Terras Times December 2020

Terras Times The newsletter of Weymouth FC Supporters Association.

December 2020 2018/2019 Southern League Champions 2019/2020 National League South play off winners.

Hi Terras fans, After those barren weeks after Halloween without a match, it’s been really frustrating to see our form stutter and (arguably) our best player leave the club.

That’s the reality of where we are though and whilst the internet can argue about what should and shouldn’t be happening to WFC it's important that we don’t revert to type and start blaming players, coaches, board members and worst of all the clubs volunteers. We’ve got to where we are by being the most unified and dedicated I can remember in my three decades of following this club.

We will only stay where we are by sticking together.

It might well get worse before it gets better but show me a team who are part time in a mainly full time league, who got there through a mid-summer promotion play off during a global pandemic, and achieved all that the week before their manager left. Who would get through that without scars..?

I know I repeat this often, but to me it's crystal clear. If we stay up this season it will knock any achievement by the previous management into a cocked hat (and that isn’t to belittle back to back promotions).

That’s how big this task is and how key we all are to playing our part in it... All of us... So my Christmas wish this year isn’t for a Nintendo or some new football boots. It’s for those who seem to thrive on misfortune for WFC to take a back seat and sit on their hands before telling Twitter how terrible life is. You are not helping our cause.

Merry Christmas to Terras fans all over the world. Like everyone who has lived through 2020, you deserve a good one.

James https://www.wfcsa.weymouthfootballclub.co.uk/

Terras Times The newsletter of Weymouth FC Supporters Association.

CHAIRMAN'S CHATTER Hello and welcome to the December edition of our monthly newsletter. Firstly I think it is time for an on field update! Eleven games into our season we have two wins, one draw and eight defeats with seven points on the board! For a lot us older supporters, it has been the tough start to the season we expected, no need for panic and alarm, there are thirty three games still to go! Add in the disruption of COVID-19, manager change, short pre-season and endless uncertainty and it has been made doubly difficult. For some time I have been at pains to warn, the National League is a shadow of the league we were in over a decade ago. Go back even further to our Conference days at The Old Rec, there was no promotion to the Football League and clubs were all part time! I was talking to the Chairman earlier this week about programmes for the festive period and beyond, listen to some of the teams mentioned, Hartlepool, Chesterfield, Stockport, Notts County, Wrexham, Torquay, Halifax, Aldershot! Just take a look at that list for a moment, and then reflect where we are and what, as a part time club in a full time league, we are up against. We all share the frustration of being in most games but not quite getting over the line for that 3 points or share of the spoils, but it is not deluded to say, at this early stage of the season, that we are not doomed to failure in this league, far from it! With the continued hard work of the staff and players and a change in fortunes, we will get more points on the board, so have faith and be patient. We are in this for the long haul.

The return of supporters to stadiums was both welcome news as well as somewhat surprising! I think most observers were hopeful of a return sometime in the new year at best. Sadly for us, things did not go quite according to plan for our home game against Halifax in front of the BT cameras! So much has been written and said about what went wrong and who was to blame? Well, as one of the many COVID volunteers on the day, I can testify to the level of planning and preparation that went into welcoming supporters back to The Bob Lucas Stadium. You will have seen the direction arrows to indicate the one way flow, COVID volunteers in their purple bibs, the temperature checks on entry and so it goes on. The one big expectation that we all had in the run up to the game, and which was emphasised to everyone attending, via the information provided with their online ticket purchase, was the need to maintain the social distancing requirements that have been in place for the past eight months! That so many decided to ignore that requirement is for them to explain, it makes no sense to me! To blame the organisation, stewards and volunteers for those individuals failure to take personal responsibility was quite sad, and that is me toning down my feelings, believe me! You let the Football Club, your fellow supporters and yourselves down badly, no excuses. The fallout has been the reduced capacity we now have for the time being and the denial of match day attendance for so many of our supporters. As we move forward, we have some really huge games to look forward to. So let us put that dark day behind us now, we move on, but in so doing, be under no illusions, we all of us have a responsibility to ensure the safety of our fellows supporters in attendance at games. As I said in my Wrexham programme notes, there are now over 60,000 reasons for doing so.

