I had a chat with a few supporters after the game Saturday, it seems I need to clarify a few things.

I have made some comments recently like “I’ve been saddened with certain things” and  “to be careful what you wish for”. These were broad in that they were about the club, so could and have been interpreted in many different ways

I’ve been disappointed with many things this season and this will include:

Some people have chosen to listen and believe whispers and rumours.. 

The BTSA has become dysfunctional and almost non-existent.

Our Colts section has drifted away to such an extent that they seem to be a completely separate club.

There’s a lot of bitching and back-biting going on.

And of course, on the pitch we have under performed.

What I’ve tried and failed to do these past 6 years, was to unite the various different factions, and clubs that were operating under the umbrella of BTFC.

I still think that’s a shame, but it’s the reality so we, and I, are going to have to adjust.

Ever since I got involved with BTFC there has been a regular theme of outsiders spreading rumours to cause disruption.

But this season has been different, before we had even kicked a pre-season ball whispers and rumours were set in motion and in some quarters they were believed. That has stayed with us all season.  I have been shown texts to players and supporters, I have seen Facebook messages, and still hear the same rumours. 

I don’t know why this season the nonsense hasn’t been blown off like it has in the past and I’m disappointed with that; especially when the real news and honesty has always been readily available.

When I joined Billericay the BTSA were not respected, and viewed as a nuisance by the board. There were also divisions within the BTSA itself. I wanted to change that, I wanted them to be more united and influential within the club.

I wanted them to become shareholders. I wanted them to have specific fundraising targets, and projects for those targets.  

There is a small number (of the 200 plus members) who are active and work very hard for both the BTSA and BTFC, but beyond that it’s almost non-existent. An example of this is a recent BTSA event (which fortunately was attended by others so not a complete wipe-out) was attended by just ONE member. Therefore, in my view, The BTSA is dysfunctional and has virtually ground to a halt.

Our soccer schools are generally a success and well attended. But they aren’t supported and used by our Colts section. Our Colts are club members, but hardly any attend senior games. I would have liked them to become ball boys, and take part in penalty shoot-out competitions. We just seem to be oceans apart in our thinking.

Maybe I just have a romantic view of what I want to happen.

So when I said be careful for what you wish for, it was a broad statement referring to those who have or do spread rumours, the people who (for whatever reason) can't be bothered to support the BTSA. The Colts who give the impression that they would prefer not to be associated with the senior club. The supporters who regularly exchange insults with players because they want to see them leave, the people who stay away because they are protesting…Be careful what you wish for, it just might come true. 

i.e. your actions may have the desired effect, but the consequence is damaging everyone.

And when I said… the future looks grey, it’s because these kinds of actions and apathy, if continued, will further harm the club we all want to support.

This was always going to be a tough season for us - I let everyone know that pre-season - but I wasn’t expecting the other problems as well.

I’m not making excuses for me, or the team, or our lack of points, we all expected better - but one thing is for sure, our off-field activities have not helped the cause.

My romantic dream of ‘uniting everyone’ and ‘we will all work together in harmony’  just isn’t going to work long term. Clearly things have to change, move on, evolve, regenerate. Over the coming weeks and months changes will be made, all I ask is that you view them the right way and see the positive. If in doubt just come and ask, don’t listen to the whispers. People who are outside of our club don’t care about us, they have their own agendas.  Don’t stay away or go negative because you don’t like this person or that action. Try and see the good things in a game not the bad. If an event or function takes your fancy, forget the whos & whys, just come along and enjoy.

If you are going to support the Blues, then I hope you can do it with fun and pride.

COYB!

Steve.