On Thursday 13th January a fans forum took place in the Athenian Hall. Over 50 supporters attended the evening asking questions to Manager, Garry Hill and Chairman, David Andrews. The following is the Programme Editors account of what took place.
Q If we win the league and go into the Conference how many changes do you envisage ?
GH It's a long way to go before we win the league but I am taking notice of the Conference and have given it some consideration. I would think I would have to bring about five players into the squad. That is not to say that the current players haven't done well but I have to look to move forward. On watching Conference matches I have noticed that players are more competitive and stronger than their Ryman League counterparts.
Q If we fail to win the league will you still be at this Club ?
GH Yes, I've enjoyed the Club totally. I didn't realise how passionate Dagenham & Redbridge supporters are. The position as manager here is a job I relish. I'm happy with the squad of players I have at present but if a better player comes along I have to look to improve. From the Chairman down, everyone at the Club has been superb. At the start of the season I was set a budget and at the moment I am on target to keep within the amount set.
Q If we go up will you be okay to manage the side with your work commitments ?
GH I have no problem with running a side in the Conference together with my daytime job.
Q If we go up, will we attempt to win the Conference next year ?
GH My number one aim if we were promoted this season is not to come straight back down. I would estimate we need two years of consolidation in the Conference then look at the structure of the club and see if we have the funds and are ready to 'go for it'. During these two years we would still try to win every game we play and have good FA Cup and Trophy runs. I know we have not done as we would have hoped in the two major cup competitions this season but one of the plus factors has been that players have had seven days after a game to recover before the next one.
Q Have any of our players said to you that they don't think they are Conference standard ?
GH They wouldn't dare to. Everyone in the Club knows we want to win the Ryman League and get promoted. I won't touch the current squad until our position next season is secure. I have not signed any player for this Club just to win the Ryman league, I have looked for players who I believe can also play in the Conference and this is highlighted by the fact that I have signed them on two-year contracts. All the players I have in the squad really want to play for this Club and some have taken pay cuts to join us such is their desire.
Q How many Clubs do you believe are involved in the Ryman League Title Race ?
GH Aldershot will have a big say in the title but they won't win it as they have too many games and too much to do. Its firmly between St Albans City and ourselves. Aldershot will be disappointed they won't win it because they've paid out big transfer fees in their efforts. They've paid £50,000 for Bentley, Payne and others whereas the only transfer fee we've paid is £5,000 to Boreham Wood for Steve Heffer. The players I have signed have all got the ability to play good football but dig in when required. I hope that whatever happens in regard of our final league position, supporters will say at least we tried to play good football.
Q Does our ground meet Conference requirements and is there any work required ?
DA Our ground has been inspected and meets all the requirements for us to get promoted if we win the league. Once in the Conference there are grants available to its member clubs which are not available to Ryman League sides for improving ground facilities. We have a wooden stand which will one day have to be addressed. More finance will have to be brought in and I believe all weather pitches where the training area is can help us raise that finance.
Q What do you know about the new St Albans City manager ?
GH Kevin Mudd was Captain when I was at the Club. His new assistant, Alan Randall was a former manager of theirs but I don't look at St Albans too much as it's up to us not to put a foot wrong. After all they're chasing us at the top of the table. One thing we can't afford is to continue letting sides take the lead despite having the character to come back and win. At Canvey Island I was happy with the performance and commitment although the result went wrong. Even more important is the way we've reacted since the defeat beating both Gravesend & Billericay. If someone said we'd be where we are at the start of the season I'd have bitten their arm off. We still have a long way to go to achieve the target I set of 90 points. I am also happy with the discipline at present, not one player has got themselves sent off and a good discipline record means I only have to worry about injuries preventing players from being able to play.
Q How long is the injury list ?
GH Derek Payne is not far from being fully fit. One benefit from him not playing for a couple of months is Paul Terry who has blossomed in the midfield position alongside Steve Heffer. Also Jason Broom is only a week away from full fitness. Steve Conner is the only other injury we have and, although he has suffered again this season for periods, he has been an asset to the club as he has been tremendous with the other players in the dressing room.
Q Do you think that Danny Shipp has benefited by being left out of the starting line up at the start of the season ?
GH Danny Shipp was left out because he was almost a stone overweight. He has worked hard on getting this off and has done ever so well since. Another player with the similar problem was Mark Janney and all credit to him, he has worked his way back into the team and is turning out good performances regularly.
Q How has Paul Cobb reacted to being on the bench at present ?
