KICKING OFF: Can we have stability?

1:05pm Saturday 3rd May 2008

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AS relieved Terras fans enjoy the thought of Blue Square Premier Football again next season, manager John Hollins and his assistant Alan Lewer have been rewarded for their efforts.

Chairman Malcolm Curtis has given the go-ahead for the duo to build a squad for next season, although their contract details have not been revealed.

Dare I suggest that the Terras can now saviour a stable period. Yes I know, we've been down this road many times before.

The property developer seems to have weathered the early storm after he took over.

Signing over parts of the land surrounding the Wessex Stadium to his company Wessex Park Ltd and talk of re-branding the club certainly upset many of the Wessex faithful.

Obviously not being relegated has helped bring a certain good-feel situation at the club but I wonder what it would have been like if the Terras had fallen through the trap-door.

Curtis says the club is still haemorrhaging money and he and the board have to get on top of that.

Proposals are underway to produce plans for a new stadium by the end of the summer and it seems there are two sites in mind.

He wants fans and people in the town to have a good look at the proposed development and see what feedback he gets.

This can work in both ways. Either it will be backed all the way or those that are opposed could hold up development for a lengthy time.

Still it is better to see what is planned and hopefully there won't be a repeat of the situation with the proposed Pavilion development.

One setback has been the end of Park Engineering's tenure as main sponsor. Partner Dave Higson, a long-time saviour of the club, has sold the company.

A new backer needs to be found quickly to help the club build for the new season.

After the past traumatic 12 months I think most fans would be happy to see the Terras remain in mid-table and perhaps enjoy a good FA Cup run as a bonus.

Consolidation may not make the blood rush but it might be the best thing for the club long term.

o o o I totally agree with Portland United's decision not to take up the invitation to join the Wessex League.

The Dorset Premier League champions could have moved up the pyramid but sensibly the committee has agreed that it is not quite the right time for the island club.

The Blues previously enjoyed membership of the Wessex League until they reluctantly resigned in 2006.

Yes, clubs should be ambitious, that's the beauty of how the football pyramid works, but not to the detriment of their future.

The travelling alone in the Wessex is an issue, with some games as far away as Newbury. Players have to be committed and if results start to go the wrong way, interest could wane from players and supporters alike.

The Blues enjoy fairly decent crowds and I don't think that would sufficiently increase to pay for the extra costs acquired in the higher league.

In the 2005-2006 season the Blues fielded a fairly young side and they were outclassed on a regular basis and this forced the club to resign.

The present side could hold their own in the higher echelon but the financial implications must take precedence.

The club needs to find money to finance the repairs of the floodlights and outgoing chairman Pete Turrell says the club will aim to join next year. It's the right decision.