just looked on the Unibond website to see that the Blues are one of only a handfull of teams not to apply for admittance to the Conference North next season.
I just wondered why? Are we already admitting defeat and writing this season off? although I assume it yet again has to do with money and ground standards, it would be nice as a fairly loyal fan (I live 90 miles away but get to most games!) to understand where the club is going and what plans the comittee have for the rest of this already poor season?

PS lets have a manager with some tactical ability and motivational skills next time please. I hear Sir Clive wants a job away from Egg chasing, go on go for it!!!

Mark,you are quite right that the decision not to apply for promotion was partly due to money. However, other factors also contributed considerably, especially the ground.

Although we would be able to gain promotion with the ground as it is now, we would have to carry out so many improvements in a short space of time to remain there that would be nigh on impossible to achieve. Added to that there is also the redevelopment of the area, which it is expected will include some redevelopment of the ground. However, there is talk that the ground may be moved slightly or even rotated through 90 degrees so therefore any improvements we could carry out may well turn out to be a waste of money if the pitch doesn't remain in the same position.

There are also numerous other items which were taken into account but basically, after taking the ground, financial implications and other criteria into consideration along with the fact it costs £500 +VAT to apply it was decided that the £500+ could be better spent elsewhere at this point in time.

By the time comes around next year for applications (July) we should know exactly where the ground will be and what work (if any) will take place on it as part of the redevelopment. Then we can look at applying for grants in order to improve the ground and meet the new criteria and hence apply for promotion confident that we should be able to stay there - should we get there.