GH Paul is a great goalscorer not only for this club but all the clubs he's been with. But I have three good forwards at the club and one of them has to start on the bench. Danny has worked very hard to get back into the starting line up and has now scored 13 league goals in 13 starts. The first line of defence begins with the forwards and I believe Junior is strong in this area. I don't believe in favouritism and it's a good problem to have three strikers fighting for two places.
Q We have competition for all places in the team except goalkeeper, should we not have competition there ?
GH I would love to be able to have major competition in this area but financially it isn't viable to pay good money and have him playing in the reserves.
Q Is it true the club have received some money back from the Trevor Dicks case ?
DA Mr Dicks was found guilty in 1996 of fraud, forgery and false accounting from the trustee accounts and received three years imprisonment on each charge to run concurrently. Our Vice Chairman, David Ward, put up the money to pay a Barrister to try to obtain the property of Mr Dicks knowing that if we didn't obtain it, he would lose his money. After nearly two years we have finally received his house as a final settlement. Following the sale of the property, we have repaid the outstanding mortgage and costs and have been able to bank a sum of money. This Club owes Mr Ward a big thankyou for time and effort he has spent in getting this money returned to the club.
Q If we pass Hayes on the way up, would Paul Gothard be welcome back ?
GH I only want players who want to play for this club whoever they are, Paul Gothard decided during the summer that he didn't. I won't waste money on signing players for the sake of it and in return I wouldn't stop them progressing but none of our players will leave if the fee isn't right.
Q Why were there no players at the Supporters Club Race Night ?
GH That was down to me. If supporters let me know about functions early enough and give me the tickets I will try to ensure all the players attend not just one or two. Also it was an away game and would have been more convenient all round if it had been held after a home game. Just before Christmas we had a disco that all the players and their partners attended but not many supporters. Russell Powis explained that the hall has to be booked well in advance and that he had booked the hall prior to the fixtures being issued. Secretary, Derek Almond explained that if he is made aware of a Club function taking place well in advance of the fixtures being issued he can request the club have a home game on that day.
Q Will the St Albans fixture be the biggest game of the season ?
GH St Albans will be the only team to stop us winning the league and it's a game they must win. We will not change our pattern of football because its St Albans and will still play 4-4-2. We won't play for a draw as I don't think our players know how to play for anything but victory.
Q Will players expect more money to join us if we go into the conference ?
GH We will get players one way or another after all I've signed ten players this season and only spent £5000 in transfer fees. Players get to know we look after them and it's easy to sell the Club to players as we are a big club outside the Football League. I want players to sign for this club because they still have desire not because they used to be a good player in the past. I wouldn't risk the camaraderie and team spirit we have achieved here for the sake of a big name player.
Q How did the Youness Nabil transfer come about ?
GH Youness played for Chertsey Town against Heybridge, whom I was manager of at the time, four years ago. On that occasion he was a lively customer. I needed a winger to cover Matt Jones and Mark Janney and he came on as a sub against us for SloughTown. I made a few enquiries and found out he wasn't on a contract then moved in and signed him for us on a free a week later.
Q Any Pre-Season friendlies arranged yet ?
GH Tiverton have agreed to play us on Saturday 29th July and we are trying to get Taunton on the previous evening. Next week Derek Almond and myself will talk to West Ham about a game here.
Q When the Club were last in the Conference they had a lot of Northern players, what is your policy on them ?
GH We currently have players who travel from as far out as Rickmansworth and that's about the limit. I only want to sign players who can attend training sessions whenever I call them.
Q The pitch must be a great help this season allowing you to play football compared to some of the sandpits we visit ?
GH George the groundsman has done superb. The Club spent a large amount of money during the close season and its paying dividends. We only have nine home games to play on it and I don't expect any postponements. You know that if a game gets called off here, there won't be another on in the SouthEast.
Q What has caused the team spirit to be like it is ?
GH Having a very professional attitude. I expect my players to wear a white shirt and club tie at all games. I tell them what I want and they know exactly where they stand. I also know that you can't keep whipping them and must give them a certain amount of leeway.
Q How do you rate the Essex & Herts Border Combination ?
GH When John Bennett left he took all the reserves with him. Dave Grimley has done a great job of building a new team. The competition itself is not good enough now they have let the standard of the league drop so low. Its more rewarding when players are coming back from treatment to put them out on loan for a month than play them in the reserves.
Finally:- GH From myself, Terry and all the team its pleasing to see so many supporters watching us especially away. Hopefully we can reward you all come May 6th and you can be sure we'll give it our best shot. DA Garry Hill has been a breath of fresh air to the club and I believe he is as good a manager as we have had at this club. Just as important, he looks after the clubs money as though it was his own.