welshbairn Posted September 23, 2022 Share Posted September 23, 2022 5 minutes ago, grazza said: Just watched the documentary this morning on iplayer. The highland league chairman seemed to brimming with delight anytime he mentions Fort's downfall. Ultimately though there is a pyramid so dropping down might be better for them to be more competitive. The way the players talked they were putting in full time hours in addition to jobs they had. Even a part time league 1 team probably doesn't put the hours in training they were claiming. It just didn't really add up. It wasn't the Chairman, it was the retiring League Secretary and his interview was hacked to bits in the editing suite. His smile was clipped and popped in just after what ever was the latest conspiracy theory Fort came up with. The players were let down by a manager who's experience of football management was almost entirely limited to FM and a totally bonkers and paranoid chairman. The documentary didn't show any pictures of the pitch before the start last season, it was utterly unplayable, big patches of bare mud and stones, and zero warning to the league that they weren't able to host home games. The league found out by accident 2 or 3 days before the league was due to start and should have probably kicked them out then, but allowed them to continue if they played their home games away, which was the only option available. They agreed, and once you start that it has to be for the season as agreed to, it would disadvantage sides who hadn't played Fort home games at their grounds yet if it changed once they'd sorted their pitch out. This was the full statement from the Highland League after the Fort Chairman refused to field a team for the play offs. Quote Highland Pyramid Playoff Cancelled - SHFL Statement ‘The Highland League is extremely disappointed to have been informed by Fort William FC that the club is to withdraw from the Highland Football Pyramid playoff matches versus Banks o’Dee FC. The League has been engaged in discussions with Fort William FC during the course of this week and these discussions have centred on two issues. The first, and most significant, relates to player eligibility to take part in the playoffs. Competition rules were published in July 2021 and state clearly that, to be eligible to take part in the playoffs, a player must be registered by the club by 31st January. In the case of Fort William FC, three of the twelve players who took part in the Breedon Highland League match at Rothes on Tuesday 19th April 2022 were therefore ineligible for the playoffs. Central to this is the fact that the club’s first choice goalkeeper had returned home to Poland and his replacement was registered on 31st March 2022. This meant that the club felt it did not have enough goalkeepers for the playoffs as well as having few outfield players. So, on Wednesday 20th April 2022, it requested dispensation to play all three players in the playoffs. Research by the League’s Secretariat uncovered the fact that Fort William FC had at that date 5 players registered who were described as goalkeepers. Consequently, the League’s Office Bearers declined dispensation for all three players and the club was informed accordingly. During the course of Thursday and Friday, discussions continued and the club then submitted a second request for dispensation with regard to the goalkeeper signed on 31st March 2022. Research by the League’s Secretariat indicated that one of the goalkeepers had been deregistered but four remained on the books so the request for dispensation was denied. Subsequent discussions with the manager led to the conclusion that club personnel were unaware of the existence of one of the two remaining goalkeepers. The Secretary suggested that this needed checking out. The League was then informed that it appears that this person was unknown to club management and is a member of the armed forces currently away on duty. This had not been included in the second request for dispensation. The second issue relates to the condition of Claggan Park. It had been decided that, given the events of the season, a pitch and ground inspection should take place to confirm it as a venue for the second leg of the playoffs. That inspection was carried out by a representative of the League who is also a retired referee on the morning of Friday 22nd April and raised some concerns. The Club was informed of these concerns and advised of a way ahead. It was recommended that the club roll the pitch, cut the grass and line it as if for a match, and a further inspection would be undertaken on Tuesday 26th April and all concerned were optimistic about a positive outcome. In discussions, it was apparent that the club was reluctant to accept that advice. Discussions continued throughout Friday and were effectively closed by Fort William FC when it decided to withdraw from the playoffs.’ Statement ends 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH33 Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 What it didn't mention was that whoever were meant to have been away to Fort William, covered the costs of the bus etc. 12 hours ago, grazza said: Just watched the documentary this morning on iplayer. The highland league chairman seemed to brimming with delight anytime he mentions Fort's downfall. Ultimately though there is a pyramid so dropping down might be better for them to be more competitive. The way the players talked they were putting in full time hours in addition to jobs they had. Even a part time league 1 team probably doesn't put the hours in training they were claiming. It just didn't really add up. This is absolutely not the case, as many of the guys in here already know, Rods my dad, he's someone who wants football in rural areas to thrive. I also always acknowledge that there are people who won't like him or way he did certain things during his tenure. The whole thing was a lot of work for the LMC, and not in small part liasing with powers that be to help FW play the ties. They pulled out. Fort William spent a lot of time mouthing off about the LMC safe in the knowledge they wouldn't respond to the nonsense. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScarf Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 Rod Houston and the rest of the league committee gave Fort ample opportunity to get their house in order and they couldn’t, then blamed everyone and their dog. Good riddance to them. