Many say that ‘money talks’ in football and therefore, by the same token a lack of money is equally vocal. That’s certainly the case as Santa Claus prepares to visit Ebbsfleet United’s Stonebridge Road where there’s been a distinct lack of “Cheer! Cheer!”, Christmas or otherwise, thus far this season.

Seventh place and a play-off semi-final defeat to eventual winners Tranmere Rovers in 2018 was followed last season by an eighth-place finish, narrowly missing out on the post-season due to an awful run of no wins in five during April 2019. But that wasn’t the story in the run up to this season.

For month after month, the players received their wages late, despite promise after promise from owner Dr Al Humaidi. Manager Daryl McMahon took the unprecedented step of making the situation public that, to the surprise of no one, led to his dismissal.

To the surprise of quite a few, though, in came Garry Hill with the Fleet feeling the pull of the waves onto the rocks of relegation and, even though the wages were still being paid late, he steadied the ship towards calmer waters.

Dave Archer, a man who has worn at least three different boardroom-level hats in 2019, hosted a Fleet Trust organised invite-only Q&A in April, at which the owner said he was “in it for the long haul” and Archer said that while Hill’s playing budget would be drastically cut – “players are on League One wages here” – it would still be one of the most competitive in the National League.

Over the summer, the squad that had come close to getting Ebbsfleet into the Football League for the first time in the club’s history departed. Players at their end of their deals were not renewed while those under contract were given time to get themselves a move. It was bitter, acrimonious and tweets flew in all directions.

Hill, meanwhile, was desperately trying to attract players to a club that was known to pay late. It wasn’t an easy summer and, as he mentioned to every passing journalist and supporter he could find, Hill missed out on his family holiday. As things would turn out, he’d have plenty of time for holidays soon enough.

The manager’s preferred formation of 3-5-2 meant fan favourite Sean Shields was surplus to requirements and it was a collective of experienced old heads/knees and young loanees who commenced the opening game at home to Halifax. Nine minutes later, captain Jack King received a red card, the drawing board was in flames and the men from Yorkshire romped to a 4-1 victory.

Worse was to follow four days later, a 3-1 hammering at Bromley that could and should have been many more for the home side.

Fleet lost their opening five games before the first point – home to Notts County – and then the first win – away at Boreham Wood – were secured and it appeared the corner had been turned.

Except around the corner lay just one more win in ten games. Hill sacked his assistant Ian Hendon and replaced him with Kevin Watson, but two home defeats in four days at the beginning of October, to Torquay (2-4) and Maidenhead (1-2), led to Hill’s inevitable departure. And in a twist that the Jive Bunny would be proud of, Watson then replaced Hill. Elementary my dear Dr!

Under Watson, the Fleet have played a more attractive style of football than the dire dross served up earlier in the season and there’s only been one league defeat, although that was another humiliating evening in London, this time surrendering to a 5-2 loss at Barnet having twice equalised.

Fleet go into the festive period having only just received November’s wages and in 22nd, four points from safety and seven shy of Dagenham & Redbridge, who they play on Boxing Day (A) and New Year’s Day (H).

The busy run of fixtures also includes visits to north Kent by Woking (21st) and Dover Athletic (28th) before a daunting January 4th trip to current leaders Barrow.

Ebbsfleet have been reliant on Myles Weston – MotM every game – and their loan players for the first five months of the season but with some, if not all, likely to be recalled in January, the Dr is going to have to make his money talk again, and on time.

It’s certainly a challenge for the Fleet to avoid the drop but one that Watson is equipped to rise to, as long as the support from the terraces is matched by those occupying the boardroom.