Just like London Buses tractor tales is absent for weeks then 2 come along one after another. I write these tales still a bit the worse for wear after the Ryman Annual Banquet and Ball. At this year's events some of our old friends took time out to wish us well in our new challenge in the Southern League and state their sadness at our departure after 40 years. Noticeable absences from these kind comments were the current Chairman and Vice Chairman who have been in post for 33 of those 40 years.

Also present at this year's event was the Editor of the Non League Paper, that very nice Mr Stuart Hammonds. He also took the time out to say a few words. So it couldn't be our table was hard to find or that no one knew who we were. I had been Chairman for 7 years and I was accompanied by a former Secretary who over the past 16 years on and off has performed the Secretary role for as long if not longer. However in true BBC tradition for the sake of balance the Vice Chairman did wish us good night in the bar in the early hours of the morning. I don't think the fact that we were drinking with a current Board Member had any influence in us being included in his good night.

As the alcohol induced fog has started to clear and the prospect of spending next weekend in Torquay avoiding those seagulls from the Carling advert after me chips I have started thinking, do Chairman, Managers and young players have too high expectations for the start of the new season? Now the statistics show that 96 per cent of scholars signed by Clubs in England and Wales at 16 will not play again from the age of 18, and of those that do earn professional contracts only two per cent will still be professionals past 21. Less than five per cent of players who sign junior terms with a professional club go on to have a career in the game.( Facts Courtesy of James ELLIS and the Non League Paper)

In my 17 years of involvement with Ware FC I have only seen one young man make it to the professional game from our own Youth ranks. That was of course Scott Neilson. However our Academy this year has had 5 boys earn a place in the first team squad. One unfortunately, footballing wise we lose to University, but on the other side that is also a success for our Academy. The average wage in League two is £49,000 per annum and the average playing career is seven years. Combine these with the facts listed earlier and it is quite clear that a playing career is not necessarily a mirror of Steven Gerrard. Education becomes important especially when Premiership Clubs employ analysts, dieticians, chefs and a number of other staff. So a career in football is more likely to be obtained outside playing. It is also likely to be a lot longer if not more lucrative.

As always at the end of each season the debate with play-offs goes into full swing. Personally I don't like them, but it is clear it keeps the season alive for a number of Clubs and supporters. This year's Ryman One North probably highlights it. We had an offer from a Club to do a dual registration deal with a young player as they were desperate to make the play off. You also have to feel for Harlow one point less than the Champions Needham Market and lose the play-off final to third place Brentwood. Not only that second place earned over a 100 points. Perhaps this coming season will be the one they earn promotion outright, although I suspect the pressure from Suffolk will continue with Sudbury looking to improve on last season.

Enjoy your summer