Greene grabs Urchins lifeline (20.05.05)

MAIDENHEAD United manager Dennis Greene spoke out this week about his relief at being reinstated in Conference South, after Hornchurch announced they had gone bust on Monday.
He said: “From speaking to Tony (Choules) (Hornchurch manager) I already believed we were going to stay up.
“But it’s nice to hear the official announcement.
“It was only a week of thinking we were going down. So I didn’t do too much grieving.
“It’s fantastic news. We believed all along that we had achieved would be enough to stay up. 46 points is a good tally. It just wasn’t quite enough.”
Ultimately, it was events in Essex that gifted United a second chance, and Greene knows it will be a struggle again next term, especially as he is expecting his player budget to be cut.
However, he was hopeful that the team spirit his players developed since Christmas would keep them at York Road,
He said: “We don’t know the wage budget yet, but I’m hoping we can keep the squad together.
“If it doesn’t work out financially some of the players might not stay.
“But no-one is definitely going (apart from Lawrence Yaku).
“All the players I’ve spoken to want to come back and take part in pre-season training.
“I haven’t released anyone, and everyone will be welcome back.
“If the players thought we would get relegated they wouldn’t want to stay. The belief is there.
“I’m really pleased we’re staying up, and I’m really pleased with the attitude of the players.”
Greene is also planning to strengthen the squad next season.
He added: “With a couple of extra signings we could have a decent run next year, and perhaps even reach the play-offs. I haven’t got signatures on paper, but in my mind I have already signed four new players – a couple of league players, and a couple from the Ryman Premier.
“Things are looking up.”

Hornchurch statement (20.05.05)

AS REPORTED last week, Maidenhead United’s reinstatement in the Conference South was at the expense of Essex outfit Hornchurch.
According to an announcement on the club website, the one-time high-flyers, who had been under administration since April, failed to receive the required 75 per cent majority vote from its creditors to carry on trading, forcing the club to go into liquidation on Wednesday of last week.
A new company known as Hornchurch Football Club (2005) Limited has been formed and has received the consent of the FA to play as AFC Hornchurch next term, although they are yet to learn which league they will play in.
An application has been made to Havering Borough Council for a new lease on their current stadium, so in some respects it should be business as usual.
However, due to the much reduced budgets for next season, manager Tony Choules and his assistant Carl Taylor have resigned their positions, with youth team manager John Lawrence taking over in the hot seat.
His team of Alan Moulder, Paul Marler, Barry Fox and Del Edkins will join him.
In addition to a first team, the club is also hoping to run a reserve team squad in the Capital League, and an under 16 team next year.

Have your say on Maidenhead United’s reinstatement to the Conference South on the fans forum at www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/forums/.