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.

No 30 RFC WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Watching the encounters and form of other clubs as we all do, I have to say I'm saddened to hear the latest goings-on at Crowborough FC. With several of our last year players signed for the Ryman South side, I had hoped for their survival - at least - in the next step in the pyramid system. I speak to Steve Johnson a lot and I know he'll be disappointed not to have finished the job he started at the beginning of the season. I hope that the ex-Ringmer players together with Steve find happier times soon.

The Tuesday night encounter against Hassocks proved to be a strange game - not least with Mickey Jewell and I being sent off for no offences being committed. And that statement from the ref himself by the way. I try not to go on about refs at all but the one thing I want to say is that refs have to do better than that. No disciplinary report going in but two managers being sent off. I think it needs explaining. What doesn't need explaining is a 2-3 victory though. We were 2 down and finished when we found new vitality to grab three goals and three points. Hassocks will be disappointed but no more than we were when we were winning at 90 minutes against East Preston only to lose 3-2. Its football - thats it.

On Friday we achieved our second win in four days beating Littlehampton in the Brighton Charity Cup. I said in last week's Newsletter that it was a game I really didn't want to play as the timing and our personnel was off line. We left five squad players out giving starting opportunities to others. In my view, we never looked like losing this game and we looked like we could score at will but at times we were defensively vulnerable. But we managed to move on safely into the next round. Forgive me if I don't get too excited about it.

Before you judge that statement as a "manager who doesn't care" - let me explain. A comment was made about the Charity aspect of this competition. If its about the money then Ringmer's involvement wont change that as any club playing will give the end result so its not imperative we're in it. I can see authority figures or ex-authority figures perhaps within our club raising their eyebrows at that statement. Well before you do that, look in the mirror at yourself and decide if you're responsible for the FA deliberating as to whether we now have ten points deducted. If you were involved in putting Ringmer FC into Administration and you feel that your actions have put this club at risk and possibly into division 2, send me an e-mail saying its down to you and I'll include it in next weeks Newsletter. Raised eyebrows now? I await the FA's decision and I think I know what it'll be. I wont hold my breath on any "sorry about that" e-mails.

On Tuesday night we meet Hailsham at their place in a game that very much does matter. In a proverbial 6 pointer - should we be deducted the ten points - we need to win to get ourselves to 34 points (24) and closer to survival. I think it's a 7.45pm ko but check Malc's web site to see.

Neil's reserves went down to Shoreham being let down by three key players on Saturday morning and with time and experience against him, Neil put out a makeshift 11 to play. Inevitably I guess the experience of Shoreham's more senior players saw the home side get the points. Three individual errors didn't help the cause and if you didn't have a great game, saying "I aint playing next week" will result in you sitting home watching Sky Sports on a permanent basis. Get over it and get out there and play. Neil puts you on the park after that its down to you. Be more adult and start getting a winning mentality.

Saturdays games are away at Chichester for the front side and home for the reserves against Southwick. Check Malc's web site for details.

Training for the reserves is at Falmer on Tuesday night and for both squads at the club on Thursday. Deb will send texts with all information. Respond as soon as you can please.