Where will the Diamonds finish? Diamonds Half Season Preview

[eddyman93]

Hi folks,
Quick note to say well done so far and enjoy your upcoming cup final against K*ttering . You are in the fan owned review again https://ontheterracesblog.wordpress.com ... -20152016/ and are the only club top of their league.

So, where you lot think you will finish and what is considered a success this season? Play-Offs?

Anyway, let us know how you think it's going and hopefully I will get myself back down to the Dog and Duck at some point.

All the best,

Ed

[Pigman]

God willing - I voted Champions based on seeing others in this League, we're good enough to do it and it remains in our hands - but we need to focus and not become compacent like last Saturday. With 9 out of 15 games at home, we should do it !!

[eddyman93]

Bloody hell you lot are confident, I was expecting you lot to hedge your bets a bit. Would be great to see you come up but feel Step 3 is your limit until their is some movement on the ground front. I know your current average would see you around the top 6 but money wise you may struggle. Still, with Dorchester and Merthyr already there you will be in good company. Can any of you see a return to somewhere in your region inside the next several years?

[ParcelFace]

I think we're optimistic because the team have shown what they're capable of. It's also fact that we always have a dodgy loss in January in season where we get promoted. All of that aside, they're a good bunch of players, some with step 3 capability. I think we're looking for a division to settle in until we can sort out a ground (may take many years) and while this division isn't a bad one, the Southern Premier would be the best option for us to do that in.

[updiamonds]

I think we're optimistic because the team have shown what they're capable of. It's also fact that we always have a dodgy loss in January in season where we get promoted. All of that aside, they're a good bunch of players, some with step 3 capability. I think we're looking for a division to settle in until we can sort out a ground (may take many years) and while this division isn't a bad one, the Southern Premier would be the best option for us to do that in.

I agree with you 100%.

I went with heart and put Champions. Without sounding rude, I've always thought we good enough for play offs.

[eddyman93]

Well you are pulling in crowds at this level which should see you a Step above. Whether the rise in leagues adds many more to the gate is doubtful but perhaps for the first season at least a few clubs will be interested in seeing the new Diamonds set up and a period of stabalisation above isn't a bad shout. Getting a ground which allowsd you to get back to Step 1 really becomes a priority then but if a community share scheme could be launched for the old ground, the size of the clubs in the conference means you might be able to maintain it with a 2,000 ish attendance.

[ParcelFace]

Well you are pulling in crowds at this level which should see you a Step above. Whether the rise in leagues adds many more to the gate is doubtful but perhaps for the first season at least a few clubs will be interested in seeing the new Diamonds set up and a period of stabalisation above isn't a bad shout. Getting a ground which allowsd you to get back to Step 1 really becomes a priority then but if a community share scheme could be launched for the old ground, the size of the clubs in the conference means you might be able to maintain it with a 2,000 ish attendance.

I can't see us progressing past step 2/3 unless we get a massive financial boost through an owner. I could be wrong but I don't think we'll be able to draw a big enough crowd to be stable in the Vanarama leagues.

[Bob's Bitch]

I don't see us ever getting crowds of 2,000. I think around 1,000 is possible if we had our own ground and were stable in Step 2/3, but that's the limit IMO. A stadium that held 3,000 would be more than enough for our needs I'd imagine. I don't think the average would rise that much if we went up this season, possibly just adding a few more away fans.

[eddyman93]

Well the last season before the old club folded it pulled in 1,200. I think the fact that the club is well run and not on a downward spiral means 1,500 could be a reasonable aim. I know other clubs will have more cash but I think you can realistically aim to be a yo-yo team between Step 2 and 1 which should keep it interesting.

A couple of clubs might go past you (Hereford obviously) but otherwise the Conference South looks pretty stable.

[Sid]

I think people around here look at a club 6 miles up the road from the D&D, with considerably bigger attendances, who lose a fortune each season and have to be bailed out by a wealthy owner. Despite their budget they are very average at step 3. As a fan owned club we can't spend silly money and have someone who will cover all losses. Step 3 looks very achievable and sustainable, but in my opinion we will need to grow the membership and support of the club enormously to be sustainable higher than that.