Chairman calls for support as Whitstable bid to beat the drop

WHITSTABLE TOWN chairman Tony Rouse says the team answered their critics with a 2-1 win at in-form Croydon Athletic last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Oystermen climbed out of the Ryman League Division One South drop zone, ending the home side’s seven match unbeaten run, thanks to goals from Ian Pulman and a Liam Quinn penalty.

It was the perfect response following their 1-0 defeat at Folkestone Invicta last weekend, which resulted in some supporters personally verbally attacking players.

When asked if last night’s win had answered Whitstable’s critics, Mr Rouse, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, replied, “Yes! I think so, very much so, it was a very solid performance, very workmanlike in all areas of the pitch to be honest.

“Quite rightly the management team were delighted with the way the players’ performed and responded.

“If you take the context of Croydon, unbeaten in seven, they quite expected it to be their three points - but we had other ideas.

“The club is delighted that the players responded in a positive manner and did their talking on the field, and the mindless idiots that were making negative comments at a very time when the team need all the support that they can get, must be sitting there with egg on their face.

“It seems to be an element within the supporters don’t want, for whatever reason, the club to succeed and I’m baffled by their attitude!”

Mr Rouse urges the Belmont faithful to get behind Marc Seager, his management team, and more importantly the players that don the red shirt.

And he warns any boo-boys that they will be banned from the KRBS Belmont.

He said: “If you look at the Oxford Dictionary to define the word supporter - it does mean “supporter.”

“And as such you would be expected to support your team, not criticise it openly and the club find their attitude totally unacceptable.

“If there is any repeat of that, the club will rescind their season ticket and refuse them entry to the ground - they will not be welcome at The Belmont.”

Mr Rouse urges fans to show the same support they gave when they clinched the Kent League and Cup double two years ago - as maintaining their Ryman League status is the club’s number one priority.

“Let’s not get carried away,” said the chairman. “It’s three points on a long road what we see as the future of the football club.

“Marc’s gone on record that our main aim is to cement our position in the Ryman League and as the club are concerned we are looking forward to many years of football at this level and possibly higher.”

Last weekend, Garry Pass, the vice-chairman of Ryman Premier League club Tonbridge Angels, revealed that he and chairman Nick Sullivan, have to regularly delve into their pockets, as the revenue that the club generates doesn’t cover half the players’ wages.

Although the Angels have a larger budget than Whitstable, Mr Rouse still has the same issues, especially as the credit crunch grips.

Despite the club sitting in eleventh place in the average attendance league table, averaging gates of 164 - gates are DOWN 34.2% on last season - the largest decrease in the division.

Mr Rouse acted a few weeks ago to cut the budget for the long-term future of the club.

“Purely to be realistic in the present economic climate and we’re a football club that wants to live within our means,” came the chairman’s response as to why he cut the playing budget.

“Our aim at the end of the season is to balance the books, neither make a profit or loss. To that end, we’re keeping a tight grip on the purse strings.”

Mr Rouse revealed manager Seager only picks up travelling expenses.

“A little note for the fans,” he added. “I really don’t think they truly understand what Marc and the boys do for the football club.

“Marc behaves in such a professional manner, with the amount of games he does during the week. Last week, he went to a game on Monday, Tuesday night, training on Wednesday and watched another game on Thursday night - he’s married with kids, a lovely family.

“He gives so much personal time for the football club; Marc doesn’t make a bean out of us. It costs him money to be the manager of our football club. We simply pay him travelling expenses, nothing else.”

Whitstable lock horns with Eastbourne Town at the KRBS Belmont on Saturday and Mr Rouse added, “I think the confidence booster the lads had from Tuesday night’s victory will do them no end of good for Saturday.

“Eastbourne will be in for a tough game, they know they will be in a good game come five to five on Saturday.”

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Whitstable Town v Eastbourne Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 24^th January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At KRBS Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP