Interesting views from Eastwood....

[AFootballFan]

DerbyBadger was good enough to send the followind report today, which records the Eastwood Town Chairman's comments on the his team's rivals in our league. As as it mentions our own club I thought I'd stick it on the site. Pretty interesting stuff, I think:



"Chairman's Update 16th June
We went to the Unibond Awards this weekend and it was very interesting to meet and discuss football with so many other passionate Chairman and Managers.



Most of the discussion was around who is going to get promoted this season and it was interesting to get so many different views. There are a number of big clubs who are investing money and signing some very good players, and to compete with these clubs is very exciting for Eastwood Town.



With the risk of upsetting a few players, managers and chairman, here is my personal view of the Top 5 contenders for the Unibond Premier title next year, in alphabetical order;





Boston Probably the best set up in the league and it is a shame that the authorities could not find a way to let this club play at a higher level. If I was not involved with Eastwood Town, this is the club I would like to see go straight back up and I believe they will definitely be in the Top 5 and will probably start as pre season favourites at the bookmakers



Bradford From what I have read and heard they have made some very good signings and the enthusiasm and support of their Chairman is fantastic. Although they have just been promoted, I can see them doing it back to back if their new players gel with their existing squad. There seems to be a buzz about BPA and I just can't see them not challenging for the title this season.



FC United Amazing support home and away and the ability to attract some of the best young players in the North West. Whether they challenge next year will depend largely on whether they choose to. I have a feeling that that they might start off steadily, assess their competition and then come on strong in the second half of the season. They are already getting gate attendances for a league club and if they decide to go for it they will be tough to stop.



Guiseley This side has got goals written all over them with the acquisition of Adam Muller. If he gels with Hanson they could get 50+ league goals between them. I think this club is just too ambitious not be to be there or there abouts and I think we were very fortunate to pip them to the play-offs last season, given their wealth of UniBond experience.


Witton For me they were the best side in the league last year and a pleasure to watch. Although they may have lost a few players, the set up there is fantastic and they are a club that good players want to play for. 2nd for the last two seasons, I have to have them in the Top 5 again even though they are going through some changes.



There a probably 5 other clubs who have ambitions to finish in the top 5 and make the play-offs. To the neutral, it's hard to justify putting Eastwood in the same company as these clubs; as they all have much larger fan bases and can attract the best players in their local areas.



With these odds, and being one of the smaller clubs in the league, we will have to work extra hard to tip the balance in our favour and get ourselves promoted. Let me assure you all that Coxy, Rammers and myself are still comfortable with this challenge.





Robert Yong
Chairman

[whitelions]

mmmm get your excuses in early Mr Yong.

[otleybard]

Yes, methinks the lady doth perhaps protest too much...

I'm sure Mr Cox is wise enough to know that referees have get togethers too, and that a 'Leeds United 1972'-style rebranding won't do Eastwood any harm. It'll be interesting to see any changes in our old boys' attitudes to the game when we play them.

As well as the five teams mentioned, Leigh Genesis (sounds more like a 50s rocker every time I hear it - Leigh Genesis and The Creations?) and Nantwich Town are giving it large, and such as Marine, Hednesford and Frickley will have expectations.

It's always difficult to judge until the number of shopping days to kick-off has run down, but most of the final-day scrabblers had their moments and at present it's hard to pick out who'll be next season's cannon fodder.

Anyway, roll on August, and may the best team win. As long as they've got an LS postcode of course.

[superstew]

Nice to see Eastwoods chairman playing down their chances before a ball has been kicked" reverse psychology" well said Mr Yong..

[adambrid]

Lol
What an idiot
AB