Stop the civil war

Following heavy defeats against Eastleigh and Bishop’s Stortford the Terras have experienced a difficult start to the campaign and it appears that disappointment has begun to carry over to off-the-field issues.

Ridley and his fellow directors Paul Cocks, Shaun Hennessy, Ian Winsor and Connor Kinsella carried out a successful salvage mission at the end of last season just to keep the club in business. However, with dwindling crowds, ongoing debts, and a lack of sufficient support from sponsors it is clear that the plan to move towards the holy grail of stability still has a long way to go.

To make matters worse a war of words between directors and fans on an unofficial fans’ forum has threatened to open up more divisions at the Wessex Stadium.

The debate exploded following queries about new smoking arrangements at the Wessex Stadium last week and has since manifested into a huge bout of in-fighting, which has seen Ridley send out a plea for unity on the club’s official website.

Commenting on the Weymouth FC Blog, Ridley said: “I have been somewhat saddened since last Tuesday by the latest skirmish in what seems to be a never-ending civil war at the club. It has to change, it needs to be emphasised, because if it continues, this club really will poison itself.

“We have enough problems with ongoing financial issues at the club, as well as some unsympathetic elements outside and around the club, without turning on ourselves.

“It seems to have started as a result of new smoking arrangements at the Wessex. I understand that these are due to new health and safety impositions on us and they are regrettable. As an ex-smoker, I would have not have been happy, I have to admit.

“An alternative area as near as possible to the previous area has been provided, however. Yes the club could and should have announced these arrangements earlier and more clearly, but it has not justified the furore that seems to have erupted since among certain people.

“It has led to questions about the roles and attitudes of two directors at the club, Paul Cocks and Shaun Hennessey. The first thing to be said is that I back them both. They are the glue that has been holding this club together and people need to recognise just what key figures they are.

“Paul and Shaun took on this club when nobody else was either willing or capable of doing so. They have invested hundreds of hours of time and thousands of pounds over the summer, to the detriment of their own businesses and home lives, to clearing aside some of the recent wreckage and trying to put in place a fresher alternative of a club.

“They then invited me in to oversee the club but be in no doubt: they have done much of the work and provided much of the drive. This club has lost too many good men in the past – do not let it lose any more.

“We do need to get our priorities right as a club, and however unfortunate the smoking episode, people need to see the bigger picture. We are in a serious financial position and that is what we have to use our energy and efforts to concentrate on solving, one way or another.

“Paul, Shaun and others are working ceaselessly to solve problems and get new money into the club. I don’t understand why they cannot be cut some slack if there is the odd oversight here and there. There are literally hundreds of things that need doing on a weekly basis and trying to do things on the cheap with unpaid directors means things get missed, I am sorry to say, though we hopefully manage the big things.

“Damage is being done, I am afraid, as a result of all this. This morning, I spoke with a potential new director and investor who has now declined to join the board after, he said, reading the forum this weekend. He simply does not need the grief that directors seem to get.

“And, may I say, Matty Hale and Ian Hutchinson do not deserve to be subjected to this sort of mood – at odds with most people at the ground, I would suggest – as they seek to rebuild the squad with meagre resources.

“Both have my utmost backing and are doing a fantastic job in very difficult circumstances. I have little doubt that they will get things right if we give them time and support.

“Please be realistic. People said we should be giving young players a chance, people said they were grateful for a club to support. People said they understood the low wage budget as we couldn’t keep spending money we didn't have. Let’s remember all that and not react with a jerk of the knee to a couple of defeats.

“Let me tell you that Matty sent a text to me last night apologising and vowing to get it right. I told him he had no need to say sorry and that I believed he would. I told him it is not how you start but how you finish that is important.

“We are all passionate about our club and what goes on there. Thank goodness for that – our fan base is our potential salvation. And I am well used to debate and criticism on the forum, as many will know, and have no wish to stifle it.

“No club should expect blind faith and loyalty but I just wish that many so vociferous on there would have the courage to talk to me face to face or raise matters and criticisms at fans’ forums. They have not so far done so.

“Please remember that hard-working directors are human, too, and are just trying on your behalf to sort out the most horrendous inherited mess.

“I suspect all this might not have kicked off had we won a couple of games. This week, with games at Maidenhead and home to Worcester, we have a chance of kick-starting our season.

“If we are to do that, we need to change the mood of this club from conflict and cynicism to respecting each other and recognising our efforts. That starts with each of us looking at ourselves and the role we can play in turning this club around.”