The following article appeared in the programme for Racing Club Warwick v Barwell on 20th September 2005.
The morning of Sunday 10th July sees a gathering at the Club for the Annual General Meeting. Besides the usual formalities the meeting included a provocative and thought provoking speech from our Chairman, Jim Wright, which was aimed at generating a discussion as to the entire future of the club. The entire future? Yes! One point up for debate is the thought that perhaps we should consider winding up the club given the general level of apathy behind the scenes (outside of the same old few who seem to be there come rain or shine giving freely of their time). Do you find this thought shocking? This is the situation that the supporters of numerous other clubs have found themselves in over recent years and it does seem as though the threat of extinction is what is needed to galvanise many supporters into action. Why do supporters seem to need a “burning platform” before getting off their collective backsides? Whether you’re here every other week or whether it’s your first visit, why not see what you can do to get more involved with Racing Club. Your time and effort would be much appreciated (and needed). Please have a word with any of the club officials if you fancy it – as Lord Kitchener didn’t say: “your local football club needs you” (yes you!).
Turning now from a “half empty” view of the club to a “half full” one, there is much happening at the club to be proud of. The long mooted new grandstand and clubhouse seems to be almost within touching distance, if we want it badly enough. Funding in excess of £1Million will be required and the various funding bodies that would contribute to the construction costs seem to be more or less lined up and ready to go. What we need to reinforce is an active and vibrant social side of things in order to ensure that wonderful new facilities will be fully exploited by local people who care and are in it for the long term. Doesn’t sound too difficult does it?
On the playing side, besides the relative success of the first team last season after a fallow period stretching back several years, Racing Club now has a number of junior teams providing an outlet for all that youthful energy. Besides providing a footballing education for numerous boys (and girls!), we can also hope that the junior sides will become something of a production line for Racing Club sides of the future. If any of the kids are searching for inspiration then they need to look no further than the path trodden recently by Ben Foster. Aged 18, young Ben was Warwick’s keeper when I first saw them back in 2000-1 and had enough talent to encourage the club to take the unusual step of putting him on a contract. Stoke City came calling in August 2001 and, when Ben was sold, it was on terms which included a sell-on clause. Ironically Ben never made an appearance for the Potters but was loaned out to a number of clubs including Bristol City, Tiverton Town, Stafford Rangers, Kidderminster Harriers and, lately, Wrexham for whom he appeared in last season’s LDV Vans Trophy in Cardiff. A team mate in that Wrexham side was Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex, and, when daddy went to Cardiff to watch his boy, he also spotted the potential of 22-year old Ben. Stoke subsequently sold Ben to Manchester United in July for an initial fee of £1Million with up to £2Million more to come if Ben goes on to break into the United first team and win international honours. Initially third-in-line in the pecking order Ben is likely to be loaned out to a Coca-Cola League club to gain further experience but, with United’s other new goalkeeping signing Edwin van der Saar not getting any younger, and with United having a history of dodgy keepers post-Schmeichel, let’s hope that Ben gets his opportunity at the highest level.
The upshot of Stoke’s deal with the Red Devils was a windfall payment to Racing Club that, whilst modest in terms of the multiple millions that seem to slosh around football these days, is enough to allow the club to put manager Marcus Law on to a two-year contract and to fund a “promotion budget” this season. Who would have thought that one of the first recipients of some of the Glaser greenbacks would be little old Racing Club? Talking of the Old Trafford Buccaneers, did any of you spot another ex-Racing Club player making an appearance for FC United of Manchester, the non-league side created by those disgruntled United supporters who refuse to accept the yankee dollar and all that accompanies it. In their pre-season fixture against another supporter-owned club AFC Wimbledon, appearing for the new United side was one Kevin Elvin! So there’s a quiz question for you to impress your mates next time that you’re down the pub: can you name the two ex-Racing Club Warwick players who signed for United this summer?!
Keep the faith!
Comments
Post a Comment