Following on from previous post about realism

I started watching the Reds in 73-74 and in those days we were an average mid table Division 4 team playing in front of, on occasions, less than 3000 crowds. I was lucky enough to witness the massive transformation of the Clarke & Hunter period in 78-79 and 80-81 which culminated in 2nd Division football for the Reds. A period of stagnation followed from the mid 80's through to the mid 90's but although we flirted with the drop we always did enough to avoid it. Then we got the miracle of Premiership football followed by the disastrous fall from grace and administration that saw us drop to the 3rd tier. Those were desperate days and there were times when I thought that the club would even cease to exist. Thanks to Pat Cryne it did, and the promotion back to the Championship was a joyous experience.
History says that the 2nd tier of English football is where we belong, based on the fact that we have spent more time there than any other club. Unfortunately I don't think this counts for one jot in the modern day game. The past seven seasons have seen us make very little, if any, progress at this level and it is obvious that we do not have the financial clout or fanbase to compete any longer.
I can accept relegation to League 1 if there looks to be some hope for the future. The club is crying out for new direction and imaginitive leadership. It is poorly run and badly in need of investment. I really hope that someone out there can take hold of our beloved club and give it the shake up needed.
Although I have to say supporting the Reds can no longer be termed as enjoyment, it is a labour of love for me and a habit I find hard to break.
I'll still be there next August whichever league we are playing in. If I were out of work or short of money, then my view would change, as family would always be a priority. Whilever I can afford to go then I will.
I hope others can give the club a chance even at a lower level.

 

I was there the day Isaiah Rankin. saved us from obscurity.

I'll be there when Robert Hassell saves us from dropping to League One this campaign.

 

The thought of relegation fills me with dread so I hope we can find the form and results to get us out of this mess.But I too will continue to support my club through thick and thin.The bad times certainly make the good times feel better.

 

The day Isaiah Rankin saved us from dropping into League 2. We were really bad then!! and we didn't look to have much of a future at all.

 

Looking at a lot of other clubs finances I think many will be forced to try and balance the books in the near future. It's a tricky business trying to find that fine line between Championship survival and breaking even, it might not even exist given the way others chuck money about. In my opinion there's a lot worse coming for the UK economy in the next couple of years and this will affect all the clubs, Patricks putting up the shields now before its too late.
Whether Hill's the right man for the job, only keeping him on will prove one way or the other and thats the difficult question.

 

Excellent post