A new year, and what will it bring us? Well, hopefully not relegation! Unforunately our Festive Period didn't give us the results we hoped for, but with the transfer window opening, we all expect a foray by the club, resulting in an improvement in results. Promotion this season would apparently put a requirement on the club to go all seater within three seasons, which would naturally have an impact on squad development, with funding diverted. This does raise the serious debate of which is more important - quick promotion with the risk of relegation, or sustained steady promotion. This is a debate which has been had on the Message Board repeatedly. I stick with my belief that we must go slow and steady, stepping up when the club is ready to. 'The club' means the entire organisation - first team, reserves, youth system and stadium. The Club also needs to avoid being dependent on large annual investments from owners, because if those investments stop, then the club could implode. Leeds Utd, anyone?
January also sees my return to competitive soccer, as I play for Crown Corkers in the Monday night Carlisle Soccer Sixes. Unfortunately, I missed out on half of last season because of a knee injury, and we just missed out on promotion. We are hoping for an uninterrupted season and promotion this time around.
I provided festive food in the office for the last two working days before Xmas, which was otherwise known as the Cumbrian Separatists' Winter Solstice Food Festival, a picture of which is above right.
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