You Can't Please Everyone! - 12 September

The chairman of uhlsport Hellenic League Division One WestTrowbridge Town expounds on the problems with anti-social behaviour experienced by the football club.

I have long known that the old adage of, "you can't please everyone all the time" is true, but the intolerance and anti social behaviour displayed by a small handful, (and by his I mean just 5 or 6 people), of local residents, to the Football Club, its managers, coaches, volunteers, players, children, and to myself over the weeks and months leading up to this season has surprised and saddened all of us.
I think you, our supporters, and in general most of the right thinking population of Trowbridge and the surrounding area will agree that the Clubs actions in improving the facilities at Woodmarsh over the summer has brought a new lease of life to the Club, both at Senior and Youth level – well not according to the few dissenters, who have from the very start of the close season made our lives very difficult by opposing every aspiration we have.

The problems at Woodmarsh have been known for a long time:

An open ground, with access points at many places around its boundaries, meaning that keeping the ground secure is impossible
Inconsiderate users, who let their dogs foul the ground, utilise and damage the pitches.
Vandalism to the buildings, stands and dugouts.
Anti social behaviour from people using the ground during the evenings for drinking and social gatherings.

This had led to a ground, which quite frankly has been an embarrassment to the County Town of Wiltshire, which is dangerous for both children and adults to play sport on due to broken glass, dangerous and damaged buildings, dog excrement and all types of litter. In addition, the very open nature of the site means that the Club breaches almost every aspect of Child Protection requirements, with easy access to main roads, poor facilities, and the possibility of strangers approaching youth players, both male and female when they could be vulnerable.
For these reasons, the Club has made a huge effort, and at considerable expense closed off the illegal openings, installed secure gates and fences. Refurbished the changing rooms, dug outs and stands, and provided the players, parents and supporters with a hospitality and respite building which compares very favourably with our neighbouring Clubs.

Since taking these actions, the clubs has had:
New openings cut and forced through the boundary hedge.
The gates posts knocked down.
Dog walkers deliberately allowing their pets to defecate on the junior and senior pitches.
Three break ins, with subsequent vandalism and theft of Club property.
Vandalism to the new signage, walls and dugouts around the ground
Walls and coping stones knocked over.
Broken bottles and glass scattered around the ground.
Verbal abuse to volunteers, managers and coaches.

This is a disgrace, and everyone involved in the Club, and in the wider community now needs to show their support in saying that this cannot continue.

On a personal level as chairman of the Club, I have always been honest with the players, (whether children or adults), parents, managers and coaches and have also been diligent in going through the due process of consultation with Wiltshire Council, Trowbridge Town Council, North Bradley Parish Council and the Local Residents Association concerning our actions at Woodmarsh, and during all of this, I have always made it clear what the aspirations of the Club are, both on and off the field. Over the last few weeks, I have found that my family have been brought into this situation, have had my car "keyed" whilst in my driveway, and have also had to put up with abuse from a local football club manager in a public manner, all of which is quite frankly, petty and rather pathetic, but at the same time unacceptable to me, my family or to the Club.
Through the nature of my profession, I am used to dealing with bigots, bullies and braggarts, these people are invariably either cowards or too unintelligent to understand the outcomes of their idiocy whether it be by action or word. As a Club and as a Community, we cannot let people like this to win.
One of the ways in which the Club can combat these people is for us to put together a petition, supporting our actions and aspirations for the Club over the coming years, if during or after the match anyone would like to ask in the Hospitality Suite for a petition form, it would be very much appreciated if you could take it away with you and get as many people to sign it as possible. Please the forms to the Club through one of its officers at any time, or at the next home game.

The aim is to ensure that we have over three thousand signatures – the more the better. We can then give this to the Local Councils and other authorities to prove that the residents of Trowbridge and the surrounding areas will not put up with the actions of the anti social few, and really do want a club to be proud of.

Please note: The vast majority of local residents are conscientious and pleasant people, who whether they support the Club or not, are not involved in the problems we are experiencing – please remember to be good neighbours to them whilst you are at, and when you are leaving the ground.

Your support is very much appreciated,

Kindest Regards

Ralph McCaldon
Chairman
Trowbridge Town FC