‘Bitter’ Dartford fan must get facts right!
FORMER Dartford secretary John Vigar has expressed some quite aggressive views in Fans Forum about Havant & Waterlooville winning the National League South title. He undermines his case by getting quite a few facts wrong.
He claims East Thurrock United had to play Havant & Waterlooville two days after losing 4-0 at Chelmsford. This is nonsense.
East Thurrock played away against Chelmsford in September and won 2-1. The return fixture was on 14 April which Chelmsford won 4-2. East Thurrock did play a game three days later (not two) but this was not against Havant but against Dartford!
He also claims that the Havant v East Thurrock game was East Thurrock’s fourth in eight days. They did indeed play four games in eight days but the Havant match was the third not the fourth.
He claims Havant met a much weakened East Thurrock side because the original match was postponed. The match was actually postponed twice, once in March and once in April, well after Christmas. Mr Vigar claims East Thurrock were a strong side before Christmas not after so I fail to see the relevance.
He also fails to mention that Dartford’s final match was away against Bognor Regis Town who were bottom of the league and that Dartford had a whole week to prepare! R.WALL, Kesgrave, Suffolk AS a Havant & Waterlooville supporter, I find John Vigar’s comments that the Hawks won the National League South title by default very bitter and twisted.
The Hawks won the title fair and square with the best defensive record in the league by far and three players in the Team of the Season.
We were desperate to play that postponed game with East Thurrock to keep the momentum going but due to torrential rain, and despite the best efforts of the groundstaff, the referee had to call it off.
I appreciate Mr Vigar’s comments are not typical of all Dartford supporters and I would like to wish them all the best for next season. LIZ JEFFRESON, Waterlooville I can understand the Dartford supporters’ disappointment on missing promotion on the last day of the season,but there are many swings and roundabouts to be negotiated and in the end the team that copes best gets promoted.
Fixture pile up, injuries, postponements, weather conditions all contribute to a ‘season’.
Two years ago, Havant were relegated so we know about disappointment, next year we face a whole new ball game in the NationLeague. Dartford, too, are a strong outfit and I am sure they will challenge again next season and I wish them all the best. ROY ARNOLD, Waterlooville