Rolls in crowd call
By Adam Summers
Saturday 7th January 2012
BIGGER crowds are required if Weymouth’s current squad
is to stay together for the rest of the season.
And ex-chairman George Rolls, whose family owns the majority
shareholding at the Terras, is hoping the recent wave of optimism
and community spirit at the club can help make that happen.
He told Echosport: “The club has put all the resources
from the cup runs this season back into the playing budget
and we have seen the benefit of this with our recent rise
up the table.
“However, the stark reality is that we need to stay
in the FA Trophy or start getting crowds of 800 plus for league
matches in order for that to continue.
“We are currently £2,500 over budget and the club
cannot sustain that level of wage bill without more prize
money or people coming through the gates.
“The money that has been raised towards the playing
budget from Wessex Fantasy Football and Paul Cocks and his
business associates has been fantastic.
“Their combined efforts have increased the playing budget
by £2,000 a month so if you add that to the budget we
set at the start of the season of £875 a week it gives
us around £1,375 a week. We are significantly more than
double that at present and I think that gives everyone some
context.
“That has allowed us to keep the likes of Sam Malsom
and Craig Duff, bring in James Coutts and Alex Jeannin, and
give young Chris Povall a contract.
“In fact, at present, we have a squad of 22 players
to choose from so we have done our part as a club and all
we need now is to continue to see more fans turning up at
the Bob Lucas Stadium every week.
“Next Saturday will see us host Blue Square Premier
side Alfreton Town in the last 32 of the FA Trophy (3pm) where
we are the only Southern League team left in the competition.
“It is a massive game and the biggest cup tie here in
several years so hopefully we will get 1,500 people turn up
to get behind the team.
“The players are certainly doing their part.
“Not only are they winning matches but they are providing
great entertainment and they deserve the town’s backing.”
When asked what impact the recent break-in at the ground
will have on club funds, Rolls added: “It is not going
to affect the playing budget side of things.
“The insurance company is not going to pay out because
it wasn’t a forced break-in so the club is just going
to have to get on with that.
“Balls and paperwork were stolen, the bar was flooded,
kits were ripped up and goal nets were slashed so it is hard
to put a price on it at the moment but it will be up to the
directors to find money for that.
“That whole event has been a real kick in the teeth
but the way everyone got together to ensure the St Albans
game still went ahead that day was incredible and we are really
grateful for all the support we received.
“Add that to the Wessex Fantasy, Paul Cocks’ new
initiative and the phenomenal sponsorship we have received
from the likes of Steve Taylor and it would appear that all-important
community spirit is slowly returning.
“At the start of the season the fans said they would
settle for stability and retaining our Southern Premier status
so the fact we are still in the FA Trophy and pushing towards
the play-offs just shows how far we have come over the past
six or seven months.
“We know it is difficult times at present but all we
need now to keep the momentum going is the people in the town
to get behind us by regularly coming through the turnstiles.”
The Terras, who will visit Arlesey Town this afternoon in
league action, have so far bagged £21,700 in prize money
from the FA Cup and FA Trophy this season but not all of it
has been received yet. They will add another £6,000
to that if they overcome Alfreton next Saturday.
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