As a thank you for the support we've got recently, not only from our regular fans but from the wider Southampton football community, Thursday's home game against Whitchurch United will be FREE ADMISSION to all. Kick off 7:45. Silverlake Arena, Portsmouth Road. Free parking on site. With 5 games remaining, Sholing need 8 points to guarantee the Wessex League Title.
Will be there with the Old Man....expect there will be a few reserves playing again with so many games to play before Wembley. Is it right that Sholing are already promoted?....They are according to this Wiki page, but I thought the logistics of the Southern League made it financially not viable? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_Wessex_Football_League
Looks like they will be going up after all. http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/9347/step-5-promotion-applications/
No final decision has yet to be made regarding going back into the Southern League. It was for financial reasons the club came down this season, even with the FA Vase run & prize money, the club would possibly need a fresh injection of cash from a benefactor/sponsor to sustain a season or two in the Southern League. Applications for promotion are done in early December, unless you apply then, you can't go up. So a lot could have changed finance wise between December & the end of the season. As far as I'm aware, Alresford did not apply for promotion as they would have to spend a lot of money to comply with FA Step 4 ground conditions (enclosed fencing all the way round the pitch, proper turnstiles, concrete hard standing surrounding pitch to name but a few). The regular first team members are now free of getting suspended for Wembley, so I expect a strong line-up on Thursday. The reserves are playing tonight & need 4 points to win their league, so it's busy busy busy!
On a Saints related note, Andover Town will be playing in the Wessex Premier next season & they are owned by Sparsholt College, which in turn has a link to Saints academy who, I believe, have first dibs on any promising youngsters. Not clear if Saints provide any funding to the team, possibly just coaching & technical support?
I think that the squad deserve to be displaying their talents at the next level and it would be a shame if the club cannot afford promotion...It is almost a Rangers scenario (apart from not being promoted!) where they are clearly too good for the Wessex League. There is clearly a great team spirit and the future looks good on the pitch, if the ressies are winning their league as well....Not a bad season, 2 championships and a national cup win.....hopefully!....
