No 39 RFC WEEKLY NEWSLETTEE

I’m smart enough to realise that picking a side to win a game is a very small part of team management and whilst you can deliberate over it all week - as me and Steve very often do - you cant legislate for players not being available or being selected for their Country at the last minute. No, Capello didn’t want Mark Price - the Philippine manager called Simon Greenwich - “Get here quick Si” I’m sure was the call - and I hope he made it. He texted me from Singapore saying it was 35 degrees. No sign of any of the other Internationals as they were in Thailand a Si? He can play a bit but he aint got a clue where to play.

Sorry - I digressed - I’m smart enough etc… Both Steve and I really thought that we’d get 3 points on Saturday against Horsham YM, despite the fact we had Alex Mikolay, Mark Price, Aaron Macmillan, Luke Huggett, Simon Greatwich, Jo Tubon and of course the elusive Craig Browne and the injured Aaron Last all unavailable for this (on form) evenly matched encounter. And even it was until about an hour in and we conceded a second and Craggers took an elbow and had to come off and get 5 stitches in his lip - there was no way back. I’m taking nothing away from YM, they are a good side - for me better than some above them who we have beaten at least once - but with the right personnel we would achieved a level of success acceptable on the day. The players, the management and our ever increasing fan base watching did not find it acceptable so we will expect a much better performance and result next Saturday against the rejuvenated Worthing United.

Our skipper, Ryan Macmillan, has agreed to transfer to Whitehawk for the remainder of the season. I feel the need to express my view on this. I was notified by David Ruffles that a seven day approach had been made by Whitehawk and - of course - I called Ryan to let him know. He told me that he knew nothing of the approach and in any event he was going nowhere. I was reassured by his comment and left it there. I had heard that Whitehawk were allegedly paying big money for players so with the knowledge that Ryan was unemployed, I saw him at training on the Tuesday night. I told him that if they made a decent weekly amount, he should consider it. In a recession, you gotta get it where you can. I can see in my mind’s eye certain people who have paid over the top money at our club thinking we should have talked him out of going. Not a chance. I spoke at length to Steve Oliver and we both concluded that if the money was right he should take it. They contacted him a few days later. Ryan called me and discussed the offer and I told him to take it. We wish Ryan every success. We don’t pay the kind of money that’s being offered at some County league clubs. That’s been done here already and we have nothing to show for it other than debt to directors’ or their companies and a football club in Administration.

The reserves dragged themselves down to Selsey for their Reserve Premier encounter and, once again, were unlucky to come back with none of the spoils. 2-1 to Selsey on this one but with a mini-bus as transport commardare was at a premium. I have not yet spoken to Geoff as of yet but I know that we will bounce back next week as they too have players becoming available.

Training is on Tuesday night at Falmer for all then a repetition on Thursday night at the club. We need 4 points to get to the 40 minimum - or 50 if you don’t recognise the 10 gouged from us.

County League: Pressure is on leaders, says Stabler

Click Title above for more County One round up 21/03/09

Wick boss Carl Stabler has questioned leaders Eastbourne United’s ability to handle the pressure of being title favourites.

No 39 RFC WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

I cant help feeling frustrated now when I look at the County League table. We are now 4 points from the 40 point mark which usually ensures safety. So one win and a draw and RFC should be playing County one football next term if they get out of administration in time before the FA step in and decide the level that is played next season here at the Caburn.

But meanwhile we should all look seriously at where we would now be should we have not so recklessly been placed into Administration and ten points been unfairly taken from the first team. And where we would be is fifth. Fifth, with one, two and three games in hand over the four teams above us and three of them to play at home. I wonder what went through the minds of those responsible when, presumably, some bright spark said “Lets put Ringmer Football Club Limited into Administration”.

However, there certainly seems to be dividing lines now and before this ends (and for the record) I need to say that two directors’, Lynn Harris and David Ruffles, have worked tirelessly and without recognition for the whole period of this sad affair and should be applauded for their dedication to the day to day goings on at the club. Both have been stretched to the absolute limit and have shown great professionalism and application and from the management position I want to say thanks to these two people. I personally hope you both remain at the club particularly if Steve and I manage the first team in the season 2009/10.

Talking of management teams, Geoff has indicated to me that if the circumstances are right then he will be managing our reserves next term and I can say that our 18s manager is now lined up and ready to take on our youth development programme with us all - again providing the circumstances are right. For all this to happen of course Administration needs to be an issue resolved. Lets hope it is.

