Post by wam on May 3, 2015 14:24:35 GMT
My first attendance at a Basingstoke Town match was just before WW2, when my father, a regular supporter, took me with him. I was probably about 5 or 6 years old. I became a regular supporter immediately after WW2 and have supported the club ever since (unfortunately I must admit that since the '60's this has generally been from afar as it is these days). I can therefore be one of the few who can say they have supported the club through over half it's entire history.
There have been several successful seasons within that period, and although the club effectively started in the North Hants league and has now climbed to level level 6 in English football, only very few moves have been the direct result of promotion. Probably our most successful period was in the late 60's, just after I had moved away. This was in the Hants League which we left behind not by promotion, but by re organisation of football leagues, which was also the same method by which we arrived in the Conference South.
The clubs history therefore has not had too many moments when supporters are able to feel the way we have this season. Although we have again failed to achieve promotion, we got very close, and can end the season in good spirits. The club has made so much progress over the last three years, both on and off the field, that at last there is a feeling that big things could soon be happening at this club. Attracting a crowd of over 1700, then that indicates the interest is there and once we do move up, we will be able to exist at the higher level. I feel that attendance must indicate to the towns business men that investment in the club would pay off for them. We managed this with I believe one of the smaller budgets in the league. Just think what could be achieved if we were more affluent.
There have been several successful seasons within that period, and although the club effectively started in the North Hants league and has now climbed to level level 6 in English football, only very few moves have been the direct result of promotion. Probably our most successful period was in the late 60's, just after I had moved away. This was in the Hants League which we left behind not by promotion, but by re organisation of football leagues, which was also the same method by which we arrived in the Conference South.
The clubs history therefore has not had too many moments when supporters are able to feel the way we have this season. Although we have again failed to achieve promotion, we got very close, and can end the season in good spirits. The club has made so much progress over the last three years, both on and off the field, that at last there is a feeling that big things could soon be happening at this club. Attracting a crowd of over 1700, then that indicates the interest is there and once we do move up, we will be able to exist at the higher level. I feel that attendance must indicate to the towns business men that investment in the club would pay off for them. We managed this with I believe one of the smaller budgets in the league. Just think what could be achieved if we were more affluent.