Mikem, totally agree with you and elequently written. I have a rare double issue programme for sale which I acquired at this game which the current bidding is in excess of ............!!!! If interested.

Could not agree more Ev, I just wish some of the doom and gloom merchants just took a step back and considered the same as you.
Surely nobody in their right mind could have thought anything different
I don`t think any of us realised how big a leap we were making, but we soon found out.
I have said it before and I will say it again, provided we stay in this division I will be happy, provided I see an improvement in our play, we have shown , albeit spasmodically we can compete when we put our minds to it, but nobody can disagree we do need an improvement in certain positions on the pitch.
The one shining star so far has been little Dominic if only some of the other players put as much effort into their game as he does I feel sure our points tally would be better.

I`ll have a large brandy Ev! 

One factor not discussed yet is the difference between results on Saturdays v Mid-week. I don't think we have any points from midweek matches whereas our Saturday returns I reckon are w5 d3 l4. There may be more than one reason such as quality of opposition, type of work our players do, level of fitness and ability to recover etc. Not sure if this highlights any issues - just thought I would put it out there especially after the recent disappointing midweek peformances v Burgess Hill and Margate.

This is an open forum used for debate and opinions, which in the "Big Picture" of Tooting & Mitcham United Football Club has zero relevance!  Since my posting on "Unbelievable C**p",  I have noticed the usual apologist have appeared. Leaving out the pathetic suggestions about players missing or playing out of position,  the main criticism made  was the team being totally under prepared moving from Sunday Football to real Football.  Even the Bostik league is dreaded by conference South teams in case they are relegated to what in their eyes is an inferior level.

A team with Tooting's record in winning Ryman South would have been expected to  be well up the top half of the Bostik Premier League, just take a look at Maidstone, Dartford and   Bromley to understand  what they achieved.  How on earth were the team so under-cooked at the start of the season, there are probably all the usual reasons quoted on here, and many more besides.

I have supported the Football club through thick and thin, and will always do so,  but after years of neglect  and mismanagement,  and some truly horrendous results. Tuesday night was finally  enough for me. I could not take looking at another  45 minutes of unadulterated rubbish. I could have selected any number of match this season for the same treatment.

Is it possible for something to  be achieved  despite all negative comments concerning money etc. Yes it can!  As an example, Oxford City, Dartford, Maidstone United, and yes even AFC Norbiton have achieved their success despite starting without a ground. Concord started a club in a field squashed between a Caravan Park and a Oil Refinery located in the Thames Marshes,  with a couple of cow sheds for changing room and spectator accommodation, and playing in the Essex County League. Sutton play on a ground owned by the Council, they are now on the verge of playing in the Football League. These examples are what can be achieved despite all the setbacks and numerous hurdles they had to  encounter on the way, including lack of cash. 

The Football team may well hang on in the Bostik premier Division, and may even slightly improve over the next couple of years, but the damage has already been done. The last time the club was relegated there was a huge drop in attendances. Gates are already falling this season, and is down to the real core support,  and a further decline will see home support  dropping to  under 100, with gates relying on away support.

A team with a  lack of ambition, falling fan base, and a sub standard  playing squad does not  look well for the future.  Whilst the apologist continue their defence of the negative,  let see what the ultimate ambitions of the Football club are, if any,  and how they are going to achieve this?  I think there is more excitement looking at a brick wall. A few years back There was a famous quote by  the club " The Terrors would be in the Football League by 2017", well it's 2017.

Bondy , I have kept the faith more years than you have had hot dinners, I am now onto  hope and charity!

Mikem wrote:

Bondy , I have kept the faith more years than you have had hot dinners,

No you haven't, nobody has. Not unless they've been following Tooting since the Stoneage when the team used to wear Zebra skins.