At the game on Saturday it felt great, I’m sure you’d all agree. The sun was shining, (the flag wasn’t up but hey - its gonna take more than me asking – the hidden powers of darkness control that issue) the pitch looked really cool with very little sign of the two games played on it mid week, it was warm and people were coming through the gate. 72 the official total I read. Bearing in mind that Selsey didn’t bring too many its encouraging that more people are coming out to watch our football. Oh and we won too. We didn’t play great - particularly in the first 45 - but in the second half we pushed them hard and we got all three points.

With no reserve fixture this week emphasis on a win for next week becomes obvious. Its away at Selsey and there will be a minibus for the reserves and management team. The front side play at our place against Horsham YMCA who, I think, were fortunate to beat us earlier in the season. Now is our chance to show what we can do at home.

Oh and Deb wants to know…. when we come out of Administration, when do we get our ten points back?……lol

Texts will be sent regarding games and training but Tuesdays training is confirmed for all at Falmer, 8 till 9. See you there.

No 38 RFC WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

On Wednesday night we were unceremoniously dumped out of the Brighton Charity Cup at the quarter-final hurdle by Seaford Town at The Crouch. In a game which we should have wrapped things up in the first half, we didn’t. We didn’t play particularly well and our managerial motivation probably wasn’t at the level required to take us through to the semis. Best of luck to Seaford in their efforts to win this cup and I watch with interest as to whether other teams succumb to this second division side.

On Saturday we continued our efforts to ensure our division one status encountering St Francis Rangers at their place. Steve and I have been up there five times in two years with the 18s, the reserves and front side with SJ last term and we’re pretty sure we’ve never got a single point. So we went up there full of confidence and without Ryan Mac, Huggy, Percy, Jo Jo, and with As Hasan on the bench with Pricey neither player 100% fit and As Mac complaining about something or the other - we knew the day would be an adventure. But our players are no shrinking violets and with full use of our squad we showed strength in depth taking the lead late in the first half. We went in one up upon 45 minutes and to be honest - in my opinion - we should really have had the game sown up. But we didn’t and very late in the second half we conceded and the points were shared. Honestly .. a point was our minimum requirement in this game but make no mistake 3 points against a resurgent Selsey United at home this coming Saturday is not a requirement - it’s a demand. You’ll see an attacking Ringmer side that’ll be going for it and hopefully playing some great attractive football that’ll be entertainment personified.

Geoff took his reserves to Arundel after the problems we encountered there with the first team and I hear we took a good account of ourselves. At the time of writing I haven’t spoken to Geoff but I understand that his young side did well and with several players out we were unlucky not to get something from the game. We are all working hard to try to ensure our safety in the Reserve Premier League - particularly Geoff who is doing no end of communication work during the week together with the match day effort - to say nothing of the two training sessions. Great work Geoff.

This week sees a series of events at The Caburn in which we play host to semi-finals in various cups. On Monday night we have a game and on Wednesday night too. On Thursday night we intend to have a training game (to be sorted) whilst the reserves will train at Falmer on Tuesday night.

Football can be a funny game but there’s no humour attached to Administration. A little known fact is that if you are in Administration at the point where Leagues are being decided - usually at around this time of the season or over the next few weeks - then its likely that the FA step in to advise the level that a side should play at for the next season. I am advised that Ringmer Football Club are on the precipice of returning to normality in terms of a County league club and I hope that that can be sorted before that mechanism of decision from the FA would become a necessity. We now need 7 points from 11 games to reach the 40 point mark and in real terms we would now be in sixth place and a game in hand over Three Bridges and seriously pushing for a top three place.

I’m sorry we’re not there……

No 37 RFC WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

First, on behalf of the management and the players, I'd like to apologise for not playing the game against Arundel. If you'll allow me to explain as I've heard whispers that we refused to play and that is out of context to what happened. We arrived well in time at Arundel. Our preparation was spot on and Steve did the warm up as I did the paperwork. At 2.15 (when the teamsheet goes in) Arundel said that the ref had not turned up. At 2.30 still no ref.

At 2.45 the two lino's had a meet with Arundel, and seeing this was gonna happen I went to listen. Apparently the ref - Boris - had not been confirmed by Arundel and therefore a few hasty calls were made to Wally and Peter Bentley and Boris was contacted and an ETA of 3.30 was given to kick off. Did we mind they asked? I knew two players and Steve Oliver had arrangements that could not be broken and we spoke to all concerned and it was agreed that 3.30pm ko was the latest we could start. This was agreed by all present including the two linesmen. At 3.15 I called Peter Bentley and told him all of the above. He knew as Wally had called him. He told me to tell the lead lino to start the game and swap with Boris when he arrived. I told the lino and HE chose to call the ref who was on route. The lino said after he'd be one minute. At 3.30 there was no ref.

