(04-09-2019, 09:12)SaltergateBorn Wrote: That`s a very interesting analogy you draw there, Matt, between CFC and Brexit.

I suppose it`s true that incompetence takes many forms and that corporate and political are just 2 of them. I agree that both of them make you want to crawl into a quiet corner, sit down and weep. (I think that`s what you`re saying; it`s certainly how I feel right now.) Like you I try to be optimistic, although I`m not as committed a member of the It`ll get Better Soon Party as you are; I`m just an Associate Member. However, and  really for the first time, I`m starting to think seriously about where this is going to end. I`ve been trying to think of another event that I`ve watched with the same mixture of disbelief, horror and fascination that I`m feeling about our current plight and I have to admit that I`m struggling. I suppose the build-up to the invasion of Iraq comes close, but that had the added ingredient of blatant mendacity, so it`s not quite the same.

Whatever your opinions about how the club has come to be where it is – and I`m sure we`ve all got plenty of those – I don`t think anyone that argue that CFC is a very sick puppy right now so the question has to be asked about whether euthanasia would be the kindest and most humane option. I honestly think I`d prefer that to the humiliation of seeing us in the National League North. At least it would clear the decks and allow some sort of Chesterfield Phoenix FC to regenerate from the ashes. Whether or not that has any chance of happening depends, of course, on the intentions and inclinations of one man; who knows what they are?

I didn`t go last night so if you did, Dancing, please let`s have your thoughts. I`ve read virtually everything that Stephen King has ever written over the years and like a good horror story; I`ve got the stomach for a bit of gore. Sadly (and I do mean that most sincerely, folks) I really don`t feel that I can summon up any more the will to commit the time or financial outlay involved just to witness the horror first-hand. I`m not going to turn my back completely on the club as you`ve decided to, Dev – I`ve no doubt at all that I`ll be scuttling back up the M1 again at the first signs of any recuperation  – but for now I`d rather watch things unfold from a distance. I feel quite ashamed to be saying that, but there we are.

Historically, we`ve always had lower gates for mid-week games but it would be staggering if attendances didn`t drop away; I`m amazed they haven`t before now, to be honest, and I think that says a hell of a lot about the loyalty of the core fan-base.  Perhaps that would be for the best, though, in the long term. If enough people stay away, the club would no longer be financially viable, DA would have to sell or liquidate (probably the latter – I don`t think he`d be prepared to accept any offer that anybody in their right mind would be prepared to make) and the club could then reconstitute with some goodwill behind it. God, have I really just said that?

(05-09-2019, 13:10)SaltergateBorn Wrote: Believe me, Matt, I wasn`t accusing you of being a happy clapper in any way whatsoever and I meant nothing at all derogatory in what I said; sorry if i gave that impression. There`s no doubt, though, that out of all of us you`ve been the one that`s managed to stay most upbeat about our situation over the last couple of years. I genuinely admire and envy your positivity and wish I could find it in me to match it. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, I can`t any more; sad to say, but when it comes to positivity right now I`m running on empty as far as far as both our football club and our politicians are concerned.

There`s no need to feel sad about my trip to Stockport with my son, Dev. The result was disappointing, but apart from that we had a bloody good day out. The missus and I are actually toying with the idea of moving up to that part of the world sometime in the next 12 months, but for the moment we are quite a distance apart and, with him being a busy fellah and having a young family of his own now, we don`t get many opportunities to get together for a good chinwag. It was a beautiful day last Monday weather-wise and being able to get the train in meant that neither of us had to drive, so we could have a few pints as well – which made it even more enjoyable. (Despite everything, discussions regarding Chorley away are currently ongoing.)

You can take it as a given that my flag-waving days are long gone. In fact, the truth is they never really arrived; I never was into that sort of thing. As far as I can recall, the last time I waved one was at the semi-final at Old Trafford in 1997. (Oh, those halcyon days!)  I have to confess that I do occasionally bellow with rage at our politicians, but only via the television screen. Mind you, if Question Time ever came to our neck of the woods.........

Thanks for the report, Dancing. The gist of it seems to be that we played quite well for part of the game, but were crap for a larger part. That seems to be a fairly consistent theme this season, which I`d suggest is largely why we are where we are. I think it`s ironic that JS has always made such a big thing about getting consistency from the players from one match to another and it seems we can`t even get it from one half to another.  Given the level of experience of a lot of the players as well as the management, it really beggars belief.

As you rightly say, Matt; what the XXXX is going on?