Ok, right, firstly ignore the sheer crack pottedness of the first bit. And secondly, yes following the last bit to it's logical conclusion is yes you might not want to go part time but if it's the only thing that's finiancially viable perhaps you should do it (especially in light of the first bit).
Now for me the middle part is the interesting one and something we've not really considered I think. I know a fair few of us are 'part-time and proud of it'. Me, I cringe a little at that. I'm glad we're not run like a bunch of dickheads and that we're not a financial basket case but in the longer term we have to look at the most effective way of running a club like ours. Not withstanding we're currently below smaller clubs than us on full time set ups but not much more money, we've got a....actually read it first.......
From Alty official site
From Blue Square Football we learn that "Kidderminster chairman Dave Reynolds has moved to reassure Harriers' supporters that the club will not be reverting to a part-time outfit. The club were recently handed two anonymous donations which spared them from facing a potential winding-up order.
Reynolds told The Shuttle: 'I don't see any future in part-time to be honest. I think in regards to part-time players, the quality we had years ago isn't there anymore... that time has gone and things have changed'.
Meanwhile, new director and Aggborough Holdings member Mark Serrell... said: 'There was a big increase in attendances in the 2008-09 season when the club finished sixth, they dropped off last year. This year we're struggling with attendances already, 1,565 is the highest and the lowest is 937... that's something we've got to change. Fans can support functions and come up with ideas. We're also looking for more volunteers to help work around the club. We need as much help as I can get. If we don't improve the financial position quickly the club faces administration and liquidation. That help and effort is needed immediately'".
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As I was saying do we have too much faith in the ability of part time footballers, too much respect for our heroes of yesteryear who really could've done a job at a higher level? I mean where is a Ken McKenna, Jeff Johnson or say a Kim Casey or a Mark Carter who couldn't immediately play at a higher level/earn more money. For me perhaps we have to accept that lower league footballers are now paid so much that the traditional idea of earning more through a combination of playing and working doesn't hold true. If anything we certainly won't find the Graham Heathcote's who will play for years.
How many good players have we had recently who've stayed for any length of time. Basically Stuart Coburn, Colin Little at the end of his career and the last of the genuine non league footballers Chris Denham and to a lesser extent Nicky Clee. The others who are Conference standard have been Youngy, Senior, Kearney etc who've fallen into our lap due to circumstance for a year or two. Is the genuine level for part time footballers BSN like Peyton and O'Neill (effective there) and some of the Droylsden lads (Kilheeney, Roche etc)? There's a lot to add to this which I will do in time but it's the first time someone has stuck their neck out and put this viewpoint forward so, er, dicusss....