Re: Discipline

By hfcyork29/8/2015 22:40Sat Aug 29 22:40:01 2015In response to Re: Discipline

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After another unnecessary sending off and booking today some individual players have questions to answer but more importantly so do the management. Ill discipline loses games (we all know the impact the sending off had in the play off final even if the decision was later proved wrong) and brings the club into disrepute. I've followed Hendon for over 35 years (and there are another 50 before that from various family members) and have never known the club to have a reputation for ill discipline. To see the comments above is saddening. As a fans owned club that growing poor reputation reflects badly on everyone.

David B has suggested that we are sinned against rather than being sinners but over the course of last season Hendon finished an appalling second worst in the Ryman fair play table. Although some of that can be attributed to number of games played it is not a stat we should ever want to repeat. I would have hoped the management would already have been tasked to clear out the worst offenders and then strive for improvements this year. Instead we have seen 2 sent off in the first 6 games and comments made about unnecessary bookings.

Kevin McLaren had a very poor record on the pitch last year contributing around 15% of the total disciplinary points gained yet only playing in just over half the total games. He averaged a caution or dismissal in at least every third game. Even without the unsavoury off the pitch incident there should have been no place for him in the squad this season. The lengthy ban should have been a blessing in disguise allowing the club to quietly dispense with McClaren's services yet it appears there is still a route back on offer. That sends the wrong message.

At a time when supporters were asked not to comment pending McClaren's appeal Gary McCann was offering support in the press and hoping for a reduced sentence (so by implication accepting McClaren's guilt). If the owners of the club can't comment then why does the manager? Couple that approach with the character observations of the independent panel and you start to wonder about his overall suitability.

The club has worthy aspirations for a move to SJP and greater involvement with youth and community while remaining supporter owned. This article is food for thought:

http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/featured/12577/national-game-awards-pfa-fair-play-award-harrogate-town/

Initiatives aimed at improving standards e.g. foul language, should be welcomed but not just by supporters. Players and management need to buy into and support that whole approach too and set a good example all round especially if they are to justify their pay which comes direct from supporters hard earned cash. Long term reputation and ambitions are worth far more than a couple of good seasons kicking and shouting on the way to winning a few matches.

2 sent off in 6 matches, with comments made about them being unnecessary is a very poor start given our record last year. No manager or player is indispensable and if they can't (or won't) look to improve on the current disciplinary record and reputation then, irrespective of results, it is time for a change.