Where do we go from here?

Now we've all had a chance to think about Imraan's decision to quit as Chairman, there are several areas at the Poppies where questions are going to continue to be asked.


The Club

Expect the cold winter to continue as we revert to part time football and struggle along on sub 1000 gates. But, from this position it may well be the case that the Club can find its soul again. Become part of the community it had grown distant from when we were being artificially boosted by a single man's wealth. More affordable sponsorship packages maybe, now that every game won't be supported by Imraan's companies. Bring the local companies back into the fold.


Imraan

What does stepping down as Chairman actually mean on a day-today basis? By his own admission he hardly committed any time to the Poppies beyond writing the cheques. No more money invested? Possibly. But I think he is more likely to find another buyer if the Club is still in this Division at the very least.

I hope reports of him turning on supporters are unfounded. The vast majority of supporters believe he has generally been good for the Poppies. We can gloss over his seeming desperate need for headlines, and inability to ever really follow through on any of his ideas for the Club, because you sensed here was a man who would do anything within his power to bring success to the Poppies, Surely the best barometer of a Chairman?


Lee Harper

Lee must wonder what the hell is going on. The only good thing about this is that he is not alone.


The Council & The Ground

The Council really need to stand up and be counted. Are they prepared to let the Poppies slip out of existence? Without Imraan in charge will they continue to take the ground relocation situation so personally?

They should, at the very least, communicate with Pickering, and bring him to the negotiating table. A one line email to Ben's solicitors letting him know that they will never allow building of houses at Rockingham Road should do the trick.


The Supporters

Surely it's time for the supporters to get more involved with the Club. Rightly or wrongly the vast mass of fans have found them distanced from the Poppies over recent years. Too many changes instigated by Imraan have put a lot of backs up. Whether it is the enormous increases in admittance fees, of the whole ticket situation, Imraan has never managed to take everyone with him each time he tried something new.

Well, the safety net of Imraan's money has gone - now is the time for all Poppies fans to do their bit to help their Club survive. We all know they are many ways we can do that extra bit that we might have let slip over the last few years. That extra Klondike ticket. Joining the Trust and the Club 200. Having a pint in the Social Club rather than the bowling club. Little things here and there. We all talk a good talk about how wonderful our support is. Now might be the time to show it.