Fans' Forum Meeting - 1 August 2026
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2026 11:07 pm
My recollection of Saturday’s meeting with the club is below. It’s entirely possible I’ve missed some points or got things wrong so feel free to post errors and omissions on the thread and I’ll correct them if necessary.
Danny was MC with Delroy representing the club, joined by Jamie after a few minutes, note this was held on a match-day just before kick-off of the Hanwell friendly. Thanks to all at the club for holding the meeting and its open approach - I appreciate it and I think all those fans who attended did too.
Recruitment
The club is using a dedicated recruitment resource to identify potential signings. The manager will request a particular type of player and the recruiter will look at who’s available, provide data analysis and advise the manager on availability. There’s less reliance on the manager’s “little black book”. Input from fans was noted and appreciated. Fan suggestions for players are all recorded, they may not all be signed but fan input is used and valued.
What About The Stand?
Much laughter. The club has done all it can as demands have been many and varied. There is a reliance on third parties which can be out of the club’s control. There’s frustration in the club that the stand is still not open, but significant efforts have been made and will continue to be made in this area.
What’s Been Learnt From Last Season?
Jamie has a better view on which players are right for the club and align with his and the club’s philosophy.
What Will Change From Last Season?
The club’s direction and philosophy (see below) remain the same. The players we now have, Josh Edwards specifically, should allow out attacking midfielders more freedom to push forward. Having the B-team playing men’s football at Step 7 gives us more opportunity to develop (younger) players at the club.
What’s The Target For This Season?
To win matches, play good football, to be ahead of last season’s points total at each stage of the season. We started with a loss to South Park last season so we’re looking for a win in our first league match.
The desire to return to Step 3 and then Step 2 was expressed while at the same time showing respect to the level we are at now.
How Can We Increase Attendances?
By winning and playing good football. Also there are initiatives with schools and efforts to get those who are part of our youth setup to attend first team matches.
The philosophy, consistency and alignment
First and foremost Jamie wants squad members who have the right approach and attitude. Turn up to training on time, work hard, track back if you lose the ball, if you’re not selected for the team don’t throw a tantrum. There’s no room for d*ckheads.
Jamie stressed that it’s important everyone at the club shares the vision of where we’re going and how we get there - that’s the “alignment”. It was noted that this has become a more consistent approach across all of our teams and fans acknowledged that they had noticed this change.
Goalkeepers
It was noted that we only have one goalkeeper in the first team squad. Jamie let the meeting that two other goalkeepers have been training with the first team squad (one played against Watford) so there is depth in this area. Goalkeepers on our books are likely to go out on dual registration. We have one very talent ‘keeper who’s only 16. There will be times when there’s a goalkeeper on the subs’ bench but that’s assessed on a match-by-match basis. In short, Jamie is happy with our capabilities in this area.
Discipline etc
The issue of the absence of our newly appointed team captain for the first four matches of the season was raised. Jamie believes he’s the right man for the job (murmurs of approval from those attending!) and that he’ll be available for the remainder of the season’s games (possible murmurs that this is an optimistic view (-: ). Everyone is expected to maintain high standards of discipline, no exceptions, and the club will take necessary steps if required.
Issues which occurred at the end of last season are still subject to open investigations and so it is not appropriate to discuss those.
Retaining talent / contracts
We have a proud record of past players who have moved on to have successful professional careers. That’s something we want to continue. Players will join us because we can develop them, they will contribute to our success and move on and upwards, the club won’t block players looking to move up.
The club is not looking to offer contracts to experienced (30+) players as it has done on occasion in the past. It’s possible contracts may be offered to younger talent although this would very much be on a case-by-case basis and not the norm.
Danny was MC with Delroy representing the club, joined by Jamie after a few minutes, note this was held on a match-day just before kick-off of the Hanwell friendly. Thanks to all at the club for holding the meeting and its open approach - I appreciate it and I think all those fans who attended did too.
Recruitment
The club is using a dedicated recruitment resource to identify potential signings. The manager will request a particular type of player and the recruiter will look at who’s available, provide data analysis and advise the manager on availability. There’s less reliance on the manager’s “little black book”. Input from fans was noted and appreciated. Fan suggestions for players are all recorded, they may not all be signed but fan input is used and valued.
What About The Stand?
Much laughter. The club has done all it can as demands have been many and varied. There is a reliance on third parties which can be out of the club’s control. There’s frustration in the club that the stand is still not open, but significant efforts have been made and will continue to be made in this area.
What’s Been Learnt From Last Season?
Jamie has a better view on which players are right for the club and align with his and the club’s philosophy.
What Will Change From Last Season?
The club’s direction and philosophy (see below) remain the same. The players we now have, Josh Edwards specifically, should allow out attacking midfielders more freedom to push forward. Having the B-team playing men’s football at Step 7 gives us more opportunity to develop (younger) players at the club.
What’s The Target For This Season?
To win matches, play good football, to be ahead of last season’s points total at each stage of the season. We started with a loss to South Park last season so we’re looking for a win in our first league match.
The desire to return to Step 3 and then Step 2 was expressed while at the same time showing respect to the level we are at now.
How Can We Increase Attendances?
By winning and playing good football. Also there are initiatives with schools and efforts to get those who are part of our youth setup to attend first team matches.
The philosophy, consistency and alignment
First and foremost Jamie wants squad members who have the right approach and attitude. Turn up to training on time, work hard, track back if you lose the ball, if you’re not selected for the team don’t throw a tantrum. There’s no room for d*ckheads.
Jamie stressed that it’s important everyone at the club shares the vision of where we’re going and how we get there - that’s the “alignment”. It was noted that this has become a more consistent approach across all of our teams and fans acknowledged that they had noticed this change.
Goalkeepers
It was noted that we only have one goalkeeper in the first team squad. Jamie let the meeting that two other goalkeepers have been training with the first team squad (one played against Watford) so there is depth in this area. Goalkeepers on our books are likely to go out on dual registration. We have one very talent ‘keeper who’s only 16. There will be times when there’s a goalkeeper on the subs’ bench but that’s assessed on a match-by-match basis. In short, Jamie is happy with our capabilities in this area.
Discipline etc
The issue of the absence of our newly appointed team captain for the first four matches of the season was raised. Jamie believes he’s the right man for the job (murmurs of approval from those attending!) and that he’ll be available for the remainder of the season’s games (possible murmurs that this is an optimistic view (-: ). Everyone is expected to maintain high standards of discipline, no exceptions, and the club will take necessary steps if required.
Issues which occurred at the end of last season are still subject to open investigations and so it is not appropriate to discuss those.
Retaining talent / contracts
We have a proud record of past players who have moved on to have successful professional careers. That’s something we want to continue. Players will join us because we can develop them, they will contribute to our success and move on and upwards, the club won’t block players looking to move up.
The club is not looking to offer contracts to experienced (30+) players as it has done on occasion in the past. It’s possible contracts may be offered to younger talent although this would very much be on a case-by-case basis and not the norm.