Paul Smith

[dazzlingdazza]

I guess it's disappointing for Paul (and indeed all of us) that he didn't really get the reward for what he achieved here.

On course for promotion with just 10 games of the league season remaining - robbed
FA Trophy semi-final in front of a sell-out Grove - never happened
Playoff semi-final vs Chasetown - lost in crazy circumstances

This is so true. I have even started to be believe we are cursed. These are just the recent things that you mention. In 96 we must have broken some records in achieving over 90 points and not getting promoted. In the 00s we managed to get relegated on goal difference and in the year of the rejigging of the leagues when about half the division got promoted we chose to have a bad year and missed out. We also managed to lose a play off final in the last minute to a made up team who lasted a couple of years and decided they'd had enough. Then we managed to get involved with umpteen dodgy characters from M**s*n and his cronies, to the Ingram's and Lynch. Thankfully throughout all this time we had Colin and ultimately that brought us some good luck in Karen coming on board along with Keith. And then back to the bad luck mentioned by piearce9. So, we need to bring in a an exorcist just like the Blues did to lift a gypsies curse. Just look how successful they are now.....

So who is going wee in the 4 corners of the ground

[old git]

...by the way, have we still got the plague of wasps?

Got rid of the little buggers at last

[Josh1873]

Josh, I think when people say it's 'a sad way' they just mean the 'reason' he departed. That it wasn't football related and it has been an awful time for him personally.

I've greatly mis-interpreted those posts, then. Apologies. Tim has made some excellent points too. I do believe the loss of his personality around the club is sad, but I'm coming from a footballing standpoint. How sad would have been to see this play out, see everything he has helped build slowly dwindle, to the point it gets toxic, and Karen and Keith's hand are forced?

I believe the main the thing to take away from this is not football related;

We've had a prominent figure of the club be open about mental health. GOOD. We all should. It's a damn tough place to be when you're not quite right (I know!), and it's even tougher admitting that you have issues. It's even tougher to ask for help. It'd be wonderful to see the club engage with mental health charities in some form to provide help in the local community. I've no idea how, or what I even mean through that, but hopefully this can be a catalyst for something wonderful in the long term?

[andy]

Josh, I think when people say it's 'a sad way' they just mean the 'reason' he departed. That it wasn't football related and it has been an awful time for him personally.

I've greatly mis-interpreted those posts, then. Apologies. Tim has made some excellent points too. I do believe the loss of his personality around the club is sad, but I'm coming from a footballing standpoint. How sad would have been to see this play out, see everything he has helped build slowly dwindle, to the point it gets toxic, and Karen and Keith's hand are forced?

I believe the main the thing to take away from this is not football related;

We've had a prominent figure of the club be open about mental health. GOOD. We all should. It's a damn tough place to be when you're not quite right (I know!), and it's even tougher admitting that you have issues. It's even tougher to ask for help. It'd be wonderful to see the club engage with mental health charities in some form to provide help in the local community. I've no idea how, or what I even mean through that, but hopefully this can be a catalyst for something wonderful in the long term?

[Brightgoldenhaze]

I guess it's disappointing for Paul (and indeed all of us) that he didn't really get the reward for what he achieved here.

On course for promotion with just 10 games of the league season remaining - robbed
FA Trophy semi-final in front of a sell-out Grove - never happened
Playoff semi-final vs Chasetown - lost in crazy circumstances

This is so true. I have even started to be believe we are cursed. These are just the recent things that you mention. In 96 we must have broken some records in achieving over 90 points and not getting promoted. In the 00s we managed to get relegated on goal difference and in the year of the rejigging of the leagues when about half the division got promoted we chose to have a bad year and missed out. We also managed to lose a play off final in the last minute to a made up team who lasted a couple of years and decided they'd had enough. Then we managed to get involved with umpteen dodgy characters from M**s*n and his cronies, to the Ingram's and Lynch. Thankfully throughout all this time we had Colin and ultimately that brought us some good luck in Karen coming on board along with Keith. And then back to the bad luck mentioned by piearce9. So, we need to bring in a an exorcist just like the Blues did to lift a gypsies curse. Just look how successful they are now.....

It's about 20 years and I still hate Team Bath.

[andy]

You and me both. If we hadn't had to replay against Chippenham on the Thursday before we'd have murdered them, I'm sure. F'in southern league, f'in Team Bath.

[Brightgoldenhaze]

You and me both. If we hadn't had to replay against Chippenham on the Thursday before we'd have murdered them, I'm sure. F'in southern league, f'in Team Bath.

That said, can you imagine the state M**s*n would have got us into in the Conference North?

[andy]

You and me both. If we hadn't had to replay against Chippenham on the Thursday before we'd have murdered them, I'm sure. F'in southern league, f'in Team Bath.

That said, can you imagine the state M**s*n would have got us into in the Conference North?

True, would the Conference have allowed ladders as viewing platforms....

[Viewfrom5west]

ICYMI interesting article on Paul's departure in this weeks Non League Paper.