At 3.40 the ref arrived saying he'd be ready in 5 minutes. This was too late for the players with arrangements and commitments given to children and we advised both Arundel and the officials of that.

Two game issues we need to inform everyone of this week. First, the reserve game planned for this week is off. Second the first team game in the Brighton Charity Cup against Seaford is now on Wednesday at Seaford - having being moved from Tuesday. On Saturday, the first team game against St Francis Rangers now has a 1pm kick off. Apparently we have to accommodate a cup game on that day.

Neil Thornicroft left our club last Monday and from everyone at the club we wish Neil every success for the future. I’d like to express my gratitude to Neil for the efforts he made with our reserves and I regret that Neil didn’t have more success. Geoff Mactiffen takes over the role with immediate effect.

Training for the reserves will be on Tuesday at Falmer and at the club on Thursday. Training is optional for the first team players as we play Wednesday night. If you need to do a minor work out then you have Tuesday or Thursday to sort it out - so use either session if you need to have an additional session to gain fitness.

Despite all the crap we’ve had to endure this term – none of it being the players fault – its fantastic to see them being named as SCL Team of the Month. Well done Ringmer.

No 36 RFC WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

With a win against Hailsham and a draw against Selsey, we move 4 points closer to safety. We now need 8 points from 12 remaining games to be assured of safety. Well, safety for this concluding season at least and the knowledge that on the playing front, we did our part. After that, its out of our hands.

Our only chance of silverware this season - unless someone tells us that we cant be in it for some reason or the other - is in the Brighton Charity Cup. We play Seaford next in the quarter final at their place next Tuesday 10 March and obviously a win would leave us 1 game from a final. I really hope we are fortunate enough to make the final as I think it’ll be a fitting tribute to the great squad that have represented Ringmer this term. Of course in league terms if we had our 10 points back we’d have 42 points, in sixth place and pushing for a top three finish. All this from a squad who’s average age is 19.4 years old and the average distance from Ringmer between all of the players is 5.2 miles. 7 players coming from Lewes Town centre itself.

For those who couldn’t make it or felt it would be politically incorrect to do so, the game against Hailsham I have to say, was as good a performance from our first team as I have seen this term. Shame you missed it really. Throughout the side we played some fast penetrative football that impressed all - including the management. Scoring 7 goals in any game is impressive but to score and win at a time when it really matters is particularly satisfying.

Last Saturday we drove the 47 miles to sunny Selsey and we did not repeat the standard we’d got used to whilst playing Hailsham. At half time we were lucky to go in honours even at 0-0. After a half time debate, the players worked harder and we became more and more dominant as we found rejuvenated pace and energy. At both ends there were opportunities and Selsey should have sown it up in the first half and we should have done the same in the second period. 0-0 full time and a fair result and four points from two games is acceptable to us provided we take three points on Saturday.

On Saturday we meet Arundel away who, in true points form, would be below us. Their form has been indifferent of late - two points from their last two games - and we all intend to go there and get the three points to make our requirement 5 from 11 games left. We’re leaving players out at the moment who are desperate to play and over the next few weeks with the games coming both Steve and I are confident that all squad players who can train will be involved.

So training at Falmer on Tuesday night for all and again on Thursday at the club, weather permitting.

The reserves entertained Hastings United who sit second to top in the Reserve Premier. We lost the game and I await a report from the web site and those involved.

We had a break-in to the changing rooms on Thursday night and the reserves medical bag, with countless items in it, together with a ball-pump, 1 match ball and 3 of the opposition balls you have to leave in the away changing rooms and a cd from the cd player (but not the player itself(?)), were stolen. The thief signs himself as “Beaver” on the changing room mirror and on the dry wipe board and on the windows of the club itself. So just so we’re all clear of the profile of this master-thief, - we’re looking for someone who can write their own name (more than once too) has the physical ability to force a door (possibly fat then) has their own cd player (as they didn’t nick ours) doesn’t know a good football from a crap one (as there were good balls in the home changing rooms) and has a dependency on liniment oil and freeze spray - or perhaps has a bit of a thing for red medical bags, who knows. If you know who this dingbat is, I don’t want you to catch him, I want you to kick

him really hard up the arse. Thank you.

See you players Tuesday night.