Community needs to get involved (From Thisisdorset)

Community needs to get involved

8:08am Saturday 6th September 2008

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DORCHESTER Town chairman Eddie Mitchell has warned the local comm-unity that unless crowds improve they could see the Magpies struggle to maintain Blue Square South football.

The attendance at the Jewson Stadium for Tuesday night's 2-2 draw with Team Bath was just 357 and I can understand the property developer's concerns, particularly having invested heavily in the summer to attract the likes of Gareth Stewart, Nick Crittenden and Kevin Hill.

However, the hangover from last season's miserable campaign was always going to be hard to shift.

I am sure Mitchell and manager Shaun Brooks are well aware they made mistakes in their first year but they were fortunate enough to get a reprieve in the Blue Square South and there has certainly been some encouraging signs on the pitch despite the results being slightly disappointing.

Yes, the Magpies have only won once in their first seven games but they have also only been beaten twice in that time as well.

It was always going to take time for the new players to gel and the fact the club have also lost Roy O'Brien, Mark Jermyn and Ivan Forbes, all to long-term injuries, has also been a huge setback to that process.

Therefore I think fans have to remain patient although I can also forgive them for any cynicism after such a miserable 2007-08.

As for the situation with the size of the crowds on a home match-day, it is a worry but it will not be solved through any other means than the club and the community forging links and moving forward together.

Whether that can be achieved remains to be seen.

o o o THE lack of depth in Weymouth's squad was highlighted on Tuesday night when the Terras fell to a 1-0 defeat at Salisbury City.

I have been really impressed with the majority of the performances this season and the spirit within the camp seems fantastic but the lack of cover is a concern.

Cameron Mawer's suspension and Kevin Sandwith's withdrawal on Tuesday night due to his wife's pregnancy forced Hollins to switch his side completely around.

Stephen Reed had to vacate his more favoured holding role and move to left back, Scott Doe went to right back from central defence and Michael Malcolm moved from the wing to up front with Chris McPhee joining Anton Robinson in midfield.

Adam Bygrave and James Coutts were the men that were drafted in but having to make so many changes just to replace two players must be a worry.

Continuity is so important in football and I think that is why Weymouth made such a promising start because they were able to field an unchanged starting XI for their opening six games.

Injuries and suspensions are inevitable though, and when they do occur at the Wessex Stadium it is clear to see Hollins is hit with a testing juggling act.

He could turn to under-18 stars like Jamie Frampton, Ben Reiffer, Ollie Tribe and Tom Richardson but it would be a huge ask of them.

However, until you throw them into the lion's den then you will never know how they are going to cope. It will be interesting to see how the season develops.

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