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grazza Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 Fair does appreciate the wider perspective there. I got caught up on the forced narrative the director took us on and would be quite upsetting the way it presented. Something really didn't add up in terms of that team. There seemed to be a lot of self delusion and acting up from the players probably for the cameras. Its like a crappy rock band that go on that one tour. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 (edited) This was the state of the pitch immediately prior to the start of last season in July. Somehow, Fort felt this wasn't an issue that needed dealt with or indeed communicated to the LMC. They were offered the option of abeyance for the season (no automatic relegation!) or to play matches away from home (with transport provided at the opponents' expense. Edited September 27, 2022 by Cyclizine 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy groundhopper Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 Know they've got drainage problems, that looks a shambles - has it improved this season ? Maybe I'll get up there one day and see for myself. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 1 hour ago, Andy groundhopper said: Know they've got drainage problems, that looks a shambles - has it improved this season ? Maybe I'll get up there one day and see for myself. They claim to have sorted it, who knows? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoriginalhedge Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 1 minute ago, welshbairn said: They claim to have sorted it, who knows? They claimed it was playable for the play offs despite it being up to your ankles and not lined . 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 10 minutes ago, theoriginalhedge said: They claimed it was playable for the play offs despite it being up to your ankles and not lined . If they win at home on Saturday Loch Ness won't hold back complaining about the pitch if it's dodgy. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherrif John Bunnell Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 The old Fort William appear to be back 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackie The Staggie Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 On 15/07/2023 at 19:09, Sherrif John Bunnell said: The old Fort William appear to be back Already starting to struggle in getting a team together for pre-season games (Clach were supposed to play this Sat but hearing it's been cancelled)....the old Fort seems to be back right enough. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 Are the amateurs still mid-season in their league? Wonder how many will sign later in in the summer or when they are allowed to do so 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 18 hours ago, Mackie The Staggie said: Already starting to struggle in getting a team together for pre-season games (Clach were supposed to play this Sat but hearing it's been cancelled)....the old Fort seems to be back right enough. I was tempted to go until I found out it was supposed to be played at Lochaber High School. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclizine Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 Fort seem to be going for their standard approach of signing up random players from the depths of the English pyramid in an attempt to take the NCL by storm. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNU_Linux Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 (edited) Recruiting players form down south for the HL was probably a money sink already must be even more of a money sink in the NCL where income is greatly reduced. Edited July 19, 2023 by GNU_Linux 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyro Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 4 hours ago, Cyclizine said: Fort seem to be going for their standard approach of signing up random players from the depths of the English pyramid in an attempt to take the NCL by storm. This is where someone needs to explain things to me as I can't get my head around it... Are FW paying these boys a full time salary and/or accommodation to move up? At that level, you'd be lucky to get a match fee at most other teams so where are FW finding these players? And who is paying for it?! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stag Nation Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 22 minutes ago, Spyro said: This is where someone needs to explain things to me as I can't get my head around it... Are FW paying these boys a full time salary and/or accommodation to move up? At that level, you'd be lucky to get a match fee at most other teams so where are FW finding these players? And who is paying for it?! I seem to recall that the chairman gives them jobs in his business. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 1 hour ago, Spyro said: This is where someone needs to explain things to me as I can't get my head around it... Are FW paying these boys a full time salary and/or accommodation to move up? At that level, you'd be lucky to get a match fee at most other teams so where are FW finding these players? And who is paying for it?! They're put up in a holiday park and sorted out jobs with various employers in the area, one guy was cleaning pubs, others in a factory. Not sure if the accommodation is deducted from their wages. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Mongo del Fantastico Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 Scudded 8-1 from Nairn St Ninian suggests they've still not quite found their level. At least St Ninian play near the station, so easy enough to journey on in search of it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 (edited) 40 minutes ago, Count Mongo del Fantastico said: Scudded 8-1 from Nairn St Ninian suggests they've still not quite found their level. At least St Ninian play near the station, so easy enough to journey on in search of it. Maybe they booked it too early in their preseason, they're still announcing new recruits and warned they'd be fielding youngsters. Edited July 19, 2023 by welshbairn 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.