Lets close the door on slanging match
by Mark Probin

Thursday 23rd December 2004

AFTER the terrific start to last season, this term could be looked upon as being disappointing.

But things are looking up at Weymouth despite our eighth position as our new manager sets about gelling a new-look side ready for a final push towards the end of the campaign.

Things have changed considerably in the past few months. Ian Ridley's departure was a shock; Steve Claridge had it coming. Martyn Harrison, our new chairman who is a wealthy businessman, has the resources to get the club running financially well and I hope, given time, will have us breathing as successfully as his hotels.

The club announced big losses for last season. There are questions being asked why this figure is so high, and the annual meeting and forum on Sunday enlightened us a little more to why this happened. Last season had to happen for the club. We were going nowhere and it was a breath of fresh air which brought the crowds back - but it seems the money being spent was a little over the top.

The club's Internet message board has been a slanging match since these losses were announced but many of us just want the door closed on the subject and to see the Terras climb the table.

So what can our new manager, Steve Johnson, do for the club? His CV is not quite as exciting as those of others who have taken the helm but it is an interesting one. The man has many good ideas and has already taken steps in the right direction by putting them into practice.

It looks like automatic promotion is out of reach this year, with Grays Athletic running away since the chequebook closed at Hornchurch. But if we can make the play-offs, the crowds will flock to the Wessex Stadium with Conference National being only three wins away.

Time will tell but for now we have two great games coming up against Dorchester Town over the festive period.