Power to the People: Managers encouraged

After a 13-week summer break, Hornchurch and Romford have finally returned to Ryman League action.

And both managers have sounded suitably encouraged this week, after winning one and losing one of their respective matches.

Whether or not their moods improve over a busy 72-hour Bank Holiiday weekend remains to be seen, but it’s good to have them back.

Jimmy McFarlane and Paul Martin are always happy to chat and care deeply about their clubs.

And it would be great to see them hit their targets between now and the end of April.

Clubs around the country will be looking to raise their profiles and attract a few new faces through the turnstiles on ‘Non-League Day’ next Saturday, but Urchins are away at Met Police, while Romford’s FA Cup tie with Royston is being played the following day.

Hopefully the campaign will help to raise awareness anyway and persuade football fans to drop in on a game or two this season.

So much hard work goes on behind the scenes at clubs that officials must feel like banging their heads against a brick wall when the attendance figures come in.

Times remain hard, for a lot of people, and sponsorship is drying up, but it would be so nice to see the numbers going up, rather than down, at Bridge Avenue and Mill Field.

Even if it’s only for one home game a month. A few quid put away each week and you’re in, with change for a cuppa, and you never know, you might stumble on a classic!