Bathgate_Exile

Why the hate for the dale?

We may not have the biggest support in the world but I don't think I've witnessed a competitive game where the turnout numbered 20 odd. Oh and no that's not the league we're in. We're in the East Superleague South, where the full fixture list for the coming season has been known for some time. It was posted to both out Facebook and Twitter accounts a couple of weeks ago. For avoidance of doubt, and to help you plan your next visit to the creamery, I've attached the fixtures .

I'm not going to argue. Although in recent years the committee has been really small and the lack of engagement hasn't been deliberate, more a consequence of lack of time/ability (when it comes to social media etc.) as efforts have went into other areas of actually running the club. You could make the point that decisions made 20 or so years ago have brought us to this catch 22 situation. Personally, I've had numerous people reach out to me and point the finger at the club not doing X,Y or Z. But when you calmly explain the situation and ask if there's anything they can do to help, be it big or small, they vanish without trace. So we keep going with the same faces. If you, or anyone else, thinks the club could do anything better and can provide assistance in rectifying it, I know they'd bite your arm off. Refering to your first paragraph, I think that's the problem. People catch wind of something and like to have a guess at what's happening. Without learning what's actually going on.

Not too far off on the above, apart from the number of committee, and whether or not Mr Hill will be offering some sponsorship. The main point of the EGM was to get as many new faces into behind the scenes as possible due to the aging and small (now smaller) committee. Looking for new ideas on going forward and how best to reach out to the community etc. The playing side of the club is probably the best it's been for a good number of years, but helps required on match days and publicising news about the club. Overall it was a very positive meeting and we should be stronger behind the scenes for the coming year.

Totally agree. The silence from the sjfa makes me think (tin hat time) they're happy for the east to implode, that way they don't have a headache of trying to suss out what to do with the east juniors when pushing a west sl etc that's part of the pyramid structure at the same level as Eos. The handling of this whole thing has been utterly shameful by both the sjfa and ersjfa. It doesn't help all the underhand tactics of the Eos by constantly moving the goalposts. How many deadlines have we had now? Every time the date has moved it's caused more confusion resulting in teams panicking and leaping into the unknown. Those teams that set out their stall early doors (like Dalkeith) clearly done some research and after much deliberation came to a conclusion the Eos was best for them. All the moves from teams in the last few days/week simply stinks of panic and desperation. To move to Eos simply cos your neighbours are is a little sad.

Not seen an official statement from anyone either. I've spoke to a couple of committee men from club's moving at games this season, and like JC says, they state it's a financial decision. They expect more money handed to them and that's the only reason for going. Some even admitted it was a poorer league (at the time). I spoke to some who ridiculed moving to Eos but that's exactly what their club is now doing. Personally I'm still undecided. I can't help but feel all the recent defectees (those that only decided to move in the last couple of days) have adopted a lemmings mentality.

There's no denying what Talbot have achieved is outstanding and a benchmark most club's at our grade to aim for. The above sounds like you enjoy being a big fish in a small pond (nothing wrong with that, and is probably the same reason Linlithgow didn't apply), but the main fear is you won't win everything in sight year on year should you be swallowed up by the pyramid. I totally understand your fear as this would obviously have an affect on other areas, such as attendance which then has knock on effects such as less money coming through the gates etc. A possible slow spiral into mediocrity. I think this is what you mean by "losing there identity".

Imagine your meltdown if it turned out Armadale had submitted an eos application

Would be interested to hear your source as I've heard little/no chat about an application at games.

Get the Mercedes. That's generally considered to have the best v8 engine Mercedes ever produced. I'm sure it's the same engine in the sls and is about to be discontinued to be replaced by a 4 litre twin turbo number. If I was lucky to be in your position I wouldn't think twice. Plus any Mercedes looks a million times better than any audi.

I'm looking to slab an area of my garden (approx 51 sq ft), but have no idea how much aggregate/sand i require. Any ideas how to go about working these things out?