Plans afoot to revive United (11.05.06)

ALTHOUGH demotion is still far from certain, the new owners of Maidenhead United are busy preparing for life in the Southern Premier next season.
As always, money is set to be the prime driver, as the club enters a new era as a limited company.
Nonetheless, football remains the priority, with the club focusing on establishing long-term stability.
Board member Peter Griffin said: “We’ve sat down with Carl (Taylor) and decided budgets for next year.
“He knows exactly what he’s got to work with and has a very good pre-season ahead of him.
“Some of the players will try and secure contracts in the Conference South, but hopefully we’ve given Carl a more stable position than other managers have had in recent years.
“We’ve given him the ammunition, and we’re looking forward to seeing how he does.”
The ground also looks set for a revamp, with major improvements planned for both buildings and the pitch.
The area for disabled supporters is set to benefit, as are the ageing toilets.
But once, again, the main focus will be on football.
Griffin explained: “We’re spending a lot of money on pitch improvements. We have a paid groundsman now, who’s going to spend a lot of time and money on it.
“I think it’s a five-figure sum over the season.
“The other money we’re putting in is to make the ground a better place to come to next year.”
The improvements are intended to tempt new supporters through the turnstiles, but the old guard are also being honoured with a say in the future of the club.
Griffin said: “The fans have had a meeting or two regarding setting up a supporters trust, and we’ve made an offer of a place on the board.
“If people want to get behind the club we want to support that.”
Another very positive development was announced this week.
After a one-year absence Maidenhead United’s reserve team are set for a return to action next season in the Capital League.
The management committee of the league have accepted United’s application to join which should be ratified at their AGM on June 12.
Griffin said: “We’ve had our application to play in the Capital League accepted for next year.
“The aim of every youth team player will be to get a start in the reserves.
“Also, first team players coming back from injury will have somewhere to play, as will trialists.
“The reserve team will be a huge, huge benefit to the club.
“Relegation may have put us at a low ebb, but we are starting to get ourselves sorted out. The club has to start fighting again, and I don’t mean among themselves. It’s about getting some team spirit back.
“We’re very upbeat and optimistic.”
Club chairman Una Loughrey was also upbeat about the future, while admitting last season had been a long and difficult one, particularly the last few months, which culminated with United’s relegation.
She said: “We would have loved to have avoided relegation, but somebody has to go down, and we were playing at a very senior level.
“We may get a reprieve, but one way or the other we’re just going to get on with it.
“And going down might give us a chance to consolidate.”
She added: “It has been a steep learning curve, but we’ve learned it’s not just about playing football.
“It’s about mind-sets both on and off the pitch.
“It’s been a difficult few months but we’re not down-hearted at all.”
On the way ahead, she said: “When we find out what league we’re in we can really start planning
“We have quite a few ideas to do with the regeneration of the club itself.
“We’re showing the World Cup in Stripes.
“We’re trying to regenerate the bar and we’re already starting to see a turnaround
“We’ve got a pre-season sorted for this year, but we’re already planning for the pre-season next year.
“There are a lot of plans in the pipeline.
“It’s a very robust plan for the next 18 months, and we’re also looking at a five-year plan.
“It’s coming together quite nicely and people are working together.
“Both Peter and I are very optimistic
“We just need some results now.”
With a background in the pharmaceuticals industry, Loughrey admitted she had underestimated the task of running a football club.
She said: “It’s really hard work. I work three days a week and thought I could do two days a week for the club, but it’s every day.”
Nonetheless, she has been delighted by the help she has received from all and sundry, adding: “The supporters and everyone at the club have been fantastic. The amount of time and energy people put in is amazing.
“I’ve been really uplifted.”
And that positivity is clear in Loughrey’s main objective for the coming season.
She said: “We just want people to enjoy going to watch Maidenhead United.
“That’s what we’re aiming for.
“It sounds simplistic but towards the end of last season no one was enjoying it. And it was really hard.
“But we had Carl round the other night and we agreed the only way is up now.”