Fans Forum with Coley

Willie Miller · 27-11-2005, 22:38

was attended by around 25 folk in the club bar. Very informative, laid back & honest answers from the Boss & around an hours question & answer session. Will try to fill you in as I remember it

Question Whats your most memorable goal in a Stanley shirt?

Answer The Burton goal in the Cup Final for all the stick he took, also the goal at home to Burscough & special mention for Mark Shirleys against Farsley Celtic when we knew we were going up. Throughout the Q&A Coley remebered the Unibond 1 promotion season & remarked "it'll never be beaten"

Question Favourite Strike Partner at ASFC?
Suprisingly Mark Ceraolo was the choice as he knew Johns Runs etc

Question Had any job offers from other clubs?
Categorically No, mainly he thinks because clubs at League 1 & 2 level probably know he already has a good job at ASFC. Also mentioned that he wouldn't at any level take a job where he had no chance of winning the league or where he was effectively "marking time". Any League 2 Club, you have no chance as John believeshe'll get there with ASFC!

Would he have Rory Back?
Coley said he would never say never! However, some things outside of the game affects his footie. When he was good he was very good, when he was bad...... Knew he had a ready made replacement for Rory in Gary!

Evil?
McEvilly was a player we didn't have a replacement for but the money offered by Wrexham was good. In hindsight we prob should have held out for more....

Question? With our crowds & fan base, how far you reckon you can take Accy Stanley?
The team he reckons would easily hold their own a league higher. Unfortunately, we would never be in a position to gain promotion again without a recruitment drive to get more fans. He was disappointed that we could get 1700 on against Colwyn Bay when in Uni 1 with no away fans yet we can only get 1600 on for a local 5th Level Game against local rivals with 200 away fans. Apathy was discussed, facilities were discussed but Coley pointed to a top ten finish every year since he's been here & 2 promotions & a Third Round FA Cup. Frightening to think what attendance would be if we were struggling he remarked!

In terms of Club Budgets, where are we in terms of good or bad wage payers?
He reckons we pay the 12th best wages in the conference but more surprisingly we are 20-30% under our wage bill when compared to last season. Interms of money, he pushes the fact that you can earn money at ASFC but you can earn a lot more if you do well. He has learned lessons in regards to contracts over the time at ASFC & is trying to get young & hungry players who WANT to earn more money. He points to two players who have been playing well of late, who have contracts that run out in December!!!!!

Worst signing over the years
Steve Morgan or Darren Connell (who we had to pay to leave!)

Some other things mentioned......

1. Players were set, at the end of the season, target weights & levels of fitness that they had to return at after the break. To a man, all returned under & fitter than their targets

2. The main stand moaners again, who couldn't even put their hands together on Saturday for a 20 pass move ending in a shot at goal.....

3. Is surprised that after having loads of midfielders last year we have only 2 at the moment. Very sure that we will bring one in in January 2006.

4. Drove to Nottingham to watch Riglioslo but left it at that as he wasn't fit!!!!

5. Thinks the current crop of players is the fittest we have ever had at ASFC with Anthony Barry THE fittest man at the club

6.

(More when I remember)

maidstoneaccy · 27-11-2005, 22:58

cheers for that mate

Wynonie Harris · 28-11-2005, 09:25

Thanks for all the info, Jase; some very interesting points there. Got to agree that 1,400 home fans for a team in our position is pretty shabby. However it is a distinct improvement on some of the Saturday attendances (from home fans) that we got earlier in the season. Hopefully, as the team continues to turn in excellent performances, it will have a snowball effect and gates will carry on rising!

Someone · 28-11-2005, 10:31

Did friday night football work. bigger crowd? more planned?

Tin Monkey · 28-11-2005, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Someone

Did friday night football work. bigger crowd? more planned?

Why not look on the official site and compare attendances? Further evening games at this time of the year would be unlikely, due to frost, etc

Thanks Jase. Very informative post.

Someone · 28-11-2005, 11:57

Did Friday night football work. Opinions, Conversation. What do you think?

baldy · 28-11-2005, 12:14

Coley also said that he never fell out with any players that left the club ie
rory and evil

and telling us how gary williams ran off when he was ment to be signing a contract the second time he came back and all coley and jimmy knew he lived above a spar in burnley so then hunted him down and he backdoor was open so coley and jimmy strolled in and garys face when white as a ghost!!!

Willie Miller · 28-11-2005, 13:31

Yeah the story about Gary Williams, very funny! Gary was released to go to the US & came back umming & arring about signing the new deal. Coley said wait there till Phil Terry gets bacj, turned his back & was gone! So, Jimmy & John set out to find him & as Baldy said only knew that he lived above a Spar in Burnley. Knock knock etc eventually finding which one it was no answer, round back, door open, Gary sat on Settee.

Cue angry Coley throwing Contract at Gary & both sitting there till he had signed it! Bet they'd be good Double Glazing Salesman!

Also, while I remember, was gutted to hear via his children that the "forum" had said that he had fallen out with Ged, Mike Flynn & Phsycho. So far from the truth.....

Mike Flynn played in the replay at Worcester, we conceded three & he realised that in his opinion he wouldn't be able to stand a full years conference football. Spoke to Mike about it & told him he wouldn't be regular, Mike being a true pro wanted to play. Coley agreed he could talk to other clubs

Chris Butler although a fantastic footballer couldn't concentrate for the full 90 mins & despite constantly being reminded thinks he will NEVER be able to fully concentrate. Thats why he was released. No probs with either in his eyes

Finally, while I remember blames himself for both early exits in the Cup. New formation against Leigh and underestimating them & playing Dibble 4 games in 9 days at his age. Honest as I say!

If i remember anymore.........

AccyMad · 28-11-2005, 20:48

Sorry Jase but if he was honest about everything else (and I doubt that) he defintely got it wrong about Flynny playing in the replay at Worcester - as we all know Flynny was the only sub, apart from Coleman who did not make an appearance.