Ray Spence...

When the club decided upon the best course of action it could take with regards to Ray Spence, we knew it would be hard and probably quite painful.
One thing we were all in agreement about was the need to take the action in the best interests of all concerned.

On a personal level, i had always admired Ray's pace and skill when watching him, hence i decided, despite all the warnings of baggage etc, to bring him to the City. It is my belief, that by and large he has proven well worth that gamble.

As a player he lives right on the edge and that's what makes him the player he is. I still believe that on the field of play he is more sinned against than sinner and that if more referees really understood what goes on, then he would have received better protection.
Unfortunately Ray, who is a quiet guy off the park, is quite the opposite on it and if he feels there is an injustice he makes that known.

As you step up a level everything improves, from the opposition to the referees etc and you have to adjust yourself if you are to progress.

Justin is building a new team, his own team, as indeed i did when i took over. That's the way of management and he knows he needs to improve the squad all the time if the club is to move forward. Sometimes that will involve supporters seeing their favourites leave the club and i know that is a difficult experience to take onboard in the short term. Trust me it is not easy for a manager either when a player has done well for them.

We all have our own opinions on who should and shouldn't play and that's what makes the game so great but at the end of the day its the manager who picks the team and we all accept that we will live or die by our results. The manager, if he is to be successful, has to be his own man and we as a club have to support him in all he does.

There will be good weeks and bad weeks as Justin sets about getting it how he wants it and its important that the supporters get behind him and the team during the rebuilding process.
The league is so tight, with results fluctuating week by week, that the play offs are still well achievable.

For the record, several clubs have, prior to this week made offers for Ray but they have not matched our valuation of the player, thus we decided to go down the official line.
I have spoken with Ray, only yesterday and he agrees, that its best for everyone that there is an amicable parting of the ways.

It is my job to try and get both Oxford City and the player the best deal i can.

As i said on my posting yesterday Ray scored a lot of goals for us last season and he excited us all with his pace and skill. What happens behind the scenes at any club remains there.
Obviously a lot of issues get clouded when you are winning and people can be very forgiving of misdemeanours.

At the end of the day most will choose to reflect upon the good times!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all those involved in local non league football and on a more personal note, lets hope that 2007 sees the City build on what has been a promising end to 2006.

The Chesham game apart there have been some very encouraging performances and more importantly some critical points posted on the league table. The Division is so tight that all of a sudden we are potentially within reach of the play off's. With so many teams promoted from the level below i guess it was always going to be tight, with everyone pretty much capable of beating each other on their day. One thing is for certain, the restructure has been a great success and produced an exciting season, that will go right to the wire, without doubt.

As you know we always try and keep you abreast of all matters relating to player movement etc but, as i'm sure you can well appreciate, some times you have to keep quiet so as not to alert other clubs to player availability when you are chasing them! It has been decided that Danny Keen needs some regular first team football so he will be going out to Wantage Town for a spell.
Keeno lives and works in the area so its a logical move. I know he's a player that the supporters think the world of and in return he has been very loyal this season when faced with options to move on. His attitude and application are first class and he has been unfortunate that he is competing with the likes of Anthony Alleyne, Ray Spence, Billy Beechers and Alex Stewart for a starting place.

The next week or so could well see the return of two former City favourites but things are still in the negotiating stage and im sure Justin will let you know when things are concluded. I am also pleased to be able to report that Darren Davies is back as part of the Nomads management team. Darren is a great club man and we felt it only logical that he return in order to ensure that the links between the youth structure and the Nomads are maintained and indeed progressed.
There has been quite a bit of movement on the Nomads front over the holiday period and the side has or soon will be considerably strengthened. Its also good to see the likes of Lewis, Davis and Bell coming through the ranks so well.

Another player who has returned, albeit back from a lengthy injury, is Liam Illsley. We believe Liam has a big future and we want that to be at City. He is strong in the air and in the tackle and very comfortable on the ball for a big lad.

If ever any of our younger players needed any incentive they need only look to Lee Rendell who has come of age over the last month or so. Last season and early this season, Lee was coming off the bench and doing well but when we started him he struggled.

He has now come to terms with Southern League football and shown that it can take time to adjust to the pace and physical/mental demands of first team football. These things do not happen overnight and it has taken a great deal of hard work both from the player and the coaching team to achieve this.

I noticed that yesterday there was an adverse posting on the message board relating to new Years Day, that really we do need to put straight. Ray Spence was suffering from a heavy cold and Harry Burnley broke down whilst driving back from the south coast-their problems were not as suggested!!

Finally thanks to all who organised the club's Family New Years eve party, it was a good night, as my head well testified on New Years day!!