On a positive note, our membership continues to grow and we are working hard to ensure you feel represented. It would be nice if you felt you could contribute to this newsletter, we would love to hear from you.

Be it a story of past glory, more recent events or you just have something you would like to get off your chest, then get in touch. Keep an eye out for updates on everything that is going on across our social media platforms. As I type, we are putting the finishing touches together with regards donating some hampers to the Veterans Hub for them to distribute to those in need. A very worthy cause and made possible because of the support you all give us. So thank you.

Until next time, stay safe and look out for those around you who may need support or a helping hand.

Best wishes, Pete Nash Chairman, ‘The Terras Supporters Club’ (WFCSA)

Pete

https://www.wfcsa.weymouthfootballclub.co.uk/

Terras Times The newsletter of Weymouth FC Supporters Association.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE We have seen over 50 new membership applications in the past fortnight, with over 70 new members, including family members.A fantastic amount, no doubt aided in some way with those joining to enable the purchase of priority match day tickets.We’ve now had over 250 new members in the past year.

Please keep me informed of any changes of address, e-mails, etc and check your membership card to ensure that your membership is still in date.

Remember that you can now renew online via the club shop or via BACS. Congratulations to 4 lucky winners for December. Prizes are on their way before Christmas to the following; Adrian Rookes Dave Squibb Paul Griffin James Corbin Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year where we can get back to BLS fully to cheering the Terras up that league table.

Ken Ken Willis Membership Secretary

TERRAS GOLD - 26/12/2018 - Dorchester Town 0-1 Weymouth People in football often talk about belief and momentum.

This match was a prime example of hanging in there until the final whistle and of making sure what would have still been a decent away point at local rivals was turned into three.

Weymouth had chances in this one but it looked increasingly like slipping away before a spilled shot let in Brandon Goodship to tuck in one of his easier finishes.

Most of the Avenue (!) erupted in celebration and this would be a key win in securing the Southern League title come springtime.

https://www.wfcsa.weymouthfootballclub.co.uk/

Terras Times The newsletter of Weymouth FC Supporters Association.

WFC Ladies column Since their launch this Summer, the Weymouth FC Women have shown huge potential with goals a-plenty. Currently placed third in the Dorset Women’s League, Manager Natalie Anderson couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season. Here are some of the highlights so far...

At the Bridport game in mid October, our Terras came out focussed on their performance and were goal-driven.

Communication was excellent and calm confidence won the day, along with a few (I lost count) cracking corners from Shakira Howard.

The game against Redlands Rebels was an absolute joy to watch! In a dream start, former Redlands player, Lily Beasley, opened the scoring within 20 seconds when she made a break down the wing from kick-off and slammed home a near perfect goal. Shakira Howard then scored four goals and a final goal came from Lucy Roberts to seal the Terras 6-1 victory. I was mightily impressed with our defence and Becca de Havilland stood out for me, playing two balls through that led directly to goals. Hence, I was very pleased to name her Supporters’ Player of the Match.

Of course, the weather got the better of us for our game against Poole and then we had Lockdown 2. However, the break did not deter our ladies who returned with a bang and another convincing win in the Dorset Women’s League against a determined Gillingham Ladies at Wey Valley.

The Terras Supporters Club (WFSCA) are very pleased that Paige McCarthy has recently been elected to the Board. We continue to work together with Natalie, Ryan and the team to support the ladies as much as we can. We are currently looking to fund a pro first aid kit for them as well as sponsor a home game or two.

I have only missed one game since their launch and will do my utmost not to miss any more! If you haven’t yet been to see our Terras ladies play, I thoroughly recommend coming to cheer our Weymouth Women on. Up the Terras!

Gillie van der Eyken

What's new?

As the winter bites and the reality of how tough the Vanarama National League really is hits home, why don’t you buy yourself a nice gift as a reminder of a blindingly hot summers day we will never forget.

As the third Dartford penalty sailed out of the ground and into the car park we all probably sat in our living rooms wishing we were there.

This tongue in cheek mug won't be able to transport us back in time, but it is a lovely momento of what was a fabulous achievement by our club and its players. Click here to buy.

https://www.wfcsa.weymouthfootballclub.co.uk/