BCA ~ Boisterous Chorus of Approval

The above is - as one of York Road's increasing number of 'I think it's acceptable to pick up a new club as you go through life and then add it to your list of favourites but < insert someone other than Maidenhead United here > will always be my first club'  supporters spectators might say - utterly brilliant!

The phrase 'they're running out of our ideas' has been oft used by the KSG, in recent years, while I've long thought it of paramount importance that we engage in a PASE scheme or something similar. 

Indeed, a Maidenhead United FC Academy Team competing in the PLFL U19 Development League is quite possibly my favourite development of the Pharmabank era; right up there with the building of a new stand (which, admittedly, I doubted we'd ever see) and above the increasing likelihood of our continually-underachieving manager finally being Draxed.

Maidenhead United chairman Peter Griffin added he … hoped the partnership could produce players capable of playing for the club's first team.

You and me both, PG, you and me both.

Top job.

"It can be very easy for a club to lose it's identity"

Decent write-up from Ground Hopper concerning Magpies legend Sir Barry Rake's appointment as Holyport Reserve team manager. Maidenhead United Youth and Reserve teams now have a rival as the premier provider for the Villagers first XI!

I completely agree that it can be very easy for a club to lose it's identity. That said, though, any praise (indirect or otherwise) of Holyport FC, in this regard, should perhaps be tempered by the fact that the "tidy little place" they now call home is about four miles or so outside of Holyport! IMO, sooner rather than later, the Port should alter their name, at least to incorporate 'Maidenhead'.

North Maidenhead & Holyport, perhaps? Or, as we've been calling them for a year or two now, Maidenhead North End?

Maybe they can also get around to changing the team colours, while they're at it, as those burgundy shirts with green shorts are an appalling combination. May I suggest black and white striped shirts, black shorts, and red socks? ;-)

As for MUFC Ltd's own loss of identity, I note with sadness that the original York Road mural is no more (at least in it's entirety); the paint and the brick wall itself finally succumbing to the elements. When it became obvious that the end was near, I was one of those who suggested that a replacement be painted at the other end. It was. Perhaps unsurprisingly, however, the new one is rather unimaginative in comparison. And it largely features a colour synonymous with our oldest rivals! Sign o' the times.

Club Shop Guy's York Road photos on the Mothership also show that 'MAIDENHEAD UTD FC' has been painted onto the Bell End, an idea that Macleod (M) mentioned to me, if no one else, some years ago. Putting myself at risk of further "anti-club" jibes - and while not wishing to disparage the hard work put in by those responsible - I think it is an idea that was better in imagination, than in reality. Perhaps it will grow on me...

Anyway, what next? Large advertising tarpaulins/signage atop the covered car park, visible to thousands of passing train passengers per day... A newly-tarmacked and re-seated Railway-side Stand... Terracing down the bottle-neck... Turnstiles at the Canal End, allowing for more effective segregation... Non-MUSA money spent on ground improvements...

Here's hoping.

"He plays on the wing, he's not from Yead-ing"

From this week's Advertiser:

Good to see us cherry picking the best talent from local lower division clubs. We haven't done enough of this in the past ... and shouldn't keep relying on the extended families of Dave Beasant, Richard Pacquette, and the management staff - or on Ashan Holgate bringing along another of his mates from Swindon Supermarine - to bolster the squad. Let's hope Pritchard gets a fair chance and that we persevere with him if he shows promise (enabling him to be more Mark Nisbet, than Andrew Fagan).

Also good to see that Ashley Smith remains as classy and dignified as ever. Top player and, by all accounts, a top bloke. He certainly deserved a better chant than the titular one above which, understandably, never caught on!