the better side had won on the day. The battle of Hertfordshire saw the ever consistent young Barnet side progress to he next round at the expense of neighbours Stevenage Borough while Carlisle United saw off the challenge from Grimsby Town, making ex Scarborough Manager Russell Slade's return to the Conference a losing one.
Grounds For Improvement
Northwich Victoria have found a new lease of life on the field this month despite the club falling in to administration. They are now back in the black with three points and on an unbeaten run of three matches. Subject to the creditors meeting this month the club's potential new owners plan to develop the new stadium in order that the club can take up permanent residence as soon as possible.
Scarborough have announced plans to sell the McCain Stadium and develop a new site in the Eastfields area of the town with London based engineering company Scanmoor. Plans for both sites are being submitted to the Borough Council with a development plan which will see the club move to the new stadium in two years.
Burton Albion's new stadium is still on schedule while Forest Green Rovers, Gravesend & Northfleet, Leigh RMI, Accrington Stanley, Canvey Island, Tamworth, and Farnborough Town all continue to progress their plans for new stadiums or upgrades to their current homes.
Goods news from Hereford United, as the club has finally completed its CVA after eight years and they are now looking to take the club forward as it is free of the financial burden. Great credit should go to Graham Turner and Joan Fennessy for their many hours dedication to keep the club afloat and progress against sometimes all of the odds.
In Nationwide North and Nationwide South several clubs are at various stages of stadium development with Hinckley United on course to open their brand new facilities by the end of the year. Alfreton Town and Hucknall Town plan to continue stadium development plans while Kettering Town, Worksop Town, Nuneaton Borough, and Worcester City are involved in progressive discussions for new stadium developments.
Margate have reached agreement with Thanet District Council to redevelop Hartsdown Park and have received the green light to commence the much delayed project immediately, as soon as funding is available from their development partners.
Written by John Moules, Chief Executive of the Football Conference
Read the rest of John's comments in the monthly newsletter. October's edition will be sent out next week, and if you've not signed up to receive it yet, you can do so on the homepage!
