When we were the champions of non league football nearly 40 years ago, overseas players were practically non existent in English football. Now they're commonplace even in the National League.
There were 92 full time clubs then - there are more like 120 now. I know a handful of part time clubs get along OK at level 5, but basically the dividing line for our club is where it has always been : at the break point between full time and part time football.
As part timers we can realistically hope to make it into the National division. The hard part will always be staying there.
Remember how we scoffed when Boreham Wood went full time on gates of 400 ? Who's laughing now ? Patience is needed, because I'd rather continue as we are and still exist, than overreach and go down the pan.
A succinct and accurate summary of the position. To reach the National division is a realistic goal; to be solvent and extant is, however, my highest priority for the club.
It would be succinct and accurate if it wasn't total bollocks to be fair.
Does this influx of foreign players and expansion of full time clubs only affect Altrincham?? Is our line always to be drawn from whatever other people do? If Wythenshawe Town go full time do we happily sit back cuckolded while they rise above us and we settle down to our nice little level?
Sorry Ballers, you're missing my point. The majority of players in Conference National these days would have been playing in League 2 (or the 4th Division) had we not introduced Johnny Foreigner and his pals into the English game on the back of obscene amounts of money being pumped into it.
The barrier for us was always traditionally the point where full time football ceased to be the norm, and players had other jobs outside the game. AND IT STILL IS !
Unfortunately the number of full time clubs has increased by about 30%, and we will struggle to break into the clique unless we go full time. Right now we don't have the money to do that, so we need to make it our biggest priority to attract extra finance.